[Efficacy analysis of autologous facet joint bone block in lumbar interbody fusion of osteoporosis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the feasibility of autologous facet joint bone block as an alternative to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in lumbar intervertebral fusion surgery for patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: From December 2018 to June 2021, the case data of patients with osteoporosis (T value ≤ -2.5 on dual energy X-ray bone density) who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. All the cases were followed up for no less than 12 months and were divided into two groups according to the differences of interbody fusion materials: the autologous facet joint bone block group (autogenous bone group) and the PEEK cage group (PEEK group). The general data [such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), primary diagnosis, distribution of fusion segments, bone mineral density of lumbar (BMD), incidence of preoperative complications], the perioperative data (such as duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion rate), and the incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Imaging parameters (disc height, lumbar lordosis angle, segment lordosis angle, segmental lordosis angle, disc height improvement rate, and fusion rate) and lumbar functional scores [visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score for lower back pain] were compared to evaluate the clinical efficacy between the kinds of intervertebral fusion materials 1 week, 3 months and 6 months postoperative and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were enrolled, including 68 cases in the autogenous bone group and 50 cases in the PEEK group, there were no statistical differences in age, gender, BMI, primary diagnosis, distribution of fusion segments, BMD, incidence of preoperative complications, duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion rate, incidence of postoperative complications, all the preoperative imaging parameters and all the lumbar function scores between the two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative superficial surgical site infections occurred in 3 patients in the autogenous bone group and 2 patients in the PEEK group. At the last follow-up, 3 cases of intervertebral graft collapse occurred in the autogenous bone group and 5 cases in the PEEK group, 1 case of graft subsidence in the autogenous bone group and 1 case in the PEEK group. All the imaging parameters showed significant differences between postoperation and preoperation (P < 0.05), and all the imaging parameters showed significant differences between 1 week and 3 months postoperative in both groups (P < 0.05). The height, angle of fusion gap in the autogenous bone group were lower than those in the PEEK group 1 week postoperatively (P < 0.05), and the fusion gap height improvement rate in the autogenous bone group was lower than that in the PEEK group (P < 0.05). The cases in both groups started to show final fusion 3 months after surgery, and the fusion rate in the autogenous bone group was 75% 6 months postoperatively, which was significantly higher than the rate of 56% in the PEEK group (P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference in the final fusion rate between the two groups (P>0.05). The ODI, the postoperative VAS score was significantly lower than that in preoperation, while the postoperative JOA score was significantly higher than that in preoperation (P < 0.05). The ODI was lower while the JOA score was higher of the autogenous bone group than that of the PEEK group 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In osteoporosis patients, good interbody fusion rate and improvement of lumbar vertebral function can be obtained by using autologous facet joint bone block or PEEK cage, while the fusion rate and the improvement of lumbar function with autologous facet joint bone block are better than those with PEEK cage 6 months post-operatively. PEEK cage is superior to autologous facet joint bone block in intervertebral distraction and improvement of lumbar lordosis. Significant disc space subsidence occurred in osteoporotic patients within 3 months after lumbar interbody fusion, and the subsidence of PEEK cage was more obvious than that of autologous facet joint bone block.

CircRNA hsa_circ_0014130 function as a miR-132-3p sponge for playing oncogenic roles in bladder cancer via upregulating KCNJ12 expression.

The modern categories of endogenous non-coding RNAs, namely circular RNAs (circRNAs), involved within the carcinogenesis and progression of various human cancers. The fundamental aim of the current investigation was the evaluation of the hsa_circ_0014130 expressions, their biological functions, and potential regulatory network in bladder cancer. The level of expression for hsa_circ_0014130 was evaluated by qRT-PCR, and its relationships to clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of cases experiencing cancer of the bladder were scrutinized. The impact of hsa_circ_0014130 expressions on biological attitudes of bladder cancer cells in vitro was investigated. The interactions between hsa_circ_0014130 and microRNA (miRNA) sponge, miRNA, and its direct targets were determined by RNA pull-down as well as luciferase reporter gene assay. The correlations of their expression were determined by Pearson's correlation analysis. Rescue experiments were carried out to identify the biological roles of the regulation network. The expressions of hsa_circ_0014130 were markedly ameliorated in bladder cancer samples and linked with aggressive characteristics and unfavorable survival. Ectopic expression of hsa_circ_0014130 clearly enhanced the differentiation, proliferative, migratory, invasive potential of the cell in bladder cancer, and the development of tumor xenograft in vivo, while malignant biological behaviors were inhibited by hsa_circ_0014130 knockdown. The expression of hsa_circ_0014130 was tied to miR-132-3p in a negative manner with the cells and tissues of bladder cancer. hsa_circ_0014130 function as a competitive endogenous RNA for miR-132-3p to play oncogenic roles in bladder cancer cells. On the other hand, KCNJ12 was a straightforward target of miR-132-3p at the downstream, and the expressions of KCNJ12 were inversely related to that of miR-132-3p. Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation was found between hsa_circ_0014130 and KCNJ12 mRNA expression. More importantly, the oncogenic impact of hsa_circ_0014130 on bladder cancer cells was partly suppressed by ectopic expression of miR-132-3p or KCNJ12 knockdown. The underlined data revealed that hsa_circ_0014130 exerted its biological roles by regulating miR-132-3p/KCNJ12 expression. Further research revealed hsa_circ_0014130/miR-132-3p/KCNJ12 axis has participated in the Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress and GSK3ß/AKT signaling pathway. hsa_circ_0014130 works as a sponge of miR-132-3p to advance the oncogenesis and metastasis of bladder cancer by regulation of the KCNJ12 expression. These achievements might ameliorate the comprehension of tumor pathogenesis and provide novel therapeutic targets for cancer of the bladder.

Phenylephrine Attenuated Sepsis-Induced Cardiac Inflammation and Mitochondrial Injury Through an Effect on the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether phenylephrine (PE) inhibits sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction, cardiac inflammation, and mitochondrial injury through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. METHODS: A rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture. PE and/or wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) were administered to investigate the role of PI3K/Akt signaling in mediating the effects of PE on inhibiting sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction, cardiac inflammation, and mitochondrial injury. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, echocardiography, and Langendorff system were used to examine the myocardial injury and function. The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), myeloperoxidase, mitochondria-related fusion/fission proteins, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-associated proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: PE improved the cardiac function and survival in septic rats. PE decreased TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and myeloperoxidase contents in the myocardium of septic rats. Meanwhile, PE increased the fusion-related proteins and decreased the fission-related proteins in the myocardial mitochondria of septic rats. On the other hand, PE activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the cecal ligation and puncture-treated rats, and all the protective effects of PE were abolished by wortmannin. CONCLUSIONS: PE attenuated sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction, cardiac inflammation, and mitochondrial injury through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Ornithine decarboxylase is involved in methyl jasmonate-regulated postharvest quality retention in button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we investigated the role of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-regulated postharvest quality maintenance of Agaricus bisporus (J. E. Kange) Imbach button mushrooms by pretreating mushrooms with a specific irreversible inhibitor called α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) before exposure to MeJA vapor. RESULTS: Mushrooms were treated with 0 or 100 µmol L-1 MeJA or a combination of 120 µmol L-1 DFMO and 100 µmol L-1 MeJA, respectively, before storage at 4 °C for 21 days. Treatment with MeJA alone induced the increase in ODC activity whereas this effect was greatly suppressed by pretreatment with DFMO. α-Difluoromethylornithine strongly attenuated the effect of MeJA on decreasing cap opening, slowing the decline rate of soluble protein and total sugar, and accumulating total phenolics and flavonoids. α-Difluoromethylornithine pretreatment also counteracted the ability of MeJA to inhibit polyphenol oxidase and lipoxygenase activities, and malondialdehyde production, and to stimulate superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. It also largely downregulated MeJA-induced accumulation of free putrescine (Put). CONCLUSION: These results reveal that ODC is involved in MeJA-regulated postharvest quality retention of button mushrooms, and this involvement is likely to be associated with Put levels. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ginsenoside Rg1 relieves tert-Butyl hydroperoxide-induced cell impairment in mouse microglial BV2 cells.

Microglial activation plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), an analog of hydroperoxide, mimics the oxidative damage to microglial cells. It has been reported that ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1), an active ingredient of Panax ginseng, has anti-stress and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aims to investigate the ability of G-Rg1 to decrease the t-BHP-mediated cell damage of BV2 microglial cells. We performed flow cytometry assays to facilitate the detection of reactive oxygen species as well as Western blotting analyses and immunofluorescence assays using specific antibodies, such as antibodies against phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinases (p-MAPKs), phospho-nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), Caspase-3, autophagy marker light chain 3 (LC3), and Becline-1. We found that treatment with 50 µM G-Rg1 protected microglial cells against oxidative damage induced by 10 µM t-BHP.

Genetic ablation of receptor for advanced glycation end products promotes functional recovery in mouse model of spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a loss of normal motor and sensory function, leading to severe disability and reduced quality of life. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) deficiency on the function recovery in a mouse model of SCI. Mice received a mid-thoracic spinal contusion injury. Upregulation of RAGE protein expression in spinal cord tissue was evident at 12 h after SCI and continued at 2 and 5 days. Furthermore, we showed that locomotor recovery was improved and lesion pathology was reduced after SCI in RAGE-deficient mice. RAGE deficiency in mice attenuated apoptosis after SCI through inhibiting p53/Bax/caspase-3 pathway. RAGE deficiency in mice inhibited inflammation after SCI, marked by reduced myeloperoxidase activity, NFκB nuclear translocation, and TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 mRNA and protein levels. RAGE deficiency in mice exposed to SCI suppressed the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and gp91-phox and attenuated oxidative and nitrosative stresses, marked by reduced formation of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, peroxynitrite (OONO(-)), and 3-nitrotyrosine. RAGE deficiency in mice exposed to SCI attenuated glial scar at the injury site, marked by decreased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein. These data indicate that the RAGE plays an important role in the development of SCI and might provide a therapeutic target to promote recovery from SCI.

[Effects of Different Terrain Farmland on Codonopsis pilosula Growth in Loess Plateau Dry Areas].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of different terrain farmland on Codonopsis pilosula growth in arid regions, and then to provide basis for choosing appropriate terrain for Codonopsis pilosula cultivation in the northwest region. METHODS: Based on the observation of field production,plot cultivation experiment was designed to observe and record the effects of different terrain farmland on Codonopsis pilosula growth period and yeild, and to analyze the terrain effects on Codonopsis pilosula production comprehensively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between field production and plot cultivation experiment. The results both showed that different terrain farmland significantly affected Codonopsis pilosula growth. Shade slope was the best, then sunny slope followed, terrace and ridge were not suitable for Codonopsis pilosula growth. CONCLUSION: The terrain is a critical part in Codonopsis pilosula production. To ensure the stability of Codonopsis pilosula production and economic benefits, it is best to choose the shade slope for cultivation.

The awareness rate of knowledge of chronic diseases and influencing factors among 4790 adults in anhui province: An online survey using WeChat.

Objective: To investigate public awareness about core information regarding chronic diseases and identify factors influencing that awareness among Anhui Province residents, provide a scientific basis for policy-making, and formulate corresponding intervention measures. Methods: From March to April 2021, 12 provincial-level representative counties and districts of Anhui province in the China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance were selected as survey sites, and 4790 residents were recruited for the survey using stratified multi-stage cluster random sampling. Basic details about the study participants were collected and their awareness of core information about major chronic diseases was measured through an online survey using WeChat. Results: In 2021, the awareness rate of core information about chronic diseases among residents of Anhui Province was 54.93%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a higher awareness rate was associated with the following factors: non-housework occupations (agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery: OR = 1.309, commercial services and production and transportation: OR = 1.450, institutions, and professional and technical personnel: OR = 1.461), a high education level (high school/junior high school/technical school OR = 1.357, college and above OR = 2.133), and residence in the southern and northern Anhui areas (southern Anhui OR = 1.282, northern Anhui OR = 1.431); whereas in rural areas (by district and country) (OR = 0.863), the awareness rate was low (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: The awareness rate of core information about chronic diseases among residents of Anhui, China, is low. It is necessary to strengthen awareness about chronic disease prevention and management by targeting specific groups of people in this region.

Salt reduction behavior of adults in Anhui province in 2019: a cross-sectional survey of 3,378 participants.

Objective: A high-sodium diet is an important risk factor for hypertension in the Chinese population, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Although a large number of related studies have been carried out in Anhui province, clear, effective salt reduction interventions and policies that can be widely promoted have not yet been formed. This study sought to understand the prevalence and precise measures of salt reduction behavior, the variables affecting salt reduction behavior, and the reasons why salt reduction behavior was not practiced in Anhui Province, China. Methods: The total number of participants in the study was 3,378. Using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method, residents between the ages of 18 and 69 years in 10 counties and districts were selected from March to October 2019. A survey questionnaire and physical measurements were given to each participant. The influencing factors of residents' salt reduction behavior were examined using a multi-factor unconditional logistic regression analysis. The chi-squared (χ2) test was used to analyze the implementation of salt reduction behaviors among different age groups and gender, the factors influencing the implementation of salt reduction measures, and the reasons for not implementing salt reduction measures. Results: A history of hypertension was associated with salt reduction strategies (P = 0.014). Patients with hypertension were more likely to adopt salt reduction behaviors than those without hypertension (OR = 1.218, P = 0.040). The influence of eating out on the adoption of salt-reduction measures varied by age group (χ2 = 50.463, P < 0.001) and gender (χ2 = 81.348, P < 0.001). Conclusion: In summary, residents of the Anhui Province are not very knowledgeable about salt reduction. Age, gender, education level, hypertension, and marital status are the main determinants. Our findings have significant implications for policymakers who want to devise salt reduction strategies.

Sirt1 overexpression protects murine osteoblasts against TNF-α-induced injury in vitro by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.

AIM: Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) is the class III histone/protein deacetylase that interferes with the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby has anti-inflammatory function. This study was undertaken to investigate whether Sirt1 could protect osteoblasts against TNF-α-induced injury in vitro. METHODS: Murine osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1, was used. Overexpress of Sirt1 protein in MC3T3-E1 cells was made by transfection the cells with Sirt1-overexpressing adenovirus. The levels of mRNAs and proteins were determined with qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The activity of NF-κB was examined using NF-κB luciferase assay. The NO concentration was measured using the Griess method. RESULTS: Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with TNF-α (2.5-10 ng/mL) suppressed Sirt1 protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner. TNF-α (5 ng/mL) resulted in an increase in apoptosis and a reduction in ALP activity in the cells. Overexpression of Sirt1 in the cells significantly attenuated TNF-α-induced injury through suppressing apoptosis, increasing ALP activity, and increasing the expression of Runx2 and osteocalcin mRNAs. Furthermore, overexpression of Sirt1 in the cells significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation, followed by reducing the expression of iNOS and NO formation. Sirt1 activator resveratrol (10 µmol/L) mimicked the protection of the cells by Sirt1 overexpression against TNF-α-induced injury, which was reversed by the Sirt1 inhibitor EX-527 (5 µmol/L). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of Sirt1 protects MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts aganst TNF-α-induced cell injury in vitro, at least in part, via suppressing NF-κB signaling. Sirt1 may be a novel therapeutic target for treating rheumatoid arthritis-related bone loss.

The detection rate and influencing factors of high-risk groups of cardiovascular disease in Anhui, China: A cross-sectional study of 99,821 residents.

Objective: To investigate the detection rate and influencing factors of high-risk population of cardiovascular disease in Anhui province. Methods: From March 2017 to August 2019, the residents aged 35-75 years old were selected using the multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method in 8 counties and districts of Anhui Province, and questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurement, and collection of biological samples were carried out among them. Results: A total of 99,821 residents in Anhui Province were finally investigated, and among them 21,426 residents were detected to be high-risk groups of cardiovascular disease. The detection rate of high-risk groups was 21.46%. According to the high-risk types, the high-risk groups can be clustered. 74.57% of them had only one high-risk type, 22.57% of them had two high-risk types, and 2.86% had three or more high-risk types. The results of Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) showed that male, age ≥45 years old, not married, occupation as a farmer, annual family income <25,000 yuan, drinking, overweight and obesity, pre-central obesity and central obesity, snoring, feeling fatigued, sleepiness, and self-reported history of diabetes were more likely to be risk factors of cardiovascular disease (all P value < 0.05). Conclusion: The detection rate of high-risk groups of cardiovascular disease in Anhui Province is relatively high. Individualized intervention measures as well as comprehensive prevention and control strategies should be adopted focusing on the distribution characteristics of risk factors of high-risk groups.

Anatomical Evidence for the Neural Connection from the Emotional Brain to Autonomic Innervation in the Anterior Chamber Structures of the Eye.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which can be affected by emotions, is important in the occurrence or progression of glaucoma. The autonomic innervation distributed in the anterior chamber (AC) structures might play an efferent role in the neural regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP). This study aimed to investigate the anatomic neural connection from the emotional brain to autonomic innervation in the AC. METHODS: A retrograde trans-multisynaptic pseudorabies virus encoded with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (PRV531) and non-trans-synaptic tracer FAST Dil were injected into the right eye of mice, respectively. Fluorescent localization in the emotional brain and preganglionic nuclei was studied. Five and a half days after PRV531 injection into the right AC, fluorescent signals were observed in several emotional brain regions, including the amygdala, agranular insular cortex, lateral septal nuclei, periaqueductal gray, and hypothalamus. Autonomic preganglionic nuclei, including Edinger-Westphal nucleus, superior salivatory nucleus, and intermediolateral nucleus, were labeled using PRV531. RESULTS: The sensory trigeminal nuclei were not labeled using PRV531. The fluorescence signals in the nuclei mentioned above showed bilateral distribution, primarily on the ipsilateral side. Seven days after injecting FAST Dil into the AC, we observed no FAST Dil-labeled neurons in the central nervous system. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a neural connection from the emotional brain to autonomic innervation in the AC, which provides anatomical support for the emotional influence of IOP via the ANS.

Glycemic control and its influencing factors in type 2 diabetes patients in Anhui, China.

Objective: To investigate the status of glycemic control and analyze its influencing factors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Anhui, China. Methods: 1,715 T2D patients aged 18-75 years old were selected from 4 counties or districts in Anhui Province in 2018, using a convenience sampling method. All patients have undergone a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test. According to the 2022 American Diabetes Association criteria, HbA1c was used to evaluate the glycemic control status of patients, and HbA1c < 7.0% was defined as good glycemic control. The influencing factors of glycemic control were analyzed by multivariate unconditional logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of good glycemic control among people with T2D in the Anhui Province was low (22.97%). On univariate analysis, gender, education level, occupation, region, smoking, drinking, waist circumference and disease duration (all P < 0.05) were significantly associated with glycemic control. The factors associated with pool glycemic control were female gender [OR = 0.67, 95%CI (0.52, 0.86), P = 0.001], higher level of education [OR = 0.47, 95%CI (0.27, 0.83), P = 0.001], living in rural areas [OR = 1.77, 95%CI (1.39, 2.26), P < 0.001], central obesity [OR = 1.58, 95%CI (1.19, 2.09), P = 0.001] and longer duration of disease [OR = 2.66, 95%CI (1.91, 3.69), P < 0.001]. Conclusions: The prevalence of good glycemic control in people with T2D in Anhui Province was relatively low, and gender, region, education level, central obesity and course of the disease were influencing factors. The publicity and education on the importance of glycemic control should be further strengthened in T2D patients, and targeted intervention measures should be carried out for risk groups.

Berberine protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal injury in mice via alpha 2 adrenoceptor-independent mechanisms.

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the protective action of berberine (Ber) against gut damage in endotoxemic mice. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were administered intragastrically with distilled water (0.1 mL/10 g), Ber (50 mg/kg) alone, yohimbine (2 mg/kg) alone, or Ber (50 mg/kg) in combination with yohimbine (2 mg/kg) for 3 d. On the third day, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 18 mg/kg) or normal saline was intraperitoneally injected one hour after the intragastric administration. Following the treatment, intestinal injury in the ileum was histopathologically accessed; enterocyte apoptosis was examined using TUNEL method; Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression was measured using RT-PCR assay; inhibitor protein-κBα (I-κBα) phosphorylation and myeloperoxidase content were examined using Western blloting. The macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) production was measured using ELISA assay. RESULTS: Mice challenged with LPS caused extensive ileum injury, including a significantly increased injury score, decreased intestinal villus height, reduced gut mucosal weight and increased intestinal permeability. Furthermore, LPS significantly induced enterocyte apoptosis, increased TLR4 mRNA expression, I-κBα phosphorylation, MIP-2 production and myeloperoxidase content in the ileum. Pretreatment with Ber significantly alleviated all the alterations in the ileum in the endotoxemic mice. Pretreatment with the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine did not block the protective action of Ber against LPS-induced intestinal injury. In addition, treatment with yohimbine alone did not prevent LPS-induced intestinal injury. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with Ber provides significant protection against LPS-induced intestinal injury in mice, via reducing enterocyte apoptosis, inhibiting the TLR4-nuclear factor κB-MIP-2 pathway and decreasing neutrophil infiltration that are independent of α2-adrenoceptors.

Luteolin inhibits microglial inflammation and improves neuron survival against inflammation.

Microglia activation is one of the causative factors for neuroinflammation, which results in brain damage during neurodegenerative disease. Accumulating evidence has shown that the flavonoid luteolin (Lut) possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties; however, its effect on microglia inhibition is currently unknown. Moreover, it is not clear whether Lut also has indirect neuroprotective effects by reducing inflammatory mediators and suppressing microglia activation. In this study, we examined the effects of Lut on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory mediator production and signaling pathways in murine BV2 microglia. In addition, we cocultured microglia and neurons to observe the indirect neuroprotective effects of Lut. Lut inhibited the LPS-stimulated expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) as well as the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Moreover, Lut blocked LPS-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. Preincubation of microglia with Lut diminished the neurotoxic effects, owing to the direct anti-inflammatory effects of the compound. Taken together, our findings suggest that Lut may have a potential therapeutic application in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders.

[Comparison of the grafting technique in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures:transpedicular intracorporeal versus posterolateral].

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively investigate the outcome of transpedicular intracorporeal grafting and posterolateral grafting in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: Forty-six patients treated with transpedicular intracorporeal grafting from January 1999 to December 2009 and followed up for 19-119 months (average 67 ± 13 months) were reviewed retrospectively, and were compared with 18 patients who had underwent posterolateral fusion during the same period through radiographic analysis. Radiographic measurements included Cobb angle, vertebral wedge angle (VWA), ratio between anterior and posterior vertebral height (APHR), upper inter-vertebral angle, lower inter-vertebral angle on X-ray, CT and MRI. RESULTS: In transpedicular intracorporeal grafting group, the VWA was corrected from 27.2° ± 6.5° to 7.0° ± 3.0° and the APHR from (53.3 ± 11.8)% to (92.3 ± 2.4)%. In posterolateral fusion group, the VWA was corrected from 23.9° ± 4.4° to 8.8° ± 2.1° and the APHR from (60.7 ± 10.0)% to (88.5 ± 3.3)%. Transpedicular intracorporeal grafting group showed better postoperative correction results than posterolateral fusion group (P < 0.05), and had less loss of correction of Cobb angle, VWA and APHR at final follow-up (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The transpedicular intracorporeal grafting can improve injured vertebral body morphology recovery better than posterolateral bone grafting, but can not prevent the late loss of correction after implant removal.

Neuropeptide S Attenuates the Alarm Pheromone-Evoked Defensive and Risk Assessment Behaviors Through Activation of Cognate Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Posterior Medial Amygdala.

Neuropeptide S (NPS) acts by activating its cognate receptor (NPSR). High level expression of NPSR in the posterior medial amygdala suggests that NPS-NPSR system should be involved in regulation of social behaviors induced by social pheromones. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of central administration of NPS or with NPSR antagonist on the alarm pheromone (AP)-evoked defensive and risk assessment behaviors in mice. Furthermore, H129-H8, a novel high-brightness anterograde multiple trans-synaptic virus, c-Fos and NPSR immunostaining were employed to reveal the involved neurocircuits and targets of NPS action. The mice exposed to AP displayed an enhancement in defensive and risk assessment behaviors. NPS (0.1-1 nmol) intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection significantly attenuated the AP-evoked defensive and risk assessment behaviors. NPSR antagonist [D-Val5]NPS at the dose of 40 nmol completely blocked the effect of 0.5 nmol of NPS which showed the best effective among dose range. The H129-H8-labeled neurons were observed in the bilateral posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) and posteroventral medial amygdala (MePV) 72 h after the virus injection into the unilateral olfactory bulb (OB), suggesting that the MePD and MePV receive olfactory information inputs from the OB. The percentage of H129-H8-labeled neurons that also express NPSR were 90.27 ± 3.56% and 91.67 ± 2.46% in the MePD and MePV, respectively. NPS (0.5 nmol, i.c.v.) remarkably increased the number of Fos immunoreactive (-ir) neurons in the MePD and MePV, and the majority of NPS-induced Fos-ir neurons also expressed NPSR. The behavior characteristic of NPS or with [D-Val5]NPS can be better replicated in MePD/MePV local injection within lower dose. The present findings demonstrated that NPS, via selective activation of the neurons bearing NPSR in the posterior medial amygdala, attenuates the AP-evoked defensive and risk assessment behaviors in mice.

[Fingerprint analysis of Dipsacus asperoides by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the HPLC fingerprints of Dipsacus asperoides for reflecting the internal information, evaluating its internal quality. METHODS: 20 batches of D. asperoides were collected from different place with the HPLC fingerprints method. Chromatographic column: Welchrom-C18 (250 mm x 4. 6 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase: acetonitrile and water (gradient elution), flow rate: 1.0 mL/min, detection wavelength: 212 nm, column temperature: 35 degrees C. RESULTS: The common mode of HPLC fingerprint was established and similar degrees to D. asperoides from different areas were compared. CONCLUSION: The method is stable, reliable, and with full information which can be used for quality evaluation, quality control item and crude drug identification of D. asperoides.

LSD1 inhibition yields functional insulin-producing cells from human embryonic stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Human embryonic stem cells represent a potentially unlimited source of insulin-producing cells for diabetes therapy. While tremendous progress has been made in directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into IPCs in vitro, the mechanisms controlling its differentiation and function are not fully understood. Previous studies revealed that lysine-specific demethylase 1(LSD1) balanced the self-renewal and differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cells. This study aims to explore the role of LSD1 in directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells. METHODS: Human embryonic stem cell line H9 was induced into insulin-producing cells by a four-step differentiation protocol. Lentivirus transfection was applied to knockdown LSD1 expression. Immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry were utilized to check differentiation efficiency. Western blot was used to examine signaling pathway proteins and differentiation-associated proteins. Insulin/C-peptide release was assayed by ELISA. Statistical analysis between groups was carried out with one-way ANOVA tests or a student's t test when appropriate. RESULTS: Inhibition or silencing LSD1 promotes the specification of pancreatic progenitors and finally the commitment of functional insulin-producing ß cells; Moreover, inhibition or silencing LSD1 activated ERK signaling and upregulated pancreatic progenitor associated genes, accelerating pre-maturation of pancreatic progenitors, and conferred the NKX6.1+ population with better proliferation ability. IPCs with LSD1 inhibitor tranylcypromine treatment displayed enhanced insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: We identify a novel role of LSD1 inhibition in promoting IPCs differentiation from hESCs, which would be emerged as potential intervention for generation of functional pancreatic ß cells to cure diabetes.

Glycine inhibits the LPS-induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and TNFalpha production in cardiomyocytes by activating a glycine receptor.

AIM: Previous studies have demonstrated that glycine (GLY) markedly reduces lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial injury.However, the mechanism of this effect is still unclear. The present study investigated the effect of GLY on cytosolic calcium concentration([Ca2+]c) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) production in cardiomyocytes exposed to LPS, as well as whether the glycine-gated chloride channel is involved in this process. METHODS: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were isolated, and the [Ca2+]c and TNFalpha levels were determined by using Fura-2 and a Quantikine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The distribution of the GLY receptor and GLY-induced currents in cardiomyocytes were also investigated using immunocytochemistry and the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, respectively. RESULTS: LPS at concentrations ranging from 10 ng/mL to 100 microg/mL significantly stimulated TNFalpha production. GLY did not inhibit TNFalpha production induced by LPS at concentrations below 10 ng/mL but did significantly decrease TNFalpha release stimulated by 100 microg/mL LPS and prevented an LPS-induced increase in [Ca2+]c, which was reversed by strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist. GLY did not block the isoproterenol-induced increase in [Ca2+]c, but did prevent the potassium chloride-induced increase in [Ca2+]c in cardiomyocytes.Strychnine reversed the inhibition of the KCl-stimulated elevation in [Ca2+]c by GLY. In chloride-free buffer, GLY had no effect on the dipotassium hydrogen phosphate-induced increase in [Ca2+]c. Furthermore, GLY receptor alpha1 and beta subunit-immunoreactive spots were observed in cardiomyocytes, and GLY-evoked currents were blocked by strychnine. CONCLUSION: Cardiomyocytes possess the glycine-gated chloride channel, through which GLY prevents the increase in [Ca2+]c and inhibits the TNFalpha production induced by LPS at high doses in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.