Drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum isolated from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and Kelch 13 (PfK13) genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to provide insights into the development of the malaria control strategy in local areas. Methods A total of 85 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infections in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes were amplified using a nested PCR assay. The amplification products were sequenced, and the gene sequences were aligned. Results There were no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in PfK13 gene in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, while drug-resistant mutations were detected in PfMDR1 and PfCRT genes, and the proportions of PfMDR1_N86Y, PfMDR1_Y184F and PfCRT_K76T mutations were 35.29% (30/85), 72.94% (62/85) and 24.71% (21/85), respectively. Conclusion There are mutations in PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Effect of atorvastatin on autophagy and cholesterol level in foam cells by activating transcription factor EB / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveRecent studies revealed that the transcription factor EB (TFEB) plays an important role in regulating autophagy, reducing intracellular lipids, and inhibiting atherosclerosis. This study aims to explore the effects of atorvastatin (ATV) on autophagy and cholesterol levels of foam cells by activating TFEB.MethodsHuman mononuclear cell line THP-1 was cultured in vitro and induced to differentiate into macrophages using phorbol ester. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) was added to macrophages, which were induced for 48 hours to establish a foam cell model. The experiment was divided into four groups: blank group, model group (oxLDL group), oxLDL+ Chloroquine (CQ) group, oxLDL+ ATV group, and oxLDL+CQ+ ATV group. Cells in each group were treated with drugs for 48 h. The toxicity of ATV and chloroquine on the cells was detected by the CCK8 method. Oil red O staining was used to test the level of lipid droplets. Oxidase method was used to detect levels of intracellular free cholesterol (FC), total cholesterol (TC) and others related to. Cholesterol efflux fluorescence analysis was used to determine the cholesterol efflux rate of the cells. Expression of I, P62, TFEB, LAMP 1 protein was determined by Western blot.ResultsThe results of the CCK8 method showed that the cell survival rate decreased significantly with the increase of ATV and CQ concentrations (P<0.01). Compared to the blank group, the levels of lipid droplets, FC, TC, and CE/TC in the model group significantly increased (P<0.05), and the cholesterol outflow rate significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the intracellular lipid droplets, FC, TC, and CE/TC levels in the oxLDL+CQ group elevated significantly (P<0.05), while the cholesterol outflow rate decreased significantly (P<0.05). The intracellular lipid droplets, FC, TC, and CE/TC contents in the oxLDL+ATV group decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the cholesterol outflow rate increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared to the oxLDL+CQ group, the intracellular lipid droplets, FC, TC, and CE/TC content in the oxLDL+CQ+ATV group decreased significantly (P<0.05), while the cholesterol outflow rate increased significantly (P<0.05). Western blotting results showed that protein expression levels of LC3II/I, P62 and TFEB were decreased in the model histone in comparison to the blank group (P<0.05). Compared to the expression levels of LC3II/I, P62, TFEB and LAMP1 ((1.006±0.052), (0.183±0.013), (0.333±0.020), and (0.957±0.026)) in the model group, the expression levels of oxLDL+CQ histamine ((1.594±0.017), (0.257±0.006), (0.477±0.024), and (0.957±0.026)) were significantly higher (P<0.05).The protein expression levels of LC3II/I, TFEB and LAMP1 in oxLDL+ATV group ((1.146±0.060), (0.540±0.031), and (1.027±0.054)) were increased, while the protein expression levels of P62 (0.115±0.009) were decreased (P<0.05). Compared to LC3II/I and P62 in oxLDL+CQ group, the expression level of oxLDL+CQ+ATV histone was decreased ((1.419±0.036) and (0.165±0.006)), and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.05).ConclusionATV can increase the cholesterol outflow rate of macrophages, reduce the level of cholesterol and lipid droplets in macrophages, and reduce the formation of foam cells. The mechanisms behind this are still unknown, which may be related to the activation of TFEB by ATV and influencing the process of autophagy.

Preliminary clinical evaluation of nerve growth factor gel on neuroprotecion in patients with glaucoma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of nerve growth factor ( NGF ) on acute angle-closure glaucoma patients after trabeculetomy.METHODS: Patients with viral keratitis who underwent trabeculectomy in treatment of acute angle - closure glaucoma in Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University from December 2011 to October 2013 were selected and completed the treatment, 61 eyes of 45 cases were followed up. The treatment group of 23 cases (32 eyes) with acute angle-closure glaucoma patients were treated by NGF gel for 3mo after trabeculetomy, while in the control group 22 cases (29 eyes) were treated by normal saline replaced NGF. All patients were followed up for at least 12mo, visual acuity, perimetry, retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL) thickness and cup/disc ratio of the patients were followed up during the treatment. The safety of topical use of NGF gel was also evaluated.RESULTS:ln all patients, the intraocular pressure ( lOP) was successfully controlled under 21mmHg and the visual acuity was markedly increased in the affected eye after trabeculectomy. Compared with control group, the postoperative lOP and visual acuity had no significant differences in treatment group (P>0. 05). The average light sensitivity of perimetry and mean defect were better than that in control group postoperative 6 and 12mo; The results of optical coherent tomography ( OCT ) and Heiderburg Retina Tomography ( HRT )-Ⅲ showed that RNFL thickness was significantly greater than that in control group, while cup/disc ratio significantly less than that in control group postoperative 6 and 12mo. Ocular surface damage, corneal endothelium to reduce and other eye complication were no observed in treatment group.CONCLUSlON:Acute angle-closure glaucoma treated by NGF gel after operation is effective and safe.

Dissolving mechanism of strain P17 on insoluble phosphorus of yellow-brown soil

Strain P17 was a bacterial strain identified as Bacillus megaterium isolated from ground accumulating phosphate rock powder. The fermentation broth of strain P17 and the yellow-brown soil from Nanjing Agricultural University garden were collected to conduct this study. The simulation of fixed insoluble phosphorous forms after applying calcium superphosphate into yellow-brown soil was performed in pots, while available P and total P of soil were extremely positive correlative with those of groundwater. Then the dissolving effect of strain P17 on insoluble P of yellow-brown soil was studied. Results showed that Bacillus megaterium strain P17 had notable solubilizing effect on insoluble phosphates formed when too much water-soluble phosphorous fertilizer used. During 100 days after inoculation, strain P17 was dominant. Until the 120th day, compared with water addition, available P of strain P17 inoculation treated soil increased by 3 times with calcium superphosphate addition. Besides available P, pH, activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase and population of P-solubilizing microbes were detected respectively. P-solubilizing mechanism of P-solubilizing bacteria strain P17 seems to be a synergetic effect of pH decrease, organic acids, phosphatase, etc.

Comprehensive rehabilitation of burn-induced dysfunctions in China / 中华烧伤杂志

Burn patients often suffer from different degrees of dysfunction, such as residual burn wounds, formation of hyperplastic scar, scar itching, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, limitation of motion, and psychological disorders, which exert severe impact on their daily life. This article reviews various rehabilitation treatments for dysfunction after burn injury to promote rehabilitation of burn patients.

Curcumin attenuates contrast-induced nephropathy by upregulating heme oxygenase-1 expression in rat / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of curcumin (CMN) on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in rats and explore the potential mechanisms focusing on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male SD rats (n = 24) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 each): control group (group A), diatrizoate group (DTZ, group B), DTZ + CMN group (group C), DTZ + CMN + zinc protoporphyrin IX group (group D). All rats were fed with normal chow for 1 week, right kidney was excised under anesthesia and rats were fed with normal chow for another 4 weeks. Afterwards, rats in group A was fed with normal chow, and rats in group B to D were fed with low-salt diet. All rats were injected furosemide 2 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) for 7 days intramuscularly. At the beginning of the 7(th) day, rats in group C were injected intramuscularly with CMN 20 mg/kg, rats in group D were injected with CMN (20 mg/kg) + zinc protoporphyrin IX (7.5 mg/kg) while rats in group A and B were injected with equal volume of physiological saline. At the end of the 7(th) day, indometacin (10 mg/kg) was injected into tail vein of all rats. One hour later, 60% DTZ (8 ml/kg) was injected to rats in the group B, C and D while equal volume saline was injected to rats in group A through common carotid artery. After 48 hours, blood was drawn from the hearts of deeply anesthetized rats and kidney tissue was obtained for histology, HO-1, Bax, Bcl-2 expression and the apoptotic index measurements.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum creatinine of group B, C and D [(83.67 ± 4.50) µmol/L, (63.67 ± 4.76) µmol/L, (104.17 ± 4.58) µmol/L] was significantly higher than that of group A [(41.50 ± 5.58) µmol/L, all P < 0.05], the serum creatinine was significantly higher in group B than in group C and lower than in group D (all P < 0.05). HO-1 expression of group B, C and D was significantly higher than that of group A (all P < 0.05), significantly higher in group C than in group B and D (all P < 0.05). HO-1 activity of group A, B and C was significantly higher than that of group D(all P < 0.05), HO-1 activity was significantly higher in group B than in group A and significantly lower in group B than in group C (all P < 0.05). Bax, Bcl-2 expression and apoptosis index of group B, C and D were significantly higher than that of group A (all P < 0.05), while Bcl-2/Bax of group B, C and D were significantly lower than that of group A (all P < 0.05). Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax were significantly higher while apoptosis index was significantly lower in group C than in group B (all P < 0.05). Bax and apoptosis index were significantly higher and Bcl-2, Bcl-2/Bax were significantly lower in group D than in group B (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CMN could protect against contrast-induced nephropathy through reducing renal cell apoptosis via upregulating HO-1 expression and activating HO-1 activity in rats.</p>

Silencing PI3K by siRNA activated FoxO3a gene and inhibited the growth of xenografted breast carcinoma in nude mice / 肿瘤

Objective: To investigate the effect of silencing PI3K by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the expression of FOXO3a in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and the growth of xenografted breast carcinoma in nude mice. Methods: Plasmids of siRNA for PI3K gene (Psilencer1.0-U6-PI3K) were constructed and xenografted tumor model was established in nude mice by subcutaneous inoculation of MCF-7 cells. Twenty-seven nude mice with xenografted tumor were divided randomly into 3 groups. Group 1 was intratumorally administered by Psilencer1.0-U6-PI3K plasmid. Group 2 and group 3 were intratumorally given Psilencer10-U6 plasmid and physiological saline (group 1), respectively. The tumor volume and survival time of nude mice were recorded. The expressions of PI3K and FOXO3a was measured by Western blotting. Results: The tumor size was significantly decreased and the average survival time was significantly enlongated in Psilencer1.0-U6-PI3K-treated group (P <0.01). Western blotting analysis showed that the protein expression of PI3K in xenografted tumor was markedly decreased and FOXO3a was significantly elevated compared with control groups (P <0.05). Conclusion: Psilencer1.0-U6-PI3K markedly silenced the expression of PI3K gene, up-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor gene FOXO3a, inhibited the growth of xenografted tumor, finally prolonged the survival time of nude mice bearing human breast carcinoma.

IMPROVEMENT OF NIGERICIN PRODUCTION IN STREPTOMYCES HYGROSCOPICUS NND-52 BY COMBINATION MUTANT / 微生物学通报

Based on the lethal rate, positive and negative mutation rate, the optimal doses of UV, HNO2, UV + AO treating S. hygroscopicus NND-52-29 were determined. The mutant strain A19 that was obtained showed the derepres-sive property to glucose and the nigericin yield of A19 could be increased by 128%. When it was subcultured combined with natural screening, its stability was rather satisfied.