Abstract Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) has been shown to possess cardioprotective effect. However, the specific mechanism of AS-IV in myocardial infarction (MI) remains unclear. Our results showed that AS-IV intervention observably enhanced cell viability and reduced cell apoptosis, oxidative stress levels and inflammatory factor secretion. Expression of MIRT1 was significantly up-regulated in hypoxia-treated cells. In addition, ALCAM overexpression reversed the effects of AS-IV intervention on hypoxia-treated cell functions. MIRT1 facilitated Runx3 promoter methylation and its downregulated expression by recruiting DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) to the Runx3 promoter region through binding with suppressor of Zeste 12 protein homolog (Suz12). Runx3 silencing reversed the effects of MIRT1 inhibition on hypoxia-treated cell functions. Betulinic acid suppressed the effects of AS-IV intervention on the behaviors of hypoxia-treated cells. AS-IV treatment improved the cardiac functions of mice with MI. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that AS-IV treatment inhibits DNMT3B-mediated Runx3 promoter methylation by restraining Suz12 expression and further blocks the NF-κB signaling pathway, and in turn improves the cardiac functions of mice with MI.

Abstract To study the influence of a foundation structure on the ground, the finite layer method of composite ground is derived based on the finite layer method (FLM) theory of the semi-analytic numerical method and the force method principle of elastic material, which is used to analyze a layered ground including multiple internal constraint planes. By simplifying a pile body as a solid constraint composed of four side plane constraints, the composite ground FLM is applied to solve the displacement and stress field of the ground. The change of the ground displacement and stress caused by the addition of a single pile constraint are then discussed, and the influence rules of a pile position on the ground displacement are also determined. Finally, the necessity, rationality and validity of the composite ground FLM are demonstrated by the model test examples of a single pile and pile raft foundation.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of a discrepancy between actual and preferred living arrangements on the relationship between living arrangements and life satisfaction among the elderly in China. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the 2005 dataset of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey was performed. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between life satisfaction and living arrangements. RESULTS: Among those with concordant actual and preferred living arrangements, living in a nursing home increased the likelihood of life satisfaction, whereas living alone and living with a spouse decreased the likelihood of life satisfaction compared to living with the next generation and a spouse. Among those with discordant living arrangements, there were no differences in life satisfaction between the various living arrangements, except that living with a spouse increased life satisfaction compared to living with the next generation and a spouse. CONCLUSIONS: A discrepancy between actual and preferred living arrangements modifies the relationship between life satisfaction and actual living arrangement. Living in a nursing home is a good option for Chinese elder care only if the older individual emotionally accepts it. Living alone or with a spouse is not a good arrangement for elder care, even though it is often preferred by the elderly. Those with discordant living arrangements are more satisfied living with their spouses.

Objective: To study the effect of Lactobacillus sp. A-2 metabolites on viability of CAL-27 cells and apoptosis in CAL-27 cells. Methods: Lactobacillus sp. A-2 metabolites 1 and 2 (LM1 and LM2) were obtained by culturing Lactobacillus sp. A-2 in reconstituted whey medium and whey-inulin medium; the cultured CAL-27 cells were treated with different concentrations of LM1 and LM2 (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 mg/mL) and assayed by methyl thiazolyltetrazolium (MTT) method; morphological changes of apoptotic cell were observed under fluorescence microscopy by acridine orange (Ao) fluorescent staining; flow cytometry method (FCM) and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to detect the apoptosis of CAL-27 cells treated LM1 and LM2. Results: The different concentrations of LM1 and LM2 could restrain the growth of CAL-27 cells, and in a dose-dependent manner; the apoptosis of CAL-27 cells was obviously induced and was time-dependent. Conclusions: Viability of CAL-27 cells was inhibited by Lactobacillus sp. A-2 metabolites; Lactobacillus sp. A-2 metabolites could induce CAL-27 cells apoptosis; study on the bioactive compounds in the Lactobacillus sp. A-2 metabolites and their molecular mechanism is in progress.