Vitrification cryo-foil method for shoot tip cryopreservation and virus eradication in apple.

Establishment of a new method for improved shoot tip cryopreservation is crucial to facilitate the long-term preservation of plant germplasm as well as the use of cryotherapy for pathogen eradication. The present study reported a vitrification (V) cryo-foil method for shoot tip cryopreservation and virus eradication in apple. Shoot tip regrowth levels after cryopreservation were comparable among V cryo-foil (53 %), V cryo-plate (46 %) and conventional droplet vitrification (Dr-vi, 48 %).

Fucoidan from Ascophyllum nodosum and Undaria pinnatifida attenuate SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in vivo by suppressing ACE2 and alleviating inflammation.

The global healthcare challenge posed by COVID-19 necessitates the continuous exploration for novel antiviral agents. Fucoidans have demonstrated antiviral activity. However, the underlying structure-activity mechanism responsible for the inhibitory activity of fucoidans from Ascophyllum nodosum (FUCA) and Undaria pinnatifida (FUCU) against SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear.

A Phase 3 clinical trial validating the potency and safety of an innovative, extra-long-acting interferon in chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Aim: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel mono-pegylated, extra-long-acting interferon. It is administered infrequently and showed good tolerability and clinical activity for the chronic hepatitis B or C treatment in our previous Phase 2 clinical trials. This study aims to validate the potency and safety of this novel agent in a Phase 3 chronic viral hepatitis setting.

[Prevention from PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs of malignant tumor patients with moxibustion combined with plucking at Jiquan (HT 1): a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion combined with plucking technique at Jiquan (HT 1) for preventing peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs of malignant tumor patients.

Methods: A total of 80 malignant tumor patients undergoing PICC were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine care for PICC was exerted.

Long Noncoding RNA TFAP2A-AS1 Suppressed Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Modulating miR-933/HDAC11.

Objective: Studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in multiple tumor types and regulate various biological processes. The present study tried to study lncRNA TFAP2A-AS1 in HBV infection hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: The level of TFAP2A-AS1 and miR-933 in HCC cell and samples were detected by qRT-PCR assay.

[Impacts of Riparian Buffer Zone Type on Reduction in Runoff Pollution in the North Canal River Under Different Rainfall Events].

The impact of non-point source pollution on the water quality of the North Canal River is becoming increasingly prominent. In this study, the riparian buffer zones (RBZ) of the Nansha River and Beisha River, the inlet tributaries of the Shahe Reservoir in the North Canal basin, were selected to investigate the purification effect of riparian buffer zones on runoff pollution during the rainfall process. Two RBZ types, Type I RBZ (levee-flood control retaining wall-woodland-grassland) and Type Ⅱ RBZ (levee-woodland-grassland), were classified by the distribution characteristics of RBZ structure and plant communities in the North Canal River basin.

[Spatio-temporal Evolution and Relationship of Water Environment Quality and Phytoplankton Community in Wenyu River].

The Wenyu River is an important ecological corridor of Beijing. In this study, the spatio-temporal dynamics of water quality and phytoplankton community in the Wenyu River in 2006, 2011, and 2018, as well as their relationship were thoroughly analyzed by historical data analysis and field surveys. Results show that the water quality in the Wenyu River improved significantly from serious pollution owing to pollution containment.

MicroRNA-802 induces hepatitis B virus replication and replication through regulating SMARCE1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Growing evidences have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate hepatitis B virus (HBV) expression and replication, playing crucial roles in the development of HBV infection. Until now, the functional role and mechanism of miR-802 in HBV replication and expression remain unknown. We indicated that miR-802 expression was upregulated in the HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues compared with the adjacent noncancerous samples.

Maslinic acid protects against lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury in mice.

Acute liver injury is a life-threatening syndrome that often caused by hepatocyte damage. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of maslinic acid (MA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/d-galactosamine (D-gal)-induced acute liver injury and clarified its mechanism. Mice acute liver injury model was induced by given LPS and D-gal and MA was given intraperitoneally 1 h before LPS and D-gal.

Effects of fluoride-ion-implanted titanium surface on the cytocompatibility in vitro and osseointegatation in vivo for dental implant applications.

As an attractive technique for the improvement of biomaterials, Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) has been applied to modifying the titanium material for dental implant application. The present study investigated the cytocompatibility and early osseointegration of fluoride-ion-implanted titanium (F-Ti) surface and implants, both characterizing in their composition of titanium oxide and titanium fluoride. The cytocompatibility of F-Ti was evaluated in vitro by using scanning electron microscope, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, alkaline phosphatase activity assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Association of Upregulated HMGB1 and c-IAP2 Proteins With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development and Progression.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most important health problems in China.

Objectives: This study analyzed expression of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 (c-IAP2) proteins in HCC compared to paired para-tumor tissue samples to assess the association with HCC pathogenesis and progression.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-eight HCC and para-tumor tissue samples were collected for Western blot, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses of HMGB1 and c-IAP2.

Effects of selenium-enriched Agaricus blazei Murill on liver metabolic dysfunction in mice, a comparison with selenium-deficient Agaricus blazei Murill and sodium selenite.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of Se-enriched Agaricus blazei Murill (Se-AbM) on liver injury in mice induced by acute alcohol administration. Mice received ethanol (5 g/kg body weight (BW)) by gavage every 12 h for a total of 3 doses. Se-AbM was administrated before ethanol administration.

Antitumor and immunomodulating activity of a polysaccharide from Sophora flavescens Ait.

The immunostimulatory activity of Sophora flavescens polysaccharide (SFPW1) was evaluated by using in vitro cell models and in vivo animal models. The results demonstrated that SFPW1 could effectively inhibit the tumor growth in H22 tumor-bearing mice and promote the splenocyte proliferation, thus resulting in a prolonged life survival. For assay in vitro, SFPW1 significantly strengthened peritoneal macrophages to devour H22 tumor cells and stimulated macrophages to produce nitric oxide (NO) via up-regulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity.

Regulatory T-cell responses in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs compared with healthy subjects and untreated infected individuals.

Background/aims: The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to evaluate the clinical effects and host immune response in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with either entecavir (ETV)or adefovir dipivoxil (ADV).

Methodology: Forty-two patients diagnosed with CHB were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either ADV (n=19) or ETV(n=18) and were followed for a minimum of 96 weeks.Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis B e antigen and antibody (HBeAg, HBeAb), alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were measured at baseline and every 24 weeks until study completion.

Interactions between CYP1A1 polymorphisms and cigarette smoking are associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: evidence from epidemiological studies.

The Cytochrome P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1) gene has been implicated in the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the associations of polymorphisms in CYP1A1 gene with HCC risk.

GST polymorphisms are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma risk in Chinese population.

Aim: To investigate the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Chinese population.

Methods: Literature databases including PubMed, ISI web of science and other databases were searched. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were calculated using random- or fixed- effects model.

Proteomic alterations in mouse kidney induced by andrographolide sodium bisulfite.

Aim: To identify the key proteins involved in the nephrotoxicity induced by andrographolide sodium bisulfite (ASB).

Methods: Male ICR mice were intravenously administrated with ASB (1000 or 150 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) for 7 d. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the specific activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in kidneys were measured.

Comparison of Hantaan and Seoul viral infections among patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Heilongjiang, China.

Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a serious public health problem in China, and is primarily caused by either the Hantaan virus (HTNV) or Seoul virus (SEOV) strains. However, the causative hantavirus has only been definitively identified in a few HFRS cases, and detailed comparisons of patient data for the 2 strains are limited.

Methods: We conducted a 1-y prospective study in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Protection from H1N1 influenza virus infections in mice by supplementation with selenium: a comparison with selenium-deficient mice.

The present paper describes protective effects of supplemental selenium in mice infected with influenza virus. The effects of supplemental selenium on serum selenium levels, mortality, lung virus titers, and cytokine titers were investigated in mice inoculated intranasally with suspensions of influenza virus. Whereas the mortality of the virus-infected Se-deficient mice was 75%, along with a marked reduction in body weight, lower levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ and lower serum selenium concentrations, the mortality of mice maintained on feed containing 0.

Differentially expressed genes identified by microarray analysis following leptin treatment of hepatic stellate cells.

Background: Liver fibrosis is the process through which numerous chronic liver diseases develop into liver cirrhosis. Leptin can activate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and play an important role in the formation of liver fibrosis. However, the process by which leptin activates HSCs is complicated, and research on this process is limited.

Determination of oropharyngeal pathogenic colonization in the elderly community.

Background: Pneumonia has become the predominant cause of death for the elderly. It is critical to determine the status of oropharyngeal pathogen colonization in the elderly when treating pneumonia. To explore the efficient approaches to treat age-related pneumonia, we determined the status of oropharyngeal pathogenic colonization in the elderly community.

[Screening up-regulated genes in hepatic stellate cells treated with PDGF-BB using suppression subtractive hybridization technique].

Objective: To construct a subtractive cDNAs library of up-regulated genes in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique, to clone the up-regulated genes associated with its regulation effects, and to elucidate the mechanism of the molecular biology of hepatic fibrosis involved in PDGF-BB.

Methods: The mRNA was isolated from HSCs stimulated with PDGF-BB and controlled with identical cells untreated with PDGF-BB, and then the cDNAs were synthesized. The cDNAs were designated as tester and driver.

Analysis of secreted proteins during conidial germination of Aspergillus oryzae RIB40.

To broaden our understanding of extracellular proteins of Aspergillus oryzae at the conidial germination stage, analyses of the secreted proteins during germination were carried out. Taka-amylase A (TAA), glucoamylase (GLAA), and aspergillopepsin A (PEPA) were identified as the main products by peptide mass fingerprinting. TAA and PEPA were detected simultaneously with the formation of germ tubes.