[Spectroscopic Research on Slag Nanocrystal Glass Ceramics Containing Rare Earth Elements].

The research group prepared the high-performance slag nanocrystal glass ceramics by utilizing the valuable elements of the wastes in the Chinese Bayan Obo which are characterized by their symbiotic or associated existence. In this paper, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (Raman) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are all used in the depth analysis for the composition and structure of the samples. The experiment results of ICP, XRD and SEM showed that the principal crystalline phase of the slag nanocrystal glass ceramics containing rare earth elements is diopside, its grain size ranges from 45 to 100 nm, the elements showed in the SEM scan are basically in consistent with the component analysis of ICP. Raman analysis indicated that its amorphous phase is a three-dimensional network structure composed by the structural unit of silicon-oxy tetrahedron with different non-bridging oxygen bonds. According to the further analysis, we found that the rare earth microelement has significant effect on the network structure. Compared the nanocrystal slag glass ceramic with the glass ceramics of similar ingredients, we found that generally, the Raman band wavenumber for the former is lower than the later. The composition difference between the glass ceramics and the slag nanocrystal with the similar ingredients mainly lies on the rare earth elements and other trace elements. Therefore, we think that the rare earth elements and other trace elements remains in the slag nanocrystal glass ceramics have a significant effect on the network structure of amorphous phase. The research method of this study provides an approach for the relationship among the composition, structure and performance of the glass ceramics.

Leptin reverses corticosterone-induced inhibition of neural stem cell proliferation through activating the NR2B subunits of NMDA receptors.

Corticosterone inhibits the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs). The removal of corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation has been reported to contribute to neural regeneration. Leptin has been shown to regulate brain development, improve angiogenesis, and promote neural regeneration; however, its effects on corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation remain unclear. Here we reported that leptin significantly promoted the proliferation of hippocampal NSCs in a concentration-dependent pattern. Also, leptin efficiently reversed the inhibition of NSCs proliferation induced by corticosterone. Interestingly, pre-treatment with non-specific NMDA antagonist MK-801, specific NR2B antagonist Ro 25-6981, or small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NR2B, significantly blocked the effect of leptin on corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation. Furthermore, corticosterone significantly reduced the protein expression of NR2B, whereas pre-treatment with leptin greatly reversed the attenuation of NR2B expression caused by corticosterone in cultured hippocampal NSCs. Our findings demonstrate that leptin reverses the corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation. This process is, at least partially mediated by increased expression of NR2B subunits of NMDA receptors.

[Effect of temperature on the structure of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 nanocrystalline glass-ceramics studied by Raman spectroscopy].

In the present paper, nanocrystalline glass-ceramic of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system was produced by melting method. The CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 nanocrystalline glass-ceramic was measured by Raman spectroscopy in the temperature range from -190 to 310 degrees C in order to study the effect of temperature on the structure of this system nanocrystalline glass-ceramics. The results showed that different non-bridge oxygen bond silicon-oxygen tetrahedron structural unit changes are not consistent with rising temperature. Further analyses indicated that: the SiO4 tetrahedron with 2 non-bridged oxygen (Q2), the SiO4 tetrahedron with 3 non-bridged oxygen (Q(1)), which are situated at the edge of the 3-D SiO4 tetrahedrons network, and the SiO4 tetrahedron with 4 non-bridged oxygen (Q(0)), which is situated outside the 3-D network all suffered a significant influence by the temperature change, which has been expressed as: shifts towards the high wave-number, increased bond force constants, and shortened bond lengths. This paper studied the influence of temperature on CMAS system nanocrystalline glass-ceramics using variable temperature Raman technology. It provides experiment basis to the research on external environment influence on CMAS system nanocrystalline glass-ceramics materials in terms of structure and performance. In addition, the research provides experimental basis for controlling the expansion coefficient of nanocrystalline glass-ceramic of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system.

Predictive value of placental real-time shear wave elastography combined with 3-dimensional power Doppler index for preeclampsia.

This study aimed to investigate the value of placental real-time shear wave elastography combined with three-dimensional power Doppler index (3D-PDI) in the prediction of preeclampsia. We conducted a retrospective study selecting 60 pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia as the experimental group and 60 normal pregnant women as the control group from January 2021 to December 2022. The elastic modulus values of different regions of the placenta and placental 3D-PDI were detected and compared between the two groups. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of each parameter, alone or in combination, for preeclampsia. The study findings demonstrated that the elastic modulus values of different regions of the placenta and 3D-PDI of the two groups have statistical significance. The values of SWE, VI, FI, and VFI are different in prediction of preeclampsia, and the combination of various parameters can improve the prediction value. Overall, our study provides a valuable method for the prediction of preeclampsia with the advantages of non-invasiveness, efficiency, and simplicity.

Establishment of a human colorectal cancer cell line P6C with stem cell properties and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs.

AIM: Cancer stem cells have the capacity to initiate and sustain tumor growth. In this study, we established a CD44(+) colorectal cancer stem cell line with particular emphasis on its self-renewal capacity, enhanced tumor initiation and drug resistance. METHODS: Fresh colon cancer and paired normal colon tissues were collected from 13 patients who had not received chemotherapy or radiotherapy prior to surgery. Among the 6 single-cell derived clones, only the P6C cell line was cultured for more than 20 passages in serial culture and formed holoclones with high efficiency, and then the stemness gene expression, colony formation, tumorigenicity and drug sensitivities of the P6C cell line were examined. RESULTS: Stemness proteins, including c-Myc, Oct3/4, Nanog, Lgr5, and SOX2, were highly expressed in the P6C cell line. Oct3/4-positive P6C cells mostly generated holoclones through symmetric division, while a small number of P6C cells generated meroclones through asymmetric division. P6C cells stably expressed CD44 and possessed a high capacity to form tumor spheres. A single cell-derived sphere was capable of generating xenograft tumors in nude mice. Compared to SW480 and HCT116 colorectal cancer cells, P6C cells were highly resistant to Camptothecin and 5-fluorouracil, the commonly used chemotherapeutic agents to treat colorectal cancers. CONCLUSION: We established a colorectal cancer stem cell line P6C with a high tumorigenic capacity and the characteristics of normal stem cells. It will benefit the mechanistic studies on cancer stem cells and the development of drugs that specifically target the cancer stem cells.

[Inhibitory effects of the immunoconjugate composed of anti-type IV collagenase antibody Fab' fragment and lidamycin on tumor invasion and metastasis].

This study is to investigate the tumor invasion and metastasis inhibition effects of the immunoconjugate composed of lidamycin and anti-type IV collagenase monoclonal antibody Fab' fragment. Boyden chamber assay was used to evaluate the influence of Fab'-LDM on HT-1080 cells invasion ability, gelatinase spectrum was used to measure the change of invasion factor MMP-2 and MMP-9's secretion, and RT-PCR was adopted to determine TIMP-1 mRNA expression level. The immunoconjugate inhibition of tumor in situ metastasis was also tested in nude mice. The Fab'-LDM conjugates had dose-dependent inhibition effect on HT-1080 cells' invasion. At the concentrations of 5 and 10 nmol L(-1), the Fab'-LDM inhibited the invasion by (60 +/- 12) % and (79 +/- 11) % respectively. At the concentration of 5 and 10 nmol L(-1), the Fab'-LDM inhibited the secretion of MMP-2 by (42 +/- 8) % and (54 +/- 6) % and that of MMP-9 by (57 +/- 3) % and (87 +/- 1) %, respectively. RT-PCR indicated that conjugates increased the anti-invasion factor TIMP-1 level. The in vivo experiment showed that, compared with the control group, the tumor inhibition rate in Fab', Fab'-LDM, and LDM group equaled to (30 +/- 13) %, (86 +/- 26) %, (74 +/- 22) % respectively. In conclusion, Fab'-LDM could inhibit the invasion and metastasis of tumor and it might be a new tumor biotherapy agent.

Novel KDM6A mutation in a Chinese infant with Kabuki syndrome: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a rare syndrome characterized by multisystem congenital anomalies and developmental disorder. KMT2D and KDM6A mutations were identified as the main causative genes in KS patients. There are few case reports and genetic analyses, especially of KDM6A gene mutation, in China. CASE SUMMARY: This study reports a de novo KDM6A mutation in a Chinese infant with KS. A 2-month-old Chinese baby was diagnosed with KS, which manifested as hypoglycemia, congenital anal atresia at birth, feeding difficulties, hypotonia, and serious postnatal growth retardation. He died of recurrent respiratory infections at age 13 mo. DNA sequencing of his blood DNA revealed a novel KDM6A frameshift mutation (c.704_705delAG, p. N236Sfs*26) (GRCh37/hg19). CONCLUSION: We present a Chinese KS patient with a novel KDM6A frameshift mutation (c.704_705delAG, p. N236Sfs*26) (GRCh37/hg19), broadening the mutation spectrum.

Heat stress cognate 70 host protein as a potential drug target against drug resistance in hepatitis B virus.

Heat stress cognate 70 (Hsc70) is a host protein associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. The goal of this study was to investigate whether Hsc70 could be an anti-HBV drug target. Our results showed that introducing Hsc70 increased HBV replication in HBV(+) human hepatocytes (HepG2.2.15 cells). The coiled-coil region on Hsc70 (nucleotides 1533 to 1608; amino acids 511 to 536) was the key sequence for HBV replication. Knockdown of Hsc70 expression by RNA interference (RNAi) largely inhibited HBV replication with no cytotoxicity to the host. Using an Hsc70 mRNA screening assay, the natural compound oxymatrine (OMTR) was found to be a selective inhibitor for Hsc70 expression. Then, OMTR was used to investigate the potential of Hsc70 as an anti-HBV drug target. OMTR inhibited Hsc70 mRNA expression by 80% and HBV DNA replication by over 60% without causing cytotoxicity. The anti-HBV effect of OMTR appeared to be mediated by destabilizing Hsc70 mRNA. The half-life (T(1/2)) of Hsc70 mRNA decreased by 50% in OMTR-treated hepatocytes. The Hsc70 mRNA 3'-untranslated-region (UTR) sequence was the element responsible for OMTR's destabilization activity. OMTR suppressed HBV de novo synthesis at the reverse transcription stage from pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) to DNA and was active against either wild-type HBV or strains resistant to lamivudine, adefovir, and entecavir. Therefore, host Hsc70 could be a novel drug target against HBV, and OMTR appears to inhibit HBV replication by destabilizing Hsc70 mRNA. As the target is not a viral protein, OMTR is active for either wild-type HBV or strains resistant to reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors.

[Comparison of the antitumor activities of immunoconjugates composed of lidamycin and monoclonal antibody fab' fragment with different linkers].

To investigate the antitumor activities of the immunoconjugates composed of anti-type IV collagenase monoclonal antibody Fab' fragment and lidamycin (LDM) prepared with different linkers. The immunoconjugates were prepared by linking Fab' to lysine-69 of LDM apoprotein by SPDP, LCSPDP, SMBS or SSMPB as the intermediate drug linkers. Immunoreactivities of the conjugates were determined by ELISA. The cytotoxicities of the conjugates were examined by clonogenic assay. In vivo antitumor effects of the conjugates were evaluated in nude mice bearing subcutaneously implanted HT-1080 tumor. ELISA assay showed that the conjugates retained part of the immunoreactivity of 3G11 against the antigen. The cytotoxicities of the Fab'-SMBS-LDM and Fab'-SSMPB-LDM to HT-1080 cells were significantly potent, compared with Fab'-SPDP-LDM, Fab'-LCSPDP-LDM and free LDM. In animal models at the same condition, free LDM, Fab'-SPDP-LDM and Fab'-LCSPDP-LDM inhibited the growth of HT-1080 tumor by 70.9%, 74.8% and 72.3%, while Fab'-SMBS-LDM and Fab'-SSMPB-LDM reached 78.0% and 87.7%, respectively. The median survival time of the mice treated with free LDM, Fab'-SPDP-LDM and Fab'-LCSPDP-LDM were prolonged by 71.9%, 82.2% and 107.5%, respectively, compared with that of untreated group. Whereas, the median survival time of Fab'-SMBS-LDM and Fab'-SSMPB-LDM were prolonged by 145.2% and 165.8%, respectively, indicating that Fab'-SSMPB-LDM was more effective than Fab'-SMBS-LDM in tumor suppression and life span prolongation. Fab'-SSMPB-LDM has more marked selective antitumor efficacy and lower toxicity, and might be a novel candidate for cancer therapy.

Exome sequencing analysis identifies novel homozygous mutation in ABCA4 in a Chinese family with Stargardt disease.

AIM: To identify the disease-associated mutations in a Chinese Stargardt disease (STGD) family, extend the existing spectrum of disease-causing mutations and further define the genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS: A Chinese STGD family and 200 normal controls were collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics analysis were performed to find the pathogenic gene mutation. Physico-chemical parameters of mutant and wildtype proteins were computed by ProtParam tool. Domains analysis was performed by SMART online software. HOPE online software was used to analyze the structural effects of mutation. Immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used for expression analysis. RESULTS: Using WES, a novel homozygous mutation (NM_000350: c.G3190C, p.G1064R) in ABCA4 gene was identified. This mutation showed co-segregation with phenotype in this family. It was not found in the 200 unrelated health controls and absent from any databases. It was considered "Deleterious" as predicted by five function prediction softwares, and was highly conserved during evolution. ABCA4 was expressed highly in the human eye and mouse retina. The p.G1064R was located in AAA domain, may force the local backbone into an incorrect conformation, disturb the local structure, and reduce the activity of ATPase resulting in the disease pathology. CONCLUSION: We define a novel pathogenic mutation (c.G3190C of ABCA4) of STGD. This extends the existing spectrum of disease-causing mutations and further defines the genotype-phenotype correlations.

[Synergic effects of the combination of VEGF-targeted shRNA and taxol on human prostate cancer DU145 both in vitro and in vivo].

In this study, the antitumor activities of VEGF shRNA and tubulin inhibitors on human prostate cancer DU145 cells was investigated, and shRNA transient expression plasmid pCSH1-VEGF targeting VEGF mRNA was constructed. The silence efficiency of pCSH1-VEGF was detected by RT-PCR assay, Western blotting, and Matrigel invasion assay. The sensitivity change of DU145 cells to Taxol and vincristine (VCR) was measured by MTT assay. To detect the effects of pCSH1-VEGF and Taxol in vivo, nude mice model of DU145 xenograft tumor was established by subcutaneous inoculation. The results showed that transcription and expression of VEGF were knocked by pCSH1-VEGF in DU145 cells. Matrigel invasion assay results showed that pCSH1-VEGF significantly reduced the migration of DU145 cells with inhibitory rate of 56.1%. Furthermore, pCSH1-VEGF enhanced the sensitivity of DU145 cells to Taxol and vincristine, and the values of IC50 decreased by 77.3% and 92.6%, respectively. In vivo experiment showed that Taxol, pCSH1-VEGF, combination of pCSH1-VEGF and Taxol inhibited tumor growth by the rates of 48.8%, 56.2% and 81.8%, respectively. The coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) of pCSH1-VEGF and Taxol was 0.82. The data suggested that VEGF shRNA could significantly enhance the sensitivity of human prostate cancer to tubulin inhibitors.

[Induction of hepatic specification of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To induce hepatic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in vitro. METHODS: hADSCs were isolated from human adipose tissue and treated with improved hepatic medium containing HGF, bFGF and FGF4. After 7 days of culture, OSM was added to the culture media. Cell growth during hepatic differentiation was evaluated by CCK8 assay. Morphology of differentiation was examined under light microscope. Liver specific genes and proteins were detected by RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. And functional characteristics of hepatocytes were also examined. RESULTS: The number of hADSCs cultured in the improved hepatic media was increased significantly in comparison to hADSCs cultured in control media from 5 days to 21 days (t=6.59, 8.69, 15.94 and 24.64, respectively, P<0.05). The hADSCs-derived hepatocyte-like cells exhibited hepatocyte morphology, expressed hepatocyte markers, possessed hepatocyte-specific activities, such as uptake and excretion of indocyanine green, glycogen storage and albumin production. CONCLUSION: hADSCs can be induced into hepatocyte-like cells in this differentiation system. And this differentiation system promoted the growth of hADSCs.

[Antitumor activities of various immunoconjugates composed of lidamycin and anti-type IV collagenase monoclonal antibody].

This study is to investigate the antitumor activities of the immunoconjugates composed of anti-type IV collagenase monoclonal antibody 3G11 and lidamycin (LDM) prepared by different methods. The immunoconjugates were prepared by linking 2-iminothiolane modified 3G11 to lysine-69 of LDM apoprotein by SPDP and SMBS as the intermediate drug linker. Immunoreactivity of the conjugates was determined by ELISA. The cytotoxicity of the conjugates was examined by clonogenic assay. Antitumor effects of the conjugates in vivo were evaluated in nude mice bearing subcutaneously implanted HT-1080 tumor. ELISA assay showed that the immunoconjugates retained the immunoreactivity of 3G11 against type IV collagenase. The cytotoxicity of the 3G11-SMBS-LDM to HT-1080 cells was significantly more potent than that of free LDM and 3G11-SPDP-LDM. In animal model at the same condition, free LDM inhibited the growth of HT-1080 tumor by 71.2%, while 3G11-SPDP-LDM and 3Gl1-SMBS-LDM reached 77.1% and 86.1%, respectively. The median survival time of the mice treated with free LDM was prolonged by 71.9% compared with that of untreated group. Whereas, the median survival time of 3G11-SPDP-LDM and 3G11-SMBS-LDM was prolonged by 125.3% and 163.7%, respectively, indicating that 3G11-SMBS-LDM was more effective than 3G11-SPDP-LDM in tumor suppression and life span prolongation. 3Gll-SMBS-LDM has more selective antitumor efficacy and lower toxicity, and might be a novel candidate for cancer therapy. LDM was more effective than 3G11-SPDP-LDM in tumor suppression and life span prolongation. 3Gll-SMBS-LDM has more selective antitumor efficacy and lower toxicity, and might be a novel candidate for cancer therapy.

Effects of biomass reducing agent on magnetic properties and phase transformation of Baotou low-grade limonite during magnetizing-roasting.

Biomass was used as reducing agent to roast the Baotou low-grade limonite in a high temperature vacuum atmosphere furnace. The effect of calcination temperature, time and ratio of reducing agent on the magnetic properties of calcined ore was studied by VSM. The phase and microstructure changes of limonite before and after calcination were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The results show that in the roasting process the phase transition process of the ferrous material in limonite is first dehydrated at high temperature to formα-Fe2O3, and then it is converted into Fe3O4 by the reduction of biomass. With the increase of calcination temperature, the magnetic properties of the calcined ore first increase and then decrease. When the temperature is higher than 650°C, Fe3O4 will become Fe2SiO4, resulting in reduced the magnetic material in calcined ore and the magnetic weakened. The best magnetization effect was obtained when the roasting temperature is 550°C, the percentage of biomass was 15% and the roasting time was 30min. The saturation magnetization can reach 60.13emu·g-1, the recovery of iron was 72% and the grade of iron was 58%.

Expression of RKIP, E-cadherin and NF-kB p65 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their correlations.

To detect the expression of RKIP, E-cadherin and NF-kB p65 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and study their correlations. Steptavidin-peroxidase (S-P) method was employed to detect the expressions of RKIP, E-cadherin and NF-kB p65 in ESCC tissues from 77 cases and paracancerous tissues from 77 cases. The correlations between their expressions and clinicopathological indices and between the expressions of these proteins themselves were analyzed. The expressions of RKIP and E-cadherin in ESCC tissues were obviously lower than those in the paracancerous tissues (P<0.01); the expressions in ESCC tissues from cases with lymph node metastasis were lower than those from cases without lymph node metastasis (P<0.01); the expression of RKIP was positively correlated with the expression of E-cadherin in ESCC tissues (P<0.01). The expression of NF-kB p65 in ESCC tissues was correlated with clinical staging, lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation (P<0.01); the expression of RKIP was negatively correlated with the expression of NF-kB p65 in ESCC tissues (P<0.05). Downregulation or depletion of RKIP was related to the onset and progression of ESCC, and facilitated the invasion and metastasis of ESCC by downregulating E-cadherin and upregulating NF-kB p65.

[An investigation on the transmission routes and early diagnosis of intrauterine infection induced by hepatitis B virus].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between the fetus infection and HBV M, HBV DNA in amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, maternal blood and placenta, and to explore the mechanism of vertical transmission of HBV. METHODS: Immunonetric assay and nucleic acid amplification hybri-comb were used. Both HBV M and HBV DNA were detected in amniotic fluid, vein blood, umbilical cord blood for each of 65 HBV-positive women in their different gestational periods, while immunohistochemical analysis was carried out on the tissue of placenta, liver, lung or heart from each abortive fetus/dead infant in the case. RESULTS: For all of the 65 HBsAg-positive women in their different gestational periods, the detected positive rate of HBsAg was 21.50% in amniotic fluid, and 20.00% in umbilical blood. The positive rate of HBsAg, HBeAg, Anti-HBc and HBV DNA detected in blood, amniotic fluid and umbilical blood was 6.15%. The cases with positive HBsAg, Anti-HBe, Anti-HBc and negative HBV DNA were in a percentage of 13.85%. Immunohistochemical analysis on placentas after birth/abortion as well as the tissues of livers, lungs, hearts of the fetuses/dead infants in 4 cases of pregnant women with positive HBsAg, HBeAg, Anti-HBc or HBV DNA in blood, amniotic fluid or umbilical blood showed that HBsAg, HBcAg positive cells in the scope could be seen in every layer of the tissue of placenta, in the hepatic/pulmonary tissue, but not in the cardiac tissue. CONCLUSION: The infection in amniotic fluid or placenta relates to HBV infection in fetus; intrauterine HBV may result in infection in organs such as blood, liver, or lung of a fetus; infection in the amniotic fluid may be another key route of the intrauterine infection of fetus, and the detection on HBV M or HBV DNA in amniotic may be used as one of diagnostic proofs of HBV infection of fetus in its early stage.

Clinical effectiveness of gene therapy on critical limb ischemia: a meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled clinical trials.

Therapeutic angiogenesis using gene therapy is a novel strategy for the treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI). We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gene therapy for the treatment of CLI with no option of revascularization. Randomized placebo controlled trials of gene therapy on CLI were identified by searching PubMed (from 1990 to October 2013) and EMBASE (from 1990 to October 2013). Five eligible studies were selected for the meta-analysis. Among these studies, a total of 425 patients received gene therapy of either fibroblast growth factor 1 or hepatocyte growth factor, and 365 patients were given placebo. No statistical differences were observed between the 2 groups in major amputation or death at 1 year (risk ratio [RR], 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-1.39; P = .48) and wound healing at 6 months (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 0.73-3.28; P = .25). Gene therapy had similar occurrence of serious adverse events as control (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97-1.14; P = .23).

Midazolam ameliorates the behavior deficits of a rat posttraumatic stress disorder model through dual 18 kDa translocator protein and central benzodiazepine receptor and neurosteroidogenesis.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating anxiety disorder that may develop after an individual has experienced or witnessed a severe traumatic event. It has been shown that the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) may be correlated with PTSD and that the TSPO ligand improved the behavioral deficits in a mouse model of PTSD. Midazolam, a ligand for TSPO and central benzodiazepine receptor (CBR), induces anxiolytic- and anti-depressant-like effects in animal models. The present study aimed to determine whether midazolam ameliorates PTSD behavior in rats as assessed by the single prolonged stress (SPS) model. The SPS rats received daily Sertraline (Ser) (15 mg/kg, i.p.) [corrected] and midazolam (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) [corrected] during the exposure to SPS and behavioral assessments, which included the open field (OF) test, the contextual fear paradigm (CFP), and the elevated plus-maze (EPM). The results showed that, like Ser (15 mg/kg, i.p.) [corrected], midazolam (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) [corrected] significantly reversed the behavioral deficiencies of the SPS rats, including PTSD-associated freezing and anxiety-like behavior but not the effects on spontaneous locomotor activity. In addition, the anti-PTSD effects of midazolam (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) [corrected] were antagonized by the TSPO antagonist PK11195 (3 mg/kg, i.p.), the CBR antagonist flumazenil (15 mg/kg, i.p.) [corrected] and the inhibitor of steroidogenic enzymes finasteride (30 mg/kg, i.p.) [corrected], which by themselves had no effect on PTSD-associated freezing and anxiety-like behavior. In summary, this study demonstrated that midazolam improves the behavioral deficits in the SPS model through dual TSPO and CBR and neurosteroidogenesis.

Efficacy of Tai Chi on pain, stiffness and function in patients with osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Whether Tai Chi benefits patients with osteoarthritis remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise for pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis. METHODS: A computerized search of PubMed and Embase (up to Sept 2012) was performed to identify relevant studies. The outcome measures were pain, stiffness, and physical function. Two investigators identified eligible studies and extracted data independently. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the Jadad score. Standard mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. The change in outcomes from baseline was compared to the minimum clinically important difference. RESULTS: A total of seven randomized controlled trials involving 348 patients with osteoarthritis met the inclusion criteria. The mean Jadad score was 3.6. The pooled SMD was -0.45 (95% CI -0.70--0.20, P = 0.0005) for pain, -0.31 (95% CI -0.60--0.02, P = 0.04) for stiffness, and -0.61 (95% CI -0.85--0.37, P<0.00001) for physical function. A change of 32.2-36.4% in the outcomes was greater than the minimum clinically important difference. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve-week Tai Chi is beneficial for improving arthritic symptoms and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis and should be included in rehabilitation programs. However, the evidence may be limited by potential biases; thus, larger scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the current findings and investigate the long-term effects of Tai Chi.

Does upper extremity exercise improve dyspnea in patients with COPD? A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although unsupported upper extremity exercise (UUEE) is recommended in the guidelines for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), it is controversial whether UUEE improves dyspnea in patients with COPD. The present study conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to clarify whether UUEE could improve dyspnea in COPD patients. METHODS: A computerized search through PubMed and Embase (up to Mar 2012) was performed to obtain sample studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Weighted mean differences (WMDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and heterogeneity was assessed with the I(2) test. The overall effect sizes were compared with the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). RESULTS: 240 patients from 7 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The mean PEDro score was 7.0 (SD = 1.7). The results indicated UUEE relieved dyspnea and arm fatigue during activities of daily living (ADL) (WMD = -0.58, -0.55 scores; 95% CI = -1.13 to -0.02, -1.08 to -0.01), however, the overall treatment effects were lower than the MCID of 1 unit for the Borg scale. There was no statistical significance for dyspnea and arm fatigue during intervention (WMD = -0.34, 0.24 scores; 95% CI = -0.78 to 0.09, -0.33 to 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: UUEE can relieve dyspnea and arm fatigue in patients with COPD during ADL and should be included in the PR program, however, there is currently a lack of clinical evidence to support UUEE relieving dyspnea and arm fatigue. Further study is urgent to investigate these effects of UUEE.