ABSTRACT Objectives To provide a meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i), as a combination treatment with metformin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with inadequate glycemic control with metformin alone. Materials and methods We have searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the database: MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Collaborative database. We used mean differences (MD) to assess the efficacy of glycemic and other clinical parameters, and risk ratios (RR) to evaluate the adverse events for safety endpoints. The heterogeneity was evaluated by I2. Results Finally 9 studies were included. SGLT2-i plus metformin had higher reduction level in HbA1C [MD = -0.50, 95% CI (-0.62, -0.38), p < 0.00001], FPG [MD = -1.12, 95%CI (-1.38, -0.87), p < 0.00001], body weight [MD = -1.72, 95% CI (-2.05, -1.39), p < 0.00001], SBP [MD = -4.44, 95% CI (-5.45, -3.43), p < 0.00001] and DBP [MD = -1.74, 95% CI (-2.40, -1.07), p < 0.00001] compared with metformin monotherapy. However, SGLT2-i plus metformin group had higher risk of genital infection [RR = 3.98, 95% CI (2.38, 6.67), p < 0.00001]. No significant difference was found in the risk of hypoglycemia, urinary tract infection or volume related adverse events. Conclusions Although the risk of genital infection may increase, SGLT2-i plus metformin may provide an attractive treatment option to those T2DM patients who are unable to achieve glycemic control with metformin alone, based on its effects on glycemic control, reducing body weight and lowering blood pressure.

Abstract China, origin of mulberry, has rich genetic resources usually. High expense, limited space and wavering environment of usually conservation in vivo poses dangerous situation for mulberry. The concept of core collection could takes priority for conservation of mulberry. In this study, 560 accessions were used with 40 morphological descriptors and stratified sampling strategies for a core collection. The core collection consisted of 28 accessions, accounting for 5% of the whole collection. The core collection included seven accessions belonging to Morus alba, one accession belonging to M. alba var. macrophylla, four accessions belonging to M. atropurprea, one accession belonging to M. nigra, three accessions belonging to M. australis, seven accessions belonging to M. multicaulis, two accessions belonging to M. wittorum and three accessions belonging to M. bombycis. The quality of core collection exceeded the evaluation criteria and could be a prioritized collection for high efficient and long-term conservation for mulberry.

Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (Card9) is located upstream of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory pathways. This study investigated the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of pioglitazone in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). SAP was induced by a retrograde infusion of 5.0% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct of Sprague Dawley rats (n=54), which were then treated with pioglitazone. Blood and pancreatic tissues were harvested at 3, 6, and 12 h after SAP induction. Pancreatic pathological damage was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum amylase, serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, and pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of Card9 mRNA and protein in pancreatic tissues was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Pioglitazone had a therapeutic effect in treating rats with SAP by decreasing the level of amylase activity, ameliorating pancreatic histological damage, decreasing serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and tissue MPO activity, and downregulating the expression of NF-κB, p38MAPK, and Card9 mRNAs and proteins (P<0.05). The present study demonstrated that the inhibition of Card9 expression could reduce the severity of SAP. Card9 has a role in the pathogenic mechanism of SAP.

The fluid state on a sieve tray will change when the towers tilt under wind loads. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was used to predict the flow patters and hydraulics on the tray under different inclinations. The gas and liquid phases are modelled with the volume-of-fluid (VOF) framework as two inmiscible phases. Several three-dimensional transient simulations were carried out for a 0.38m diameter tray with varying liquid weir loads and inclined angles. The clear liquid height determined from these simulations is in reasonable agreement with experimental measurements carried out for air-water in a round tray of the same dimensions. The simulation results show that, compared with the horizontal tray, the circulation area is bigger when the liquid flow and inclination direction of the tray are the same, but when they are opposite the circulation area is smaller. The percentage of circulation area to the tray area can obviously be decreased, along with increasing liquid weir loads. It is concluded that CFD can be used for the prediction of liquid flow on sieve trays under different inclinations

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and feasibility of self-retaining bidirectional barbed absorbable suture application in retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy.Materials and MethodsFrom Sep 2011 and Aug 2012, 76 cases of retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy were performed at our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: self-retaining barbed suture (SRBS) group (n = 36) and non-SRBS group (n = 40). There was no significant difference in age, sex, tumor size and location between the two groups. Clinical data and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsAll 76 cases of retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy were successfully performed, without conversion to open surgery or serious intraoperative complications. In the SRBS group, the suture time, warm ischemia time and operation blood loss were significantly shorter than that of non-SRBS group (p < 0.01), and operation time and hospital stay were shorter than that of non-SRBS group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe application of self-retaining bidirectional barbed absorbable suture in retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy could shorten suture time and warm ischemia time, with good safety and feasibility, worthy of being used in clinic.

High catalytic activity for CO oxidation can be obtained on TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) -supported copper oxide (CuO/TiO2 NTs). But the relatively low thermal stability limits its practical application. Via cerium oxide modification, catalysts with enhanced catalytic activity and higher thermal stability can be obtained. The prepared materials are characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). Catalytic performance for low-temperature CO oxidation is studied by using a microreactor-GC system. Obtained results indicate that CuO/TiO2 NTs exhibit higher thermal stability and higher catalytic activity for CO oxidation after cerium oxide is added.

We evaluated the diversity of soil macrofauna communities inhabiting urban green spaces in Yancheng City, an urbanizing city located east of China. In the end of April 2011, the taxonomic richness, abundance and composition of soil macrofauna communities were assessed and compared among five types of green space (poplar forest, rapeseed farm, grassland in park, lawn and nursery garden) and three depth layers in the soil, with taxonomic resolution attained at the order level. Taxonomic richness (orders) and abundance were significantly different among green spaces. Diversity indices (Margalef's taxonomic richness R and Shannon-Weaver diversity index H') were higher in poplar forest, grassland in park and nursery garden than in rapeseed farm and lawn. Taxonomic richness (Chao 2) showed a similar trend. There were significant effects of green space type and soil layer, which showed a significant interaction affecting macrofauna composition. We recommend that urban green spaces can be used for maintaining biodiversity, not only for landscape purposes.

Evaluamos la diversidad de las comunidades de macrofauna del suelo que habitan los espacios verdes urbanos en la ciudad de Yancheng, una ciudad en proceso de urbanización situada al este de China. A fines de abril 2011, la riqueza taxonómica, abundancia y composición de comunidades de macrofauna del suelo fueron evaluadas y comparadas entre cinco tipos de espacio verde (bosque de álamos, granja de colza, pastizal de parque, césped y jardín vivero) y tres capas de profundidad del suelo, con resolución taxonómica a nivel de orden. La riqueza taxonómica (de órdenes) y la abundancia fueron significativamente diferentes entre los espacios verdes. Los indices de diversidad (riqueza taxonómica R de Margalef y diversidad H' de Shannon-Weaver) fueron mayores en el bosque de álamos, pastizal de parque y jardin vivero que en la granja de la colza y el césped. La riqueza taxonómica (Chao 2) mostró una tendencia similar. Hubo efectos significativos del tipo de espacio verde y capa del suelo, los cuales mostraron una interacción significativa afectando la composición de la macrofauna. Recomendamos que los espacios verdes urbanos se puedan utilizar para mantener la biodiversidad, y no solo con propósitos de paisaje.

Via photoreductive deposition process, platinum-modified TiO2 photocatalysts (Pt/TiO2) with various Pt contents are prepared by using H2PtCl6 and hydrogen titanate nanotubes as precursors. The structures and photocatalytic performances of Pt/TiO2 obtained are characterized. The experimental results indicate that platinum has obvious influence on the structure and photocatalytic performances of the hydrogen titanate nanotubes. The tubular structures of some nanotubes are destroyed during the photoreductive deposition process. It is possible that the hydrogen coming from splitting water over formed Pt/TiO2 results in the breach of nanotubes. The existence of platinum can enhance the photocatalytic performance of titanate nanotubes, and the photocatalytic activity arrives at the highest when the Pt content is 1.5 wt.%.

We have developed a parallel, rapid, high-throughput oligonucleotide microarray-based assay for the reliable detection and genotyping of three cry genes (cry1, cry2 and cry9) in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). After the non-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplified Bt genomic DNA were fluorescent-labeled using a random primer.   The corresponding oligonucleotide probes were designed for the different cry genes that can hybridize Bt genomic DNA after cluster analysis and were printed on glass slides. This microarray has unambiguously detected and identified the cry genes in 10 isolates and reference Bt. Our data demonstrates that the microarray assay is simple and rapid for the detection and genotyping of genes. This type of assay is also a potentially valuable tool for identification and characterization of bacterial functional genes in general.

Se desarrolló un ensayo paralelo, rápido, de alto rendimiento, basado en microarreglo de oligonucleótidos para la detección y tipificación génica confiable de tres genes cry (cry1, cry2 y cry9) en Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Después de la no reacción de cadena polimerasa (PCR), el ADN genómico de Bt amplificado se marcó con fluorescencia usando primer al azar. Las correspondientes sondas de oligonucleótido fueron diseñadas por los diferentes genes cry en ADN genómico de Bt que pueden ser hibridados después de análisis cluster y se imprimieron en portaobjetos de vidrio. Este microarreglo ha detectado e identificado sin ambigüedad los genes cry en 10 aislamientos y Bt de referencia. Nuestros datos demuestran que el microarreglo es simple y rápido para la detección y tipificación génica de genes. Este tipo de ensayo es además una herramienta potencialmente valiosa para identificación y caracterización de genes funcionales bacterianos en general.