ABSTRACT In China, low levels of accuracy in predicting when pineapple crops will reach maturity can result from environmental variation such as light changes, fruit overlap, and shading. Therefore, this study proposed the use of an improved RetinaNet algorithm (ECA-Retinanet) based on the ECA attention mechanism. The ECA attention mechanism was embedded into the classification subnet of RetinaNet to improve accuracy in detecting different levels of maturity in pineapples. A new pineapple dataset was collected comprising four different growth stages under mild and severe complex scenarios. The experimental results have shown that the mAP (Mean Average Precision) and F1 score (Balanced Score) of the ECA-Retinanet model were 97.69%, 94.75%, 93.2%, and 90% for identification in mild and severe complex scenarios. These values are 0.42%, 2%, 1.78%, and 1.5% higher than the original RetinaNet model which exceeds those of the six existing state-of-the-art detection models. The results have indicated that the proposed algorithm could be used for accurate identification of pineapple fruit and can detect fruit maturity using ground color images in the natural environment. The study findings provide a technical reference for automatic picking robots and early yield estimation.

Abstract Objective Abnormal complement activation is associated with periodontitis. W54011 is a novel non-peptide C5aR antagonist (C5aRA) that exhibits favorable anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory models. However, whether W54011 inhibits periodontitis has not yet been fully elucidated. To address this, we have investigated the probable anti-inflammatory mechanism of W54011 in LPS-treated inflammation in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Methodology HGFs were isolated from healthy gingival tissue samples using the tissue block method and were identified with immunofluorescence staining. The CCK8 assay and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) were used to select the optimal induction conditions for Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and C5aRA (according to supplementary data S1, S2 and S3). The levels of inflammatory cytokines, C5aR, and the activation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways were determined by RT-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results Immunofluorescence results showed that vimentin and FSP-1 were positive in HGFs and Keratin was negative in HGFs. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that C5aRA inhibited LPS-stimulated nuclear translocation of p-p65. RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that C5aRA reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, C5aR, p-p65, p-IκBα, p-JNK, p-c-JUN, and TLR4 in LPS-induced HGFs. Conclusion These findings suggested that C5aRA attenuated the release of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced HGFs by blocking the activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Intravenous anesthetics have excellent analgesic activity without inducing the side effect in the respiratory system. The aim and objective of the current experimental study was to access the neuroprotective effect of sevoflurane against isoflurane induced cognitive dysfunction in rats. Methods: Isoflurane was used for induction the neurodysfunction in the rats, and rats received the oral administration of sevoflurane (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg). Morris water test was carried out for the estimation of cognitive function. Neurochemical parameters, antioxidant parameters and pro-inflammatory cytokines were also estimated. Results: Sevoflurane significantly (P < 0.001) altered the neurochemical parameters such as anti-choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholine esterase, acetylcholine, protein carbonyl, choline brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and amyloid β; antioxidant parameters such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde; pro-inflammatory cytokines include interleukin (IL-2, IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α. Sevoflurane significantly reduced the activity of caspase-3. Conclusions: Sevoflurane exhibited the neuroprotection against the cognitive dysfunction in rats via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanism.

Resumo Fundamento: Estudos epidemiológicos recentes demonstraram que alterações na microbiota e seus metabólitos estão associadas à hipertensão arterial sistêmica. A Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) é um dos patógenos bacterianos mais comuns, e a possível associação entre a infecção por H. pylori e a hipertensão é controversa. Objetivos: Este estudo teve o objetivo de esclarecer a associação entre eles e proporcionar uma nova base teórica para detectar a patogênese da hipertensão. Métodos: Foram selecionados estudos caso-controle e transversais sobre a associação entre H. pylori e hipertensão, publicados de 1996 a 2019 indexados nos bancos de dados PubMed, Google Scholar, Chinese Wan Fang Data, e Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). As razões de chance (RC) combinadas e o intervalo de confiança (IC) 95% foram estimados. O I² foi realizado para avaliar a heterogeneidade estatística. O viés de publicação foi avaliado utilizando-se os testes de Beggs e de Egger. Os dados extraídos foram analisados no software Stata 12.0. A significância estatística foi definida com um p-valor < 0,05. Resultados: Foram cadastrados 17 estudos envolvendo 6376 casos de hipertensão e 10850 controles. A taxa de infecção por H. pylori em pacientes hipertensos e em controles foi de 64,9% e 56,3%, respectivamente. Foi demonstrada uma associação significativamente positiva entre a infecção por H. pylori e a hipertensão, com uma RC global de 2,07 (IC 95%: 1,46–2,94; p < 0,05). A análise de subgrupos revelou que a prevalência de infecção por H. pylori foi associada à hipertensão na região da Ásia e no grupo de caso-controle, as RC (IC 95%) foram 2,26 (1,51-3,38) e 2,53 (1,72-3,72), respectivamente. Depois de estratificar por métodos de detecção, ainda existiam diferenças entre os subgrupos (todos p < 0,05). Conclusão: Esta metanálise indicou que a infecção por H. pylori está associada positivamente à hipertensão.

Abstract Background: Recent epidemiological studies have shown that alterations in microbiota and its metabolites are associated with systemic arterial hypertension. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common bacterial pathogens, and the potential association between H. pylori infection and hypertension are controversial. Objective: This study aimed to clarify their association and provide a new theoretical basis for uncovering the pathogenesis of hypertension. Methods: Case-control and cross-sectional studies on the association between H. pylori and hypertension published from 1996 to 2019 indexed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Chinese Wan Fang Data, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. I2 was performed to evaluate the statistical heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using Begg’s and Egger’s test. The extracted data was analyzed in Stata 12.0. Statistical significance was defined as p-value < 0.05. Results: A total of 17 studies involving 6,376 cases of hypertension and 10,850 controls were enrolled. H. pylori infection rate in hypertension patients and controls were 64.9% and 56.3%, respectively. A significantly positive association was shown between H. pylori infection and hypertension with an overall OR of 2.07 (95% CI: 1.46–2.94; p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence of H. pylori infection was associated with hypertension in the region of Asia and the case-control group, ORs (95% CI) were 2.26 (1.51-3.38) and 2.53 (1.72-3.72), respectively. After stratifying by detection methods, differences still existed in subgroups (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that H. pylori infection is positively associated with hypertension.

Resumo Fundamento O ácido úrico (AU), produto final do metabolismo dos nucleotídeos das purinas, participa dos processos de doenças metabólicas e cardiovasculares. Evidências experimentais sugerem que o ácido úrico é um mediador importante na resposta fisiológica ao aumento da pressão arterial. Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre os níveis séricos de AU e pré-hipertensão e hipertensão em uma população chinesa. Métodos Conduziu-se um estudo transversal entre março e setembro de 2017, e 1.138 participantes com idades entre 35 e 75 anos foram incluídos neste estudo, onde 223 normotensos, 316 pré-hipertensos e 599 hipertensos foram selecionados para avaliar a associação entre níveis séricos de AU e hipertensão. Considerou-se um valor de p<0,05 estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Os níveis séricos de AU foram significativamente maiores no grupo pré-hipertensão e hipertensão em comparação com o grupo controle em toda a população (p<0,05 para todos). A análise quantitativa das características indicou níveis séricos de AU (2,92±0,81, 3,06±0,85, 3,22±0,98 mg/d) linearmente aumentados em mulheres normotensas, pré-hipertensas e hipertensas, com um valor de p de 0,008. Os níveis séricos de AU nos quartis correlacionaram-se positivamente com a PAD (p<0,05), principalmente em mulheres. Após o ajuste para idade, sexo, índice de massa corporal (IMC), glicose (GLI), colesterol total (CT), triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol HDL (lipoproteína de alta densidade), as razões de chances ( odds ratios — ORs) e intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95% da pré-hipertensão, dos níveis séricos de AU mais baixos (referentes) aos mais altos foram 1,718 (1,028–2,872), 1,018 (0,627–1,654) e 1,738 (1,003–3,010). Além disso, o segundo quartil dos níveis séricos de AU esteve significativamente associado à hipertensão, com uma OR (IC 95%) de 2,036 (1,256–3,298). Conclusões O presente estudo sugere que níveis séricos mais elevados de AU estão positivamente associados à pré-hipertensão e hipertensão entre adultos chineses.

Abstract Background Uric acid (UA), the end product of purine nucleotide metabolism, participates in the processes of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Experimental evidence suggests it is an important mediator in the physiological response to blood pressure increase. Objective To evaluate the association between serum UA levels and pre-hypertension and hypertension in a Chinese population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2017, and 1,138 participants aged 35 to 75 were enrolled in this study, where 223 normotensive, 316 pre-hypertensive, and 599 hypertensive subjects were selected to evaluate the association between serum UA levels and hypertension. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Serum UA levels were significantly higher in the pre-hypertension and hypertension group compared to the control group in the entire population (p<0.05 for all). Quantitative trait analysis indicated that serum UA levels were (2.92±0.81, 3.06±0.85, 3.22±0.98 mg/d) linearly increased in normotensive, pre-hypertensive and hypertensive females, with a p value of 0.008. Serum UA levels in the quartiles were positively correlated with DBP (p<0.05), particularly in females. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of pre-hypertension from the lowest (referent) to the highest levels of serum UA were 1.718 (1.028–2.872), 1.018 (0.627–1.654) and 1.738 (1.003–3.010). Additionally, the second quartile of serum UA levels were significantly associated with hypertension, with an OR (95% CI) of 2.036 (1.256–3.298). Conclusions This study suggests that higher serum UA levels are positively associated with pre-hypertension and hypertension among Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVES: Leukoaraiosis is described as white matter lesions that are associated with cognitive dysfunction, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Myelin depletion is a salient pathological feature of, and the loss of oligodendrocytes is one of the most robust alterations evident in, white matter degeneration. Recent studies have revealed that claudin proteins are aberrantly expressed in leukoaraiosis and regulate oligodendrocyte activity. However, the roles of claudin-1 and claudin-3 in oligodendrocytes and leukoaraiosis are still not well-defined. METHODS: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of claudin-1 (CLDN1), claudin-3 (CLDN3), and myelinogenesis-related genes such as myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), and SRY-box transcription factor 10 (SOX10) in leukoaraiosis patients (n=122) and healthy controls (n=122). The expression of claudin-1 and claudin-3 was either ectopically silenced or augmented in Oli-neu oligodendrocytes, and colony formation, apoptosis, and migration assays were performed. Finally, the expression of myelin proteins was evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS: Our results revealed that in addition to SOX10, the expression levels of claudin-1, claudin-3, and myelinogenesis-related proteins were prominently downregulated in leukoaraiosis patients, compared to those in healthy controls. Furthermore, the growth and migration of Oli-neu cells were downregulated upon silencing claudin-1 or claudin-3. However, the overexpression of claudin-1 or claudin-3 resulted in the reduction of the degree of apoptosis in Oli-neu cells. In addition, claudin-1 and claudin-3 promoted the expression of MBP, OLIG2, PLP, and SOX10 at the translational level. CONCLUSION: Our data has demonstrated that the abnormal expression of claudin-1 and claudin-3 regulates the pathological progression of leukoaraiosis by governing the viability and myelination of oligodendrocytes. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the roles of claudin-1 and claudin-3 in leukoaraiosis.

Diphenylacetylene (DPA) is a precursor of stilbene and benzil, and reduction of DPA or its derivatives with metallic reagents is both an old and contemporary topic of research. By means of density function theory (DFT) calculations, a detailed investigation of the mechanism of the hydrogenation of DPA over Pd clusters was carried out at the molecular level. The various species structures in the hydrogenation of DPA over Pd clusters were optimized and analyzed. The calculations indicate that the reactions over different Pd clusters share similar reaction mechanisms, and the entire reaction path could be divided into approximately two stages: stage 1: the hydrogenation of DPA to stilbene by the addition of one hydrogen molecule; and stage 2: the hydrogenation of stilbene to the final product diphenylethane (DPE) with the recovery of the catalyst. The Pd2- and Pd3-catalyzed systems exhibit the smallest rate-determining step (RDS) energy barrier, and these systems might be the most active and effective catalytic species among the Pd clusters. Although the Pd clusters used in the current work are simple systems, these clusters could eventually provide insights into the specific structure of the Pd catalyst, since Pd and/or clusters and/or nanoparticles could be envisioned as active catalysts in experiments.

Introducing a hybrid xanthene as a fluorophore, an ‘ensemble’-based fluorescent sensor (E)-2-(6-(diethylamino)-2-((2-hydroxyphenylimino)methyl)-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid (a) was designed and synthesised for detection of cysteine. Cysteine can release CuII ion from the non-fluorescent a-CuII complex. Then hydrolytic cleavage of Schiff base a produces a pink fluorescent compound 2-(6-(diethylamino)-2-formyl-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid (2). We call this process a fluorescence off-on change. An obvious color change from purple a to pink 2 can be easily observed by the naked-eye. The calibration curve showed that the fluorescence intensity at 560 nm linearly increased over the cysteine concentration range of 0.379-100 µmol L-1 with a limit of detection of 0.379 µmol L-1. Sensor a-CuII displayed excellent selectivity for cysteine, even homocysteine and glutathione did not show influence. The sensor was also used for detecting cysteine in human breast adenocarcinoma cells, which illustrates the practical value. Overall, the sensor appears to be useful for rapid, convenient and selective cysteine detection in living tissues.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo era investigar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade e sua relação com a qualidade do sono em estudantes universitários da província de Anhui, China. METODOLOGIA: Um estudo transversal foi realizado na China com 1328 participantes. A prevalência de baixo peso e obesidade em estudantes universitários foi estimada com base nas referências do Grupo de Trabalho sobre Obesidade da China. A qualidade do sono foi avaliada utilizando o padrão PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). RESULTADOS: O estudo incluiu 470 homens e 858 mulheres, todos estudantes universitários de Anhui; 4,4% das mulheres e 17,7% dos homens foram classificados com sobrepeso ou obesidade. A prevalência da obesidade em homens foi significativamente maior do que em mulheres, e a prevalência da obesidade nos últimos anos foi maior do que em outras categorias (P < 0, 05). Em geral, a pontuação média de qualidade do sono foi 4,91 ± 2,67; 36,5% dos homens e 39, 1% das mulheres tiveram uma qualidade de sono ruim (PSQI > 5). Considerando os sete componentes da qualidade do sono, a duração do sono e o uso de medicação para dormir apresentaram diferenças significativas entre estudantes homens e mulheres de anos diferentes (P < 0,05). Uma clara correlação foi encontrada entre a qualidade do sono e o Índice de Massa corporal (IMC) (P < 0.0000) em mulheres que usavam drogas hipnóticas. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que a qualidade do sono das mulheres está provavelmente associada com o IMC. Os universitários são um grupo especial de jovens adultos, por isso é importante para estudar a causa da sua má qualidade do sono e sua relação com o IMC, para que seja possível melhorar a saúde dos estudantes universitários.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with sleep quality in university students from the Anhui province in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in China with 1328 participants. The prevalence of underweight and obesity in university students was estimated according to the reference working group on obesity in China. The sleep quality was evaluated using the standard PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). RESULTS: This study included 470 male and 858 female students from a university in Anhui; 4.4% of the females and 17.7% of the males were overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity in males was significantly higher than in females, and the prevalence of obesity in higher years was greater than in other years (p<0.05). In general, the mean score for sleep quality was 4.91±2.67; 36.5% of male and 39.1% of female students had poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5). Among the seven components of sleep quality, sleep duration and the use of sleep medication showed significant differences between male and female students and different years (p<0.05). An obvious correlation was found between sleep quality and body mass index (BMI)(p<0.000) in females who took hypnotic drugs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the sleep quality of females is probably associated with their BMI. College students are a special group of young adults whose cause of poor sleeping quality and BMI may be significant to study, so the health status of university students can be improved.

Abstract Background: Prognosis remains one of most crucial determinants of gastric cancer (GC) treatment, but current methods do not predict prognosis accurately. Identification of additional biomarkers is urgently required to identify patients at risk of poor prognoses. Methods: Tissue microarrays were used to measure expression of nine GC-associated proteins in GC tissue and normal gastric tissue samples. Hierarchical cluster analysis of microarray data and feature selection for factors associated with survival were performed. Based on these data, prognostic scoring models were established to predict clinical outcomes. Finally, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to identify a biological GC network. Results: Eight proteins were upregulated in GC tissues versus normal gastric tissues. Hierarchical cluster analysis and feature selection showed that overall survival was worse in cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)2, Akt1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), Notch4, and phosphorylated (p)-protein kinase C (PKC) α/β2 immunopositive patients than in patients that were immunonegative for these proteins. Risk score models based on these five proteins and clinicopathological characteristics were established to determine prognoses of GC patients. These proteins were found to be involved in cancer related-signaling pathways and upstream regulators were identified. Conclusion: This study identified proteins that can be used as clinical biomarkers and established a risk score model based on these proteins and clinicopathological characteristics to assess GC prognosis.

ABSTRACT The present study was designed to investigate the effect of FPZ, a total flavonoids ointment topical application from Pouzolzia zeylanica var. microphylla (Wedd.) Masam, Urticaceae, on skin infections in mice. FPZ ointment anti-infective effect was investigated on Staphylococcus aureus-induced skin abscess and skin ulcers in mice by evaluating the variation in abscess volume, histopathology of skin tissue and healing rate. Secondary, it is topical anti-inflammatory activities on carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in mice was estimated. Besides, FPZ ointment fingerprint was performed by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and FPZ ointment chemical constituents were isolated and identified by repeated column chromatograph and spectroscopic methods. The results revealed that FPZ ointment topical application at the concentration of 2.5–10% could attenuate skin abscess and ulcers and accelerate wound healing, as compared with control group treated with vehicle (p < 0.05). The histological analysis indicated that FPZ ointment acted via inflammation inhibition, granulation promotion and epidermis formation. Moreover, FPZ ointment effectively inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema in a dose-dependent manner, especially 10% FPZ which showed superior activities in comparison with dexamethasone used as reference drug. FPZ ointment topical application showed a significant anti-infective effect against pyogenic bacterial skin infection in mice.

Resumo Objetivo: A bilirrubina total é benéfica para proteger contra doenças cardiovasculares em adultos. Nosso objetivo foi investigar a associação dos níveis de bilirrubina total, glóbulos vermelhos e hemoglobina com a prevalência de pressão arterial elevada em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos: Um total de 3.776 estudantes (com idade entre 6-16 anos) foram examinados utilizando uma amostra em blocos. A pressão arterial elevada anterior e a pressão arterial elevada foram definidas como o 90° e 95° percentil, respectivamente, com base nos critérios do Quarto Relatório sobre Diagnóstico, Avaliação e Tratamento da Pressão Arterial elevada em Crianças e Adolescentes. A pressão arterial sistólica e pressão arterial diastólica foram padronizadas no escore z. Resultados: Os níveis periféricos de bilirrubina total, glóbulos vermelhos e hemoglobina foram significativamente correlacionados à idade, que também variou de acordo com o sexo. A bilirrubina total periférica apresentou uma correlação negativa com a pressão arterial sistólica em meninos com 6 e 9 anos, ao passo que apresentou uma correlação positiva com a pressão arterial diastólica em meninos de 12 anos e meninas de 13 a 15 anos (p < 0,05). Foram observados níveis mais elevados de glóbulos vermelhos e hemoglobina em estudantes com pressão arterial elevada anterior e pressão arterial elevada em comparação a indivíduos normotensos (p < 0,01). Os aumentos de glóbulos vermelhos e hemoglobina tiveram uma associação significativa com a pressão arterial elevada após ajuste dos fatores de confusão. As RC (IC de 95%) de cada um dos aumentos foram 2,44 (1,52-3,92) e 1,04 (1,03-1,06) respectivamente. Não foi observada nenhuma associação estatística entre o nível de bilirrubina total e a pressão arterial elevada (p > 0,05). Conclusão: A bilirrubina total pode ter correlações fracas com a pressão arterial sistólica e a pressão arterial diastólica, variando de acordo com a idade e o sexo em crianças e adolescentes, enquanto isso, propõe-se que o aumento dos níveis de glóbulos vermelhos e hemoglobina está positivamente associado à prevalência de pressão arterial elevada.

Abstract Objective: Total bilirubin is beneficial for protecting cardiovascular diseases in adults. The authors aimed to investigate the association of total bilirubin, red blood cell, and hemoglobin levels with the prevalence of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 3776 students (aged from 6 to 16 years old) were examined using cluster sampling. Pre-high blood pressure and high blood pressure were respectively defined as the point of 90th and 95th percentiles based on the Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were standardized into z-scores. Results: Peripheral total bilirubin, red blood cell and hemoglobin levels were significantly correlated with age, and also varied with gender. Peripheral total bilirubin was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure in 6- and 9-year-old boys, whilst positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure in the 12-year-old boys and 13- to 15-year-old girls (p < 0.05). Higher levels of red blood cell and hemoglobin were observed in pre-high blood pressure and high blood pressure students when compared with their normotensive peers (p < 0.01). The increases in red blood cell and hemoglobin were significantly associated with high blood pressure after adjusting for confounding factors. The ORs (95% CI) of each of the increases were 2.44 (1.52-3.92) and 1.04 (1.03-1.06), respectively. No statistical association between total bilirubin and high blood pressure was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Total bilirubin could be weakly correlated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as correlations varied with age and gender in children and adolescents; in turn, the increased levels of red blood cell and hemoglobin are proposed to be positively associated with the prevalence of high blood pressure.

ABSTRACT Objective To observe the effect of short-term insulin intensive treatment on the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) as well as on the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) expression of peripheral blood monocyte. This is also in addition to observing the serum MCP-1 level in newlydiagnosed type 2 diabetic patients and probing its anti-inflammation effects. Subjects and methods Twenty newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were treated with an insulin intensive treatment for 2 weeks. MCP-1 and NF-κB expression on the monocyte surface were measured with flow cytometry, the serum MCP-1 level was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) during pretreatment and post-treatment. Results After 2 weeks of the treatment, MCP-1 and NF-κB protein expression of peripheral blood monocyte and serum MCP-1 levels decreased significantly compared with those of pre-treatment, which were (0.50 ± 0.18)% vs (0.89 ± 0.26)% (12.22 ± 2.80)% vs (15.53 ± 2.49)% and (44.53 ± 3.97) pg/mL vs (49.53 ± 3.47) pg/mL, respectively (P < 0.01). The MCP-1 expression on monocyte surface had a significant positive relationship with serum MCP-1 levels (r = 0.47, P < 0.01). Conclusions Short-term insulin intensive therapy plays a role in alleviating the increased inflammation reaction in type 2 diabetics.

Tubular-interstitial nephritis (TIN) is characterized by tubular cell damage and inflammatory lesions of kidneys. Baicalein (BAI) is a flavonoid compound found in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The present study was undertaken to explore the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of BAI on TIN patients and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TIN cell model. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor α in serum samples of TIN patients and culture supernatants of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Creatinine clearance was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Activities of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were also determined. Viability and apoptosis of RPTECs were measured using MTT assay and Guava Nexin assay, respectively. qRT-PCR was performed to determine the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), and p65. Protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, IκBα, p65, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular regulated protein kinases, and p38 were analyzed using western blotting. We found that BAI reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, BAI alleviated the LPS-induced RPTECs viability inhibition and apoptosis enhancement, as well as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Phorbol ester, an activator of NF-κB, attenuated the effects of BAI on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expressions in RPTECs. In conclusion, BAI had anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on TIN patients and LPS-induced RPTECs by down-regulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

The development of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species is of serious concern in the hospital settings and naturally occurring oxacillinase genes (blaOXA) have been identified in several Acinetobacter species. In this study, we report the genome sequence of A. pittii TCM178 belongs to ST950, a multidrug-resistant isolate that harbored the blaOXA-72 and blaOXA-533 genes simultaneous. The genome size was estimated to be 3,789,564 bp with 3,501 predicted coding regions, and G+C content is 37.60%. Our findings have raised awareness of the possible constitution of a reservoir for peculiar carbapenemase genes in A. pittii that may spread among other Acinetobacter species in China.