Objective: to examine the relationship between career success and work environment of nurses who practice in assisted reproductive technology and to identify factors that affect career success. Method: a cross-sectional study conducted in 53 fertility centres in 26 provinces in mainland China. Data were collected using a demographic data questionnaire, a specialised nursing competence questionnaire, the Career-Success Scale, and the Nursing Work Environment Scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results: 597 assisted reproductive technology nurses participated in our survey, and 555 valid questionnaires were collected. Theoverall mean scores for career success and work environment were 3.75 [standard deviation (SD) = 1.01] and 3.42 (SD = 0.77) respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between career success and work environment (r = 0.742, p < 0.01). Multiple regression showed that attending academic conferences, psychological care, professional development, support and care, salary, and welfare were significant factors that influence career success. Conclusion: attending academic conferences, psychological care, and work environment are positively related to career success. Administrators should consider ways to address these factors.

Objetivo: examinar la relación entre éxito en la carrera y ambiente de trabajo con enfermeras actuantes en tecnología de reproducción asistida (TRA), e identificar factores que afectan su éxito en la carrera. Método: estudio transversal realizado en 53 centros de fertilidad de 26 provincias en la China Continental. Datos recolectados utilizando cuestionario de datos demográficos, un Cuestionario de Competencias de TRA para Enfermeras Especializadas, la Career-Success Scale (Escala de éxito profesional) y la Nursing Work Environment Scale (Escala del entorno de trabajo de enfermería). Se aplicó estadística inferencial y descriptiva. Resultados: 597 enfermeras actuantes en TRA participaron en nuestra encuesta, entregando 555 cuestionarios válidos. Los puntajes generales promedio de éxito en la carrera y ambiente de trabajo fueron 3,75 (desviación estándar, [DE]=1,01) y 3,42 (DE=0,77) respectivamente. Se observó fuerte correlación positiva entre éxito en la carrera y ambiente de trabajo (r=0,742; p<0,01). La regresión múltiple mostró que la concurrencia a conferencias académicas, atención psicológica, desarrollo profesional, apoyo y cuidado, salario y bienestar constituyeron factores significantes con influencia en el éxito en la carrera. Conclusión: la concurrencia a conferencias académicas, atención psicológica y ambiente de trabajo guardan relación positiva con el éxito en la carrera. Los gestores deberían considerar formas de abordar tales factores.

Objetivo: examinar a relação entre o sucesso profissional e o ambiente de trabalho de enfermeiros da área de tecnologia de reprodução assistida e identificar os fatores que afetaram tal sucesso. Método: estudo transversal conduzido em 53 centros de fertilidade em 26 províncias da China Continental. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário demográfico, um questionário sobre competências de enfermagem especializada em tecnologias de reprodução assistida, da Career-Success Scale (Escala de Sucesso Profissional) e da Nursing Work Environment Scale (Escala do Ambiente de Trabalho na Enfermagem). Aplicaram-se análises de estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: participaram do estudo 597 enfermeiros da área de tecnologia de reprodução assistida, e 555 questionários válidos foram coletados. As pontuações globais médias para o sucesso profissional e o ambiente de trabalho foram 3,75 [desvio padrão (DP) = 1,01] e 3,42 (DP = 0,77), respectivamente. Verificou-se forte correlação positiva entre o sucesso profissional e o ambiente de trabalho (r = 0,742; p < 0,01). A análise de regressão múltipla mostrou que a participação em eventos acadêmicos, a assistência psicológica, o desenvolvimento profissional, o apoio e os cuidados, e o salário e o bem-estar foram fatores que influenciaram significativamente o sucesso profissional. Conclusão: a participação em eventos acadêmicos, a assistência psicológica e o ambiente de trabalho mostraram correlação positiva com o sucesso profissional. Os gestores deveriam considerar formas de abordar esses fatores.

Abstract Exogenous additives applied for cigar tobacco leaves fermentation played an important role in sensory quality of cigar. In this study, effects of additives including coffee and cocoa on the quality of cigar tobacco leaves were explored. The changes of sensory quality, conventional chemical components, nonvolatile organic acids, and aroma compositions in tobacco leaves were studied. Results showed that the richness, mellowness and matureness of aroma, as well as the fluentness and sweetness of smoke in cigar were improved with the introduction of coffee or cocoa. According to chemical composition analysis, fermentation with coffee or cocoa increased the contents of alkaloids and sugar in tobacco leaves, which endowed the tobacco a relatively good performance on the sweetness and aroma richness. Besides, the decrease of citric acid, as well as the increase of saturated fatty acid and aroma components were found with additives, which was beneficial to improve the mellowness and aroma richness of cigar. It was suggested that coffee and cocoa exhibited positive effects on the chemical composition, especially increased the contents of sugar, saturated fatty acids and aromatic components, thus improving the sensory quality of tobacco leaves.

Abstract Background: Phospholipase C-like 1 (PLCL1), a protein that lacks catalytic activity, has similar structures to the PLC family. The aim of this research was to find the function and underlying mechanisms of PLCL1 in fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: In this study, we first analyzed the expression of PLCL1 in the synovial tissue of RA patients and K/BxN mice by immunohistochemical staining. Then silencing or overexpressing PLCL1 in FLS before stimulating by TNF-α. The levels of IL-6, IL-1β and CXCL8 in FLS and supernatants were detected by Western Blot (WB), Real-Time Quantitative PCR and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. We used INF39 to specifically inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, and detected the expression of NLRP3, Cleaved Caspase-1, IL-6 and IL-1β in FLS by WB. Result: When PLCL1 was silenced, the level of IL-6, IL-1β and CXCL8 were down-regulated. When PLCL1 was overexpressed, the level of IL-6, IL-1β and CXCL8 were unregulated. The previous results demonstrated that the mechanism of PLCL1 regulating inflammation in FLS was related to NLRP3 inflammasomes. INF39 could counteract the release of inflammatory cytokines caused by overexpression of PLCL1. Conclusion: Result showed that the function of PLCL1 in RA FLS might be related to the NLRP3 inflammasomes. We finally confirmed our hypothesis with the NLRP3 inhibitor INF39. Our results suggested that PLCL1 might promote the inflammatory response of RA FLS by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Abstract The cigar market is growing rapidly in China. However, insufficient aroma value and quality, as well as confused subject fragrance were found in cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs), which has greatly restricted the development of Chinese cigar. In this study, several new and effective additives, including coffee, cocoa, ginger, cumin, and rhodiola rosea, were screened out for facilitating the fermentation process. Significant improvements on the aroma and sensory quality of CTLs were detected. The above-mentioned additives can increase the contents of total sugar, alcohols, alkenes, ketonic and acid aroma components in tobacco leaves. Besides, the content of representative aroma component, such as neophytadiene, increased by 1~2 times. Moreover, abundant new aroma components were introduced into CTLs. As a result, the performances on aroma richness, aroma and smoke characteristics, as well as aftertaste and combustion of CTLs were enhanced. The findings provide a promising strategy for enhancing sensory quality of domestic CTLs and the flourishment of Chinese cigar.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral ischemia seriously threatens human health and is characterized by high rates of incidence, disability and death. Developing an ideal animal model of cerebral ischemia that reflects the human clinical features is critical for pathological studies and clinical research. The goal of this study is to establish a local cerebral ischemia model in rhesus macaque, thereby providing an optimal animal model to study cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Eight healthy rhesus monkeys were selected for this study. CT scans were performed before the operation to exclude cerebral vascular and intracranial lesions. Under guidance and monitoring with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), a microcatheter was inserted into the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) via the femoral artery. Then, autologous white thrombi were introduced to block blood flow. Immediately following embolization, multisequence MRI was used to monitor cerebrovascular and brain parenchymal conditions. Twenty-four hours after embolization, 2 monkeys were sacrificed and subjected to perfusion, fixation and pathological examination. RESULTS: The cerebral ischemia model was established in 7 rhesus monkeys; one animal died during intubation. DSA and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) indicated the presence of an arterial occlusion. MRI showed acute local cerebral ischemia. HE staining revealed infarct lesions formed in the brain tissues, and thrombi were present in the cerebral artery. CONCLUSION: We established a rhesus macaque model of local cerebral ischemia by autologous thrombus placement. This model has important implications for basic and clinical research on cerebral ischemia. MRI and DSA can evaluate the models to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Cerebrovascular diseases pose a serious threat to human survival and quality of life and represent a major cause of human death and disability. Recently, the incidence of cerebrovascular diseases has increased yearly. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases are of great importance to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of cerebrovascular diseases. With the rapid development of medical ultrasound, the clinical relationship between ultrasound imaging technology and the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases has become increasingly close. Ultrasound techniques such as transcranial acoustic angiography, doppler energy imaging, three-dimensional craniocerebral imaging and ultrasound thrombolysis are novel and valuable techniques in the study of cerebrovascular diseases. In this review, we introduce some of the new ultrasound techniques from both published studies and ongoing trials that have been confirmed to be convenient and effective methods. However, additional evidence from future studies will be required before some of these techniques can be widely applied or recommended as alternatives.

Resumo Fundamento: A pioglitazona tem sido amplamente utilizada como droga sensibilizadora da insulina para melhorar o controle glicêmico em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. No entanto, o risco cardiovascular bem como os efeitos protetores da pioglitazona ainda são controversos. Objetivos: Neste estudo, investigamos se os efeitos da pioglitazona sobre a apoptose e a hipertrofia de cardiomiócitos ocorrem via regulação da via de sinalização do VEGFR-2. Métodos: os cardiomiócitos foram isolados enzimaticamente dos ventrículos de ratos Sprague-Dawley de 1-3 anos de vida. Os efeitos da pioglitazona e do inibidor seletivo de VEGFR-2 apatinib sobre a taxa de apoptose dos cardiomiócitos foram avaliados por citometria de fluxo, e a hipertrofia avaliada por incorporação de leucina-[3H]. As expressões de VEGFR-2, Akt, P53, e mTOR fosforiladas e não fosforiladas foram determinadas por Western Blotting. Análise de variância (ANOVA) foi usada para avaliar diferenças entre os grupos. Resultados: a pioglitazona e o apatinib reduziram a viabilidade e a hipertrofia de cardiomiócitos induzida por angiotensina II in vitro. Além disso, no mesmo modelo in vitro, a pioglitazona e o apatinib aumentaram significativamente a expressão de Bax e P53 fosforilada, e diminuiu a expressão de VEGFR-2, Akt, e mTOR, que promove hipertrofia de cardiomiócitos. Conclusões: Esses resultados indicam que a pioglitazona induz a apoptose e inibe a hipertrofia de cardiomiócitos pela modulação da via de sinalização de VEGFR-2.

Abstract Background: Pioglitazone has been widely used as an insulin-sensitizing agent for improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, cardiovascular risk and protective effects of pioglitazone remain controversial. Objectives: In this study, we investigated whether pioglitazone affects cardiomyocyte apoptosis and hypertrophy by regulating the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway. Methods: Cardiomyocytes were enzymatically isolated from 1- to 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat ventricles. Effects of pioglitazone and the VEGFR-2-selective inhibitor apatinib on cardiomyocyte apoptotic rate was determined using flow cytometry, and hypertrophy was evaluated using [3H]-leucine incorporation. The protein expressions of unphosphorylated and phosphorylated VEGFR-2, Akt, P53, and mTOR were determined by Western-Blotting. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the differences between groups. Results: Pioglitazone and VEGFR-2-selective inhibitor apatinib reduced rat cardiomyocyte viability and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II in vitro. Furthermore, in the same in vitro model, pioglitazone and apatinib significantly increased the expression of Bax and phosphorylated P53 and decreased the expression of phosphorylated VEGFR-2, Akt, and mTOR, which promote cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Conclusions: These findings indicate that pioglitazone induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inhibits cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by modulating the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway.