ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate objective treatment efficacy and safety, and subjective patient-reported outcomes in patients with complex ureteral strictures (US) undergoing minimally invasive lingual mucosal graft ureteroplasty (LMGU). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients underwent robotic or laparoscopic LMGU between May 2020 and July 2022. Clinical success was defined as symptom-free and no radiographic evidence of re-obstruction. Patient-reported outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mental health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), were longitudinally evaluated before surgery, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results: Overall, 41 consecutive patients were included. All procedures were performed successfully with 32 patients in robotic approach and 9 in laparoscopic. Forty (97.56%) patients achieved clinical success during the median follow-up of 29 (range 15-41) months. Although patients with complex US experienced poor baseline HRQoL, there was a remarkable improvement following LMGU. Specifically, the 6-month and 12-month postoperative scores were significantly improved compared to the baseline (p < 0.05) in most domains. Twenty-eight (68.3%) and 31 (75.6%) patients had anxiety and depression symptoms before surgery, respectively. However, no significant decrease in the incidence of these symptoms was observed postoperatively. Moreover, there was no significant deterioration of OHRQoL at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively when compared to the baseline. Conclusions: LMGU is a safe and efficient procedure for complex ureteral reconstruction that significantly improves patient-reported HRQoL without compromising OHRQoL. Assessing patients’ quality of life enables us to monitor postoperative recovery and progress, which should be considered as one of the criteria for surgical success. Objective safety patientreported patient reported (US . (LMGU) Methods 202 2022 symptomfree symptom free reobstruction. reobstruction re obstruction. obstruction re-obstruction Patientreported Patient healthrelated related , (HRQoL) OHRQoL, (OHRQoL) surgery 1 Results Overall 4 included 3 97.56% 9756 97 56 (97.56% followup follow up 2 range 1541 15 15-41 Specifically 6month month 12month p 0.05 005 0 05 domains Twentyeight Twenty eight 68.3% 683 68 (68.3% 75.6% 756 75 (75.6% respectively However Moreover Conclusions progress (LMGU 20 (HRQoL (OHRQoL 97.56 975 5 (97.56 154 15-4 0.0 00 68.3 (68.3 75.6 7 (75.6 97.5 (97.5 15- 0. 68. (68. 75. (75. 97. (97. (68 (75 (97 (6 (7 (9 (

A novel tungsten carbide (WC)-reinforced nickel (Ni)-based laser cladding layer was prepared through an in-situ synthesis process. The mechanism of the effect of scanning rates and laser power on the microstructures, wear and corrosion resistance of in-situ synthesized WC-reinforced Ni-based cladding layer were analyzed. The results revealed that the optimal in-situ synthesized WC laser cladding process entailed a scan rate of 3 mm/s and a laser power of 3000 W. The generation of WC phase has a significant strengthening effect on the cladding layer, which exhibits outstanding hardness (1261HV0.2). There is no clear linear relationship between scanning rate and abrasion resistance, and the coating abrasion resistance increased with increasing laser power. Furthermore, increasing the laser power improves the corrosion resistance of the cladding layer, while the scanning speed has a minimal effect on corrosion resistance. WCreinforced reinforced Nibased Ni based insitu in situ microstructures analyzed mms mm s 300 W 1261HV0.2. 1261HV02 HV 1261HV0.2 . 1261HV0 2 (1261HV0.2) Furthermore 30 1261HV0. 1261HV (1261HV0.2 (1261HV0. (1261HV0 (1261HV

Abstract Background: The association between the length of sleep and atherosclerosis has been reported in many observational studies. However, little is known about its significance as a risk factor for atherosclerosis or as a negative consequence of atherosclerosis. Objective: This study aimed to assess the causal association between sleep duration and the risk of atherosclerosis using publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics. Methods: We employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method with 2 cohorts from MRC-IEU (n=460,099) and UK Biobank (n=361,194) to investigate the causal association between sleep duration and the risk of atherosclerosis. Three methods including the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) technique, Robust adjusted profile score (RAPS), and simple-and weighted-median approach were used to obtain reliable results, and an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. P<0.05 was considered as a statistical difference. In addition, MR-Egger regression, Radial MR, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out analyses were used to assess the possible pleiotropy effects. Results: No causal association of sleep duration with atherosclerosis was found [OR (95%CI): 0.90 (0.98-1.00), p = 0.186]. Leave-one-out, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO analyses failed to detect horizontal pleiotropy. Conclusions: This MR analysis indicated no causal association between genetically predicted sleep duration and atherosclerosis across European populations. Background However Objective genomewide genome wide GWAS (GWAS statistics Methods twosample two sample (MR MRCIEU MRC IEU n=460,099 n460099 n 460 099 (n=460,099 n=361,194 n361194 361 194 (n=361,194 inversevariance inverse variance IVW (IVW technique RAPS, RAPS , (RAPS) simpleand simple weightedmedian median results 95 CI (CI calculated P005 P 0 05 P<0.0 difference addition MREgger Egger regression MRPRESSO, MRPRESSO PRESSO, PRESSO leaveoneout leave one out effects Results OR 95%CI 95CI (95%CI) 090 90 0.9 0.981.00, 098100 0.98 1.00 98 1 00 (0.98-1.00) 0.186. 0186 0.186 . 186 0.186] Leaveoneout, Leaveoneout Leave out, Leave-one-out MREgger, Egger, Conclusions populations n=460,09 n46009 46 09 (n=460,09 n=361,19 n36119 36 19 (n=361,19 (RAPS 9 P00 P<0. (95%CI 0. 981 0.981.00 09810 098 100 1.0 (0.98-1.00 018 0.18 18 n=460,0 n4600 4 (n=460,0 n=361,1 n3611 3 (n=361,1 P0 P<0 0.981.0 0981 10 1. (0.98-1.0 01 0.1 n=460, n460 (n=460, n=361, n361 (n=361, P< 0.981. (0.98-1. n=460 n46 (n=460 n=361 n36 (n=361 0.981 (0.98-1 n=46 n4 (n=46 n=36 n3 (n=36 (0.98- n=4 (n=4 n=3 (n=3 (0.98 n= (n= (0.9 (n (0. (0 (

Resumo Fundamento: A associação entre a duração do sono e a aterosclerose foi relatada em muitos estudos observacionais. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre a sua importância como fator de risco para aterosclerose ou como consequência negativa da aterosclerose. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associação causal entre a duração do sono e o risco de aterosclerose usando estatísticas resumidas de estudos de associação genômica ampla (GWAS) disponíveis publicamente. Métodos: Empregamos um método de randomização mendeliana (RM) de duas amostras com 2 coortes do MRC-IEU (n = 460.099) e do UK Biobank (n = 361.194) para investigar a associação causal entre a duração do sono e o risco de aterosclerose. Três métodos, incluindo a técnica de variância inversa ponderada (IVW), escore de perfil ajustado robusto (RAPS) e abordagem de mediana simples e ponderada, foram usados para obter resultados confiáveis, e uma razão de chances com intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% foi calculada. P<0,05 foi considerado diferença estatística. Além disso, foram utilizadas análises de regressão: MR-Egger regression, Radial MR, MR-PRESSO e leave-one-out para avaliar os possíveis efeitos de pleiotropia. Resultados: Não foi encontrada associação causal entre duração do sono e aterosclerose [OR (IC95%): 0,90 (0,98-1,00), p = 0,186]. As análises Leave-one-out, MR-Egger, e MR-PRESSO não conseguiram detectar pleiotropia horizontal. Conclusões: Esta análise de RM não indicou nenhuma associação causal entre a duração do sono geneticamente prevista e a aterosclerose nas populações europeias. Fundamento observacionais entanto Objetivo GWAS (GWAS publicamente Métodos (RM MRCIEU MRC IEU n 460.099 460099 460 099 361.194 361194 361 194 métodos IVW, IVW , (IVW) RAPS (RAPS confiáveis IC (IC 95 calculada P005 P 0 05 P<0,0 estatística disso regressão MREgger MR Egger regression MRPRESSO PRESSO leaveoneout leave one out Resultados OR IC95% IC95 (IC95%) 090 90 0,9 0,981,00, 098100 0,98 1,00 98 1 00 (0,98-1,00) 0,186. 0186 0,186 . 186 0,186] Leaveoneout, Leaveoneout Leave out, Leave-one-out MREgger, Egger, horizontal Conclusões europeias 460.09 46009 46 09 361.19 36119 36 19 (IVW 9 P00 P<0, IC9 (IC95% 0, 981 0,981,00 09810 098 100 1,0 (0,98-1,00 018 0,18 18 460.0 4600 4 361.1 3611 3 P0 P<0 (IC95 0,981,0 0981 10 1, (0,98-1,0 01 0,1 460. 361. P< (IC9 0,981, (0,98-1, 0,981 (0,98-1 (0,98- (0,98 (0,9 (0, (0 (

RESUMEN Se informa de un lipoblastoma perineal en una niña de 5 años localizado en el labio mayor derecho. La lesión aumentó gradualmente en 6 meses. En la ecografía y la resonancia magnética (RM), se observó un tumor heterogéneo sólido limitado con componente graso. Tras su extirpación quirúrgica, el estudio anatomopatológico confirmó un lipoblastoma. El lipoblastoma es un tumor mesenquimatoso benigno poco frecuente de la lactancia y la primera infancia. Los síntomas varían en función de la localización; pueden observarse signos de compresión de los órganos adyacentes. Este tipo de tumores inusuales de los tejidos blandos son más frecuentes en menores de 3 años. Los lipoblastomas se localizan predominantemente en las extremidades, pero también pueden encontrarse en la cabeza y el cuello, el tronco, el mediastino, el riñón, el mesenterio, el retroperitoneo y el perineo. Se debe sospechar su presencia en función de los hallazgos de la ecografía y la RM.

ABSTRACT Herein, we examined the protective effect of metoprolol combined with atractylenolide I (Atr I) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by regulating the SIRT3 (silent information regulator 3)/β-catenin/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) signaling pathway. Briefly, 50 rats were randomly divided into the sham operation, model, metoprolol, Atr I, and combination metoprolol with Atr I groups (combined treatment group). The AMI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. After treatment, infarct size, histopathological changes, and cell apoptosis were examined using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the TUNEL assay. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were detected by echocardiography. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Furthermore, we measured lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme (CK-MB), and CK levels. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of SIRT3, β-catenin, and PPAR-γ. Herein, the combined treatment group exhibited increased levels of LVEF, LVFS, and NO, whereas LVMI, ET-1, TNF-α, IL-6, LDH, CK-MB, and CK levels were decreased. Importantly, the underlying mechanism may afford protection against AMI by increasing the expression levels of SIRT3, β-catenin, and PPAR-γ. Herein (AMI SIRT silent 3/βcatenin/peroxisome 3βcateninperoxisome βcateninperoxisome 3 /β catenin/peroxisome β catenin peroxisome proliferatoractivated proliferator activated PPARγ PPAR γ (PPAR-γ pathway Briefly 5 operation group. . group) artery size changes 2,3,5triphenyltetrazolium 235triphenyltetrazolium triphenyltetrazolium 2,3,5 2 staining hematoxylineosin hematoxylin eosin assay LVEF , (LVEF) LVFS (LVFS) LVMI (LVMI echocardiography Endothelin1 Endothelin 1 Endothelin- ET1, ET1 ET (ET-1) NO (NO) factoralpha factor alpha TNFα, TNFα TNF α (TNF-α) interleukin6 interleukin 6 interleukin- IL6 IL (IL-6 enzymelinked enzyme linked assays Furthermore LDH (LDH) (CK CKMB, CKMB MB (CK-MB) βcatenin, βcatenin catenin, β-catenin PPARγ. γ. PPAR-γ 1, ET-1 α, TNF-α IL6, 6, IL-6 MB, CK-MB decreased Importantly cateninperoxisome 5triphenyltetrazolium 235 2,3, (LVEF (LVFS (ET-1 (NO (TNF-α (IL- (LDH (CK-MB ET- IL- 23 2,3 (ET- (IL 2, (ET

Abstract This study explores demotivating factors for undergraduate English majors in a Chinese university in the context of distance courses during the COVID-19 lockdown. Delving into students’ reflection in this unusual period through in-depth interviews, a qualitative analysis of what demotivates students is provided, as well as a comparison of the findings with those obtained in earlier studies conducted in traditional classrooms. In all, ten students participated in the study and provided their insights. The interviews were transcribed and coded following established qualitative research methods. It is shown that in the context of distance education, the lack of learning strategies demotivated students the most, followed by teacher-related factors, learning environment, technical problems, and peer influences. The lack of self-regulation was pinpointed as the largest demotivator, trailed by teacher-student interactions in class, inappropriate institutional management, long screen time, and negative peer influences. Supporting previous results, this study found that self-related and teacher-related factors impacted demotivation, but in this research they had different weightings, such as the lack of self-regulation which was more powerful than previously documented. Technical problems, such as the long screen time, were related to inappropriate institutional arrangements, and this also diverged from previous findings. These findings may prove a springboard to future discussion on blends of traditional and non-traditional language education, with possible effects on student demotivation at the forefront.

Resumen Este estudio explora los factores desmotivadores para los estudiantes universitarios de inglés en una universidad china en el contexto de los cursos remotos durante el confinamiento producido por el COVID-19. Se profundiza en la reflexión de los estudiantes en este período inusual a través de entrevistas en profundidad, se brinda un análisis cualitativo de lo que desmotiva a los estudiantes, así como una comparación de los hallazgos con los obtenidos en estudios anteriores realizados en aulas tradicionales. En total, diez estudiantes participaron en el estudio y proporcionaron sus perspectivas. Las entrevistas fueron transcritas y codificadas de acuerdo con los métodos de investigación cualitativos establecidos. Se muestra que, en el contexto de la educación remota, la falta de estrategias de aprendizaje desmotivó más a los estudiantes, seguido por los factores relacionados con el docente, el ambiente de aprendizaje, los problemas técnicos y las influencias de los compañeros. Se señaló la falta de autorregulación como el mayor factor desmotivador, seguida por las interacciones entre el profesor y el alumno en clase, la gestión institucional inapropiada, el uso prolongado de pantalla y las influencias negativas de los compañeros. Respaldando los resultados anteriores, este estudio descubrió que los factores autorrelacionados y relacionados con el docente impactaban la desmotivación, pero en esta investigación se obtuvieron diferentes ponderaciones, de modo que la falta de autorregulación tenía un mayor impacto de lo documentado anteriormente. Los problemas técnicos, como el uso prolongado de pantalla, estaban relacionados con una gestión institucional inapropiada, y esto también difería de los hallazgos anteriores. Estos hallazgos pueden generar futuras discusiones acerca de las combinaciones de la enseñanza de idiomas tradicional y no tradicional, con un foco en los posibles efectos sobre la desmotivación de los estudiantes.

Resumo: O mecanismo de promoção da germinação de sementes de trigo por Bacillus subtilis tem sido bastante estudado. A taxa de germinação e a atividade de α-amilase de sementes de trigo foram significativamente aumentadas após a germinação com Bacillus subtilis QM3 neste estudo. Um inibidor e um promotor de α-amilase foram utilizados para estudar a relação entre bactérias e α-amilase. Em comparação com o grupo inibidor (10 mmol.L-1 EDTA), a atividade da α-amilase das sementes tratadas com B. subtilis QM3 (106 CFU.mL-1) aumentou 19,8%, indicando que a inibição foi reduzida. Da mesma forma, a atividade da α-amilase do grupo co-tratado (2 mmol.L-1 CaCl2 e 106 UFC.mL-1 B. subtilis QM3) foi superior à do promotor sozinho, chegando a 14,9%. Além disso, os resultados da eletroforese da isoenzima α-amilase mostraram que havia três tipos de isoenzimas nos géis, e a expressão da isoenzima α-amilase foi significativamente aumentada após o tratamento com B. subtilis QM3 (106 UFC.mL-1), o que se refletiu principalmente na largura e brilho das bandas, especialmente Cα. Além disso, a taxa de germinação, atividade de α-amilase e eletroforese de isoenzimas de outros três tipos de sementes de trigo também foram testados e resultados semelhantes foram obtidos. Portanto, um dos possíveis mecanismos pelos quais B. subtilis QM3 promove a germinação de sementes é como um potencial fator exógeno que pode aumentar a atividade e a expressão da α-amilase.

Abstract: The mechanism of promoting wheat seed germination by Bacillus subtilis has been paid great attention by many scholars. The germination rate and α-amylase activity of wheat seeds were significantly increased after germinating with Bacillus subtilis QM3 in this paper. Inhibitor and promoter of α-amylase were used to study relationship between bacteria and α-amylase. Compared with inhibitor group (10 mmol.L-1 EDTA), α-amylase activity of seeds treated by B. subtilis QM3 (106 CFU.mL-1) increased by 19.8%. It indicates that the inhibition has been alleviated. Similarly, α-amylase activity of co-treated group (2 mmol.L-1 CaCl2 and 106 CFU.mL-1 B. subtilis QM3) was higher than that of the promoter alone, reaching 14.9%. Furthermore, the results of α-amylase isozyme electrophoresis showed that there were three isozyme types in the gels, and the expression of α-amylase isoenzyme was significantly increased after treatment with B. subtilis QM3 (106 CFUmL.-1), which was reflected in the width and brightness of band mainly, especially band Cα. In addition, germination rate, α-amylase activity and isozyme electrophoresis of other three kinds of wheat seeds were also tested and similar results were obtained. Therefore, one of the possible mechanisms by which B. subtilis QM3 promotes seed germination is as a potential exogenous factor that can enhance activity and expression of α-amylase.

Abstract Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are the foundation for the development of advanced motor skills. To assess the effect of physical activity intervention on the promotion of FMS and explore the influencing factor of physical activity intervention on the development of FMS in preschool children. Trails with children aged 3-7yeas in kindergarten settings that applied physical activity intervention programs were included. We calculated the effects on overall FMS, locomotor skill and object control skill subscales (LMS and OCS) by weighted standardized mean differences using random-effects models. In this study, 23 trials involving 2258 preschoolers (aged 3.3-6.5years) were selected, including 7 high quality studies, 11 medium quality studies and 5 low quality studies. Analysis of the effects of physical activity intervention revealed significant differences among groups in favor of intervention group, FMS (SMD = 1.50, 95% CL [1.29, 1.71], I2 = 89.7%), locomotor skills (SMD = 1.56, 95% CL [1.38, 1.75], I2 = 59.2%), object control skills (SMD = 1.43, 95% CL [1.25, 1.61], I2 = 93.8%). Physical activity interventions can significantly improve FMS in healthy preschool aged children. However, we should be cautious due to the limited researches, low-quality evidence and immediate post-intervention effects without long-term follow-up.

Abstract Age-related cataract (ARC) is a progressive lens opacification that occurs from middle to old age. Eph-receptor tyrosinekinase-type A2 (EphA2) has been reported to be associated with ARC. This work aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of EphA2 in ARC. We treated human lens epithelial cells (SRA01/04) with different concentration of H2O2 to induce lens epithelial cell damage. Then, we found that H2O2 treatment significantly suppressed cell viability and enhanced the expression of EphA2 in the SRA01/04 cells. H2O2 treatment repressed cell viability and enhanced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SRA01/04 cells, which was partly abolished by EphA2 up-regulation. Moreover, EphA2 overexpression reduced H2O2-induced apoptosis of SRA01/04 cells. EphA2 up-regulation caused an up-regulation of Bcl-2, and repressed the expression of Bax and Cleaved-caspase-3 in the SRA01/04 cells following H2O2 treatment. In conclusion, our data confirm that EphA2 overexpression enhances cell viability and inhibits apoptosis in the H2O2-treated SRA01/04 cells, thereby reducing H2O2-induced damage of lens epithelial cells. Thus, this work provides new insights into the mechanism of EphA2 in ARC.

Abstract Superoxide dismutase proteins (SODs) are antioxidant enzymes with important roles in abiotic stress responses. The SOD gene family has been systematically analyzed in many plants; however, it is still poorly understood in maize. Here, a bioinformatics analysis of maize SOD gene family was conducted by describing gene structure, conserved motifs, phylogenetic relationships, gene duplications, promoter cis-elements and GO annotations. In total, 13 SOD genes were identified in maize and five members were involved in segmental duplication. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that SODs from maize and other plants comprised two groups, which could be further classified into different subgroups, with most members in the same subgroup having the same subcellular localization. The ZmSOD promoters contained 2-10 stress-responsive cis-elements with different distributions. Heatmap analysis indicated that ZmSODs were expressed in most of the detected tissues and organs. The expression patterns of ZmSODs were investigated under drought and salt treatments by qRT-PCR, and most members were responsive to drought or salt stress, especially some ZmSODs with significant expression changes were identified, such as ZmCSD2 and ZmMSD2, suggesting the important roles of ZmSODs in abiotic stress responses. Our results provide an important basis for further functional study of ZmSODs in future study.

ABSTRACT COVID-19 has raised worldwide concern as spiraling into a pandemic. Reports about comprehensive investigation of COVID-19 viremia are extremely scanty. Herein, we present four COVID-19 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test in blood, accounting for 12.12% of 33 detected cases. Rapid deterioration of these cases with septic shock, accompanying with lung CT images enlarged rapidly, decrease of blood oxygen, heart rate drop (with asynchrony of hypoxemia) accompanied with SARS-CoV-2 viremia. It indicates that massive replication and releasing into blood of SARS-CoV-2 and secondary inflammation storm may lead to injury of multiple organs and poor prognosis. So, positive COVID-19 nucleic acid test in blood may be a good forecasting marker of rapid deterioration of COVID-19 pneumonia. In addition, clearance of viremia may indicate tendency for recovery.

OBJECTIVES: Hypoxia leads to endothelial cell inflammation, apoptosis, and damage, which plays an important role in the complications associated with ischemic cardiovascular disease. As an oxidoreductase, p66Shc plays an important role in the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis. Ketamine is widely used in clinics. This study was designed to assess the potential protective effect of ketamine against hypoxia-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, we explored the potential mechanism by which ketamine protected against hypoxia-induced endothelial injury. METHODS: The protective effects of ketamine against hypoxia-induced injury was assessed using cell viability and adhesion assays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. RESULTS: Our data showed that hypoxia reduced HUVEC viability, increased the adhesion between HUVECs and monocytes, and upregulated the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules at the protein and mRNA levels. Moreover, hypoxia increased ROS accumulation and upregulated p66Shc expression. Furthermore, hypoxia downregulated sirt1 expression in HUVECs. Alternatively, ketamine was shown to reverse the hypoxia-mediated reduction of cell viability and increase in the adhesion between HUVECs and monocytes, ameliorate hypoxia-induced ROS accumulation, and suppress p66Shc expression. Moreover, EX527, a sirt1 inhibitor, reversed the protective effects of ketamine against the hypoxia-mediated reduction of cell viability and increase in adhesion between HUVECs and monocytes. CONCLUSION: Ketamine reduces hypoxia-induced p66Shc expression and attenuates ROS accumulation via upregulating sirt1 in HUVECs, thus attenuating hypoxia-induced endothelial cell inflammation and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVES: High incidence and case fatality of unstable angina (UA) is, to a large extent, a consequence of the lack of highly sensitive and specific non-invasive markers. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been widely recommended as potential biomarkers for numerous diseases. In the present study, we characterized distinctive miRNA expression profiles in patients with stable angina (SA), UA, and normal coronary arteries (NCA), and identified promising candidates for UA diagnosis. METHODS: Serum was collected from patients with SA, UA, and NCA who visited the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Meizhou People’s Hospital. Small RNA sequencing was carried out on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. miRNA expression in different groups of patients was profiled and then confirmed based on that in an independent set of patients. Functions of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using gene ontology classification and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. RESULTS: Our results indicated that circulating miRNA expression profiles differed between SA, UA, and NCA patients. A total of 36 and 161 miRNAs were dysregulated in SA and UA patients, respectively. miRNA expression was validated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that circulating miRNAs are potential biomarkers of UA.

This study aimed to observe the effects of lung-protective ventilation (LPV) on oxygenation index (OI) and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy in middle-aged and elderly patients. A total of 120 patients who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic radical gastrectomy with an expected time of >3 h were randomly divided into conventional ventilation (CV group) with tidal volume (TV) of 10 mL/kg without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and lung-protective ventilation (PV group) with 7 mL/kg TV and personal level of PEEP with regular recruitment maneuver every 30 min. Measurements of OI, modified clinical pulmonary infection score (mCPIS), and PPCs were assessed during the perioperative period. Fifty-seven patients in the CV group and 58 in the PV group participated in the data analysis. Patients in the PV group showed better pulmonary dynamic compliance, OI, and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation during and after surgery. The mCPIS was significantly lower in the PV group than in the CV group after surgery. The incidence rate of PPCs was lower in the PV group than in the CV group and the difference was significant in patients whose ventilation time was longer than 6 h in both groups. LPV during laparoscopic radical gastrectomy significantly improved pulmonary oxygenation function and reduced postoperative mCPIS and the incidence of PPCs during the early period after surgery of middle-aged and elderly patients, especially patients whose mechanical ventilation time was longer than 6 h.

ABSTRACT Screening promising L. thermophiles with high productivity, high efficiency and strong adaptability are very important in lactic acid industry. For this purpose, 80MeV/u carbon ions were applied to irradiate L. thermophiles. After high-throughput screening, a mutant, named SRZ50, was obtained. Different carbon sources or nitrogen sources were provided to investigate carbon or nitrogen source utilization between mutant SRZ50 and wild type, and different fermentation periods were also chose to study fermentation characteristic between mutant SRZ50 and wild type. The results showed that mutant SRZ50 exhibited the enhanced L-(+)-lactic acid production from wild type. When glucose or fructose was the sole carbon source, the L(+)-lactic acid production by mutant SRZ50 was both the highest, respectively, 23.16 ± 0.72 g/L or 23.24 ± 0.66 g/L, which had a significant increase from that of wild type (P<0.01), following obvious increase in biomass (P<0.05). When yeast powder was the sole nitrogen source, it can promote mutant SRZ50 to accumulate the highest L-(+)-lactic acid accumulation, which also had a significant increase from that of wild type (P<0.01). Under different fermentation periods, it was obtained that mutant SRZ50 all exhibited significant increase in L-(+)-lactic acid accumulation from wild type. In conclusion, a mutant strain with improved production profiles for L-(+)-lactic acid, was obtained, indicating that heavy ions can be an efficient tool to improve metabolic product accumulations in microbes.