Complement C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway mediates abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses in a mouse model of depression.

BACKGROUND: Both functional brain imaging studies and autopsy reports have indicated the presence of synaptic loss in the brains of depressed patients. The activated microglia may dysfunctionally engulf neuronal synapses, leading to synaptic loss and behavioral impairments in depression. However, the mechanisms of microglial-synaptic interaction under depressive conditions remain unclear. METHODS: We utilized lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce a mouse model of depression, examining the effects of LPS on behaviors, synapses, microglia, microglial phagocytosis of synapses, and the C1q/C3-CR3 complement signaling pathway. Additionally, a C1q neutralizing antibody was employed to inhibit the C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway and assess its impact on microglial phagocytosis of synapses and behaviors in the mice. RESULTS: LPS administration resulted in depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, synaptic loss, and abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of mice. We found that the C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in this abnormal microglial activity. Treatment with the C1q neutralizing antibody moderated the C1q/C3-CR3 pathway, leading to a decrease in abnormal microglial phagocytosis, reduced synaptic loss, and improved behavioral impairments in the mice. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the C1q/C3-CR3 complement signaling pathway, which mediates abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses, presents a novel potential therapeutic target for depression treatment.

Advances in the Study of Probiotics for Immunomodulation and Intervention in Food Allergy.

Food allergies are a serious food safety and public health issue. Soybean, dairy, aquatic, poultry, and nut products are common allergens inducing allergic reactions and adverse symptoms such as atopic dermatitis, allergic eczema, allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Probiotics are assumed as an essential ingredient in maintaining intestinal microorganisms' composition. They have unique physiological roles and therapeutic effects in maintaining the mucosal barrier, immune function, and gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the invasion of pathogenic bacteria, and preventing diarrhea and food allergies. Multiple pieces of evidence reveal a significant disruptive effect of probiotics on food allergy pathology and progression mechanisms. Thus, this review describes the allergenic proteins as an entry point and briefly describes the application of probiotics in allergenic foods. Then, the role of probiotics in preventing and curing allergic diseases by regulating human immunity through intestinal flora and intestinal barrier, modulating host immune active cells, and improving host amino acid metabolism are described in detail. The anti-allergic role of probiotics in the function and metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract has been comprehensively explored to furnish insights for relieving food allergy symptoms and preventing food allergy.

Low Band Gap Benzoxazole-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photo-Enhanced Targeted Uranium Recovery.

The inherent features of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) make them highly attractive for uranium recovery applications. A key aspect yet to be explored is how to improve the selectivity and efficiency of COFs for recovering uranium from seawater. To achieve this goal, a series of robust and hydrophilic benzoxazole-based COFs is developed (denoted as Tp-DBD, Bd-DBD, and Hb-DBD) as efficient adsorbents for photo-enhanced targeted uranium recovery. Benefiting from the hydroxyl groups and the formation of benzoxazole rings, the hydrophilic Tp-DBD shows outstanding stability and chemical reduction properties. Meanwhile, the synergistic effect of the hydroxyl groups and the benzoxazole rings in the π-conjugated frameworks significantly decrease the optical band gap, and improve the affinity and capacity to uranium recovery. In seawater, the adsorption capacity of uranium is 19.2× that of vanadium, a main interfering metal in uranium extraction.

Assessing the routine-practice gap for home blood pressure monitoring among Chinese adults with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is recommended for diagnosis, treatment adjustment and management of most hypertension cases in hypertension guidelines from multiple countries. This study aimed to evaluate HBPM behaviour and explore the routine-practice gap in HBPM among Chinese adults with hypertension. METHODS: Data were collected from 20 communities across three cities and six townships in three provinces (Beijing, Shandong and Jiangsu) in China between October 2014 and November 2014. In total, 2272 patients with hypertension aged ≥35 years that were registered with a primary health station in their local communities were selected by simple random sampling. RESULTS: Among the 2272 participants, 45.3% owned a home blood pressure (BP) monitor. In addition, 27.5% (625/2272) engaged in HBPM weekly or more frequently. Healthcare providers' advice was the strongest factor contributing to home BP monitor ownership and weekly HBPM behaviour, with odds ratios of 13.50 and 8.97, respectively. Approximately 4.4% of participants had achieved optimal HBPM regimens (duplicate measurements in the morning and evening for 7 days). Patients with uncontrolled office-measured BP were more likely to conduct HBPM regularly in the morning and evening, measure their BP two or three times in each session and maintain 7 consecutive days of HBPM than patients with controlled office BP (8.8% vs. 5.8%, P = 0.042; 14.3% vs. 8.1%, P = 0.002; and 19.9% vs. 12.4%, P = 0.005, respectively). Only 16.0% (165/1030) of participants actively reported their HBPM readings to doctors. CONCLUSION: The HBPM strategies specified in hypertension guidelines are seldom achieved in actual practice in China. Only a small proportion of patients actively participate in using HBPM to enhance their hypertension care. HBPM may be improved by healthcare providers offering specific advice and training.

Regenerable Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photo-enhanced Uranium Adsorption from Seawater.

Uranium is a key resource for the development of the nuclear industry, and extracting uranium from the natural seawater is one of the most promising ways to address the shortage of uranium resources. Herein, a semiconducting covalent organic framework (named NDA-TN-AO) with excellent photocatalytic and photoelectric activities was synthesized. The excellent photocatalytic effect endowed NDA-TN-AO with a high anti-biofouling activity by generating biotoxic reactive oxygen species and promoting photoelectrons to reduce the adsorbed UVI to insoluble UIV , thereby increasing the uranium extraction capacity. Owing to the photoinduced effect, the adsorption capacity of NDA-TN-AO to uranium in seawater reaches 6.07 mg g-1 , which is 1.33 times of that in dark. The NDA-TN-AO with enhanced adsorption capacity is a promising material for extracting uranium from the natural seawater.

Comprehensive metabolomic, proteomic and physiological analyses of grain yield reduction in rice under abrupt drought-flood alternation stress.

Abrupt drought-flood alternation (T1) is a meteorological disaster that frequently occurs during summer in southern China and the Yangtze river basin, often causing a significant loss of rice production. In this study, the response mechanism of yield decline under abrupt drought-flood alternation stress at the panicle differentiation stage was analyzed by looking at the metabolome, proteome as well as yield and physiological and biochemical indexes. The results showed that drought and flood stress caused a decrease in the yield of rice at the panicle differentiation stage, and abrupt drought-flood alternation stress created a synergistic effect for the reduction of yield. The main reason for the decrease of yield per plant under abrupt drought-flood alternation was the decrease of seed setting rate. Compared with CK0 (no drought and no flood), the net photosynthetic rate and soluble sugar content of T1 decreased significantly and its hydrogen peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase activity increased significantly. The identified differential metabolites and differentially expressed proteins indicated that photosynthesis metabolism, energy metabolism pathway and reactive oxygen species response have changed strongly under abrupt drought-flood alteration stress, which are factors that leads to the rice grain yield reduction.

Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) Promotes Hippocampus-Dependent Memory via Its Deubiquitinating Effect on TrkB.

Multiple studies have established that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity via its receptor, TrkB. In addition to being phosphorylated, TrkB has also been demonstrated to be ubiquitinated. However, the mechanisms of TrkB ubiquitination and its biological functions remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) promotes contextual fear conditioning learning and memory via the regulation of ubiquitination of TrkB. We provide evidence that UCH-L1 can deubiquitinate TrkB directly. K460 in the juxtamembane domain of TrkB is the primary ubiquitination site and is regulated by UCH-L1. By using a peptide that competitively inhibits the association between UCH-L1 and TrkB, we show that the blockade of UCH-L1-regulated TrkB deubiquitination leads to increased BDNF-induced TrkB internalization and consequently directs the internalized TrkB to the degradation pathway, resulting in increased degradation of surface TrkB and attenuation of TrkB activation and its downstream signaling pathways. Moreover, injection of the peptide into the DG region of mice impairs hippocampus-dependent memory. Together, our results suggest that the ubiquitination of TrkB is a mechanism that controls its downstream signaling pathways via the regulation of its endocytosis and postendocytic trafficking and that UCH-L1 mediates the deubiquitination of TrkB and could be a potential target for the modulation of hippocampus-dependent memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) has been demonstrated to play important roles in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. TrkB, the receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, has also been shown to be a potent regulator of synaptic plasticity. In this study, we demonstrate that UCH-L1 functions as a deubiquitinase for TrkB. The blockage of UCH-L1-regulated deubiquitination of TrkB eventually results in the increased degradation of surface TrkB and decreased activation of TrkB and its downstream signaling pathways. In vivo, UCH-L1-regulated TrkB deubiquitination is necessary for hippocampus-dependent memory. Overall, our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of UCH-L1-mediated neurobiological functions and suggests that ubiquitination is an important regulatory signal for TrkB functions.

HDAC7 Ubiquitination by the E3 Ligase CBX4 Is Involved in Contextual Fear Conditioning Memory Formation.

Histone acetylation, an epigenetic modification, plays an important role in long-term memory formation. Recently, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were demonstrated to promote memory formation, which raises the intriguing possibility that they may be used to rescue memory deficits. However, additional research is necessary to clarify the roles of individual HDACs in memory. In this study, we demonstrated that HDAC7, within the dorsal hippocampus of C57BL6J mice, had a late and persistent decrease after contextual fear conditioning (CFC) training (4-24 h), which was involved in long-term CFC memory formation. We also showed that HDAC7 decreased via ubiquitin-dependent degradation. CBX4 was one of the HDAC7 E3 ligases involved in this process. Nur77, as one of the target genes of HDAC7, increased 6-24 h after CFC training and, accordingly, modulated the formation of CFC memory. Finally, HDAC7 was involved in the formation of other hippocampal-dependent memories, including the Morris water maze and object location test. The current findings facilitate an understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of HDAC7 in the regulation of hippocampal-dependent memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The current findings demonstrated the effects of histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) on hippocampal-dependent memories. Moreover, we determined the mechanism of decreased HDAC7 in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) through ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. We also verified that CBX4 was one of the HDAC7 E3 ligases. Finally, we demonstrated that Nur77, as one of the important targets for HDAC7, was involved in CFC memory formation. All of these proteins, including HDAC7, CBX4, and Nur77, could be potential therapeutic targets for preventing memory deficits in aging and neurological diseases.

A novel antibody targeting sequence 31-35 in amyloid ß protein attenuates Alzheimer's disease-related neuronal damage.

Amyloid ß protein (Aß) plays a critical role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous studies indicated that the sequence 31-35 in Aß molecule is an effective active center responsible for Aß neurotoxicity in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we prepared a novel antibody specifically targeting the sequence 31-35 of amyloid ß protein, and investigated the neuroprotection of the anti-Aß31-35 antibody against Aß1-42 -induced impairments in neuronal viability, spatial memory, and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in rats. The results showed that the anti-Aß31-35 antibody almost equally bound to both Aß31-35 and Aß1-42 , and pretreatment with the antibody dose-dependently prevented Aß1-42 -induced cytotoxicity on cultured primary cortical neurons. In behavioral study, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of anti-Aß31-35 antibody efficiently attenuated Aß1-42 -induced impairments in spatial learning and memory of rats. In vivo electrophysiological experiments further indicated that Aß1-42 -induced suppression of hippocampal synaptic plasticity was effectively reversed by the antibody. These results demonstrated that the sequence 31-35 of Aß may be a new therapeutic target, and the anti-Aß31-35 antibody could be a novel immunotheraputic approach for the treatment of AD. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gender-specific Association of Sleep Duration with Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Body Fat in Chinese Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between habitual sleep duration and obesity among Chinese adults. METHODS: The association of sleep duration and obesity was investigated among 7,094 community-dwelling Chinese adults. Sleep duration was self-reported. In this study, obesity was defined as follows: body mass index (BMI) ⋝ 28 kg/m2, waist circumference (WC) ⋝ 85 cm in men and ⋝ 80 cm in women, and percent body fat (%BF) ⋝ 25 in men and ⋝ 35 in women. Logistic and quantile regressions were employed to examine relationships of interest. RESULTS: Overall, 6.42% of the participants reported short sleep durations (< 6 h/d) while 14.71% reported long (⋝ 9 h/d) sleep durations. Long sleepers (⋝ 9 h/d) represented a greater frequency of women with obesity [odds ratio (OR): 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.67] and high body fat (1.43, 1.04-1.96) than those who slept 7-8 h/d. An association between long sleep times and higher BMI estimations was found across the 10th-75th percentile of the BMI distribution. Among men, long sleepers (⋝ 9 h/d) presented lower risks of developing abdominal obesity compared with individuals who slept 7-8 h/d (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.44-0.99). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that long sleep durations are associated with general obesity in Chinese women but reduced waist circumferences in men. Confirmatory studies are needed to determine the heterogeneous association of sleep time and obesity by gender.

Lentibacillus amyloliquefaciens sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from saline sediment sample.

A Gram-stain positive, non-motile, non-sporogenous, aerobic, rod-shaped and halophilic bacterium, designated LAM0015(T), was isolated from a saline sediment sample collected from Yantai City in China. The isolate was found to be able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 5-25 % (w/v) (optimum: 7-12 %), 15-45 °C (optimum: 35 °C) and pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum: 7.0). The major fatty acids were determined to be anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7. The cell wall peptidoglycan was determined to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidyglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, five phospholipids and one glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 43.1 mol% as determined by the T m method. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the isolate belongs within the genus Lentibacillus and is closely related to Lentibacillus persicus DSM 22530(T), Lentibacillus salicampi JCM 11462(T) and Lentibacillus jeotgali JCM 15795(T) with 97.3, 96.7 and 96.4 % sequence similarity, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between LAM0015(T) and L. persicus DSM 22530(T) was 51.2 ± 1.4 %. Based on its phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain LAM0015(T) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Lentibacillus, for which the name Lentibacillus amyloliquefaciens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAM0015(T) (=ACCC 06401(T) = JCM 19838(T)).

Paenibacillus populi sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of Populus alba.

A novel aerobic bacterium, designated strain LAM0705(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of Populus alba in the Peking University Third Hospital. Cells of strain LAM0705(T) were observed to be Gram-stain positive, motile, spore-forming and rod-shaped. The optimal temperature and pH for growth were found to be 30 °C and pH 7.5, respectively. Strain LAM0705(T) was found to be able to grow in the presence 0-5 % NaCl (w/v) (optimum 1.0 %). The major fatty acids of strain LAM0705(T) were identified as anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C16:0. The dominant polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The cell wall peptidoglycan of strain LAM0705(T) was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA was found to be 48 mol% when determined by the T m method. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis indicated that strain LAM0705(T) is closely related to Paenibacillus agaridevorans DSM 1355(T) and Paenibacillus thailandensis KCTC 13043(T) with 97.8 and 96.1 % sequence similarity, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain LAM0705(T) and P. agaridevorans DSM 1355(T) was 47 ± 0.8 %. On the basis of its phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain LAM0705(T) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus populi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAM0705(T) (=ACCC 06427(T) = JCM 19843(T)).

Paenibacillus vini sp. nov., isolated from alcohol fermentation pit mud in Sichuan Province, China.

A novel facultatively anaerobic bacterial strain, designated LAM0504(T), was isolated from a pit mud of Luzhou flavour liquor alcohol fermentation in Sichuan Province, China. Cells of strain LAM0504(T) were observed to be Gram-stain negative, spore-forming, rod shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Strain LAM0504(T) was found to be able to grow at 20-48 °C (optimum: 30 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum: 7.0) and 0-3 % NaCl (w/v) (optimum: 1.0 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain LAM0504(T) was most closely related to Paenibacillus konsisdensis JCM 14798(T), Fontibacillus phaseoli LMG 27589(T) and Paenibacillus motobuensis JCM 12774(T), with 97.0, 96.8 and 96.7 % sequence similarity, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain LAM0504(T) and P. konsisdensis JCM 14798(T) was 53.3 ± 1.2 %. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain LAM0504(T) was 43.0 mol% as determined by the Tm method. The major fatty acids of strain LAM0504(T) were identified as anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C15:0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-7. The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified lipids. On the basis of its physiological and phylogenetic characteristics, strain LAM0504(T) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus vini sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAM0504(T) (=ACCC 06420(T) = JCM 19842(T)).

Negative Association of Domestic Activity and Active Commuting with Metabolic Syndrome in a Chinese Population Aged 35-64 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the associations of physical activity domains with metabolic syndrome among a middle-aged Chinese population. METHODS: In all, 3326 professional adults aged 35-64 years from Beijing and Zhejiang province were recruited with a cluster random sampling method. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was modified, and the recommended Asia-Pacific cut-offs of waist circumstance were introduced into the criteria for metabolic syndrome from the Adult Treatment Panel III. A binary logistic regression model was applied to examine the association of all physical activity domains with the risk of the syndrome. RESULTS: Participants who engaged in domestic activity for ⋜1176 MET-min/week had a 41.6% less chance of having metabolic syndrome [odds ratio (OR), 0.584; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.480-0.710] than those without this activity. In adjusted models, adults who actively commuted for ⋜33 MET-min/week but <528 MET-min/week had a 25% less chance of having the syndrome (OR, 0.750; 95% CI, 0.582-0.966) than those who did not. No interaction was detected between the two domains of activity and the syndrome. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the independently negative association of traffic and house activity with the prevalence of the syndrome in this sample with a generally low level of moderate activity.

Cannabinoid type 2 receptors play a crucial role in social defeat-induced depression.

BACKGROUND: The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating mood, but the specific involvement of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) in depression remains poorly understood. Similarly, the mechanisms by which electroacupuncture (EA) provides therapeutic benefits for depression are not clearly defined. This research aims to explore the function of CB2R in depression and examine if the therapeutic effects of EA are associated with the hippocampal CB2R system. METHODS: Mice experiencing social defeat stress (SDS) were used to model depression and anxiety behaviors. We quantified hippocampal CB2R and N-arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) levels. The efficacy of a CB2R agonist, JWH133, in mitigating SDS-induced behaviors was evaluated. Additionally, EA's impact on CB2R and AEA was assessed, along with the influence of CB2R antagonist AM630 on EA's antidepressant effects. RESULTS: SDS led to depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, with corresponding decreases in hippocampal CB2R and AEA. Treatment with JWH133 ameliorated these behaviors. EA treatment resulted in increased CB2R and AEA levels, while AM630 blocked these antidepressant effects. LIMITATIONS: The study mainly focused on the SDS model, which may not entirely reflect other depression models. Besides, further investigation is needed to understand the precise mechanisms by which CB2R and AEA contribute to EA's effects. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests hippocampal downregulation of CB2R and AEA contributes to depression. Upregulation of CB2R and AEA in response to EA suggests their involvement in EA's antidepressant effects. These findings provide insights into the role of the hippocampal CB2R system in depression and the potential mechanisms underlying EA's therapeutic effects.

BMI, WC, WHtR, VFI and BFI: which indictor is the most efficient screening index on type 2 diabetes in Chinese community population.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, many indexes can be used to describes obesity and predict diabetes. This research attempts to identify the best indicator of obesity to screening diabetes in Chinese population. METHODS: A cross-sectional data of 8121 subjects aged 35-60 years were included in this research belongs to the Diabetes Appropriate Technology Intervention Study. Anthropometric indicators including body weight, height, waist circumferences (WC), body fat index (BFI) and visceral fat index (VFI) and blood biochemical indicators after an overnight fast [fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triacylglycerol] were measured. BMI (body mass index) and Weight to Height Ratio was calculated. RESULTS: Subjects with obesity had a higher risk of physician diagnosed diabetes (OR=2.50, 95% CI 1.83-3.43), new diagnosed diabetes (OR=4.23, 95% CI 2.91-6.15) and pre-diabetes (OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.31-2.34) compared to those with normal Body mass index (BMI). There was a significant trend of increased risk of all diabetes status with increased waist circumference (WC). The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) yielded the most significant association with new diagnosed diabetes and physician diagnosed diabetes than other indices. CONCLUSION: Central obesity is significantly correlated with diabetes. VFI was most correlated with pre-diabetes while WHtR is an efficient screening index than BMI and WC in Chinese community diabetes screening.

[Assessment of left ventricle volume filling curve with magnetic resonance imaging: a preliminary study].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a preliminary study on the reliability of left ventricle volume filling curve through the commercial medical program Report-Card 4.0. METHODS: A total pf 22 normal volunteers underwent the examination. Images of standard 2-chamber view and short-axis view were acquired at end-expiration by electrocardiography-gated FIESTA CINE sequence. Then one experienced doctor manually contoured the endocardium during end-systole and end-diastole phases respectively, obtained the results of the volume of end-diastole (EDV) and end-systole (ESV), ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO), processing time and mean processing time per phase. Papillary muscle was not included into left ventricle volume. Another two observers utilized LV ANALYSIS of Report-Card, generated the left ventricle volume filling curve and recorded the processing time and mean processing time per phase. From the curve, EDV, ESV, SV, EF, CO, peak ejecting rate (PER) and peak filling rate (PFR) were also acquired. One observer repeated the procedures a week later. RESULTS: The difference of results from two methods were insignificant (P > 0.05) and the correlation was excellent (EDV 0.963, ESV 0.944). Intra-observer and inter-observer variability for measurements (EDV, ESV) were assessed by Bland-Altman analysis and interclass correlation coefficient (0.985, 0.987, 0.959 and 0.957 respectively). The mean processing time (179 ± 51) s by means of manually contouring was significantly less than the mean processing time (331 ± 99) s through REPORT-CARD 4.0 (P < 0.001). However, the mean processing time per phase (17 ± 5) s by means of REPORT-CARD 4.0 was significantly less than the mean processing time per phase (89 ± 26) s through manually contouring (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The reliability of left ventricle volume filling curve generated through Report-Card is excellent. Left ventricle volume filling curve may be a reliable method of further studying the functions of left ventricle.

Ionic covalent organic framework for selective detection and adsorption of TcO4-/ReO4.

Herein, a novel fluorescent ionic covalent organic framework (BTTA-BDNP) based on a linked carbazole unit was constructed for the synchronous monitoring and capture of TcO4-/ReO4-. BTTA-BDNP has a fast fluorescence response time with a low detection limit (66.7 nM) for ReO4- (a non-radioactive substitute for TcO4-). Meanwhile, the high charge density and hydrophobic skeleton of BTTA-BDNP enable it to exhibit rapid and selective trapping of ReO4- in complex environments.

Combining Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Therapy with Immunotherapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC).

INTRODUCTION: Monoclonal antibodies binding the EGFR, such as cetuximab and panitumumab, have been extensively used as targeted therapy for the treatment of mCRC. However, in clinical practice, it has been found that these treatment options have some limitations and fail to fully exploit their immunoregulatory activities. Meanwhile, because of the limited effects of current treatments, immunotherapy is being widely studied for patients with mCRC. However, previous immunotherapy trials in mCRC patients have had unsatisfactory outcomes as monotherapy. Thus, combinatorial treatment strategies are being researched. AREAS COVERED: The authors retrieved relevant documents of combination therapy for mCRC from PubMed and Medline. This review elaborates on the knowledge of immunomodulatory effects of anti-EGFR therapy alone and in combination with immunotherapy for mCRC. EXPERT OPINION: Although current treatment options have improved median overall survival (OS) for advanced disease to 30 months, the prognosis remains challenging for those with metastatic disease. More recently, the combination of anti-EGFR therapy with immunotherapy has been shown activity with complementary mechanisms. Hence, anti-EGFR therapy in combination with immunotherapy may hold the key to improving the therapeutic effect of refractory mCRC.

[Survey of dietary intake of Chinese adults in 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the status of dietary intake of Chinese adults in 2010. METHODS: In 2010, China Chronic Disease Surveillance was carried out in 31 provinces and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The survey was undertaken in 162 surveillance sites in the national disease surveillance points system by stratified multi-stage cluster random sampling. The participants were local residents (living in the area for more than 6 months) aged 18 years and above in the surveillance sites. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to measure the dietary intake for 97 187 urban and rural adults aged 18 years and above. After complex weighting for the sample, the average daily consumption for major food was analyzed for different genders and regions. RESULTS: After complex weighting, the median of cereal, rice and wheat flour intake for Chinese adults was 375.0 g. The median of livestock meat intake was 57.1 g with western areas (85.7 g) much higher than eastern (57.1 g) and central areas (46.2 g) (χ² = 2054.82, P < 0.01). The median of poultry intake was 7.1 g, eastern areas (10.0 g) higher than western and central areas (both 6.7 g) (χ² = 1210.86, P < 0.01). The median of seafood intake was 14.3 g, eastern (15.0 g) much higher than central (14.3 g) and western areas (7.1 g) (χ² = 5603.37, P < 0.01). The median of daily intake for eggs was 21.4 g, western (14.3 g) lower than eastern and central areas (both 21.4 g) (χ² = 1699.11, P < 0.01). The median of dairy product intake was 42.9 g, eastern (57.1 g) higher than western and central areas (both 35.7 g) (χ² = 196.35, P < 0.01). Overall, 52.8% of urban and rural residents did not meet recommended amount of fruit and vegetable intake. The rate of inadequate intake of fruit and vegetable was higher in rural (55.7%) than urban areas (46.1%, χ² = 929.43, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The adult intake of cereal category foods tended to decline in 2010, and the intakes of vegetable and fruits, fishery products as well as dairy products were evidently deficient and regionally varied.