Transcriptome and metabolome profiling in different stages of infestation of Eucalyptus urophylla clones by Ralstonia solanacearum.

Eucalyptus urophylla is an economically important tree species that widely planted in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world, which suffers significant losses due to Ralstonia solanacearum. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of pathogen-response of Eucalyptus. We collected the vascular tissues of a E. urophylla clone infected by R. solanacearum in the laboratory, and combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis to investigate the defense responses of Eucalyptus. A total of 11 flavonoids that differentially accumulated at the first stage or a later stage after infection. The phenylpropanoid of p-coumaraldehyde, the two alkaloids trigonelline and DL-ephedrine, two types of traditional Chinese medicine with patchouli alcohol and 3-dihydrocadambine, and the amino acid phenylalanine were differentially accumulated after infection, which could be biomarkers indicating a response to R. solanacearum. Differentially expressed genes involved in plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and amino acid metabolism were activated at the first stage of infection or a later stage, indicating that they may participate in the defense against infection. This study is expected to deliver several insights into the molecular mechanism in response to pathogens in E. urophylla, and the findings have far-reaching implications in the control of E. urophylla pathogens.

Evaluation of the impact of passive smoke on arterial elasticity via echo-tracking technology in a rabbit model.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the elasticity of the abdominal aorta in passively smoking rabbits using echo-tracking technology and pathologic examination. METHODS: Fifty-four male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into a passive smoking group and a normal control group. The elasticity indicators for the abdominal aorta of the rabbits were measured by means of echo tracking, which was performed before and 1, 2, and 3 months after passive smoking. Measured indicators included the pressure-strain elastic modulus, stiffness, arterial compliance, augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity. After the completion of the in vivo measurements, rabbits were euthanized randomly, and the corresponding arterial sites were resected for pathologic examination and in vitro measurement of vascular elasticity. RESULTS: The echo-tracking technology used in our research proved that the elastic modulus, stiffness, and pulse wave velocity gradually increased with time by passive smoking, whereas arterial compliance decreased by passive smoking. Pathologic examination and in vitro measurements were performed and further confirmed the observed in vivo results. CONCLUSIONS: Passive smoking can injure arteries and reduce arterial elasticity. Echo-tracking technology is an accurate, noninvasive, and reliable method for analysis of the impact of passive smoking on arterial elasticity and detection arterial injury, which also can provide a new instructional basis for prevention and treatment of several arterial diseases.

Active compounds of Caodoukou () inhibit the migration, invasion and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer cells by targeting phosphoinosmde-3-kinase/ protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the effects of active compounds of Caodoukou () (ACAK) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer, and explain the possible molecular mechanism of ACAK interacting with these processes. METHODS: Cell counting kit-8 method, cell scratch repair experiment, Transwell migration and invasion experiment, immunohistochemistry, western blot assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction experiment were used to evaluate the effect of ACAK on the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The levels of active molecules involved in the phosphoinosmde-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal transduction were detected by Western blot assay. In addition, the function of ACAK was evaluated by xenotransplantation tumor model in nude mice. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of ACAK on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells showed certain time-dose dependence. The results of scratch repair test, Transwell test, Western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction assay showed that ACAK could inhibit the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells . In addition, the regulatory effect of ACAK on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is partly attributed to PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that ACAK regulated the development of pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: ACAK can partly inhibit the activity of EMT and matrix metallopeptidases by down-regulating the downstream proteins of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway, thus inhibiting the ability of migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer.

The causal relationship between circulating cytokines and critically ill COVID-19: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: In this study, we performed a bidirectional mendelian randomization analysis on circulating cytokines and critically ill COVID-19. Methods: Both the exposure and outcome data were obtained from public genome wide association study (GWAS) database. We extracted independent instrumental variables from exposure at genome level significance (P < 5 × 10-8). Wald ratio or inverse variance weighted (IVW) method were used for estimating the causal relationships between circulating cytokines and critically ill COVID-19. Results: Only IL5 (cytokines to critically ill COVID-19 direction) and bNGF, IL8 (critically ill COVID-19 to cytokines direction) showed suggestive causal relations. However, these associations lost significance after FDR correction. Another validation data set of critically ill COVID-19 did not confirm these associations, either. Conclusions: Our Mendelian randomization did not find causal relationships between analyzable circulating cytokines and critically ill COVID-19.

Characterization and repair effect of supramolecular conducting hydrogel carrying ligustrazine on spinal cord injury in rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Based on the concept of the combination of medicine and industry and the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine treatment,the construction of a new composite material loaded with the effective active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine is a hot research spot in the repair of spinal cord injury,and is expected to become an effective means to solve this problem. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of supramolecular conducting hydrogel carrying ligustrazine in repairing spinal cord injury in rats. METHODS:The supramolecular conducting hydrogel carrying ligustrazine was prepared and its microstructure,conductivity,rheology,swelling rate and in vitro release performance were characterized.45 SD rats were divided into 3 groups by random number table method,with 15 rats in each group:no spinal cord injury in the sham operation group;spinal cord injury model was established in the model group;and supramolecular conducting hydrogel carrying ligustrazine was injected into the spinal cord injury area after model establishment in hydrogel group.BBB score was used to evaluate the recovery of hind limb motor function of each group before and 1,7,14,21 and 28 days after modeling,respectively.28 days after the model establishment,the spinal cord tissues were collected and analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under scanning electron microscopy,the supramolecular conducting hydrogel with ligustrazine displayed a three-dimensional micrometer-scale porous network structure with high porosity and a pore size of approximately 100 μm.The conductivity of the hydrogel was 7.66 S/m;the swelling rate was 3 764.42%,and it had certain mechanical stability and injection property.In vitro sustained release experiments demonstrated that the supramolecular conducting hydrogel with ligustrazine sustainably released ligustrazine for more than 800 hours.With the extension of time,the cumulative release of ligustrazine exhibited an increasing trend.(2)With the extension of modeling time,the hind limb motor function gradually recovered in the model group and the hydrogel group,and the hind limb motor function of the hydrogel group was better than that of the model group on 14,21,and 28 days after modeling(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining demonstrated that the spinal cord tissue of the model group had cavities and a large number of inflammatory cells could be seen at the stump.In the hydrogel group,some inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the injured area of the spinal cord;the void area of the injured area was reduced;neuron cells appeared in the junction area,and the tissue arrangement was relatively neat.Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay exhibited that the expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 protein in the rat spinal cord of the hydrogel group was lower than that in the model group(P<0.05),and the expression of neuronal nuclear antigen protein was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05).(3)These findings confirm that the supramolecular conducting hydrogel carrying ligustrazine can promote the repair of spinal cord injury.

Platelet-rich fibrin regulates apoptosis to promote cartilage repair in rats with knee osteoarthritis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Platelet-rich fibrin(PRF)is a second generation platelet concentrate with the advantages of simple operation,no anticoagulant,and high bioactivity,which has been applied in the fields of trauma repair,bone defect repair,and tendon soft tissue repair,and has been proved to have a certain tissue repair-promoting effect. OBJECTIVE:To study the repair effect of PRF on articular cartilage tissue in rats with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,and PRF group,with 12 rats in each group.Rats in the normal group did not undergo any treatment.In the model group,animal models of knee osteoarthritis were prepared and rat models were then given physiological saline into the joint cavity once a week after surgery.Rat models of knee osteoarthritis were also prepared in the PRF group,and autologous PRF was injected into the joint cavity once a week after surgery.After 5 weeks of continuous treatment,tissue samples were taken.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of cartilage tissue.Tunel staining was used to detect chondrocyte apoptosis,ELISA was used to detect inflammatory factor levels.Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect Bcl-2,Bax,and Caspase-3 expression in protein and mRNA levels,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The model group had severe cartilage tissue damage,while the PRF group had significantly improved cartilage tissue morphology compared with the model group.The model group had more apoptotic chondrocytes.Compared with the model group,the mean absorbance of Tunel positive staining in the PRF group significantly decreased(P<0.01).The levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly increased in the model group and PRF group compared with the normal group(P<0.01)and were significantly decreased in the PRF group compared with the model group(P<0.01).The relative expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 at protein and mRNA levels were significantly increased in the model group and PRF group compared with the normal group(P<0.01),while the relative expressions of Bcl-2 at protein and mRNA were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the relative expression of Bax and Caspase-3 at protein and mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the PRF group(P<0.01),while the relative expressions of Bcl-2 at protein and mRNA levels were significantly increased(P<0.01).To conclude,PRF can inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors,thereby promoting cartilage tissue repair in knee osteoarthritis rats.

Fluoride induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in rat spinal cord nerve cells / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To study the effects of fluoride on apoptosis and oxidative stress levels of spinal cord nerve cells in rats.Methods:A total of 54 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats, weighing 150 - 200 g, were selected and fed for 1 week. They were divided into a control group [given deionized water containing 0 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF)], a low fluoride group (given deionized water containing 50 mg/L NaF), and a high fluoride group (given deionized water containing 100 mg/L NaF) using a random number table method, with 18 rats in each group. All groups received standard feed. After 4, 8, and 12 weeks of fluoride exposure, six rats were selected from each group to observe the occurrence of dental fluorosis, and the motor function of hind limbs in rats was evaluated based on the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. Then the rats were anesthetized with 5% chloral hydrate via intraperitoneal injection and euthanized by cardiac puncture. Spinal cord tissue of the rats was collected to detect the activities of oxidative stress factors such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT). After 12 weeks of fluoride exposure, morphologic changes in rat spinal cord neurons were observed using Nissl staining, and apoptosis of spinal cord nerve cells was detected using the TdT mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) cell apoptosis detection kit. The Western blotting was used to detect the expression of B-lymphoblastoma-2 (Bcl-2) gene related X protein (Bax), Bcl-2 promoter (Bad), and Bcl-2 protein in rat spinal cord tissue; immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 protein in spinal cord neurons.Results:After 12 weeks of fluoride exposure, rats in both the low fluoride and high fluoride groups developed varying degrees of dental fluorosis; the differences of BBB scores of rats in the control, low fluoride, and high fluoride groups were statistically significant ( F = 14.09, P < 0.001). The differences of SOD [(124.04 ± 4.87), (96.66 ± 15.01), (91.12 ± 15.87) U/mg prot] and GSH-Px activitives [(561.92 ± 59.65), (456.83 ± 29.51), (385.07 ± 74.87) U/mg prot], MDA [(9.96 ± 1.50), (16.64 ± 2.05), (20.80 ± 3.37) nmol/mg prot] and CAT contents [(8.97 ± 1.05), (6.39 ± 0.97), (6.42 ± 0.83) nmol/mg prot] among the control, low fluoride, and high fluoride groups were statistically significant ( F = 11.17, 14.19, 30.12, 14.52, P < 0.05). Among them, the SOD, GSH-Px activities, and CAT content in the low fluoride and high fluoride groups were lower than those in the control group, while the MDA content was higher than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). The GSH-Px activity in the high fluoride group was lower than that in the low fluoride group, and MDA content was higher than that in the low fluoride group ( P < 0.05). The intact neuronal structures and clear visible nuclei were seen, and Nissl bodies were uniformly stained in the spinal cord neurons of the control group rats, with more numbers, and no apoptotic cells were observed; the staining of Nissl bodies in the spinal cord neurons of rats was uneven in the low fluoride and high fluoride groups, with fewer numbers, and more apoptotic cells. There were statistically significant differences in the apoptosis rate of spinal cord nerve cells and the expression levels of Bax, Bad, and Bcl-2 protein in the spinal cord tissues of rats in the control, low fluoride, and high fluoride groups ( F = 272.81, 35.53, 17.57, 92.50, P < 0.05). The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that there were statistically significant differences in the fluorescent intensity of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins in the spinal cord neurons of rats in the control, low fluoride, and high fluoride groups ( F = 12.67, 22.14, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Chronic fluorosis induces a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity, an increase in lipid peroxidation levels, and an increase in neuronal apoptosis in the spinal cord of rats.

Distribution characteristics of sIgE antibodies against four components of egg white in children with egg allergy / 临床检验杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of serum sIgE antibodies against four allergenic protein components of egg white in children with egg allergy,and then clarify the clinical application value of single component-resolved diagnostics of egg allergy.Methods Serum samples from 197 children with egg allergy were collected.The levels of serum sIgE antibodies against four major allergenic protein components of egg white,including ovomucin,ovalbumin,ovotransferrin,and lysozyme,were detected by the light-excited chemiluminescence assay(LiCA),and the distribution characteristics of sIgE antibodies were analyzed.Results The positive rates of serum sIgE antibodies against ovalbumin,ovomucin,ovotransferrin,and lysozyme in 197 chlidren with egg allergy were 77.16%(152/197),70.56%(139/197),35.02%(69/197),and 18.27%(36/197),respectively.The positive rate of serum sIgE antibody against both ovomucin and ovalbumin was 30.45%.There was a weak correlation between the levels of sIgE antibodies against egg and the cumulative levels of sIgE antibodies against four allergenic protein components(r=0.266 8,P＜0.05).There were signifi-cant individual differences in the levels of serum sIgE antibodies against four allergenic protein components of egg white in the children with egg allergy.Conclusion There is individual heterogeneity in the levels of serum sIgE antibodies against four components of egg white in the children with egg allergy.The detection of sIgE antibodies against egg white components can distinguish different forms of egg allergies,which is of great value for the accurate diagnosis and precise desensitization of children's egg allergy.

Effects of Tuina on motor behavior,oxidative stress and inflammatory response in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome / 中国运动医学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of back Tuina on motor behavior,oxidative stress and in-flammation in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS).Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group and a Tuina group,each of 8,according to a random number table.The CFS rat model was prepared by means of forced weight-bearing swimming combined with chronic stress stimulation in 21 days.After modeling,the Tuina group was given daily 20-minute Tuina for 14 days.The general condition semi-quantitative score,exhaustion swimming time and open field experiment(OFE)distance of all groups were recorded.After the experiment,sam-ples were collected,and the histopathological changes of the vertical spine muscles were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The cross-sectional area and diameter of muscle fibers were calcu-lated using Image Pro Plus software,and the frequency distribution diagram of cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was processed by using the Origin software.The contents of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-coactivator 1α(PGC-1α)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 in the serum of rats were mea-sured.Results After the intervention,the general condition semi-quantitative score of the Tuina group was significantly lower than the model group(P<0.01),while the exhaustion swimming time and OFE distance were significantly higher than the latter group(P<0.05,P<0.01).(2)HE staining showed that the significant atrophy of erector spinal muscle cells in the model group,was significantly relieved in the Tuina group.(3)Compared with the blank group,the contents of SOD,GSH-Px and PGC-1α in erectus muscles decreased significantly(P<0.01),while those of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in the se-rum of the model group increased significantly(P<0.01).However,compared with model group,the contents of SOD,GSH-Px and PGC-1α in erectus muscle increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01),while those of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 of the Tuina group decreased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Tuina in the back can regulate the oxidative stress response,reliever the inflammatory re-sponse and improve the motor behavior of CFS rats.

Study on the application of different-length peripheral intravenous catheters in patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery:a randomized clinical trial / 中华护理杂志

Objective To investigate the appropriate venous access for obese patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery by comparing the clinical outcomes of different lengths of peripheral intravenous catheters.Methods Inpatients who underwent bariatric surgery in a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang from August 2022 to December 2022 were selected as the study population using a fixed-point continuous convenience sampling method.A stratified block randomisation method was used to divide the group into an experimental group 1(mini-midline catheters),an experimental group 2(midline catheters)and a control group(short peripheral intravenous catheters,Short PIVCs).The incidence of catheter-related complications,the rate of extubation due to complications,the duration of catheter retention,the time to first catheter-related complication were compared in the 3 groups.Results A total of 186 patients were included,with 62 patients in each group.The overall incidence of catheter-related complications in experimental group 1,experimental group 2,and control group were 25.81％,8.06％,and 58.06％.The extubation rates due to complications were 19.35％,4.84％,and 41.94％,and the duration of catheter retention was 7.00(6.00,7.00)d,7.00(6.00,7.00)d,6.00(3.00,6.25)d.The differences were statistically different(P＜0.05)when comparing the 3 groups.Among them,the differences in the overall incidence of catheter-related complications and the rate of extubation due to complications were statistically significant when comparing experimental group 1 with the control group,experimental group 2 with the control group,and experimental group 1 with experimental group 2(P＜0.017);the duration of catheter retention in both experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 were higher than it in the control group,and the differences were statistically different(P＜0.017).Conclusion The complication rate of mini-midline catheters and midline catheters is lower than that of short ones,and the indwelling time is consistent with the perioperative period of metabolic and bariatric surgery,which is suitable for use in patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Changes and related mechanism of mitophagy- and apoptosis-related protein expressions after spinal cord injury in rats / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To explore the changes of mitophagy- and apoptosis-related protein expressions after spinal cord injury in rats and its related mechanism.Methods:Ninety-six healthy female SD rats were divided into sham surgery group ( n=48) and spinal cord injury group ( n=48) according to the random number table. Each group was divided into six time points of 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days with 8 rats at each time point. In the sham surgery group, the T 8-9 spinous processes and vertebral plates were removed without damage to the spinal cord; in the spinal cord injury group, the spinal cord injury model was established using Allen′s method. At each post-injury time point in two groups, BBB score was used to evaluate the motor function of the rats; HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of the spinal cord; immunofluorescence was used to observe the co-localized positive cells of the voltage-dependent anion channel protein 1 (VDAC1) with microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) II, E3 ubiquitin ligase (Parkin), and polyubiquitin-binding protein (p62); Western blotting was used to observe expressions of the mitochondrial LC3 II/LC3 I, cytoplasmic Parkin, mitochondrial Parkin, cytoplasmic p62, mitochondrial p62, cytoplasmic apoptotic proteins (Bax), mitochondrial Bax, cytoplasmic cytochrome C (Cyt C), and mitochondrial Cyt C. Results:(1) Compared with the sham surgery group [(21.00±0.00)points at all time points], the BBB scores in the spinal cord injury group were (0.94±0.50)points, (1.69±0.70)points, (4.13±0.99)points, (11.81±1.03)points, (15.06±1.12)points and (18.38±0.83)points at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after injury, respectively ( P<0.01). (2) Compared with the sham surgery group, the structure in the spinal cord injury group was significantly disrupted at 1 and 3 days after injury, when a large number of hemorrhagic foci, inflammatory cell infiltration, neuronal swelling, and cavity formation were observed. At 7 and 14 days after injury, the number of hemorrhagic foci was markedly reduced compared with the earlier period, when swollen neuronal cytosols, inflammatory cell infiltration and a large number of cavities were found. At 21 and 28 days after injury, a large number of cells were seen to be involved in the repair and the arrangement of cells was disorganized. (3) Compared with the sham surgery group, the number of co-localized positive cells of VDAC1 with LC3 II, Parkin and p62 separately in the spinal cord injury group, markedly increased at 1 and 3 days after surgery, and gradually decreased after that. (4) In the sham surgery group and at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after injury in the spinal cord injury group, the mitochondrial LC3 II/LC3 I expression levels were 0.56±0.05, 1.00±0.05, 1.19±0.11, 0.86±0.05, 0.80±0.08, 0.66±0.13 and 0.51±0.11, respectively; the cytoplasmic Parkin expression levels were 0.80±0.13, 0.47±0.08, 0.29±0.06, 0.57±0.07, 0.70±0.05, 0.97±0.09 and 0.88±0.12, respectively; the mitochondrial Parkin expression levels were 0.67±0.09, 1.07±0.18, 1.27±0.15, 0.82±0.12, 0.59±0.09, 0.53±0.13 and 0.57±0.14, respectively; the cytoplasmic p62 expression levels were 1.25±0.08, 1.04±0.04, 0.94±0.05, 1.09±0.05, 1.19±0.06, 1.20±0.04 and 1.27±0.05, respectively; the mitochondrial p62 expression levels were 0.61±0.06, 0.88±0.07, 1.09±0.09, 0.98±0.07, 0.70±0.08, 0.68±0.08 and 0.60±0.09, respectively; the cytoplasmic Bax expression levels were 0.92±0.08, 0.67±0.07, 0.36±0.08, 0.48±0.08, 0.69±0.06, 0.88±0.11 and 0.94±0.08, respectively; the mitochondrial Bax expression levels were 0.57±0.04, 0.74±0.04, 0.91±0.05, 0.76±0.05, 0.63±0.08, 0.61±0.05 and 0.57±0.05, respectively; the cytoplasmic Cyt C expression levels were 0.28±0.05, 0.81±0.07, 1.12±0.08, 0.64±0.07, 0.67±0.13, 0.60±0.11 and 0.37±0.06, respectively; and the mitochondrial Cyt C expression levels were 1.02±0.07, 0.91±0.14, 0.37±0.07, 0.73±0.06, 0.91±0.11, 0.95±0.13 and 1.10±0.15, respectively. Compared with the sham surgery group, in the spinal cord injury group mitochondrial LC3II/LC3I had the highest expression level at 3 days after injury; cytoplasmic Parkin had the lowest expression level at 3 days after injury; mitochondrial Parkin had the highest expression level at 3 days after injury; cytoplasmic p62 had the lowest expression level at 3 days after injury; mitochondrial p62 had the highest expression level at 3 days after injury; cytoplasmic Bax had the lowest expression level at 3 days after injury; mitochondrial Bax had the highest expression level at 3 days after injury; cytoplasmic Cyt C had the highest expression level at 3 days after injury; and mitochondrial Cyt C had the lowest expression level at 3 days after injury. Conclusion:Mitochondrial autophagy and apoptosis are enhanced after spinal cord injury in rats, and the potential mechanism may be associated with the transfer of Parkin and P62 from the cytoplasm to the damaged mitochondria for enhanced mitophagy and the release of a large amount of Cyt C from the mitochondria caused by the transfer of Bax from the cytoplasm to the damaged mitochondria for enhanced apoptosis.

Effect of Enolase inhibitor on autophagy and motor function after spinal cord injury in rats / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Enolase inhibition (ENOblock) on autophagy- related protein expression and motor function promotion after spinal cord injury in rats.Methods:A total of 160 female SD rats were divided into sham-operation group, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) autophagy inhibitor treatment group (3-MA group), spinal cord injury group and ENOblock treatment group (ENOblock group) according to the random number table, with 40 rats per group. Back laminectomy without injury to the spinal cord was performed in sham-operation group. Spinal cord injury at T 8 was induced by using a modified Allen weight-drop apparatus to establish a spinal cord injury model in the rest three groups. 3-MA and ENOblock groups were injected 3-MA (2.5 mg/kg) and ENOblock (100 μg/kg) into the caudal vein immediately after injury, respectively. Sham-operation and spinal cord injury groups were injected same dose of isotonic sodium chloride solution into the caudal vein. At 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after injury, BBB score was used to evaluate lower limb motor function. At day 3 after injury, the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II to LC3-I and protein expressions of autophagy effector protein (Beclin-1) and polyubiq-uitinbinding protein (p62) were detected by Western blotting. At day 7 after injury, LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 positive cells in the injured area of the spinal cord were determined by immunofluorescence staining. At day 3 after injury, the mRNA expressions of Beclin-1 and Enolase in the injured area of the spinal cord were detected by RT-PCR. Results:At 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after injury, BBB score was lowered in 3-MA group [(1.4±1.1)points, (2.4±0.9)points, (3.8±1.8)points, (7.6±1.1)points, (9.0±2.1)points], spinal cord injury group [(0.8±0.5)points, (1.8±0.9)points, (3.6±0.9)points, (6.2±1.3)points, (8.0±0.7)points] and ENOblock group [(2.0±0.9)points, (2.2±0.8)points, (4.8±1.1)points, (10.6±1.5)points, (13.2±0.8)points] compared to sham-operation group [(21.0±0.0)points at all time points] (all P<0.05). Moreover, the score in ENOblock group was significantly higher than that in spinal cord injury group at 14, 21 days after injury, and the score in 3-MA group was significantly higher than that in spinal cord injury group at day 21 after injury (all P<0.05). At day 3 after injury, Western blotting showed that the ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and p62 were 0.46±0.10, 0.41±0.03, 0.81±0.03 in sham-operation group, 0.66±0.06, 0.69±0.02, 0.59±0.05 in 3-MA group, 0.85±0.06, 1.07±0.03, 0.41±0.02 in spinal cord injury group and 0.68±0.06, 0.66±0.08, 0.55±0.02 in ENOblock group. By comparison, spinal cord injury group showed significantly higher ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I and protein expression of Beclin-1 and significantly lower protein expression of p62 than sham-operation group (all P<0.05); 3-MA and ENOblock groups showed significantly lower ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I and protein expression of Beclin-1 and significantly higher protein expression of p62 than spinal cord injury group (all P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and p62 between 3-MA and ENOblock groups (all P>0.05). At day 7 after injury, immunofluorescence staining showed that LC3-II and Beclin-1 positive cells in 3-MA and ENOblock groups were less than those in spinal cord injury group. At day 3 after injury, RT-PCR showed that mRNA expressions of Beclin-1 and Enolase in spinal cord injury group (1.08±0.16, 0.98±0.17) were higher than those in sham-operation group (0.25±0.06, 0.29±0.03). Moreover, mRNA expressions of Beclin-1 and Enolase in 3-MA group (0.77±0.11, 0.72±0.04) and ENOblock group (0.81±0.10, 0.64±0.09) were lower than those in spinal cord injury group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in mRNA expressions of Beclin-1 and Enolase between 3-MA and ENOblock groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Autophagy activity is significantly up-regulated after spinal cord injury in rats. ENOblock can inhibit autophagy and promote motor function recovery in rats by regulating the expression of autophagy-related proteins.

Research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of Brucella spondylitis / 中华地方病学杂志

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella. Its typical clinical manifestations include fever, chills, fatigue, bone and muscle pain, etc. Brucellosis can affect multiple organs and tissues, of which spine is the most common affected part, forming Brucella spondylitis. Due to the clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of infected individuals being similar to other spinal diseases, it is easy to cause misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and mistreatment. This article reviews the latest research progress in clinical manifestations, imaging examination, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of Brucella spondylitis both domestically and internationally, in order to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of Brucella spondylitis.

Effects of the enriched environment on pyroptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of the enriched environment(EE)on pyroptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI).Methods:45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham surgery(Sham)group, a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(CIR)group and an enriched environment(EE)group, with 15 rats in each group.Except for the Sham group, the right middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established in the other two groups.After surgery, the EE group was fed in EE, and the other two groups were fed in standard environment.All the rats were assessed using the modified neurological severity score(mNSS)before modeling and on the 1st day, 7th day and 14th day following surgery.On the 14th day after surgery, 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining was used to evaluate the infarct volume, hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to examine pathomorphological changes of the hippocampal CA1 region on the ischemic side of the rats in each group, immunohistochemical assay was used to detect the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1)proteins in the CA1 region, and ultrastructural changes in neurons in the CA1 region were observed under transmission electron microscopy.Results:Compared with the Sham group, the mNSS scores of the CIR group and the EE group were significantly higher on the 1st day and 7th day after surgery( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the CIR and EE groups( P>0.05). On the 14th day after surgery, compared with the CIR group, the EE group showed a decrease in the mNSS score and the cerebral infarct volume( P<0.05), alleviated pathomorphological changes, decreased expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 proteins( P<0.05), and alleviated pathological changes of pyroptosis in the ultrastructure of neurons. Conclusions:EE can reduce the damage of neurological function, reduce the cerebral infarct volume, and play a protective role for the brain in CIRI rats.The mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 proteins related to the classical pyroptosis pathway, leading to the inhibition of pyroptosis.

Effect of Hippocampus kelloggi on GRP-78/PERK/ATF-4 signaling pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress response after spinal cord injury / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Hippocampus kelloggi on GRP-78/PERK/ATF-4 signal pathway and explore its mechanism on improving spinal cord injury. Methods:A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and hippocampus group with 12 rats in each group. Only laminectomy was performed in the sham operation group. The spinal cord injury model was prepared in the model group and hippocampus group. Rats in the hippocampus group were given 10 ml/kg Hippocampus kelloggi extract by gavage for 14 days. Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the motor function of the limbs. The neuron morphology was observed by Nissl staining. The expression of GRP-78, p-PERK and ATF-4 proteins were detected by Western blot, the expression of GRP-78 and ATF-4 mRNAs was detected by qPCR, Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 were detected by ELISA, and the apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. Results:Compared with the model group, the BBB score of hippocampal group increased on the 7th, 9th, 11th and 14th day after operation ( P<0.05). For hippocampus group, the relative expression of GRP-78 (0.49 ± 0.06 vs. 0.74 ± 0.03), p-PERK (0.63 ± 0.04 vs. 0.81 ± 0.06) and ATF-4 (0.51 ± 0.06 vs. 0.69 ± 0.05) protein were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), GRP-78 mRNA (0.54 ± 0.05 vs. 0.63 ± 0.06) and ATF-4 mRNA (0.61 ± 0.06 vs. 0.78 ± 0.04) were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the content of Caspase-3 and caspase-12 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate of hippocampal group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Hippocampus kelloggi can regulate the stress response of the endoplasmic reticulum after spinal cord injury by inhibiting GRP-78/PERK/ATF-4 signaling pathway to promote the repair of neurons.

Research progress of hydrogen in spinal cord inury / 中国基层医药

Spinal cord injury is a devastating nervous system disease, which is the main cause of disability and death in young people.But there is no definite method to treat spinal cord injury.Hydrogen is the least dense, colorless and tasteless gas, which has flammability and certain reducibility, and can selectively clear oxygen free radicals.At present, hydrogen has become a hot spot in the treatment of diseases, including multiple organ ischemia-reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative diseases, bone and joint diseases, respiratory system diseases.It can further explore the mechanism of inflammation injury, autophagy and the possible neuroprotective pathophysiological mechanism of hydrogen in the spinal cord injury model, so as to improve the recovery of nerve function after spinal cord injury.

Analysis of SCN4A gene variation in a Chinese pedigree affected with skeletal muscle sodium channelopathies / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical features of a Chinese pedigree affected with skeletal muscle sodium channelopathies due to variation of SCN4A gene.@*METHODS@#Potential variation of the 24 exons of the SCN4A gene was screened using PCR and Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#Four family members were affected with the disease in an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Three patients had normekalemic periodic paralysis, while 1 showed paramyotonia congenita. Genetic analysis detected a missense variation c.2078T>C (p.Ile693Thr) in exon 13 of the SCN4A gene in the proband and other 3 affected relatives.@*CONCLUSION@#Normokalemic periodic paralysis and paramyotonia congenita can occur in different family members with skeletal muscle sodium channelopathies due to c.2078T>C(p.Ile693Thr) variation of SCN4A gene.

A follow-up study on the clinical characteristics among patients with diabetes mellitus combined with acute myocardial infarction / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical characteristics of diabetic patients combined with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to compare the prognosis between diabetic and non- diabetic patients in 4-5 years after the onset of AMI.@*Methods@#Followed the certain inclusive and exclusive criteria, a total of 420 patients with acute myocardial infarction were included and divided into diabetes group (group D) and non-diabetes group (group N) with numbers as 161 people and 259 respectively. Baseline data, clinical information, short-term outcome and long-term prognosis of the two groups were compared and analyzed.@*Results@#Among the patients with diabetes, the average age was older (65.65±11.33 vs. 63.30±15.34), with fewer males (64.59% vs. 79.92%); and more likely to have other complications as hypertension (64.60% vs. 53.28%) or hyperlipidemia (42.24% vs. 26.25%). 59.29% of the patients in group D showed pathological changes in 3 major coronary arteries, which were significantly more than its counterpart (40.83%). The proportion of patients that had undergone the coronary artery bypass, grafting (11.11% vs. 5.31%) appeared also higher. There was no significant difference seen in the short-term outcomes between the two groups, but results from the long-term follow-up program showed that both the incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) (50.67% vs. 27.72%) and the all-cause mortality (20.00% vs. 9.90%) in group D were higher than those appeared in group N (27.72%).@*Conclusions@#Patients suffered from the combination of both diabetes and acute myocardial infarction appeared older in age, more in females, with more complications and the coronary artery lesions were more severe and wider. During hospitalization, no significant difference was seen regarding the short-term outcomes between the two groups but the results from long-term follow-up process showing that the risk of MACE events was significantly higher in patients with type2 diabetes.

Epidemiological features and trends of endometrial cancer: 10 081 cases analysis of 62 hospitals in Guangdong province / 中国医师杂志

Objective To explore the epidemiology characteristics of endometrial cancer (EC).Methods We retrospectively analyzed 10081 patients diagnosed with EC from 62 hospitals between 2000 and 2010 in Guangdong province.Results The mean age at diagnosis was 52.8 ± 9.3.The proportion were 19.3％,64.2％,16.6％ in patients with ages ≤45,＞ 45-60,＞ 60 respectively.From 2000 to 2010,the mean ages at each year were no statistic significance.The number of cases of EC were positively correlated with years(r =0.964,P ＜ 0.001).The number of cases of patients with ≤ 30 years old (r =0.857,P =0.001),≤35 years old (r =0.866,P =0.001),≤40 years old (r =0.952,P ＜ 0.001),≤ 45 years old (r =0.952,P ＜0.001) were positively correlated with years.The ratios of patients with ≤30 years old (x2 =10.390,P =0.407),≤35 years old (x2 =11.651,P =0.309),≤ 40 years old (x2 =17.329,P =0.067),≤45 years old (x2 =5.154,P =0.881) during these eleven years were no statistic significance.The ratios of type Ⅰ EC at 2000-2010 were no statistic significance.Conclusions EC often present in patients aged from ＞ 45-60 years old.The case number of EC showed an increasing trend.However,the proportion of young patients was stable.The endometroid adenocarcinoma was the main histological type of EC.

TLR/NF-κB independent signaling pathway in TNF-α suppression of diabetic MyD88-knockout mice after polysaccharides administration / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVE@#: To investigate the effect of polysaccharides (LBPs) on TLR/NF-κB independent pathway and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level in diabetic MyD88-knockout mice.@*METHODS@#: Diabetes was induced by feeding high-fat/high-sugar diet and injection of low-dose streptozotocin in MyD88-knockout mice. The diabetic mice were randomly divided into model group, positive control group and LBPs group. The expressions of TRAM, TRIF, TRAF6, RIP1 and TNF-α mRNA and proteins in mouse peritoneal macrophages were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting after LBPs treatment for 3 month. Serum TNF-α was determined with ELISA kit.@*RESULTS@#: Real time RT-PCR showed that compared with model group, the relative expressions of and mRNA in macrophages of LBPs group were significantly decreased and expression of was significantly increased (all 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#: LBPs may not inhibit serum TNF-α level through TLR/NF-κB independent pathway.