ABSTRACT Introduction: According to the American Heart Association guideline for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), female patients undergoing on-pump CABG (ONCAB) are at higher risk of short-term adverse outcomes than male patients. However, whether off-pump CABG (OPCAB) can improve the short-term outcome of female patients compared to ONCAB remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to study the effect of the female sex on short-term outcomes of OPCAB vs. ONCAB. A total of 31,115 patients were enrolled in 12 studies, including 20,245 females who underwent ONCAB and 10,910 females who underwent OPCAB. Results: The in-hospital mortality in female patients who underwent OPCAB was significantly lower than in those in the ONCAB group with (2.7% vs. 3.4%; odds ratio [OR] 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.89) and without (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.52-0.89) adjustment for cardiovascular risk factor. The incidence of postoperative stroke in female patients who underwent OPCAB was lower than in those in the ONCAB group (1.2% vs. 2.1%; OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.48-0.73) before cardiovascular risk factor adjustment but was not significant (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0,66-1.16) after adjustment. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction between women who underwent OPCAB and those in the ONCAB group (1.3% vs. 2.3%; OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.54-1.43). Conclusion: In contrast to the American Heart Association CABG guideline, female patients who had OPCAB don’t have unfavorable outcomes compared with the ONCAB group.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the value of serum miRNA-122 expression in the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis of Acute Cerebral Infarction (ACI) and the correlation mechanism of serum miRNA-122 on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in ACI. Method: A total of 60 patients with ACI who were admitted to the emergency department of the Taizhou People’s Hospital from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2019, and 30 healthy controls during the same period were selected. General clinical data of all patients at admission were collected. Including age, sex, medical history, and inflammatory factors (C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Interleukin-6 [IL-6], Procalcitonin [PCT], Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipid carrier protein [NGAL]). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and short-term prognosis (the Modified Rankin Score [mRS]) score at 3 months after onset were recorded. The expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and normal controls was detected by reverse-transcription quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-QPCR), and the correlation between the expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and the level of inflammatory factors, NIHSS and mRS scores were analyzed. The expression levels of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI, normal people, and Human Umbilical cord Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) cultured in a blank control group were detected by RT-QPCR and statistically analyzed. MTT and flow cytometry was used to compare the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in the miRNA-122 mimics and inhibitors transfection groups and the corresponding negative control group. The mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis-related factors Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and angiogenesis-related proteins Hes1, Notch1, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF), and CCNG1 were detected by RT-QPCR and Western blot. Bioinformatics methods predicted CCNG1 to be the target of miRNA-122, and the direct targeting relationship between CCNG1 and miRNA-122 was verified by a dual-luciferase reporting assay. Result: Serum miRNA-122 expression in patients with ACI was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.929, 95% Confidence Interval of 0.875‒0.983, and an optimal cut-off value of 1.397. The expression levels of CRP, IL-6, and NGAL in patients with ACI were higher than those in healthy control groups, p < 0.05; miRNA-122 was positively correlated with CPR, IL-6, NIHSS score, and mRS score. At 48h and 72h, the proliferation rate of HUVECs cells in the miRNA-122 mimics group decreased and the apoptosis rate increased. Cell proliferation rate increased, and apoptosis rate decreased significantly in the groups transfected with miRNA-122 inhibitors. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased in the miRNA-122 mimics transfection group, while those of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 were significantly decreased compared to those of the control group. The expression of Bax and Caspase-3 decreased, and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased in the transfected miRNA-122 inhibitors group. mRNA expression levels of Hes1, Notch1, VEGF, and CCNG1 in the miRNA-122 mimic transfected group were significantly decreased, while mRNA expression levels in the miRNA-122 inhibitors transfected group were significantly increased. Bioinformatics showed that there was a miRNA-122 binding site in the 3′UTR region of CCNG1, and dual luciferase assay confirmed that CCNG1 was the target of miRNA-122.

ABSTRACT Aiming at the low mechanization of paddy field weeding and lack of dedicated agricultural machinery for paddy field weeding in China, a self-propelled system of paddy field weeding machine was designed. The overall structure and working principle of self-propelled system were illustrated and analyzed. The interaction mechanism of wheel-soil during weeding was analyzed. The wheel-soil interaction model was established, then, wheel traction and surface flatness were selected as the evaluation indexes for discrete element simulation experiment. The steering performance, stability, and over ridge ability of self-propelled system were analyzed, and field experiment was carried out. The simulation experiment results show that the wheel traction is approximately 600 N and the surface flatness is less than 30 mm. The field experiment results show that the minimum turning radius of the prototype is 2,050 mm in paddy, overturning limit angle of the prototype is 36°, and maximum height over the ridge is 400 mm. The speed range of the weeding machine on the road and weeding operation was 0~16.20 km/h and the 0~5.40 km/h respectively. The weeder can meet the speed demands of weeding operation. The study results can provide reference for research and development of paddy field operation machinery.

Abstract The infants who cannot be breastfeed need to obtain energy and nutrition from other sources, such as formula. In this study, a human milk fat substitute (HMFS) rich in structured triglycerides (STG) and with a variety of fatty acids was prepared by one-step transesterification reaction. The optimum conditions for the lipase-catalyzed transesterification between basa catfish oil solid fraction, Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil, linseed oil, microbial oil and algae oil were studied and the in vitro digestibility of the constructed HMFS was investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the obtained HMFS contained 58.86% STG and 39.73% sn-2 palmitic acid (PA). Fatty acid composition analysis showed that HMFS was composed of capric acid (Ca), lauric acid (La), oleic acid (O), linoleic acid (L), linolenic acid (Ln), arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). LC-MS/MS analysis found that 142 new triglycerides were generated, such as Ca-P-ARA, Ca-P-Ln, La-P-ARA, La-P-L and P-O-ARA. Moreover, compared with physical mixture (PM), HMFS had better melting and crystallization temperature and the fatty acid release rate of HMFS was significantly improved. These results suggested that HMFS may have a great application in infant food as a nutritional ingredient.

ABSTRACT A type of weeding device was designed to solve the problems of weeders in paddy fields, such as high rice seedling damage and low weeding rate. The structure of the weeding machine and the working principle are illustrated. The seedling avoiding and weeding mechanism of the weeding device were analyzed. The parts of the weeder that contacted the soil were designed. The contact process between the spring tine and soil in paddy was simulated using the discrete element method to study the change in mechanical behavior during the working process. To verify the performance of the weeding machine, the forward speed and hoeing depth were taken as experimental factors, and weeding rate and rice seedling damage rate were selected as test indices. Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of each factor on weeding operations. The results of the experiment were evaluated by multi-index comprehensive weighting. The test results showed that, when the forward speed was 0.30 m/s and hoeing depth was 40 mm, rice seedling damage rate was 3.4%, weeding rate was 85%. The weeding machine satisfies the requirements of weeding in paddy. This research can provide a reference for the design of intra-row weeding devices in paddy.

Abstract To study the caramel reactions of disaccharides with water, the type I maltose caramel products (MCPs) and sucrose caramel products (SCPs) at three reaction stages were yielded and their reaction rates, UV absorptions, flavor compounds, and antioxidant activities were also detected. It was found that the caramel reactions of sucrose were faster than those of maltose and their reaction rates quickly increased to a high level in the middle stage. UV absorption of SCP in the late stage at 305 nm was much stronger than those of MCPs. Both the MCP and SCP obtained at 180 °C and 4 min had the highest concentrations of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and total flavor compounds. Moreover, the total flavor concentrations of SCPs were much larger than those of MCPs and the antioxidant effects of SCPs were also stronger. Thus, a preferred condition for both two disaccharide caramel reactions was suggested at 180 °C for 4 min and the sucrose caramels could give better flavors than maltose caramels.

Abstract Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are the two major subtypes of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to compare mRNA and circRNA expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Cancer tissues from 8 LUSC patients and 12 LUAD patients were collected to obtain mRNA and circRNA expression profiles. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) between LUSC and LUAD were screened. Afterwards, miRNA–DEcircRNA pairs and miRNA–DEmRNA pairs were predicted to construct a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network, followed by functional enrichment analysis and survival analysis. In total, 635 DEmRNAs and 245 DEcircRNAs were obtained. The ceRNA analysis revealed that genes, such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, CDK6, hsa_circ_027570, hsa_circ_006089, and hsa-circ_035997, had distinct expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Also, functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEmRNAs were mainly enriched in ERK1 and ERK2 cascade. Survival analyses suggested that STXBP1 and PMEPA1 were associated the prognosis of with both LUAD and LUSC, whereas EPHA2 and CDK6 might serve as prognostic factors for LUSC and LUAD, respectively. In conclusion, genes such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, and CDK6 had different patterns in the two major histological subtypes of NSCLC. Notably, EPHA2 and CDK6 might be considered as potential therapeutic targets for LUSC and LUAD, respectively.

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the expression patterns of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) colon cancer-associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) and the changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion induced by silencing CCAT1 in bladder cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The expression levels of CCAT1 were determined using realtime quantitative polymerase chain reaction in cancerous tissues and paired normal tissues from 34 patients with bladder cancer. The relationship between clinical characteristics and CCAT1 expression was analyzed. And then we conducted cell experiments. Bladder urothelial carcinoma cell lines T24 and 5637 cells were transfected with CCAT1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or scramble siRNA. Cell proliferation and apoptosis changes were determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and a flow cytometry assay. Migration and invasion changes were measured using a wound healing assay and a trans-well assay. microRNAs (miRNAs) were predicted by Starbase 2.0, and their differential expression levels were studied. Results: CCAT1 was significantly upregulated in bladder cancer (P < 0.05). CCAT1 upregulation was positively related to tumor stage (P = 0.004), tumor grade (P = 0.001) and tumor size (P = 0.042). Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were promoted by abnormally expressed CCAT1. miRNAs miR-181b-5p, miR-152-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-148a-3p and miR-490-3p were potentially related to the aforementioned functions of CCAT1. Conclusion: CCAT1 plays an oncogenic role in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. In addition, CCAT1 may be a potential therapeutic target in this cancer.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and net energy (NE) levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, and faecal microbiota of growing-finishing pigs. Eighteen crossed barrows were randomly allocated into one of three dietary treatments: high protein + high NE diet, low protein + high NE diet, and low protein + low NE diet. The whole experiment lasted 90 days and was divided into three phases (phase I: 25-50 kg; phase II: 50-75 kg; phase III: 75-105 kg). All pigs were individually housed in a metabolism cage and subjected to four-day total faeces and urine collection period at the end of each phase. There was no significant difference in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum total protein, and albumin concentrations of pigs among the dietary treatments. Compared with the high protein + high NE diet, pigs fed low protein + high NE and low protein + low NE diets had lower N intake, urine N, and total N excretion in each phase. At the end of the experiment, pigs fed the low protein + high NE and low protein + low NE diets had lower blood urea nitrogen, serum NH3-N concentrations, faecal pH value, faecal NH3-N concentration, and faecal Escherichia coli count than those fed the high protein + high NE diet. However, there was no significant difference in all of the above indexes between low protein + high NE and low protein + low NE diets. Decreasing the dietary protein content by 3.5 percentage units has no adverse effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pigs while significantly reduces N excretion and faecal Escherichia coli count. Moreover, further decreasing dietary NE level in the low-protein diet by 0.35-0.5 MJ/kg does not affect growth performance, nutrient digestibility, N excretion, blood profiles, and faecal Escherichia coli count of pigs.

ABSTRACT The N absorption and assimilation is critical for the rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield increase when overdose N was applied in rice production. Three different rice genotypes, 'Quanliangyou 1' (Q1), 'Quanliangyou 681' (Q681) and 'Huanghuazhan' (HHZ), were selected to investígate the effects of elevated N input on the N partitioning, plant growth, grain quality and key genes involved in glutamate biosynthesis. Under increasing N inputs (0, 120, 180, 250 kg ha-1), N content in leaf, culm, seed and root were increased significantly. The increased N was preferentially deposited in leaf and culm. Tiller number, panicle number and length were also proved to be significantly promoted, but plant height and 1000-grain weight were nonsignificantly affected under elevated N input. Under high N input, seed protein content was elevated, while fatty acid and amylose content remained unchanged in comparison to low N input, but amylopectin content decreased. For the key genes in N assimilation, glutamine synthetase (OsGS1;1) could be induced by increasing N input (0 to 180 kg ha-1) but higher N input (250 kg ha-1) inhibit its expression, which showed similar response pattern with the glutamine synthetase activity. Although different rice genotypes showed similar response pattern to elevated N input, each genotype varied a lot in certain phenotypic indexes. And the response pattern of all these phenotypic characteristics to elevated N input was independent of rice genotype. These findings suggest that elevated N input could promote rice growth, reallocate N content in different tissues, and have negative impact on grain quality. This study provided physiological and molecular foundation for rice breeding and cultivation under high N input.

JUSTIFICATIVA: Injeções de anestésicos locais por via intra-articular são comumente usadas para melhorar a analgesia no período pós-operatório de cirurgia ortopédica como artroscopia. No entanto, relatos recentes de complicações graves devido ao uso de anestésico local por via intra-articular causou preocupações. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o uso de vitamina C para reduzir os efeitos adversos dos anestésicos mais comumente usados (ropivocaína, bupivacaína e lidocaína) sobre condrócitos humanos. MÉTODOS: A viabilidade dos condrócitos após a exposição à bupivacaína a 0,5% ou ropivacaína a 0,75% ou lidocaína a 1,0% e/ou vitamina C em doses de 125, 250 e 500 µM foi determinada pelo ensaio Vivo/Morto e coloração com anexina V. Os níveis de expressão das caspases 3 e 9 foram avaliados com o uso de anticorpos pela técnica Western blotting. Citometria de fluxo foi feita para analisar a geração de espécies reativas ao oxigênio. RESULTADOS: Na exposição aos anestésicos locais, condrotoxicidade foi encontrada na seguinte ordem: ropivacaína < bupivacaína < lidocaína. A vitamina C efetivamente melhorou a redução da viabilidade dos condrócitos e diminuiu os níveis elevados de apoptose após a exposição à anestesia. Em doses mais altas, a vitamina C foi eficiente para reduzir a geração de espécies reativas ao oxigênio e assim regular negativamente a expressão das caspases 3 e 9. CONCLUSÕES: Observamos que a vitamina C foi eficaz na proteção dos condrócitos contra a agressão tóxica dos anestésicos locais ropivacaína, bupivacaína e lidocaína.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular injections of local anesthetics are commonly used to enhance post-operative analgesia following orthopedic surgery as arthroscopic surgeries. Nevertheless, recent reports of severe complications due to the use of intra-articular local anesthetic have raised concerns. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to assess use of vitamin C in reducing adverse effects of the most commonly employed anesthetics - ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine - on human chondrocytes. METHODS: The chondrocyte viability following exposure to 0.5% bupivacaine or 0.75% ropivacaine or 1.0% lidocaine and/or vitamin C at doses 125, 250 and 500 µM was determined by LIVE/DEAD assay and annexin V staining. Expression levels of caspases 3 and 9 were assessed using antibodies by Western blotting. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the generation of reactive oxygen species. RESULTS: On exposure to the local anesthetics, chondrotoxicity was found in the order ropivacaine < bupivacaine < lidocaine. Vitamin C effectively improved the reduced chondrocyte viability and decreased the raised apoptosis levels following exposure to anesthesia. At higher doses, vitamin C was found efficient in reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species and as well down-regulate the expressions of caspases 3 and 9. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C was observed to effectively protect chondrocytes against the toxic insult of local anesthetics ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations of liver lobe-based magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging findings using multiple b values with the presence and Child-Pugh class of cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis B. METHODS: Seventy-four cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B and 25 healthy volunteers underwent diffusion-weighted imaging using b values of 0, 500, 800 and 1000 sec/mm2. The apparent diffusion coefficients of individual liver lobes for b(0,500), b(0,800) and b(0,1000) were derived from the signal intensity averaged across images obtained using b values of 0 and 500 sec/mm2, 0 and 800 sec/mm2, or 0 and 1000 sec/mm2, respectively, and were statistically analyzed to evaluate cirrhosis. RESULTS: The apparent diffusion coefficients for b(0,500), b(0,800) and b(0,1000) inversely correlated with the Child-Pugh class in the left lateral liver lobe, the left medial liver lobe, the right liver lobe and the caudate lobe (r=-0.35 to -0.60, all p<0.05), except for the apparent diffusion coefficient for b(0,1000) in the left medial liver lobe (r=-0.17, p>0.05). Among these parameters, the apparent diffusion coefficient for b(0,500) in the left lateral liver lobe best differentiated normal from cirrhotic liver, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.989. The apparent diffusion coefficient for b(0,800) in the right liver lobe best distinguished Child-Pugh class A from B-C and A-B from C, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.732 and 0.747, respectively. CONCLUSION: Liver lobe-based apparent diffusion coefficients for b(0,500) and b(0,800) appear to be associated with the presence and Child-Pugh class of liver cirrhosis.

Muitos estudos de expressão proteica após lesão cerebral traumática (LCT) identificam biomarcadores para determinação diagnóstica ou prognóstica do LCT. No presente estudo, foram investigados marcadores proteicos adicionais de LCT, através de um aparelho de impacto no fluxo e perfusão em ratos S-D. Eletroforese bidimensional em gel e espectrometria de massa foram utilizadas para identificar diferentes proteínas expressas. Após a análise proteômica, detectamos marcas de proteínas 405 e 371, com pH variando entre 3-10 no córtex de ratos sham e naqueles com contusão cerebral, respectivamente. Oitenta marcas proteicas foram expressas nos dois grupos e 20 destas proteínas foram identificadas. Este estudo validou o estabelecimento de biomarcadores de LCT e identificou potencial biomarcadores que poderão ser estudados em estudos futuros.

Many studies of protein expression after traumatic brain injury (TBI) have identified biomarkers for diagnosing or determining the prognosis of TBI. In this study, we searched for additional protein markers of TBI using a fluid perfusion impact device to model TBI in S-D rats. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to identify differentially expressed proteins. After proteomic analysis, we detected 405 and 371 protein spots within a pH range of 3-10 from sham-treated and contused brain cortex, respectively. Eighty protein spots were differentially expressed in the two groups and 20 of these proteins were identified. This study validated the established biomarkers of TBI and identified potential biomarkers that could be examined in future work.

A craniectomia descompressiva (CD) é amplamente utilizada para tratar a hipertensão intracraniana após trauma craniencefálico (TC) ou doença cerebrovascular. Vários estudos discutem as complicações deste procedimento, sendo a hidrocefalia uma das complicações mais frequentes. Fizemos uma revisão da literatura para avaliar a relação entre a CD e a hidrocefalia. Podem ocorrer numerosas complicações após a CD, incluindo aumento de volume por contusão ou hematoma, epilepsia e herniação do cortex cerebral através do acesso ósseo. Fístulas liquóricas através a incisão no couro cabeludo, infecções, hematomas subdurais, hidrocefalia e a “síndrome pós-trepanação”. Foram identificados vários fatores preditivos de hidrocefalia: a distância da CD em relação à linha média, a ocorrência de higroma, a idade, a gravidade da lesão, a hemorragia subaracnóidea ou intraventricular, o tempo decorrido até a craniectomia, as reoperações e o uso de plástica com dura-máter. Entretanto, há divergências entre os autores e o impacto da CD na hidrocefalia continua controvertido.

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is widely used to treat intracranial hypertension following traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebral vascular disease. Many studies have discussed complications of this procedure, and hydrocephalus is a common complication of DC. To further evaluate the relationship between DC and hydrocephalus, a review of the literature was performed. Numerous complications may arise after DC, including contusion or hematoma expansion, epilepsy, herniation of the cortex through a bone defect, CSF leakage through the scalp incision, infection, subdural effusion, hydrocephalus and “syndrome of the trephined”. Several hydrocephalus predictors were identified; these included DC, distance from the midline, hygroma, age, injury severity, subarachnoid or intraventricular hemorrhage, delayed time to craniotomy, repeated operation, and duraplasity. However, results differed among studies. The impact of DC on hydrocephalus remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate gyrA and gyrB mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) clinical strains from 93 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Hubei Province, China, and analyze the association between mutation patterns of the genes and ofloxacin resistance level. RESULTS: Among 93 MTB clinical isolates, 61 were ofloxacin-resistant by the proportion method, and 32 were ofloxacin-susceptible MDR-TB. No mutation in the gyrB gene was found in any MTB strains. In the 61 ofloxacin-resistant isolates, 54 mutations were observed in the gyrA gene. Only one mutation in the gyrA gene was found in ofloxacin-susceptible MDR-TB isolates. In this study, the mutation patterns of gyrA involved seven patterns of single codon mutation (A90V, S91P, S91T, D94N, D94Y, D94G or D94A) and two patterns of double codons mutation (S91P & D94H, S91P & D94A). The ofloxacin minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of three patterns of single codon mutations in the gyrA gene (codons 94, 90 and 91) showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The gyrA mutations at codons 90, 91 and 94 constitute the primary mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in MTB, and mutations at codon 91 in the gyrA gene may be associated with low-level resistance to ofloxacin.