Abstract Under the influence of the COVID-19, people's awareness of physical health and immunity has increased significantly. Chitooligosaccharide is an oligomer of β-(1, 4)-linked D -glucosamine, furthermore, is one of the most widely studied immunomodulators. Chitooligosaccharide can be prepared from the chitin or chitosan polymers through enzymatically, chemically or physically processes. Chitooligosaccharide and its derivatives have been proven to have a wide range of biological activities including intestinal flora regulation, immunostimulant, anti-tumor, anti-obesity and anti-oxidation effects. This review summarizes the latest research of the preparation methods, biological activities in immunity and safety profiles of Chitooligosaccharide and its derivatives. We recapped the effect mechanisms of Chitooligosaccharide basing on overall immunity. Comparing the effects of Chitooligosaccharide with different molecular weights and degree of aggregation, a reference range for usage has been provided. This may provide a support for the application of Chitooligosaccharide in immune supplements and food. In addition, future research directions are also discussed.

Abstract Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of neuropathologic damage induced by radiofrequency ablation at different temperatures. Methods This is basic research, and 36 SD rats were used to construct the neuropathological injury model. The rats were subjected to radiofrequency stimulation at different temperatures and were divided into 6 groups according to the temperature injury: 42°, 47°, 52°, 57°, 62°, and 67°C groups. Conduction time, conduction distance, and nerve conduction velocity were recorded after temperature injury. HE-staining was used to observe the histopathological morphology of the sciatic nerve. The expression of SCN9A, SCN3B, and NFASC protein in sciatic nerve tissue were detected by western blot. Results With the increase in temperature, nerve conduction velocity gradually decreased, and neurons were damaged when the temperature was 67°C. HE-staining showed that the degrees of degeneration of neurons in rats at 47°, 52°, 57°, 62°, and 67°C were gradually increased. The expression of SCN9A, SCN3B protein in 57°, 62°, 67°C groups were much higher than that of NC, 42°, 47°, 52°C groups. However, the expression of NFASC protein in 57°, 62°, 67°C groups was much lower than that of the NC, 42°, 47°, 52°C groups. Conclusion There was a positive correlation between temperature caused by the radiofrequency stimulation to neuropathological damage. The mechanism is closely related to the expression of SCN9A, SCN3B, and NFASC protein in nerve tissue caused by heat transfer injury.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the impact of recombinant human interferon α1b (rhIFNα1b) treatment in infants hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections on subsequent wheezing. Methods: The clinical data of infants (n = 540) with viral pneumonia, wheezy bronchitis, or bronchiolitis hospitalized in 19 Chinese hospitals from June 2009 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The parameters relevant to wheezing episodes within the last year were collected by telephone and questionnaires. The rhIFNα1b treatment group (n = 253) and control group (n = 287) were compared in terms of wheezing episodes within the last year. Moreover, the wheezing group (95 cases) and non-wheezing group (445 cases) were compared. Results: Out of 540 cases, 95 (17.6%) experienced wheezing episodes, 13.8% (35/253) cases treated with rhIFNα1b, and 20.9% (60/287) cases without rhIFNα1b experienced wheezing episodes within the last year. The rhIFNα1b treatment significantly improved wheezing episodes within the last year, compared with the control peers (p = 0.031). Single-factor regression showed statistically significant differences between the wheezing and non-wheezing groups in terms of age, rhIFNα1b use, childhood and family history of allergy, housing situation, and feeding history (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression showed a childhood history of allergy (OR = 2.14, p = 0.004), no rhIFNα1b use (OR = 1.70, p = 0.028), and living in a crowded house (OR = 1.92, p = 0.012) might be risk factors of subsequent wheezing. Accordingly, breastfeeding (OR = 0.44, p = 0.008) and hospitalization age of 1-year-old (OR = 0.58, p = 0.024) were protective factors. Conclusions: Early use of rhIFNα1b in infants hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections and breastfeeding could prevent subsequent wheezing. Living in a crowded house could promote subsequent wheezing.

RESUMO Pholiota adiposa é um cogumelo com excelentes propriedades nutricionais e medicinais. No entanto, o rendimento do corpo de frutificação deste é baixo e o potencial de cultivo comercial deste fungo é limitado. 279 linhagens cruzadas foram obtidas pelo cruzamento mono-mono de linhagens monocarióticas derivadas de P. adiposa HS5 e HS4. Enzimas ligninolíticas e taxas de crescimento micelial foram utilizadas como marcadores para a triagem das linhagens cruzadas, e 18 linhagens foram seleccionadas para análise posterior. A linhagem cruzada A10B4 apresentou o maior rendimento (ie 165,91 ± 12,56 g por sacola), o qual 31,34 g e, 74,48 g a mais do que as linhagens HS5 e HS4, respetivamente. O tempo de colonização micelial de A10B4 foi 25,18 ± 1,33 d, sendo 5,64 d menor que HS5. A10B4 foi caracterizado, por marcadores moleculares de repetição de sequência inter-simples. Foram observadas diferenças nos produtos de PCR de linhagens parentais e cruzadas. Portanto, a linhagem híbrida recém-desenvolvida A10B4 (Renominada P. adiposa HS54), exibindo alto rendimento, pode ser adequada para cultivo comercial.

ABSTRACT Pholiota adiposa is a mushroom with excellent nutritional and medicinal properties. However, fruiting body yields are low, and the commercial cultivation potential of this fungus is limited. Here, 279 crossbred strains were obtained by the mono-mono crossing of monokaryotic strains derived from P. adiposa HS5 and HS4. Laccase enzymes and mycelial growth rates were used as markers to screen the crossbred strains, and 18 strains were selected for further analysis. Crossbred strain A10B4 displayed the highest yield (i.e. 165.91 ± 12.56 g per bag), which was 31.34 g and 74.48 g more than that of strains HS5 and HS4, respectively. The mycelial colonization time of A10B4 was 25.18 ± 1.33 d, which was 5.64 d shorter than that of HS5. A10B4 was characterized by inter-simple sequence repeat molecular markers. Differences in PCR products from parental and crossbred strains were observed. Therefore, the newly developed hybrid strain A10B4, named P. adiposa HS54 exhibiting high yield, might be suitable for commercial cultivation.

Abstract Pain is a significant problem worldwide that affects the quality of life of patients. Dezocine is a non-addictive analgesic drug with kappa-opioid antagonist activity and has been successfully used to alleviate of postoperative pain. In addition, dezocine has an analgesic effect similar to that of morphine, alleviating moderate to severe pain. Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (RAPGEF3) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for GTPases Rap1 and Rap2, which could enhance the activity of Rap1 to promote cell adhesion and axon regeneration, as well as promote neurite extension by interacting with nerve growth factors. Here, we first observed that overexpression of RAPGEF3 increased cell viability, as shown by a CCK-8 assay, and recovered brain function in rats. The expression of inflammation-related factors at the mRNA level was detected using qPCR, and the concentration of these factors in a cultured cell medium and rat serum samples were decreased as shown by ELISA after RAPGEF3 overexpression. Through western blotting, we further found that pro-inflammatory proteins were decreased, and these effects might be mediated by inhibition of the Ras/p-38 MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, we speculated that RAPGEF3overexpression enhances the therapeutic effect of dezocine on neuropathic pain by inhibiting the inflammatory response through inhibition of the Ras/p-38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Abstract In this study, we investigated the preconsolidation pressure (P C) of sedimentary soft rock and its relationship with brittle-ductile transition (BDT) pressure. We proposed a generalized preconsolidation pressure (P G) suitable for both soil and sedimentary soft rock, which is defined in terms of the yield stress of the initial sediment structure under confined lateral compression. We then explored the digenetic effect on P G using 24 sediment types. Next, P G and BDT pressure were verified using confined compression and conventional triaxial tests, respectively, on red-bed soft rock in the Dingxi region of China. Finally, we discussed the BDT mechanism and analyzed the relationship between the two characteristic pressures for a given initial yield surface considered structural strength. We found that the relationship was dependent on the strength parameters, the initial structural strength, and the coefficient of earth pressure at rest. The findings of this study will have a significant impact on the determination of BDT pressure of sedimentary rock in future studies.

RESUMO Introdução: A acupuntura tem sido amplamente utilizada para alívio de dor. No entanto, seus mecanismos são muito pouco conhecidos. Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre o efeito analgésico da eletroacupuntura e a regulação da expressão de adenosina e de substância P. Métodos: Utilizou-se um modelo de dor inflamatória crônica em ratos por injeção única do Adjuvante Completo de Freund e, em seguida, os animais foram tratados com eletroacupuntura diariamente. Foram aplicadas sete sessões bilaterais de eletroacupuntura (ST36 e BL60, 0,5 a 1,5 mA, força inicial de 0,5 mA, aumentada em 0,5 mA a cada 10 minutos, 30 minutos por sessão, uma sessão por dia) em ratos com Adjuvante Completo de Freund, por sete dias. O efeito analgésico da eletroacupuntura foi avaliado pela medida do limiar de retirada da pata em ratos que receberam estimulações mecânica e térmica. Resultados: A estimulação diária com eletroacupuntura aumentou efetivamente o limiar de retirada da pata em ratos com Adjuvante Completo de Freund. A eletroacupuntura aumentou o nível de adenosina na região zusanli. Estudos posteriores mostraram que a eletroacupuntura poderia diminuir os níveis de substância P, receptor de neurocinina-1, fator de necrose tumoral-alpha, interleucina-1β, interleucina-6 e CD68 nos gânglios da raiz dorsal. Curiosamente, a injeção direta de antagonistas do receptor de adenosina A1 ou de substância P, ou a transecção da raiz do nervo dorsal, podem prejudicar significativamente as ações analgésicas induzidas pela eletroacupuntura em ratos com Adjuvante Completo de Freund e reduzir os níveis de substância P, receptor de neurocinina-1, fator de necrose tumoral-alfa, interleucina-1β, interleucina-6 e CD68. Por fim, confirmamos que a injeção direta de um agonista do receptor da adenosina A1 reproduziu os efeitos analgésicos da eletroacupuntura. Conclusão: Nossos resultados indicam a regulação da secreção da substância P mediada pela adenosina. A via mediada pela substância P pode estar envolvida no processo de analgesia por eletroacupuntura em ratos.

ABSTRACT Background: Acupuncture has been widely used for alleviating pain. However, its mechanisms remain largely enigmatic. Objective: In the present study, we focused on whether the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture is related to its regulation on adenosine and substance P expression. Methods: We established chronic inflammatory pain model in rats through a single injection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant, and then we treated animals using daily electroacupuncture. We applied seven bilateral sessions of electroacupuncture (ST36 and BL60, 0.5 to 1.5 mA, initial strength of 0.5 mA, increased by 0.5 mA every 10 minutes, for 30 minutes per session, one section per day) to Complete Freund’s Adjuvant rats for seven days. The analgesic effect of electroacupuncture was evaluated by measuring paw withdrawal threshold in rats that received mechanical and thermal stimulation. Results: Daily electroacupuncture stimulation effectively increased paw withdrawal threshold in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant rats. Electroacupuncture increased the adenosine level in zusanli. A further study showed that electroacupuncture could decrease substance P, neurokinin-1 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and CD68 levels in dorsal root ganglion. Interestingly, direct injection of adenosine A1 or substance P receptor antagonists, or dorsal nerve root transection could significantly impair electroacupuncture induced analgesic actions in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant rats could and reduce the levels of substance P, neurokinin-1 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and CD68. Finally, we confirmed that direct injection of adenosine A1 receptor agonist replicated the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture. Conclusion: Our results indicate regulation of adenosine-mediated substance P secretion. Substance P-mediated pathway may be involved in the analgesia process by electroacupuncture in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association between platelet (PLT) count and the risk and progression of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). METHODS: In total, 122 HFMD patients and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The differences between variables among the different subgroups were compared. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between various parameters and HFMD risk/progression. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by detecting the trend of the association between PLT count quartiles and HFMD risk/progression. A generalized additive model was used to identify the nonlinear relationship between PLT count and HFMD risk/progression. The relationship between gender and PLT count as well as the risk/progression of HFMD was detected using a stratified logistic regression model. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in terms of age, male/female ratio, white blood cell (WBC) count, and PLT count between patients with stage I-II, III-IV HFMD and healthy controls. Moreover, the alanine aminotransferase and magnesium levels between patients with stage I-II and III-IV HFMD significantly differed. Moreover, a significant difference was noted in the male/female ratio among the different PLT groups. The group with a low PLT count had a lower risk of HFMD progression than the group with a high PLT count (Q4) (p=0.039). Lower age, male gender, and WBC count were found to be associated with HFMD risk. Meanwhile, PLT count was correlated to HFMD progression. The sensitivity analysis yielded a similar result using the minimally adjusted model (p for trend=0.037), and minimal changes were observed using the crude and fully adjusted model (p for trend=0.054; 0.090). A significant nonlinear relationship was observed between PLT count and HFMD progression after adjusting for age, gender, and WBC (p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: PLT was independently associated with HFMD progression in a nonlinear manner.

OBJECTIVES: Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the parkinsonian variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) are distinct neurodegenerative disorders that share similar clinical features of parkinsonism. The morphological alterations of these diseases have yet to be understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gray matter atrophy in PD and MSA-P using regions of interest (ROI)-based measurements and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). METHODS: We studied 41 patients with PD, 20 patients with MSA-P, and 39 controls matched for age, sex, and handedness using an improved T1-weighted sequence that eased gray matter segmentation. The gray matter volumes were measured using ROI and VBM. RESULTS: ROI volumetric measurements showed significantly reduced bilateral putamen volumes in MSA-P patients compared with those in PD patients and controls (p<0.05), and the volumes of the bilateral caudate nucleus were significantly reduced in both MSA-P and PD patients compared with those in the controls (p<0.05). VBM analysis revealed multifocal cortical and subcortical atrophy in both MSA-P and PD patients, and the volumes of the cerebellum and temporal lobes were remarkably reduced in MSA-P patients compared with the volumes in PD patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both PD and MSA-P are associated with gray matter atrophy, which mainly involves the bilateral putamen, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, and temporal lobes. ROI and VBM can be used to identify these morphological alterations, and VBM is more sensitive and repeatable and less time-consuming, which may have potential diagnostic value.

RESUMO: As influências do emprego de subprodutos que contêm silício, cálcio, magnésio e potássio, sobre a qualidade do solo ácido na Península de Jiaodong da China, foram estudadas e comparadas com a da cal através do monitoramento das propriedades físico-químicas e atividades enzimáticas do solo ácido ao longo de um 120- período do dia. Os resultados mostraram que as alterações dos subprodutos e a cal aumentaram significativamente as atividades de pH, CE e enzimas do solo. As alterações dos subprodutos obviamente inibiram o carbono da biomassa microbiana e a respiração do solo, mas o solo tratado com cal apresentou um maior nível de emissão de CO2. Em comparação com as modificações do subproduto, o solo tratado tinha o maior pH, a atividade da peroxidase, a atividade da fenol oxidase e a atividade da invertease. Portanto, o cal pode ser uma escolha melhor em relação às alterações dos subprodutos para melhorar as propriedades químicas e biológicas do solo ácido na Península de Jiaodong da China.

ABSTRACT: The influences of byproduct amendments, containing silicon, calcium, magnesium and potassium, on acidic soil quality in Jiaodong Peninsula of China had been studied and compared with that of lime through monitoring physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of acidic soil over a 120-day period. Byproduct amendments (1125, 2250, 4500 and 9000 kg ha-1) and lime 2250 kg ha-1 was applied in the acidic soil. Results showed that both byproduct amendments and lime significantly increased the pH, EC and enzyme activities of soil. The by-product amendments inhibited microbial biomass carbon and soil respiration. Nevertheless, the lime-treated soil had a much more higher level of CO2 emission than the by-product amendments-treated soil. Compared to the by-product amendments-treated soil, the lime-treated soil had the higher pH, peroxidase activity, phenol oxidase activity and invertase activity. Therefore, lime might be a better choice over by-product amendments to improve chemical and biological properties of the acidic soil in Jiaodong Peninsula of China. For soils lacking available calcium and magnesium, the mixture of 4500 kg ha-1 amendments and 2250 kg ha-1 lime was recommend to treat the soil.

OBJECTIVE: Bilirubin is considered an important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory factor and immunomodulator. The current investigation aimed to explore the association between bilirubin and white blood cell (WBC) count in a large Chinese cohort. METHODS: A total of 61091 participants (29259 males, 31832 females) were recruited from a Chinese tertiary hospital. Data were sorted by sex, and the association between bilirubin and WBC count was analyzed after dividing bilirubin levels into quartiles. RESULTS: Most parameters (including age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, triglycerides and WBC count) were significantly higher in men than in women. Bilirubin displayed significant negative relationships with most other measured variables. Linear logistic regression analysis further indicated their negative relationships. Females showed a significantly higher frequency of leucopenia than males. Significant associations of leucopenia with high bilirubin quartiles were shown in binary logistic regression models for both sexes, with a much closer association in men than in women. For instance, for men with bilirubin levels in quartile 4, the adjusted likelihood of leucopenia was 1.600-times higher than that of men with values in quartile 1. For women with bilirubin levels in quartile 4, the adjusted likelihood of leucopenia was 1.135-times higher than that of women with values in quartile 1. CONCLUSION: Bilirubin is negatively related to WBC count. Significant associations exist between leucopenia and high bilirubin quartiles, and these associations are more obvious in men than in women.

pH-Zone-refining counter-current chromatography (PZRCCC) was successfully used for preparative separation isoquinoline alkaloids from Phellodendri Cortex. Two target compounds of berberine and palmatine were completely resolved by a two-phase solvent system chloroform/methanol/water (4:2:2, v/v), with 10 mmol L-1 HCl in upper stationary phase and 10 mmol L-1 TEA in lower organic phase. From 2.0 g of the crude alkaloids, palmatine (448 mg, 95.1%) and berberine (159 mg, 95.4%) were obtained in one-step PZRCCC separation. The chemical structures were identified by ESI-MS and NMR data. The results indicated that PZRCCC separation is an excellent preparative separation method for isoquinoline alkaloids from Phellodendri Cortex.

This study was performed to examine whether the AF4/FMR2 family, member 1 (AFF1) rs340630 polymorphism is involved in the genetic background of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Chinese population. Two different study groups of RA patients and controls (328 RA patients and 449 healthy controls in the first study group; 232 RA patients and 313 controls in the second study group) were included in our study. Overall, there was no significant difference in either genotype (P=0.71 and 0.64 in the first and second study group, respectively) nor allele (in the first study group: A vs G, P=0.65, OR=1.05, 95%CI=0.85–1.29; in the second study group: G vs A, P=0.47, OR=1.10, 95%CI=0.86–1.40) frequencies of AFF1 rs340630 polymorphism between RA patients and controls. Our study represents the first report assessing the association of AFF1 rs340630 polymorphism with RA risk. No significant evidence was found for the dominant or recessive models. Further case-control studies with larger sample sizes and fine-mapping studies are needed to clarify the role of AFF1 in the genetic basis of RA.

Through decreasing the sample size, the regular faceted rectangular Al2Cu phase crystal was prepared under directional solidification. Effects of sample size on the microstructure morphologies and orientations of intermetallic Al2Cu phase crystal growth at 10 µm/s have been characterized and investigated. The transverse-section microstructure of primary Al2Cu phase crystal transited from L-shaped pattern to regular faceted rectangular pattern with a single preferred orientation at [001] direction with sample size decreasing. By using the serial sectioning technique, the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of Al2Cu phase in 0.45 mm sample was observed as rectangular parallelepiped. Moreover, the faceted interfaces of Al2Cu phase crystal were determined as {110} planes. Based on growth characteristics of the Al2Cu phase crystal, a growth mode in different sizes samples under directional solidification was proposed. The experimental results show that a regular microstructure with preferred single orientation can be achieved in small-size sample during directional solidification.

ABSTRACT Altered metabolites level in the biosystems, is the potential cause of cancer, the primary reason of alteration of metabolism is change in nutrient consumption and waste excretion, as a result genetic mutation leads to cancer initiation and progression. Aberration of specific metabolites such as fumarate, succinate, 2-hydroxyglutarate may alter cell signaling. We collected liver and kidney samples and prepared for 1H NMR analysis, then executed NMR spectroscopy. We used a set of domestic R scripts to perform an unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) and a supervised orthogonal signal correction partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OSC-PLS-DA). It signifies class discrimination for getting a clear separation, whereas PCA scores plot signifies the model group kept further away from the control group than drug group on the horizontal axis. In another PCA scores plots, most parts of the control group was overlapping with the drug group but was distant from the model group. Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) (Chines name: Xiao-Ai-Ping, XAP) modulates level of crucial metabolites such as fumarate, lactate, succinate, determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and their altered level contributes major role in cancer.