Modeling the effects of satiation on the feeding rate of a colonial suspension feeder, Acanthogorgia vegae, in a circulating system under lab conditions

(2002) Modeling the effects of satiation on the feeding rate of a colonial suspension feeder, Acanthogorgia vegae, in a circulating system under lab conditions. Zoological Studies 41(4): 355-365. We developed a mathematical model, based on observations relating to feeding behavior of the gorgonian Acanthogorgia vegae, to characterize the feeding rates of colonial suspension feeders in a circulating system. We found that simultaneously none of all the polyps belonging to the same colony of A. vegae showed a feeding response after capturing a certain amount of Artemia nauplii. Equations in terms of the satiation factor were derived to predict feeding rates of colonial suspension feeders. Flume experiments were conducted under different ambient flow regimes to test the application of the equations. Good agreement between the results of the experiments and the predictions was evident. The results of this study show that satiation is an important factor influencing the feeding rate of colonial suspension feeders with an abundant food supply and a closed system of water. Furthermore, our study shows that the feeding rate of colonial suspension feeders in a circulating system can easily be calculated from the residual number of prey items at various times, even when the initial numbers of prey items and feeding animals are unknown. Our model is useful as a good methodological tool to estimate the feeding rate of colonial suspension feeders in the laboratory or aquacultural environments

Paeonol Attenuated Inflammatory Response of Endothelial Cells via Stimulating Monocytes-Derived Exosomal MicroRNA-223

Introduction: Paeonol, an active compound isolated from the radix of Cortex Moutan, has been shown to have anti-atherosclerosis effects by regulating blood cells’ function and protecting vascular cells injury. Besides, emerging evidences has proven that exosomes might play a pivotal role in intercellular communication by transmiting proteins and microRNAs from cell to cell. However, the relationship between monocytes-derived exosomal microRNA-223 and vascular inflammation injury along with paeonol’ effects are still not clear.Objective: Our study aimed to explain whether paeonol’s protective effect on inflammatory response is related to the regulation of exosomal microRNA-223 in the VECs.Methods: ApoE−/− mice were fed with high fat diet to replicate the AS model. HE staining and immunohistochemistry was used to detect inflammatory response of aorta. The expression of IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect the expression of STAT3, pSTAT3, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. qRT-PCR was used to detect miR-223 expression. Exosomes were extracted from THP-1 cells by differential centrifugation and observed by transmission electron microscope. Observation of exosomes uptake into HUVECs was realized by laser microscopy. miR-223 target gene was detected by double luciferase gene report test.Results:In vivo experiments confirmed that paeonol restricted atherosclerosis development and increased miR-223 expression, inhibited STAT3 pathway in ApoE−/− mice. In vitro, miR-223 showed robust presence in THP-1 cells and undetectable in HUVECs. And we had observed that miR-223 could be internalized from THP-1 cells into HUVECs taking exosomes as a carrier. Paeonol obviously increased miR-223 expression in co-cultured HUVECs and exosomes in concentration dependent manner, compared to LPS group. In addition, paeonol relieved inflammatory secretion, adhesion and STAT3 expression in HUVECs, which could be inverted after miR-223 inhibitor transfection into THP-1 cells.Conclusion: Paeonol could increase the expression of miR-223 in THP-1 derived exosomes and in HUVECs after uptake of exosomes, whereas decrease the expression of STAT3, p-STAT3 in HUVECs. Ultimately paeonol decreased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 in HUVECs and alleviated adhesion of THP-1 cells to HUVECs

CBX4 Expression and AFB1-Related Liver Cancer Prognosis

Background: Previous studies have shown that chromobox 4 (CBX4) expression may involve in the progression of liver cancer, however, it is unclear whether it affects the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)

Survival Benefit of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis of 13 Randomized Control Trials

IntroductionThe survival effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear based on the study of most up-to-date literatures. This article contributes to this problem by conducting an updated meta-analysis.MethodsBased on Burdett et al's (J Thorac Oncol 2006;1:611–621) systematic review, this meta-analysis was conducted. Articles were searched electrically. The possible survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed by hazard ratio (HR) in terms of overall survival. A subgroup meta-analysis with only stage III NSCLC was also conducted. The software of Review Manager was used for data management.ResultsThirteen randomized control trials, 6 of which were new ones, were included into this meta-analysis. The overall survival of NSCLC patients in neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm were improved significantly, comparing with those in surgery-alone arm (combined HR = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.92; p = 0.0001). When only patients with stage III NSCLC were considered, the result was similar (combined HR = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.95; p = 0.005).ConclusionNeoadjuvant chemotherapy, as an addition of surgery, would significantly improve the overall survival of operable NSCLC patients, including patients with stage III NSCLC

Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related to Aflatoxins: An Update

Hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatocarcinoma) is a major type of primary liver cancer and one of the most frequent human malignant neoplasms. Aflatoxins are I-type chemical carcinogen for hepatocarcinoma. Increasing evidence has shown that hepatocarcinoma induced by aflatoxins is the result of interaction between aflatoxins and hereditary factor. Aflatoxins can induce DNA damage including DNA strand break, adducts formation, oxidative DNA damage, and gene mutation and determine which susceptible individuals feature cancer. Inheritance such as alterations may result in the activation of proto-oncogenes and the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and determine individual susceptibility to cancer. Interaction between aflatoxins and genetic susceptible factors commonly involve in almost all pathologic sequence of hepatocarcinoma: chronic liver injury, cirrhosis, atypical hyperplastic nodules, and hepatocarcinoma of early stages. In this review, we discuss the biogenesis, toxification, and epidemiology of aflatoxins and signal pathways of aflatoxin-induced hepatocarcinoma. We also discuss the roles of some important genes related to cell apoptosis, DNA repair, drug metabolism, and tumor metastasis in hepatocarcinogenesis related to aflatoxins

Management of granulomatous lobular mastitis: an international multidisciplinary consensus (2021 edition)

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is a rare and chronic benign inflammatory disease of the breast. Difficulties exist in the management of GLM for many front-line surgeons and medical specialists who care for patients with inflammatory disorders of the breast. This consensus is summarized to establish evidence-based recommendations for the management of GLM. Literature was reviewed using PubMed from January 1, 1971 to July 31, 2020. Sixty-six international experienced multidisciplinary experts from 11 countries or regions were invited to review the evidence. Levels of evidence were determined using the American College of Physicians grading system, and recommendations were discussed until consensus. Experts discussed and concluded 30 recommendations on historical definitions, etiology and predisposing factors, diagnosis criteria, treatment, clinical stages, relapse and recurrence of GLM. GLM was recommended as a widely accepted definition. In addition, this consensus introduced a new clinical stages and management algorithm for GLM to provide individual treatment strategies. In conclusion, diagnosis of GLM depends on a combination of history, clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, laboratory examinations and pathology. The approach to treatment of GLM should be applied according to the different clinical stage of GLM. This evidence-based consensus would be valuable to assist front-line surgeons and medical specialists in the optimal management of GLM.Improving the Ability of Diagnosis and Treatment of Difficult Disease

Isolation and Genetic Characteristics of Human Genotype 1 Japanese Encephalitis Virus, China, 2009

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the predominant genotype of Chinese Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is evolving from genotype 3 to genotype 1. However, in recent years, almost all genotype 1 isolates were from mosquitoes, and genotype 1 has been less associated with human disease than genotype 3. This study reports the isolation of human genotype 1 JEV and its genetic characteristics to provide additional insights into human JE pathogens that are currently circulating in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 2009, 31 cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from patients living in Yunnan and Shanxi provinces and were used to inoculate Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells for virus isolation. The JEV strains were identified using immunofluorescent assays and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analyses based on the partial capsid/pre-membrane and full envelope (E) sequences were performed using Clustalx 1.8 software. Three JEV isolates were obtained from a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy living in Yunnan and an 82-year-old woman in Shanxi. The boy had been immunized with one dose of JE live attenuated vaccine. New isolates were grouped into genotype 1. Amino acid sequence for the viral E protein indicated 95% to 100% identity with each other and with other JEV strains. When compared with a consensus sequence of E protein, two amino acid substitutions were found: Ser(E-123)-Asn in the two Yunnan isolates and Lys(E-166)-Arg in the Shanxi isolate. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the genotype 1 of JEV is causing human infections in China. Our observation of a previously vaccinated boy developing JE from genotype 1 virus infection also calls for more detailed studies, both in vitro and in vivo neutralization tests as well as active surveillance, to examine the possibility of a lack of complete protection conferred by the live attenuated JE vaccine against genotype 1 virus

Bacterial diversity in typical abandoned multi-contaminated nonferrous metal(loid) tailings during natural attenuation

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordAbandoned nonferrous metal(loid) tailings sites are anthropogenic, and represent unique and extreme ecological niches for microbial communities. Tailings contain elevated and toxic content of metal(loid)s that had negative effects on local human health and regional ecosystems. Microbial communities in these typical tailings undergoing natural attenuation are often very poorly examined. The diversity and inferred functions of bacterial communities were examined at seven nonferrous metal(loid) tailings sites in Guangxi (China), which were abandoned between 3 and 31 years ago. The acidity of the tailings sites rose over 31 years of site inactivity. Desulfurivibrio, which were always coupled with sulfur/sulfide oxidation to dissimilate the reduction of nitrate/nitrite, were specific in tailings with 3 years abandonment. However, genus beneficial to plant growth (Rhizobium), and iron/sulfur- oxidizing bacteria and metal(loid)-related genera (Acidiferrobacter and Acidithiobacillus) were specific within tailings abandoned for 23 years or more. The increased abundance of acid-generating iron/sulfur-oxidizing and metal(loid)-related bacteria and specific bacterial communities during the natural attenuation could provide new insights for understanding microbial ecosystem functioning in mine tailings. OTUs related to Sulfuriferula, Bacillus, Sulfurifustis, Gaiella, and Thiobacillus genera were the main contributors differentiating the bacterial communities between the different tailing sites. Multiple correlation analyses between bacterial communities and geochemical parameters indicated that pH, TOC, TN, As, Pb, and Cu were the main drivers influencing the bacterial community structures. PICRUSt functional exploration revealed that the main functions were related to DNA repair and recombination, important functions for bacterial adaptation to cope with the multi- contamination of tailings. Such information provides new insights to guide future metagenomic studies for the identification of key functions beyond metal- transformation/resistance. As well, our results offers novel outlooks for the management of bacterial communities during natural attenuation of multi-contaminated nonferrous metal(loid) tailings sites.International Key Project from National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProjects of Natural Science Foundation of ChinaPublic welfare project of Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protectionnternational key project of Ministry of Science and Technology of ChinaS2016G2135Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueRoyal Society Newton Mobility GrantNational Natural Science Foundation International Joint collaboration China-Swede