ABSTRACT Division of the anterior descending branch into many small arteries is a rare coronary anomaly. We report the case of a 64-year-old female with severe stenosis (>75%) in the proximal region of the anterior descending branch as indicated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). In addition, coronary angiography showed that the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery split into numerous small arteries, an anomaly that can confound clinical examination. 64yearold yearold 64 year old >75% 75 (>75% CCTA. CCTA . (CCTA) addition examination 6 >75 7 (>75 (CCTA >7 (>7 > (> (

Emerging evidence demonstrates that curcumin has an inhibitory effect on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and its targets and mechanism of action need further exploration. The goal of this study was to explore the potential targets and mechanism of curcumin against NSCLC by network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental validation, thereby providing more insight into combination treatment with curcumin for NSCLC in preclinical and clinical research. Curcumin targets against NSCLC were predicted based on HIT2.0, STD, CTD, and DisGeNET, and the core targets were analyzed via protein-protein interaction network construction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and molecular docking. The gene expression levels of samples in A549 cells, NCI-H460, and curcumin treated groups were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. A total of 67 common targets between curcumin and NSCLC were collected by screening public databases. GO and KEGG analysis suggested that curcumin treatment of NSCLC mainly involves cancer-related pathways, such as PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, Foxo signaling pathway, microRNAs, MAPK signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, etc. The targets with the highest degree were identified through the PPI network, namely CASP3, CTNNB1, JUN, IL6, MAPK3, HIF1A, STAT3, AKT1, TP53, CCND1, VEGFA, and EGFR. The results of the in vitro experiments showed that curcumin treatment of NSCLC down-regulated the gene expressions of CCND1, CASP3, HIF1A, IL-6, MAPK3, STAT3, AKT1, and TP53. Our findings revealed that curcumin functions as a potential therapeutic candidate for NSCLC by suppressing multiple signaling pathways and interacting with multiple gene targets. nonsmall non small NSCLC, , (NSCLC) exploration pharmacology bioinformatics validation research HIT20 HIT HIT2 0 HIT2.0 STD CTD DisGeNET proteinprotein protein PPI, (PPI) GO, (GO) KEGG, (KEGG) docking A54 cells NCIH460, NCIH460 NCIH NCI H460, H460 H NCI-H460 realtime real time PCR 6 databases cancerrelated related PI3KAKT PIKAKT PI3K AKT PI K pathway microRNAs HIF1 HIF 1 HIF- etc CASP3 CASP CTNNB1 CTNNB JUN IL6 IL MAPK3 HIF1A HIFA STAT3 STAT AKT1 TP53 TP CCND1 CCND VEGFA EGFR downregulated down regulated 6, IL-6 (NSCLC HIT2. (PPI (GO (KEGG A5 NCIH46 H46 NCI-H46 KAKT PIK TP5 IL- NCIH4 H4 NCI-H4 NCI-H

Abstract The study investigated that clinic significance and molecular mechanism of Plin5 in spinal cord injury (SCI). Serum levels of Plin5 was down-regulated and there is a negative correlation between Plin5 and IL-1β levels in patients with SCI,. Human Plin5 protein could reduce inflammation, and prevented spinal cord injury in rat model of SCI. Over-expression of Plin5 reduced inflammation divisors via activation of SIRT1 and suppression of NLRP3 in vitro model of SCI; down-regulation of Plin5 promoted inflammation divisors via inactivation of SIRT1 and induction of NLRP3 in vitro model of SCI. SIRT1 is important targets of Plin5 in inflammation divisors of SCI. The inhibition of SIRT1 reduced the effects of Plin5 on inflammation divisors of SCI. The activation of NLRP3 also reduced the effects of Plin5 on inflammation divisors of SCI. We concluded that clinic Serum levels of Plin5 is therapeutic target of SCI and Plin5 reduced inflammation in SCI via SIRT1 dependent suppression of NLRP3 Inflammasome.

Abstract Xuezhikang (XZK) is an extract of Chinese red yeast rice. It has multiple protective effects in cardiovascular systems. However, the underlying mechanism by which XZK affects free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipogenesis in hepatocellular steatosis model is still unknown. Herein, we investigated this mechanism in HepG2 cells. The HepG2 cells were treated with palmitate acid (PA) to induce lipogenesis. Then the PA-induced HepG2 cells were subsequently treated with XZK. After 24 h of treatment, we determined the intracellular triglyceride (TG) contents and average areas of lipid droplets. To study the involvement of AMPK signaling pathway, we pre-treated the PA-induced HepG2 cells with Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, before XZK treatment. Expressions of p-AMPK and AMPK were determined by Western blot. The results showed that XZK decreased TG content and lipid accumulation in hepatocellular steatosis model. Compound C abolished the effects of XZK. These results demonstrated for the first time that XZK protects hepatocytes against lipid accumulation induced by free fatty acids. Its effects may be mediated by the activation of AMPK pathway.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify the predictors and threshold of failure in neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods Newborns with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome aged 0-28 days and gestational age ≥36 weeks were included in the study if their cases were managed with non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation treatments. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they died before discharge. Predictors of non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation treatment failure were sought, and the threshold of predictors was calculated. Results A total of 103 patients were included in the study. A total of 77 (74.8%) survived hospitalization and were discharged, whereas 26 (25.2%) died. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of oxygen index, pH, base excess, and combinations of these indicators demonstrated the advantage of the combination of oxygen index and base excess over the others variables regarding their predictive ability. The area under the curve for the combination of oxygen index and base excess was 0.865. When the cut-off values of oxygen index and base excess were 30.0 and −7.4, respectively, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting death were 77.0% and 84.0%, respectively. The model with base excess added a net reclassification improvement of 0.090 to the model without base excess. Conclusion The combination of oxygen index and base excess can be used as a predictor of outcomes in neonates receiving non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome. In neonates with acute respiratory distress syndrome, if oxygen index >30 and base excess <−7.4, non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation therapy is likely to lead to death.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels, adverse cardiovascular events, and the severity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A literature review was performed of studies regarding IL-6 and ACS extracted from databases including EMBASE, Cqvip, MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang data. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. The literature was screened, its quality was evaluated, and relevant data were extracted for performing meta-analysis using RevMan software (version 5.3). A total of 524 studies were included in the initial survey. After several rounds of screening and analysis, six studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent meta-analysis using a fixed-effect model. Patients were divided into non-severe and severe groups based on the concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Meta-analysis of the relationship between IL-6 and the severity of ACS showed that the plasma IL-6 level of patients in the severe group was significantly higher than that of patients in the non-severe group (p<0.00001). Additionally, patients with experience of major adverse cardiovascular events had significantly higher plasma IL-6 levels than did patients without experience of such events (p<0.00001). In summary, patients with ACS and high IL-6 levels tended to be in a critical condition, with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events and worse prognosis. Thus, IL-6 levels could indicate whether patients with ACS may have adverse cardiovascular events and determine the severity of ACS.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the role and mechanisms of octreotide in neurofunctional recovery in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Methods: Rats were subjected to midline incision followed by TBI in the prefrontal cortex region. After 72 hours, the behavioural and neurological deficits tests were performed, which included memory testing on Morris water maze for 5 days. Octreotide (15 and 30 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 30 minutes before subjecting to TBI, and its administration was continued for three days. Results: In TBI-subjected rats, administration of octreotide restored on day 4 escape latency time (ELT) and increased the time spent in the target quadrant (TSTQ) on day 5, suggesting the improvement in learning and memory. It also increased the expression of H2S, Nrf2, and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) in the prefrontal cortex, without any significant effect on cystathionine-β-synthase. Octreotide also decreased the TNF-α levels and neurological severity score. However, co-administration of CSE inhibitor (D,L-propargylglycine) abolished octreotide-mediated neurofunctional recovery, decreased the levels of H2S and Nrf2 and increased the levels of TNF-α. Conclusions: Octreotide improved the neurological functions in TBI-subjected rats, which may be due to up-regulation of H2S biosynthetic enzyme (CSE), levels of H2S and Nrf2 and down-regulation of neuroinflammation.

Abstract Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common rheumatic diseases of which clinical symptoms includes swelling, synovitis and inflammatory pain, affect patients' daily life. It was reported that non-coding RNAs play vital roles in OA. However, the regulation mechanism of ncRNA in OA pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Methods: The expression of SNHG7, miR-34a-5p and SYVN1 was detected using qRT-PCR in tissues, serum and cells. The protein expression of SYVN1, PCNA, cleavage-caspase 3, beclinl and LC3 were measured using western blot. The RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pulldown, and luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the relationship between SNHG7, miR-34a-5p and SYVN1. The MTT and flow cytometry assay was performed to detected cell proliferation and cell apoptosis respectively. Results: In this study, SNHG7 and SYVN1 expression were down-regulated, but miR-34a-5p was up-regulated in OA tissues and IL-1P treated cells compared with normal tissues and chondrocyte. Functional investigation revealed that up-regulated SNHG7 or down-regulated miR-34a-5p could promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis and autophagy in OA cells. More than that, RIP, pulldown and luciferase reporter assay was applied to determine that miR-34a-5p was a target miRNA of SNHG7 and SYVN1 was a target mRNA of miR-34-5p. Rescue experiments showed that overexpression of miR-34a reversed high expression of SNHG7-mediated suppression of apoptosis and autophagy as well as promotion of proliferation, while its knockdown inhibited cell apoptosis and autophagy and promoted cell proliferation which could be impaired by silencing SYVN1. In addition, SNHG7 regulated SYVN1 through sponging miR-34a-5p. Conclusion: SNHG7 sponged miR-34a-5p to affect cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy through targeting SYVN1 which provides a novel sight into the pathogenesis of OA.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) affect the elderly population, especially postmenopausal women. Percutaneous kyphoplasty is designed to treat painful vertebral compression fractures for which conservative therapy has been unsuccessful. High-viscosity cement can be injected by either a hydraulic pressure delivery system (HPDS) or a balloon tamp system (BTS). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the safety and clinical outcomes of these two systems. METHODS: A random, multicenter, prospective study was performed. Clinical and radiological assessments were carried out, including assessments of general surgery information, visual analog scale, quality of life, cement leakage, and height and angle restoration. RESULTS: Using either the HPDS or BTS to inject high-viscosity cement effectively relieved pain and improved the patients’ quality of life immediately, and these effects lasted at least two years. The HPDS using high-viscosity cement reduced cost, surgery time, and radiation exposure and showed similar clinical results to those of the BTS. In addition, the leakage rate and the incidence of adjacent vertebral fractures after the HPDS treatment were reduced compared with those after treatment using the classic vertebroplasty devices. However, the BTS had better height and angle restoration abilities. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous HPDS with high-viscosity cement has similar clinical outcomes to those of traditional procedures in the treatment of vertebral fractures in the elderly. The HPDS with high-viscosity cement is better than the BTS in the treatment of mild and moderate OVCFs and could be an alternative method for the treatment of severe OVCFs.

The hot deformation behaviours of Ti-6Al-4V-0.1Ru alloy were investigated by isothermal hot compression tests in the temperature range of 1023-1423 K and strain rate range of 0.01-10 s-1. The β transus was determined to be 1198 K by continuous heating method. The values of deformation activation energy Q at the strain of 0.3 were calculated to be 630.01 kJ/mol in dual-phase field and 331.75 kJ/mol in β-phase field. Moreover, the processing maps at the strain of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 were developed based on dynamic materials model (DMM). To deeply understand the microstructure evolution mechanism during hot deformation processes and to verify the processing maps, the microstructures at different deformation conditions were observed. The stable microstructures (i.e. globularization, dynamic recovery (DRV) and β dynamic recrystallization (β-DRX)) and instable microstructures (i.e. lamellae kinking and flow localization) were obtained. To make it useful in the design of industrial hot working schedules for this material, a microstructural mechanism map was constructed on the basis of processing maps and microstructure observation. Deformation conditions in the vicinity of 1150 K & 0.01 s-1 where globularization occurs and in the vicinity of 1323 K & 0.01 s-1 where β-DRX occurs are recommended.

ABSTRACTIn this study, ten trace elements in Ziziphora clinopodioidesLam., Lamiaceae, from different regions, periods and parts in Xinjiang were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry following microwave-assisted acid digestion. The decreasing sequence of elements levels was K > Ca > Mg > Fe > Cu > Zn > Na > Mn > Cd > Pb. Chemometric approaches, such as correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to classify Z. clinopodioides according to its elements contents. Principal component analysis revealed 83.51% of the variance with the first four principal component variables. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated five groups from the eighteen regions, and the result of classification can correspond to the geographical distribution for the most regions. Variation in the elements exhibited a decreasing trend, but of different types in the studied periods. Elemental contents distributed in leaves were higher than those in flowers and stems. Therefore, chemometric approaches could be used to analyze data to accurately classify Z. clinopodioides according to origins. This study provided some elemental information on chemotaxonomy, diversity, changing pattern, distribution, and metabolism of Z. clinopodioides at spatial and temporal levels, and could be used as a reference of planting and quality standards.

Test specimens with nominal compositions MoSi2, (Mo0.9Ti0.1)Si2, (Mo0.8Ti0.2)Si2, (Mo0.7Ti0.3)Si2, (Mo0.6Ti0.4)Si2, (Mo0.5Ti0.5)Si2 and (Mo0.4Ti0.6)Si2 were prepared by combustion synthesis. The combustion mode, propagation velocity of combustion wave, combustion temperature and product structure were investigated. Specimens MoSi2, (Mo0.9Ti0.1)Si2, (Mo0.8Ti0.2)Si2, (Mo0.7Ti0.3)Si2, underwent spontaneously self−propagating combustion synthesis. However, the (Mo0.6Ti0.4)Si2 and (Mo0.5Ti0.5)Si2 specimens required a sustainable energy supply to complete the combustion synthesis reaction. There was no combustion synthesis reaction in specimen (Mo0.4Ti0.6)Si2. The combustion wave propagated along a spiral trajectory from top to the bottom of the specimen compacts in a layer by layer mode. The propagation velocity of the combustion wave reduced with the addition of titanium. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the Cllb-MoSi2 and C40-(Mo,Ti)Si2 type phases were formed during combustion synthesis. The intensity of diffraction peaks of C40-(Mo,Ti)Si2 phase increased with Ti content.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate an unusual outbreak of tetrodotoxin poisoning in Leizhou, southeast China, a case series analysis was conducted to identify the source of illness. METHODS: A total of 22 individuals experienced symptoms of poisoning, including tongue numbness, dizziness, nausea and limb numbness and weakness. Two toxic species, Amoya caninus and Yongeichthys nebulosus, were morphologically identified from the batches of gobies consumed by the patients. Tetrodotoxin levels in the blood and Goby fish samples were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The tetrodotoxin levels in the remaining cooked Goby fish were determined to be 2090.12 µg/kg. For Amoya caninus, the toxicity levels were 1858.29 µg/kg in the muscle and 1997.19 µg/kg in the viscera and for Yongeichthys nebulosus, they were 2783.00 µg/kg in the muscle and 2966.21 µg/kg in the viscera. CONCLUSION: This outbreak demonstrates an underestimation of the risk of Goby fish poisoning. Furthermore, the relationships among the toxic species, climates and marine algae present should be clarified in the future.

AbstractBackground BmK I, a site-3-specific modulator of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), causes pain and hyperalgesia in rats, while BmK IT2, a site-4-specific modulator of VGSCs, suppresses pain-related responses. A stronger pain-related effect has been previously attributed to Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) venom, which points out the joint pharmacological effect in the crude venom.Methods In order to detect the joint effect of BmK I and BmK IT2 on ND7-23 cells, the membrane current was measured by whole cell recording. BmK I and BmK IT2 were applied successively and jointly, and the synergistic modulations of VGSCs on ND7-23 cells were detected.Results Larger peak I Na and more negative half-activation voltage were elicited by joint application of BmK I and BmK IT2 than by application of BmK I or BmK IT2 alone. Compared to the control, co-applied BmK I and BmK IT2 also significantly prolonged the time constant of inactivation.Conclusions Our results indicated that site-4 toxin (BmK IT2) could enhance the pharmacological effect induced by site-3 toxin (BmK I), suggesting a stronger effect elicited by both toxins that alone usually exhibit opposite pharmacological effects, which is related to the allosteric interaction between receptor site 3 and site 4. Meanwhile, these results may bring a novel perspective for exploring the underlying mechanisms of scorpion sting-induced pain.

Although Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocols for many economically important plant species have been well established, protocol for a number of flowering plants including Anthurium andraeanum remains challenging. In this study, we report success in generating transgenic Anthurium andraeanum cv Arizona using Agrobacterium GV3101 strain harboring a binary vector carrying gfp as a reporter gene. The possibility of facilitating the screening process for transgenic plants expressing functional proteins using gfp marker was explored. In order to realize high transformation efficiency, different explant sources including undifferentiated callus pieces and petioles were compared for their regeneration efficiency and susceptibility to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We also optimized the concentration of AS added to co-cultivation media. Genomic PCR revealed that 11 of the 22 resistant plantlets regenerated on selective medium were successfully transformed. Green fluorescence was observed using a fluorescence microscope in 7 of the 11 PCR-positive plants, indicating GFP was expressed stably in the transformed Anthurium andraeanum. The highest transformation efficiency obtained in this study was 1.71% (percentage of explants with transgenic shoots in total explants) when callus explants were used as starting material and 125 μmol l-1 AS was added during the co-cultivation process.