BACKGROUND:Carnosic acid,a bioactive compound found in rosemary,has been shown to reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species(ROS).However,its mechanism of action in osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast activation,ROS production,and mitochondrial function. METHODS:Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages from mice were extracted and cultured in vitro.Different concentrations of carnosic acid(0,10,15,20,25 and 30 μmol/L)were tested for their effects on bone marrow-derived macrophage proliferation and toxicity using the cell counting kit-8 cell viability assay to determine a safe concentration.Bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in graded concentrations and induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand for osteoclast differentiation for 5-7 days.The effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast differentiation and function were then observed through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining,F-actin staining,H2DCFDA probe and mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker fluorescence detection.Western blot and RT-PCR assays were subsequently conducted to examine the effects of carnosic acid on the upstream and downstream proteins of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced MAPK signaling pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining showed that carnosic acid dose-dependently inhibited in vitro osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation in the cell cytoskeleton,with the highest inhibitory effect observed in the high concentration group(30 μmol/L).Carnosic acid exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect during the early stages(days 1-3)of osteoclast differentiation compared to other intervention periods.Fluorescence imaging using the H2DCFDA probe,mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker demonstrated that carnosic acid inhibited cellular and mitochondrial ROS production while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential,thereby influencing mitochondrial function.The results of western blot and RT-PCR revealed that carnosic acid could suppress the expression of NFATc1,CTSK,MMP9,and C-fos proteins associated with osteoclast differentiation,and downregulate the expression of NFATc1,Atp6vod2,ACP5,CTSK,and C-fos genes related to osteoclast differentiation.Furthermore,carnosic acid enhanced the expression of antioxidant enzyme proteins and reduced the generation of ROS during the process of osteoclast differentiation.Overall,carnosic acid exerts its inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of the P38/ERK/JNK protein and activating the MAPK signaling pathway in bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Lung cancer ranks among the most prevalent and deadliest malignancies worldwide.Despite significant strides in targeted therapies and immunotherapy for lung cancer,curing the disease remains a highly prioritized issue.Circular RNAs(circRNAs),recently discovered RNA molecules characterized by covalently closed loop structures,possess features such as structural stability,sequence conservation,and disease-specific expression.Cutting-edge medical research has linked circRNA dysregulation to the progression of various cancers.Among these,circular RNA HIPK3(circHIPK3),an oncogenic gene primarily derived from the second exon of the HIPK3 gene,has emerged as a focal point of investigation.Increasing evi-dences suggest that circHIPK3 is involved in the development of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and other malignancies.Aberrant expression of circHIPK3 is closely associated with the disease mechanisms,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of NSCLC.This review discusses the latest research advancements on circHIPK3 in NSCLC,aiming to promote precise diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the infection status, serotype distribution, drug sensitivity and molecular characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in patients with diarrhea in Guangdong Province. Methods Fecal samples were collected, cultured and isolated by traditional methods. Suspected Escherichia coli isolates were confirmed by multiplex PCR used for detecting specific virulence genes and bio-chemical methods. Positive strains were serotyped, characterized for drug sensitivity and analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis ( PFGE). Results The total positive rate of DEC in patients with diarrhea was 6.26%. The positive rates of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), enteroadherent Escherichia coli (EAEC) and en-teroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) were 2. 47% , 1. 54% , 1. 32% , 0. 62% and 0. 09% , respectively, with infections primarily in children aged 0-<7 years. The total seropositive rate was 52. 54% , with EHEC accounting for 15. 00% . DEC showed high sensitivity to imipenem, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime and cefo-taxime. The multidrug resistance rate of DEC was 58. 45% , with EPEC being the most serious for multidrug resistance. PFGE results showed that ETEC, EHEC, EPEC and EAEC had a high degree of polymorphism. Conclusion EPEC is the predominant type of DEC circulating in Guangdong Province. Third-generation cephalosporins are the first drugs of choice for treating infections in children. Ciprofloxacin can be used to treat adults. The problem of multiple drug resistance of DEC is severe and efforts to monitor DEC infections and drug resistance should be strengthened.

Objective To investigated the etiologic characteristics of Shigella (S.) sonnei strains causing outbreaks and sporadic cases in some areas of Guangdong province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during 2014-2016. Methods Fourteen S. sonnei strains isolated from outbreaks and 6 S. sonnei strains from sporadic cases from Guangdong and Liuzhou of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were tested for antimicrobial resistance and analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Six typical strains were selected for whole genome sequencing typing and compared with 51 strains isolated both at home and abroad from NCBI genome database. Results The antibiotic resistance test indicated the isolates had high resistance rate to ampicillin, tetracycline, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and nalidixic acid, while sensitive to azithromycin, chloromycetin and imipenem. PFGE showed high similarity (93.2%) among the strains isolated from different areas. The whole genome sequencing analysis also revealed that all the typical strains wereclustered into a same evolution branch, close to some strains from Korea. Conclusions The S. sonnei strains isolated from some areas of Guangdong and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region showed high resistance to commonly used antibiotics, but they were sensitive to azithromycin, chloramphenicol and imipenem. The isolates in this study also showed similar PFGE patterns and close phylogenic evolution.

Objective:To investigate the effect of upregulated and downregulated PSMA7 on the cell cycle and Cyclin D1,CDK4,P16,Rb of RB pathway in A549 cells.Methods:Transfected upregulated pcDNA3.1-PSMA7 vecter and downregulated pGPU6/Hygro-PSMA7-265 vecter into A549 cells,and then tested the effect of PSMA7 on the cell cycle of A549 cells by flow cytometry,and detected the protein level of Cyclin D1,CDK4,P16,Rb by Western blot.Results:Compared with the control group,the cell cycle of the A549 cells did not change significantly,and the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4 decreased but P16,Rb increased when PSMA7 was upregulated.Compared with the control group,the proportion of phase G0/G1,G2/M of the A549 cells decreased and phase S increased,and the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4 increased but P16,Rb decreased when PSMA7 was downregulated.There was statistical significance for those results.Conclusion:PSMA7 could affect the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,P16,Rb protein level of RB pathway in A549 and promoted the A549 cells into phase S when it′s downregulated.

Objective To analyze the serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance characteristics of Salmonella strains isolated in Guangdong province for better understanding the condition of Salmonella infection in patients with diarrhea.Methods Fecal samples collected from patients with diarrhea in Guangdong province were used to isolate Salmonella strains.Biochemical analysis was performed to identify these isolated strains.Serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were carried out for further analysis of the isolated Salmonella strains.Results The rate of Salmonella infection was 7.64％in 2015, and the male to female patient ratio was 1.52∶1.A total of 2 377 patients of all age groups were positive for Salmonella infection and the patients aged 0-6 years accounted for 81.74％.The isolation rate of Salmonella strains in the summer and autumn was higher than that in the winter and spring (10.73％ vs 4.24％;X2=463.77, P<0.01).The Salmonella isolation rates in different areas were as follows: 16.82％ in Zhuhai, 15.85％ in Heyuan, 11.81％ in Yangjiang, 10.68％ in Jiangmen, 8.49％ in Zhongshan, 8.07％ in Maoming, 8.05％ in Jieyang, 7.35％ in Shaoguan, 6.97％ in Foshan, 6.03％ in Dongguan, 5.48％ in Guangzhou and 0.00％ in Zhanjiang.And the differences between different regions were statistically significant (X2=367.67, P<0.01).The 2 377 isolated Salmonella strains were classified into 108 serotypes except for oneSalmonella strain that could not be classified.The top four predominant serotypes were 4,5,12:i:-, Salmonella enteritidis,Salmonella stanley and Salmonella typhimurium.Most Salmonella strains were sensitive to imipenem, azithromycin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, but multidrug resistance was common among those strains.Conclusion Salmonella serotypes of 4,5,12:i:-and Salmonella enteritidis are the predominant pathogens causing human Salmonella infections in Guangdong province.Ceftazidime and cefotaximeare are preferred in the treatment of Salmonella infections.Surveillance for drug resistance in Salmonella should be strengthened as multidrug resistant strains have become a serious problem in Guangdong province.

No abstract available.
Neodymium* ; Onychomycosis* ; Pilot Projects*

Objective To prepare simulated stool specimens for proficiency testing ( PT) by mix-ing lentils with Salmonella, Shigella and Escherichia coli strains and to establish an assessment scheme for the detection of Salmonella and Shigella in clinical samples. Methods Salmonella, Shigella and Escherich-ia coli strains were respectively spiked to lentils in Cary-Blair transport medium to create simulated stool specimens. Various ratios of Escherichia coli to Salmonella strains were spiked to lentils to prepare mixed simulated stool specimens. The accuracy and stability of prepared stool samples for PT were tested in-house. Results of sample detection were collected from participating laboratories for further external quality assess-ment. Results The Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains mixed at ratios of 100 ∶ 1 to 106 ∶ 1 could be ef-ficiently isolated from the media. Enrichment was needed in order to effectively isolate Salmonella strains from the media when the ratios of Escherichia coli to Salmonella strains were 104 ∶ 1 to 106 ∶ 1. Of the16 participating laboratories, 14 laboratories (87. 5%) received a grade of“satisfactory” and the other 2 labo-ratories (12. 5%) received a grade of “mainly satisfactory”. Conclusion The simulated stool specimens and the PT procedures designed in this study were suitable for proficiency testing program on the detection of Salmonella, Shigella and other similar microbes.

Objective To synthetize a novel MR molecular imaging probe named USPIO?PEG?tLyP?1,and to evaluate its value in detecting U87 cells by MR imaging. Methods USPIO?PEG?tLyP?1 was synthetized by conjugating USPIO?PEG with tLyP?1. Neuropilin?1 expression levels of glioma cell lines were detected by Western blot. The cytotoxicity of USPIO?PEG and USPIO?PEG?tLyP?1 were assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. The uptake efficiency of USPIO?PEG?tLyP?1 was measured by Prussian blue staining, transmission electron microscope and MR imaging in vitro. Results The novel MR molecular imaging probe was synthetized with an average diameter of 43.84 nm. U87 glioma cell line was screened as test subject for the highly expression of NRP?1(P<0.05). USPIO?PEG?tLyP?1 group showed much more intracellular blue particles than USPIO?PEG group after Prussian blue staining. After incubation,USPIO?PEG?tLyP?1 mainly existed in lysosme,endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. In vitro MRI showed that USPIO?PEG?tLyP?1 significantly enhanced the negative contrast effect compared with USPIO?PEG(P<0.01). Conclusion The decoration of tLyP?1 enhanced targeting ability of USPIO?PEG to glioma cells and MR molecular imaging can be a promising method for early diagnosis of gliomas.

Objective To evaluate the role of complement receptor 3 (CR3) on murine macrophages in the recognition of Penicillium marneffei.Methods RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells were cultured in vitro,and divided into four groups to be cocultured with inactivated and live Penicillium mameffei yeast cells as well as inactivated and live Penicillium marneffei conidia respectively at 37 ℃ in 5％ CO2 for one hour.The RAW264.7 cells incubated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) served as the blank control group.Then,reverse transcription-PCR was conducted to detect CR3 mRNA expression,Western blot to measure CR3 protein expression,flow cytometry to determine phagocytosis rate,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify cytokine levels in culture supernatant.Some RAW264.7 macrophages were transfected with a specific siRNA targeting CR3 gene and cocultured with inactivated Penicillium marneffei conidia,subsequently,phagocytosis rate and supematant cytokine levels were determined.Data were processed by the SPSS 16.0 software,and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted for inter-group comparisons of these parameters.Results No significant differences were observed in the mRNA or protein expressions of CR3 among the four groups of RAW264.7 cells cocuhured with different forms of Penicillium marneffei (both P ＞ 0.05).The phagocytosis rate was 95.14％,89.56％,91.03％ and 90.78％ in RAW264.7 cells cocultured with inactivated conidia and yeast cells,as well as live conidia and yeast cells of Penicillium marneffei,respectively (P ＞ 0.05).The levels of interleukin (IL)-2,interferon (IFN)-γ,IL-4 and IL-10 in culture supernatant were increased at different degrees after one-hour coculture in the four coculture groups compared with the blank control group,but no statistical difference was noted among the four coculture groups in the supernatant levels of these cytokines (all P ＞ 0.05).After coculture with inactivated Penicillium marneffei conidia,the siRNA-transfected RAW264.7 cells showed a statistical decrease in phagocytosis rate (10.89％ vs.92.78％,P ＜ 0.05) and supernatant levels of IL-2,IFN-γ IL-4 and IL-10 compared with untransfected RAW264.7 cells.Conclusions In early stage of innate immunity,CR3 on macrophages may be one of the pattern recognition receptors participating in the recognition and mediation of phagocytosis of Penicillium marneffei.It's possible that both Thl-and Th2-type cytokines,such as IL-2,IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-10,are involved in the immune response of macrophages against Penicillium marneffei.