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BACKGROUND:Connexin 43(Cx43),which is thought to be engaged in the gap junction process and build the structural groundwork for the development of direct material signaling channels between cells,is crucial for maintaining the homeostatic balance of tissue metabolism.Recent research,however,has revealed fresh information about its distinct hemichannel function and highlighted the significance of its subcellular localization and self-fragmentation for cellular physiological activities and pathological processes. OBJECTIVE:To systematically summarize the molecular characteristics and expression of Cx43 in a variety of cells,concentrate on the pathological and physiological roles of channel-dependent Cx43 and channel-independent Cx43,and investigate the potential value in disease treatment by reviewing the pertinent literature in the database. METHODS:The Chinese and English keywords were"gap junction,connexin 43(Cx43),hemichannel,channel-dependent Cx43,channel-independent Cx43,extracellular vesicles(EVs),mitochondria,GJA1-20k",which were searched in PubMed and CNKI.Finally,81 articles were selected for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The canonical role of Cx43 is to form a gap junction channel.Channel-dependent Cx43 has primarily involved in disease physiopathological processes by directly constituting gap junction channels,but full attention should be paid to the issue of its structural and functional integrity.Adhesion is a crucial characteristic of gap junctions,which are strongly associated with barrier-like diseases.(2)The non-canonical role of Cx43 is non-gap junction channel-dependent effect.In addition to being localized at the plasma membrane,inner mitochondrial membrane,extracellular vesicle surface,and other structures,Cx43 hexamer has also been found to play a role in positive pro-inflammatory mechanisms,mitochondrial functional metabolism,and targeted uptake of extracellular vesicles in inflammatory diseases.Selective shortened segments control mitochondrial homeostasis by encouraging the polymerization of peri-mitochondrial actin and are involved in the targeted translocation of full-length Cx43 to intracellular structural domains.(3)The development of targeted medicines and the solving of issues like the mechanism of seed cell transformation in tissue engineering-based therapies are both made possible by these two categories of impacts.The interactions of various types of Cx43,however,are frequently not fully taken into account in some of the existing original studies,which confuses the overall characteristics and skews the results.(4)It is necessary to systematically frame the physiological characteristics of Cx43 in different forms and its potential mechanisms in various diseases,so as to provide a reference for the exploration of the Cx43 integrity mechanism and the diagnosis and treatment of multiple diseases.
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Objective:To investigate any change in the effective connectivity between the bilateral anterior central gyruses after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).Methods:Twenty-one healthy subjects were examined using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) before and after receiving continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). The brain atlas of the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was used for fine partitioning of the bilateral anterior central gyruses. Granger causality analysis was used to compare any changes in the effective connectivity between them.Results:After the cTBS inhibited the right M1 area, significant changes in effective connectivity among the sub-regions of the bilateral M1 area were observed. The effective connectivity of the right upper limb to the left upper limb and the left head to face were weakened, while that of the left upper limb to the right head, as well as of the face to the right upper limb was enhanced.Conclusion:For people whose right M1 area has been inhibited by cTBS, the effective connectivity changes in both upper limb functional areas of the M1 region reflect inter-hemispheric inhibition. Opposite changes were found in the trunk and upper limbs.
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Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been widely used for post-stroke depression. Recently, SSRIs are considered as an effective drug to improve motor function after stroke. Mechanism of SSRIs improving motor function after ischemic stroke involves extensive factors, and there is no definitive conclusion yet. While, the effects of SSRIs on motor function after stroke remains debatable. Besides, there are potential risks of SSRIs in the treatment of stroke. It is necessary to evaluate the benefits and risks of SSRIs for patients with ischemic stroke.
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@#Objective In the recovery process of stroke patients, the ability of maintaining standing and sitting position might have a great effect on the improvement of activity of daily living. There are few the methods which evaluate quantitatively and effectively the ability of position control ability in clinical practice. The aim of the study is to quantitatively evaluate the reliability of posturographic parameters based on the center of pelvis in different standing positions and walking activity.Methods From May to June, 2018, Seventy-nine healthy participants were enrolled. They were evaluated with iReGo, a walking assisstant robot, in three conditions: normal standing position, left/right standing position and walking 10 meters at an appropriate speed. The computer calculated the posturographic parameters automatically. The participants completed their second test one day after the first one.Results During normal standing position, the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) of average sway in coronal plane, average sway in sagittal plane, path length, and covered area were more than 0.70. During left standing position, ICC of all the above parameters were more than 0.70. During right standing position, ICC of all the above parameters were more than 0.49. When walking 10 meters at an appropriate speed, ICC of path length and covered area were more than 0.75. Comparing different standing positions, the normal standing position was more stable than the left/right standing position, and there was no difference between the left and the right standing positions.Conclusion Posturographic parameters based on the center of pelvis might be a reliable way to assess the position control ability in different standing positions and walking process.
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@#A varus dropped foot, one of the most common deformities of hemiplegic lower limb in stroke patients, significantly affected the ability of ambulation. Electric stimulation therapy was one of mostly used techniques for this problem. This paper focused on the application of low frequency electric stimulation in the treatment of the varus dropped foot in stroke patients, analyzed the clinical efficacy and advantage of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and functional electrical stimulation, and the discussion of their mechanism.
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Objective: To investigate the expression of intraflagellar transport 20 (IFT20) protein in lung cancer tissues and its effect on the proliferation of lung cancer A549 cells. Methods: The expressions of IFT20 protein in 20 specimens of lung cancer tissues and 4 specimens of normal lung tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. After the small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting IFT20 gene was transfected into A549 cells, the expression level of IFT20 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative-PCR, the proliferation of A549 cells was determined by MTT assay, the number and length of cilia were observed by immunofluorescence staining, and the proteins expressions in A549 cells were measured by protein chip detection. Results: The expression of IFT20 protein was weakly positive in lung cancer tissues and moderately positive in normal lung tissues. The expression level of IFT20 mRNA in lung cancer A549 cells after transfection with IFT20-targeted siRNA was lower than those in the negative control cells (A549 cells were transfected with control siRNA) and the blank control cells (A549 cells with no transfection) (P < 0.05). The proliferation of A549 cells after transfection with IFT20-targeted siRNA was accelerated (P < 0.05), the expression level of IFT20 protein was down-regulated, the number of cilia was reduced, the length of cilia was shorterned, or the cilia was disappeared (all P < 0.05). The expression levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), survivin, high temperature requirment A (HTRA), heat shock protein (Hsp) 27, Hsp70 and second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) were up-regulated (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: The IFT20 protein is lowly expressed in lung cancer tissues. After the inhibition of IFT20 expression, the cilia become less and shorter, which promotes the proliferation of lung cancer A549 cells.
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A varus dropped foot, one of the most common deformities of hemiplegic lower limb in stroke patients, significantly affected the ability of ambulation. Electric stimulation therapy was one of mostly used techniques for this problem. This paper focused on the applica-tion of low frequency electric stimulation in the treatment of the varus dropped foot in stroke patients, analyzed the clinical efficacy and ad-vantage of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and functional electrical stimulation, and the discussion of their mechanism.
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This study was purposed to evaluate whether the safe concentration of magnetic nanoparticles of Fe₃O₄(MNPs-Fe₃O₄) for monocytes could induce the SKM-1 cell apoptosis. The average size and Zeta potential of MNPs-Fe₃O₄were determined by transmission electron microscopy and the Malvern Zetasizer 3000 HS, respectively. The cell viability after being exposed to MNPs-Fe₃O₄for 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours was detected by using cell count Kit-8. The cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double staining and Wright-Giemsa staining. The cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. The levels of active caspase-3, survivin and bcl-rambo in cells treated with MNPs-Fe₃O₄and/or trolox for 48 hours were detected with Western blot. The results showed that the cell viability decreased in SKM-1 cells after exposure to 50 µmol/L and 100 µmol/L MNPs-Fe₃O₄(P < 0.05), but did not in monocytes (P > 0.05), compared with that of each non-MNPs-Fe₃O₄-treated group. This exposure also induced the SKM-1 cells to be arrested in G0/G1. Annexin V/PI staining assay showed that cell apoptotic rate induced by 100 µmol/L MNPs-Fe₃O₄was significantly high in SKM-1 cells while not so high in monocytes, and the pretreatment with trolox could attenuate the apoptosis. Moreover, the active caspase-3 increased in SKM-1 cells after the exposure to MNPs-Fe₃O₄, while that was not in monocytes, and the increased expression of BCL-rambo and the decreased expression of survivin involved in the process were also observed. It is concluded that MNPs-Fe₃O₄can induce the caspase 3-dependent SKM-1 cell apoptosis by increasing the BCL-rambo expression and decreasing the survivin expression, but this cytotoxic effect can not be observed in monocyte's.
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Humans , Apoptosis , Caspase 3 , Cell Cycle , Cell Line, Tumor , Ferric Compounds , Pharmacology , Flow Cytometry , Magnetics , Metal NanoparticlesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the application of MRI in indirect temporomandibular joint injury without condylar fracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MRI examination on temporomandibular joint was conducted in 28 patients with indirect injury to temporomandibular joint without condylar fracture. The scanning sequence included T(1)WI, PDWI on oblique sagittal section at both open and closed mouth positions, and T(1)WI, T(2)WI on oblique coronal section. The MRI appearance was analyzed by 2 senior radiologists.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 56 temporomandibular joints of 28 patients, 35 joints exhibited pathological changes on MRI, in which there were 9 bone injuries, 21 articular disc dislocation, 24 intracapsular hematocele and hydrops.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MRI can clearly reveal bone injury, articular disc dislocation as well as articular capsule abnormality in the indirect injury of temporomandibular joint without condylar fracture. It is highly advocated in clinical use.</p>
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Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Maxillofacial Injuries , Diagnosis , Temporomandibular Joint , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the differences in subcortical structures between patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) and normal subjects during movement preparation and execution.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PKD patients performed a movement task, in which a CUE signal (preparation) indicated the movement sequence prior to the appearance of an imperative GO signal (execution). Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and 3dDeconvolve program of AFNI were used to estimate the hemodynamic response function and to generate activation maps.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>During movement preparation, the activated brain areas in PKD patients were less than those of normal subject, and there was no activation in basal ganglia in PKD patients. During execution, the activation was also less in PKD patients except in bilateral M1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>During intermission, abnormalities of the brain still exist in PKD patients when during preparing or performing movement. The movement circuit in the brain displays an unusual state. The attack may be caused by reducing of inhibition in brain areas.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Chorea , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Motor Cortex , Movement , PhysiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the brain functional laterality in motor areas during motor execution systematically.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed combined with right hand sequential finger movement task to investigate brain activation pattern and laterality in 8 right-handed subjects. 3dDeconvolve program of AFNI was used to estimate the hemodynamic response function and to generate activation maps. Then the laterality index (LI) was calculated and tested statistically.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>All motor areas including the areas which were previously considered to be engage in movement preparation only were activated in movement execution. In the activation map, it appeared left lateralization in cerebra and right lateralization in cerebella. After further statistical test, it was found that in primary motor area (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC), there were left lateralization. While in premotor cortex (PMC), cingulate gyrus and basal ganglia (BG), the lateralization tendency was not obvious. The activation in cerebella is characterized with right lateralization.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Though there are tiny differences among subjects, most of the motor areas appear lateralized activation. Past studies only observed laterality in several motor areas. It may be due to the difficulty of the task or the experimental design.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Brain , Physiology , Functional Laterality , Physiology , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Motor Cortex , PhysiologyABSTRACT
We have studied general patient characteristics, the early and late postoperative complications associated with each procedure and the results of urodynamic studies in 29 patients who had received various kinds of urinary diversion at the Dept. of Urology, Dong-A University Hospital from May 1990 to May l994. The results are as follows. 1. Of 29 urinary diversions, ileal conduit was performed in 18 patients, appendicoureterocutaneostomy in 2, Indiana pouch in 8 and rectal pouch in l. The surgical indications were bladder tumor in 28 and pelvic actinomycosis in 1 2. Sex ratio between male and female was 22:7. Average age according to each procedure was 67,4 years old in ileal conduit group, 62.5 years old in appendicoureterocutaneostomy, 54.3 years old in lndiana pouch, and 33.0 years old in rectal pouch. Average operative time ranged from 275.5 to 647.5 minutes. with lndiana pouch group taking maximum time and appendicoureterocutaneostomy group taking the least time. 3. There was no change in postoperative renal function and serum electrolytes. Concerning the period of hospital stay, ileal conduit in 21.3 days, Indiana pouch group was 28.7 and appendicoureterocutaneostomy in 20.5 days being the shortest of all. 4. Wound infection was most common early postoperative complication occurring in 5 out of 29 patients. Anastomotic leakage was seen in 2 out of 18 ileal conduits, 2 paralytic ileus in ilea1 conduit and lndiana pouch each. 5. Six months postoperative cystometric studies show the average volume and average reservoir pressure of 533.3ml and 22.7cmH2O in lndiana pouch and 38.0cmH2O in rectal pouch which is greater than the maximum intraluminal pressure. In conclusion, the author believes that the urologic surgeon should be familiar with several procedures, because these procedures should be tailored to the patient's anatomy, prior surgery, renal function and preference.