Long non-coding RNA X-Inactive Specific Transcript (XIST) interacting with USF2 promotes osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells through regulation of WDR72 transcription.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are the most potential cells in periodontal tissue regeneration and bone tissue regeneration. Our prior work had revealed that WD repeat-containing protein 72 (WDR72) was crucial for osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Here, we further elucidated its underlying mechanism in PDLSC osteogenic differentiation. METHODS: Human PDLSCs, isolated and identified by flow cytometry, were prepared for osteogenic differentiation induction. Levels of WDR72, long non-coding RNA X-Inactive Specific Transcript (XIST), upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2), and osteogenic marker genes (Runx2, Osteocalcin, and Collagen I) in human PDLSCs and clinical specimens were detected by RT-qPCR. Protein expressions of WDR72, Runx2, Osteocalcin, and Colla1 were tested by Western blot. The interactions among the molecules were verified by RIP, RNA pull-down, ChIP, and luciferase reporter assays. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red staining (ARS). RESULTS: WDR72 was decreased in periodontal tissues of periodontitis patients, and overexpression reversed TNF-α-mediated suppressive effects on PDLSC osteogenic differentiation. Mechanically, XIST recruited the enrichment of USF2 to the WDR72 promoter region, thereby positively regulating WDR72. WDR72 silencing overturned XIST-mediated biological effects in PDLSCs. CONCLUSION: WDR72, regulated by the XIST/USF2 axis, enhances osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, implying a novel strategy for alleviating periodontitis.

[Distribution characteristics of Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin, Xinjiang].

Based on the results of the fourth national survey of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan city, Xinjiang, this study counted the types of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin. The spatial distribution differences of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin of Xinjiang were analyzed by using grid technology, trend surface analysis, global spatial autocorrelation analysis, and local spatial autocorrelation analysis, so as to clarify the overall change trend and aggregation degree of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin in horizontal and vertical directions. The results showed the following: in the horizontal direction, the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in the central part of Turpan Basin was high, and there were great differences in the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin under different grid sizes. The spatial scale effect of the richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin is obvious. Among them, under the 30 km×30 km scale, the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources shows a high spatial correlation, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 5 km×5 km scale presents a near random distribution state, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 80, 90, and 100 km scale sits negatively related. Vertical direction, Chinese medicine resources appear rich at the range of-154-150 m and 900-1 050 m following by range of 1 050-1 200 m.

Therapeutic effects of fucoidan in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease: Role of NADPH oxidase-1.

AIMS: To explore the effect of fucoidan treatment on oxidative stress-mediated dopaminergic neuronal damage and its potential mechanisms. METHODS: The effect of fucoidan was investigated in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of PD, an animal model considered appropriate for preclinical studies of PD therapy. The effects of fucoidan treatment on animal behavior and the survival ratio of dopaminergic neurons were investigated. We further observed the effect of fucoidan on microglia and the NADPH oxidases-1 (Nox1), a family of enzymes generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). RESULTS: We found that chronic fucoidan administration mitigated the motor dysfunction induced by 6-OHDA. Similarly, fucoidan reduced the loss of DA neurons in the SNc and DA fibers in the striatum in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Moreover, we found that fucoidan inhibited the 6-OHDA-stimulating expression of Nox1 in both tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons and non-TH-positive neurons, prevented Nox1-sensitive oxidative stress and cell damage in SNc neurons. Fucoidan also effectively inhibited nigral microglial activation. CONCLUSION: These results support the beneficial effect of fucoidan in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of PD. Fucoidan may suppress the Nox1-triggered oxidative stress in the SNc to protect DA neurons from 6-OHDA-induced toxicity and achieve its beneficial effect.

[Protective effect of breviscapine on cardiac function in children after cardiopulmonary bypass undergoing open heart surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the condition of myocardial injury after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the effects of breviscapine (BVC) on cardiac function in children undergoing open heart surgery. METHODS: Thirty-six children (ASA II or III, aged 2-65 months) scheduled to receive ventricular septal defect repairing were randomly assigned to three groups, the control group treated with saline, and the BVC treated groups treated respectively with low dose (0.5 mg/kg) and high dose (1.0 mg/kg) BVC, 12 patients in each group. Saline or BVC (in volume of 15 mL) was administered intravenously after induction of anesthesia with micro-pump within 30 min. Blood levels of troponin I (cTn-I ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at different time points: pre-operation (T0), during aortic unclamping (T1), and 30 min, 1 h, 6 h, 24 h after aortic unclamping (T2, T3, T4, T5). And the time of operation, CPB, aortic unclamping, and the condition of drainage in 24 h after operation as well as the dosages of narcotics (midazolam, propofol and fentanyl) used were recorded. RESULTS: No significant difference among groups was found in terms of sex ratio, age, body weight, time of aortic unclamping, CPB and operation, as well as the dosages of narcotics used and the volume of post-operation drainage. Compared with baseline (T0), levels of cTn-I at T1, T4 and T5 increased significantly in all three groups (P<0.01), with the peak revealed at T4; cTn-I in the control group were higher than those in the low dose BVC treated group at T1 and T4 (P<0.01), and those in the high dose BVC group at T1, T4, and T5, while it was insignificantly different between the two BVC treated groups. Level of plasmal MDA began to rise in all groups at T1 with the peak revealed at T2, it lowered after then, and reached the baseline at T5; comparison between groups showed that it was lower in the BVC treated groups than in the control group at T1-T4. CONCLUSIONS: Different degree of cardiac injury always happens after open heart surgery and CPB, showing high level of cTn- I within 24 h with the peak revealed at 6 h after aortic unclamping. Intravenous perfusion BVC before CPB at the dose of 0.5 or 1 mg/kg could protect the cardiac function to some extent.

[Effect of the new propofol target controlled infusion system in children undergoing high ligation of hernial sac].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of the new target controlled infusion (TCI) system in Chinese children undergoing minor operation and compared with TCI system with Marsh parameters. METHODS: Ninety ASA I, aged 3 - 5 yrs children undergoing elective unilateral high ligation of hernial sac under general anesthesia were randomly divided into group L (n = 45) and group M (n = 45) 2 groups. All subjects were unpremedicated. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), ECG, SpO2 and BIS were monitored. Patients of Group L and group M were anesthetized with propofol by Lian propofol TCI system and Marsh system respectively, combined with regional block. The target plasma concentration of TCI system was set at 6 microg/ml initially and up-regulated 1 microg/ml gradually if obvious body movement occurred while skin incision. If the target plasma concentration up to 8 microg/ml but there still had body movement, the TCI venous anesthesia was replaced by inhaled anesthesia. HR, RR, SBP, DBP and BIS were recorded in time points of baseline (T(0)), after the induction (T(1)), skin incision (T(2)), 3, 5 min after skin incision (T(3), T(4)), the end of operation (T(5)). Complications, the awakening time and the number of cases which anesthetized with different propofol plasma concentrations or inhaled anesthesia were recorded respectively as well. RESULTS: The number of cases which completed the operation under TCI plasma concentration 6 microg/ml in group L were significantly more than those in group M (P < 0.01). There were significantly different of T(1)-T(4) values of HR, RR, SBP, DBP and BIS in group M (P < 0.05), but not in group L. Compared with group L, T(2)-T(4) values of HR, RR, SBP, DBP and BIS were higher in group M (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Complications were lower in group L than those in group M. CONCLUSION: Compared with Marsh system, propofol 6 microg/ml plasma concentration with the new target controlled infusion system applied in Chinese children undergoing unilateral high ligation of hernial sac could maintain stable hemodynamics, less stress reaction and complications.