Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. To investigate effect of silymarin on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The serum samples of 20 healthy controls, 20 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and 20 patients with stable COPD were collected. LPS and smoking were used to induce COPD mouse model. Our results showed that in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, O2-level release from peripheral blood neutrophils were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1 in predicted value, FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), and arterial partial pressure (PaO2). (r=-0.898, -0.878, -874, -0.890, all P<0.01). Compared with that in the control group, the phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase p47phox factor and peripheral blood neutrophil membrane protein in the stable COPD group and the acute exacerbation COPD group were significantly stronger. Silymarin can inhibit the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In conclusion, silymarin reduces oxidative stress in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells, thus decreasing the oxidative stress in COPD patients

Abstract Scutellarin, a flavonoid compound found in Scutellaria barbata, has been demonstrated to exert anti-cancer properity in a variety of human malignancies. However, its biological significance and underlying mechanism in glioblastoma (GBM) remain ambiguous. Network pharmacology approaches and molecular docking technologies were used to predict the crucial biological processes, candidate targets and signaling pathways of scutellarin against GBM. CCK-8, EdU, and colony formation experiments were performed to determine the effects of scutellarin on cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis was utilized to detect apoptosis. Western blot assays were used to measure the expression of proteins associated with EGFR-PI3K-AKT signaling. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis, we found that EGFR might be a potential target and PI3K-AKT signaling might be the key signaling pathway for scutellarin to combat GBM. Scutellarin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Scutellarin also suppressed the phosphorylation level of EGFR in a dose-dependent manner. Scutellarin inactivated PI3K-AKT signaling by targeting EGFR. Moreover, scutellarin-mediated suppression of cell proliferation and increase of apoptosis was greatly reversed in GBM after overexpressing EGFR. Taken together, scutellarin is a novel inhibitor of EGFR-PI3K-AKT signaling to prevent GBM progression.

Abstract Several technological applications of Lactococcus lactis are attributed to their high metabolite-secreting abilities. Among these, bacteriocins can be used as food preservatives or additives in cheese manufacture. The objective was to evaluate the technological characteristics and antibacterial activity of 10 Lactococcus lactis isolates from traditional fermented dairy products, including acidifying ability, proteolytic ability, diacetyl production and autolytic activity. L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y14 and Y15 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher ΔpH than other strains. L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y17 exhibited the highest proteolytic, L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y15 and L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y18 were next in terms of proteolytic activity. All strains possessed the ability of diacetyl production, with the highest production of 10.39 mg/g observed in L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y15. L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y14 had the highest (P < 0.05) autolytic ability (8.96%), followed by L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y15 (8.05%). L. lactis Y15 exhibited discernible antibacterial activity with the largest zone of inhibition diameters (25.56 mm). Based on the above results, L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y15 was selected as the starter to manufacture cheese. There were no significant differences in texture and sensory acceptability of Cheddar cheese manufactured by L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y15 with L. lactis subsp. lactis KLDS4.0325 or commercial starter. L. lactis subsp. cremoris Y15 can be used as a starter to produce Cheddar cheese.

Abstract The effect of Maillard reaction browning factors on the color enhancement of membrane clarification non-centrifugal cane sugar (M-NCS) in storage was explored. During storage, the color of M-NCS gradually browned and blackened. pH, the contents of glucose, fructose, protein, total amino acids and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) decreased significantly. Meanwhile, the moisture content, relative percentages of volatile Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and the content of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) increased during storage. The sucrose content remained stable. Correlation analysis shows all browning factors were significantly correlated with color. Multivariate data analysis results demonstrated that the compound effects of volatile MRPs, 3-DG, pH, glucose and total amino acids led to the color change of stored M-NCS. The order of effect on the color change of stored M-NCS was volatile MRPs > 3-DG > pH > glucose > total amino acids.

Abstract Purpose Changrui enema, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, is used as a supplementary treatment for acute radiation proctitis (ARP). Herein we explored the inhibition effects of Changrui enema on NF-κB and VEGF in ARP mice. Methods A total of 120 C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into normal mice group, ARP mice group, western medicine enema group (dexamethasone combined with gentamicin), and Changrui enema group. ARP mice were established by pelvic local irradiation. The expression of IL-1β, NF-κB, VEGF, AQP1, AQP3, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK was determined by immunohistochemistry or western blot. Results The study firstly found that Changrui enema alleviated ARP mice. The expression of IL-1β, NF-κB, VEGF, AQP1 and p-ERK1/2 was increased in ARP mice, and was reserved by Changrui enema. However, the expression of AQP3 and p-JNK was decreased in ARP mice, and was up-regulated by Changrui enema. Conclusions Changrui enema is an effective treatment with fewer side effects for ARP. The mechanism of Changrui enema may be related to the inhibition of inflammation-induced angiogenesis. Changrui enema inhibits IL-1β and NF-κB expression as well as VEGF expression. Interestingly, AQP1 promotes angiogenesis, while AQP3 inhibits inflammation. Changrui enema probably inhibits AQP1 expression by down-regulating p-ERK1/2, and improves AQP3 expression by up-regulating p-JNK.

Abstract Background: Reports regarding the causative drugs of drug-induced cutaneous adverse reactions in China are indistinct, such that different regions have reported the spectrum of drugs differs substantially in different clinical conditions. Objective: To explore the causative drugs that led to cutaneous reactions. Methods: Adverse drug reaction reports from central China were collected and divided into cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions groups. Cases were reviewed retrospectively for causative drugs. Results: The male:female ratio was equal in both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. In cutaneous adverse reactions (n = 482), the highest incidence happened between 51 and 60 years of age and the top three causative drugs were antibiotics (48%), Chinese medicine (16%), and allopurinol (9%). In severe cutaneous adverse reactions (n = 126), the highest incidence happened between 41 and 50 years of age and the top three causative drugs were sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics (39%), antibiotics (22%), and allopurinol (15%). Carbamazepine was the most frequently used single-drug (16/18) in sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics. β-lactams were the most frequently used antibiotics that induced both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Study limitations: The small sample size, retrospective design, collection of cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions at different time frames and locations, and exclusion of patients taking more than five medications are limitations of the study. Conclusions: Gender does not affect cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. The top three drugs to induce cutaneous adverse reactions are antibiotics, Chinese medicine, and allopurinol, while those that triggered severe cutaneous adverse reactions are sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics, antibiotics, and allopurinol. Carbamazepine is the most frequent single drug that induces severe cutaneous adverse reactions. β-lactams are the most frequently used antibiotics that induce both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

Abstract Background: The present study aimed to investigate the underlying role of interferon-regulatory factor 2 (IRF2)-inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase, type-II (INPP4B) axis in the regulation of autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Methods: Quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to determine the expression levels of IRF2, INPP4B and autophagy-related markers in AML cell lines. Autophagy was assessed by elevated Beclin-1 expression, the conversion of light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II, downregulated p62 expression and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3 puncta formation. The colony formation and apoptosis assays were performed to determine the effects of IRF2 and INPP4B on the growth of AML cells. Results: IRF2 and INPP4B were highly expressed in AML cell lines, and were positively correlated with autophagy-related proteins. Overexpression of IRF2 or INPP4B stimulated autophagy of AML cells, whereas inhibition of IRF2 or INPP4B resulted in the attenuation of autophagy. More importantly, IRF2 or INPP4B overexpression reversed autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA)-induced proliferation-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects, while IRF2 or INPP4B silencing overturned the proliferation-promoting and anti-apoptotic effects of autophagy activator rapamycin. Conclusion: IRF2-INPP4B signaling axis attenuated apoptosis through induction of autophagy in AML cells.

Abstract Purpose This paper aims to map the creation and evolution of centering resonance analysis (CRA). This method was an innovative approach developed to conduct textual content analysis in a semi-automatic, theory-informed and analytically rigorous way. Nevertheless, despite its robust procedures to analyze documents and interviews, CRA is still broadly unknown and scarcely used in management research. Design/methodology/approach To track CRA’s development, the roadmapping approach was properly adapted. The traditional time-based multi-layered map format was customized to depict, graphically, the results obtained from a systematic literature review of the main CRA publications. Findings In total, 19 papers were reviewed, from the method’s introduction in 2002 to its last tracked methodological development. In all, 26 types of CRA analysis were identified and grouped in five categories. The most innovative procedures in each group were discussed and exemplified. Finally, a CRA methodological roadmap was presented, including a layered typology of the publications, in terms of their focus and innovativeness; the number of analysis conducted in each publication; references for further CRA development; a segmentation and description of the main publication periods; main turning points; citation-based relationships; and four possible future scenarios for CRA as a method. Originality/value This paper offers a unique and comprehensive review of CRA’s development, favoring its broader use in management research. In addition, it develops an adapted version of the roadmapping approach, customized for mapping methodological innovations over time.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o papel do receptor de hidrocarboneto arílico (AhR) nos linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ e CD4+ CD25+ no sangue periférico de pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR). Métodos: Foi aplicada citometria de fluxo para determinar a proporção de células AhR positivas em linfócitos CCR6+ CD4+ e CD4+ CD25+ do sangue periférico e células mononucleares periféricas de cada indivíduo. Os níveis de expressão relativa de ácido ribonucleico mensageiro (do inglês ribonucleic acid, RNAm,) de AhR e RNAm de enzima de primeiro estágio essencial para o AhR (CYP1A1) foram testados por reação em cadeia de polimerase (do inglês polymerase chain reaction, PCR,) em tempo real. Resultados: A percentagem de células AhR positivas nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico foi maior no grupo com AR do que nos indivíduos saudáveis [(35,23 ± 10,71)% vs. (18,83 ± 7,32)%, (p < 0,01)]. Os níveis de expressão de AhR e CYP1A1 estavam aumentados em pacientes com AR quando comparados com os controles [(3,71 ± 1,63) vs. (2,00 ± 1,27), p = 0,002; (2,62 ± 2,08) vs. (0,62 ± 0,29), p < 0,01, respectivamente]. Em pacientes com AR, a percentagem de células AhR positivas nos linfócitos T CD4+ CD25+ foi significativamente inferior à dos controles [17,90 (6,10 ± 80,10)]% vs. (52,49 ± 19,18)%, p < 0,01]; em controles saudáveis, a percentagem de células AhR positivas nos linfócitos T CD4+ CD25+ foi significativamente mais elevada do que nos linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ e também foi significativamente maior do que nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico (do inglês peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMC,) [(52,49 ± 19,18)% vs. (23,18 ± 5,62)% vs. (18,06 ± 7,80)%, X 2 = 24,03, p < 0,01]; em pacientes com AR, a percentagem de células AHR positivas nos linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ era significativamente maior em comparação com os linfócitos T CD4+ CD25+ e PBMC (46,02 ± 14,68)% vs. [17,90 (6,10 ± 80.10)]% vs. (34,22 ± 10,33)%, X2 = 38,29, p < 0,01]; no entanto, não foi encontrada correlação estatisticamente significativa entre os dados clínicos e células AhR positivas em linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ e CD4+ CD25+. Conclusão: O Ahr pode participar do progresso patológico da AR ao controlar a diferenciação de linfócitos Th17 e Treg no sangue periférico.

ABSTRACT Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in peripheral blood CCR6+CD4+ and CD4+CD25+T cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Flow cytometry was applied to determine the proportion of AhR positive cells in CCR6+CD4+T, CD4+CD25+T and peripheral blood peripheral mononuclear cells from each subject. AhR mRNA and CYP1A1 mRNA relative expression levels were tested by real-time PCR. Results: The percentage of AhR positive cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was higher in RA group than that in healthy cases [(35.23 ± 10.71)% vs. (18.83 ± 7.32)%, p < 0.01]. The expression levels of AhR and CYP1A1 were both increased in patients with RA while compared to controls [(3.71 ± 1.63) vs. (2.00 ± 1.27), p = 0.002; (2.62 ± 2.08) vs. (0.62 ± 0.29), p < 0.01, respectively]. In RA patients, the percentage of AhR positive cells in CD4+CD25+T cells was significantly lower than that from controls [17.90 (6.10 ± 80.10)% vs. (52.49 ± 19.18)%, p < 0.01]; In healthy controls, the percentage of AhR positive cells in CD4+CD25+T cells was significantly higher than that in CCR6+CD4+T cells, and was also significantly higher than that in PBMCs [(52.49 ± 19.18)% vs. (23.18 ± 5.62)% vs. (18.06 ± 7.80)%, X 2 = 24.03, p < 0.01]; in RA patients, the percentage of AhR positive cells in CCR6+CD4+T cells was significantly increased than that in CD4+CD25+T cells and PBMCs [(46.02 ± 14.68)% vs. 17.90 (6.10 ± 80.10)% vs. (34.22 ± 10.33)%, X 2 = 38.29, p < 0.01]; Nevertheless, no statistically significant relationship was found between clinical data and AhR positive cells in CCR6+CD4+T and CD4+CD25+T cells. Conclusion: AhR may participate in the pathological progress of RA by controlling the differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood.

Abstract: The torsion of vessels after liver transplantation rarely occurs. Likewise, calcification of a liver graft has seldom been reported. This report details a case which had torsion of the left hepatic vein on the seventh day after living-related donor liver transplantation. The torsion was reduced soon after re-exploration; however, congestion with partial necrosis of the graft occurred. On the follow-up imaging studies, some resolution of necrosis and graft regeneration were found, yet geographic calcification of the liver graft appeared. The patient died of pneumonia after 13 weeks, post-operation. The avoidance such torsion of vessels is necessary and important.

ABSTRACT Odanacatib (ODN) is a selective inhibitor of cathepsin K. The cysteine protease cathepsin K has been implicated in cardiac hypertrophy. Resistine is an adipokine which is identified to promote cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we hypothesize that ODN mitigates resistin-induced myocyte hypertrophy. Cell surface area and protein synthesis were measured after treatment with resistin and ODN in H9c2 cells. The expression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy marker BNP and β-MHC was detected by RT-qPCR. The expression and phosphorylation of AMPK and LKB1 were analyzed with Western blot. Resistin could significantly increase cardiomyocyte cell surface area, protein synthesis, and embryonic gene BNP and β-MHC expression, inhibit phosphorylation of AMPK and LKB1. ODN could significantly reverse the effects of resistin. Collectively, our data suggest that ODN can inhibit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by resistin and the underlying mechanism may be involved in LKB1/AMPK pathway.

Abstract Humic substances in soil DNA samples can influence the assessment of microbial diversity and community composition. Using multiple steps during or after cell lysis adds expenses, is time-consuming, and causes DNA loss. A pretreatment of soil samples and a single step DNA extraction may improve experimental results. In order to optimize a protocol for obtaining high purity DNA from soil microbiota, five prewashing agents were compared in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness in removing soil contaminants. Residual contaminants were precipitated by adding 0.6 mL of 0.5 M CaCl2. Four cell lysis methods were applied to test their compatibility with the pretreatment (prewashing + Ca2+ flocculation) and to ultimately identify the optimal cell lysis method for analyzing fungal communities in forest soils. The results showed that pretreatment with TNP + Triton X-100 + skim milk (100 mM Tris, 100 mM Na4P2O7, 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 100 mM NaCl, 0.05% Triton X-100, 4% skim milk, pH 10.0) removed most soil humic contaminants. When the pretreatment was combined with Ca2+ flocculation, the purity of all soil DNA samples was further improved. DNA samples obtained by the fast glass bead-beating method (MethodFGB) had the highest purity. The resulting DNA was successfully used, without further purification steps, as a template for polymerase chain reaction targeting fungal internal transcribed spacer regions. The results obtained by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis indicated that the MethodFGB revealed greater fungal diversity and more distinctive community structure compared with the other methods tested. Our study provides a protocol for fungal cell lysis in soil, which is fast, convenient, and effective for analyzing fungal communities in forest soils.

In this paper, 2-hydrazino-6-methoxy-1,3-benzothiazole was introduced into diethylenetriamine pentaacetic (DTPA) by acylation reaction. The corresponding non-ion Gd(III) complex holding promise of a single molecule magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent was obtained by treating this ligand with GdCl3·6H2 O. The efficacy of the contrast agent was assessed by measuring the longitudinal relaxivity (r1), the r1 of Gd(III)-DTPA-bisbenzothiazole hydrazide was up to 6.44 mM-1,s-1, which was 1.8 times higher than that of the analogous MRI contrast agent Gd(III)-DTPA (r1 = 3.64 mM-1s-1) in commercial use. In addition, in vitro MR images on a 0.5 T magnetic field exhibited a remarkable enhancement of signal contrast for Gd(III)-DTPA-bisbenzothiazole hydrazide than Gd(III)-DTPA. These results demonstrate that this non-ion Gd(III) complex acts as a potentially MRI contrast agent.

AbstractThis paper aims to set up the ball systematic slipping model and analyze the slipping characteristics caused by different factors for a ball screw operating at high speeds. To investigate the ball screw slipping mechanism, transformed coordinate system should be established firstly. Then it is used to set up mathematical modeling for the ball slipping caused by the three main reasons and the speed of slipping can be calculated. Later, the influence of the contact angle, helix angle and screw diameter for ball screw slipping will be analyzed according to the ball slipping model and slipping speeds equation and the slipping analysis will be obtained. Finally, curve of slipping analysis and that of mechanical efficiency of the ball screw analysis by Lin are compared, which will indirectly verify the correctness of the slipping model. The slipping model and the curve of slipping analysis established in this paper will provide theory basis for reducing slipping and improving the mechanical efficiency of a ball screw operating at high speeds.

Salt stress is one of the severest growth limited-factors to agriculture production. To gain in-depth knowledge of salt-stress response mechanisms, the proteomics analysis from two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines was carried out using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). There were 57 salt-regulated proteins identified, 21 and 36 proteins were differentially regulated in inbred lines ’Nongda 1145’ (salt-resistant) and ’D340’ (salt-sensitive), respectively. The identified proteins were distributed in 11 biological processes and seven molecular functions. Under salt stress, proteins related to antioxidation and lignin synthesis were increased in both inbred lines. The relative abundance of proteins involved in translation initiation, elongation, and protein proteolysis increased in ’Nongda 1145’ and decreased in ’D340’. In addition, the abundance of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism, protein refolding, ATP synthase and transcription differed between the two inbred lines. Our results suggest that the enhanced ability of salt-tolerant inbred line ’Nongda 1145’ to combat salt stress occurs via regulation of transcription factors promoting increased antioxidation and lignin biosynthesis, enhanced energy production, and acceleration of protein translation and protein proteolysis.