[Trametenolic acid inhibits migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2.2.15 cells via RhoC/ROCK1 pathway].

This study investigated the effect of trametenolic acid(TA) on the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2.2.15 cells by using Ras homolog gene family member C(RhoC) as the target and probed into the mechanism, aiming to provide a basis for the utilization of TA. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was employed to examine the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells exposed to TA, and scratch and Transwell assays to examine the cell migration and invasion. The pull down assay was employed to determine the impact of TA on RhoC GTPase activity. Western blot was employed to measure the effect of TA on the transport of RhoC from cytoplasm to cell membrane and the expression of RhoC/Rho-associated kinase 1(ROCK1)/myosin light chain(MLC)/matrix metalloprotease 2(MMP2)/MMP9 pathway-related proteins. RhoC was over-expressed by transient transfection of pcDNA3.1-RhoC. The changes of F-actin in the cytoskeleton were detected by Laser confocal microscopy. In addition, the changes of cell migration and invasion, expression of proteins in the RhoC/ROCK1/MLC/MMP2/MMP9 pathway, and RhoC GTPase activity were detected. The subcutaneously transplanted tumor model of BALB/c nude mice and the low-, medium-, and high-dose(40, 80, and 120 mg·kg~(-1), respectively) TA groups were established and sorafenib(20 mg·kg~(-1)) was used as the positive control. The tumor volume and weight in each group were measured, and the expression of related proteins in the tumor tissue was determined by Western blot. The results showed that TA inhibited the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with the IC_(50) of 66.65 and 23.09 µmol·L~(-1) at the time points of 24 and 48 h, respectively. The drug administration groups had small tumors with low mass. The tumor inhibition rates of sorafenib and low-, medium-and high-dose TA were 62.23%, 26.48%, 55.45%, and 62.36%, respectively. TA reduced migrating and invading cells and inhibited RhoC protein expression and RhoC GTPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, dramatically reducing RhoC and membrane-bound RhoC GTPase. The expression of ROCK1, MLC, p-MLC, MMP2, and MMP9 downstream of RhoC can be significantly inhibited by TA, as confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. After HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-RhoC to overexpress RhoC, TA down-regulated the protein levels of RhoC, ROCK1, MLC, p-MLC, MMP2, and MMP9 and decreased the activity of RhoC GTPase, with the inhibition level comparable to that before overexpression. In summary, TA can inhibit the migration and invasion of HepG2.2.15 cells. It can inhibit the RhoC/ROCK1/MLC/MMP2/MMP9 signaling pathway by suppressing RhoC GTPase activity and down-regulating RhoC expression. This study provides a new idea for the development of autophagy modulators targeting HSP90α to block the proliferation and inhibit the invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via multiple targets of active components in traditional Chinese medicines.

Rapid Selection of Patients Suitable for Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold Using an Automatic Delineating System and RapidPlan Model in Patients With Left Breast Cancer Undergoing Adjuvant Radiation Therapy With IMRT.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether radiation therapy plans created using an automatic delineating system and a RapidPlan (RP) module could rapidly and accurately predict heart doses and benefit from deep inspiratory breath-hold (DIBH) in patients with left breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred thirty-six clinically approved free breathing (FB) plans for patients with left breast cancer were included, defined as manual delineation-manual plan (MD-MP). A total of 104 of 136 plans were selected for RP model training. A total of 32 of 136 patients were automatically delineated by software, after which the RP generated plans, defined as automatic delineation-RapidPlan (AD-RP). In addition, 40 patients who used DIBH were included to analyze differences in heart benefits from DIBH. RESULTS: Two RP models were established for post-breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and post-modified radical mastectomy. There were no significant differences in most of the dosimetric parameters between the MD-MP and AD-RP. The heart doses of the 2 plans were strongly correlated in patients after BCS (0.80 ≤ r ≤ 0.88, P < .05) and moderately correlated in patients after postmodified radical mastectomy (0.46 ≤ r ≤ 0.58, P <.05). The RP model predicted the mean heart dose (MHD) within ± 59.67 cGy and ± 63.32 cGy for patients who underwent the 2 surgeries described above. The heart benefits from DIBH were significantly greater in patients with FB-MHD ≥ 4 Gy than in those with FB-MHD < 4 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: The combined automatic delineation RP model allows for the rapid and accurate prediction of heart dose under FB in patients with left breast cancer. FB-MHD ≥ 4 Gy can be used as a dose threshold to select patients suitable for DIBH.

Characteristic analysis on susceptibility weighted imaging of intravitreous foreign body of autologous eyelashes in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) of the intravitreous foreign body of autologous eyelashes in rabbits. METHODS: A total of 12 New Zealand white rabbits, either sex, weighing 2.5-3.5 kg, and provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Henan Province were employed in this study. For each rabbit, 5 autologous eyelashes (1 cm in length and 0.2-0.3 mm in diameter) were implanted into the right ocular vitreum, while the left control ocular vitreum received sham operation but nothing was implanted. SWI sequential test was made 2 hours postoperatively. Then the rabbits were killed and the specimens of the vitreous bodies of the rabbits were obtained. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and histological examinations were performed. RESULTS: The autologous eyelashes in 8 ocular vitreums of rabbits showed linear low signal intensity on the magnitude images and susceptibility weighted images, but linear high signal intensity on the phase images. Among the 12 experimental rabbits, 5 eyelashes in the right vitreum were completely shown in 3 rabbits, partly shown in 5 rabbits (2 eyelashes shown in 3 rabbits and 3 eyelashes shown in 2 rabbits), and not shown in 4 rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: SWI of the foreign body of intravitreous autologous eyelashes in rabbits has its own characteristics. The combined application of SWI sequential magnitude images, susceptibility weighted images and phase images is helpful to the detection and diagnosis of intravitreous autologous eyelashes in rabbits.

In vivo tracing of superparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplanted for traumatic brain injury by susceptibility weighted imaging in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To label rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) in vitro, and to monitor the survival and location of these labeled BMSCs in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) by susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) sequence. METHODS: BMSCs were cultured in vitro and then labeled with SPIO. Totally 24 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: Groups A-D (n equal to 6 for each group). Moderate TBI models of all the rats were developed in the left hemisphere following Feeney's method. Group A was the experimental group and stereotaxic transplantation of BMSCs labeled with SPIO into the region nearby the contusion was conducted in this group 24 hours after TBI modeling. The other three groups were control groups with transplantation of SPIO, unlabeled BMSCs and injection of nutrient solution respectively conducted in Groups B, C and D at the same time. Monitoring of these SPIO-labeled BMSCs by SWI was performed one day, one week and three weeks after implantation. RESULTS: Numerous BMSCs were successfully labeled with SPIO. They were positive for Prussian blue staining and intracytoplasm positive blue stained particles were found under a microscope (200). Scattered little iron particles were observed in the vesicles by electron microscopy (5000). MRI of the transplantation sites of the left hemisphere demonstrated a low signal intensity on magnitude images, phase images and SWI images for all the test rats in Group A, and the lesion in the left parietal cortex demonstrated a semicircular low intensity on SWI images, which clearly showed the distribution and migration of BMSCs in the first and third weeks. For Group B, a low signal intensity by MRI was only observed on the first day but undetected during the following examination. No signals were observed in Groups C and D at any time points. CONCLUSION: SWI sequence in vivo can consecutively and noninvasively trace and demonstrate the status and distribution of BMSCs labeled with SPIO in the brain of TBI model rats.

Melatonin reduces blood pressure in rats with stress-induced hypertension via GABAA receptors.

1. Several groups have reported that melatonin produces a significant decrease in blood pressure in mammals and that pinealectomy in rats causes hypertension. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and bicuculline methiodide on the blood pressure of rats, both in the developing and fully developed stage of stress-induced hypertension (SIH). 2. Rats with SIH were generated by mild electric foot shocks for 15 days, after which tail arterial systolic pressure and plasma angiotensin (Ang) II levels were measured. The effects of melatonin injections (i.p. or i.c.v.) on mean arterial pressure (MAP) in rats with SIH were also determined. 3. Pretreatment with 1 mg/kg, i.p., melatonin significantly diminished the elevated tail arterial systolic pressure and plasma AngII levels caused by 15 days stress. The suppressive effects of melatonin were blocked by i.p. injection of 1 mg/kg bicuculline methiodide, an antagonist of the GABA(A) receptor. 4. Intraperitoneal (0.2, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) or i.c.v. (0.15 and 1.5 microg/3 microL) injection of melatonin produced a dose-dependent lowering of MAP in rats with SIH. The antihypertensive response induced by melatonin was blocked by injection of both 1 mg/kg, i.p., and 1.5 x 10(6) microg/3 microL, i.c.v., bicuculline methiodide. 5. In conclusion, melatonin not only prevents increases in blood pressure during the developing stage of SIH, but can also reduce the blood pressure of rats that have already developed SIH. The antihypertensive effect of melatonin may be mediated by GABA(A) receptors through inhibition of plasma AngII levels.

[Formation and suppression technique for motion and flow artifacts on magnetic resonance imaging].

During magnetic resonance imaging, motion and flow artifacts often severely decrease image quality. The mechanisms of these kinds of artifacts are very complex. This article reviewed the pre-handling techniques of motion and flow artifacts, such as changing magnetic resonance imaging parameters, using spatial pre-saturation pulse sequences, gating and triggering techniques of suppressing respiratory motion artifact, as well as the progress of magnetic resonance pulse sequences in suppressing motion and flow artifacts, The paper briefly introduced post-processing techniques of suppressing motion and flow artifacts.

FALEC exerts oncogenic properties to regulate cell proliferation and cell-cycle in endometrial cancer.

Focally amplified lncRNA on chromosome 1 (FALEC) is novel lncRNA located in a focal amplicon on chromosome 1q21.2, and has been identified as an oncogenic properties in a variety of human cancers. However, there was no report about the expression pattern and biological function of FALEC in endometrial cancer. In our research, FALEC expression was increased in endometrial cancer tissue samples and cell lines compared with corresponding paracancerous normal tissue samples and cell line, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated the clinical significance of FALEC in endometrial cancer patients, and found endometrial cancer patients with advanced clinical stage or large tumor size had higher levels of FALEC expression than those with early clinical stage or small tumor size. The in vitro studies showed silencing of FALEC expression inhibited cell proliferation and arrested cell cycle at G0/G1. In conclusion, FALEC is overexpressed in endometrial cancer tissues and cells, and involved in regulating cell proliferation and cell-cycle.

The Application in The Development of Immunoassay Based on Upconversion Nanomaterials / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Immunoassays are widely used in medicine, food, environment and other fields due to having the advantages of simpleness, rapidness and accuracy. Combining immunoassays with nanomaterials can improve the performance of immunoassays. Compared with traditional nanomaterials, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have excellent optical properties such as good photostability, long luminescence lifetime and narrow and tunable emission bands, which can significantly reduce background noise and improve analytical sensitivity when combined with immunoassay. This paper briefly introduces the luminescence mechanism of UCNPs, summarizes the synthesis and surface modification methods of UCNPs. And then 5 UCNPs-based immunoassay techniques, namely, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, inner filter effect, magnetic separation technique, upconversion-linked immunosorbent assay and upconversion immunochromatography, are discussed in detail. These sensing protocols of UCNPs-based immunoassays have been successfully utilized to detect various targets, including small molecules, macromolecules, and pathogens, all of which closely related to food safety, human health, and environmental pollution. Finally, the challenges and prospects of this technique are summarized and prospected. Although the UCNPs immunoassays based on antibodies and antigens have made great progress, most of the research is still in the stage of laboratory, and there is a long way to go to realize its social applications. There is a series of challenges need to be overcome. (1) Designing excellent water soluble and dispersive upconversion nanomaterials is needed. Hydrophilic ligands are bound to smaller upconversion nanoparticles and removing hydrophobic surface ligands are the most widely used methods to improve solubility and dispersity. (2) Multi-detection technology platforms and multi-mode simultaneous detection platforms have great potential, which will improve the efficiency of point of care detection. (3) The researchers also need to focus on some important problems. For examples, the upconversion luminescence efficiency of UCNPs is difficult to maintain, the synthesis method is complex, and the surface modification degree and functionalization are difficult to control.

Performance and applicability evaluation of pressure infusion cuff and blood warmer under severe cold environments in the field / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To test the performances and applicability of the pressure infusion cuff and blood warmer under severe cold environments in the field.Methods Under the severe cold conditions in the field,the simulated hemorrhagic shock patient was placed on a stretcher and transported to a transfer vehicle 2 km away,a pressure infusion cuff and blood warmer was used to perform fluid resuscitation and heating and pressurization blood transfusion during the transport,and the effect of heating and pressurization of the device during the transport was evaluated;two healthy adult male pigs were selected to construct animal models of hemorrhagic shock from war wounds,of which one pig was used as an experimental animal to be treated by blood transfusion with a pressure infusion cuff and blood warmer and the other pig was recognized as a control animal to be treated by blood transfusion using commercially available inflatable pressurized bags and thermostats,and comparison analysis was carried out on the changes in vital signs of animals before and after treatment by the 2 methods of warming and pressurization and the effects of warming and pressurization transfusion.Results The pressure infusion cuff and blood warmer gained advantages in convenience,efficiency and applicability during patient transport;the experimental animal behaved better than the control animal in vital signs such as blood volume,pressure and respiration,transfusion speed and fluid warming.Conclusion The pressure infusion cuff and blood warmer has high efficiency and is applicable under severe cold conditions in the field.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(11):117-120]

Role of microRNA-132 and Mecp2 in methamphetamine dependence / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the roles of miRNA-132 and its related proteins(Mecp2, CREB)in the mechanism of methamphetamine(MA)-induced neurotoxicity and dependence.Methods The rats were intraperitioneally injected(ip)with MA(10 mg·kg-1·d-1)to establish methamphetamine dependence model with different dependent time courses of 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks respectively.The miRNA-132 and Mecp2 mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR, and the Mecp2, p-Mecp2, CREB and p-CREB proteins were detected by Western blot in the tissues of frontal cortex and hippocampus.Results In the frontal cortex, the miRNA-132 and Mecp2 mRNA were up-regulated in MA-dependent groups(P<0.05 and P<0.01), while the Mecp2 protein were down-regulated(P<0.01).MA could promote the phosphorylation of Mecp2 protein in the frontal cortex(P<0.01).In hippocampus, the miRNA-132 was down-regulated in the MA-dependent groups, but Mecp2 mRNA was up-regulated(P<0.05).Mecp2 protein increased in MA-dependent 1 week group(P<0.05), and then recovered with the prolonged time of MA dependence, then decreased in MA-dependent 4 weeks groups(P<0.05)in hippocampus.The phosphorylation level of Mecp2 was significantly decreased in the 1 week group(P<0.01), and then increased in the 2 weeks group(P<0.01)in hippocampus.Conclusions MA could induce an abnormal expression of miRNA-132 in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, and miRNA-132 might inhibit the translation of Mecp2 mRNA and induce the decrease expression of Mecp2 protein in the frontal cortex.But in hippocampus, miRNA-132 does not show the correlation with the Mecp2 expression trend of the frontal cortex.And miRNA-132 regulation does not depend on the expression of Mecp2 in hippocampus.

Prediction of anti-liver fibrosis effect of Piperis Longi Fructus based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

Network pharmacology and liver fibrosis(LF) model in vitro were used to analyze the underly mechanism of anti-liver fibrosis effect that induced by Piperis Longi Fructus and its major active compounds. TCMSP and TCMIP were used to search for the chemical constituents of Piperis Longi Fructus, as well as the oral bioavailability(OB), drug-likeness(DL), intercellular permeability of intestinal epithelial cells(Caco-2) and Drug-likeness grading were set as limiting conditions. The related target genes of Piperis Longi Fructus were queried by TCMSP database, while related targets of LF were screened by GeneCards databases. Interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.1. These above data were imported into STRING database for PPI network analysis. Enrichment of gene ontology(GO) and pathway analysis(KEGG) within Bioconductor database were utilized to note functions of related targets of Piperis Longi Fructus. Finally, the core targets and pathways were preliminarily verified by in vitro experiments. The effects of piperlongumine(PL), the major active component of Piperis Longi Fructus, on proliferation of rat liver stellate cells(HSC-T6) and expression of α smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and collagen Ⅰ were investigated. The major factors TNF-α of tumor necrosis factor(TNF) pathway and NF-κB p65, IL-6 protein expressions of LF process were examined. A total of 12 active compounds such as PL were obtained by analyzing the bioavailability and drug-like properties, which inferred to 48 targets. The functional enrichment analysis of GO obtained 1 240 GO items, mainly involving in process of biology and molecular function. A total of 99 signaling pathways were enriched in the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, including TNF signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathways. CCK-8 assay showed that PL inhibited proliferation of HSC-T6 induced by transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1). Western blot analysis found that treated with PL suppressed the protein expressions of α-SMA, collagen Ⅰ, TNF-α and p65 in HSC-T6. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) showed that PL inhibited the expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 in the cluture supertant of HSC-T6 cells. In conclusion, PL could play an anti-liver fibrosis role by regulating TNF/NF-κB signaling pathway. This study provided the mechanism basis of anti-LF effects induced by Piperis Longi Fructus and its major active compounds, which might help for the further study of the mechanism and key targets of Piperis Longi Fructus.

Current Situation of Methamphetamine Abuse and Related Research Progress / 法医学杂志

Drug problem is a major social and public security problem in the world. Drug abuse poses a great threat to economic development, social stability and public health. In recent years, synthetic drugs represented by methamphetamine have surpassed traditional drugs such as morphine, heroin, ketamine and become one of the most abused drugs in the world. In order to solve the problem of drug abuse, it is of great theoretical value and practical significance to carry out all-round and multi-level scientific research on drug-related issues. Based on the current situation of drug abuse, this article reviews research progresses on the epidemiology of methamphetamine abuse, the monitoring technology, the basic researches on toxicity damage, the withdrawal drug screening, the related clinical comorbidity and the testing technologies, comprehensively presenting the development trend of methamphetamine abuse related issues.

Delivery room resuscitation and short-term outcomes of extremely preterm and extremely low birth weight infants: a multicenter survey in North China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Delivery room resuscitation assists preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (EPI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), in breathing support, while it potentially exerts a negative impact on the lungs and outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to assess delivery room resuscitation and discharge outcomes of EPI and ELBWI in China.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of EPI (gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) and ELBWI (birth weight [BW] <1000 g), admitted within 72 h of birth in 33 neonatal intensive care units from five provinces and cities in North China between 2017 and 2018, were analyzed. The primary outcomes were delivery room resuscitation and risk factors for delivery room intubation (DRI). The secondary outcomes were survival rates, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and risk factors for BPD.@*RESULTS@#A cohort of 952 preterm infants were enrolled. The incidence of DRI, chest compressions, and administration of epinephrine was 55.9% (532/952), 12.5% (119/952), and 7.0% (67/952), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for DRI were GA <28 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 3.147; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.082-4.755), BW <1000 g (OR, 2.240; 95% CI, 1.606-3.125), and antepartum infection (OR, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.044-1.956). The survival rate was 65.9% (627/952) and was dependent on GA. The rate of BPD was 29.3% (181/627). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for BPD were male (OR, 1.603; 95% CI, 1.061-2.424), DRI (OR, 2.094; 95% CI, 1.328-3.303), respiratory distress syndrome exposed to ≥2 doses of pulmonary surfactants (PS; OR, 2.700; 95% CI, 1.679-4.343), and mechanical ventilation ≥7 days (OR, 4.358; 95% CI, 2.777-6.837). However, a larger BW (OR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-0.999), antenatal steroid (OR, 0.577; 95% CI, 0.379-0.880), and PS use in the delivery room (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.160-0.467) were preventive factors for BPD (all P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Improving delivery room resuscitation and management of respiratory complications are imperative during early management of the health of EPI and ELBWI.

Long-term effects of oral tea polyphenols and Lactobacillus brevis M8 on biochemical parameters, digestive enzymes, and cytokines expression in broilers.

This study investigates the long-term effects of oral tea polyphenols (TPs) and Lactobacillus brevis M8 (LB) on biochemical parameters, digestive enzymes, and cytokines expression in broilers. In experiment 1, 240 broiler chickens were selected to investigate the effects of 0.06 g/kg body weight (BW) TP and 1.0 ml/kg BW LB on broilers; in experiment 2, 180 broiler chickens were assigned randomly to three groups to investigate the effects of different dosages of TP (0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 g/kg BW) combined with 1.0 ml/kg BW LB on broilers; in experiment 3, 180 broiler chickens were assigned randomly to three groups to investigate the effects of different dosages of LB (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ml/kg BW) combined with 0.06 g/kg BW TP on broilers. The results showed that TP and LB affected serum biochemical parameters, and TP reduced serum cholesterol (CHO) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) abundances in a dosage-dependent manner (P<0.05) on Day 84. Meanwhile, broilers fed a diet supplemented with TP or LB had a lower intestinal lipase activity on Day 84 compared with the control group (P<0.05). Middle and high dosages of TP increased pancreatic lipase and proventriculus pepsin activities (P<0.05). Also middle and high dosages of LB significantly enhanced pancreatic lipase activity (P<0.05), while high LB supplementation inhibited intestinal trypsase (P<0.05) on Day 84. Furthermore, both TP and LB reduced intestinal cytokine expression and nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) mRNA level on Days 56 and 84. In conclusion, long-term treatment of TP and LB improved lipid metabolism and digestive enzymes activities, and affected intestinal inflammatory status, which may be associated with the NF-κB signal.

Molecular identification of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a severe pulmonary patient with pemphigus from Hainan Province of China

Objective: To describe a case of Strongyloides (S.) stercoralis infestation with severe lung involvement in a patient who had pemphigus and treated with prednisone and to analyze the molecular characteristics of the S. stercoralis isolate. Methods: A 54-year-old Chinese man living in rural area of the Hainan Province, China. He had a 1-year history of pemphigus and took prednisone for more than six month. He was admitted to the hospital with a 1-week history of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Two days before admission, he presented with cough, expectoration, and shortness of breath after activity accompanied by fever. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest was performed at different stage of admission. Gastric juice, sputum and stool sample smears were examined under light microscope. The larvae of Strongyloides were found from gastric juice, sputum and stool samples of the patient and the genomic DNA of the larvaes was extracted. PCR amplification of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was carried out for the DNA sample and the products were sequenced. Results: CT of the chest on day 1 of admission showed inflammation in the tongue segment of the upper lobe of the left lung and the lower lobe of both lungs and the subsequent CT of the chest revealed extensive bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. PCR amplification and sequencing analysis of the Strongyloides larvae directly colleted from the gastric juice, sputum and stool samples on day 10 of admission showed that 100% homology with the sequence of S. stercoralis isolated in a human from Iran (GenBank No. MG995852). Clinical and imageologicalimprovement was achieved after treatement of albendazole (600 mg/day). Conclusions: This is the first case report of pulmonary S. stercoralis infection in a patient with pemphigus treated with prednisone in Hainan Province of China. We suggested that strongyloidiasis should be routinely investigated in patients presenting with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough or expectoration which were accompanied by fever, especially for patients with low immune function or immune deficiency. .

Advance in Quality of Life of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Primary Caregivers (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Chronic heart failure is the end stage of different cardiovascular diseases and usually has a high readmission rate and mortality, and the current optimal treatment is dissatisfied. The quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure and their primary caregivers is at a medium-to-low level, especially in physical, psychological and social dimensions. Furthermore, chronic heart failure patients and their primary caregivers usually suffered from a relatively higher degree of anxiety and depression, which further impaired their quality of life. The quality of life about chronic heart failure patients could be improved by using accurate drug therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy, implantable cardioverter defibrillator and proper exercise rehabilitation according to the recent studies.

Magnetic resonance imaging of ruptured spinal dermoid tumors with spread of fatty droplets in the central spinal canal and/or spinal subarachnoidal space.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of ruptured spinal dermoid tumors with spread of lipid droplets in the central spinal canal and/or spinal subarachnoid space and to understand the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The MRI features of 12-ruptured spinal dermoid tumors were retrospectively analyzed. A literature review was performed to analyze the reported cases of ruptured spinal dermoid tumors along with our cases. RESULTS: The locations of dermoids in our series are all at or below T12 level. Of the 12 cases, 10 ruptured into the central spinal canal, 1 ruptured into the central spinal canal as well as the subarachnoid space, and 1 ruptured into subarachnoid space only. Free lipid droplets exhibited hyperintensity on T1 weighted images, hypointensity on T2 weighted images, and low signal on fat-suppression sequence. CONCLUSION: Spinal dermoid tumors ruptured into central spinal canal and/or spinal subarachnoid space have unique MRI features. The absorption of lipid droplets within central spinal canal is rather difficult, and their movement is extremely slow. We propose that fatty components within the central canal of spinal cord may be partially associated with spinal dermoid tumors developmentally.

Progress of Functional Imaging in Brain Structure and Functional Changes in People with Amphetamine Addiction / 昆明医科大学学报

Amphetamines abuse is defined as a chronic recurrent encephalopathy, and it is a global public health problem which seriously threatens the health of human and the social stability. Long-term abuse and addiction of amphetamines leads to structural and functional changes of specific encephalic regions. Further researches on these encephalic regions, the network of brain and biological information may be helpful to understanding drug abuse mechanism and possible therapeutic measures. Recently, a series of functional imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (f MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and positron emission tomography (PET), were used to detect different brain structural changes of the volume and density of encephalic regions, functional changes of cerebral blood flow and brain cognition. The results showed functional imaging techniques play significant roles to detect different structural and functional changes of the brain. Based on these results, the researchers aim to clarify the mechanisms of drug abuse. That is the main focus of this review.

Effects of gastrodin against SH-SY5Y cell autophagy induced by methamphetamine and underlying mechanisms / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of gastrodin on SH-SY5Y cell autophagy induced by methamphet-amine (METH) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods SY5Y cells were treated by METH with the concentration of 0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0 mmol·L-1for 24 h. The morphological changes were ob-served by microscopy,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ,Bec-lin-1,Akt,p-Akt,mTOR and p-mTOR were detected by Western blot. Gastrodin was added to the medium 1 h before METH treatment. Results The SY 5 Y cells were morphologically featured by shrinkage and den-drite disruption after exposed to METH(0~3 mmol· L-1),and autophagic vacuoles occurred in cytoplasm. The expression of LC3-Ⅱ increased over METH dose. Confocal results showed that LC3-Ⅱsignificantly in-creased in METH group as compared with control, while decreased in METH+ Gastrodin group. The ex-pression levels of LC3-Ⅱand Beclin-1 significantly in-creased (P<0.01) in METH group, p-mTOR and p-Akt decreased, and mTOR and Akt showed no signifi-cant difference as compared with control. However, the gastrodin could decrease the expression of LC3-Ⅱand Beclin-1 and increase the expression of mTOR,p-mTOR,Akt and p-Akt as compared with METH-trea-ted groups. Conclusions METH can induce SY5Y cells autophagy. The protective effect of gastrodin a-gainst METH-induced autophag may be related to gast-rodin regulation mTOR and Akt signaling pathway.

Occurrence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi among long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Hainan Province: High genetic diversity and zoonotic potential

Objective:Microsporidia have been rapidly emerging as pathogens in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent humans. Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) is the most common microsporidial species found in human. E. bieneusi has also been found in a wide range of animals and is considered to be a potentially important zoonotic pathogen. The epidemiological and genetic characterization of E. bieneusi among long-tailed macaques [Macaca fascicularis (M. fascicularis) is not fully understood. Here, we conducted the first molecular epidemiological investigation of E. bieneusi among M. fascicularis in Hainan Province, the southernmost part of China.Methods:A total of 193 fecal specimens of M. fascicularis were collected from a breeding base housing non-human primates for experimental use in Hainan Province, China. E. bieneusi was identified and genotyped by nested PCR analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by constructing a neighboring-joining tree of the ITS gene sequences using MEGA6.Results:A total of 59 (30.6%) of the M. fascicularis were PCR-positive for E. bieneusi. All 59 samples were sequenced successfully and 16 ITS genotypes were identified. These included nine known genotypes: Type IV (n=19), D (n=11), CM1 (n=8), PigEBITS7 (n=4), Pongo2 (n=4), Peru 8 (n=3), Peru11 (n=1), WL21 (n=1) and CM2 (n=1). Additionally, seven novel genotypes named as HNM-I to HNM-VII (one each) were identified. Importantly, genotypes D, Type IV, Peru8, PigEBITS7, and Peru11, which were the predominant (38/59, 64.4%) genotypes identified among M. fascicularis in this study, are also well-known human-pathogenic genotypes. All the genotypes of E. bieneusi identified in this study, including the seven novel ones, belonged to zoonotic group 1.Conclusions:This is the first report of the identification of E. bieneusi in M. fascicularis in Hainan Province, China. The findings of numerous known human-pathogenic types and seven novel genotypes (HNM-I to HNM-VII) of E. bieneusi all belong to zoonotic group 1 indicate the possibility of transmission of this important pathogenic parasite between M. fascicularis and humans.