ABSTRACT Introduction: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a new noninvasive myocardial protection strategy that uses blood pressure cuf inflation to simulate transient non-fatal ischemia to protect the myocardium and reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sulfonylureas may mask the effects of RIPC due to their cardioprotec-tive effect. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether RIPC, in the absence of sulfonylureas, reduces troponin release in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials to determine whether RIPC can reduce postoperative troponin release in cardiac surgery patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass without treatment with sulfonylureas. The data were normalized to equivalent units prior to the analysis. A random-effects model was used to provide more conservative estimate of the effects in the presence of known or unknown heterogeneity. Results: Six studies with a total of 570 participants were included. The analysis showed that troponin release was lower in the RIPC group than in the control group at six hours (test of standardized mean differences = 0, Z=3.64, P<0.001) and 48 hours (Z=2.72, P=0.007) postoperatively. When the mean of cross-clamping time was > 60 minutes, RIPC reduced troponin release at six hours (Z=2.84, P=0.005), 24 hours (Z=2.64, P=0.008), and 48 hours (Z=2.87, P=0.004) postoperatively. Conclusion: In cardiac surgery patients who are not taking sulfonylureas, RIPC can reduce troponin release at six and 48 hours postoperatively; hence, RIPC may serve significant benefits in certain cardiac surgery patients.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a new noninvasive myocardial protection strategy that uses blood pressure cuf inflation to simulate transient non-fatal ischemia to protect the myocardium and reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sulfonylureas may mask the effects of RIPC due to their cardioprotec-tive effect. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether RIPC, in the absence of sulfonylureas, reduces troponin release in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials to determine whether RIPC can reduce postoperative troponin release in cardiac surgery patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass without treatment with sulfonylureas. The data were normalized to equivalent units prior to the analysis. A random-effects model was used to provide more conservative estimate of the effects in the presence of known or unknown heterogeneity. Results: Six studies with a total of 570 participants were included. The analysis showed that troponin release was lower in the RIPC group than in the control group at six hours (test of standardized mean differences = 0, Z=3.64, P<0.001) and 48 hours (Z=2.72, P=0.007) postoperatively. When the mean of cross-clamping time was > 60 minutes, RIPC reduced troponin release at six hours (Z=2.84, P=0.005), 24 hours (Z=2.64, P=0.008), and 48 hours (Z=2.87, P=0.004) postoperatively. Conclusion: In cardiac surgery patients who are not taking sulfonylureas, RIPC can reduce troponin release at six and 48 hours postoperatively; hence, RIPC may serve significant benefits in certain cardiac surgery patients.

Abstract The influences of 3-N-butyphthalide (NBP) on early brain injury (EBI) induced via mild subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its mechanism were explored. Establishment of SAH model was via autologous blood injection. The protection of NBP on EBI in SAH model mice was evaluated. Determination of neuronal apoptosis was conducted. Detection of blood brain barrier (BBB), ZO-1, claudin-5, occludin and MMP-9 was manifested. The effects of NBP on oxidative stress, inflammation, and the SIRT1/NF-κB and the LKB-1/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways were investigated. NBP could alleviate neurological deficits and BBB dysfunction, repress cerebral edema and mitigate brain histomorphology. NBP repressed apoptosis in brain tissues, oxidative stress, inflammation, NF-κB activity but facilitated SIRT1. Finally, NBP activated the LKB-1/AMPK pathway. NBP may lighten BBB dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis after SAH via activating the LKB-1/AMPK pathway, thereby mitigating EBI.

Abstract Salted duck egg white was desalted and hydrolyzed to produce angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides. Single factor test and response surface design were performed to determine the best hydrolysis conditions: enzyme dosage 11875.99 U/g, substrate concentration 33.04 g/L and hydrolysis time 4 h. The fraction V (MW < 1 kDa), which exhibited the strongest ACE inhibitory activity, was characterized by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Eighty-three peptides were identified, and among them Ile-Leu-Lys-Pro, Ile-Asn-Ser-Trp, Ile-Arg and His-Pro-Ala were synthesized for further research. Ile-Leu-Lys-Pro exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity (IC50: 0.355 mM). The molecular docking studies revealed that nine amino acids contributed to stabilize the docking complex. The ACE inhibition of Ile-Leu-Lys-Pro and Ile-Asn-Ser-Trp were mainly attributed to Ile in N-terminal. The residues Glu362 and Ala332 were the important binding sites in molecular docking. This research expands the understanding of ACE inhibitory peptides from duck egg white as well as highlights an opportunity for recycling an otherwise discarded byproduct.

Abstract Background: Interferon (IFN)-λ1, also named Interleukin (IL)-29, is a new member of the Type III IFN or IFN-λ family. IL-29 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many types of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Objective: To study the role of IL-29 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. Methods: The authors detected the serum levels of IL-29 in forty-one patients with psoriasis vulgaris, twenty-three patients with atopic dermatitis and thirty-eight age and gender-matched controls by sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The effects of IL-29 on the expression of cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-17, IL-8, IL-4, IL10, Interferon (IFN-γ) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), in PBMCs and HaCat cells were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: Our data indicated that serum IL-29 levels were significantly elevated in patients with psoriasis vulgaris when compared with atopic dermatitis patients and the control group. Moreover, Serum levels of IL-29 were closely associated with the severity of psoriasis vulgaris. Furthermore, IL-29 up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in PBMCs from psoriasis vulgaris patients. In addition, IL-29 enhanced the IL-6 and IL-8 expression from the HaCat cells. Conclusion: This study provides the first observations on the association of IL-29 and psoriasis vulgaris and showed elevated IL-29 serum levels. The authors suggest that IL-29 may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.

ABSTRACT Chinese sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis %#91;L.%#93; Nees) is an invasive and troublesome grass weed in the aerobic rice fields in China. The extensive and repeated use of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides has resulted in herbicide resistance in this weed. The objectives of this study were to determine the resistance levels to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides of the putative resistant Chinese sprangletop population CM9-1, collected from a paddy field in Shanghai city, in comparison to the susceptible population SJ3-1, and to characterize its molecular resistance mechanism. The whole- plant dose-response experiments suggested that the population CM9-1 had high-level resistance to cyhalofop-butyl, metamifop and fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, with resistance index of 27.8, 21.4 and 26.2, respectively, and low-level resistance to sethoxydim and pinoxaden, with resistance index of 2.1 and 2.9, respectively, but was sensitive to clethodim. Sequence analysis of the CT domain of ACCase gene revealed a Trp-2027-Ser mutation in resistant plants of the CM9-1 population. This is the first report of the cross-resistance pattern of the Trp-2027-Ser mutation to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides in Chinese sprangletop.

RESUMO No ambiente de rápido desenvolvimento do nível social e econômico, a reforma da informatização médica está constantemente avançando, e os residentes prestam cada vez mais atenção ao seu próprio estado de saúde, melhorando ao Mesmo tempo seu padrão de vida. O sistema tradicional de serviços médicos tem algumas desvantagens em fornecer serviços de saúde em tempo real, transfronteiriços, de longo prazo e fáceis de operar, o que vem se tornando cada vez mais inadequado para satisfazer as necessidades de saúde dos usuários. A fim de resolver o problema a da dificuldade em consultar um médico por devido a recursos médicos limitados, e para realizar a monitorização da saúde em tempo real para um grande número de grupos que sofrem de doenças crônicas e subgrupos de saúde, este estudo conduziu uma análise aprofundada e uma exploração experimental sobre o método de coleta de informações médicas móvel à distância humana baseado na Internet das coisas e algoritmo inteligente. Estabeleceu a seção de coleta de informações utilizando o algoritmo de clustering KbaC baseado no sistema de pontos de colônias de formigas que, juntamente com um estudo comparativo sobre os indicadores de saúde dos Grupos conexos, conseguiu provar que a tecnologia da Internet das coisas e o algoritmo inteligente para a coleta de informações médicas e acompanhamento dos serviços médicos têm certa relevância positiva baseada na Internet das coisas e outras tecnologias relacionadas ao sistema de coleta de informações médicas remotas humanas, podendo detectar com precisão e tempo hábil a pressão arterial do paciente, a glicose e outros dados de saúde, e, em seguida, fornecer o serviço médico correspondente.

ABSTRACT In the environment of rapid social and economic development, the reform of medical informatization is constantly advancing, and the residents pay more and more attention to their own health status while improving their living standards. The traditional medical service system has some disadvantages in providing real-time, cross regional, long-term and easy-to-operate health services, which has become increasingly inadequate to meet the health needs of users. In order to solve the problem of difficulty in seeing a doctor caused by limited medical resources, and to carry out real-time health monitoring for a large number of groups suffering from chronic diseases and sub-health groups, this study conducted in-depth analysis and experimental exploration on the human remote mobile medical information collection method based on the Internet of things and intelligent algorithm. It established the information collection section by using KbaC clustering algorithm based on ant colony point system which, combined with a comparative study on the health indicators of related groups, has successfully proved that the Internet of things technology and intelligent algorithm for medical information collection and follow-up medical services are of certain positive significance, based on the Internet of things and other related technologies of human remote medical information collection system that can accurately and timely detect the patient's blood pressure, blood sugar and other health data, and then provide corresponding medical services.

RESUMEN En un entorno de rápido desarrollo social y económico, la reforma de la informatización médica avanza constantemente y las personas prestan cada vez más atención a su estado de salud mientras mejoran su nivel de vida. El sistema de servicio médico tradicional tiene deficiencias en la prestación de servicios de salud en tiempo real, transregionales, a largo plazo y fáciles de operar, los que se han vuelto cada vez más inadecuados para satisfacer las necesidades de salud de los usuarios. Este estudio realizó un análisis con el objetivo de resolver la dificultad para consultar al médico debido a la limitación de los recursos, y de realizar un seguimiento de la salud en tiempo real de un gran número de grupos que padecen enfermedades crónicas. Dicho trabajo realizó un análisis en profundidad y de exploración experimental acerca del método de recopilación de información médica humana móvil remoto basado en Internet de las cosas y el algoritmo inteligente. Estableció la sección de recopilación de información utilizando el algoritmo de agrupación KbaC basado en el sistema de puntos de colonia de hormigas. Esto, combinado con un estudio comparativo sobre los indicadores de salud de grupos relacionados, ha demostrado con éxito que la tecnología de Internet de las cosas y el algoritmo inteligente para la recopilación y seguimiento de información médica son de importancia positiva, y que pueden detectar de manera precisa y oportuna la presión arterial, el azúcar en sangre y otros datos de salud del paciente, para luego proporcionar la atención médica correspondiente.

Abstract Electromagnetic (EM) waves do not travel in straight lines in the troposphere due to refraction. This leads to errors in many engineering applications. In order to correct these errors, a numerical solution based on the difference method has been proposed, which can reveal the degree of EM wave bending owing to atmospheric refraction, moreover, it can predict the actual path of the EM wave propagating in the troposphere. The error of the numerical method is studied here, which reveals the source of the error. Based on this, two improvement methods are proposed. The computational accuracy of the numerical methods is verified by comparison with the analytical solution. The proposed method ensures the computational efficiency and accuracy of the problem of refraction of EM waves in the troposphere.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Explorar a associação do polimorfismo do gene fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (BDNF) com o endofenótipo cognitivo latente de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT) após grandes desastres naturais na província de Hainan, China. MÉTODOS Um total de 300 doentes com TEPT e 150 controles saudáveis (HC) foi investigado pela escala de psicanálise para avaliar as suas funções cognitivas. A reação em cadeia polimerase (PCR) e a eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (Page) foram usadas para detectar o polimorfismo do gene BDNF. RESULTADOS Em termos de função cognitiva, as pontuações no grupo TEPT foram piores do que as do grupo HC (P<0,05 ou P<0,01). Houve uma diferença significativa na distribuição do genótipo de BDNF e frequência do alelo entre os dois grupos (P<0,05). Os endofenótipos de TEPT foram significativamente diferentes entre os genótipos de BDNF do grupo TEPT (P≤0,01). CONCLUSÃO Existe uma diferença estatisticamente significativa no polimorfismo do gene BDNF entre o TEPT e os grupos HC, e os alelos estão associados à incidência do TEPT. Assim, pode ser um fator de risco para TEPT.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To explore the association of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) polymorphism with the latent cognitive endophenotype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after major natural disasters in Hainan Province, China. METHODS A total of 300 patients with PTSD and 150 healthy controls (HC) were surveyed by psychoanalysis scale to assess their cognitive functions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) were used to detect the BDNF gene polymorphism. RESULTS In terms of the cognitive function, the scores in the PTSD group were worse than those of the HC group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the distribution of BDNF genotype and allele frequency between the two groups (P < 0.05). PTSD endophenotypes were significantly different among the BDNF genotypes in the PTSD group (P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION There is a statistically significant difference in the polymorphism of BDNF gene between PTSD and HC groups, and the alleles are associated with the incidence of PTSD. Thus, it may be a risk factor for PTSD.

Abstract Circulating miRNAs presenting in plasma in a stable manner have been demonstrated their potential role as a promising biomarkers in many human diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, melanoma and ovarian carcinoma. However, few circulating miRNAs could be used for breast ductal cancer diagnosis. Here, we identified miR-1273g-3p as a biomarker for detecting breast ductal cancer. We detected miR-1273g-3p levels in the plasma of 39 sporadic breast ductal cancer patients and 40 healthy donors by Stem-loop Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed the plasma miR-1273g-3p level were significantly up-regulated in breast ductal cancer patients compared with healthy donors (p=0.0139). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve also revealed the significantly diagnostic ability of miR-1273g-3p in patients (p=0.0414). In addition, the plasma level of miR-1273g-3p was closely related to IIIB-IIIC TNM stage. We also confirmed the higher expression level of miR-1273g-3p in breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 (4.872±0.537) than normal breast cells (Hs 578Bst). Taken together, miR-1273g-3p could represent as a potential biomarker for early breast ductal cancer diagnosis.

Abstract Background: LincRNAs have been revealed to be tightly associated with various tumorigeneses and cancer development, but the roles of specific lincRNA on tumor-related angiogenesis was hardly studied. Here, we aimed to investigate whether linc-OIP5 in breast cancer cells affects the angiogenesis of HUVECs and whether the linc-OIP5 regulations are involved in angiogenesis-related Notch and Hippo signaling pathways. Methods: A trans-well system co-cultured HUVECs with linc-OIP5 knockdown breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 was utilized to study the proliferation, migration and tube formation abilities of HUVECs and alterations of related signaling indicators in breast cancer cells and their conditioned medium through a series of cell and molecular experiments. Results: Overexpressed linc-OIP5, YAP1, and JAG1 were found in breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 and the expression levels of YAP1 and JAG1 were proportional to the breast cancer tissue grades. MDA-MB-231 cells with linc-OIP5 knockdown led to weakened proliferation, migration, and tube formation capacity of co-cultured HUVECs. Besides, linc-OIP5 knockdown in co-cultured MDA-MB-231 cells showed downregulated YAP1 and JAG1 expression, combined with a reduced JAG1 level in conditioned medium. Furthermore, a disrupted DLL4/Notch/NRP1 signaling in co-cultured HUVECs were also discovered under this condition. Conclusion: Hence, linc-OIP5 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells may act on the upstream of the YAP1/Notch/NRP1 signaling circuit to affect proliferation, migration, and tube formation of co-cultured HUVECs in a non-cellular direct contact way through JAG1 in conditioned medium. These findings at least partially provide a new angiogenic signaling circuit in breast cancers and suggest linc-OIP5 could be considered as a therapeutic target in angiogenesis of breast cancers.

Metal oxides (manganese oxide, MnO, manganese dioxide, MnO2, copper oxide, CuO, zinc oxide, ZnO and nickel oxide, NiO) doped carbon aerogel (CA) were prepared and used as catalysts in heterogeneous oxidation of phenol from aqueous solution in a three-dimensional (3D) electrode reactor. Textural characterization of metal oxides doped CA showed that the metal oxide nanoparticles are dispersed separately throughout the carbon matrix. The experimental results showed that phenol was degraded mainly by hydroxyl (•OH) radicals. The presence of metal oxides accelerated •OH radical generation. The •OH radical quantity depends on the type of metal oxide. The n-type semiconductor was more active than p-type semiconductor for •OH radical generation. Furthermore, acceleration effect of •OH radical generation catalyzed by metal oxides doped CA was investigated and demonstrated.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the impact of different hypoxia reoxygenation (HR) times on autophagy of rat cardiomyocytes (H9C2). Methods: Rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into normal control group (group A), hypoxia group (group B), 2 h HR group (group C), 12 h HR group (group D), and 24 h HR group (group E). LC3 II/LC3 I was determined via western blotting, and cell viabilities of cardiomyocytes were measured using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results: Cell viabilities in HR model groups were significantly lower than those of group A (P<0.05). LC3 II/LC3 I levels in groups B to D were significantly higher than those of group A (P<0.05), and group D showed the highest LC3 II/LC3 I levels. Cell viabilities in groups B to D were significantly lower than those of group A (P<0.05), with group D showing the lowest cell viabilities (P<0.05). Conclusions: Hypoxia can induce autophagy in rat cardiomyocytes, which can be further activated by reoxygenation; most notable after 12 h. Hypoxia-induced cell injury can be aggravated by reoxygenation. The lowest cell viability was observed at 12 h after reoxygenation; however, cell viability can be recovered after 24 h.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of ozone oxidative preconditioning (OzoneOP) on inflammation and oxidative stress injury in rat model of renal transplantation. Methods: Thirty six male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups. Sham group: rats were treated with opening and closing abdomen. Kidney transplantation group (KT group): SD rat received the donor’s left kidney derived from another SD rat. Ozone oxidative preconditioning and kidney transplantation (OOP+KT group): donor SD rats received OzoneOP treatments by transrectal insufflations before kidney transplantation. After transplantation, parameters of renal function of recipients were determined. Morphology and pathological changes of renal allograft were examined. Expression of NF-κBp65, HMGB-1 were also determined by Western-blot. Results: Compared to KT group, the morphology and pathological damages of renal allograft were less serious in OOP+KT group. Meanwhile, levels of SOD and GSH-Px of renal allograft in OOP+KT group were higher than those in KT group respectively. Western-blot showed that the expressions of NF-κBp65 and HMGB-1 in OOP+KT group were obviously less than those in KT group. Conclusion: Ozone oxidative preconditioning could attenuate the inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress injury in renal allograft, which might be related with the enhancement of anti-oxidative system and suppression of inflammatory reaction.

In this work, thermal properties and kinetics of Al-nanoparticles/α-MnO2 nanorods thermite were reported. The α-MnO2 nanorods were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), then combined with Al nanoparticles based on the ultrasonic mixing method to prepare the nanostructure thermite. Besides, both pure components and mixture were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to observe their morphologies and structures. Subsequently, the thermal properties of Al/α-MnO2 nanostructure thermite were studied on the basis of thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). According to the TG-DSC tests, the calculation results of activation energy for kinetics of Al/α-MnO2 thermite were obtained using different isoconversional methods. It was found that Al/α-MnO2 nanostructure thermite has high heat release and low onset temperature, and the heat release of the nanostructure thermite was approximately 1146.6 J g -1.