Description: Background: High-level expression of NAD(P)H: quinoneoxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) has been correlated with many types of human cancers, suggesting that NQO1 plays important roles in tumor occurrence and progression. This study attempted to explore the role of NQO1 in tumor progression and prognostic evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Total 164 tissue samples, including 150 NSCLC paired with the adjacent non-tumor tissues and 14 normal lung tissues, were picked-up for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of the NQO1 protein, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining was also performed to detect the subcellular localization of the NQO1 protein in A549 human lung cancer cells. The correlation between NQO1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated by Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact tests. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of NSCLC patients were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: The NQO1 protein showed a mainly cytoplasmic staining pattern in lung cancer cells, including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Both positive rate and strongly positive rate of NQO1 protein expression were significantly higher in NSCLC (59.3% and 28.0%) than that in adjacent non tumor (8.0% and 1.3%) and normal lung tissues (0%). The positive rate of NQO1 was related with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis, and the strongly positive rate of NQO1 protein was significantly correlated with tumor size, poor differentiation, advanced clinical stage and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. Additionally, survival analyses showed that the patients with NQO1 positive expression had lower OS rates compared with those with NQO1 negative expression in the groups of T1-2, T3-4, without LN metastasis and stage I-II of NSCLC, respectively; however, in the groups of patients with LN metastasis or III-IV stages, OS rate was not correlated with NQO1 expression status. Moreover, multivariate analysis suggested that NQO1 emerged as a significant independent prognostic factor along with tumor size, differentiation, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage in patients with NSCLC. Conclusions: NQO1 is upregulated in NSCLC, and it may be a useful poor prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for patients with NSCLC.

Description: Background: Mycoheterotrophic orchids are achlorophyllous plants that obtain carbon and nutrients from their mycorrhizal fungi. They often show strong preferential association with certain fungi and may obtain nutrients from surrounding photosynthetic plants through ectomycorrhizal fungi. Gastrodia is a large genus of mycoheterotrophic orchids in Asia, but Gastrodia species’ association with fungi has not been well studied. We asked two questions: (1) whether certain fungi were preferentially associated with G. flavilabella, which is an orchid in Taiwan and (2) whether fungal associations of G. flavilabella were affected by the composition of fungi in the environment. Results: Using next-generation sequencing, we studied the fungal communities in the tubers of Gastrodia flavilabella and the surrounding soil. We found (1) highly diversified fungi in the G. flavilabella tubers, (2) that Mycena species were the predominant fungi in the tubers but minor in the surrounding soil, and (3) the fungal communities in the G. flavilabella tubers were clearly distinct from those in the surrounding soil. We also found that the fungal composition in soil can change quickly with distance. Conclusions: G. flavilabella was associated with many more fungi than previously thought. Among the fungi in the tuber of G. flavilabella, Mycena species were predominant, different from the previous finding that adult G. elata depends on Armillaria species for nutritional supply. Moreover, the preferential fungus association of G. flavilabella was not significantly influenced by the composition of fungi in the environment.

Description: Background: Platelets play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute and chronic complications following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Platelet inhibition is a cornerstone in the management of these patients. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder characterized by premature platelet destruction mediated by autoantibodies. The safety of antiplatelet therapy and PCI in patients who have ACS and ITP is unknown. The aim of the present study is to discuss the management strategies for patients who have ACS and ITP and to review limited data available in the literature.Case presentationWe report the case of a patient with ITP who underwent three separate coronary interventions. The first PCI with stenting was performed in the left anterior descending artery 5 years ago while the patient suffered an anterior acute myocardial infarction, and the platelet count at admission was 90 × 10 9 /L. The patient presented with recurrent ACS and severe in-stent restenosis 5 years after the first PCI, and the platelet count at admission was 18 × 10 9 /L, and elevated to 87 × 10 9 /L after platelets transfusion. He was treated successfully with cutting balloon angioplasty under anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin and antiagregation with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. Four months later after cutting balloon angioplasty, the patient received an intracoronary stent when he once again presented with recurrent ACS in the setting of restenosis. The patient has been observed for 1.5 years without restenosis after the third PCI. Conclusion: We reviewed all the cases in the literature involving PCI and discussed the management strategies in patients with ITP and ACS. Available data suggest that PCI can be safe and feasible, and the risk–benefit equation of PCI procedures and antiplatelet therapies should be carefully evaluated, and the treatment should be individualized.

Description: To extract, purify, and identify the effective constituents of aqueous extract of Fructus Chebulae Immaturus, and analyze the bactericidal effects of total tannins.

Description: Background: Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important post-translational modifications involved in the regulation of plant growth and development as well as diverse stress response. As a member of the Poaceae, Brachypodium distachyon L. is a new model plant for wheat and barley as well as several potential biofuel grasses such as switchgrass. Vegetative growth is vital for biomass accumulation of plants, but knowledge regarding the role of protein phosphorylation modification during vegetative growth, especially in biofuel plants, is far from comprehensive. Results: In this study, we carried out the first large-scale phosphoproteome analysis of seedling leaves in Brachypodium accession Bd21 using TiO2 microcolumns combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and MaxQuant software. A total of 1470 phosphorylation sites in 950 phosphoproteins were identified, and these phosphoproteins were implicated in various molecular functions and basic cellular processes by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Among the 950 phosphoproteins identified, 127 contained 3 to 8 phosphorylation sites. Conservation analysis showed that 93.4% of the 950 phosphoproteins had phosphorylation orthologs in other plant species. Motif-X analysis of the phosphorylation sites identified 13 significantly enriched phosphorylation motifs, of which 3 were novel phosphorylation motifs. Meanwhile, there were 91 phosphoproteins with both multiple phosphorylation sites and multiple phosphorylation motifs. In addition, we identified 58 phosphorylated transcription factors across 21 families and found out 6 significantly over-represented transcription factor families (C3H, Trihelix, CAMTA, TALE, MYB_related and CPP). Eighty-four protein kinases (PKs), 8 protein phosphatases (PPs) and 6 CESAs were recognized as phosphoproteins. Conclusions: Through a large-scale bioinformatics analysis of the phosphorylation data in seedling leaves, a complicated PKs- and PPs- centered network related to rapid vegetative growth was deciphered in B. distachyon. We revealed a MAPK cascade network that might play the crucial roles during the phosphorylation signal transduction in leaf growth and development. The phosphoproteins and phosphosites identified from our study expanded our knowledge of protein phosphorylation modification in plants, especially in monocots.

Description: Background: The role of beta-adrenergic stimulation on viral myocarditis has been investigated in animal models of viral myocarditis. Excess stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors by catecholamines causes phosphorylation/activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) by the cAMP signaling pathway. CREB as an important regulator of gene expression mediates the cardiovascular remodeling process and promotes anti-inflammatory immune responses. However, the CREB expression and phosphorylation have not been studied, and the effects of carvedilol (a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist) on the CREB has not been investigated in the setting of acute viral myocarditis. Methods: This study was therefore designed to examine the effects of carvedilol on the transcriptional factor CREB in a murine model of acute viral myocarditis. In a coxsackievirus B3 murine myocarditis model (Balb/c), effects of carvedilol on plasma noradrenaline, heart rate and blood pressure, myocardial histopathological changes and fibrosis, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, cardiac CREB and phosphorylated CREB, cytokine levels, and viral RNA were studied. Results: The expression and phosphorylation of CREB were decreased with concomitant increase of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in murine coxsackievirus-induced acute viral myocarditis. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were correlated with the expression of CREB or phosphorylated CREB. Carvedilol increased the cardiac CREB expression and phosphorylation and decreased the plasma catecholamine levels and the production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha with amelioration of acute viral myocarditis. Conclusion: These results show that CREB may be involved in the pathophysiology of viral myocarditis and carvedilol exerts some of its beneficial effects by increasing the CREB expression and phosphorylation.

Description: Background: In recent years, catheter ablation has increasingly been used for ablation of idiopathicpremature ventricular complexes (PVCs) or ventricular tachycardias (IVTs). However, themapping and catheter ablation of the arrhythmias originating from the vicinity of tricuspidannulus (TA) may not be fully understood. This study aimed to investigate electrophysiologiccharacteristics and effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for patients withsymptomatic PVCs and IVTs originating from the vicinity of TA. Methods: Characteristics of body surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrophysiologic recordingswere analyzed in 35 patients with symptomatic PVCs/ IVTs originating from the vicinity ofTA. RFCA was performed using pace mapping and activation mapping. Results: Among the 35 patients with PVCs/IVTs arising from the vicinity of TA, complete eliminationof PVCs/IVTs could be achieved by RFCA in 32 patients (success rate 91.43%) during amedian follow-up period of 21 months. PVCs/IVTs originating from the vicinity of TA haddistinctive ECG characteristics that were useful for identifying the precise origin. An rSpattern was recorded in lead V1 in 93.1% of patients with PVCs/IVTs from the free wall ofTA, vs 16.7% of patients with PVCs/IVTs from the septal TA, whereas a QS pattern in leadV1 occurred in 83.3% of patients with PVCs/IVTs from the septal TA vs 6.9% of patientswith PVCs from the free wall of the TA. The precordial R wave transition occurred by leadV3 or earlier in all patients with PVCs/IVTs originating from the septal portion of the TA, ascompared to transition beyond V3 in all patients with PVCs/IVTs from the free wall of theTA. Conclusions: RFCA is an effective curative therapy for symptomatic PVCs/IVTs originating from thevicinity of TA. There are specific characteristics in ECG and the ablation site could belocated by ECG analysis.

Description: Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been used for the ablation of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or ventricular tachycardia (VT). To date, the mapping and catheter ablation of the arrhythmias originating from the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) has not been specified. This study investigates the electrocardiogram (ECG) feature of PVCs or VT originating from the LVOT. Moreover, the treatment outcome of RFCA is analyzed. Methods: Mapping and ablation were performed on the supravalvular or subvalvular aorta in 52 cases with PVCs/VT originating from the LVOT. The data were compared with those from 104 patients with PVCs/VT originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). A differential procedure was prepared based on the comparison of the ECG features of PVCs/VT originating from the RVOT, LVOT, and their different parts. Results: Among 52 cases with PVCs originating from the LVOT, 47 were successfully treated by RFCA, with a success rate of 90.38%. Several differences among the 12-lead ECG features were observed from the RVOT and LVOT in the left and right coronary sinus groups, as well as under the left coronary sinus group (left fibrous trigone): (1) If the precordial leads transition 0 are considered as the diagnostic parameters of PVCs/VT originating from the LVOT, then the sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values are 94.12%, 93.00%, 87.27%, and 96.88%, respectively; (2) The analysis of different subgroups of the LVOT are as follows: (a) A mainly positive wave of r or m pattern was recorded in the lead I in 72.73% of patients in the right coronary sinus group, versus 12.90% of patients in the left coronary sinus group, and 0% in the under left coronary sinus group. (b) All patients in the right coronary sinus group presented waves of RII〉RIII and QSaVR〉QSaVL, whereas most patients in the other two groups showed waves of RIII〉RIIand QSaVL〉QSaVR. (c) Most patients in the under left coronary sinus group in lead V1 had a mainly positive wave (R) (77.78%), whereas those in the right (81.82%) and left (62.50%) coronary sinus groups had mainly negative waves (rS). Conclusions: RFCA is a safe and effective curative therapy for PVCs/VT originating from the LVOT. The 12-lead ECG features of the LVOT from different origins exhibit certain distinctions.

Description: Background: A higher prevalence of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) occurs in younger adults in Asia. We used Stomach Age to examine the different mechanisms of CAG between younger adults and elderly individuals, and established a simple model of cancer risk that can be applied to CAG surveillance. Methods: Stomach Age was determined by FISH examination of telomere length in stomach biopsies. Deltapsim was also determined by flow cytometry. Sixty volunteers were used to confirm the linear relationship between telomere length and age while 120 subjects were used to build a mathematical model by a multivariate analysis. Overall, 146 subjects were used to evaluate the validity of the model, and 1,007 subjects were used to evaluate the relationship between prognosis and Deltaage (calculated from the mathematical model). ROC curves were used to evaluate the relationship between prognosis and Deltaage and to determine the cut-off point for Deltaage. Results: We established that a tight linear relationship between the telomere length and the age. The telomere length was obvious different between patients with and without CAG even in the same age. Deltapsim decreased in individuals whose Stomach Age was greater than real age, especially in younger adults. A mathematical model of Stomach Age (real age + Deltaage) was successfully constructed which was easy to apply in clinical work. A higher Deltaage was correlated with a worse outcome. The criterion of Deltaage 〉3.11 should be considered as the cut-off to select the subgroup of patients who require endoscopic surveillance. Conclusion: Variation in Stomach Age between individuals of the same biological age was confirmed. Attention should be paid to those with a greater Stomach Age, especially in younger adults. The Deltaage in the Simple Model can be used as a criterion to select CAG patients for gastric cancer surveillance.