ABSTRACT: Acute liver injury (ALI) is an important medical problem that requires effective therapy. Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid, and the beneficial effects of astaxanthin, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour activities, have been identified. The present study was designed to elucidate the protective effects of astaxanthin against ALI and their underlying mechanisms. RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide combined with different doses of astaxanthin for 12 h. Mice were fed with or without astaxanthin for up to 7 days. LPS was administered to induce inflammation. We assessed histopathology, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis .The results indicated that astaxanthin attenuated LPS-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that astaxanthin down regulated the nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) signalling pathways, inhibiting the LPS-induced inflammatory response, oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, and alleviating LPS-induced ALI in mice.

RESUMO: A lesão hepática aguda (ALI) é um problema médico importante que requer terapia eficaz. A astaxantina (AST) é um carotenóide, e os efeitos benéficos da astaxantina, incluindo atividades antioxidantes, anti-inflamatórias e antitumorais, foram identificados. O presente estudo foi desenhado para elucidar os efeitos protetores da astaxantina contra ALI e seus mecanismos subjacentes. Macrófagos RAW264.7 foram tratados com dimetil sulfóxido combinado com diferentes doses de astaxantina por 12 h. Os camundongos foram alimentados com ou sem astaxantina por até sete dias. O LPS foi administrado para induzir a inflamação. Histopatologia, estresse oxidativo, inflamação e apoptose foram avaliados. Os resultados indicaram que a astaxantina atenuou o estresse oxidativo induzido por LPS, inflamação e apoptose celular in vivo e in vitro. Experimentos in vivo e in vitro mostraram que a astaxantina regulou negativamente as vias de sinalização do fator nuclear-kappa beta (NF-κB), fator nuclear 2 relacionado ao eritróide 2 (Nrf2) e domínio de pirina da família NLR contendo 3 (NLRP3), inibindo o LPS- resposta inflamatória induzida, estresse oxidativo e apoptose celular e alívio da ALI induzida por LPS em camundongos.

ABSTRACT Pneumatic seed metering devices are widely used in high-speed and precise corn seeding operations. The objective of this study was to analysis the high-speed seeding performance of a pneumatic precision seed metering device at seeding speed ≥12 km/h. In this study, full-factor experiments were conducted of an air-suction rotary-hub corn precision seed metering device at the early stage of development. Seed leaking was the primary failure mode, and the experimental factors had no evident regular influence on the repeat index. The negative pressure of 3-7 kPa had significantly positive and negative correlations with the qualified index and the leak index, whereas the seeding speed of 12-20 km/h was significantly negatively and positively correlated with the qualified index and the leak index, respectively. The leak index reached its greatest value of 32.48%, 15.61% and 66.77% when the negative pressure was 3 kPa, and it was always less than 10% when the negative pressure was greater than 6 kPa for the three corn seed varieties. The corn seed varieties with smaller sizes and regular shapes were more suitable for high-speed precision seeding operations above 12 km/h, and the negative pressure could be increased to improve the qualified index and reduce the leak index.

ABSTRACT To solve the problems of low efficiency, poor fertilizer application, and low fertilizer utilization rate of existing wheat layered fertilization devices (LFD). This paper proposed a layered fertilization mode combining shallow fertilizer application based on rotary tillage and middle/deep fertilizer application of layered fertilizer shovel (LFS), and designed a combined spatial layered fertilization device with a fixed proportion. A discrete element simulation model consisting of soil, LFS and fertilizer was established. Taking the variation coefficients of fertilization amount as the evaluation indicator and changing the sidewall deflection angle, rear inclination angle, upper channel length of LFS, a three-factor three-level quadratic rotational orthogonal experiment was carried out. The optimal parameter combination was obtained: the deflection angle was 9.5°, the inclination angle was 57°, and the channel length was 280 mm. The corresponding variation coefficients of fertilizer application depth were 4.55%, 8.44%, and 6.93% while working stably under the optimal combination, which is consistent with the simulation results. The results showed that LFD can apply fertilizer underground in three layers: 0~10, 15, and 20 cm, with the proportion of shallow, middle, and deep fertilizers being 30%, 35%, and 35%, which can meet the agronomic requirements for winter wheat growth.

Abstract Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by infection, with complicated pathological mechanism and extremely high prevalence and fatality rate. In this study, we investigated the role of METRNL in sepsis-induced renal injury and to identify potential downstream molecules. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to laparotomy followed by extracorporeal cecum mobilization and ligation as vivo model. THP-1 cells were stimulated with LPS as vitro model. As compared to the normal tissue or normal serum samples, the tissue and serum of METRNL expression levels in sepsis-induced renal injury were reduced. METRNL protein reduced inflammation and inhibited renal injury in sepsis mice model. METRNL up-regulation inhibited inflammation in vitro model. The inhibition of METRNL promoted inflammation and renal injury in sepsis mice model. METRNL reduced inflammation in sepsis-induced renal injury via PPARδ-dependent pathways. In conclusion, we are the first to identify METRNL as a co-activator of PPARδ to inhibit inflammation in sepsis-induced renal injury and potentiate the activity target of renal injury.

Abstract To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy in treating advanced gastric cancer. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of gastric cancer surgery combined with intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for the efficacy and safety were screened by computer search PubMed, Medline, Springer, Elsevier Science Direct, Weipu, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) with the last report up to October 2019. The control group underwent radical gastrectomy, and the experimental group underwent intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and radical gastrectomy. A total of 997 (Experimental group 453; Control group 544) participants were considered in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the experimental group has higher 1-year survival rate [OR=2.40, 95%CI (1.34, 4.33), P=0.003], 2-year survival rate [OR=3.45, 95%CI (2.08, 5.75), P<0.00001], 3-year survival rate [OR=2.70, 95%CI (2.05, 3.54), P<0.00001] and 5-year survival rate [OR=2.90, 95%CI (1.93, 4.37), P<0.00001]. There is no significant difference in postoperative bleeding (P=0.95), postoperative infection (P=0.26), postoperative anastomotic leakage (P=0.41), and postoperative intestinal obstruction (P=0.11). Intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy with advanced gastric cancer in the Chinese population can improve patients’ survival rate after surgery and does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications, so it is clinically significant and safe.

Abstract Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) of wheat and small grain cereals caused by Fusarium graminearum and other Fusarium species is an economically cereal disease worldwide. Fusarium infections results in reduced yields and mycotoxin contamination of the grain, and the research on the toxin production and growth control of Fusarium is the key to prevent and control of mycotoxin contamination in wheat. In this study, the molecular identification of toxigenic potential and gas fumigation control of typical Fusarium strains isolated from FHB-infected wheat were studied. The results showed that the consequences of molecular identification of toxigenic potential were consistent with the actual production of toxins, which can be used for rapid identification of fungal toxicity. And the effects of the gas fumigants were different. Chlorine dioxide could kill Fusarium spores and mycelium in a short time (0.5 h) at relatively low concentration (300 ppm), while ozone could only kill Fusarium spores and had no obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of mycelium, even at a concentration of 1400 ppm. Taken together, gaseous ClO2 could significantly inhibit the growth of Fusarium, and it’s an ideal fumigant used to control this fungal contamination during the postharvest storage of grain.

Abstract Background Acute osteomyelitis has great harmfulness. To conduct comparative analysis on the difference of clinical effect of CT diagnosis and X-ray plain film diagnosis in children with acute osteomyelitis during emergency treatment, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods The study subjects were 32 children with acute osteomyelitis. All the children were examined by X-ray and CT before surgery. Image characteristics and detection rates of bone destruction, changes in periosteum and cortex were compared. Funding X-ray scanning image: for the children with acute osteomyelitis in the early stage, the symptoms were demonstrated as that the submuscular space disappeared, and the boundary between subcutaneous and muscle tissues was blurred. CT scanning image: the images in early stage showed hyperemia and edema of soft tissue, with a slightly lower density of lesion, disappearance of interfascicular space, and a low-density abscess cavity in the center. The detection rate of bone destruction in CT scan was obviously higher than that in plain X-ray, in terms of bone destruction in special morphology, bone shell destruction in residual expansion, circular bone destruction, and peripheral bone defect, and the detection rate of periosteum and cortex changes was higher than that in plain X-ray, The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CT in children with acute osteomyelitis during emergency treatment were better than that of X-ray plain film. Interpretation CT scan has good diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity during emergency treatment of this disease.

Malt is the mature fruit of Hordeum vulgare L. after germination and drying and has been applied for treatment female abnormal galactorrhea. Previous studies have showed total alkaloids in malt have anti-HPRL effect. However, total alkaloids of malt change with the growth cycle, and the specified levels of total alkaloids in different bud length of malt have not been decided. To determine the definitive level of total alkaloids in different buds of malt and the most suitable bud length for clinical application by comparing effects on hyperprolactinemia rat. During the budding of malt, the content of total alkaloids first increased and then decreased, and it peaked at a bud length of 0.75 cm. Treated the HPRL model rats with different buds of malt, the PRL level was decreased, the number of PRLpositive cells and the mRNA expression level in the pituitary were significantly declined, and the number of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the hypothalamus was increased. The above changes were most significant in 0.75 cm bud. These results suggest that in terms of the content of effective substance and the effects on HPRL model rats, a malt bud length of 0.75 cm is optimal for clinical application.

Abstract Paired basic amino acid-cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4), a proprotein convertase, is involved in the activation of aggrecanases (ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5) in osteoarthritic and cytokine-stimulated cartilage. Activated aggrecanases cause aggrecan degradation and thus, contribute to osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we investigated the association between PACE4 gene polymorphisms and OA risk. One single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs4965833) in the PACE4 gene was genotyped in 432 OA patients and 523 healthy controls using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the relative expression of PACE4 in blood samples from 90 OA patients (30 for each genotype). The relative expression level of PACE4 mRNA was higher in the GG genotype as compared to the AA/AG group. Moreover, the PACE4 rs4965833 polymorphism was associated with increased risk of OA, especially among individuals aged ≥55 years and with a body mass index ≥25. There was no significant association between the PACE4 rs4965833 polymorphism and clinical parameters of OA patients, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Visual Analog Scale for pain and Lequesne’s index. In conclusion, the rs4965833 polymorphism in the 3’-UTR of PACE4 is associated with OA susceptibility.

This study investigated the effects of tidal volume (TV) on the diagnostic value of pulse pressure variation (PPV) and the inferior vena cava dispensability index (IVC-DI) for volume responsiveness during mechanical ventilation. In patients undergoing elective surgery with mechanical ventilation, different TVs of 6, 9, and 12 mL/kg were given for two min. The left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral (VTI) was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. The IVC-DI was measured at sub-xyphoid transabdominal long axis. The PPV was measured via the radial artery and served as baseline. Index measurements were repeated after fluid challenge. VTI increased by more than 15% after fluid challenge, which was considered as volume responsive. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled, 38 of whom were considered positive volume responsive. Baseline data between the response group and the non-response group were similar. Receiver operating characteristic curve confirmed PPV accuracy in diagnosing an increase in volume responsiveness with increased TV. When TV was 12 mL/kg, the PPV area under the curve (AUC) was 0.93 and the threshold value was 15.5%. IVC-DI had the highest diagnostic accuracy at a TV of 9 mL/kg and an AUC of 0.79, with a threshold value of 15.3%. When TV increased to 12 mL/kg, the IVC-DI value decreased. When the TV was 9 and 12 mL/kg, PPV showed improved performance in diagnosing volume responsiveness than did IVC-DI. PPV diagnostic accuracy in mechanically ventilated patients was higher than IVC-DI. PPV accuracy in predicting volume responsiveness was increased by increasing TV.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive paracentetic suprapubic cystostomy is a technique that should be learned by all surgical trainees and residents. This study aimed to develop a self-made training model for paracentetic suprapubic cystostomy and placement of the suprapubic catheter and then to evaluate its effectiveness in training fourth-year medical students. METHODS: Medical students were divided into an experimental group receiving comprehensive training involving literature, video, and model use and a control group receiving all the same training protocols as the experimental group except without hands-on practice using the model. Each student’s performance was video-recorded, followed by subjective and objective evaluations by urology experts and statistical analysis. RESULTS: All students completed the surgical procedures successfully. The experimental group’s performance scores were significantly higher than those of the control group (median final performance scores of 91.0 vs. 86.8, respectively). Excellent scores were achieved by more students in the experimental group than in the control group (55% vs. 20%), and fewer poor scores were observed in the experimental group than in the control group (5% vs. 30%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on its cost-effectiveness, reusability, and training effectiveness, this paracentetic suprapubic cystostomy training model is able to achieve goals in teaching practice quickly and easily. Use of the model should be encouraged for training senior medical students and resident physicians who may be expected to perform emergent suprapubic catheter insertion at some time.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity and mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China. METHODS: In total, 909 patients with CAP were recruited for this study from January 2010 to June 2015. All patients were selected and divided into 4 groups according to their body mass index (BMI) values. All patients’ clinical information was recorded. The associations among mortality; BMI; the 30-day, 6-month and 1-year survival rates for different BMI classes; the etiology of pneumonia in each BMI group; and the risk factors for 1-year mortality in CAP patients were analyzed. RESULT: With the exception of the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), no other clinical indexes showed significant differences among the different BMI groups. No significant differences were observed among all groups in terms of the 30-d and 6-month mortality rates (p>0.05). There was a significantly lower risk of 1-year mortality in the obese group than in the nonobese group, (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that there were seven independent risk factors for 1-year mortality in CAP patients, namely, age, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, obesity, APACHE II score, level of CRP and CAP severity. CONCLUSION: Compared with nonobese patients with CAP, obese CAP patients may have a lower mortality rate, especially with regard to 1-year mortality, and CRP may be associated with the lower mortality rate in obese individuals than in nonobese individuals.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Relatar os procedimentos cirúrgicos e a eficácia do uso de retalhos plantares mediais venosos para reparo de defeitos de tecidos moles dos dedos. METODOLOGIA De março de 2010 a abril de 2012, foram colhidos retalhos plantares mediais venosos para reparar ferimentos de 31 dedos em 29 casos. Entre eles, 13 dedos médios com defeitos nas pontas em 11 casos, 7 dedos com defeitos na parte dorsal em 7 casos e 11 dedos com defeitos na polpa digital em 11 casos. O tamanho dos defeitos variava de 1,2 cm × 1,5 cm a 2,5 cm × 3,5 cm. Foram colhidos retalhos plantares mediais venosos de 1,5 cm × 2 cm a 3 cm × 4 cm. Foram adotados enxertos de pele de espessura total na área doadora. RESULTADOS Todos os 31 retalhos sobreviveram, com exceção de 1 retalho com crise arterial e 2 casos com crise venosa. Esses problemas foram corrigidos a tempo com anastomoses secundárias das artérias e veias e os retalhos sobreviveram. Os ferimentos e áreas doadoras atingiram cicatrização por primeira intenção. Todos os enxertos de pele sobreviveram. Foi realizado acompanhamento pós-operatório em de 26 dedos em 24 casos por 4 a 12 meses, sendo que dos casos tratados 5 não tiveram acompanhamento. As partes dorsais dos dedos lesionados apresentaram morfologia normal, com cor e textura da pele muito similares a da pele normal. Após o reparo dos defeitos nas pontas e polpas digitais, impressões digitais apareceram e a sensação protetora foi restaurada. CONCLUSÃO Os defeitos de tecido mole dos dedos podem ser reparados de forma satisfatória com retalhos plantares mediais venosos, com poucos danos à área doadora. Este método mostrou se eficaz para o reparo de defeitos de tecido mole dos dedos.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To report the surgical procedures and efficacy of using medial plantar venous flap for the repair of soft tissue defects of the fingers. Methods From March 2010 to April 2012, medial plantar venous flaps were harvested to repair the wounds of 31 fingers in 29 cases. Among them, there were 13 middle fingers with defects at the tips in 11 cases, 7 fingers with defects in the dorsal part in 7 cases, and 11 fingers with defects in the finger pulp in 11 cases. The size of the defects ranged from 1.2cm×1.5 cm to 2.5cm × 3.5cm. Medial plantar venous flaps of 1.5cm × 2cm – 3×4 cm were harvested. Full-thickness skin grafts were adopted for the donor areas. RESULTS All 31 flaps survived, except for 1 flap with arterial crisis and 2 cases with venous crisis. These conditions were timely corrected by secondary anastomosis of artery and vein and the flaps survived. The wounds and the donor areas achieved healing by the first intention. All grafted skins survived. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 26 fingers in 24 cases for 4-12 months, excluding 5 cases with lost follow-up. The dorsal part of the damaged fingers had normal morphology, and the skin color and texture were similar to those of the normal skin. After the repair of defects in the fingertip and pulp, fingerprints appeared, and the protective sensation was restored. CONCLUSION The soft tissue defects of the fingers can be satisfactorily repaired with medial plantar venous flap, and little damage is caused to the donor area. This method is proven effective for the repair of soft tissue defects of the fingers.

Objectives: To explore the effects of computer radiation on weight and oxidant-antioxidant status of rats, and further to confirm that whether vitamin C has protective effects on computer radiation. Methods: Sixty Male adult ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups. each group give different treatment as follows: group A was control, group B given vitamin C intake, group C given 8 h/day computer radiation exposure, group D given vitamin C intake and 8 h/day computer radiation group E given 16 h/day computer radiation exposure, group F given vitamin C intake plus exposure to 16 h/day computer radiation. After seven weeks, mice was executed to collect the blood samples, for detecting total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and alkaline phosphates (ALP)content in serum or liver tissue were determined by ELIASA. Results: No difference was found for the change of weight among six groups at different week. In the group C, D and F, the liver tissue T-AOC level were higher than the group A. In the group B, C and E, the serum ALP level were lower than the group A (P<0.05). Conclusions: The study indicate that computer radiation may have an adverse effect on T-AOC and ALP level of mice, and vitamin C have protective effect against computer radiation.

Objetivos: Explorar los efectos de la radiación de ordenador sobre el peso y el estado oxidativo-antioxidativo de los ratones, y además para confirmar si la vitamina C tiene efectos protectores contra la radiación de ordenador. Métodos: Sesenta ratones machos adultos ICR fueron aleatoriamente divididos en seis grupos. Cada grupo recibió un tratamiento diferente del modo siguiente: el grupo A fue el grupo de control, el grupo B recibió vitamina C, el grupo C fue sometido a una exposicion a la radiacion de ordenador de 8 h/día, el Grupo D recibió vitamina C y fue sometido a una exposicion a la radiacion de ordenador de 8 h/día, el Grupo E fue sometido a una radiación de ordenador de 16 h/día, el grupo F recibió vitamina C y fue sometido a una exposicion a la radiacion de ordenador de 16 h/día. Al cabo de siete semanas, los ratones fueron ejecutados para extraer las muestras de sangre, para detectar la capacidad antioxidante total (T-AOC) y el contenido de fosfatasa alcalina (ALP) en suero o en tejido hepático fue determinado mediante ELISA. Resultados: No se encontraron diferencias en cuanto a cambio de peso entre los seis grupos diferentes. En los grupos C, D y F, el nivel en de T-AOC en tejido hepático fue más alto que en el grupo A. En los grupos B, C y E, el nivel de ALP en suero fue más bajo que en el Grupo A (P < 0,05). Conclusiones: El estudio indican que la radiación de ordenador puede tener un efecto adverso en los niveles de T-AOC y ALP de ratones, y que la vitamina C tendría un efecto protector contra la radiación del ordenador.

Background: Previous study revealed that the link between dental caries and obesity has been controversial. The purpose of this research is to investigate the association between dental caries and obesity among primary school children in Wannan area, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to collect the routine health screening data for primary school children aged 5-14 years inWannan area,China, Overweight and obesity status were determined using the International Obesity Task Force standard (IOTF) BMI cut-off points. Caries status was recorded based on WHO recommendations. Results: Our results revealed that the overall caries prevalence of the subjects was 44.9%, Maximum number of caries affected children belonged to underweight and normal group, followed by overweight, and the least number was obesity. These differences were statistically significant (chi-square test, P < 0.001). Children with obesity were 1.908 times (OR =1.908; CI95%=1.750, 2.079) more likely have caries than children with underweight or health weight. Overweight children were 1.547 times (OR = 1.547; CI95% = 1.479, 1.618) more likely to have caries than children with underweight or health weight. After adjusted the gender and age, a statistically significant association was also observed between body mass index categories and caries. Conclusions: Obesity may have a significant effect on caries prevalence of primary school children in Wannan area, China. The importance of obesity should not only be emphasized with respect to general diseases but also with regard to carious lesions.

Antecedentes: Un estudio previo reveló que la asociación entre la caries dental y la obesidad es controvertida. El propósito de esta investigación fue investigar la asociación entre la caries dental y la obesidad en niños de escuela primaria en el área de Wannan, China. Métodos: Se diseñó un estudio transversal para recoger los datos del chequeo rutinario de salud de los niños de escolarización primaria con edades de 5-14 en el área de Wannan, China. Se determinó el estado de sobrepeso y obesidad utilizando los puntos de corte estándar del IMC del Grupo de Trabajo Internacional en Obesidad (GTIO). El estado de las caries se registró de acuerdo con las recomendaciones de la OMS. Resultados: Nuestros resultados revelaron que la prevalencia global de caries en los sujetos fue del 44,9%. El máximo número de niños afectados por las caries estaba en los grupos normal y con peso bajo, seguido por el grupo con sobrepeso y por último en el grupo de obesidad. Estas diferencias fueron estadísticamente significativas (test Chi-cuadrado, P < 0,001). Los niños con sobrepeso tenían una probabilidad 1,547 veces superior (OR = 1,547; IC al 95% = 1,479, 1,618) de tener caries dental que los niños con un peso bajo o normal. Tras ajustar por sexo y edad, también se observó una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el índice de masa corporal y la caries. Conclusiones: La obesidad puede tener un efecto significativo sobre la prevalencia de caries en niños en escolarización primaria en el área de Wannan, China. No sólo se debería poner el énfasis de la importancia de la obesidad en relación con las enfermedades generales sino también en relación con las lesiones cariales.