Abstract Objective To explore whether Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP)-Epac1 signaling is activated in 1-Desamino-8-D-arginine-Vasopressin-induced Endolymphatic Hydrops (DDAVP-induced EH) and to provide new insight for further in-depth study of DDAVP-induced EH. Methods Eighteen healthy, red-eyed guinea pigs (36 ears) weighing 200-350 g were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, which received intraperitoneal injection of sterile saline (same volume as that in the other two groups) for 7 consecutive days; the DDAVP-7d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/mL/kg DDAVP for 7 consecutive days; and the DDAVP-14d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 μg/mL/kg DDAVP for 14 consecutive days. After successful modeling, all animals were sacrificed, and cochlea tissues were collected to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1 and 2 (Epac1, Epac2), and Repressor Activator Protein-1 (Rap1) by Reverse Transcription (RT)-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results Compared to the control group, the relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Epac2, Rap1A, and Rap1B in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-7d group was significantly higher (p< 0.05), while no significant difference in Rap1 GTPase activating protein (Rap1gap) mRNA expression was found between the two groups. The relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Rap1A, Rap1B, and Rap1gap in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-14d group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p< 0.05), while no significant difference in Epac2 mRNA expression was found between the DDAVP-14d and control groups. Comparison between the DDAVP-14d and DDAVP-7d groups showed that the DDAVP-14d group had significantly lower Epac2 and Rap1A (p< 0.05) and higher Rap1gap (p < 0.05) mRNA expression in the cochlea tissue than that of the DDAVP-7d group, while no significant differences in Epac1 and Rap1B mRNA expression were found between the two groups. Western blotting showed that Epac1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-14d group, followed by that in the DDAVP-7d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p< 0.05); Rap1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-7d group, followed by the DDAVP-14d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p< 0.05); no significant differences in Epac2 protein expression in the cochlea tissue were found among the three groups. Conclusion DDAVP upregulated Epac1 protein expression in the guinea pig cochlea, leading to activation of the inner ear cAMP-Epac1 signaling pathway. This may be an important mechanism by which DDAVP regulates endolymphatic metabolism to induce EH and affect inner ear function. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence Level 5.

Abstract The brewing of Chinese Baijiu is a microbial community fermentation system, in which there is a close and complex relationship between microorganisms and flavor quality, but the specific deep-seated mechanism still needs to be explored and interpreted continuously so far. In this review, Maotai flavor Baijiu was briefly introduced, and the microorganisms mainly affected by flavor substances, the main components of flavor substances, the factors affecting flavor formation and the application ways of functional microorganisms in Maotai flavor Baijiu were summarized. It provides a deeper understanding for the research of others flavor Baijiu.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria preparations on microbial diversity and community structure of calves. On days 1 and 7 of the trial period, feces were collected into sterile tubes and labeled (Day 1: control group D1DZ, experimental group D1SY, and Day 7: control group D7DZ, experimental group D7SY). Twenty Angus calves (150±10 kg) were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 10 calves each. The control group fed a basal diet. In addition to feeding the basal diet, the experimental group was given 15 mL lactobacillus preparation orally at 09:00 and 16:00 h every day. Calves were allowed free feeding and drinking water. All other feeding environments and management conditions remained consistent with the experiment lasting for seven days. At the end of the experiment, the fecal microflora of the calves was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing techniques. The 16S rRNA analysis data were processed using the Excel 2007 software and analyzed by the IBM SPSS statistical software (Statistical Analysis System, version 22). The Alpha diversity index analysis showed that the Chao and the Ace indices were significantly different after feeding supplemented with lactic acid bacteria. The PCA analysis showed that the fecal flora structure differed significantly after supplementation with the lactic acid bacteria preparation. Further analysis showed that the lactic acid bacteria increased Firmicutes, Patescibacteria, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and prevotellaceae_UCG-003 in the feces. Therefore, we speculate that lactic acid bacteria preparations play an important role in animal production and are beneficial to the diversity of the fecal microflora of the calves.

Abstract Introduction: At present, there are few reports regarding the issue of aortic reoperation due to its complexity and high risk and individual differences among patients. Methods: From November 2016 to December 2017, the data from 35 cases of aortic reoperation at our institution, out of 212 consecutive aortic repairs, were reviewed. We retrospectively summarized and analyzed their surgical indications, operative data, time interval from previous aortic repair, and outcomes. The time intervals until reoperation were analyzed for differences. Results: Patients’ mean age was 40.9±14.5 years, and 25 of them were men (71.4%). The indications for reoperation were aortic valvular problem (14.3%), aneurysmal dilatation (25.7%), pseudoaneurysm formation due to anastomotic leakage (43.2%), and aortic dissection (17.1%). For patients who had underwent primarily emergency operations due to aortic dissection, the time interval until reoperation (4.8±3.2 years) was significantly shorter than that of the whole group (5.5±3.6 years, P<0.01). Among the 35 reoperations, Sun’s procedure was selected for 16 patients (45.7%) with total aortic arch reconstruction. The average follow-up was 12 months (range 9-15 months). Hospital mortality was 5.7% (two patients). Among the hospital survivors there were no cases of death, rupture of residual dissection, paraplegia, or central nervous system complications during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients with acute aortic dissection required repeat surgery significantly earlier compared to other diseases. As to reoperation strategy, we recommend Sun’s procedure as the choice for extended arch reconstruction since minimal effect on overall mortality and complication rates were found.

ABSTRACT The objective of this review was to examine the effectiveness of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the International Short Form Physical Activity Questionnaire, in relation to practical evaluations that assess healthy physical condition as an instrument for assessing sedentary lifestyle A digital search was conducted in scientific databases of high impact factor according to electronic reference of Scimagojr, Scopus, Pubmed, and Ebsco. The effectiveness of the international and global physical activity questionnaire, in assessing sedentary lifestyle and prescribing physical exercise seem conditioned, compared to practical evaluations, which assess similar factors, however they provide basic indicators that should be taken into account at the beginning of prescribing physical activity, the need to apply sedentary level and physical fitness parameters in the adult population established by practical evaluations is evident.

RESUMEN El objetivo de esta revisión fue examinar la efectividad del cuestionario Global de actividad física y el Cuestionario Internacional de actividad física forma corta, en relación con las evaluaciones prácticas que valoran la condición física saludable como instrumento de valoración del sedentarismo. Se realizó una búsqueda digital en bases de datos científicas de alto factor de impacto según referencia electrónica de Scimagojr, Scopus, Pubmed y Ebsco. La efectividad del cuestionario internacional y global de actividad física, en la valoración del sedentarismo y prescripción del ejercicio físico parecen condicionados en comparación con las evaluaciones prácticas, que valoran factores similares, sin embargo, proveen indicadores básicos que debe tomarse en cuenta al inicio de prescribir actividad física, se evidencia la necesidad de aplicar parámetros de nivel sedentario y aptitud física en población adulta establecidos por evaluaciones prácticas.

Acne is a kind of common, chronic skin condition caused by the inflammation of the sebaceous glands in hair follicles. Recent studies have demonstrated that baicalin (BA) possesses potential anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of BA in vitro and in vivo. Heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes-induced THP-1 cells and live P. acnes-injected male Sprague Dawley rats were used for establishing the acne model. The rate of ear swelling was calculated, and the severity was determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The production of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)] in the cell supernatant and ear tissue homogenates was measured by ELISA. Protein levels of JNK, ERK, P38, IκBα, P65, Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), pro-caspase-1, and IL-1β in THP-1 cells and ear tissues were detected by western blotting. NLRP3 and IL-1β were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the NLRP3, IL-1β and pro-caspase-1 mRNAs were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that BA decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, BA down-regulated the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK1/2, and κBα and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. Furthermore, BA inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, at both the gene and protein levels. Taken together, the results demonstrated that BA might exert its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways and consequently suppressing the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome both in vivo and in vitro.

To study the effect of small interfering RNA targeting metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript1 (si-MALAT1) combining with curcumin on the invasion and migration abilities of human colon cancer SW480 cells, and to explore the involved molecular mechanism. The recombinant lentiviral vector expressing si-MALAT1 was constructed, and its titer was determined by gradient dilution method. The colon cancer SW480 cells with stable expression of si-MALAT1 was established, followed by treatment with curcumin at different concentrations. The effect of curcumin or si-MALAT1 alone and the combination of the two on the cell activity was detected by MTT assay. The cell invasion and migration abilities were detected by transwell and scratch-wound assay. The relative expression level of MALAT1 was detected by RT-qPCR. The protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. The IC50 of curcumin alone was 77.69 mmol/L, which was 51.17 mol/L when combined with curcumin and random sequence. The IC50 of curcumin was 30.02 mmol/L when combined with si-MALAT1. The increased susceptibility multiples was 2.58. The wound healing rates were 30.9% and 67.5% after treatment with si-MALAT1 combined with curcumin for 24 hrs and 48 hrs, respectively. The numbers of invasion cells were 200±12, 162±13, 66±8, 53±4 and 16±3 after treatment with si-MALAT1 combined with curcumin for 48 hrs. The relative expression level of lncRNA-MALAT1 in the curcumin group was 68%, and the relative expression level of lncRNA-MALAT1 in si-MALAT1group was 56%, and that for the combination treatment group was about 21%. The protein expression levels of β- catenin, c-myc and cyclinD1 were significantly down-regulated upon treatment with certain concentration of si-MALAT1 alone or combined with curcumin.si-MALAT1 could significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of SW480 cells by enhancing the sensitivity of SW480 cells to curcumin. The mechanism involved mignt be related to the down-regulation of β-catenin, c-myc and cyclinD1 proteins.

Abstract Objective Relacin is a synthetic molecule that targets RelA, an essential protein in a conserved bacterial stress response system. It was shown to inhibit bacterial growth. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of relacin combined with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms and to evaluate the cytotoxicity of relacin. Material and Methods 48-h E. faecalis OG1RF biofilms were treated by various concentrations of relacin in order to determine its inhibitory concentration. Then, the 48-h biofilms were treated either with 1-min NaOCl (0.01%, 0.05%) alone, or in combination of relacin. As a means of comparison, the biofilms of ΔrelA were also treated by 1-min NaOCl (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.25%). The treatment efficacy was determined by agar plate count assays. The cytotoxicity of relacin was examined on human gingival epithelial cells Ca9-22 and murine fibroblasts NIH-3T3 by a methyl thiazolyltetrazolium (MTT) assay and a lactate dehydrogenase assay. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way or two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni’s post-hoc test and an independent Student’s t-test. A significance level of p<0.05 was used. Results Relacin inhibited the growth of OG1RF biofilms partially at 8 mM and fully at 14 mM. The relacin (14 mM) and NaOCl combined treatment resulted in significantly higher treatment efficacy than NaOCl treatment alone. At 0.05% NaOCl, the combined treatment resulted in 5.65 (±0.19) log reduction in biofilm viability. The ΔrelA biofilms were more susceptible to NaOCl treatment than the wild type biofilms at 0.25% NaOCl. Relacin at 14 mM was not toxic to host epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Conclusions The combination of relacin with a low concentration of NaOCl was effective and not cytotoxic.

Abstract Background Rabies is very common in People’s Republic of China. Each year thousands of people die because of this disease, but rabies diagnosed in pregnancy is very rare. Case Presentation In this study, we report the case of a pregnant woman who was infected with the rabies virus after a dog bite. The symptoms of rabies appeared in labor and she died after pregnancy. Her baby and husband did not develop the disease. Conclusion The phenomenon that the newborn infant was healthy may be related to the protective role of placenta in resisting the invasion of the rabies virus or the absence of systemic viremia. The prompt administration of vaccines and anti-rabies immunoglobulin to the infant may have also contributed to his survival.

ABSTRACT: Joints in deployable structures can degrade the stiffness and the stability of spacecraft. In this study, the nonlinear stiffness of spherical joints is investigated. The traditional contact model of spherical joints based on non-conforming contact assumption is presented. A new contact model for spherical joints based on the Winkler model and geometric constraints is established to calculate the stiffness of spherical joints with small clearances. The finite element model (FEM) of spherical joints is built to evaluate the accuracy of the theoretical model. The effects of the clearance and the contact force of spherical joints on the deformation of joints are investigated. When compared with FEM results, the error of the new spherical model is smaller than that of the traditional contact model when the clearance of spherical joint is not excessively large. The new contact model for spherical joint is more accurate than the traditional contact model when the clearance of spherical joint is large.

Poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) (P(MAA-co-MMA)) was prepared in the presence of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via ultrasonic assisted solution free radical polymerization, i.e., P(MAA-co-MMA)/PVP/MWNTs nanocomposites. The morphology, glassy-state storage modulus, thermal behavior and swelling characteristics of P(MAA-co-MMA)/PVP/MWNTs nanocomposites were investigated. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) revealed that MWNTs at low concentration could be uniformly dispersed into P(MAA-co-MMA)/PVP blends. With increasing MWNTs weight fraction, the average glassy-state modulus, glass transition temperatures and decomposition temperature of the nanocomposites increased, but their swelling characteristics decreased.

ABSTRACT: The nonlinear contact characteristic of revolute joint with clearance can degrade the performance of deployable structure. In this article, tensile and compressive tests are adopted to investigate the accuracies of the simplest conformal model and nonconformal model for contact, which are used to calculate the revolute joint deformation. In order to study the applicability of the two models, different clearances of joints are introduced in the tests. The results of the two contact models do not well agree with the experimental results. A model for the calculation of contact force and deformation of revolute joint, considering geometric constraints and cylinder contact characteristic, is presented. By comparison with the simplest conformal model and nonconformal model for contact, the proposed model is more accurate to calculate the nonlinear contact of revolute joint. The theoretical and experimental analysis of revolute joint with clearance is helpful to improve the reliability of deployable structure simulation.

We present a hybrid cladding photonic crystal fiber for shaping high nonlinear and flattened dispersion in a wide range of wavelengths. The new structure adopts hybrid cladding with different pitches, air-holes diameters and air-holes arrayed fashions. The full-vector finite element method with perfectly matched layer is used to investigate the characteristics of the hybrid cladding photonic crystal fiber such as nonlinearity and dispersion properties. The influence of the cladding structure parameters on the nonlinear coefficient and geometric dispersion is analyzed. High nonlinear coefficient and the dispersion properties of fibers are tailored by adjusting the cladding structure parameters. A novel hybrid cladding photonic crystal fiber with high nonlinear coefficient and dispersion flattened which is suited for supercontinuum generation is designed.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of inactivated and live attenuated Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccines given to infants and children in Shanghai. Methods: A decision-analytical model was constructed in order to compare costs and outcomes for three hypothetical cohorts of 100 000 children followed from birth in 1997 to the age of 30 years who received either no JE vaccine, inactivated JE vaccine (P3), or live attenuated JE vaccine (SA 14-14-2). Cumulative incidences of JE from birth to 30 years of age in the pre-immunization era, i.e. before 1968, were used to estimate expected rates of JE in the absence of vaccination. The economic consequences were measured as cost per case, per death, and per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted for the two JE immunization programmes. Findings: In comparison with no JE immunization, a programme using the P3 vaccine would prevent 420 JE cases and 105 JE deaths and would save 6456 DALYs per 100 000 persons; the use of the SA 14-14-2 vaccine would prevent 427 cases and 107 deaths and would save 6556 DALYs per 100 000 persons. Both kinds of immunization were cost saving but the SA 14-14-2 vaccine strategy resulted in a saving that was 47% greater (US$ 512 456) than that obtained with the P3 vaccine strategy (US$ 348 246). Conclusion: Both JE immunization strategies resulted in cost savings in comparison with no JE immunization. This provides a strong economic rationale for vaccinating against JE in Shanghai and suggests that vaccination against JE might be economically justifiable in other parts of China and in certain other developing countries of Asia where the disease is endemic.

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación costo-eficacia de las vacunas inactivada y viva atenuada contra la encefalitis japonesa (EJ) administradas a lactantes y niños en Shanghai. Métodos: Se construyó un modelo analítico de decisiones para comparar los costos y los resultados en tres cohortes hipotéticas de 100 000 niños seguidos desde su nacimiento en 1997 hasta la edad de 30 años, los cuales o bien no recibieron vacuna anti-EJ, o bien recibieron la vacuna anti-EJ inactivada (P3), o bien recibieron la vacuna anti-EJ viva atenuada (SA 14-14-2). Se emplearon las incidencias acumuladas de EJ entre el nacimiento y los 30 años en los años preinmunización, es decir, antes de 1968, para estimar las tasas esperadas de EJ en ausencia de vacunación. Las consecuencias económicas se cuantificaron determinando el costo por caso, por defunción y por AVAD (año de vida ajustado en función de la discapacidad) evitado en los dos programas de inmunización contra la EJ. Resultados: En comparación con la ausencia de vacunación contra la EJ, un programa basado en la vacuna P3 prevendría 420 casos de EJ y 105 defunciones por EJ y permitiría un ahorro de 6456 AVAD por 100 000 personas; usando la vacuna SA 14-14-2 se prevendrían 427 casos y 107 muertes y se ahorrarían 6556 AVAD por 100 000 personas. Ambos tipos de inmunización permitían ahorrar costos, pero la estrategia basada en la vacuna 14-14-2 permitió un ahorro superior en un 47% (US$ 512 456) al obtenido con la vacuna P3 (US$ 348 246). Conclusión: Las dos estrategias de inmunización contra la EJ redundaron en ahorros de costos en comparación con la falta de inmunización contra la enfermedad. Esto constituye un argumento económico de peso para vacunar contra la EJ en Shanghai, y lleva a pensar que la vacunación contra la EJ podría estar justificada desde el punto de vista económico en otras partes de China y en otros países en desarrollo de Asia donde la enfermedad es endémica.

Objectif: Evaluer le rapport coût-efficacité des vaccins inactivés et des vaccins vivants atténués contre l'encéphalite japonaise administrés aux nourrissons et aux enfants à Shanghai. Méthodes: Un modèle d'analyse de décision a été élaboré en vue de comparer les coûts et les issues pour trois cohortes hypothétiques de 100 000 enfants suivis depuis leur naissance en 1997 jusqu'à l'âge de 30 ans et ayant reçu soit aucun vaccin contre l'encéphalite japonaise, soit un vaccin inactivé (P3), soit un vaccin vivant atténué (SA-14-14-2). Les valeurs de l'incidence cumulée des cas d'encéphalite japonaise de la naissance à l'âge de 30 ans à une époque où il n'y avait pas de vaccination contre cette maladie, c'est-à-dire avant 1968, ont été utilisées pour estimer les taux d'encéphalite japonaise qui seraient attendus en l'absence de vaccination. Les conséquences économiques ont été mesurées en termes de coût par cas, par décès et par année de vie ajustée sur l'incapacité (DALY) que chacun des deux programmes de vaccination contre l'encéphalite japonaise aurait permis d'éviter. Résultats: Par rapport à l'absence de vaccination, un programme utilisant le vaccin P3 éviterait 420 cas et 105 décès et économiserait 6456 DALY pour 100 000 personnes; l'utilisation du vaccin SA 14-14-2 éviterait 427 cas et 107 décès et économiserait 6556 DALY pour 100 000 personnes. Les deux programmes de vaccination permettraient de réaliser des économies mais la stratégie utilisant le vaccin SA 14-14-2 entraînerait une économie supérieure de 47 % (US $512 456) par rapport à l'utilisation du vaccin P3 (US $348 246). Conclusion: Les deux stratégies de vaccination contre l'encéphalite japonaise permettraient de réaliser des économies par rapport à l'absence de vaccination. Il s'agit là d'un solide argument en faveur de la vaccination contre cette maladie à Shanghai et qui permet en outre de penser que la vaccination contre l'encéphalite japonaise pourrait se justifier sur le plan économique dans d'autres parties de la Chine et dans certains autres pays en développement d'Asie où cette maladie est endémique.

Hemiatrofia cerebral ou síndrome de Dyke-Davidoff-Masson é entidade clínica caracterizada por convulsões, assimetria facial , hemiparesia ou hemiplegia contralateral e déficit cognitivo. Estes achados estão relacionados a lesão cerebral ocorrida na infância ou in utero. As características radiológicas são hemiatrofia cerebral e alteracões ósseas no crânio, como espessamento, hiperpneumatização dos seios paranasais e células da mastóide e elevação do ápice da pirâmide petrosa. Descrevemos três casos com achados clássicos da síndrome discutindo aspectos fisiopatológicos.

Cerebral hemiatrophy or Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome is a condition characterized by seizures, facial asymmetry, contralateral hemiplegia or hemiparesis, and mental retardation. These findings are due to cerebral injury that may occur early in life or in utero. The radiological features are unilateral loss of cerebral volume and associated compensatory bone alterations in the calvarium, like thickening, hyperpneumatization of the paranasal sinuses and mastoid cells and elevation of the petrous ridge. The authors describe three cases. Classical findings of the syndrome are present in variable degrees according to the extent of the brain injury. Pathogenesis is commented.