Gartanin Protects Neurons against Glutamate-Induced Cell Death in HT22 Cells: Independence of Nrf-2 but Involvement of HO-1 and AMPK.

Oxidative stress mediates the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Gartanin, a natural xanthone of mangosteen, possesses multipharmacological activities. Herein, the neuroprotection capacity of gartanin against glutamate-induced damage in HT22 cells and its possible mechanism(s) were investigated for the first time. Glutamate resulted in cell death in a dose-dependent manner and supplementation of 1-10 µM gartanin prevented the detrimental effects of glutamate on cell survival. Additional investigations on the underlying mechanisms suggested that gartanin could effectively reduce glutamate-induced intracellular ROS generation and mitochondrial depolarization. We further found that gartanin induced HO-1 expression independent of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2). Subsequent studies revealed that the inhibitory effects of gartanin on glutamate-induced apoptosis were partially blocked by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of HO-1. Finally, the protein expression of phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream signal molecules, Sirtuin activator (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), increased after gartanin treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest gartanin is a potential neuroprotective agent against glutamate-induced oxidative injury partially through increasing Nrf-2-independed HO-1 and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathways.

Neolignans from Aristolochia fordiana Prevent Oxidative Stress-Induced Neuronal Death through Maintaining the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in HT22 Cells.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the stems of Aristolochia fordiana led to the isolation of six new dihydrobenzofuran neolignans (1-3 and 7-9), three new 2-aryldihydrobenzofurans (4-6), a new 8-O-4' neolignan (10), and 14 known analogues (11-24). The structures of compounds 1-10 were established by spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by analyses of the specific rotation and electronic circular dichroism data. The neuroprotective effects of compounds 1-24 against glutamate-induced cell death were tested in hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22. Compounds 17 and 20-24 exhibited moderate neuroprotective activity by increasing the endogenous antioxidant defense system. In addition, the neolignans activated the Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) pathway, resulting in the increase of the expression of endogenous antioxidant protein HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1). The active compounds also preserved the levels of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2), which was decreased by glutamate. Collectively, these results suggested that the active neolignans protect neurons against glutamate-induced cell death through maintaining the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway as well as preserving the Bcl-2 protein and might be promising novel beneficial agents for oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Genomic sequence analysis of a new reassortant infectious bursal disease virus from commercial broiler flocks in Central China.

We report the complete nucleotide sequence of a reassortant infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus (IBDV) HN isolate from commercial broiler flocks in central China. The genome consisted of 3,232 and 2,652 nucleotides in the coding regions of segments A and B, respectively. Alignment of both nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genome segments A and B of HN were derived from the attenuated strain B87 and the VV strain OKYM. This is a new reassortant IBDV strain that has emerged in nature, involving segment A of a cell-culture-adapted attenuated vaccine strain B87.

[Evaluation of optimal dosage of heparin in hemodialysis patients by thromboelastograph].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the blood coagulation function and investigate the appropriate dose of unfractionated heparin by thromboelastograph in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. METHODS: Thirty MHD patients were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups. The total dose of unfractionated heparin was below 80 u/kg in the low-dose group (LH, n=16), while it exceeded 80 u/kg in the high-dose group (HH, n=14). Blood routine tests and conventional coagulation examinations were measured before hemodialysis. TEG and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were examined at the beginning and the end of hemodialysis at the arterial circuit, and the second hour (h 2) at the venous circuit. RESULTS: The initial bolus dose of unfractionated heparin for LH and HH groups were (26.6±6.2) u/kg vs. (42.3±8.2) u/kg and the repeated maintenance dose for both the groups were (13.7±5.1) u/kg/h vs. (18.2±4.3) u/kg/h. No significant difference was noticed in results from blood routine tests and conventional coagulation parameters between the two groups. In LH group, the increase of APTT at h 2 of hemodialysis was significant compared with the baseline, while it recovered partly at the end of hemodialysis. R value prolonged at h 2 and the end of hemodialysis. CI value was more negative at the end of hemodialysis. In HH group, APTT obviously prolonged at h 2 and the end of hemodialysis. R value also obviously prolonged at h 2 of hemodialysis. At the end of hemodialysis, R and K values prolonged, MA value reduced, and CI value was more negative. APTT was significantly different between the two groups at h 2 of hemodialysis. At the end of hemodialysis, APTT was still extended in HH group, but there was no significant difference. R value at h 2, and R, K, MA, CI values at the end of hemodialysis were significantly different between the two groups. R values at the end of hemodialysis had a direct correlation with the dose of unfractionated heparin (r=0.403, P=0.041), but APTT had not. There was no significant difference in transmembrane pressure, venous pressure and filter clotting between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Low-dose heparin is effective and safe as anticoagulant in hemodialysis. TEG shows that the blood coagulation function is more sensitive than conventional coagulation parameters and is useful to anticoagulant therapy in MHD patients.

Perilipin2 inhibits the replication of hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid by regulating autophagy under high-fat conditions.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is often associated with increased lipid deposition in hepatocytes. However, when combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or hyperlipidemia, it tends to have a lower HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) load. The relationship between lipid metabolism and HBV DNA replication and its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. AIM: To investigate the relationship between lipid metabolism and HBV DNA replication and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: 1603 HBsAg-seropositive patients were included in the study. We first explored the relationship between patients' lipid levels, hepatic steatosis, and HBV DNA load. Also, we constructed an HBV infection combined with a hepatic steatosis cell model in vitro by fatty acid stimulation of HepG2.2.15 cells to validate the effect of lipid metabolism on HBV DNA replication in vitro. By knocking down and overexpressing Plin2, we observed whether Plin2 regulates autophagy and HBV replication. By inhibiting both Plin2 and cellular autophagy under high lipid stimulation, we examined whether the Plin2-autophagy pathway regulates HBV replication. RESULTS: The results revealed that serum triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein levels, and hepatic steatosis ratio were significantly lower in the HBV-DNA high load group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that hepatic steatosis and serum triglyceride levels were negatively correlated with HBV-DNA load. Stratified analysis by HBeAg showed significant negative correlations between HBV-DNA load and hepatic steatosis ratio in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative groups. An in vitro cell model was developed by stimulating HepG2.2.15 cells with palmitic acid and oleic acid to study the relationship between HBV-DNA load and lipid metabolism. The results of the in vitro experiments suggested that fatty acid treatment increased lipid droplet deposition and decreased the expression of cell supernatant HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA load. Western blot and polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that fatty acid stimulation significantly induced Plin2 protein expression and inhibited the expression of hepatocyte autophagy proteins. Inhibition of Plin2 protein expression under fatty acid stimulation reversed the reduction in HBsAg and HBeAg expression and HBV DNA load induced by fatty acid stimulation and the inhibition of cellular autophagy. Knocking down Plin2 and blocking autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) inhibited HBV DNA replication. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, lipid metabolism is a significant factor affecting HBV load in patients with HBV infection. The in vitro experiments established that fatty acid stimulation inhibits HBV replication via the Plin2-autophagy pathway.

[Correlative Analysis between Production of Platelet HLA-â Antibody and HLA-A, B Genes in Patients with Malignant Hematological Diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the production of platelet HLA-Ⅰ antibody and HLA-A, B genes in patients with malignant hematological diseases, and explore the susceptible gene for producing platelet HLA-Ⅰ antibody. METHODS: Patients with malignant hematological diseases who had received multiple platelet transfusion were selected as the research objects in the Department of Hematology of our hospital. Platelet HLA-I antibody were screened by ELISA, and the patients were divided into positive and negative groups according to the results. HLA-A and B genes were sequenced after genomic DNA was extracted, and the frequencies of them were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The positive rate of platelet HLA-I antibody was 22.95%. A total of 13 HLA-A alleles and 14 HLA-B alleles were obtained after the HLA-A and B genes sequencing in 100 cases. The frequencies of HLA-A*24, HLA-A*30, and HLA-B*13 were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). Frequencies of HLA-A*30 and HLA-B*13 in the positive group were lower than those in the negative group (RR=0.107, 0.387), but HLA-A*24 was higher (RR=1.412). After high-resolution typing of HLA-A*24, HLA-A*30, and HLA-B*13, frequencies of HLA-A*24∶02, HLA-A*30∶01, and HLA-B*13∶02 were significantly different between the two groups, the RR value was 1.412, 0.107, and 0.125, 95%CI was 0.961-2.075, 0.016-0.721, and 0.300-0.515, respectively. CONCLUSION: HLA-A*24∶02 may be a susceptible gene for producing platelet HLA-Ⅰ antibody in patients with malignant hematological diseases, while HLA-A*30∶01 and HLA-B*13∶02 may be two protective genes.

[The Efficacy of Rh Phenotype Matched Blood Transfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and evaluate the efficacy of Rh phenotype matched blood transfusion. METHODS: The increasing of hemoglobin (Hb) and hemolysis tests in the patients treated by Rh matched red blood cells or not, as well as the first time unmatched transfusions and the unmatched transfusions happened again after a period (≥10 d) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 674 times transfusions in 120 patients were evaluated. The increasing of Hb in each unit was higher in the patients treated by Rh matched blood transfusion (vs unmatched) [(33.397±1.475) g/U vs (29.951±1.304) g/U, P=0.033], while the increasing of Hb at first time unmatched transfusion and the second time unmatched transfusion was not statistically different[ (28.942±2.083) g/U vs (30.686±1.737) g/U, P=0.589]. The level of lactate dehydrogenase were related to erythrocyte washing, irradiation, period of validity and the second time unmatched transtusion (all P<0.05); the levels of total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil) and indirect bilirubin (IBil) between the first time unmatched transfusion and the second time unmatched transfusion were statistically different (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: For the patients need multiple blood transfusions, Rh phenotype matched blood transfusion can reduce the exposure to Rh allogenic antigens, improve the efficacy and ensure the safety of blood transfusion.

[Clinical Characteristics and Survival Analysis of Patients with IgD Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features, prognosis and survival of patients with IgD multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: The clinical data of 20 patients with IgD MM was analyzed retrospectively. The prognostic factors and survival analysis was carried out. We summarized their clinical characteristics. The survival analysis was carried out by Kaplan-Meier method, and the prognostic factor were analyzed by using log-rank test for single factor analysis of observation index. Variables of P<0.15 in single factor analysis were enrolled in multifactor cox regression analysis. RESULTS: IgD MM patients accounted for 4.3% of all MM patients in the same period, among which 80% were male, the median age of patients was 57.5(35-77) years old, 90% of the patients belongs to λ light chain type. At the time of diagnosis, 18 patients (90%) were in DS-Ⅲ stages, while 10 patients were in ISS-Ⅲ stage. The first clinical manifestations were fatigue, bone pain, kidney function impairment, anemia (Hb<100 g/L) in 14 cases (70%), 12 cases (60%) with osteolytic bone destruction≥3, combined with renal impairment in 8 cases (40%), and elevated blood calcium in 11 cases (51.4%). In only 5 patients the ratio of albumin to globntin was inverted, hypoalbuminemia accounted for 40%, and globulin increase accounted for only 15%. FISH results showed that the positive rate of 1q21 amplification (50%) was the highest, and it was easy to occur at the same time as other cytogenetic abnormalities. Extramedullary infiltration occurred in 4 cases (20%). The analysis of prognostic factors showed that only the increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was an independent poor prognostic factor for IgD MM patients. Extramedullary infiltration and various cytogenetic abnormalities were found in 2 IgD MM patients with primary drug resistance, suggesting that extramedullary infiltration and various cytogenetic abnormalities may be prognostic factors, but the difference was not statistically significant, Which maybe related to the small sample size. All 20 patients were treated with bortezomib-containing regimen, of which 19 patients were evaluated, 17 patients (89.4%) showed effective, including CR+VGPR (52.6%), PR (31.5%), MR (5.3%), 2 patients primary drug resistance. The median PFS and OS was 9.5 and 10.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: IgD MM is a rare and invasive disease. Increased LDH is an independent prognostic factor. Bortizomib-containing regimen can improve the prognosis of IgD MM patients.

[Clinical Analysis of 46 Cases of Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of clinical baseline data on prognosis in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) complicated by extramedullary disease (EMD). METHODS: The clinical data of 46 MM patients with EMD were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data and survival prognosis of MM patients in primary EMD group and recurrent EMD group were analyzed. The classified baseline data were expressed by the number of cases (percentage), the χ2 test was used to compare the two classification data groups. The OS and PFS curves were drawn by multiplication positive limit method (Kaplan-Meier). Log-rank test was used for the univariate analysis of prognosis, and COX proportional risk regression model was used for the multiple factors of prognosis. RESULTS: ß 2 microglobulin≥2.7 g/L, lactic dehydrogenase≥250 U/L, serum calcium≥2.75 mmol/L, plasma cells in bone marrow≥60% were the poor prognostic factors for PFS. Serum calcium≥2.75 mmol/L and the plasma cells in bone marrow≥60% were the poor prognostic factors for OS. Multivariate regression analysis enroling the statistically significant factors in univariate analysis baseline date in factors in showed that plasma cell level≥60% in bone marrow was independent poor prognostic factors for PFS, and serum calcium≥2.75 mmol/L was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS. The IgG type is the most common type of MM complicated by EMD. The remission depth of primary EMD group≥VGPR was lower than that of recurrent EMD group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), and the median OS time of patients with primary EMD group was shorter than that of patients with recurrent EMD group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The 3-year survival rates of primary EMD group and recurrent EMD group were 10.0% and 34%, respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 0 and 20%, respectively, there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The remission depth of primary EMD group≥VGPR is lower than that of recurrent EMD group，and the OS time of patients in primary EMD group is shorter than that in recurrent EMD group. Bortezomib-based chemotherapy could not improve the prognosis of patients with primary EMD and recurrent EMD, and the prognosis of patients with primary EMD is even worse.

[Clinical Characteristic, Prognosis and Treatment Outcome of Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients with Impaired Renal Function].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors, prognosis and curative effect of elderly patients with MM renal damage. METHODS: 118 patients with primary elderly MM treated in our hospital from January 2011 to December 2018, were enrolled analyzed retrospectively. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of renal function impairment group (RI group) and normal renal function group (non-RI group) were compared. The difference of renal efficacy and survival benefit between the patients treated with bortezomib, thalidomide (combination group) and chemotherapy regimen containing only one of them (single drug group) in RI group was compared. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that DS stage, pulmonary infection, uric acid, ß 2 microglobulin and leukocyte in RI group were higher than those in non-RI group, but hemoglobin was lower than that in non-RI group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ß 2 microglobulin was the independent risk factor for renal damage in elderly patients with MM. Kaplan-Meier method showed that the OS and PFS in RI group were significantly lower than those in non-RI group (P<0.05). The renal efficacy in the combined treatment group was significantly better than that of the single drug group (P<0.05), and it could bring benefit to the PFS of the elderly patients with MM renal damage (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of elderly MM patients with impaired renal function is poor. The prognosis of these patients can be improved by selecting chemotherapy regimen containing bortezomib and thalidomide at the same time, and monitoring, controlling all kinds of risk factors actively.

Standards of care for Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon in China.

Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) is a rare disease that is characterized by severe thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulation dysfunction caused by kaposiform hemangioendothelioma or tufted hemangioma. This condition primarily occurs in infants and young children, usually with acute onset and rapid progression. This review article introduced standardized recommendations for the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnostic methods and treatment process of KMP in China, which can be used as a reference for clinical practice.

[Association between polymorphism in DVWA and IL-1beta and Kashin-Beck disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between IL-1beta and DVWA gene and Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). METHODS: Peripheral genomic DNA were extracted from 105 patients with KBD and 98 healthy controls. PCR-RFLP were performed to detect SNP loci of IL-1beta gene and DVWA gene. RESULTS: The patients with KBD had significantly higher frequency of rs16944 (IL-1beta) locus (chi2 = 24.28, P < 0.001) and single allele frequency of rs16944 (chi2 = 5.683, P = 0.0171) than the healthy controls. There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies,single allele frequencies and haplotypes in rs4685241 and rs1143627 between the patients with KBD and the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: rs16944 (IL-1beta) is associated with KBD.

[Effects of Different Storage Time and Temperature on Coagulation Function of Fresh Frozen Plasma after Thawing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the coagulation function changes of fresh frozen plasma storaged at different storage time and temperature after thawing. METHODS: Forty unit of fresh frozen plasma were collected, and thawed at 37 °C for 25 minutes. Each unit was divided into 2 halves: one was stored at (4±2)°C for 72 hours and the other one was stored at (25±2) °C for 72 hours. At the time point of 0, 4, 24, 48 and 72 h, thromboela-stogram TEG was measured for all samples. At the the same time, factors V,VII,VIII and IX, APTT and PT were also measured for all the samples. Blood culture for all the samples was used to discover aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. RESULTS: All the samples could form a stable blood clot after thawing for 72 h, and the blood culture results of all samples were negative. Significant changes were observed in ACT and TMA between 0 h and other test time, but there was no difference between 4 °C and 25 °C. The activity of factor V was significantly different between 4 °C and 25 °C after storing for 48 and 72 hours, which was reduced faster at 25 °C. CONCLUSION: Although part of the coagulation factor activity were attenuated after fresh frozen plasma being thawed and stored for 72 hours at different temperature, but all samples can form stable blood clots. Fresh frozen plasma stored for more than 72 hrs after thawing can be used to supplement the coagulation factors to patient.