Chaetocladius Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae) in China

Chaetocladius Kieffer in China is reviewed and a key to the males is provided. There are five Chinese species, of which three are described and illustrated as adultmales: C. absolutus Wang, Kong & Wang, sp. n., C. tibetensis Wang, Kong & Wang, sp. n. and C. triquetrus Wang, Kong & Wang, sp. n. Chaetocladius oyabevenustus Sasa, Kawai & Ueno is recorded from China for the first time

Empirical Study on Consumer Perceived On-line Payment Risk

This paper takes the potential release of online transaction market size as the starting point of research, and discusses how Chinese consumer perceived risks influence online payment willingness. This study divides consumer perceived risks of online payment into eight dimensions: Economic risk, Functional risk, Private risk, Security risk, Time risk, Service risk, Psychological risk and Social risk. Furthermore, it explores the influence of multi-dimensional perceived risks on the willingness of consumers’ online payment on the basis of 616 samples from Shanghai. The empirical results show that there is a significant negative correlation between perceived economic risks and the willingness to pay online; perceived security risks and some other risks have significant positive effect on payment willingness, which shows that certain perceived risks are becoming systemic risks in accordance with the principle of finance. So, the paper imply that both Private and Government third payment platforms shall take certain measures to reduce consumers’ specific perceived risk for promoting the development of online transaction market in China

Analysis of the life cycle of China Shipbuilding Industry

The research of the article is based on the theory of industry life cycle. Empirical research on China annual shipbuilding output from 1983 to 2012 is made and life cycle stage of China shipbuilding industry is studied through using Compertz model. Combined with the current industry of our country shipping actual problems, puts forward some countermeasures and proposals. Key words: Shipbuilding industry; industry life cycle; Compertz mode

Analysis of the Formation Mechanism of Competitiveness of Shipbuilding Industry in China

The paper based on the analysis of the competitiveness of existing shipbuilding industry, China’s shipbuilding industry competitiveness can be divided into potential competitiveness and dominant competitiveness, by diamond model and causal analysis paradigm. Potential competitiveness formed by 5 indicators, demand for production factors, status, and the ancillary industries, industrial organization structure, and government policy; dominant competitiveness show as the shipbuilding’s market power. Combined with the present situation of China’s shipbuilding industry development, the paper will analysis the formation mechanism of shipbuilding industrial competitiveness in China using the data collected by questionnaire survey, based on structural equation model. Key words: Shipbuilding industry; Competitiveness; Formation mechanism; Structural equation mode

A glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, liraglutide, ameliorates endothelial dysfunction through miRNAs to inhibit apoptosis in rats

Background and Aims Many studies have revealed that glucagon-like peptide-1 has vasoprotective effects. In this study, we investigated whether liraglutide suppressed endothelial dysfunction and explored the mechanism involved. Methods Experimental diabetes was induced through combined high-fat diet administration and intraperitoneal streptozotocin injections. Rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: control, diabetes, diabetes + a low liraglutide dose (0.2 mg/kg/d), and diabetes + a high liraglutide dose (0.4 mg/kg/d). Endothelial function and metabolic parameters were measured after 8 weeks of treatment. miRNA arrays were analyzed to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs. Results We found that liraglutide significantly improved aortic endothelial function in diabetic rats. Liraglutide inhibited miR-93-5p, miR-181a-5p and miR-34a-5p expression, and activated miR-26a-5p expression. miRNA mimic transfection experiments indicated negative relationships between miR-93-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-34a-5p, and miR-26a-5p and Sirt1, Creb, Bcl-2, and Pten expression, respectively. Moreover, liraglutide increased Sirt1, Creb, and Bcl-2 expression levels and reduced Pten expression level. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the role of key miRNAs in the liraglutide-mediated regulation of endothelial cell function in diabetic rats

Does HbA1c Level Have Clinical Implications in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aims/Introduction. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether HbA1c was related to clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery. Materials and Methods. A literature search was carried out satisfying the predefined inclusion criteria from Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Differences were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the relationships of preoperative HbA1c levels and clinical prognosis in diabetic patients. Results. 7895 diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery from eight published studies were finally involved in this meta-analysis. Combined analyses revealed that the higher HbA1c level was significantly associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality (OR 1.56, 95%CI 1.29–1.88), myocardial infarction (OR 2.37, 95%CI 1.21–4.64), and stroke (OR 2.07, 95%CI 1.29–3.32) after CABG surgery. However, there was no significant relationship between HbA1c levels and renal failure (OR 2.08, 95%CI 0.96–4.54) in diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery. Conclusions. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the HbA1c level is potentially associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in diabetic subjects undergoing CABG surgery. However, further clinical studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up period are urgently warranted

Radix Astragali

A previous study conducted by our group demonstrated that Radix Astragali compounded with Codonopsis pilosula and Plastrum testudinis was effective in treating pediatric β-thalassemia in a randomized, controlled clinical trial. However, the mechanism of action that underpins this treatment remains to be elucidated. Blood was collected from patients participating in this clinical trial and nucleated red blood cell-enriched mononuclear cells were isolated to facilitate the extraction of RNA and protein. RT-PCR was used to monitor the expression of globin genes and p38 MAPK, and total and phosphorylated p38 MAPK expression was assessed using Western blot analysis. Expression of α-, β-, and Aγ-globin mRNAs was not significantly affected following treatment with R. Astragali or the compounded formulation. However, Gγ-globin mRNA levels increased significantly in both treatment groups (when compared with pretreatment levels) following 12 weeks of treatment. Moreover, posttreatment Gγ-globin expression was significantly higher in both treatment groups compared with the control group. Although neither p38 MAPK mRNA nor protein levels were affected by the treatments, posttreatment phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was significantly increased in the R. Astragali and compounded formulation groups compared with the control group. These data suggest that the molecular mechanisms that underpin the efficacious use of R. Astragali (and its compounded formulation) in pediatric β-thalassemia treatment facilitate the induction of Gγ-globin expression following activation of p38 MAPK

Berberine Moderates Glucose and Lipid Metabolism through Multipathway Mechanism

Berberine is known to improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, but the mechanism is still under investigation. In this paper, we explored the effects of berberine on the weight, glucose levels, lipid metabolism, and serum insulin of KKAy mice and investigated its possible glucose and lipid-regulating mechanism. We randomly divided KKAy mice into two groups: berberine group (treated with 250 mg/kg/d berberine) and control group. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and fasting serum insulin were measured in both groups. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. RT2 PCR array gene expression analysis was performed using skeletal muscle of KKAy mice. Our data demonstrated that berberine significantly decreased FBG, area under the curve (AUC), fasting serum insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, TC, and TG, compared with those of control group. RT2 profiler PCR array analysis showed that berberine upregulated the expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), MAPK8(c-jun N-terminal kinase, JNK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), and hepatic nuclear factor 4α(HNF4α), whereas it downregulated the expression of PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (CEBP), PPARγ coactivator 1α(PGC 1α), and resistin. These results suggest that berberine moderates glucose and lipid metabolism through a multipathway mechanism that includes AMP-activated protein kinase-(AMPK-) p38 MAPK-GLUT4, JNK pathway, and PPARα pathway