Objective: To investigate the role of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in TAp63γ-induced apoptosis. Methods: Plasmid pcDNA3. 1-TAp63γ was transfected into human esophageal squamous cancer EC9706 cells for 24 h. Apoptosis of EC9706 cells was detected by observing DNA fragmentation. The apoptotic rate was measured by flow cytometry. The translocation of AIF in EC9706 cells was studied with Mitochondrial/Cytosol/Nuclear extraction method. The plasmid that expressed hairpin RNA specific for AIF were constructed using chemosynthesis and gene recombination technology, and the interfering efficacy of AIF shRNA was detected by western blotting. After siRNA interference the apoptotic rate of EC9706 cells transfected with pcDNA3. 1-TAp63γ was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that DNA ladder, a typical feature of apoptosis, was observed in the pcDNA3. 1-TAp63γ plasmid-transfected cells 24 later, but not in the pcDNA3. 1 plasmid-transfected cells. The apoptotic rate was 13.64% and 1. 37% after EC9707 cells were transfected with pcDNA3. 1-TAp63γ and pcDNA3. 1 plasmid, respectively. Signals of AIF-immunostaining were detected in the nucleus and cytosol proteins of pcDNA3. 1-TAp63γ transfection group, but not in pcDNA3. 1 transfection group. The plasmid expressing shRNA specific for AIF was successfully constructed and the interfering efficiency was about 80%. The apoptotic rate in AIF siRNA group was 4.52% at 24 h after transfection with pcDNA3. 1-TAp63γ. Conclusions: TAp63 γ gene expression induces the apoptosis of EC9706 cells. Down-regulation of AIF protein expression decreases the apoptosis induced by TAp63 γ.

Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical data of children with Talaromyces marneffei (TM) infection admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) to improve the diagnosis and treatment of TM infection in children. Methods The clinical data of 23 children with TM infection treated in four PICUs in southern China from January 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, treatment regimens, and outcomes. Results Among the 23 children, there were 14 boys and 9 girls, with a median age of 24 months. The time from onset to admission was 15 (range 10-30) days, and one patient had immunodeficiency disease. Common symptoms included fever (91.3%, 21 cases), cough (78.3%, 18 cases), and hepatosplenomegaly (78.3%, 18 cases). Severe clinical complications included multiorgan dysfunction (69.6%, 16 cases), septic shock (65.2%, 15 cases), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (65.2%, 15 cases). All patients elevated CRP levels, and 69.2% (9/13) had a positive G test. Elevated IgE levels were observed in 53.3% (8/15) cases, CD4/CD8 inversion in 17.6% (3/17) cases, and reduced NK cells in 84.2% (16/19) cases. HIV tests were negative in all cases. TM was most frequently detected by blood and bone marrow cultures. Seven cases were diagnosed with immunodeficiency by genetic testing. With monotherapy or combination of amphotericin B or/and voriconazole, followed by oral medication, 13 (56.5%) children died. Conclusions TM infection is clinically atypical in HIV-negative children, and patients admitted to PICU have rapidly deteriorated, with severe complications and a high mortality rate. Early use of multiple samples, and multiple methods to detect TM, combined with immune function and genetic test, is helpful to early diagnosis. The antifungal treatment strategies still need further study.

Objective To evaluate the antitumor effect of corosolic acid and its impact on CAM and YSM angiogenesis.Methods The effects of CRA on A549 proliferation was studied by MTT method in vitro.Tumor-bruden nude mice model were established by injecting A549 lung cancer cell marked with bioluminescent to nude mice,and the growth of tumor in mice were detected by IVIS small animal in vivo imaging system.Experiment of chicken embryos eggs are used to observe the role of drugs on CAMand YSMblood vessels. Results The value of IC50 of CRA for A549 in vitro was 26.8μg/mL.A tumor-burdened animal experiment results showed that the CRA to A549 solid tumor has a certain therapeutic effect.CAM and YSM blood vessels of chicken embryos eggs treated with CRA were decreased significantly than negative control group.Conclusion CRA has certain therapeutic effect for A549,which may be related to the inhibition of angiogenesis in tumor tissues.

The history and present status of phytoplasma classification are introduced briefly in this paper.The newly classification methods and rules for the description of Candidatus species are reviewed.The key problems and direction on the classification and identification of phytoplasmas in China are discussed.

Objective: To compare two methods (microbial assay and radioimmunoassay) for measuring plasma folate concentrations, and to examine the relationship between plasma folate levels, and alcohol consumption, tobacco use and body mass index, and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia in China. Methods: We used a microtiter plate microbial assay and a radioimmunoassay to measure the folate concentration in 88 plasma samples. After comparing the results of these two methods and fitting a regression line, we examined the geographical, seasonal, and gender differences in folate concentration of plasma collected from 2 422 adults in south and north areas in China, and evaluated the association of plasma folate concentration, with alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and body mass index, and with the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia, using the data from the two assays. Results: The data from the two assays had a linear relationship ( r =0.879, P =0.000); the regression was Y =0.683 X +0.308 (where X and Y were nature logarithmic transformations of plasma folate by microbial assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively); however, the mean plasma folate levels by microbial assay were much higher than those obtained by radioimmunoassay. Both data sets showed similar plasma folate distributions among Chinese adults, associations with other risk factors, and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. We estimated that 19.9% of the Southerners and 67.1% of the Northerners had plasma folate concentrations by radioimmunoassay lower than the 6.8 nmol/L used to define plasma folate deficiency. Conclusion: There is a linear relationship between plasma folate levels determined by microbial assay and radioimmunoassay, but because of the different levels obtained in the two assays, it is difficult to use the microbial assay results to evaluate folate status at this time. The use of 10.5 nmol/L as a cut off for plasma folate deficiency by microbial assay needs further study.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of sweep pattern visual evoked potential in assessing visual acuity (SPVEP-A)of amblyopic children.Design Prospective clinical study.Participants 80 patients(148 case)of amblyopic children and 26 children(52 case)with normal vision.Methods The correlation were analysed of SPVEP-A and E acuity in 80 amblyopic children and of SPVEP-A and PVEP-A in 26 children of normal visual.SPVEP-A was recorded with UTAS-E 3000(LKC)using gratings of 25 differ- ent spatial frequency from 0.2 to 18.8cpd as stimulus.The response were averaged and DFT on the monitor display.SPVEP-A was de- termined by extrapolate to 0 response amplitude.Both transient PVEP-A and SPVEP-A were examined in 26 normal children.The ob- jective visual acuity in PVEP were determined with the highest spatial frequency which evoked a recognizable response.Main Out- come Measures SPVEP-A,PVEP-A and E acuity.Results SPVEP-A were from 0.35 to 0.9 among 80 patients with corrected E acu- ity from 0.1 to 0.8.The correlation coefficient of SVEP-A-I with E acuity was 0.602 .The correlation coefficient of SPVEP-A.between reproducibility detection was 0.448.The correlation between SPVEP-A and E acuity in amblyopic slightly was higher than middle and severe amblyopia(r=0.773 vs r=0.590).In 26 normal children a correlation coefficient of 0.679 was obtained between E acuity anti PVEP-A but 0.424 between E acuity and SPVEP-A.Higher evaluation or lower evaluation of E acuity was found in SPVEP-A in this study.Acuity was upostimated in lower scope of E acuity and underestimated in higher scope of E acuity.The reproducibility and vari- ation were not satisified.Conclusion The sweep VEP is a objective method of amblyopic screening.There is significant positive corre- lation between SPVEP-A and E,but its variability is more great,so we should improve its stability and positive rate uheriorly.

Objective To investigate the signal pathway of platelet activation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods Thirty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 6) and model group (n = 24). The model of ARDS was reproduced by intravenous injection of oleic acid (0.25 mL/kg), and the rats in control group were injected with the same amount of normal saline. The blood of abdominal aorta was collected at 2, 6, 24, and 72 hours after model reproduction, the platelets were separated, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation (pJNK) levels which was one of major protein kinases in the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signal pathway was determined by Western Blot. The rats were sacrificed, the lung tissues were harvested, and lung coefficient (lung weight/body weight ×100%) and lung wet/dry (W/D) ratio were calculated. Pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in light microscope. Results Comp ared with the control group, platelet pJNK level in ARDS model group was significantly increased at 2 hours after model reproduction (gray value: 0.72±0.09 vs. 0.22±0.01), and peaked at 6 hours (gray value: 0.91±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.01), then it was decreased gradually. It was also significantly higher than that of control group till 72 hours after model reproduction (gray value: 0.39±0.06 vs. 0.22±0.01, all P < 0.05). Lung coefficient and lung W/D ratio in ARDS model group were significantly increased at 2 hours after model reproduction as compared with those of control group [(1.30±0.20)% vs. (0.60±0.10)%, 6.00±0.60 vs. 3.30±0.30], then they were decreased gradually. They were also significantly higher than those of control group till 72 hours after model reproduction [(0.90±0.10)% vs. (0.60±0.10)%, 4.80±0.70 vs. 3.30±0.30, all P < 0.05]. It was showed by light microscopy that lung tissue of rats in the control group had no significant pathological changes. At 2 hours after model reproduction in model group, clearly visible alveolar edema and interstitial edema, interstitial lung infiltration of inflammatory cells, small blood vessels dilation and congestion were found, and the re were a lot of protein exudates. The lesions of lung peaked at 24 hours. At 72 hours, absorption of most of fluid leaking in alveolar, alveolar space narrow, alveolar septum thickening, the reduction of inflammatory cells infiltration, fibrous tissue proliferation, and micro thrombosis formation were found. Conclusion In ARDS, in addition to pathological changes in the lung tissue, platelet activation occurs, and its activation process is related to the priming of JNK signal transduction pathways.

Water soluble extract (WSE) is an important index for the quality evaluation of Astragali Radix (AR). In this study, the WSE of the wild AR from Shanxi province (SX) and the cultivated AR from Gansu Province (GS) were compared. The WSEs of two types of AR were determined according to the appendix of Chinese pharmacopoeia. Then the WSEs were subjected to NMR analysis, and the obtained data were analyzed using HCA, PCA, OPLS-DA, microarray analysis, and Spearman rank analysis. In addition, the Pearson correlation of differential metabolites were also calculated. The results showed that the WSE content of GS-AR (37.80%) was higher than that of SX-AR (32.13%). The main constituent of WSE was sucrose, and other 18 compounds, including amino acids, organic acids, were also detected. Multivariate analysis revealed that SX-AR contained more choline, succinic acid, citric acid, glutamate, taurine and aspartate, while GS samples contained more sucrose, arginine and fumaric acid. In addition, the Pearson correlations between different metabolites of the two types of AR also showed apparent differences. The results suggested that the WSE of two types of AR differs not only in the content, but also in the chemical compositions. Thus, the cultivation way is important to the quality ofAR. This study supplied a new method for the comparison of extract of herbal drugs.

Objective To compare the anti-inflammatory effects between methotrexate(MTX) and Yangqixue Qufengshi Recipe(YQXQFSR) on mice arthritis induced by collagen II.Methods The model of rheumatoid arthritis was induced by using collagen II in C_(57)BL/6?DBA/1 mice.The rats with arthritis were treated with MTX or YQXQFSR respectively.The indexes such as the onset day of collagen induced arthritis(CIA),the level of CII-reactive antibodies and the pathological scores of CIA were assessed.Results The onset day of CIA and the level of CII-reactive antibodies were not influenced in the treatment of mice arthritis with MTX and YQXQFSR respectively.But MTX could alleviate the damage of cartilage [(1.60?1.51) vs(3.56?1.33) scores,P

Background Postoperative endophthalmitis following intraocular lens(IOL)implantation is still one of the most feared complications of cataract surgery.Bacterial adhesion to IOLs during their insertion is a prominent etiological factor.The adhesion characteristics of bacteria to IOL are very vital for the prevention of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.Objective The present study was to observe the in vitro adherence ability of Staphylococcus epidermidis to different intraocular lenses(IOLs)and compare the results in bacterial counting between scanning electron microscopy(SEM)photographs and quantitative cultures. Methods Five types of IOLs,including hydrophobic acrylic IOL,polymethylmethaerylate(PMMA)IOL,heparin-surface-modified(HSM) PMMA IOL,silicone(SI)IOL and hydrophilic acrylic IOL,were put into S.epidermidis(ATCC 12228)suspension for 1 hour.The bacterial adhesion numbers on the IOL surfaces were counted by quantitative cultures and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) photographs. Results Quantitative culture counting of viable adherent bacteria released by sonication showed that hydrophobic acrylic IOL and PMMA IOL were more likely for bacteria to attach.The number of bacteria on the five types of IOL surfaces showed significant differences(F=100.084,P=0.000).No significant differences were found in the number of bacteria between hydrophilic acrylic IOL and HSM-PMMA IOL (t=2.285,P=0.052)with the quantitative culture method.Direct counting of adherent bacteria in SEM photographs revealed that there were significant differences in bacterial adhesion numbers among difierent IOL material groups,with the numbers from high to low as follows:Hydrophobic IOL＞PMMA IOL＞SI IOL＞Hydrophilic IOL＞HSM-PMMA IOL(F=118.065,P=0.000).The counting method by SEM method was superior to that by quantitative cultures (t=5.019,P=0.000). Conclusion The bacterial adhesion ability varies upon the difference of IOL materials.Less bacterial adhesion is found on hydrophilic acrylic IOL and HSM-PMMA IOL,implying that the use of IOLs made from these two materials during surgery could diminish the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis and intraocular inflammation associated with IOLs implantation.