Resumo Introdução: Evidências emergentes indicam que as condições fisiológicas e patológicas do nariz são reguladas pós-transcripcionalmente por microRNAs, uma classe de pequenos RNAs não codificantes. Recentemente, o microRNA-223-3p tem sido cada vez mais implicado na modulação da rinite alérgica. Objetivo: Avaliar o papel e o mecanismo do microRNA-223-3p em um modelo de rinite alérgica em camundongos. Método: O nível de expressão do microRNA-223-3p foi medido no soro de 41 pacientes com rinite alérgica e 39 controles saudáveis com polimerase chain reaction quantitativo em tempo real. Camundongos BALB/c foram usados para estabelecer um modelo de rinite alérgica através de sensibilização intraperitoneal e teste de provocação nasal com ovalbumina. O microRNA-223-3p agomir/antagomir foi então administrado por via intranasal a camundongos após provocação com ovabulmina por mais uma semana. Os sintomas de prurido nasal e espirros foram registrados. A concentração sérica de imunoglobulina E específica para ovalbumina, expressão de microRNA-223-3p e níveis de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ) na mucosa nasal foram medidos por ELISA e polimerase chain reaction quantitativo, respectivamente. As alterações histopatológicas foram avaliadas com coloração com hematoxilina e eosina. Resultados: Os níveis de microRNA-223-3p aumentaram significativamente em ambos os pacientes e camundongos com rinite alérgica. Além disso, a suprarregulação dos níveis de microRNA-223-3p através da administração nasal de microRNA-223-3p agomir também aumentou significativamente a concentração de IgE específica para ovalbumina, as frequências de prurido nasal e espirros, os níveis de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ) e infiltração de eosinófilos na mucosa nasal de camundongos com rinite alérgica. Além disso, o microRNA-223-3p antagomir pareceu melhorar significativamente os sintomas e a doença da mucosa nasal. Posteriormente, demonstramos pela primeira vez que o microRNA-223-3p regulou negativamente a expressão de INPP4A ao se ligar à região 3’ não traduzida 3'UTR) do gene INPP4A. Conclusões: Esses achados indicam que o microRNA-223-3p desempenha um papel importante na regulação da doença e dos sintomas da rinite alérgica, tem como alvo o gene INPP4A.

Abstract Introduction: Emerging evidence indicates that physiological and pathological conditions of the nose are posttranscriptionally regulated by microRNAs, a class of small noncoding RNAs. Recently, microRNA-223-3p has been increasingly implicated in the modulation of allergic rhinitis Objective: This study aimed to assess the role and mechanism of microRNA-223-3p in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis. Methods: The expression level of miR-223-3p was measured in the serum of 41 allergic rhinitis patients and 39 healthy controls using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. BALB/c mice were used to establish an allergic rhinitis model by intraperitoneal sensitization and intranasal challenge with ovalbumin. MicroRNA-223-3p agomir/antagomir was then intranasally administered to mice after ovalbumin challenge for another week. The symptoms of nasal rubbing and sneezing were recorded. Serum ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E concentration, microRNA-223-3p expression and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ) levels in nasal mucosa were measured by ELISA and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Histopathologic changes were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: MicroRNA-223-3p levels increased significantly in both allergic rhinitis patients and allergic rhinitis mice. In addition, upregulation of microRNA-223-3p levels by nasal administration of microRNA-223-3p agomir also markedly increased the concentration of ovalbumin -specific IgE, the frequencies of nasal rubbing and sneezing, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ) and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis mice. Moreover, microRNA-223-3p antagomir appeared to strongly ameliorate the symptoms and pathology in nasal mucosa. Subsequently, we demonstrated for the first time that microRNA-2233p negatively regulated INPP4A expression by binding with the 3 untranslated region 3'UTR) of INPP4A. Conclusions: These findings indicate that microRNA-223-3p plays an important role in regulating the pathology and symptoms of allergic rhinitis by targeting INPP4A.

The influence of 0.01 mol L-1 NaNO2 addition on the corrosion and passivation of X65 carbon steel in pH 1 to 5 HNO3 solutions was investigated and compared by electrochemical methods and microstructural techniques. In the pH 1 to 5 solutions without NaNO2, the X65 steel presented the electrochemical characteristic of active dissolution, and the corrosion rate of X65 carbon steel decreased gradually with the raise of pH value. By contrast, with the addition of 0.01 mol L-1 NaNO2 in pH 1 to 5 HNO3 solutions, the electrochemical characteristic of X65 carbon steel transferred from the active dissolution in the pH 1 to 5 solutions without NaNO2 to the anodic passivation in the corresponding pH solutions with NaNO2. For the X65 steel in the pH 1 to 5 solutions with NaNO2, with the raise of pH value, the corrosion rate also decreased gradually but the passivation capability strengthened obviously. The corrosion and passivation of X65 carbon steel in pH 1 to 5 HNO3 solutions without and with 0.01 mol L-1 NaNO2 were related to the cathodic reactions of H+ reduction, O2 reduction and NO2-/HNO2 reduction.

For Q235 carbon steels in 0.01 mol L-1 NaNO2-HCl solutions with different pH values, the effects of pH values on the functional mechanisms of nitrite anions (NO2-) were studied. In the pH 1 and pH 2 solutions, the Q235 steels showed the electrochemical behavior of activation, and uniform corrosion (UC) was the main corrosion type on the Q235 surface. The presence of NO2- did not affect the electrochemical behavior and the corrosion type but only accelerated the anodic reaction of Fe oxidation. In the pH 3 and pH 4 solutions, the Q235 steels presented the electrochemical behavior of activation-passivation transition, and intergranular corrosion (IGC) occurred on the Q235 surface. The cathodic reaction of NO2- reduction resulted in the transition of electrochemical behavior from activation to passivation and the change of corrosion type from UC to IGC. In the pH 5 and pH 6 solutions, the Q235 steels exhibited the electrochemical behavior of self passivation-pitting, and pitting corrosion (PC) was present on the Q235 surface. The strong oxidability of NO2- played a critical role in the formation of γ-Fe2O3 passive film on the Q235 surface under the combined action of Fe2+ and NO2-.

Abstract Autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) is a genetically heterogeneous neurosensory disorder, usually characterized by congenital or prelingual hearing loss. We report a Han Chinese male, born to consanguineous parents, presenting with nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss, whose clinical phenotype was also consistent with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). After exome sequencing, a gap junction protein beta 2 gene (GJB2) c.235delC variant in the homozygous state was detected in the patient. Both parents were heterozygous for this variant, as documented by Sanger sequencing. The known pathogenic GJB2 c.235delC variant was not detected in 200 healthy controls. It is predicted to be a disease-causing alteration by generating a truncated protein p.(L79Cfs*3), disturbing the appropriate folding and/or oligomerization of connexins and leading to defective gap junction channels. This study shows that the association of homozygosity of the GJB2 c.235delC variant with ARNSHL and ANSD in a patient.

Candida haemulonii forms part of the non-albicans Candida species. The candidemia caused by C. haemulonii is extremely rare but fatal in neonates. We reported the first two neonates with C. haemulonii candidemia in China which were treated with fluconazole and reviewed two papers previously reported. Our report adds further awareness on C. haemulonii candidemia in critical neonates and points out the importance of an early diagnosis and treatment of this fatal infection.

La Candida haemulonii forma parte de la especie Candida no albicans. La candidemia por C. haemulonii es sumamente infrecuente, pero mortal, en los recién nacidos. Se informa sobre los dos primeros recién nacidos con candidemia por C. haemulonii en China tratados con fluconazol y se revisan dos artículos informados con anterioridad. Nuestro informe incrementa la sensibilización sobre la candidemia por C. haemulonii en recién nacidos críticos y resalta la importancia de un diagnóstico y un tratamiento tempranos de esta infección mortal.

For carbon steels immersed in CO2 saturated solutions at different temperatures, the structure and the composition of corrosion product film formed on the steel surface were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion rate of the steel was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization, and the relation between the corrosion rate and the film property was discussed. The corrosion rate of the steel was very closely associated with the structure and the composition of corrosion product film, which were affected significantly by the solution temperature. From 30 to 60 ºC, the corrosion product film composed of FeCO3 was porous and poorly adherent, and the corrosion rate increased with the rise of temperature. At 70 and 80 ºC, the corrosion product film was also composed of FeCO3 and presented a compact and dense cubic crystal structure, resulting in the decrease on the corrosion rate. The corrosion rate increased once again when the temperature was up to 90 ºC, which was attributed to the negative effect of high temperature water vapor corrosion on the grain coarsening and the part exfoliation for the FeCO3 film.

Abstract The transformation law of the Maillard reaction products with three different reactants ratios - equimolar reactants, excess L-glutamic acid and excess L-ascorbic acid reaction respectively, five different temperatures, and different time conditions for the L-ascorbic acid / L-glutamic acid system were investigated. Results showed that, the increase of the reaction time and temperature led to the increase of the browning products, uncoloured intermediate products, as well as aroma compounds. Compared with the equimolar reaction system, the excess L-ascorbic acid reaction system produced more browning products and uncoloured intermediate products, while the aroma compounds production remained the same. In the excess L-glutamic acid system, the uncoloured intermediate products increased slightly, the browning products remained the same, while the aroma compounds increased.

A man complained of upper abdominal pain and early satiety for one month. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed nothing special. A CT scan of the abdomen was performed, which demonstrated a huge heterogeneous retroperitoneal mass close to the dorsal wall of the stomach and surrounding the abdominal aortic and celiac trunk. The resected specimen suggested that an irregular tumor invaded the dorsal wall of the stomach. Postoperative histological examination confirmed that it was a gastric squamous cell carcinoma.

<p>The inhibition mechanism of sodium oleate (C₁₇H₃₃COONa) for pitting corrosion of aluminum alloy (AA) 2024 in 0.1 mol L^-1 NaCl solution was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). C₁₇H₃₃COONa showed good inhibition effect on uniform corrosion of AA2024 in 0.1 mol L^-1 NaCl solution by promoting surface passivity of aluminum alloy. But in NaCl solution with high concentration (3.5 wt.% NaCl), C₁₇H₃₃COONa could not promote passivity of aluminum alloy. C₁₇H₃₃COONa also suppressed the tendency of pitting initiation and reduced the pitting corrosion sensitivity of aluminum alloy. The addition of 0.1 g L^-1 C₁₇H₃₃COONa showed good inhibition performance but further concentration increase had little effect on the inhibition efficiency. The C₁₇H₃₃COO− groups adsorbed on the surface of aluminum alloy by chemical adsorption effect, which promoted oxidation of the aluminum alloy surface.</p>

A new complex [Cd(2,4-D)2(Im)2(H2O)2] with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-DH) and imidazole (Im) as ligands has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Cd(II) atom is coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry, which is defined by two O atoms from two monodentate 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate ligands, two N atoms from two imidazole ligands and two water molecules. Intermolecular O-H...O hydrogen bonds form chains, which are connected by N-H...O hydrogen bonds, generating a sheet structure. The molecules are further assembled by π...π stacking interactions to form a two dimensional supramolecular network.

The variation in mutations in exons 3, 6, 7, 11 and 12 of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene was investigated in 59 children with phenylketonuria (PKU) and 100 normal children. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected by sequence analysis. The mutational frequencies of cDNA 696, cDNA 735 and cDNA 1155 in patients were 96.2%, 76.1% and 7.6%, respectively, whereas in healthy children the corresponding frequencies were 97.0%, 77.3% and 8.3%. In addition, 81 mutations accounted for 61.0% of the mutant alleles. R111X, H64 > TfsX9 and S70 del accounted for 5.1%, 0.8% and 0.8% mutation of alleles in exon 3, whereas EX6-96A > G accounted for 10.2% mutation of alleles in exon 6. R243Q had the highest incidence in exon 7 (12.7%), followed by Ivs7 +2T>A (5.1%) and T278I (2.5%). G247V, R252Q, L255S, R261Q and E280K accounted for 0.8% while Y356X and V399V accounted for 5.9% and 5.1%, respectively, in exon 11. R413P and A434D accounted for 5.9% and 2.5%, respectively, in exon 12. Seventy-two variant alleles accounted for the 16 mutations observed here. The mutation characteristics and distributions demonstrated that EX6-96A > G and R243Q were the hot regions for mutations in the PAH gene in Shanxi patients with PKU.

The phylogenetic relationships of 15 taxa from Hystrix and the related genera Leymus (NsXm), Elymus (StH), Pseudoroegneria (St), Hordeum (H), Psathyrostachys (Ns), and Thinopyrum (E) were examined by using the Giemsa C-banded karyotype. The Hy. patula C-banding pattern was similar to those of Elymus species, whereas C-banding patterns of the other Hystrix species were similar to those of Leymus species. The results suggest high genetic diversity within Hystrix, and support treating Hy. patula as E. hystrix L., and transferring Hy. coreana, Hy. duthiei ssp. duthiei and Hy. duthiei ssp. longearistata to the genus Leymus. On comparing C-banding patterns of Elymus species with their diploid ancestors (Pseudoroegneria and Hordeum), there are indications that certain chromosomal re-arrangements had previously occurred in the St and H genomes. Furthermore, a comparison of the C-banding patterns of the Hystrix and Leymus species with the potential diploid progenitors (Psathyrostachys and Thinopyrum) suggests that Hy. coreana and some Leymus species are closely related to the Ns genome of Psathyrostachys, whereas Hy. duthiei ssp. duthiei, Hy. duthiei ssp. longearistata and some of the Leymus species have a close relationship with the E genome. The results suggest a multiple origin of the polyploid genera Hystrix and Leymus.