Elastin-Derived VGVAPG Fragment Decorated Cell-Penetrating Peptide with Improved Gene Delivery Efficacy.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are attractive non-viral gene delivery vectors due to their high transfection capacity and safety. Previously, we have shown that cell-penetrating peptide RALA can be a promising gene delivery vector for chronic wound regeneration application. In this study, we engineered a novel peptide called RALA-E by introducing elastin-derived VGVAPG fragment into RALA, in order to target the elastin-binding protein on the cell surface and thus improve delivery efficacy of RALA. The transfection efficiency of RALA-E was evaluated by transfecting the HEK-293T and HeLa cell lines cells with RALA-E/pDNA complexes and the flow-cytometry results showed that RALA-E significantly increased the transfection efficiency by nearly 20% in both cell lines compared to RALA. Inhibition of pDNA transfection on HEK-293T cells via chlorpromazine, genistein and mßCD showed that the inhibition extent in transfection efficiency was much less for RALA-E group compared to RALA group. In addition, RALA-E/miR-146a complexes showed up to 90% uptake efficiency in macrophages, and can escape from the endosome and enter the nucleus to inhibit the expression of inflammation genes. Therefore, the developed RALA-E peptide has high potential as a safe and efficient vector for gene therapy application.

Associations of Serum Magnesium With Insulin Resistance and Testosterone in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Objective: This article aimed to investigate whether serum magnesium is associated with insulin resistance index and testosterone level in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods: Overall 1000 women with PCOS were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and a cross-sectional analysis of the association of serum magnesium with glucose metabolism markers and testosterone was performed. Serum magnesium, glucose metabolism markers and testosterone were measured. Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between serum magnesium, insulin resistance and testosterone. Results: In comparative analyses, women with higher quartile of serum magnesium had significantly lower fasting glucose, HOMA-IR and testosterone. Multiple linear regression showed serum magnesium was independently negatively associated with insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, testosterone and positively associated with QUICKI (P for trend <0.05) after adjusting confounding covariates. Logistic regression showed serum magnesium in quartile 1 and 2 were independently associated with insulin resistance status (Quartile 1: OR: 2.15, 95%CI: 1.35-3.40, P = 0.001; Quartile 2: OR: 1.90, 95%CI: 1.20-3.02, P = 0.006), while quartile 1 was marginally associated with hyperandrogenemia status (Quartile 1: OR: 1.45, 95%CI: 0.99-2.11, P = 0.055) after adjusting confounding covariates. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that lower serum magnesium was associated with aggravated insulin resistance and higher testosterone levels among women with PCOS.

Diagnosis and management of a solitary colorectal juvenile polyp in an adult during follow-up for ulcerative colitis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile polyps are the most common type of polyps in children but are rare in adults. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have a similar spectrum of symptoms as patients with juvenile polyps. Both patients with juvenile polyps and those with active IBD have high fecal calprotectin levels. Four cases of children with ulcerative colitis (UC) with solitary juvenile polyps and one case of an adult with UC with juvenile polyposis syndrome have been reported upon diagnosis of UC, while there have been no cases of adults with UC with solitary juvenile polyp reported in the literature. CASE SUMMARY: A 37-year-old man with a 12-year history of UC was admitted to our clinic because of increased stool frequency. UC was diagnosed at the age of 25. As the lesion was confined to the rectum, sulfasalazine suppositories or mesalazine suppositories were used. The patient was followed in an outpatient clinic, and colonoscopy was performed every one or two years. The latest examination was undertaken three years prior in the presence of proctitis. Recently, the patient complained of three to five bowel movements a day. There was mucus in the stool but no visible blood. Colonoscopy revealed a solitary polyp, about 1.5 cm in diameter, with a short and broad peduncle in the transverse colon surrounded by congestive and edematous mucosa. The patient had no family history of colorectal polyps or cancer. The polyp was successfully removed by endoscopic mucosal resection. Histopathological examination revealed that the polyp was a juvenile polyp without any malignant signs. Immunohistochemical staining for p53 showed wild-type expression and p53 overexpression was not detected. Ki-67 labeling index was 3%. CONCLUSION: This is the first case of an adult UC patient with a solitary juvenile polyp at the 12-year follow-up. The correlation between juvenile polyps and the activity of IBD needs further study.

Evaluation of sequential inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Oenococcus oeni strains on the chemical and aromatic profiles of cherry wines.

The current study was carried out to elucidate the effect of sequential inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (RC212, D254) and Oenococcus oeni (SG26, Lalvin 31 and Uvaferm Alpha) on the production of cherry wines, especially on the chemical and aromatic characteristics. SI-D culture required the shortest period (23 d) to complete the fermentation, while other inoculations needed longer time. Analysis from chemical composition showed that titratable acidity and content of l-malic acid exhibited evident differences among the samples after MLF. For volatile compounds, 49 major components were identified, mostly comprising of alcohols, acids and esters. Cherry wines obtained from SI-B and SI-C showed higher contents of total volatile alcohols, and SI-D wines produced the greatest amount of volatile acids. According to the odour active value (OAV), 9 out of 49 studied volatile components had OAV >1 in all the analyzed wines, while six volatile components showed OAV >1 only for some of them. Furthermore, a sensory analysis was performed to compare the sensory profile of these cherry wines, and results evidenced that wines resulting from different inoculations presented diverse sensory profiles. These findings suggest that sequential inoculations posed a great potential in affecting and modulating the aromatic profile of cherry wines.

[Contents of serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin in early renal impairment in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). METHODS: Forty-eight children with HSP and who had normal serum creatinine level and 31 healthy children were enrolled. Contents of serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin were measured using ELISA and immunoturbidimetry, respectively. Urinary routine examination was performed in children with HSP. The contents of serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin were re-examined one month after treatment (recovery phase). RESULTS: The contents of serum Cyst-C (2.24+/- 0.81 mg/L) and urinary microalbumin (20.04+/- 10.32 mg/L) in the HSP group at the acute phase were significantly higher than those in the control (0.85+/- 0.20 and 2.30+/- 1.38 mg/L respectively; P< 0.01). Serum Cyst-C (1.70+/- 0.30 mg/L) and urinary microalbumin contents (13.20+/- 8.16 mg/L) were significantly reduced at the recovery phase compared with those at the acute phase in the HSP group (P< 0.01). The proportion of urinary routine abnormality (33.3%) was significantly lower than that of urinary microalbumin (68.8%) and serum Cyst-C abnormalities (72.9%) in the HSP group (P< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin may serve as indexes in the assessment of early renal impairment in children with HSP.

[Effect of Semen Litchi containing serum on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Semen Litchi containing serum on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells. METHODS: The Semen litchi or CTX containing serum and control serum were prepared by serologic pharmacology method. MTT assay was used to observe the proliferation inhibition rate of HepG2 cells after incubated with different kinds of drug's containing serum. Nuclear morphological features of HepG2 cells were detected by fluorescencemicroscopy after staining with Hochest33258. The apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells in each group was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The cell viability and the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells in Semen Litchi containing serum groups were higher than that of control group, and the results of fluorescencemicroscopy observation showed the nuclear morphological change of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Semen Litchi can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, the acting mechanism may be concerned with cell apoptosis.

[Coartem and fansimef in the treatment of falciparum malaria].

From 2001 to 2003, anti-malarial combination coartem and fansimef, recommended by WHO, were used to treat falciparum malaria in Mali, 28 cases in each group. The mean fever clearance time, mean asexual parasite clearance time and the cure rate in 28 days were 35.3 +/- 6. 4, 34.7 +/- 6.9 hours and 100% respectively in coartem group, and 32. 6 +/- 5.8, 36.8 +/- 5.3 hours and 96.4% respectively in the fansimef group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).