Abstract To determine whether ozone can regulate fruit ripening and delay fruit aging, Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa 'Guichang') was fumigated with different ozone concentrations (100 μL/L, 200 μL/L, 300 μL/L) for 3 h, stored at 1 °C and 85 ± 5% RH for three months, and then matured at 20 °C and 85% RH for 12 days. Compared with controls, the optimal concentration of ozone delayed kiwifruit ripening during cold storage by delaying the respiratory burst that precedes fruit decay. Consequently, fruit firmness, nutrient content, and enzyme activity remained stable; the expression of AdACS1 and AdACO1 as well as the activity of ACC synthetase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO) was downregulated, whereby ACC and MACC were accumulated. In addition, ozone-treated fruit showed significantly reduced infection with grey mold. The effect of ozone on kiwifruit at 200 μL/L was the best suited for delaying fruit senescence, maintaining high quality during storage and fruit ripening compared with other fruits. Overall, our study indicated that ozone may play a major residual role in the physiological process of fruit ripening; furthermore, ozone can affect ethylene biosynthesis and fruit changes associated with endogenous ethylene production.

Abstract Background: Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a vital role in determining the outcomes of radiotherapy. As an important component of TME, vascular endothelial cells are involved in the perivascular resistance niche (PVRN), which is formed by inflammation or cytokine production induced by ionizing radiation (IR). Protein kinase CK2 is a constitutively active serine/threonine kinase which plays a vital role in cell proliferation and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the potential role of CK2 in PVRN after IR exposure. Result: Specific CK2 inhibitors, Quinalizarin and CX-4945, were employed to effectively suppressed the kinase activity of CK2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without affecting their viability. Results showing that conditioned medium from IR-exposed HUVECs increased cell viability of A549 and H460 cells, and the pretreatment of CK2 inhibitors slowed down such increment. The secretion of IL-8 and IL-6 in HUVECs was induced after exposure with IR, but significantly inhibited by the addition of CK2 inhibitors. Furthermore, IR exposure elevated the nuclear phosphorylated factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 expression in HUVECs, which was a master factor regulating cytokine production. But when pretreated with CK2 inhibitors, such elevation was significantly suppressed. Conclusion: This study indicated that protein kinase CK2 is involved in the key process of the IR induced perivascular resistant niche, namely cytokine production, by endothelial cells, which finally led to radioresistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Thus, the inhibition of CK2 may be a promising way to improve the outcomes of radiation in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

Abstract Background Cimicifuga racemosa is one of the herbs used for the treatment of climacteric syndrome, and it has been cited as an alternative therapy to estrogen. Apart from hectic fevers, dyspareunia and so on, dry mouth also increase significantly after menopause. It has not yet been reported whether C. racemosa has any impact on the sublingual gland, which may relate to dry mouth. In an attempt to determine this, we have compared the effects of estrogen and C. racemosa on the sublingual gland of ovariectomized rats. Results HE staining showed that the acinar cell area had contracted and that the intercellular spaces were broadened in the OVX (ovariectomized rats) group, while treatment with estradiol (E2) and iCR (isopropanolic extract of C. racemosa) improved these lesions. Transmission electron microscopy showed that rough endoplasmic reticulum expansion in mucous and serous acinar epithelial cells and apoptotic cells was more commonly seen in the OVX group than in the SHAM (sham-operated rats) group. Mitochondria and plasma membrane infolding lesions in the striated ducts were also observed. These lesions were alleviated by both treatments. It is of note that, in the OVX + iCR group, the volume of mitochondria in the striated duct was larger than in other groups. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells was significantly increased in the acinar cells of the OVX group compared with the SHAM group (p < 0.05); and the MA (mean absorbance) of caspase-3 in the striated ducts also increased (p < 0.05). Estradiol decreased the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells and the MA of caspase-3 in striated ducts significantly (p < 0.05). ICR also reduced the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells and the MA in the striated ducts (p < 0.05), but the reduction of the MA in striated ducts was inferior to that of the OVX + E2 group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Both estradiol and iCR can inhibit subcellular structural damage, and down-regulate the expression of caspase-3 caused by ovariectomy, but their effects were not identical, suggesting that both drugs confer a protective effect on the sublingual gland of ovariectomized rats, but that the specific location and mechanism of action producing these effects were different.

Problem During China’s transition to a market economy in the 1980s and 1990s, the rural population faced substantial barriers to accessing health care and encountered heavier financial burdens than urban residents in paying for necessary health services. Approach In 2003, China started to implement a rural cooperative medical scheme (RCMS), mainly through government subsidies. The scheme operates at the county level and offers a modest benefit package. Local setting In spite of rapid economic growth since the early 1980s, income disparities in China have increased, particularly between rural and urban populations. In response, the government has put greater emphasis on social development, including health system development. Examples are the prioritization of improved access to health services and the reduction of the burden of payment for necessary services. Relevant changes After 10 years of implementation, the RCMS now provides coverage to the entire rural population and has substantially improved access to health care. Yet despite a drop in out-of-pocket payments as a proportion of total health expenditure, paying for necessary services continues to cause financial hardship for many rural residents. Lessons learnt In its first decade, the RCMS made progress through political mobilization, government subsidies, the readiness of the health-care delivery system, and the availability of a monitoring and evaluation system. Further improving the RCMS will require a focus on cost containment, quality improvement and making the scheme portable.

Resumen Situación Durante la transición de China hacia una economía de mercado en las décadas de 1980 y 1990, la población rural se enfrentó a importantes barreras para acceder a la atención sanitaria y tuvo que hacer frente a cargas financieras mayores que los residentes urbanos para pagar los servicios de salud necesarios. Enfoque En 2003, China comenzó a poner en práctica un sistema médico cooperativo rural (RCMS, en sus siglas en inglés) a través, principalmente, de subsidios del gobierno. El esquema funciona a nivel de condado y ofrece un paquete modesto de beneficios. Marco regional A pesar del rápido crecimiento económico desde comienzos de la década de 1980, las disparidades en los ingresos han aumentado en China, en particular entre las poblaciones rurales y urbanas. En respuesta, el gobierno ha puesto un mayor énfasis en el desarrollo social, incluido el desarrollo del sistema de salud. Ejemplos de ello son la priorización de un mejor acceso a los servicios sanitarios y la reducción de la carga de pago por los servicios necesarios. Cambios importantes Tras 10 años de implementación, el RCMS proporciona en la actualidad cobertura para toda la población rural y ha mejorado sustancialmente el acceso a la atención médica. A pesar de una reducción de los pagos directos del gasto total en salud, el pago por servicios necesarios sigue provocando dificultades financieras para muchos residentes rurales. Lecciones aprendidas En su primera década, el RCMS ha logrado avances por medio de la movilización política, los subsidios gubernamentales, la buena disposición del sistema de atención sanitaria y la disponibilidad de un sistema de supervisión y evaluación. Con objeto de seguir mejorando el RCMS, será necesario centrarse en reducir los costes, mejorar la calidad y lograr un sistema móvil.

Résumé Problème Au cours de la transition de la Chine vers une économie de marché dans les années 1980 et 1990, la population rurale a été confrontée à d'importants obstacles à l'accès aux soins de santé et a supporté des charges financières plus lourdes que les habitants des zones urbaines pour le paiement des soins de santé indispensables. Approche En 2003, la Chine a commencé à mettre en œuvre un plan médical coopératif rural (PMCR), principalement grâce aux subventions gouvernementales. Le plan agit au niveau du comté et offre un ensemble d'avantages sociaux modestes. Environnement local Malgré une croissance économique rapide depuis le début des années 1980, les inégalités de revenus en Chine ont augmenté, en particulier entre les populations des zones rurales et des zones urbaines. En réaction, le gouvernement a mis davantage l'accent sur le développement social, y compris le développement du système de santé. Les exemples en sont la priorisation de l'amélioration de l'accès aux services de santé et la réduction de la charge du paiement pour les services indispensables. Changements significatifs Après 10 ans de mise en œuvre, le PMCR assure maintenant la couverture de la totalité de la population rurale et a considérablement amélioré l'accès aux soins de santé. Cependant, malgré une baisse de la part des paiements restant à charge dans les dépenses totales de santé, le paiement des services indispensables continue de causer des difficultés financières pour de nombreux habitants des zones rurales. Leçons tirées Au cours de sa première décennie d'existence, le PMCR a fait des progrès grâce à la mobilisation politique, aux subventions gouvernementales, à la disponibilité du système de prestation des soins de santé et d'un système de suivi et d'évaluation. Pour améliorer davantage le PMCR, il faudra se concentrer sur la maîtrise des coûts, l'amélioration de la qualité et la mobilité du plan.