ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the absolute number of serum T lymphocytes and cytokine levels and the characteristics of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and to assess their effect on the immune status of these patients and their diagnostic and predictive value for tuberculosis. Methods: We included 1,069 patients with active tuberculosis, 51 patients with latent tuberculosis infection, and 600 health individuals. Absolute serum T-lymphocyte counts and cytokine levels were quantified. Results: T lymphocytes were significantly reduced in patients with active tuberculosis when compared with healthy individuals. The immune function of patients gradually decreased with age and was stronger in female patients than in males. Th1 cells expressed higher levels of cytokines than did Th2 cells. Logistic regression analysis showed that reduced CD3+ T, CD8+ T, and NK cell counts, as well as reduced IL-4 and IFN-g expression, were independent influencing factors for active tuberculosis. ROC analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of absolute CD3+ T and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts and combined factors were significantly higher than were those of IL-4 and IFN-g for diagnosing active tuberculosis. Conclusions: Serum T-lymphocyte counts and cytokine levels can assess the immune status of tuberculosis patients; they are also useful biomarkers for predicting and diagnosing tuberculosis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar o número absoluto de linfócitos T séricos e os níveis de citocinas séricas, bem como as características, de pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar ativa e avaliar o efeito desses no estado imunológico desses pacientes e seu valor diagnóstico e preditivo para tuberculose. Métodos: Foram incluídos 1.069 pacientes com tuberculose ativa, 51 pacientes com tuberculose latente e 600 indivíduos saudáveis. Foram realizadas a contagem absoluta de linfócitos T séricos e a quantificação de citocinas séricas. Resultados: Os linfócitos T estavam significativamente reduzidos nos pacientes com tuberculose ativa em comparação com os indivíduos saudáveis. A função imunológica dos pacientes diminuiu gradativamente com a idade e mostrou-se mais forte nas mulheres do que nos homens. As células Th1 expressaram maiores níveis de citocinas do que as células Th2. A análise de regressão logística mostrou que contagens reduzidas de células T CD3+, T CD8+ e NK e expressão reduzida de IL-4 e IFN-g foram fatores de influência independentes para tuberculose ativa. A análise ROC mostrou que a sensibilidade e especificidade dos valores absolutos de linfócitos T CD3+ e T CD8+ e de fatores combinados foram significativamente maiores do que as da IL-4 e do IFN-g para o diagnóstico da tuberculose ativa. Conclusões: A contagem de linfócitos T séricos e os níveis de citocinas séricas podem avaliar o estado imunológico de pacientes com tuberculose; também são biomarcadores úteis na predição e diagnóstico da tuberculose.

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the progression of diverse human cancers. This work aimed to delve into how microRNA-135a-5p (miR-135a-5p) affects the biological behaviors of Breast Cancer (BC) cells. Methods Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to analyze the expression differences of miR-135a-5p in cancer tissues of BC patients. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were conducted to detect miR-135a-5p and Bcl-2 Associated Athanogene (BAG3) expression levels in BC tissues and cells, respectively. The proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of BC cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay, BrdU assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry. The targeted relationship between miR-135a-5p and BAG3 mRNA 3′UTR predicted by bioinformatics was further testified by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Pearson's correlation analysis was adopted to analyze the correlation between miR-135a-5p expression and BAG3 expression. The downstream pathways of BAG3 were analyzed by the LinkedOmics database. Results MiR-135a-5p was significantly down-regulated and BAG3 expression was significantly raised in BC tissues. MiR-135a-5p overexpression repressed the viability, migration and invasion of BC cells, and blocked cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase while inhibiting miR-135a-5p worked oppositely. BAG3 was verified as a target of miR-135a-5p. Overexpression of BAG3 reversed the impacts of miR-135a-5p on the malignant biological behaviors of BC cells. The high expression of BAG3 was associated with the activation of the cell cycle, mTOR and TGF-β signaling pathways. Conclusion MiR-135a-5p regulates BAG3 to repress the growth, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of BC cells.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive medical expulsive therapy (MET) with tamsulosin for the promotion of stone fragments clearance for repeated extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis was conducted by systematic search for randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases in January 2020, which compared tamsulosin with either placebo or non-placebo control for repeated ESWL. The primary endpoint was stone-free rate (SFR), the second endpoints were stone clearance time and complications. The quality assessment of included studies was performed by using the Cochrane System and Jadad score. Results: 7 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Tamsulosin provided higher SFR (for stones larger than 1cm, OR: 5.56, p=0.0003), except for patients with stones less than 1cm. For patients with renal stones (OR: 2.97, p=0.0005) or upper ureteral stones (OR: 3.10, p=0.004), tamsulosin can also provide a higher SFR. In addition, tamsulosin provided a shorter stone clearance time (WMD: −9.40, p=0.03) and lower pain intensity (WMD=-17.01, p <0.0001) and incidences of steinstrasse (OR: 0.37, p=0.0002). Conclusion: Adjunctive MET with tamsulosin is effective in patients with specific stone size or location that received repeated ESWL. However, no well-designed RCT that used computed tomography for the detection and assessment of residual stone fragments was found. More studies with high quality and the comparison between tamsulosin and secondary ESWL are needed in the future.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to investigate the micro-anatomical morphology of ossicular chain in term fetus using micro-CT, in order to analyze the parameters of internal ossicular structure that may affect sound conduction.Four ossicular chains from two term fetuses were scanned by micro-CT. The related structural parameters of the trabeculae within the incus and malleus were calculated and compared. The fine anatomical structure of the auditory ossicles was analyzed.The microstructure of each auditory ossicles in term fetuses was clearly revealed by micro-CT. A marrow cavity was observed in the incus and malleus. In statistical analysis of the structural parameters of trabeculae in the incus and malleus, significant differences were found in BS/BV and Tb.Th (P < 0.05). Micro-CT enables the visualization of internal ossicular structure. The auditory ossicles in term fetus has good bone quality. The obtained bone structure data will help to clarify the physiological functions of normal fetal auditory ossicles.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la morfología microanatómica de la cadena osicular en el feto a término con micro-CT, con el fin de analizar los parámetros de la estructura osicular interna que pueden afectar la conducción del sonido. Cuatro cadenas osiculares de dos fetos a término fueron examinadas por micro-CT. Se calcularon y compararon los parámetros estructurales relacionados de las trabéculas dentro de los incus y malleus. Se analizó la estructura anatómica fina de los osículos. Se observó claramente la microestructura de cada osículo en los fetos y la cavidad medular en el incus y el malleus. En el análisis estadístico de los parámetros estructurales de las trabéculas en el incus y el malleus, se encontraron diferencias significativas en BS / BV y Tb.Th (P <0,05). Micro-CT permite la visualización de la estructura osicular interna. Los osículos en el feto a término tienen buena calidad ósea. Los datos obtenidos de la estructura ósea ayudarán para aclarar las funciones fisiológicas de los osículos auditivos fetales normales.

Abstract Total spikelet number per spike (TSS) is one of the key components of grain yield in wheat. Chromosome (chr.) 2D contains numerous genes that control TSS. In this study, we evaluated 138 F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an F2 population of a synthetic hexaploid wheat line (SHW-L1) and a common wheat cultivar (Chuanmai 32) for TSS in six different environments. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for TSS, we constructed an integrated high-density genetic map of chr. 2D containing two simple sequence repeats, 35 diversity array technology markers, and 143 single nucleotide polymorphisms. We identified three stable QTL for TSS that individually explained 9.7–19.2% of the phenotypic variation and predicted 23 putative candidate genes within the QTL mapping interval. Overall, our results provide insight into the genetic basis of TSS in synthetic hexaploid wheat that may be useful in breeding high-yielding wheat cultivars.

Abstract Background: Psoralen is a coumarin-like and coumarin-related benzofuran glycoside, which is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients with kidney and spleen-yang deficiency symptom. Psoralen has been reported to show estrogen-like activity, antioxidant activity, osteoblastic proliferation accelerating activity, antitumor effects and antibacterial activity. However, the antitumor mechanism of psoralen is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of psoralen in human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721 and the mechanism of antitumor effects. Results: Psoralen inhibited proliferation of SMMC7721 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and promoted apoptosis. Further, psoralen activated the ER stress signal pathway, including the expansion of endoplasmic reticulum, increasing the mRNA levels of GRP78, DDIT3, ATF4, XBP1, GADD34 and the protein levels of GDF15, GRP78, IRE1α, XBP-1s in a time-dependent manner. Psoralen induces cell cycle arrest at G1 phase by enhancing CyclinD1 and reducing CyclinE1 expression. Moreover, TUDC couldn't inhibit the psoralen-induced ER stress in SMMC7721 cells. Conclusions: Psoralen can inhibit the proliferation of SMMC7721 cells and induce ER stress response to induce cell apoptosis, suggesting that psoralen may represent a novel therapeutic option for the prevention and treatment hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract IL-10 expressing regulatory B cells (B10) play a key role in immune system balance by limiting excessive inflammatory responses. Effects of toll-like receptor signaling and co-stimulatory molecules on B10 activity during innate and adaptive immune responses are not fully understood. Objective This study is to determine the effects of P. gingivalis LPS and CpG on B10 cell expansion and IL-10 competency in vitro. Material and Methods Spleen B cells were isolated from C57BL/6J mice with or without formalin-fixed P. gingivalis immunization. B cells were cultured for 48 hours under the following conditions: CD40L, CD40L+LPS, CD40L+CpG, and CD40L+LPS+CpG in the presence or absence of fixed P. gingivalis. Percentages of CD1dhiCD5+ B cells were measured by flow cytometry. IL-10 mRNA expression and secreted IL-10 were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and by ELISA respectively. Results P. gingivalis LPS plus CD40L significantly increased CD1dhiCD5+ B cell percentages and secreted IL-10 levels in both immunized and non-immunized mice B cells in the presence or absence of P. gingivalis, compared with control group. Secreted IL-10 levels were significantly increased in CD40L+LPS treated group compared with CD40L treatment group in the absence of P. gingivalis. CpG plus CD40L significantly decreased CD1dhiCD5+ B cell percentages, but greatly elevated secreted IL-10 levels in immunized and non-immunized mice B cells in the absence of P. gingivalis, compared with CD40L treatment group. Conclusions P. gingivalis LPS and CpG differentially enhance IL-10 secretion and expansion of mouse B10 cells during innate and adaptive immune responses.

Background Abscisic acid (ABA)-, stress- and ripening-induced protein (ASR) is plant-specific hydrophilic transcriptional regulators involved in sucrose stress and wounding in banana. However, it is not known whether banana ASR genes confer salt stress tolerance. The contexts of the study was to analysis the sequence characterization of banana ASR1, and identify its expression patterns and function under salt stress using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and overexpression in Arabidopsis. The purpose was to evaluate the role of banana ASR1 to salt stress tolerance employed by plants. Results A full-length cDNA isolated from banana fruit was named MaASR1, and it had a 432 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 143 amino acids. MaASR1 was preferential expression in roots and leaves compared to low expression in fruits, rhizomes and flowers. Under salt stress, the expression of MaASR1 quickly increased and highest expression level was detected in roots and leaves at 4 h, and then gradually decreased. These results suggested that MaASR1 expression was induced under salt stress. MaASR1 protein was localized in the nucleus and plasma membrane. MaASR1 was transformed to Arabidopsis and verified by southern and northern analysis, transgenic lines L14 and L38 integrated one and two copies of MaASR1, respectively, while overexpression in transgenic lines provided evidence for the role of MaASR1 to salt stress tolerance. Conclusions This study demonstrated that overexpression of MaASR1 in Arabidopsis confers salt stress tolerance by reducing the expression of ABA/stress-responsive genes, but does not affect the expression of the ABA-independent pathway and biosynthesis pathway genes.

Microextração líquido-líquido dispersiva (DLLME) utilizando líquido iônico (IL) como solvente extrator foi desenvolvida com uma nova abordagem para a determinação de quatro pesticidas piretróides em amostras ambientais de água e solo. Cromatografia líquida de alto rendimento com detector de UV (HPLC-UV) foi empregada na análise cromatográfica. Este método é rápido, fácil de operar e ambientalmente correto. O solvente clorado altamente tóxico foi substituído pelo IL hexafluorofosfato de 1-hexil-3-metilimidazólio ([C6MIM][PF6]), para o qual elevados valores de recuperação de extração e fatores de enriquecimento foram obtidos. Os efeitos do volume de IL, tipo e volume do solvente dispersor, adição de sal, pH e tempo de extração foram investigados e otimizados. Nas condições ideais, o método mostrou boa resposta linear com valores de coeficiente de correlação (R²) no intervalo de 0,9943 a 0,9986. Desvio padrão relativo (RSD) variou de 3,9 a 10,1%. Fator de enriquecimento, limite de detecção e recuperação variaram de 260 a 319, de 0,94 a 1,97 µg L-1 e de 89 a 98%, respectivamente. Para amostras de água reais, RSD variou de 3,8 a 10,8%, e recuperação de 83 a 99%. Para análise de amostra de solo, RSD e recuperação variaram de 3,7 a 8,9% e 88 a 98%, respectivamente.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) using ionic liquid (IL) as extraction solvent was developed as a new approach for the determination of four pyrethroid pesticides in environmental water and soil samples. High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) was employed on chromatographic analysis. The method is rapid, easy to operate and enviromentally-friendly. The highly toxic chlorinated solvent was replaced by the IL 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C6MIM][PF6]), in which high extraction recovery and enrichment factors were obtained. The effects of IL volume, type and volume of disperser solvent, salt addition, pH and extraction time were investigated and optimized. Under optimum conditions, the method showed good linear response with correlation coefficient (R²) values in the range of 0.9943 to 0.9986. Relative standard deviation (RSD) varied from 3.9 to 10.1%. Enrichment factor, limit of detection and recovery ranged from 260 to 319, 0.94 to 1.97 µg L-1 and 89 to 98%, respectively. For real water samples, RSD ranged from 3.8 to 10.8%, and recovery from 83 to 99%. For soil sample analysis, RSD and recovery ranged from 3.7 to 8.9% and 88 to 98, respectively.

The turbulent flow in a Kenics Static Mixer (KSM) was intensified under the mutual-coupling effect between the twisted leaves and the tube-wall. In order to understand the intrinsic features of turbulent flow in KSM, the Hilbert-Huang Transform based on Empirical Mode Decomposition were first introduced to describe the time-frequency features of the pressure fluctuation. The Hilbert spectra of pressure fluctuation time series were quantitatively evaluated under different Reynolds numbers, and different radial and axial positions, respectively. The experimental results showed that: the fluctuation frequencies of pressure signals in a KSM were mainly distributed below 40 Hz, and more than 68% of the energy of signals is concentrated within 10 Hz. Compared with the other IMFs, the pressure component of C6 in the range of 7.82~15.63 Hz has the maximum fluctuation energy ratio. As the flow rate increases, the energy of fluctuation of fluid micelles and the proportion of low-frequency energy increases. The pressure fluctuation with higher energy ratio of low frequency (0~10 Hz) had lower amplitudes at r/R=0.3 because of the core of forced vortex. Nevertheless, the effect of the free vortex was that the pressure fluctuation with lower energy ratio of low frequency had higher amplitudes at r/R=0.8. The higher amplitudes of pressure fluctuation at cross sections of CS3 (z=420 mm) and CS5 (z=620 mm) proved that the transitions between the adjacent mixing element had better mixing performance.