Eugenol attenuates the inflammation of Fusarium-induced keratitis through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of eugenol against Fusarium solani(F.solani)-induced fungal keratitis(FK)in mice and to preliminarily explore possible underlying mechanisms.METHODS: A modified epifluorescence microscopy method was used to prepare the FK mouse model. An equal amount of DMSO(0.05%)was applied to the conjunctiva of the right eye of rats in the dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)group. The eugenol group was prepared by applying eugenol(160 μg/mL)to the conjunctival sac of the right eye of mice. The insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)group was coated with the PI3K/AKT pathway activator IGF-1(10 nmol/mL)in the conjunctival sac of the right eye in addition to the administration of eugenol. The corneal morphology was observed under a slit-lamp microscope on days 1, 3, and 5 of inoculation with F.solani suspension, respectively. Hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining was used to assess corneal histopathological damage. The bacterial load of corneal tissue was determined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot were used to analyze the levels of inflammatory mediators interleukin-6(IL-6)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and the expression of PI3K/AKT pathway proteins.RESULTS: Eugenol treatment improved the morphological symptoms of keratitis and inflammatory response in FK mice, and reduced corneal pathologic tissue damage and fungal load. At 3 d after F.solani infection, corneal tissue IL-6 levels were significantly higher and IL-1β levels were significantly lower in the eugenol group compared with the DMSO group(both P<0.05); corneal tissue IL-6 levels were significantly higher and IL-1β levels were significantly lower in the eugenol group than in the IGF-1 group(both P<0.05). At 5 d after infection, both IL-6 and IL-1β levels in corneal tissue of the eugenol group were significantly lower than those of the DMSO and IGF-1 groups(P<0.05); compared with the DMSO group, the expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt in the corneal tissues of the eugenol group was significantly reduced(P<0.05); the expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt in corneal tissues was significantly lower in the eugenol group than that of the IGF-1 group(both P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Eugenol may attenuate F.solani-induced corneal inflammation by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway, and it has a protective effect against F.solani keratitis in mice.

Aerobic exercise upregulates the thioredoxin system and inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis in aging rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that cardiomyocyte apoptosis is closely related to cardiac decompensation and the cardiac aging process.Appropriate exercise can alter heart pump function in patients with heart failure as well as attenuate aging-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis,hypertrophy,and fibrotic damage. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of long-term aerobic exercise on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the thioredoxin system in aging rats. METHODS:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided into three age groups:3-month-old young group,9-month-old middle-aged group,and 18-month-old elderly group,with 12 rats in each group.Within each age group,rats were randomly assigned to sedentary and exercise subgroups(n=6 per group).The sedentary groups did not undergo any exercise intervention.The exercise groups were acclimated to a treadmill environment and subsequently subjected to treadmill exercise for 45 minutes per day,at a speed of 15 m/min,5 days per week for 10 weeks in total.At 24 hours after the final intervention,ELISA was employed to measure serum levels of cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB in rats.TUNEL assay was utilized to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis,while western blot assay was employed to assess the protein expression of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase 3,thioredoxin-1,thioredoxin-2,thioredoxin reductase-1,thioredoxin reductase-2,thioredoxin-interacting protein,apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1,and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat myocardial tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Serum levels of cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB in the elderly sedentary group were significantly higher than those in the young and middle-aged sedentary groups and elderly exercise group(P<0.01).Serum levels of cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB in the elderly sedentary group were significantly higher than those in the young and middle-aged exercise groups and elderly exercise group(P<0.01).Positive apoptotic cells in rat myocardial tissue,along with increased protein expression of Bax and Caspase 3,exhibited an age-related upward trend,while Bcl-2 protein expression showed a declining trend.In comparison with the sedentary groups within each age category,the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes and the expression of Bax and Caspase 3 proteins were reduced to different degrees,and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was increased to different degrees in the corresponding exercise groups.Compared with the young sedentary group,middle-aged sedentary group and elderly exercise group,elderly sedentary rats showed a significant decrease in the expression of myocardial thioredoxin 1,thioredoxin 2,thioredoxin reductase 1,and thioredoxin reductase 2 proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01).The expression of myocardial thioredoxin 1,thioredoxin 2,and thioredoxin reductase 2 proteins was lower in the elderly exercise group than in the young exercise group(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 and thioredoxin reductase 2 proteins was lower in the elderly exercise group than in the middle-aged exercise group(P<0.01).The protein expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein,apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1,and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat myocardium was significantly higher in the elderly sedentary group than the young sedentary group,middle-aged sedentary group and elderly exercise group(P<0.01).The protein expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein,apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1,and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat myocardium was significantly higher in the elderly exercise group than the young exercise group and middle-aged exercise group(P<0.01).To conclude,aerobic exercise may enhance the anti-apoptotic effects of thioredoxin by down-regulating the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein in aging rat hearts,leading to the downregulation of apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1 and P38 mitogen-activated kinase protein,thereby alleviating myocardial cell apoptosis in aging rat hearts.

Frequency-Resolved Connectome Hubs and Their Test-Retest Reliability in the Resting Human Brain / 神经科学通报·英文版

Functional hubs with disproportionately extensive connectivities play a crucial role in global information integration in human brain networks. However, most resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) studies have identified functional hubs by examining spontaneous fluctuations of the blood oxygen level-dependent signal within a typical low-frequency band (e.g., 0.01-0.08 Hz or 0.01-0.1 Hz). Little is known about how the spatial distributions of functional hubs depend on frequency bands of interest. Here, we used repeatedly measured R-fMRI data from 53 healthy young adults and a degree centrality analysis to identify voxelwise frequency-resolved functional hubs and further examined their test-retest reliability across two sessions. We showed that a wide-range frequency band (0.01-0.24 Hz) accessible with a typical sampling rate (fsample = 0.5 Hz) could be classified into three frequency bands with distinct patterns, namely, low-frequency (LF, 0.01-0.06 Hz), middle-frequency (MF, 0.06-0.16 Hz), and high-frequency (HF, 0.16-0.24 Hz) bands. The functional hubs were mainly located in the medial and lateral frontal and parietal cortices in the LF band, and in the medial prefrontal cortex, superior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, and several cerebellar regions in the MF and HF bands. These hub regions exhibited fair to good test-retest reliability, regardless of the frequency band. The presence of the three frequency bands was well replicated using an independent R-fMRI dataset from 45 healthy young adults. Our findings demonstrate reliable frequency-resolved functional connectivity hubs in three categories, thus providing insights into the frequency-specific connectome organization in healthy and disordered brains.

[Effect of ptxA and ptxB genes of phosphotransferase system on growth of Streptococcus mutans].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of ptxA and ptxB genes, which are important genes in the L-ascorbate phosphotransferase system (PTS) of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). METHODS: The ptxA-, ptxB-, and ptxAB-double deficient mutant as well as ptxAB-complemented strain were constructed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of the target genes of wild-type S. mutans when L-ascorbate was used as the sole carbohydrate source. The OD600 values of the wild type, deficient, and complemented strains were continuously monitored, and their growth curves were constructed to compare growth capacity. RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analyses suggested that deficient and complemented strains were successfully constructed. The expression levelsof ptxA and ptxB significantly increased (P < 0.01) when L-ascorbate was used as the sole carbohydrate source. The growth capacity of the deficient mutants decreased compared with that of the wild-type strain. However, the wild-type phenotype could be restored in the complemented strain. CONCLUSION: ptxA and ptxB genes are associated with L-ascorbate metabolism of S. mutans. The construction of deficient strains and complemented strain lay a foundation for further mechanism study on L-ascorbate metabolism in S. mutans.

[Qualitative analysis of bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric adenosine monophosphate of Porphyromonas gingivalis by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry].

OBJECTIVE: To test whether Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) could produce bacterial signal molecule, bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) and lay the foundation for explorations of its roles in life metabolism and periodontitis immunity of P. gingivalis. METHODS: P. gingivalis standard strain ATCC33277 was used as the experimental strain to extract nucleic acids from the bacteria. Then, c-di-AMP was detected using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Subsequently, HPLC was used to validate the sample further. RESULTS: Based on the signal/noise (S/N) for 3 : 1, the limit of determination of HPLC-MS/MS for peak time of c-di-AMP standard substances was 7.49 min and nucleic acid extractions from P. gingivalis was 8.82 min (S/N > 3). Further confirmation of HPLC showed that nucleic acid extractions from both P. gingivalis and c-di-AMP standard substances pre- sented goal absorbent peaks at 15.7 min, with the same ultraviolet absorbent spectrum. CONCLUSION: The nucleic acid extrac- tions from P. gingivalis contained c-di-AMP, which shows that P. gingivalis could produce c-di-AMP.

Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI evaluation of liver function in patients with cirrhosis / 中国医学影像技术

Objective: To investigate the relationship between liver function parameters and liver parenchymal relative enhancement (RE) at hepatocyte phase with gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA)-enhanced MRI, and to clarify clinical predictive factors affecting liver parenchymal RE.Methods: Data of 238 patients underwent abdominal Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI were retrospectively analyzed and classified into 4 groups, i.e. normal liver function group (NLF group) and liver cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, B and C group (LCA, LCB and LCC groups). Liver parenchymal RE at hepatocyte phase was calculated, and the relationship between liver parenchyma RE and liver function parameters were analyzed, then clarified clinical predictive factors affecting liver parenchymal RE. Results: Liver parenchyma RE of hepatocyte phase were negatively correlated with the changes of total bilirubin (TB), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Child-Pugh classification (all P<0.01),but positively correlated with albumin (Alb) and cholinesterase (ChE) (both P<0.01). Liver parenchyma RE at hepatocyte phase in NLF group were significantly higher than that in LCA,LCB and LCC groups (all P<0.001), respectively, and lower in patients with ascites than in those without ascites (P<0.001). Compared with LCB and LCC groups, liver parenchyma RE at hepatocyte phase in LCA group were significantly higher (both P<0.001), and predicted factors of liver parenchymal RE in hepatocyte stage included TB, Alb, ALP, and presence of ascites. Conclusion: There are significant correlations of liver parenchyma RE and liver functional parameters in liver cirrhosis, predictive factors of liver parenchymal RE in hepatocyte stage with Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI include TB, Alb, ALP and presence of ascites.

[Crystal structure of SMU.2055 protein from Streptococcus mutans and its small molecule inhibitors design and selection].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the three-dimensional crystal structure of SMU.2055 protein, a putative acetyltransferase from the major caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). The design and selection of the structure-based small molecule inhibitors are also studied. METHODS: The three-dimensional crystal structure of SMU.2055 protein was obtained by structural genomics research methods of gene cloning and expression, protein purification with Ni²âº-chelating affinity chromatography, crystal screening, and X-ray diffraction data collection. An inhibitor virtual model matching with its target protein structure was set up using computer-aided drug design methods, virtual screening and fine docking, and Libdock and Autodock procedures. RESULTS: The crystal of SMU.2055 protein was obtained, and its three-dimensional crystal structure was analyzed. This crystal was diffracted to a resolution of 0.23 nm. It belongs to orthorhombic space group C222(1), with unit cell parameters of a = 9.20 nm, b = 9.46 nm, and c = 19.39 nm. The asymmetric unit contained four molecules, with a solvent content of 56.7%. Moreover, five small molecule compounds, whose structure matched with that of the target protein in high degree, were designed and selected. CONCLUSION: Protein crystallography research of S. mutans SMU.2055 helps to understand the structures and functions of proteins from S. mutans at the atomic level. These five compounds may be considered as effective inhibitors to SMU.2055. The virtual model of small molecule inhibitors we built will lay a foundation to the anticaries research based on the crystal structure of proteins.

Establishment effects of nursing work model and clinical application in anuria ward / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the establishment of nursing work model and clinical application in anuria ward. Methods Established the nursing model of anuria ward in rehabilitation department, including the establishment of neurogenic bladder functional rehabilitation nursing specialist group. Define organizational structure, division of labor and responsibilities, conduct continuous personnel training, education and assessment, formulate standardized procedures for rehabilitation and nursing of neurogenic bladder function, implement bladder function assessment, bladder function training, health education, etc. Stage summary and continuous quality improvement. Results The scores of nurses' theoretical examination, skill assessment, nurses'own satisfaction and doctors'satisfaction were 79.6 ±2.1 and 78.5 ±3.5, 91.3 ±2.3, 93.2±1.8, 92.5 ±2.4, respectively. After the implementation of the model, the scores were 89.2 ±1.8, 87.6 ±2.7, 96.3 ±3.6 and 97.4 ±1.6, 98.6 ±1.3, respectively. Before and after the implementation of the model, the differences were statistically significant (t=-8.755--7.685, P<0.05). The number of days of indwelling urinary catheter, residual urinary volume of bladder, and urinary system infection cases before the implementation of the model were (31.63 ±8.47) days and (263.38 ±18.62) ml, (15.03±3.10) cases, (21.27 ±1.64) days, respectively; and (8.78 ±4.32) days, (79.39 ±17.36)ml, (5.36 ± 1.35) cases, (12.45 ± 1.78) days, respectively after the implementation. There was significant difference between the two groups (t =- 23.643--5.874, P < 0.05). Conclusions The establishment of nursing work model without urinary tube ward it can obviously improve the nurses'theory and skill operation level of bladder function rehabilitation nursing, nurses themselves and doctors, patients'satisfaction to nurses, and significantly reduce the number of days of indwelling catheter, urinary bladder residual urine, urinary tract feeling and hospitalization days. The nursing work mode of no urinary tube ward is normative and operable, and it is worth popularizing in clinic.

Significance of Tumor Abnormal Protein in Peripheral Blood in the Therapeutic Monitoring of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To observe the significance of tumor abnormal protein (TAP)in the therapeutic monitoring of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Peripheral blood from 30 NSCLC patients were collected to make smears at the moment of pre-treatment,half a month,one month,3 months and 6 months after therapy.TAP was detected by coacervation method.The maximum area of condense was applied to estimate the level of TAP.Thirty healthy subj ects were chose as con-trol group.Results The positive rate of TAP in NSCLC patients was 86.67%,and 3.33% of healthy subjects were positive in TAP.The difference was statistically significant (χ2=140.3,P<0.01).The condense area of TAP in patients withⅢ~Ⅳ stage of NSCLC [411(89,562)mm2]was significantly higher than those withⅠ~Ⅱ stage NSCLC [267(31,407)mm2]. The condense areas in both of two groups went down after treatment.A significant difference of condense area appeared inⅠ~Ⅱ stage of NSCLC patients a month after therapy as well as Ⅲ~Ⅳ stage of NSCLC patients half a month after treat-ment.The condense areas went to their lowest level 3 months after therapy.ForⅠ~Ⅱ stage patients,the condense area fell to 21% compared to that before treatment,but for patients withⅢ~Ⅳ stage of NSCLC,37% of pre-treatment condense ar-ea were detected.TheⅠ~Ⅱ stage of NSCLC patients had a greater decrease in condense area of TAP than theⅢ~Ⅳ stage patients by 3 months after treatment (χ2=6.22,P<0.05).Conclusion Detection of TAP in peripheral blood had a high sensitivity for NSCLC,and is able to monitoring the treatment effect.

Protective Roll of Neuregulin-1 on High Glucose Caused Myocardial Cell Injury in Rat’s Embryo H9c2 Myocardial Cells With its Mechanism / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To study the protective roll of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) on high glucose caused myocardial cell injury in rat’s embryo H9c2 myocardial cells with its mechanism. Methods: Cultured rat’s embryo H9c2 myocardial cells were divided into 5 groups:①Control group,②High glucose (HG) group, containing glucose 33 mmol/L,③HG+NRG-1 10 nmol/L (N1) group,④HG+NRG-1 50 nmol/L (N2) group and⑤HG+NRG-1 250 nmol/L (N3) group. All cells were treated for 24 hours. Myocardial cell survival rate was measured by CCK-8 method, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and the apoptosis rate were detected by lfow cytometry, enzymes activities of CK, LDH, SOD and MDA content were examined, proteins expressions of NRG-1 receptor as ErbB2 and ErbB4 were assessed by Western blot analysis. NRG-1 treated myocardial cell apoptosis in type II diabetic cardiomyopathy rats was observed by Tunel staining. Results: Compared with HG group, from N1 group to N3 group, myocardial cell survival rates were increased from (63.33±3.56) %to (85.88±4.55) %, ROS levels decrease form (33.75±4.23) % to (15.88±4.55) %, apoptosis rates reduced from (36.44±4.86) % to (14.77±4.21) %, receptor expressions of ErbB2 was elevated from (0.26±0.04) to (0.84±0.03) and ErbB4 was elevated from (0.39±0.03) to (0.72±0.04), allP<0.05; enzymes activities of CK, LDH and MDA content were gradually decreased and SOD activity was gradually increased, allP<0.05. NRG-1 treated myocardial cell apoptosis in type II diabetic cardiomyopathy rats was also obviously reduced. Conclusion: NRG-1 could increase the survival rate and reduce the oxidative stress injury and apoptosis of cultured rat’s embryo H9c2 myocardial cells in HG condition which might be related to NRG-1 binding to ErbB2/ErbB4 molecules in the cells.

Influence of Continuous Nursing Intervention on Psychological Quality and Medication Compliance in Ulcerative Colitis Patients after Discharge / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To explore the effect of follow-up continuous nursing intervention on the psychological quality and medication compliance in patients with ulcerative colitis after discharge. Methods Ninety-seven patients with ulcerative colitis after discharge from October 2014 to October 2015 were recruited,and 48 cases were selected in the study group and 49 cases in the control group randomly. The control group received routine postdischarge care. The study group received postdischarge follow-up nursing intervention. After 3 months of postdischarge intervention, the psychological quality of patients in two groups was assessed by the emotion application measure scale separately. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8-item version (MMAS 8-item version) was used for the assessment of the medication compliance of the two groups of patients. Results After the intervention, the patients in the study group showed better psychological quality and medication compliance than the patients in the control groups.There were significant differences between two groups. Conclusion Post-discharge follow-up nursing intervention on patients with ulcerative colitis is effective for improving the psychological quality and the medication compliance and may be helpful to improve the life quality of the patients.

Qualitative analysis of bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric adenosine monophosphate of Porphyromonas gingivalis by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test whether Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) could produce bacterial signal molecule, bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) and lay the foundation for explorations of its roles in life metabolism and periodontitis immunity of P. gingivalis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>P. gingivalis standard strain ATCC33277 was used as the experimental strain to extract nucleic acids from the bacteria. Then, c-di-AMP was detected using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Subsequently, HPLC was used to validate the sample further.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Based on the signal/noise (S/N) for 3 : 1, the limit of determination of HPLC-MS/MS for peak time of c-di-AMP standard substances was 7.49 min and nucleic acid extractions from P. gingivalis was 8.82 min (S/N > 3). Further confirmation of HPLC showed that nucleic acid extractions from both P. gingivalis and c-di-AMP standard substances pre- sented goal absorbent peaks at 15.7 min, with the same ultraviolet absorbent spectrum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The nucleic acid extrac- tions from P. gingivalis contained c-di-AMP, which shows that P. gingivalis could produce c-di-AMP.</p>

Effect of ptxA and ptxB genes of phosphotransferase system on growth of Streptococcus mutans / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aims to evaluate the effect of ptxA and ptxB genes, which are important genes in the L-ascorbate phosphotransferase system (PTS) of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The ptxA-, ptxB-, and ptxAB-double deficient mutant as well as ptxAB-complemented strain were constructed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of the target genes of wild-type S. mutans when L-ascorbate was used as the sole carbohydrate source. The OD₆₀₀ values of the wild type, deficient, and complemented strains were continuously monitored, and their growth curves were constructed to compare growth capacity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analyses suggested that deficient and complemented strains were successfully constructed. The expression levelsof ptxA and ptxB significantly increased (P < 0.01) when L-ascorbate was used as the sole carbohydrate source. The growth capacity of the deficient mutants decreased compared with that of the wild-type strain. However, the wild-type phenotype could be restored in the complemented strain.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ptxA and ptxB genes are associated with L-ascorbate metabolism of S. mutans. The construction of deficient strains and complemented strain lay a foundation for further mechanism study on L-ascorbate metabolism in S. mutans.</p>

Research on characteristics of resting-state functional connectivity strengths in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore a new index for reflecting the topological information of brain functional networks in patients at high risk of Alzheimer disease using characteristics of resting-state functional connectivity strengths(FCS) in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI). Methods Thirty-one aMCI patients and 42 age, gender and years of education matched normal controls were enrolled between September 2009 and April 2011 in this study. The resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data of all participants were acquired and preprocessed. Then the whole-brain functional connectivities were constructed for exploring the distribution characteristics of hub regions which had higher FCS values. Using two-sample t test to compare group differences in age, years of education and each neuropsychological assessment. In addition, using Chi-squared test to compare group differences in gender. Group differences in FCS values were analyzed by general linear model. Finally, correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between the FCS values of the brain regions with group differences and behavioral scores in aMCI patients. Results The hub regions of the functional networks in the aMCI patients were mainly located in the association cortices such as the precuneuses, posterior cingulate cortices, medial prefrontal cortices, angular gyri, superior occipital gyri, fusiform gyri and lingual gyri. The distribution models in the aMCI patients were consistent with those in the normal controls. However, the FCS values of these brain regions were significantly lower in the aMCI patients than those in the normal controls. In comparison to the normal controls, the aMCI patients had significantly decreased FCS values in the bilateral fusiform gyri, lingual gyri, superior occipital gyri, left middle occipital gyrus and postcentral gyrus (the cluster was 389, 230, 187 and 107 voxels, respectively;P<0.05, respectively), and they had decreased trends of FCS values in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortices and right insulas. The correlation analysis with uncorrected conditions showed that the FCS values of the left postcentral gyri were correlatid with the clock drawing test (CDT) scores (r=0.436, P=0.026). Conclusions aMCI mainly attacks the hub regions of brain functional networks. The changes of functional connectivities in aMCI may reflect the early pathophysiologic alterations of AD.

Crystal structure of SMU.2055 protein from Streptococcus mutans and its small molecule inhibitors design and selection / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study is to analyze the three-dimensional crystal structure of SMU.2055 protein, a putative acetyltransferase from the major caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). The design and selection of the structure-based small molecule inhibitors are also studied.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The three-dimensional crystal structure of SMU.2055 protein was obtained by structural genomics research methods of gene cloning and expression, protein purification with Ni²⁺-chelating affinity chromatography, crystal screening, and X-ray diffraction data collection. An inhibitor virtual model matching with its target protein structure was set up using computer-aided drug design methods, virtual screening and fine docking, and Libdock and Autodock procedures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The crystal of SMU.2055 protein was obtained, and its three-dimensional crystal structure was analyzed. This crystal was diffracted to a resolution of 0.23 nm. It belongs to orthorhombic space group C222(1), with unit cell parameters of a = 9.20 nm, b = 9.46 nm, and c = 19.39 nm. The asymmetric unit contained four molecules, with a solvent content of 56.7%. Moreover, five small molecule compounds, whose structure matched with that of the target protein in high degree, were designed and selected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Protein crystallography research of S. mutans SMU.2055 helps to understand the structures and functions of proteins from S. mutans at the atomic level. These five compounds may be considered as effective inhibitors to SMU.2055. The virtual model of small molecule inhibitors we built will lay a foundation to the anticaries research based on the crystal structure of proteins.</p>

Chromosomal microarray analysis for lateral ventriculomegaly in fetus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between fetal lateral ventriculomegaly and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) abnormalities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty fetuses with lateral ventriculomegaly detected by ultrasound and a normal karyotype were included. Forty four fetuses were classified as mild ventriculomegaly (MVM), in which the lateral ventricular atrium was 10-15 mm. Six had severe ventriculomegaly (SVM), with the lateral ventricularatrium being ≥ 15 mm. The fetuses were also divided into isolated (n= 21) and non-isolated groups (n= 29) based on whether they are associated with other anomalies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen (26%) of the fetuses were found to be abnormal by CMA. For the 44 cases with MVM, 9 (20.9% ) were found to be abnormal, while for the 6 cases with SMV, 4 (66.7%) were found to be abnormal (P>0.05). CMA abnormalities were found in 2 (9.5%) of the 21 fetuses with isolated ventriculomegaly group and 11 (37.9%) of the 29 fetuses with non-isolated ventriculomegaly group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chromosome microdeletions and microduplications are the most common abnormalities found in fetal lateral ventriculomegaly. When ventriculomegaly is associated with other anomalies, the incidence of CMA abnormally is much higher. Prenatal diagnosis is necessary for fetuses with lateral ventriculomegaly.</p>

Effect of different concentrations of fetal bovine serum on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell purity and cycle / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective To compare the influence of three kinds of complete media with 0. 10 ,0. 15 ,0. 20 fetal bo-vine serum( FBS) on purity and cycle of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( BMSCs) cultured in vitro and to seek suitable FBS concentration for the cultivation of the stem cells. Methods SD rats were executed by cervical dislocation method and used whole bone marrow adherence to isolate rat BMSCs. Experiment was divided into A, B,C,3 groups. Compared the expression of CD45, CD29, CD90, CD44 in the three groups in 2,3,4,5 passages ( P2 , P3 , P4 , P5 );the cells of P3 in group A were digested and cultured in three different concentration of com-plete culture media for four days, measuring cell cycle in 24,48,72,96 h by flow cytometry instrument. BMSCs of P3 were collected and inoculated to 6 pieces of 96-well plates, then vaccinated with complete media with 0. 10, 0. 15,0. 20 FBS in every plate, one culture plate was taken out for optical density(OD) meaturement every day with CCK-8. Results CD45 was negative, CD29, CD90, CD44 were positive. The difference of BMSCs surface markers cultured in the three kinds of complete media was bigger in the first two passages, but the difference was less in P3 , P4 , all could obtain pure BMSCs in P4 relatively;according to the results of the cell cycle at the same time, G0/G1 phase:with the increase of concentration of fetal bovine, G0/G1 phase reduced and had no diference in A, B, C groups;G2/M phase:there was difference between them after 24 h(P<0. 05,F=12. 412), but with the extension of time, the differences disappeared;S phase:there was no difference in the three groups;S+G2/M phase increased with the concentration of FBS. According to the result of cell vitality, the OD of ABC three groups increased in turn in 24 h, and there was difference(P<0. 05,F=5. 002), but with the extension of time, there was no obvious difference between them. Conclusion The three kinds of culture media in P4 can obtain pure BM-SCs, cell cycle and vitality show three complete media can promote the growth of BMSCs. There is no difference between them. Culture media with 0. 10 FBS can satisfy the isolation and amplification of BMSCs, in order to ob-tain pure BMSCs in the short term, using culture media with 0. 15 and 0. 10 FBS in the primary culture and subcul-ture respectively.

Progress on the molecular mechanisms of neuroglobin improving neonatal hypoxia-isehemia brain injury / 国际儿科学杂志

Neuroglobin is involved in neuroprotection from damage due to hypoxia or ischemia in vitro and in vivo.Overexpression of neuroglobin ameliorates the recovery from hypoxia-ischemia brain injury in experimental animals.The mechanism is still unknown.Studies have revealed that neuroglobin has a typical globin fold,and despite being hexacoordinated,which binds reversibly O2,CO2,and NO.This article reviews the possible mechanisms involved in neuroprotection of neuroglobin and provide a clue in treatment of hypoxia-ischemia brain injury.

Comparison of the fracture resistance of pulpless upper anterior teeth restored with tapered and parallel-sided fiber posts / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To investigate fracture resistance and fracture patterns of maxillary anterior endodontically treated teeth restored with two different shapes of glass fiber post systems.Methods Twenty-four human sound maxillary anterior teeth of similar size were collected,and randomly divided into 3 groups,8 teeth each.After endodontical treatment,they were given the following treatments:Group A:parallel glass fiber posts (coltene parapost fiber lux) and composite core;Group B:taper glass fiber posts (coltene parapost taper lux) and composite core; Group C (control group):intact endodontically treated teeth.Teeth in Groups A and B reserved 2 mm dentin ferrule.Then the teeth were prepared and restored with IPS e.max Press all ceramic crowns.All the teeth were embedded in acrylic resin 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ),with the silicon impression material stimulating periodontal membrane.All the specimen were loaded under a universal testing machine,at the palatal junction of incisor third and middle third,with an angle of 135 degree to the longitudinal axis of the tooth until fracture occurred,at a cross-head speed of 1.0 mm/min.Fracture loads and patterns were recorded.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.Results The mean fracture loads in the three groups were as follows:(468.8±142.5) N,(440.2±202.7) N,and (459.0±147.6) N,respectively.There was no significant difference in fracture loads among groups (P＞0.05).The incidence of unfavorable fracture in Group A was higher than Groups B and C.Conclusions There is no significant difference in fracture strength between parallel and taper fiber post groups.However,the group with parallel fiber posts demonstrates a higher risk of unfavorable fracture than the group with taper fiber posts,which indicates that taper fiber posts are more favorable to preserve the remaining tooth structure.

Metabolism, transformation and distribution of Coptis chinensis total alkaloids in rat / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the pharmacokinetics, distribution and mutual transformation of the total alkaloids, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, berberine and palmatine from Coptis chinensis in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>After the total alkaloids and berberine were fed into rats, their contents in plasma, tissues and gastrointestinal tract were determined by reversed-phase HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The peak times of berberine in blood were 2.0 h (Cmax 3.7 mg x L(-1)) and 5.0 h Cmax 2.8 mg x L(-1)), respectively. Berberine in rat blood can be transformed into jatrorrhizine. After the rats were fed with the total alkaloids by gavage, the content of berberine was decreased monotonously, while coptisine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine contents were increased gradually in the stomach, it speculated that berberine may be transformed into jatrorrhizine in the stomach. Animal experiments showed that berberine and palmatine were mainly distributed in the lungs of animals, followed by the distribution in the liver, while jatrorrhizine and coptisine was mainly in the liver, then in the lungs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Berberine could transform into jatrorrhizine. The mechanism on the appearance of two maximum blood concentration of berberine in blood could be explained with the propulsion of the gastrointestinal tract partly.</p>