[Evaluation of ocular surface status and function in primary Sjögren's syndrome with hypothyroidism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of hypothyroidism (HT) on the ocular surface status of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye (pSS-DED). METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 36 patients with pSS-DED who were treated at the dry eye clinic of Peking University Third Hospital from December 2020 to June 2021, of whom 12 were pSS-DED patients combined with HT. In the same period, 24 patients with simple dry eye disease (DED) were served as a control group. All the patients filled out the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, and performed tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, tear meniscus height, corneal/conjunctival fluorescein staining, meibomian gland secretion capacity, meibum evaluation and confocal microscope examination. RESULTS: (1) Compared with pSS-DED and simple DED patients, pSS-DED +HT patients had lower average BUT [(2.7±0.8) s], Schirmer test [(4.9±4.8) mm] and tear meniscus height [(0.13±0.03) mm], and the difference was statistically significant (F=12.43, P < 0.01; F=6.96, P < 0.01; F=3.31, P < 0.05). (2) Compared with DED and pSS-DED patients, the meibomian gland secretion capacity and meibomian trait scores of pSS-DED+HT patients were mainly distributed in the high division. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of secretion capacity of meibomian glands (χ2=10.72, P < 0.05) and meibomian trait assessment scores (χ2=8.34, P < 0.05) among the three groups. (3) Serum total thyroxine and serum free thyroxine levels in the pSS-DED+HT patients showed positive correlation (P < 0.05, P < 0.05) with their BUT (r=0.60, 0.60), Schirmer's test (r=0.64, 0.66) and tear river height (r=0.61, 0.62), independent of lid gland secretory capacity; no significant correlation was found between thyroid-stimulating hormone, anti-thyroglobulin antibody and lid gland secretory capacity. Thyroid hormone, anti-thyroglobulin antibody, and thyroid peroxidase antibody were not found to be significantly correlated with ocular surface status. (4) Compared with pSS-DED, the fiber density of the subbasal nerve plexus in pSS-DED+HT group decreased (t=2.06, P < 0.05), and the curvature score increased (t=2.13, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ocular surface condition of pSS-DED patients with HT is worse than that of pSS-DED and DED patients. The main manifestations are that tear secretion, tear film stability, secretory function of the meibomian glands, meibum trait and fiber density of the subbasal nerve plexus decrease while the curvature increases. The mechanism might be related to the decrease in thyroid hormone production.

Positive-Parity Linear-Chain Molecular Band in

An inelastic excitation and cluster-decay experiment ^{2}H(^{16}C,^{4}He+^{12}Be or ^{6}He+^{10}Be)^{2}H was carried out to investigate the linear-chain clustering structure in neutron-rich ^{16}C. For the first time, decay paths from the ^{16}C resonances to various states of the final nuclei were determined, thanks to the well-resolved Q-value spectra obtained from the threefold coincident measurement. The close-threshold resonance at 16.5 MeV is assigned as the J^{π}=0^{+} band head of the predicted positive-parity linear-chain molecular band with (3/2_{π}^{-})^{2}(1/2_{σ}^{-})^{2} configuration, according to the associated angular correlation and decay analysis. Other members of this band were found at 17.3, 19.4, and 21.6 MeV based on their selective decay properties, being consistent with the theoretical predictions. Another intriguing high-lying state was observed at 27.2 MeV which decays almost exclusively to ^{6}He+^{10}Be(∼6 MeV) final channel, corresponding well to another predicted linear-chain structure with the pure σ-bond configuration.

[The study of growth differentiation factor-15 in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension following acute pulmonary thromboembolism].

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) secondary to acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and the serum level of growth differentiation factor-15(GDF-15). Methods: Ninety-six acute PTE patients were recruited in the study. Clinical data, Wells score, blood gas analysis, D-dimmer level, GDF-15 level, atrial and ventricular sizes, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and pulmonary artery CT (CTPA) data were collected. Patients were followed up to evaluate the cardiac function (WHO class), ultrasonic cardiogram and CTPA to confirm the incidence of CTEPH. Results: Eighty-fivepatients were followed for 5 months to 58 months (average 26.5±14.7 months). The incidence of CTEPH was 12.9% (11/85). Between CTEPH patients and non-CTEPH patients, PASP, right atrial and ventricular sizes, and GDF-15in the acute stage were significantly different(P<0.05). According to binary logistic regression analysis, the incidence of CTEPH was correlated positively with acute PASP and the serum level of GDF-15. Conclusions: The incidence of CTEPH in acute PTE patients was 12.9% in this study. Acute PASP and higher level of GDF-15 are predictive factors for CTEPH secondary to acute PTE.

[Co-overexpression of human tissue kallikrein 1 and human metalloproteinase 1 tissue inhibitor inhibits neointima formation in the rat artery after balloon angioplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of adenovirus-mediated human tissue kallikrein 1(hTK-1) and/or human tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (hTIMP-1) gene delivery on the neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotids and related mechanism. METHODS: Forty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups with the random number table: (1) sham-operated group(n=6), (2) angioplasty group (n=8), (3) vector virus group (n=8), (4) hTK-1 group (n=8), (5) hTIMP-1 group (n=8), (6) hTK-1-hTIMP-1 group (n=8). Except sham rats, all rats underwent carotid artery balloon injury and local delivery of saline or different recombined adenoviruses respectively. Rats were sacrificed 14 days later. Intima/media area ratio was assessed on hematoxylin-eosin stained tissue section. Immunofluorescence images stained for hTK-1, hTIMP-1 were obtained and analyzed by the confocal microscope for co-localization examination of hTK-1 and hTIMP-1. The protein expression levels of hTK-1, hTIMP-1, matrix metalloproteinases(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were determined by Western blot. Immune histochemical staining for PCNA was also performed. RESULTS: (1)Intima area, intima/media area ratio, PCNA, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were all significantly increased in rats underwent angioplasty (did or did not receive vector virus) compared with sham-operated rats (all P<0.01) while above parameters were similar between rats underwent angioplasty or vector virus delivery (all P>0.05). (2) The intima area of rats received vector virus, hTK-1, hTIMP-1 or dual gene transfer were (0.160±0.010), (0.110±0.015), (0.121±0.016) or (0.081±0.008) mm(2) respectively, intima area was similar between rats received hTK-1 or hTIMP-1 (P>0.05), differences were found between other groups (all P<0.01). The intima/media area ratio of rats received vector virus, hTK-1, hTIMP-1 or dual gene transfer were 2.035±0.117, 1.443±0.097, 1.522±0.078 or 0.972±0.072 respectively, no difference was found between rats received hTK-1 or hTIMP-1 in intima/media area ratio (all P>0.05), differences were found between other groups (all P<0.01). The MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression of rats received vector virus, hTK-1, hTIMP-1 or dual gene transfer were 0.817±0.036, 0.606±0.044, 0.571±0.061 or 0.455±0.030 and 0.745±0.057, 0.613±0.038, 0.582±0.050 or 0.473±0.038 respectively, no difference was found between rats received hTK-1 or hTIMP-1 in MMP-2 or MMP-9 expression (all P>0.05), differences were found between other groups (all P<0.01). The PCNA expression of rats received vector virus, hTK-1, hTIMP-1 or dual gene transfer were 0.065±0.007, 0.052±0.004, 0.055±0.007 or 0.031±0.004 respectively, no difference was found between rats received hTK-1or hTIMP-1 in PCNA expression (all P>0.05), differences were found between other groups (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: hTK-1 and hTIMP-1 co-overexpression may synergistically inhibit neointimal hyperplasia, attenuate vascular remodeling and reduce restenosis possibly via down regulating the expressions of PCNA, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in balloon-injured rat carotids.

MiR-129 reduces CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK3.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "MiR-129 reduces CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK3, by H.-Y. Cao, C.-H. Xiao, H.-J. Lu, H.-Z. Yu, H. Hong, C.-Y. Guo, J.-F. Yuan, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (15): 6478-6485-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18531-PMID: 31378887" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18531.

Cloning, expression and functional analysis of a general odorant-binding protein 2 gene of the rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

A full-length cDNA encoding a general odorant binding protein 2 (GOBP2) was cloned from the antennae of the rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), by the combination of reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR (RACE-PCR). The cDNA contains a 489 bp open reading frame, which encodes a 162 amino acid protein, termed as Ch. suppressalis GOBP2 (CsupGOBP2). CsupGOBP2 is similar in the number of amino acids and protein sequence to GOBP2s in other species of Lepidoptera. RT-PCR results showed that CsupGOBP2 mRNA was highly expressed in the adult antennae of both females and males, as was CsupGOBP2 protein as revealed by Western blot analysis. CsupGOBP2 expressed in Escherichia coli was purified by affinity chromatography, refolding and gel filtration from the inclusion body. Fluorescence emission spectra and competitive binding assays by using N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine as first binding ligand and odorants as potential competitors revealed that the CsupGOBP2 protein has significant affinity to cis-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), the main component of Ch. suppressalis pheromone and to laurinaldehyd and benzaldehyde, two general plant volatile aldehydes.

MiR-129 reduces CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK3.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormal expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) is related to invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of multiple tumor cells. MiR-129 expression is associated with gastric cancer. Bioinformatics analysis showed a targeting relation between miR-129 and MAPK3. This study investigated whether miR-129 plays a role in regulating MAPK3 expression, affecting proliferation, apoptosis, and cisplatin (CDDP) resistance of gastric cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess the targeted regulation between miR-129 and MAPK3. The expression of miR-129 and MAPK3 in CDDP-resistant cell line MGC-803/CDDP and the parental MGC-803 cells was measured. MGC-803/CDDP cells were cultured in vitro and divided into miR-NC group and miR-129 mimic group. The expression of MAPK3 and p-MAPK3 protein were detected by Western blot and the effect of CDDP treatment on cell apoptosis and proliferation was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: There was a targeted regulation relation between miR-129 and MAPK3 mRNA. MiR-129 expression in MGC-803/CDDP cells was significantly lower than that in MGC-803 cells and the expression of MAPK3 mRNA and protein was significantly higher than that in MGC-803 cells. Compared with miR-NC group, the expression of MAPK3 and p-MAPK3 in MHC-803/CDDP cells in miR-129 mimic transfection group was significantly decreased, with increased cell apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased expression of miR-129 and the up-regulation of MAPK3 are associated with CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of miR-129 inhibits MAPK3 expression and cell proliferation, it induces cell apoptosis and reduces CDDP resistance.

[Application of image-guided system in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery].

Objective:To evaluate the applicative value of image-guided system in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgeries. Method:A total of 103 endoscopic surgical procedures were performed.All these procedures were conducted with the utilization of image-guided system, among which there were 92 cases of sinonasal-skull base surgery(including nasal sinuses resection of benign and malignant tumors involving skull base lesions, the cumulative orbital lesion resection of nasal sinus lesions, etc. ), 6 repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak, 3 pituitary adenoma resection, 2 traumatic neuropathy optic nerve decompression. Result:With the utilization of image-guided system, all patients had successful surgery without major and minor complications. The image-guided system provided high precision with short registration time. Conclusion:Image-guided system can help the surgeon to identify accurately the vital anatomic landmarks of sinus and skull base, improving surgical accuracy and safety as well as reducing or avoiding the intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Partial protection from the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) by Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2(PLG; MIF-1).

The administration of MPTP to man and monkey has been shown to cause a neurotoxic effect on the nigrostriatal dopamine system. MPTP was injected in C57-BL black mice, 36 mg per kg for 7 days, which resulted in permanent reduction of dopamine and serotonin levels in the striatum. In the mice pretreated with PLG, although the striatal dopamine level was also reduced, mean dopamine and serotonin levels were significantly higher than in mice given MPTP alone. It is concluded that PLG could protect at least partially the neurotoxic effect of MPTP.

Altered expression of tumor suppressors p16 and Rb in gastric carcinogenesis.

AIM: To determine whether expression of the tumor suppressors p16 and Rb is altered in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: Mucosal biopsies were endoscopically obtained from patients with superficial gastritis (n = 12), atrophic gastritis (n = 15), atypical hyperplasia (n = 20) and gastric cancer (n = 40). Upon obtainment, all samples were immediately fixed with 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned serially. Protein expression of p16 and Rb was detected by immunohistochemistry (ABC method). RESULTS: The gastric epithelium samples showed various degrees of nuclear immunostaining for p16 and Rb according to the different stage of lesion. Progressive pathology of the lesions was associated with a decreasing trend in positive immunostaining for p16 protein (83.3% > 73.3% > 30.0% > 27.5%) but an increasing trend for Rb protein (25.0% > 46.7% > 60.0% > 67.5%). A negative correlation was found between these two parameters and gastric cancer. Correlation analysis of the 40 cases of gastric cancer identified a negative correlation for 20 of the cases. When positive (n = 9) and negative tissues (n = 11) were compared, a statistically significant difference was found (50.0%, 22.5%, 27.5%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Abnormal expression of p16 and Rb may play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis.

Triacylglycerols of the red microalga Porphyridium cruentum can contribute to the biosynthesis of eukaryotic galactolipids.

A mutant of the red microalga Porphyridium cruentum was selected on the basis of impaired growth at suboptimal temperatures (15 vs. 25 degrees C). Fatty acid and lipid analyses revealed diminished proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid (from 41 to 30%) and of the eukaryotic molecular species (from 38 to 28% of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and elevated proportion (10 vs. 2%) of triacylglycerols (TAG) in the mutant, as compared with the wild type. Pulse labeling of the wild type cells with radioactive fatty acid precursors indicated an initial incorporation of the fatty acids into phosphatidylcholine (PC) and TAG. Following the pulse, the label of PC and TAG decreased with time (from 25 to 5% of the total dpm in TAG) while that of chloroplastic polar lipids, mainly MGDG, continued to increase. In the mutant, however, the labeling of TAG after the pulse was higher (30% of the total dpm) than that of the wild type and decreased only slightly to 20%. This may indicate that in P. cruentum, TAG can contribute to the biosynthesis of eukaryotic species of MGDG.

[Tumor microvascular bed and its reactivity to vasoactive agents: measurement of tissue blood flow and patho-morphological study].

Structural characteristics of tumor microvascular bed and its reactivity to vasoactive agents were studied by histological and ultrastructural examination and tissue blood flow measurement. The results showed that newly formed vessels in the tumor tissue consisted of a single layer of endothelial cells with multi-layer basement membranes and a few pericytes. Smooth muscle cells and nerve endings were absent. The tissue blood flow in highly proliferative parts of tumors was relatively constant and not influenced by tumor size, even though the distribution of neovasculature in tumor tissue was very uneven in distribution. The only vasoactive agent which can selectively increase the tumor blood flow was angiotensin II, whereas other adrenergic vasoconstrictors did not show this action.

Self-assembly on "recordable CDs".

Gold substrates for self-assembly were constructed from recordable compact disks (CD-Rs) with simple and straight-forward wet-chemical treatment. In particular, they were made into desired sizes and shapes that satisfy different experimental needs. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of long-chain alkanethiols (e.g., n-C18H37SH) adsorbed on gold substrates prepared from CD-Rs have been characterized by wetting measurements, electrochemistry, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The results showed that there were no distinct differences in the quality and structure between these monolayers and SAMs formed on standard gold substrates (i.e., prepared from vacuum evaporation of pure gold onto glass slides). The present work demonstrates the applicability of recordable CDs as inexpensive, simple, and versatile gold substrates for self-assembly studies.

SERS Titration of 4-Mercaptopyridine Self-Assembled Monolayers at Aqueous Buffer/Gold Interfaces.

Determination of the surface pK(a) of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at aqueous buffer/gold interfaces using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements, namely, SERS titration, is reported for the first time. From the analysis of pH-dependent SERS spectra of 4-mercaptopyridine monolayers on gold, the pK(1/2) (3.9 ± 0.2) was determined. By further correlating the surface pH value with the bulk pH value in terms of the Gouy-Chapmann model, the surface pK(a) (5.3 ± 0.3) was evaluated accordingly. Compared to the conventional contact angle titration, SERS titration has the advantage of giving further insight into the microscopic and dynamic information of the surface-confined functional groups. In addition, such a technique has high sensitivity, micrometer spatial resolution, and chemical selectivity.