[Thickness of A1 Pulley Measured by High-frequency Ultrasound and Its Influence Factors in Healthy Volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate A1 pulley thickness of flexor tendon in healthy volunteers and to analyze its influence factors. METHODS: The study included 90 healthy volunteers and the A1 pulley thickness at bilateral fingers was measured using high frequency ultrasound. The following parameters were recorded for each participant: age, gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: High-frequency ultrasound can clearly show A1 pulley. There was no significant difference in A1 pulley thickness between the bilateral fingers ( P>0.05). A1 pulley thickness was significantly different in different fingers ( P<0.05). Further comparison showed that A1 pulley thickness could be divided into two subsets: thumb and little finger ((0.196±0.051) mm), index, middle and ring fingers ((0.230±0.055) mm). A1 pulley thickness was positively correlated with age ( r=0.468, P<0.001). The normal reference ranges for thumb and little finger were 0.09-0.23 mm, 0.12-0.30 mm and 0.12-0.32 mm, respectively. The normal reference ranges for index, middle and ring fingers were 0.11-0.27 mm, 0.15-0.35 mm and 0.17-0.35 mm in volunteers aged 3-19 yr., 20-49 yr., and ≥50 yr., respectively. Gender and BMI had negligible impact on A1 pulley thickness ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION: High-frequency ultrasound can clearly show and measure A1 pulley. Site and age should be taken into account when determining the reference range of normal A1 pulley thickness. High-frequency ultrasound can be a quantitative evaluation method for A1 pulley lesions.

[Quantitative Assessment of Skin Thickness using High Frequency Ultrasound in Systemic Sclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the performance of high frequency ultrasound in the assessment of skin thickness in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: The study included 82 SSc (SSc group) and 67 healthy volunteers (control group) from 2014 to 2016. The skin thickness at bilateral middle fingers and forearms,anterior chest and abdominal wall was measured using high frequency ultrasound. All the patients with SSc underwent the modified rodnan skin score (mRSS) over 17 anatomical sites by an experienced dermatologist. The differences in age,sex,height,body mass,body mass index (BMI) and skin thickness between SSc patients and healthy controls were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the performance of high frequency ultrasound in the differentiation of SSc from healthy skin,and the correlation of mRSS with skin thickness were analyzed. RESULTS: SSc patients and healthy controls shared similar demographic features (age,sex ratio,height,body mass,BMI) (P>0.05). Skin thickness values in SSc patients were increased significantly at fingers and forearms compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.938, 0.905, 0.608, 0.586, 0.398, 0.321 at right and left finger,right and left forearm,chest and abdominal wall. Among them,AUC>0.9 of right and left fingers can be used for diagnosis,The skin thickness cut-off value for determining the diagnosis of SSc were as follows: 1.35 mm at the right finger with 84.1% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity,1.26 mm at the right forearm with 86.6% sensitivity and 89.6% specificity,respectively. Skin thickness increased significantly with mRSS. The correlation of total mRSS scores with total skin thickness was 0.599 (P<0.001),and the correlation of local mRSS score with local skin thickness were 0.400-0.623 (P<0.001),with the highest correlation coefficient at right finger and the lowest at abdomen. CONCLUSION: High frequency ultrasound may reflect extent of skin involvement of SSc,and skin thickness assessed with high frequency ultrasound appeared to be highly specific and sensitive at fingers.

[The Value of High Frequency Color Doppler Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Solid Skin Tumorsa-a Preliminary Study].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the value of high frequency color doppler ultrasonography in differentiating benign and malignant skin solid tumors. METHODS: Clinical and ultrasonic data of cutaneous solid tumors confirmed by pathology in our hospital were collected. The differences in clinical and sonographic features between benign and malignant tumors were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 512 patients, involving 527 cases of skin solid tumors, were enrolled in this study. The ultrasonic detected 99.43% of the cases, with 99.02% accuracy in locating the lesions. The benign and malignant tumors showed differences in patient age, location, multiple occurance, location and depth, surface skin condition, tumor size, echo, morphology, uniformity, calcification, blood flow status, tumor rear area and peripheral echo, and pathological requests ( P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High frequency ultrasound has excellent detection rate of skin tumors, which can locate invasion depth of skin accurately. Benign and malignant skin tumors show differences in a number of clinical and ultrasound features.

[Ultrasound Manifestations of Eyes of Pediatric Patients with Morning Glory Syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze ultrasonic manifestations of eyes of pediatric patients with morning glory syndrome (MGS). METHODS: Clinical data and ultrasound (US) findings for six children (4 males and 2 females, 5-60 months old) diagnosed with MGS between 2005 and 2016 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 12 eyes, seven were diagnosed with MGS; one with cataract; the other four were normal. One child had both eyes diagnosed with MGS. Of the seven eyes with MGS (5 right, 2 left), one was small associated with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV); 2 had retinal detachment. Findings of high frequency ultrasound included local anechoic lesions with distinct boundary showing a convert bottle-neck shape that appeared in the area of optic disk of posterior pole. The lesions communicated with the vitreous caicy and extended to the optic nerves. The lesions had a maximum depth of 4-15 mm [(8.29±4.42) mm] and a maximum width of 4-11 mm [(6.86±2.67) mm]. Hypoecho material was found in the bottom of five of the seven lesions. The distance between the end of the optic nerves and the bottom of the lesions ranged from 0 to 4.5 mm. Lower levels (Adler 0-1 grade) of blood flow in the bottom of the lesions were found compared with those (3-5 grade) in the rim of the lesions. CONCLUSION: MGS is rare and usual occurs in young children, especially infants. It is often associated with various eye complications. The ultrasound manifestations of MGS are characterized with a local anechoic lesion mimicking a convert bottle-neck shape in the area of optic disk of posterior pole.

[Ultrasonic Features of Enthesitis: a Comparison Between Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris and Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ultrasonic features of enthesitis between psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 39 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA group), 60 with psoriasis vulgaris (non-PsA group) and 60 healthy people (control group) participated in this study. They were examined by two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasound on the entheses of bilateral femoral quadriceps tendons, patella tendons, Achilles tendons, plantar fasciae, common flexor tendons and common extensor tendons. RESULTS: About 45% (27 cases) healthy controls had enthesitis, with Achilles tendons and femoral quadriceps tendons being most likely affected. No blood flow signal was observed on the affected sites. About 63% (38 cases) of non-PsA patients had enthesitis, with Achilles tendons and femoral quadriceps tendons being most likely affected. Blood flow signals were observed on 4 affected sites. More than 84% (33 cases) PsA patients had enthesitis, with all locations being likely affected but mostly on Achilles tendons, femoral quadriceps tendons, and plantar fasciae. Blood flow signals were observed on 18 affected sites. The differences in prevalence of enthesitis were statistically significant (PsA group>non-PsA group>control group, all P<0.01), although the differences in tendon hypoechogenicity and enthesophytes among the groups showed no statistical significance. PsA and non-PsA patients were more likely to have tendon thickening than the controls (both P<0.01); but no difference appeared between PsA and non-PsA patients. PsA patients had higher prevalence of intratendinous calcifications, bony erosions and color Doppler signals than non-PsA patients and the controls (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Enthesitis in healthy people and non-PsA patients are most likely to affect Achilles tendon and femoral quadriceps tendons. By contrast, Achilles tendons, femoral quadriceps tendon and plantar fascia are more likely to be affected in patients with PsA. PsA patients have high prevalence of enthesitis and are more likely to have intratendinous calcifications, bony erosions and color Doppler signals.

[Risk factors for unintentional injury among children in rural areas of Liling, Hunan Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for unintentional injury among children in the rural areas of Liling, Hunan Province, China, as a basis for developing prevention and intervention measures for unintentional injury in rural children. METHODS: A total of 3 257 students, aged between 5 and 16 years from 4 middle schools and 2 primary schools in eastern and western rural areas of Liling were recruited in October 2013 by stratified sampling and cluster sampling. The general personal information and data on family backgrounds, living environment, and incidence of unintentional injury were collected from all subjects through a self-designed questionnaire. The risk factors for childhood unintentional injury were assessed by an unconditional multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of the 3 257 subjects, 356 (10.93%) were injured during the 12-month period prior to the study. The univariate analysis showed that unintentional injury in these subjects was related to sex, left-behind status, times of internet surfing in internet bars per week, parent companion or not, age of guardian, degree of harmony of parents' marital relationship, employment status of one or both parents as a migrant worker, storage of fireworks and firecrackers at home or not, violence in residential areas, and participation or not in violence in residential areas. The unconditional multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the major risk factors for unintentional injury in these subjects were male gender (OR=0.751, P=0.013), left-behind status (OR=1.779, P<0.001), storage of fireworks and firecrackers at home (OR=1.337, P=0.028) and violence around residential areas (OR=1.517, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Risk for unintentional injury is multifactorial among children in the rural areas of Liling, Hunan. To reduce the incidence of unintentional injury in children in Liling, particular attention should be paid to boys, left-behind children, children who have home storage of fireworks and firecrackers and children who are living in areas with frequent violence.

Effect of scutellarin on BV-2 microglial-mediated apoptosis in PC12 cells via JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.

Previous studies have shown that scutellarin inhibits the excessive activation of microglia, reduces neuronal apoptosis, and exerts neuroprotective effects. However, whether scutellarin regulates activated microglia-mediated neuronal apoptosis and its mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether scutellarin can attenuate PC12 cell apoptosis induced by activated microglia via the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway. Microglia were cultured in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) medium, which acted as a conditioning medium (CM) to activate PC12 cells, to investigate the expression of apoptosis and JAK2/STAT3 signalling-related proteins. We observed that PC12 cells apoptosis in CM was significantly increased, the expression and fluorescence intensity of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-3 were increased, and expression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was decreased. Phosphorylation levels and fluorescence intensity of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway-related proteins JAK2 and STAT3 decreased. After treatment with scutellarin, PC12 cells apoptosis as well as cleaved caspase-3 and Bax protein expression and fluorescence intensity decreased. The expression and fluorescence intensity of Bcl-2, phosphorylated JAK2, and STAT3 increased. AG490, a specific inhibitor of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway, was used. Our findings suggest that AG490 attenuates the effects of scutellarin. Our study revealed that scutellarin inhibited OGD-activated microglia-mediated PC12 cells apoptosis which was regulated via the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.

High SNRPA1 expression leads to poor prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: SNRPA1, a subunit of spliceosome complex, has been implicated in diverse cancers, while its biological effect in LUAD remains elusive. Therefore, we sought to decipher the relationship between SNRPA1 expression and the prognosis of patients with LUAD and reveal the underlying molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the clinical data from TCGA databases, the multivariate Cox model was constructed to screen the prognostic value of SNRPA1. qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to examine SNRPA1 mRNA and protein expression in LUAD. The effect of SNRPA1 on LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial mesenchymal transformation were examined using colony formation assays, wound healing, and western blot assays, respectively. Finally, the influence of SNRPA1 on LUAD immune microenvironment were validated from the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource database. RESULTS: SNRPA1 was significantly upregulated in both LUAD tissues and cell lines, and highly expressed SNRPA1 contributed to poor prognosis of LUAD patients. In vitro, SNRPA1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration, as well as delayed the EMT differentiation of LUAD cells. Lastly, SNRPA1 was found to be positively associated with immune infiltration and some immune-check-point markers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that SNRPA1 may be a new biomarker for prognostic prediction and a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of LUAD.

[Features of pathological changes in the non-myelin sheath of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathological changes in the non-myelin sheath by observing histological damages to the neurofilament protein and apoptosis of neurons in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and EAE (24 rats in each group). Behavioral changes were observed. Inflammation reactions and demyelination were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining and LOYEZ staining.The level of neurofilament was detected by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of the neuron in the spinal cord was detected by TUNEL. RESULTS: Behavioral and histological results confirmed that the model of EAE rats was prepared successfully. In the EAE group, typical morphological features of axonal damage (sparsed axonal density, axonal distortion, axonal transection and even axonal disappearance) were found from the seventh day after immunization and the morphological changes were the most obvious on the fourteenth day. Neurofilament density in the EAE group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01) at 7, 14 and 21 days after immunization. The neuronal apoptosis index in the EAE group at 7, 14 and 21 days after immunization was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to inflammatory demyelination, axonal damage and neuronal apoptosis can be observed in the early stage of EAE. Pathological changes may be associated with neurological dysfunction.

[A survey of neonatal births in maternity departments in urban China in 2005].

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology of births in urban China. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on neonates born in 2005 in the maternity departments of 72 urban hospitals from 22 provinces in China. RESULTS: A total of 45722 infants born between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005 were enrolled. The male to female sex ratio was 1.13:1. Preterm births accounted for 8.1%. The incidence of very low birth weight infants was 0.7%. A total of 99.7% of mothers delivering at term had conceived naturally and 0.3% had experienced assisted reproduction. A total of 98.4% of mothers who delivered preterm had conceived naturally and 1.6% had experienced assisted reproduction. The proportion of vaginal deliveries was 50.8% compared to 49.2% delivered by cesarean sections. Many cesarean sections (38.1%) were due to social factors. Infants with an Apgar score≤7 at 1 minute accounted for 4.8%, and 1.6% of infants had an Apgar score≤7 at 5 minutes. Of all the infants included in the study, 7.14% were admitted to neonatal units for treatment. The death rate of all included infants was 0.74%. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of preterm births was higher in 2005 than in 2002-2003. The proportion of cesarean section deliveries was much higher in urban China than in most other Asian countries and America.

The role of ß-catenin signaling pathway on proliferation of rats neural stem cells after hyperbaric oxygen therapy in vitro.

ß-catenin, a protein that functions in both cell adhesion and Wnt signaling, plays a key role in mammalian neural development. To investigate the role of ß-catenin in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO)-induced neurogenesis after hypoxic ischemic brain damage (HIBD), we transfected ß-catenin siRNA and negative control siRNA into neural stem cells (NSCs) after HIBD. We found that HBO promoted NSCs differentiate into neurons or oligodendrocytes, and inhibited NSCs differentiate into astrocytes; HIBD brain tissue extract conditioned cultures promoted NSCs differentiate into neurons; ß-Catenin siRNA decreased the NSE-positive neurons and increased GFAP-positive astrocytes in the NSCs in vitro. Furthermore, the expression of Ngn1 protein and mRNA in NSCs was increased when HBO promoted NSCs differentiate into neurons after HIBD, and the expression of BMP-4 protein and mRNA was decreased when HBO depressed NSCs differentiate into astrocytes after HIBD. These results showed that ß-catenin-mediated transcriptional activation functions in the decision of NSCs to proliferate neurogenesis during HBO-induced after HIBD, and suggested that HBO therapy promotes the proliferation of neural stem cells in vitro, an effect that may be correlated with ß-catenin protein and HBO therapy could promote neurogenesis by ß-catenin-induced activated Ngn1 gene and repress astrocytogenesis by ß-catenin-induced down-regulated BMP-4 gene.

[Effects of baicalin on apoptosis in rats with autoimmune encephalomyelitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic efficacy of baicalin and its effect on apoptosis of inflammatory cells in spinal cords in Wistar rats with autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: Forty-four rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (control, n=10), EAE group (n=12), and two intervention groups with dexamethasone (DXM) or baicalin. Seven days after immunization, the two intervention groups were injected intraperitoneally with DXM (1 mg/kg) and baicalin (200 mg/kg) for 1 week, respectively. The spinal cords were removed 14 days after immunization, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. MBP expression in spinal cords was detected by immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis of inflammatory cells in spinal cords was detected by TUNEL. RESULTS: The weight gain rate in the untreated EAE and the DXM or baicalin intervention groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The weight gain rate in the baicalin intervention group was significantly higher than that in the untreated EAE and the DXM intervention groups (P<0.05). The scores of neurological function in the two intervention groups were significantly higher than that in the untreated EAE group (P<0.05). DXM or baicalin treatment significantly increased the MBP expression compared with the untreated EAE group (P<0.05). The apoptosis of inflammatory cells increased more in the DXM and the baicalin intervention groups compared with the untreated EAE groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Baicalin has protective effects against EAE in rats. It can promote the apoptosis of inflammatory cells in spinal cords.

[An epidemiologic investigation of newborns from obstetric departments in the central south region of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the birth information of newborn infants from obstetric departments in the Central South Region of China. METHODS: A retrospective investigation was carried out in 15582 newborns from obstetric departments of 23 hospitals in the Central South Region of China between January 1 and December 31 of 2005. RESULTS: The sex ratio (male/female) of neonates was 1.16∶1. The proportion of preterm infants was 8.11%. The very low birth weight infants accounted for 0.73%. The neonates born by spontaneous labor accounted for 57.52%. Cesarean sections accounted for 40.82% (social factor of cesarean section: 29.91%). The incidence of neonatal asphyxia was 3.78%, in which 0.75% of the cases were severe asphyxia. The mortality of newborn infants was 0.55%, in which the mortality of preterm infants was 5.56%. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of preterm infants and the incidence of neonatal asphyxia is high in the Central South Region of China. The proportion of births delivered by cesarean section is high, and social factors are probably responsible for the high rate.

KRT7 promotes epithelial­mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer via the TGF­ß/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Keratin 7 (KRT7) is a member of the keratin gene family. KRT7 is abnormally expressed in various types of cancer and promotes the malignant progression of tumors. However, the role of KRT7 in ovarian cancer remains unclear. The present study aimed to validate the role of KRT7 in ovarian cancer progression. KRT7 expression levels in patients with ovarian cancer were analyzed using data obtained from the Human Protein Atlas and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. KRT7 mRNA and protein expression levels were upregulated in ovarian cancer tissue compared with normal tissue. KRT7 expression was associated with the grading, staging and poor prognosis of ovarian cancer. The differentially expressed genes affected by KRT7 were primarily enriched in the functions of cell migration, cell adhesion and cell growth. In vitro studies, including a CCK8 assay, were used to detect cell proliferation. In addition, wound healing and transwell assays were performed to analyze cell migration. The results demonstrated that KRT7 overexpression was associated with increased proliferation, migration and epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ovarian cancer cells, and the migration and EMT of ovarian cancers cells were decreased following knockdown with KRT7 small interfering RNA. In vivo, knockdown of KRT7 inhibited tumor growth of ovarian cancer. Furthermore, KRT7 regulated EMT in ovarian cancer via the TGF­ß/Smad2/3 pathway, and regulated cell­matrix adhesion through integrin­ß1­focal adhesion kinase signaling. These results suggest that KRT7 may be a potential molecular marker for prognosis prediction in patients with ovarian cancer.

[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen administered at different pressures and different exposure time on differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) administered at different pressures and different exposure time on the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. METHODS: The cerebral cortices from newborn rats (0-3 days old) were sterilely collected, digested, and centrifuged. After removal of the supernatant, the cells were re-suspended with DMEM/F12 medium containing B27, bFGF and EGF. The NSCs of 2-3 passages were randomly divided into seven groups: a control (untreated) and 6 HBO treatment groups that NSCs were subjected to HBO treatment of different pressures (1, 2 or 3 ATA) and different exposure time (30 or 60 minutes). The differentiated NSCs were examined by neuron-specific enolase (NSE) immunocytochemistry 24 hrs later. Percentage of NSE positive cells differentiated from NSCs was assessed by fluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: The percentage of NSE positive cells differentiated from NSCs was the highest in the HBO 2ATA-60 min group (9.17+/-0.50%) (P<0.01), followed by the HBO 3ATA-60 min (7.89+/-0.62%), HBO 2ATA-30 min (6.72+/-0.76%), HBO 3ATA-30 min (6.08+/-0.57%), HBO 1ATA-60 min (5.45+/-0.52%), HBO 1ATA 30 min (3.85+/-0.44%) and control groups (3.72+/-0.88%). In addition to the HBO 1ATA-30 min group, the other HBO treatment groups had increased significantly percentage of NSE positive cells compared with the control group (P<0.01). Under the same pressure, the 60 min treatment groups had increased significantly percentage of NSE positive cells compared with the 30 min treatment groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HBO treatment (2 ATA, 60 minutes) produces a best effect in the differentiation of NSCs into neurons.

LINC00963 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Proliferation, Migration and EMT via the miR-378g /CHI3L1 Axis.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) are involved in the development and progression of numerous tumors. Nevertheless, their role in ovarian cancer (OC) needs further study. METHODS: A pivotal lncRNA that modulated OC to metastasize was determined in this research, and its potential mechanism was inquired by qRT-PCR, CCK-8, EdU, Transwell assay, wound healing assay and Western blot assay. RESULTS: In our study, the GSE119054 microarray was analyzed, and LINC00963 showed a significant higher level in ovarian cancer tissues compared with controls. So LINC00963 was selected as research object. It was discovered that LINC00963 displayed a close relationship with unfavorable prognosis, and it was prominently raised in OC tissues of patients with lymph node metastasis. What's more, LINC00963 downregulation in OC cells inhibited cell migration and invasion and inverted EMT triggered by TGF-ß1. LINC00963 downregulation also inhibited tumorigenesis in nude mice. In addition, results show that LINC00963 is a cytoplasmic lncRNA that shares the miRNA response elements (MREs) of miR-378g with CHI3L1, which is confirmed by a luciferase reporter assay and AGO2-dependent RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). CONCLUSION: On the whole, our results demonstrate an explicit oncogenic role of LINC00963 in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis via competition with miR-378g, suggesting a new regulatory mechanism of LINC00963 and providing a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer patients.

circKRT7-miR-29a-3p-COL1A1 Axis Promotes Ovarian Cancer Cell Progression.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNA (circRNA) has emerged as an important regulator in the progression of human diseases. However, the role of circRNAs in ovarian cancer remains largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA sequencing and PCR were used to identify the existence and expression of circKRT7. The targeting relationship between circKRT7/miR-29a-3p and miR-29a-3p/COL1A1 was verified by fluorescence reporter assay. In vitro, colony formation, transwell and wound healing assay were used to detect the effects of circKRT7 and miR-29a-3p on the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells. In vivo, xenograft tumor model was performed to validate the role of circKRT7 and miR-29a-3p in tumor growth. RESULTS: We found that circKRT7 can promote the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells by absorbing miR-29a-3p, which leads to the up-regulation of COL1A1. In vitro, knock-down of circKRT7 can inhibit the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. This effect of circKRT7 is achieved by adsorbing miR-29a-3p and subsequently COL1A1 release. In vivo experiments, the reduction of circKRT7 expression can also slow tumor growth, and this inhibition was partly counteracted after miR-29a-3p repression. CONCLUSION: Overall, circKRT7 promotes EMT-related cell progression by absorbing miR-29a-3p in ovarian cancer. This suggests the crucial role of circular RNA in the malignant evolution in cancer.

[Adenovirus-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor165 gene therapy in treatment of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutical effect of adenovirus-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)165 gene transplantation in treatment of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. METHODS: Recombinant vector of adenovirus-mediated VEGF165 gene (Ad-VEGF) was constructed by bacterial homologous recombination technology. Sixty 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) group undergoing ligation of the left common carotid artery and inhalation of 8% oxygen for 2 hours, Ad-VEGF group undergoing injection of Ad-VEGF into the left sensorimotor cortex with the help of stereo-positioner 3 days after hypoxia-ischemia (HI), and sham operation group. Seven days after transplantation, 5 rats from each group were killed with their left brains taken out. The VEGF protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the neuron apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated deoxyuridine triphosphate nickel end labeling (TUNEL). Since the age of 28 days T-maze foraging test was conducted. At the age of 34 days, sensorimotor tests were performed. After the behavioral tests all the rats were killed. The number of neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex was detected by Nissl's staining. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed that the density levels of VEGF positive cells in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the Ad-VEGF group were (68.09 +/- 3.37) and (68.37 +/- 3.17) respectively, both significantly higher than those of the HIBD group [(24.65 +/- 3.14) and (25.14 +/- 1.86) respectively, both P < 0.05]. TUNEL showed that the number of apoptotic neurons of the Ad-VEGF group was (151.4 +/- 21.7), significantly lower than that of the HIBD group [(264.4 +/- 16.3), P < 0.05]. Behavioral tests showed the percentages of accuracy on day 4 of the Ad-VEGF and sham operation groups were both significantly higher than that of the HIBD group (both P < 0.01). Nissl's staining showed that the numbers of neurons per unit area in the hippocampal CA1 area and cortex of the Ad-VEGF group were (70.6 +/- 2.3) and (95.1 +/- 2.8) respectively, both significantly higher than those of the HI group [(55.3 +/- 2.1) and (70.1 +/- 2.7) respectively, both P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Adenovirus vector-mediated VEGF gene therapy increases the VEGF protein expression, decreases neuron apoptosis, improves the long-term behavioral function after brain damage, and reduces hypoxic ischemic brain injury, thus possessing neuroprotective effects.

[Expression of blood Toll-like receptors and cytokines in children with recurrent herpes simplex].

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in children with recurrent herpes simplex, in order to investigate the role of TLR2 and TLR9 in recurrent herpes simplex. METHODS: The expression of TLR2 and TLR9 in PBMC was examined by flow cytometer, and serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were detected using ELISA in 22 children with recurrent herpes simplex and in 13 age-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The expression of both TLR2 and TLR9 obviously increased in children with recurrent herpes simplex compared with that in healthy controls (p<0.01). Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 increased, while serum TNF-alpha levels decreased significantly in children with recurrent herpes simplex compared with those in healthy controls (p<0.01). There were positive correlations between TLR2 and TLR9 expression and serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in children with recurrent herpes simplex (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TLR2 and TLR9 in PBMC may participate in the recognition of herpes simplex virus and activate the signal pathway of TLR in children with recurrent herpes simplex. The production and release of IL-6 and IL-10 might be mediated by TLR2 and TLR9.