Bestrophin3 Deficiency in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Activates MEKK2/3-MAPK Signaling to Trigger Spontaneous Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection (AD) is a fatal cardiovascular disorder without effective medications due to unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Bestrophin3 (Best3), the predominant isoform of bestrophin family in vessels, has emerged as critical for vascular pathological processes. However, the contribution of Best3 to vascular diseases remains elusive. METHODS: Smooth muscle cell-specific and endothelial cell-specific Best3 knockout mice (Best3SMKO and Best3ECKO, respectively) were engineered to investigate the role of Best3 in vascular pathophysiology. Functional studies, single-cell RNA sequencing, proteomics analysis, and coimmunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry were performed to evaluate the function of Best3 in vessels. RESULTS: Best3 expression in aortas of human AD samples and mouse AD models was decreased. Best3SMKO but not Best3ECKO mice spontaneously developed AD with age, and the incidence reached 48% at 72 weeks of age. Reanalysis of single-cell transcriptome data revealed that reduction of fibromyocytes, a fibroblast-like smooth muscle cell cluster, was a typical feature of human ascending AD and aneurysm. Consistently, Best3 deficiency in smooth muscle cells decreased the number of fibromyocytes. Mechanistically, Best3 interacted with both MEKK2 and MEKK3, and this interaction inhibited phosphorylation of MEKK2 at serine153 and MEKK3 at serine61. Best3 deficiency induced phosphorylation-dependent inhibition of ubiquitination and protein turnover of MEKK2/3, thereby activating the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade. Furthermore, restoration of Best3 or inhibition of MEKK2/3 prevented AD progression in angiotensin II-infused Best3SMKO and ApoE-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings unveil a critical role of Best3 in regulating smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch and aortic structural integrity through controlling MEKK2/3 degradation. Best3-MEKK2/3 signaling represents a novel therapeutic target for AD.

Clinical significance of the serum miR-455-5p expression in patients with neonatal sepsis.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response caused by infection and is a major cause of neonatal death. This study explored the miR-455-5p in neonatal sepsis, and further investigated the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-455-5p in neonatal sepsis (NS). The levels of serum miR-455-5p in 88 healthy controls and 90 NS patients were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between miR-455-5p and clinical features. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for the diagnostic evaluation on miR-455-5p. The prognostic value of miR-455-5p in NS was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and multivariate Cox regression. The expression of serum miR-455-5p in NS patients was highly expressed in comparison to healthy controls (P < 0.001), and the level of miR-455-5p was positively correlated with white blood cell count (WBC) and other clinical characteristics (P < 0.01). The AUC value of ROC curve was 0.895, suggesting that miR-455-5p had diagnostic value for NS. Survival analysis illustrated that patient with high miR-455-5p expression had poor prognosis (log rank P = 0.015), and miR-455-5p may be a potential prognostic marker for NS (HR = 3.454, 95% CI = 1.165-10.234, P = 0.025). The expression of miR-455-5p had the ability to distinguish NS from healthy people, and highly expressed miR-455-5p was associated with poor prognosis in NS patients.

Exploration of nucleos(t)ide analogs cessation in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis B e antigen loss.

BACKGROUND: Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) cessation in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remains a matter of debate in clinical practice. Current guidelines recommend that patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion discontinue NAs after relatively long-term consolidation therapy. However, many patients fail to achieve HBeAg seroconversion after the long-term loss of HBeAg, even if hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurs. It remains unclear whether NAs can be discontinued in this subset of patients. AIM: To investigate the outcomes and factors associated with HBeAg-positive CHB patients with HBeAg loss (without hepatitis B e antibody) after cessation of NAs. METHODS: We studied patients who discontinued NAs after achieving HBeAg loss. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors for virological relapse after cessation of NAs. The cut-off value of the consolidation period was confirmed using receiver operating characteristic curves; we confirmed the cut-off value of HBsAg according to a previous study. The log-rank test was used to compare cumulative relapse rates among groups. We also studied patients with CHB who achieved HBeAg seroconversion and compared their cumulative relapse rates. Propensity score matching analysis (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics between the groups. RESULTS: We included 83 patients with HBeAg loss. The mean age of these patients was 32.1 ± 9.5 years, and the majority was male (67.5%). Thirty-eight patients relapsed, and the cumulative relapse rate at months 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 60, 120, and 180 were 22.9%, 36.1%, 41.0%, 43.5%, 45.0%, 45.0%, 45.0%, and 52.8%, respectively. Twenty-six (68.4%) patients relapsed in the first 3 mo after NAs cessation, and 35 patients (92.1%) relapsed in the first year after NAs cessation. Consolidation period (≥ 24 mo vs < 24 mo) (HR 0.506, P = 0.043) and HBsAg at cessation (≥ 100 IU/mL vs < 100 IU/mL) (HR 14.869, P = 0.008) were significant predictors in multivariate Cox regression. In the PSM cohort, which included 144 patients, there were lower cumulative relapse rates in patients with HBeAg seroconversion (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: HBeAg-positive CHB patients with HBeAg loss may be able to discontinue NAs therapy after long-term consolidation, especially in patients with HBsAg at cessation < 100 IU/mL. Careful monitoring, especially in the early stages after cessation, may ensure a favorable outcome.

Astilbin Protects Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic fibrosis is an inflammatory liver disease, and there is no effective therapy at present. Astilbin is a bioactive ingredient found in many medicinal and food plants, with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and related molecular mechanism of astilbin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced by injection of CCl4 in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and those rats were then treated with astilbin at different concentrations. Pathological changes, collagen production, inflammatory cytokine, and oxidative stress were evaluated to evaluate the effects of astilbin on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of indicated genes. RESULTS: We discovered that CCl4 caused significant fibrosis damage in rat liver, and astilbin dose-dependently improved the liver functions and fibrosis degree. Astilbin treatment significantly decreased collagen production, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in vivo. Mechanically, administration of astilbin obviously elevated the hepatic levels of Nrf2 and its downstream components, including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1), heme oxygenase (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and glutamate cysteine ligase modifier. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings demonstrate that astilbin could protect against CCL4 induced-liver fibrosis in rats.

Varying 10-year off-treatment responses to nucleos(t)ide analogues in patients with chronic hepatitis B according to their pretreatment hepatitis B e antigen status.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term durability and efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and to determine the related factors for virological relapse in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS: CHB patients who fulfilled the criteria for discontinuing NAs therapy in accordance with the published guidelines were included in the study from December 2001. Virological relapse was defined as serum hepatitis virus B (HBV) DNA >104 copies/mL twice at least 2 weeks apart. RESULTS: A total of 223 CHB patients were enrolled at the time their NAs therapy was discontinued. The 10-year cumulative relapse rate (CRR) in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients was statistically lower than that in HBeAg-negative patients (30.9% vs 62.3%, P < 0.001). In the HBeAg-positive group, Cox regression analysis showed that age at cessation (hazard ratio [HR] 1.067, P < 0.001), consolidation therapy (HR 0.958, P = 0.021), and time to HBeAg seroconversion (HR 0.943, P = 0.019) were predictors for relapse. In the HBeAg-negative group, age at cessation (HR 1.040, P = 0.004) and time to HBV DNA negativity (HR 1.246, P = 0.010) were potential predictors for virological relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The off-treatment responses to NAs differ in CHB patients with different pretreatment HBeAg status. NA withdrawal is generally safe and feasible in young patients with CHB. Long consolidation periods should be preferred in HBeAg-positive patients to achieve better durability. Benefits of cessation of NAs do not last long in HBeAg-negative CHB patients.

Congenital absence of the right coronary artery: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Congenital absence of the right coronary artery (RCA) is a rare congenital malformation of the cardiovascular system which may have fatal consequences. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 63-year-old man with a 5-year history of chest pain after exertion which had aggravated for >1 month was advised for admission and computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination of the coronary artery to screen for coronary artery disease (CAD). DIAGNOSES: The coronary artery CTA showed absence of RCA arising form the aortic root after which a selective coronary angiography (SCA) examination was done that confirmed the diagnosis of congenital absence of RCA. INTERVENTIONS: As the patient refused to receive a coronary artery stent implantation citing his financial condition, only symptomatic treatment was given. OUTCOMES: The patient requested to be discharged from the hospital against the advice of his doctors 1 week later. A query made by the telephone suggested that the patient's symptoms were under control by use of prescribed medications only. LESSONS: Although being a rare condition, a coronary artery CTA examination can be utilized to screen for congenital absence of RCA and other varieties of cardiovascular malformation whereas SCA can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

[Platelet-rich plasma combined with demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts for periodontal regeneration in the treatment of periodontal defects: a meta-analysis].

PURPOSE: The aim of this meta analysis was to assess the influence of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)combined with demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts(DFDBA) on regeneration of periodontal periodontal defects by means of evaluating clinical and radiographic outcomes in prospective human clinical trials. METHODS: The following databases such as PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang data and VIP data were searched on computer from inception to December, 2016. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently extracted the data，assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. RevMan 5.2 was applied for meta analysis. RESULTS: Six papers were obtained reviewed which included 205 periodontal bone defect sites. Six articles showed that there was no significant difference in probing depth decrease between PRP combined with DFDBA and PRP or DFBDA group[MD=0.35, 95%CI（-0.09，0.79), P=0.12], but there was significant difference in clinical attachment loss increase between the two groups［MD= 0.68，95%CI（0.41，0.94），P<0.00001]. Three articles were included for evaluating bone filling, there was significant difference in the distance from the cemento-enamel junction(CEJ) to the vertical bone defect(BD)(CEJ-BD)[MD=0.71，95%CI（0.46，0.95），P<0.00001]between the two groups; there was also significant difference in the distance from the alveolar crest to the vertical bone defect(AC-BD)[MD=0.64，95%CI（0.41，0.87)，P<0.00001]between the two groups. but there was no significant difference in the distance from the cemento-enamel junction(CEJ)to the alveolar crest (AC)(CEJ-AC)[MD=0.03，95%CI（-0.10，0.16），P=0.68] between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this meta analysis, PRP combined with DFDBA is superior to PRP or DFDBA alone in clinical attachment loss and bone filling ,but there was no significant difference in probing depth. However, given the limited sample size and quantity of included studies, the above findings still need to be further proved by conducting more high-quality and large-scale RCTs.

[Surgical management of pregnancy-associated acute Stanford type A aortic dissection: analysis of 5 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-associated acute Stanford type A aortic dissection to improve the maternal and fetal outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed the perioperative data of 5 pregnant women with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection treated between June, 2009 and February, 2017. RESULTS: The median age of the women was 30 years (range, 22-34 years) with gestational weeks of 23-38 weeks upon diagnosis. All the 5 patients received surgical interventions. Three patients underwent caesarean delivery and hysterectomy, and the fetuses survived after the surgery; 2 patients chose to continue pregnancy following the surgery, among whom one died due to postoperative complications and the other underwent termination of pregnancy. During follow-up, the surviving patients showed no endoleak in the descending aorta stent and the distal dissection remained stable. CONCLUSION: The maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy-associated acute Stanford type A aortic dissection can be improved by multidisciplinary cooperation and optimization of the surgical approaches according to the time of pregnancy, fetal development and conditions of the aortic lesions.

A case report and literature review of barium sulphate aspiration during upper gastrointestinal examination.

RATIONALE: Even though barium sulphate aspiration during upper gastrointestinal examination is a well-known phenomenon, complication such as long-term lung injury and death may still occur. This may depend upon the concentration, amount, anatomy, or certain predisposing factors. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 47-year-old woman who had a barium swallow to screen for foreign body in esophagus. DIAGNOSES: Chest radiographs demonstrated massive barium sulphate depositions in her trachea and inferior lobe of right lung. INTERVENTIONS: A chest x-ray was done that revealed massive barium sulphate depositions in her trachea and lower lobe of right lung. As the patient did not have further complaints, she requested a transfer to West China Hospital of Sichuan University, the hospital being near her residence, for further treatment. She eventually recovered and was discharged after 1 week. OUTCOMES: There were 23 articles (22 English and 1 Chinese with 17 men and 11 women) included in the study. The risk factors of barium sulphate aspiration are dysphagia (10/28, 35.71%) followed by esophageal obstruction caused by tumor (5/28, 17.86%) and foreign body in esophagus (3/28, 10.71%). Infants (5/28, 17.86%) are also one of the high-risk population. Both the lungs were affected in most of the patients (21/28, 75%). Majority of the presentation in patients (21/28, 75%) were dyspnea, hypoxemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), or respiratory failure. Few patients (7/28, 25%) showed no symptoms or mild symptoms such as cough and fever. Barium sulphate aspiration can be life-threatening with a high risk of death (nearly 40%). LESSONS: When performing an upper gastrointestinal examination with barium sulphate, careful consideration of concentration and amount of barium sulphate and that of risk factors should be undertaken so as to avoid life-threatening aspiration.

[Clinical significance of calcitonin gene-related peptide level before and after treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis].

PURPOSE: To explore the clinical significance of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels in patients with chronic periodontitis before and after treatment, and to detect the calcitonin gene-related peptide content in human venous blood. METHODS: Thirty healthy controls and thirty patients with mild, moderate, severe periodontitis were enrolled from August 2014 to June 2015.CGRP level in the patients' peripheral blood was detected by ELISA. Three months after periodontal treatment, CGRP level in mild, moderate, severe periodontitis patients' peripheral blood was re-examined by ELISA. Then the correlation between calcitonin gene-related peptide and inflammation of chronic periodontitis was analyzed with SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: The content of CGRP in healthy controls was significantly higher than that in patients with periodontitis. With the aggravation of periodontal inflammation, blood level of CGRP decreased gradually, and the lowest was in patients with severe periodontitis (P<0.01). Three months after periodontal treatment, CGRP content was significantly higher compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in patients with different degree of periodontitis (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The level of CGRP in venous blood decreased with the increasing severity of chronic periodontitis, and CGRP was negatively correlated with the degree of inflammation of chronic periodontitis. CGRP may be involved in the occurrence and development of chronic periodontitis. CGRP content in serum of patients with chronic periodontitis after treatment was significantly increased, CGRP may be used as the basis for clinical detection of chronic periodontitis.

Enterovirus infections are associated with white matter damage in neonates.

AIM: To explore the imaging findings of neonatal infants infected with enteroviruses. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 12 patients who were diagnosed with encephalitis caused by enterovirus. Clinical presentation, cranial ultrasonography (cUS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and neurodevelopment outcome of 12 cases were analysed. RESULTS: Twelve infants, with a gestational age of 35 to 39 weeks, presented at 36 to 41 weeks postmenstrual age with clinical symptoms of enterovirus infections. Ten of 12 neonatal infants had a fever and 4 of 12 presented with a sepsis-like illness. cUS in one preterm infant showed periventricular echogenicity. Neonatal MRI confirmed white matter changes in 12 infants. Follow-up of infants were 18 months. Outcome was variable with cerebral palsy in 2 infants and normal neurodevelopment outcome in 10 infants. CONCLUSIONS: Enterovirus may cause severe central nervous system infection in the neonatal period. The neuroimaging studies are informative and should be a part of care for infants with enteroviruses.

[Protective effect of retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid via accessory hemiazygos vein and treated with resveratrol on spinal cord injury in swine].

OBJECTIVES: To observe the protective effect of retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid via accessory hemiazygos vein and treated with resveratrol on spinal cord injury and evaluate the expression changes of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) after spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury (SCII) in swine. METHODS: Eighteen swine were divided into 3 groups: group I/R (n = 6, operation group), group CL (n = 6, retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid), group CL+Res (n = 6, retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid and treated with resveratrol after ischemia). In the group I/R, the aorta was clamped for 60 minutes and then removed. In the group CL and CL+Res, 9 g/L cold (4 °C) saline solution (perfusion rate, 16.65 ml/min) was infused into the accessory hemiazygos vein during ischemia.In the group CL+Res, the swine were treated with resveratrol (10 mg/kg) after spinal cord ischemia. Arterial pressure, blood gas analysis and the spinal canal and nasopharyngeal temperature changes were monitored during the surgery. Nervous function were assessed at 6 hours, 1, 2 days, 1, 2, 4 weeks and MAP-2 expression were detected at 4 weeks after reperfusion by using Western blot analysis in spinal cord tissue. RESULTS: After operation 18 swine were all survival. Behavioral scores of all groups decreased until 1 week after reperfusion and increased as time went by. The scores of group CL and CL+Res were higher than group I/R (F = 8.612, 17.276 and 11.985, P = 0.035,0.011 and 0.023) at 6 hours, 1, 2 days, group CL+Res were higher than group CL(P = 0.021) at 1 days after surgery. After descending aortic cross clamping, the spinal canal and nasopharyngeal temperature were obviously decreased in all groups and dropped to the lowest at 60 minutes after ischemia and 20 minutes after reperfusion in group I/R and the other groups respectively(F = 23.187-55.029, P < 0.01).In group CL(0.54 ± 0.26) and CL+Res (0.66 ± 0.31), the MAP-2 expression were higher than group I/R(0.37 ± 0.18) (F = 9.381, P = 0.037) , and the level in group CL+Res was higher than in group CL (P = 0.021) . CONCLUSION: Retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid via accessory hemiazygos vein and treated with resveratrol can relieve the ischemia-induced spinal cord injury in swine.

Matrine inhibits disturbed flow-enhanced migration via downregulation of ERK1/2-MLCK signaling vascular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of matrine on the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration modulated by disturbed flow and their underlying molecular mechanisms in vitro. METHODS: Isolated rat aortic VSMCs were grown to confluence on 20- × 80-mm fibronectin-coated glass cover slides, and then, denuded zones were made at the position calculated to be the oscillating flow-reattachment zone and also in the downstream laminar flow region. VSMCs were treated with different doses of matrine (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L), or PD98059 (30 µM), ML-7 (10 µM) combined with matrine (40 mg/L) for 30 minutes before and during the experiments. Then, the wounded monolayers were kept under static conditions or were subjected to laminar or disturbed flow for 21 hours or 10 hours. The VSMC migration was assessed by microscopic images. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) proteins were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Disturbed flow significantly increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Selective inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by inhibitor PD98059 and matrine significantly suppressed VSMC migration under disturbed flow. Disturbed flow significantly enhanced phosphorylation of MLCK, whereas both matrine and PD98059 inhibited the phosphorylation of MLCK under disturbed flow. The complete inhibition of MLCK phosphorylation using the selective MLCK inhibitor ML-7 significantly inhibited VSMC migration under disturbed flow. CONCLUSION: Matrine inhibits VSMC migration under disturbed flow, in part, by downregulation of ERK1/2-MLCK signaling pathway.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of olopatadine concentration in human plasma.

A sensitive and rapid method based on liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) was developed for the determination of olopatadine in human plasma. Sample preparations were carried out by protein precipitation with the addition of acetonitrile followed by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate/dichloromethane after internal standard (IS, amitriptyline) spiked. After evaporation to dryness, the resultant residue was reconstituted in mobile phase. Separation of olopatadine and IS from the interferences was achieved on a C(18) column followed by MS-MS detection. The analytes were monitored in the positive ionization mode with a TurboIonspray source. Multiple reaction monitoring using the transition of m/z 338 → 165 and m/z 278 → 91 was performed to quantify olopatadine and IS, respectively. The method had a total chromatographic run time of 3.5 min and linear calibration curves over the concentration range of 0.2-100 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification was 0.2 ng/mL. For each QC concentration level the intra- and interday precisions were less than 11.4%, and relative errors ranged between -6.40% and 9.26%. The validated method was successfully applied to the quantification of olopatadine concentration in human plasma after administration of olopatadine at an oral dose of 5 mg in order to evaluate the pharmacokinetics.

Determination of olprinone in human plasma utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and rapid method was developed for quantification of olprinone in human plasma utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). An aliquot of 1 mL plasma sample was extracted with ethyl acetate-dichloromethane. Separation of olprinone and the milrinone (internal standard, IS) from the interferences was achieved on a C(18) column followed by MS/MS detection. The analytes were monitored in the positive ionization mode. Multiple reaction monitoring using the transition of m/z 251 → m/z 155 and m/z 212 → m/z 140 was performed to quantify olprinone and IS, respectively. The method had a total chromatographic run time of 3 min and linear calibration curves over the concentration range of 0.5-60 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 16.3% for low QC level, and 7.1% for other QC levels, respectively. The intra- and inter-day relative errors were ranged between -12.2% and 3.7% for three QC concentration levels. The validated method was successfully applied to the quantification of olprinone concentration in human plasma after intravenous (i.v.) administration of olprinone at a constant rate of infusion of 2 µg/(kg min) for 5 min in order to evaluate the pharmacokinetics.

Matrine inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by modulating the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes.

AIM: To investigate the effect of matrine on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Rat aortic VSMCs were cultured in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and treated with various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/L) of matrine for 72 h. VSMCs proliferation and cell cycle profiling were assessed using a methylene blue incorporation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The underlying protein signaling mechanisms were determined using Western blot analysis of the expression levels of cell cycle regulatory genes, including p53, p21, p27, cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and 4 (cdk2, cdk4), and phosphorylated Rb. The involvement of p21 and p27 pathways was further determined using small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown. RESULTS: Matrine inhibited VSMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner by promoting G(1) arrest. The G(1) arrest was accompanied by up-regulation of p53 and p21 protein levels, and down-regulation of cyclin D1/cdk4, cyclin E/cdk2 and phosphorylated Rb protein levels. Matrine did not affect p27 expression. Furthermore, the anti-proliferative effect of matrine was abolished by silencing of p21, but not by silencing of p27. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that matrine has an inhibitory effect on VSMC proliferation via up-regulation of the p53/p21 signaling pathway and modulation of other cell cycle regulatory genes.

[Characteristics of the condylar movement traces during lateral excursion of the unilateral posterior buccal crossbite].

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of the condylar movement traces during lateral excursion of the unilateral posterior buccal crossbite and to compare the difference with the individual ideal occlusion. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects with normal occlusion and 26 subjects with unilateral posterior buccal crossbite were tested by CADIAX for the condylar movement. The lateral excursion traces were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS 10.0 software package, group t test,paired t test or rank sum test were used to compare the difference between the two groups. RESULTS: The condylar traces of the experiment subjects were rugged and asymmetrical. The sagittal,vertical and space shift of the non-buccal crossbite side were larger than those of the buccal crossbite side and the normal subjects, but the horizontal shift was significantly smaller(P<0.05). The sagittal condylar inclination of the non-buccal crossbite side was significantly larger than that of the buccal crossbite side and the normal subjects, but the transversal condylar inclination was significantly smaller(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The bilateral condylar movement traces during lateral excursion of the unilateral posterior buccal crossbite are asymmetrical.

The cotton ACTIN1 gene is functionally expressed in fibers and participates in fiber elongation.

Single-celled cotton fiber (Gossypium hirsutum) provides a unique experimental system to study cell elongation. To investigate the role of the actin cytoskeleton during fiber development, 15 G. hirsutum ACTIN (GhACT) cDNA clones were characterized. RNA gel blot and real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that GhACT genes are differentially expressed in different tissues and can be classified into four groups. One group, represented by GhACT1, is expressed predominantly in fiber cells and was studied in detail. A 0.8-kb GhACT1 promoter sufficient to confirm its fiber-specific expression was identified. RNA interference of GhACT1 caused significant reduction of its mRNA and protein levels and disrupted the actin cytoskeleton network in fibers. No defined actin network was observed in these fibers and, consequently, fiber elongation was inhibited. Our results suggested that GhACT1 plays an important role in fiber elongation but not fiber initiation.