The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is an important regulator for plant growth hormone signaling, involved in plant growth, development, as well as response to environmental stresses. In the present study, we identified SmIAA7 which is potentially associated with Salvia miltiorrhiza leaf development through comparatively analyzed the transcriptome data from different pinnate leaves. SmIAA7 was successfully isolated from S. miltiorrhiza using the specific primers. Then subsequent bioinformatic analysis, prokaryotic expression and purification, subcellular localization, and induction expression analysis under auxin and abiotic stress were performed. The full-length of SmIAA7 contained an ORF of 684 bp encoding a protein of 227 amino acid with a molecular weight of 25.3 kD. Conserved domain analysis showed that SmIAA7 contains the conserved Aux_IAA domain (pfam02309). Sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis results indicated SmIAA7 was phylogenetically close to IAA7 and IAA14 from other plants, suggesting SmIAA7 involved in plant growth and development as well as response to environmental stresses. The prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-SmIAA7 was constructed and SmIAA7 recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) strain. Subcellular localization experiment demonstrated that SmIAA7 localized in the nucleus of plant cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the expression level of SmIAA7 was upregulated in response to auxin. Drought, low temperature, and salt stress significantly increased the transcript level of SmIAA7 gene. This study lays a foundation for further elucidating the role of SmIAA7 in leaf development, signal transduction, and stress defense in S. miltiorrhiza.

Objective To investigate the effect of AU-rich element RNA-binding factor 1(AUF1)on the proliferation,apoptosis,and migration abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cells and possible mechanisms,and to clarify the role and molecular mechanism of AUF1 in the progression of HCC.Methods The UALCAN and TCGA-HCC databases were used to analyze the expression of AUF1 in pan-cancer and investigate the association of the expression level of AUF1 with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of HCC patients.CCK-8 assay,cell apoptosis assay,and Transwell chamber assay were used to investigate the function of AUF1 at the cellular level,and RNA-seq assay was used to investigate transcriptome changes in HCC cells after AUF1 knockdown.The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups;the Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rates.Results There were abnormal mRNA and protein expression levels of AUF1 in various tumor tissues compared with normal tissue(P<0.05).The mRNA expression level of AUF1 was positively correlated with the degree of HCC malignancy and the poor prognosis of early-stage HCC(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the overexpression of exogenous AUF1 in HCC cells promoted the proliferation of HCC cells and inhibited the apoptosis and migration of HCC cells,while AUF1 knockdown inhibited HCC cell proliferation and promoted the apoptosis and migration of HCC cells.The RNA-seq analysis showed that AUF1 knockdown mainly affected the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and downregulated the protein expression level of β-catenin.Conclusion The abnormal expression of AUF1 is associated with the prognosis of early-stage HCC,and AUF1 may exert an oncogenic effect by activating the Wnt signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of selenium on cyclophosphamide(CTX)-induced spermatogenic impairment(SI)in mice and its underlying mechanism.Methods:We equally randomized 36 male KM mice into 3 SI model and 3 control groups,the first 3 treated by intraperitoneal injection of CTX at 100 mg/kg(the SI model control group),CTX plus SI model control group,selenium deficient model group(-Se SI),selenium supplemented model group(+Se SI),while latter 3 by intraperitoneal injection of normal saline(the normal control),selenium deficiency control group(-Se control),selenium addition control group(+Se control),respectively,all once a week for 6 successive weeks.Then we observed the histopathological changes in the testes of all the mice by HE staining,obtained the sperm count in the epididymides,determined the expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPx4)and SLC7A11 proteins by Western blot and ferroptosis-related genes by RT-qPCR,and examined the changes in the expres-sions of ferroptosis-related proteins and genes in the GC2-spd cells treated with ferroptosis inhibitors and inducers in combination with different concentrations of inorganic sodium selenite(SeS)and organic selenomethionine(SeM).Results:Compared with the nor-mal controls,the SI model mice showed significantly decreased testicular and prostatic organ coefficients,reduced spermatogenic lay-ers,increased voids,decreased serum ferritin concentration(P<0.05),and elevated transferrin concentration(P<0.05).The or-gan coefficients were significantly higher in the+Se SI and+Se control than in the-Se SI and-Se control groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),with evident pathological improvement of the testis tissue in the+Se controls.The expressions of the GPx4 and solute carrier family 7 members 11(SLC7A11)genes in the testis were dramatically down-regulated in the SI model controls(P<0.01),but up-reg-ulated in the+Se SI and+Se control compared with those in the-Se SI and-Se control group(P<0.01 and P<0.05),but there were no statistically significant differences between their protein expressions.The results of in vitro GC2 spd cell experiments indicated that the GPx4 gene and GPx4 protein levels in the-Se group were significantly lower than those in the normal control group(P<0.05),while the SLC7A11 gene level decreased(P<0.01).Different doses of SeS and SeM significantly increased the GPx4 protein expression compared to the average Se group.Low doses of SeM promoted a significant increase in GPx4 gene levels,while high doses of SeS increased the expression levels of SLC7A11 gene and SLC7A11 protein(P<0.05,P<0.01).The Se group showed a signifi-cant decrease in the levels of acsl4 and ptgs2 genes compared to the normal control group.SeM promoted the expression of acsl4,while SeS promoted the expression of ptgs2 and fth1(P<0.01,P<0.05).The intervention results of GC2 spd showed that the Erastin group had a decrease in ptgs2 compared to the normal control group,while the SeS+Erastin and SeM+Erastin groups had an increase in ptgs2 gene expression compared to the Erastin group.However,the ptgs2 expression of Fer-1 was lower than that of the normal con-trol group,and the ptgs2 gene level of SeS+Fer-1 and SeM+Fer-1 groups was lower than that of Fer-1 group(P<0.05);The gene quantity of GPx4 in the SeM+Erastin and SeM+Fer-1 groups increased compared to the Erastin and Fer-1 groups(P<0.01,P<0.05);SeM+Erastin and SeS+Erastin showed a decrease in SLC7A11 compared to the Erastin group,as well as SeM+Fer-1 and SeS+Fer-1 groups compared to the Fer-1 group,accompanied by an increase in acsl4 and fth1(P<0.01).Conclusion:Selenium deficiency causes the reduction of the SLC7A11 and GPx4 gene levels,disorder of ferroptosis-related genes and down-regulation of the GPx4 protein expression in the mouse testis and spermatocytes.Selenium can promote the expression of GPx4,up-regulate the level of SLC7A11,and improve spermatogenesis in the testis of the mouse with SI.There are differences between organic SeM and inorganic SeS in regulating the ferroptosis pathway-related genes.

Objective To study the composition,abundance,and functional profiles of the intestinal microbiota in infants and young children with Kawasaki disease(KD)during the acute phase,and to explore the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of KD.Methods Six children aged 0-3 years with acute KD admitted to the Department of Cardiology,Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from July to October 2021 were prospectively included as the KD group.Six age-and sex-matched healthy children who underwent physical examinations at the hospital during the same period were selected as the healthy control group.Metagenomics sequencing was used to detect and compare the differences in the microflora structure and functional profiles of fecal samples between the two groups.Results There were significant differences in the structural composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota between the two groups(P<0.05).Compared with the healthy control group,the abundance of Listeria_monocytogenes(family Listeriaceae and genus Listeria),Bifidobacterium_rousetti,Enterococcus_avium,and Enterococcus_hirae was significantly higher in the intestinal microbiota in the KD group(|LDA|>2.0,P<0.05).The steroid degradation and apoptosis pathways were significantly upregulated in the KD group compared with the healthy control group,while the Bacterial_secretion_system,Sulfur_metabolism,Butanoate_metabolism,Benzoate_degradation,β-alanine metabolism,and α-linolenic acid pathways were significantly downregulated(|LDA|>2,P<0.05).Conclusions There are significant differences in the structure and diversity of intestinal microbiota between children aged 0-3 years with acute KD and healthy children,suggesting that disturbances in intestinal microbiota occur during the acute phase of KD.In particular,Listeria_monocytogenes,Enterococcus_avium,and Enterococcus_hirae may be involved in the pathogenesis of KD through steroid degradation and apoptosis pathways.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg or 200 mg combined with yiqibuvir for 12 weeks in patients with various genotypes of chronic hepatitis C, without cirrhosis or compensated stage cirrhosis.Methods:Patients with chronic hepatitis C (without cirrhosis or compensated stage cirrhosis) were randomly assigned to the antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg group (100 mg group) or the antaitasvir phosphate 200 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg group (200 mg group) in a 1∶1 ratio. The drugs were continuously administered once a day for 12 weeks and observed for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. The drug safety profile was assessed concurrently with the observation of the sustained virological response (SVR12) in the two patient groups 12 weeks following the drug cessation. The intention-to-treat concept was used to define as closely as possible a full analysis set, including all randomized cases who received the experimental drug at least once. The safety set was collected from all subjects who received the experimental drug at least once (regardless of whether they participated in the randomization group) in this study. All efficacy endpoints and safety profile data were summarized using descriptive statistics. The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR12. The primary analysis was performed on a full analysis set. The frequency and proportion of cases were calculated in the experimental drug group (antaitasvir phosphate capsules combined with yiqibuvir tablets) that achieved "HCV RNA

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of Mismatch ratio in computed tomography perfusion(CTP)and dif-fusion weighted imaging(DWI)to assess the lesion outcome after treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods Whether there were any differences in clinical and imaging data of AIS patients were analyzed retrospectively between the Mismatch ratio＞1.2 group and the Mismatch ratio≤1.2 group,and between the hemorrhagic transformation group and the non-hemorrhagic transformation group.Results The age of onset and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score of AIS patients in the group with Mismatch ratio＞1.2 were greater than those in the group with Mismatch ratio≤1.2.The Mismatch ratio＞1.2 group had lower incidence of hyperlipidemia,new infarct foci,and higher hypercoagulability,cerebral hemorrhage,as well as large cerebral infarction.The NIHSS score was higher in the hemorrhagic transformation group than the non-hemorrhagic transformation group,and the incidence of large cerebral infarction and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)thrombectomy was higher in the former than in the latter.Multifactorial logistic analysis showed that age,NIHSS score,and hyperlipidemia were independent risk factors for AIS patients with Mismatch ratio＞1.2 and large cerebral infarction was an independent risk factor for hemorrhagic transformation.Conclusion The Mismatch ratio in CTP is correlated with age,NIHSS score,and hyperlipidemia in patients with AIS and large cerebral infarction is correlated with hemorrhagic transformation.

Objective To carry out rigid-body inverse dynamics modelling and analysis of a self-designed 6RSS parallel bio-inspired masticatory robot.Methods Firstly,the functions of kinematic variables including translational/rotational velocities and accelerations were derived for rigid-body inverse dynamics modelling.Secondly,the rigid-body inverse dynamics model was established with the Newton-Euler's law.Finally,the chewing motion trajectories of the oral health volunteers were tracked and numerical calculations were carried out in the case where the robot was subjected to a chewing reaction force.Results Numerical calculations showed that the driving torque and the constraint force of the robot peaked when the chewing reaction force was at its maximum.Conclusion The external force has a large impact on the inverse dynamics of the robot,and theoretical references are provided for the motion control and optimal design of the robot.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):16-22]

The concept and harms of hypothermia were introduced.The research progress of the intelligent warning equipment and model for hypothermia was reviewed,and the advantages and problems in practical application were analyzed.It's pointed out the intelligent warning equipment had to be improved in environmental adaptability,operational convenience and functio-nal stability and the model be enhanced in robustness,large-scale clinical validation and warning parameter accessibility.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(5):86-94]

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of myocardial strain for cardiotoxicity associated with fluorouracil-based chemotherapies in gastrointestinal cancer patients. METHODS: Patients with diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers, who were hospitalized for chemotherapy involving antimetabolic drugs, were eligible in this prospective study. Echocardiography was performed before and after each chemotherapy cycle during hospitalization until the completion of chemotherapy. Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) was identified if there was a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by at least 5% to an absolute value of < 53% from the baseline, accompanied by symptoms or signs of heart failure; or a decrease in LVEF of at least 10% to an absolute value of < 53% from the baseline, without symptoms or signs of heart failure. Subclinical cardiac impairment is defined as a decrease in the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) of at least 15% from baseline.Clinical data and myocardial strain variables were collected. Changes of echocardiographic indexes after chemotherapy at each cycle were observed and compared to those of pre-chemotherapy. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the associated indexes to CTRCD, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for evaluation of their predicting efficacy. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients completed 4 cycles of chemotherapy and were enrolled in the study analysis. LVEF, GLS, GLS epicardium (GLS-epi), and GLS endocardium (GLS-endo) were decreased after the 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Throughout the chemotherapy period, 6 patients (11.8%) progressed to CTRCD. The Cox regression analysis revealed that the change in left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF) and LAS during the reservoir (LASr) phase after the first cycle of chemotherapy (C1v-LAEF and C1v-LASr, respectively) were significantly associated with the development of CTRCD [C1v-LAEF (HR=1.040; 95%CI: 1.000-1.082; P=0.047); C1v-LASr (HR=1.024; 95%CI: 1.000-1.048; P=0.048)]. The sensitivity and specificity were 50.0% and 93.3%, respectively, for C1v-LAEF predicting CTRCD when C1v-LAEF > 19.68% was used as the cut-off value, and were 66.7% and 75.6%, respectively, for C1v-LASr predicting CTRCD when C1v-LASr > 14.73% was used as the cut-off value. The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for C1v-LAEF and C1v-LASr predicting CTRCD were 0.694 and 0.707, respectively. CONCLUSIONS GLS changes among patients with subclinical impairment of cardiac function who were treated with fluorouracil-based chemotherapies, and C1v-LAEF and C1v-LASr of the left atrium are early predictors of cardiac function deterioration.
Humans ; Fluorouracil/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Aged ; Echocardiography ; Prospective Studies ; Adult ; Heart/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVE: Clinical characteristics and outcome in COVID-19 with brucellosis patients has not been well demonstrated, we tried to analyze clinical outcome in local and literature COVID-19 cases with brucellosis before and after recovery. METHODS: We retrospectively collected hospitalization data of comorbid patients and prospectively followed up after discharge in Heilongjiang Infectious Disease Hospital from January 15, 2020 to April 29, 2022. Demographics, epidemiological, clinical symptoms, radiological and laboratory data, treatment medicines and outcomes, and follow up were analyzed, and findings of a systematic review were demonstrated. RESULTS: A total of four COVID-19 with brucellosis patients were included. One patient had active brucellosis before covid and 3 patients had nonactive brucellosis before brucellosis. The median age was 54.5 years, and all were males (100.0%). Two cases (50.0%) were moderate, and one was mild and asymptomatic, respectively. Three cases (75.0%) had at least one comorbidity (brucellosis excluded). All 4 patients were found in COVID-19 nucleic acid screening. Case C and D had only headache and fever on admission, respectively. Four cases were treated with Traditional Chinese medicine, western medicines for three cases, no adverse reaction occurred during hospitalization. All patients were cured and discharged. Moreover, one case (25.0%) had still active brucellosis without re-positive COVID-19, and other three cases (75.0%) have no symptoms of discomfort except one case fell fatigue and anxious during the follow-up period after recovery. Conducting the literature review, two similar cases have been reported in two case reports, and were both recovered, whereas, no data of follow up after recovery. CONCLUSION These cases indicate that COVID-19 patients with brucellosis had favorable outcome before and after recovery. More clinical studies should be conducted to confirm our findings.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Brucellosis ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome ; Case Reports as Topic