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This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Yunkang Oral Solution on the improvement of spleen deficiency and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome induced by irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods. To simulate human irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods leading to spleen deficiency, the pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome were prepared using an alternate-day fasting and high-fat diet combined with oral administration of Sennae Folium. During the experiment, spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea-related parameters were measured. Gastric and intestinal motility(gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate) were evaluated. The levels of serum ghrelin, growth hormone(GH), gastrin(Gas), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), chorionic gonadotropin β(β-CG), progesterone(P), and estradiol(E_2) were measured. Intestinal barrier function in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome was assessed. Conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length were calculated. The results showed that Yunkang Oral Solution significantly improved spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome, increased gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate, elevated the levels of gastrointestinal hormones(ghrelin, GH, and Gas) in the serum, and reduced lipid levels(TC and LDL-c), thereby improving lipid metabolism disorders. It also improved colonic tissue morphology, increased the number of goblet cells, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of occludin and claudin-1 in colonic tissues, thereby alleviating intestinal barrier damage. Yunkang Oral Solution also regulated the levels of pregnancy hormones(β-CG, P, and E_2) in the serum of pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome. Moreover, it increased the conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length. These findings suggest that Yunkang Oral Solution can improve spleen deficiency-related symptoms in pregnant mice before and during pregnancy, regulate pregnancy-related hormones, and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy , Female , Mice , Humans , Animals , Spleen , Ghrelin , Fetal Weight , Cholesterol, LDL , DiarrheaABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of asiaticoside for fibrosis in lung tissues of rats exposed to silica and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods: 144 SD male rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, positive drug control group, asiaticoside high-dose group, medium-dose group and low-dose group, each group included 24 rats. Rats in the control group were perfused with 1.0 ml of normal saline, and the other groups were given 1.0 ml 50 mg/ml SiO(2) suspension. Gavage of herbal was given from the next day after model establishment, once a day. Rats in the positive drug control group were administration with 30 mg/kg tetrandrine and rats in the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group were given 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg asiaticoside for fibrosis respectively. Rats in the control group and the model group were given 0.9% normal saline. The rats were sacrificed in on the 14th, 28th and 56th day after intragastric administration and collect the lung tissues to detect the content of hydroxyproline, TGF-β(1) and IL-18, observe the pathological changes of the lung tissues by HE and Masson staining and determine the expressions of Col-I, a-SMA, TGF-β in lung tissues by Western Blot. Results: On the 14th day, 28th day and 56th day after model establishment, the lung tissues of rats in the model group showed obvious inflammatory response and accumulation of collagen fibers, and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis increased with time. The intervention of asiaticoside could effectively inhibit the pathological changes of lung tissues. The contents of hydroxyproline, IL-18 and TGF-β1 in lung tissues of model group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) , while the level of hydroxyproline, IL-18 and TGF-β1 in asiaticoside groups were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically signicant (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Col-I, TGF-β1and α-SMA in lung tissue of model group were increased (P<0.05) , while the expression level of Col-I, TGF-β1 and α-SMA were decreased after the intervention of asiaticoside, and the difference was statistically signicant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Asiaticoside can inhibit the increase of Col-I, TGF-β1 and α-SMA content in the SiO(2)-induced lung tissues of rats, reduce the release of TGF-β1 and IL-18 inflammatory factors in lung tissue, and then inhibit the synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix in rat lung tissue, and improve silicosis fibrosis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Dust , Lung , Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism , Silicon Dioxide/adverse effects , Silicosis/metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#We wanted to investigate the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network in patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD).@*METHODS@#We compared RPC densities in the disk and different peripapillary regions, obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography in 22 patients with BCD (37 eyes) and 22 healthy subjects (37 eyes). The BCD group was then divided into Stage 2 and Stage 3 subgroups based on Yuzawa staging, comparing the RPC densities of the two.@*RESULTS@#The disk area RPC density was 38.8% ± 6.3% in the BCD group and 49.2% ± 6.1% in the control group ( P < 0.001), and peripapillary region RPC density was significantly lower in the BCD group than in the control group (49.1% ± 4.7% and 54.1% ± 3.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). There were no significant RPC density differences between the tempo quadrant and inside disk of Stages 2 and 3 subgroups; the other areas showed a significantly lower RPC density in Stage 3 than in Stage 2 BCD.@*CONCLUSION@#The BCD group RPC density was significantly lower than the control group. The reduction of RPC density in the tempo quadrant occurred mainly in the Stage 1 BCD. In contrast, the reduction of RPC density in superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants occurred mainly in Stage 2.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Angiography , Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary/physiopathology , Microvascular Density , Microvessels/physiopathology , Retinal Diseases/physiopathology , Retinal Vessels/physiopathology , Tomography, Optical CoherenceABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the underlying influential factors related to emotional overeating behavior among college students,and to provide a reference for formulating intervention strategies for prevention of unhealthy eating behavior of college students.@*Methods@#A questionnaire designed based on the social ecosystem theory was used to assess the potential influential factors of at personal, social, physical and macro level emotional overeating behavior of 2 045 college students. The Emotional Overeating Questionnaire was used to measure the frequency of emotional overeating behavior among normal weight college students. Binary Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between dietary norms and the influence emotional overeating behaviors.@*Results@#In the full adjusted model, dietary norms (OR=1.28,95%CI=1.16-1.41),emotion scale (OR=1.46, 95%CI=1.24-1.73) and close friends attitude(OR=0.75, 95%CI=0.59-0.95)were associated with emotional overeating behaviors. Sex, urban and rural origin, monthly living expenses, parental attitude, distance to frequent fast food restaurants outside the school, and the unmarked proportion of nutritional content and calorie information on food packaging were not associated with emotional overeating behaviors (P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Dietary norms and emotion scale might increase the risk of motional overeating, close friends attitude might reduce the risk of emotional overeating. For reducing the frequency of unhealthy eating behavior, our results implied that 1) it s necessary to improve mental health of the college students; strengthening health education in order to make them distinguish the unhealthy dietary norms is important; peer education might be effective.
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BACKGROUND@#Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide. However, the mechanisms involved in the development and progression of AMD are poorly delineated. We aimed to explore the critical genes involved in the progression of AMD.@*METHODS@#The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AMD retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)/choroid tissues were identified using the microarray datasets GSE99248 and GSE125564, which were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus database. The overlapping DEGs from the two datasets were screened to identify DEG-related biological pathways using gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses. The hub genes were identified from these DEGs through protein-protein interaction network analyses. The expression levels of hub genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction following the induction of senescence in ARPE-19 with FK866. Following the identification of AMD-related key genes, the potential small molecule compounds targeting the key genes were predicted by PharmacoDB. Finally, a microRNA-gene interaction network was constructed.@*RESULTS@#Microarray analyses identified 174 DEGs in the AMD RPE compared to the healthy RPE samples. These DEGs were primarily enriched in the pathways involved in the regulation of DNA replication, cell cycle, and proteasome-mediated protein polyubiquitination. Among the top ten hub genes, HSP90AA1, CHEK1, PSMA4, PSMD4, and PSMD8 were upregulated in the senescent ARPE-19 cells. Additionally, the drugs targeting HSP90AA1, CHEK1, and PSMA4 were identified. We hypothesize that Hsa-miR-16-5p might target four out of the five key DEGs in the AMD RPE.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Based on our findings, HSP90AA1 is likely to be a central gene controlling the DNA replication and proteasome-mediated polyubiquitination during the RPE senescence observed in the progression of AMD. Targeting HSP90AA1, CHEK1, PSMA4, PSMD4, and/or PSMD8 genes through specific miRNAs or small molecules might potentially alleviate the progression of AMD through attenuating RPE senescence.
Subject(s)
Humans , DNA Replication , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Ontology , Macular Degeneration/genetics , Proteasome Endopeptidase ComplexABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To compare the treatment outcome and prognosis of the newly-treated myc@*METHODS@#152 double-expression lymphoma patients (myc@*RESULTS@#The median age of 152 DEL patients was 60.5 years old (15-87 years old). 85 patients (55.9%) were Ann Arbor stage III/IV. There was no significant difference in clinical data between the patients in the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that bcl-6 expression, ECOG score, and stage were the independent prognostic factors for the entire group of DEL patients. There was no statistical difference in ORR between the patients in the two groups (χ2=0.749, P=0.387). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that PFS and OS of the bcl-6@*CONCLUSION@#bcl-6
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Humans , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , Cyclophosphamide , Doxorubicin , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy , Prednisolone , Prognosis , Vincristine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a less pressure-dependent type of glaucoma with characteristic optic neuropathy. Recently, the biomechanical mechanism has been thought to account for glaucomatous optic neuropathy to some degree. We intended to compare dynamic corneal response parameters (DCRs) among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with normal tension or hypertension and controls. The correlations between DCRs and known risk factors for glaucoma were also analyzed.@*METHODS@#In this cross-sectional study, 49 NTG subjects, 45 hypertension glaucoma (HTG) subjects, and 50 control subjects were enrolled. We compared the differences in DCRs using corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology among the NTG, HTG, and control groups. We also analyzed the correlations between DCRs and known risk factors for glaucoma (eg, central corneal thickness [CCT], intraocular pressure [IOP], etc).@*RESULTS@#The maximum inverse concave radius (NTG: 0.18 [0.17, 0.20] mm-1; control: 0.17 [0.16, 0.18] mm-1; P = 0.033), deformation amplitude ratio of 2 mm (DAR 2 mm, NTG: 4.87 [4.33, 5.39]; control: 4.37 [4.07, 4.88]; P 0.05). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, some of the DCRs, such as IR, were negatively correlated with CCT and IOP, whereas SP-A1 was positively correlated with CCT and IOP.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The cornea was more deformable in NTG than in HTG or controls. There were no significant differences in corneal deformability between HTG and controls. The cornea was more deformable with the thinner cornea and lower IOP.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biomechanical Phenomena , Cornea , Cross-Sectional Studies , Glaucoma, Open-Angle , Hypertension , Intraocular Pressure , Low Tension GlaucomaABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the potential mechanisms of Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) on growth inhibition of breast cancer cell line 4T1 in tumor-bearing mice by investigating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1)/stress activated protein kinase (SAPK)/extracellular regulated protein kinases (Erk) Kinase (SEK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathways. Method:The 4T1 breast cancer mice model was established. Forty-eight mice with successful modeled and randomly divided into the low, medium and high-dose PNS groups (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1) and the model control group (12 mice in each group). The PNS groups received intraperitoneal injection with dosage of 10 mL·kg-1, while the controlled group was given the same dosage of saline. After administration with PNS for 28 days, tumor tissues were isolated, weighed, sliced and homogenized. Tumor cell apoptosis was detected by TdT mediated-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The mRNA expressions of MEKK1, SEK1, JNK1 and AP-1 in tumor tissue were detected by Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). The protein expressions of MEKK1, SEK1, JNK1 and AP-1 in tumor tissue were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. Result:Compared with model group, the tumor weights of medium-dose and high-dose PNS groups were decreased significantly (P<0.05). TUNEL staining showed that the number of apoptotic tumor cells increased with the rise of dosage of PNS (P<0.05). The medium-dose and high-dose PNS groups showed a significant increase in the mRNA expressions of MEKK1, SEK1, JNK1 and AP-1 as well as the protein expressions of MEKK1, SEK1, JNK1 and AP-1 in tumor tissues (P<0.05), with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion:PNS could inhibit the tumor growth of breast cancer cell line 4T1 in tumor-bearing mice, which may be related to the activation of MEKK1/SEK1/JNK1/AP-1 signaling pathways.
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@#Objective: To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA CDKN2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B-AS1) on malignant biological behaviors of melanoma B16-F10 cells by targeting miR-7-5p. Methods: Melanoma B16-F10 cells were chosen for this study. shRNA CDKN2B-AS1 vector was constructed and transfected into B16-F10 cells. The experimental cells were divided into control group, sh-CDKN2B-AS1 group, miR-7-5p mimic group and miR-7-5p inhibitor group. The expression level of CDKN2B-AS1 mRNA in the transfected B16-F10 cells was detected by RT-PCR; the number of clone formation and the proliferation ability of the cells were detected by Clone formation assay and MTT assay; and the migration and invasion ability of the cells were detected by Scratch-healing assay and Transwell assay. The targeting relationship between CDKN2B-AS1 and miR-7-5p was detected by Luciferase reporter gene assay. The mRNA expression of miR-7-5p and protein expressions of Ki67, cleaved caspase-3, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Twist1 in B16-F10 cells after transfection with miR-7-5p mimics/inhibitor were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results: Compared with the control group, the expression level of CDKN2B-AS1 mRNA in B16-F10 cells of sh-CDKN2B-AS1 group was significantly decreased (P<0.01); the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of cells were significantly decreased (all P<0.01). Luciferase reporter gene assay showed that CDKN2B-AS1 directly targeted miR-7-5p. The mRNAexpression of miR-7-5p, and protein expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and E-cadherininsh-CDKN2B-AS1groupandmiR-7-5pmimic group were significantly up-regulated (all P<0.05), whiletheproteinexpressionsofKi67,N-cadherin,andTwist1weresignificantlydown-regulated (all P<0.05). Conclusion: CDKN2B-AS1 targets miR-7-5p to promote the development of melanoma, and interfering with CDKN2B-AS1 can inhibit the malignant biological behaviors of melanoma B16-F10 cells.
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@# Objective: To design and prepare a novel bi-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell targeting both CD20 and CD19 antigen on B lymphocyte surface, and to detect its killing effect on B lymphocyte tumors as well as its treatment efficacy on immunodeficiency B-NSG mouse with leukemia. Methods: Bi-specific CAR molecule of CD20 (human originated)/CD19 (murine originated) scFv was constructed and packaged into lentiviral vector in 293 cells, and then transfected into T lymphocytes from healthy donors to prepare BiCAR-T cells. K562-CD19-GFP cells (with positive CD19 expression), K562-CD20-GFP cells (with positive CD20 expression) and Nalm6-Luc-GFP cells expressing luciferase were constructed as target cells. After being co-incubated with above mentioned targets cells, the cytotoxic effects of BiCAR-T cells on target cells were evaluated via LDH release assay, and the secretion of IFN-γ by BiCAR-T cells was evaluated by ELISA. Nalm6-Luc-GFP cells were used to construct the mouse model of leukemia and BiCAR-T cells were transfused via tail veins; the treatment efficacy of BiCAR-T cells on tumor bearing mice was evaluated with small animal imaging method. Results: After 7 days’incubation, the BiCAR-T cells originated from healthy donors amplified about 20-50 times with a positive rate of 10%~92%, indicating successful preparation of BiCAR-T cells. Under an effector∶target ratio of 10∶1, the killing rates of BiCAR-T cells against Nalm-6, K562-CD19-GFP and K562-CD20-GFP cells were significantly higher than that of control cells [(76.7±7.4)% vs (8.7±2.4)%, (93.3±5.2)% vs (46.7±6.2)%, (51.0±0.8) vs (30.7±0.5)%, all P<0.01]. Compared with control group, BiCAR-T cells co-incubated with Nalm-6 cells also secreted significantly more IFN- γ [(872.7±7.7) vs (101.0±5.3) pg/ml, P<0.01). Animal experiment showed that BiCAR-T cells had significant efficacy on B-NSG mice with leukemia; NSG leukemia mice treated with BiCAR-T cells all lived up to 70 days (till they were mercy killed) and leukemia cells disappeared at about 50 days, while the mice in PBS and T lymphocytes group all died at (19±3) d and (20±1) d, respectively. Conclusion: Bi-specific CAR molecules expressing CD19 and CD20 were successfully designed and BiCAR-T cells were successfully prepared. The BiCAR-T cells can effectively kill CD19 and/or CD20 tumor cells and secret large amounts of IFN-γ after co-incubation with target cells, exerting significant treatment efficacy on B-NSG immunodeficiency mouse with leukemia.
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The chemical constituents of Cinnamomi Ramulus were investigated in this study. Twenty-two compounds were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatographies and preparative HPLC and their structures were identified by various spectral analyses as dihydrorosavin(1), rosavin(2), 1-phenyl-propane-1,2,3-triol(3), patchoulol(4), graphostromane B(5),(+)-lyoniresinol-3 a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6),(-)-lyoniresinol-3 a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7), cinnacaside(8), subaveniumin A(9), 3-phenyl-2-propenyl-6-O-L-arabinopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside(10), 2-phenylethyl-β-vicianoside(11), cinnacasol(12), [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-(benzyloxy)-3,4,5-trihydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl] methyl hydrogen sulfate(13), coniferyl aldehyde(14),(2R,3R)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan-3-ol(15), cinnacassin L(16), E-cinnamic alcohol(17),(E)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ol(18), 2-hydroxyphenylpropanol(19), cinnamomulactone(20),(+)-syringaresinol(21) and cinnamomumolide(22), respectively. Among them, 1 is a new compound and 3-7, 9-11, 13, 15, 18 and 19 were isolated from the plant for the first time.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Cinnamomum/chemistry , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Phytochemicals/analysisABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the characteristics of cognitive processing over time in recognition of different emotional faces in patients with depression.@*Methods@#Totally 29 patients with depression(patient group) and 30 normal control (control group)were selected.Subjects freely viewed positive, sad, threatening and neutral facial stimuli.Eye movement data were collected during the process of watching, and the differences of attention bias in time when the two groups of subjects recognized the four emotional faces were compared.The temporal variation trend of attention between the two groups was analyzed.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in the fixation duration between the patient group and the control group in 0-2 s((10.39±1.83)ms, (9.63±1.28)ms), 2-4 s((12.61±2.34)ms, (11.21±3.00)ms), 4-6 s ((12.26±3.11)ms, (10.47±4.06)ms)(all P>0.05). Within 6-8 s((12.64±3.42)ms, (8.90±4.02)ms), 8-10 s((12.55±4.19)ms, (9.36±4.02)ms), the fixation duration in the patient group was significantly longer than that in the control group (P<0.01). The fixation time of the positive faces in the patient group in 0-2 s ((12.07±2.65)ms, (14.50±3.54)ms), 2-4 s((10.69±3.26)ms, (14.66±5.25)ms), 4-6 s((10.11±4.24)ms, (15.43±8.02)ms), 6-8 s((9.39±5.12)ms, (16.88±9.60)ms), 8-10 s ((9.45±4.94)ms, (16.63±10.15)ms) was significantly lower than that in the control group (all P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Patients with depression tend to pay attention to negative stimuli in the later stage of cognitive processing, while the attention to positive stimuli decreases in the early stage of cognitive processing.Cognitive processing of emotional stimuli in patients with depression is manifested as increased attention duration of negative stimuli and decreased attention duration of positive stimuli.
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BACKGROUND@#With increasing media coverage of food safety incidents, such as that of clenbuterol residues in pork, food safety has become a major public health concern in China. Rapidly developing online markets attract increasing numbers of Chinese consumers to purchase food on the Internet. However, the quality and safety of food sold online are uncertain and are less reported on.@*OBJECTIVE@#This research aimed to systematically study the quality and safety of chilled pork from wet markets, supermarkets, and online markets in China.@*RESULTS@#The chilled pork samples from online markets were fresher than those from wet markets and supermarkets based on the surface redness (a* value). Chilled pork contained high levels of nutritional elements, especially the magnesium and phosphorus levels in samples from online markets. The levels of heavy metal element residues and veterinary drug residues in all chilled pork samples were within the standards limits. In addition, huge differences existed in the quality and freshness of the chilled pork samples from online markets according to principal component analysis (PCA).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Most chilled pork sold in Chinese markets was qualified and safe. It is necessary to establish an effective online market supervision system for chilled pork.
Subject(s)
Animals , China , Cold Temperature , Drug Residues/analysis , Food Preservation/standards , Food Quality , Food Safety , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Principal Component Analysis , Red Meat/standards , Sus scrofa , Veterinary Drugs/analysisABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is a protein with anti-apoptotic effect that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. DcR3 is highly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors including cholangiocarcinoma and its expression was found to be related to the clinical stage, the invasion, and the metastasis of the tumor. This in vitro study aimed to investigate the effect of downregulated expression of DcR3 on cell viability, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle in cholangiocarcinoma cell line TFK-1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three different cell lines were cultured: human cholangiocarcinoma TFK-1, human biliary epithelial carcinoma HuCCT-1, and human cholangiocarcinoma RBE. The cholangiocarcinoma cell line with the highest expression of DcR3 was selected for further investigation. The expression of DcR3 was silenced/knocked down by transfection with DcR3-siRNA in the selected cell line. Various biological phenotype parameters such as cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA and protein levels of DcR3 were measured in the three cell lines, and TFK-1 was selected. After the treatment with DcR3-siRNA for 48 h, DcR3 mRNA and protein expression in the treatment group were 38.45% (P < 0.01) and 48.03% (P < 0.05) of that of the control, respectively. It was found that the cell viability decreased to 61.87% of the control group (P < 0.01) after the downregulation of DcR3 in cholangiocarcinoma cell line TFK-1 by transfection with DcR3-siRNA, while the percentage of apoptotic cells was 2.98 times as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group the ratio of G0/G1increased, and the ratio of G2/M decreased in the treatment group. However, the differences were not statistically significant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The effect of DcR3 on the growth and apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma has been demonstrated. DcR3 is not only a predictive marker for malignant tumor but it is also likely to be a potential target for cancer gene therapy. Further studies should focus on exploring the binding ligand of DcR3, the signaling pathway involved, and the molecular mechanism for the regulation of DcR3 expression in cholangiocarcinoma.</p>
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Stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability in China and even worldwide.At present, treatment of stroke has been traditionally focused on reducing death of ischemic cells.However,clinical trials have shown that none of neuroprotective drugs tested achieve clinical benefit after acute stroke.Exosomes are 30~100 nm extracellular vesicles derived from cells with cell membrane structure.Many studies suggest exosomes play essential roles in intercellular communication by transferring their cargo between source and target cells in brain.Emerging data show that exsomes also make a contribution to brain recovery via regulating highly interactive process pathway after stroke.Here,we review these advances and highlight the potential therapeutic functions of exosomes in brain remodeling after stroke.
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Objective To investigate the effects of 72 h sleep deprivation(SD)on circadian clock gene expression in the rat liver.Methods Twelve rats were randomly divided into control group and SD group.An SD instrument was used to deprive the rats′sleep for 72 h.Then the abdominal cavity was exposed to obtain liver,and the expression of clock genes was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis, respectively.Results Compared with the control group, the mRNA levels of clock,npas2 and rev-erbαstrikingly decreased in the livers of the SD group rats.However,per1,per2 and rorαmRNA levels obviously increased.bmal1 and cry1 mRNA expression hardly changed in the control and SD groups. Meanwhile,the protein levels of liver BMAL1,CLOCK,NPAS2,CRY1 and REV-ERBαwere significantly down-regulated and PER1,PER2 and RORαprotein levels were up-regulated in SD group compared with control group.Conclusion 72 h SD can result in abnormal expressions of several circadian clock genes in the rat liver at both transcriptional and translational levels.
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Circadian rhythms are endogenous 24 h variations found in virtually all physiological processes and behaviors, which are controlled by the transcriptional translational oscillator that consists of a series of core clock genes (bmal1, clock, cry and per) and clock controlled genes (rev-erbα, rorα, dbp, tef and hlf).Clock genes exist in immune organs, tissues and cells, leading to the immune cell function (migration and chemotaxis, phagocytosis, cytotoxicity and so on) and a variety of immune parameters (factor level of circulating immune cells and subsets of the relative and absolute number of cells) showing circadian rhythm changes, and playing an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis.In addition, some immune related diseases are closely correlated with circadian rhythms abnormalities.This paper will focus on the effect of circadian rhythms on immune functions and their roles in some immune related diseases.
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Objective To investigate the effect of 36 h continuous sleep deprivation(SD) on circadian clock gene expression in the rat liver and kidney and the alteration of urine biomarker levels.Methods Twelve rats were randomly divided into control group and SD group.An SD device was used to deprive the rats of sleep.After 36 h continuous SD, the abdominal cavity was exposed to obtain livers and kidneys, and RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect expression of clock genes.Then,the pelvic cavity was exposed to obtain urine, and the changes in bio-marker total bile acids(TBA) were tested with ELISA.Results Compared with the control group, the mRNA level of liver clock and bmal1 was obviously reduced in the SD-treated rats (P<0.05).However, no obvious change was found in the samples from the kidney.Sharp down-regulation of CLOCK and BMAL1 protein expression was also observed in the rat liver after SD treatment.Urine TBA content in SD treated rats was raised obviously (P<0.001), compared with control.Conclusion Thirty-six hours of continuous SD could result in deregulation of circadian clock gene and cholesterol metabolism disorder in the rat liver.TBA might be used as a noninvasive biomarker of liver injury under SD stress conditions.
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AIM: To report the long- term clinical outcomes of accelerated trans-epithelial corneal cross-linking ( CXL ) protocols using KXL System ( Avedro, USA ) in the treatment of progressive keratoconus. · METHODS: Totally 52 patients ( 102 eyes ) with progressive keratoconus between December 2014 and February 2017 [ maximum keratometry values ( Kmax) ≤60.0D, minimum corneal thickness(Thk) ≥400m] were treated with an accelerate trans-epithelial CXL protocol (UV-A irradiation intensity 45mW/cm2 with a total fluence of 7. 2J/cm2 ) using KXL system ( Avedro, USA ) in Southwest Hospital. The average follow-up time was 11. 65mo (range: 9-26mo). Uncorrected distance visual acuity ( UDVA) , corrected distance visual acuity ( CDVA) , intra- ocular pressure ( IOP ) , slit-lamp microscope examination, Kmax and average keratometry values ( AveK ) , corneal stromal demarcation line depth and endothelial cell density ( ECD) were evaluated. ·RESULTS:The 52 patients (102 eyes) were included in this research, male 36 (70 eyes) and female 16 (32 eyes), average age was 19. 5±4. 6 years. Preoperative CDVA was 0. 84±0. 89 (LogMAR), postoperative CDVA was 0. 69±0. 72 ( P = 0. 398 ). Preoperative UDVA was 1. 02 ± 0. 62 (LogMAR), postoperative UDVA was 0. 85 ± 0. 59 ( P =0. 154 ). Preoperative IOP was 12. 95 ± 4. 40mmHg, postoperative IOP was 11.92±3. 66mmHg (P=0. 272). No statistical difference (P=0. 552) has been found between preoperative and postoperative ECD. Nevertheless, on the Sirius anterior system ( Sirius, CSO, Itlay) , significant statistical difference (P=0. 017) was confirmed between preoperative Kmax ( 50. 83 ± 3. 48D ) and postoperative Kmax (52. 05±3. 63D). Meanwhile, the postoperative Avek (47.74±2. 51D) was significantly lower (P=0. 041) than the preoperative Avek ( 48. 73 ± 4. 33D ). The average corneal stromal demarcation line depth ( 192 ± 23. 6μm ) was detected by the anterior segment OCT. No statistical difference ( P = 0. 816 ) has been found between preoperative and postoperative Thk. No severe complication was observed in all cases. ·CONCLUSION: Accelerated trans-epithelial CXL was effective in decreasing keratometry values for progressive keratoconus in this research, and the outcomes remained stable during the follow-up time. No endothelium damage or other severe complications were observed in this clinical research. The accelerated trans-epithelial CXL is as effective as the standard CXL.