Formation of coronary atherosclerotic plaques brings severe damage to human health.Macrophages play an important role during formation and development of plaques,which becomes an important marker for judging whether atherosclerotic plaques are stable or not.Therefore,recognition and quantification of macrophages become hotspot in current study.The present article made an overview on cunent frequently-used imaging techniques for de-tecting coronary plaques and macrophages inside them for now.

Perinatal cardiomyopathy is a kind of idiopathic cardiomyopathy ,its morbidity rate is low but it may re‐sult in death . The present article made a review on etiological researches of perinatal cardiomyopathy of recent years ,aiming at providing assistance for clinical diagnosis and therapy .

Objective:To study influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on coronary artery lesion and plaque sta‐bility using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) manifesting unsta‐ble angina pectoris (UAP) . Methods :A total of 200 patients diagnosed as CAD manifesting UAP were selected.According to complicated with diabetes mellitus or not ,they were divided into normal blood glucose group (n=98) and complicated T2DM group (T2DM group ,n=102). Coronary angiography (CAG) and OCT were used to eval‐uate coronary artery lesion ,assess plaque nature and measure the thickness of plaque fibrous cap in order to confirm plaque stability . Results:Compared with normal blood glucose group ,there were significant rise in percentages of multi-vessel coronary disease (48.98% vs. 78.43% ) ,severe artery stenosis (20.57% vs. 40.21% ) ,lipid plaques (25.00% vs. 39.84% ) and plaques with fibrous cap thickness <65μm (25.93% vs. 45.24% ) in T2DM group , P<0.05 or < 0.01 .Conclusion :Patients with coronary artery disease have more severe coronary artery lesion and high ‐ er incidence rate of multi‐vessel coronary disease and unstable plaque when complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus .

Objective To analyze the recurrence rate of intubation and increase of ventilator support rate within 24 hours after using fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in critically ill patients with hypoxemia complicated with respiratory failure, and to approach the feasibility of FOB in such patients.Methods A prospective study was conducted, including 200 critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure using FOB [oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) ≤ 300 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa)] admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College. The rates of intubation and increased ventilatory support and the reasons for bronchoscopy related complications after using FOB 24 hours were recorded, the main risk factors leading to these changes and complications were analyzed and screened by logistic regression analytic method.Results Within 24 hours after using FOB for 200 patients with respiratory failure, an increase in mechanical ventilatory support was required in 68 patients (34%) of that 28 (14%) led to endotracheal intubation. With the extension of time, the rates of intubation and ventilatory support showed a tendency of elevation, the rise in ventilatory support rate being faster. The reasons for bronchoscopy related complications after FOB consisted of cardiovascular disease (41%), coronary artery disease (17%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 17%), chronic restrictive pulmonary disease (10%), immunity suppression (54%), malignant neoplastic hematologic disorder (20%), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS, 12%), solid organ transplantation (3%), solid tumor (10%), corticosteroid therapy (25%), immunosuppressive drug (16%), diabetes (15%), chronic renal failure (14%), swallowing nerve injury (37%), anticoagulant therapy (19%), antiplatelet therapy (13%). In the patients with occurrence of COPD or immunosuppression, the rate of invasive ventilation used was significantly higher than that without using invasive ventilation [COPD: 35% (10/28) vs. 14% (24/172),χ2 = 8.081,P = 0.004; immunosuppression: 75% (21/28) vs. 50% (86/172),χ2 = 6.051,P = 0.014]. The logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of COPD or immunosuppression was obviously related to whether the intubation being necessary or not [COPD: odds ratio (OR) = 5.200, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.500 - 17.700,P = 0.006; immunosuppression:OR = 5.300, 95%CI =1.600 - 17.100,P = 0.004].Conclusions In patients with hypoxemia using FOB, they often require addition of mechanical ventilatory support, but the intubation rate is not high. Under the ventilatory support, FOB has certain feasibility for treatment of critically ill patients with hypoxemia and acute respiratory failure.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) on prevention of chronic migraine (CM) in mice and explore the potential mechanism.Methods:Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, nitroglycerin (NTG) group, and BoNT/A+NTG group ( n=8). Mice in the latter two groups were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg NTG on the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th and 9 th d of experiments to establish CM models. Mice in the BoNT/A+NTG group were injected with 0.18 U/100 μL BoNT/A one h before the first injection of NTG. Mice in the control group were injected with the same dose of normal saline. Basal mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and evoked MWT 2 h after NTG in the facial and hindpaw regions on the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th and 9 th d of experiments were evaluated by von Frey filament test. The motor function of mice 2 h after NTG injection was tested by rotarod test on the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th and 9 th d of experiments. On 9 th d of experiments, the mice were sacrified; the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and TRP channel protein expressions in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) and trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC), and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory factor pathway-related protein expressions in TNC were detected by Western blotting; real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the NLRP3 inflammatory factor pathway-related mRNA expressions in TNC. The CGRP expression in TNC was detected by immunofluorescent staining. Results:(1) As compared with the control group, the NTG group had significantly decreased basal facial MWT on the 7 th and 9 th d of experiments ( P<0.05); as compared with the NTG group, the BoNT/A+NTG group had significantly increased basal facial MWT on the 7 th and 9 th d of experiments ( P<0.05). As compared with the control group, the NTG group had significantly decreased evoked facial MWT on the 5 th and 9 th d of experiments ( P<0.05); as compared with the NTG group, the BoNT/A+NTG group had significantly increased evoked facial MWT on the 5 th and 9 th d of experiments ( P<0.05). As compared with the control group, the NTG group had significantly decreased basal and evoked MWT in the hindpaw regions on the 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th and 9 th d of experiments ( P<0.05); as compared with the NTG group, the BoNT/A+NTG group had significantly increased basal and evoked MWT in the hindpaw regions on the 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th and 9 th d of experiments ( P<0.05). (2) There was no significant difference in running time on rotarod among the three groups ( P>0.05). (3)Western blotting results showed that as compared with those in the control group, the CGRP and SNAP25 protein expressions were significantly increased in TG of the NTG group ( P<0.05); and those in the BoNT/A+NTG group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the NTG group ( P<0.05). As compared with those in the control group, the CGRP and NLRP3 protein expressions were significantly increased in TNC of NTG group ( P<0.05); and those in the BoNT/A+NTG group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the NTG group ( P<0.05). (4)RT-qPCR results showed that as compared with that in the control group, the IL-1β mRNA expression in TNC of the NTG group was significantly increased ( P<0.05), and that in the BoNT/A prevention group was statistically decreased as compared with that in the NTG group ( P<0.05). (5) Immunofluorescent staining results showed that as compared with that in the control group, the CGRP expression in TNC of the NTG group was significantly increased, and that in the BoNT/A+NTG group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the NTG group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:BoNT/A can reduce the SNAP25 expression in TG, reduce the CGRP release in TG and TNC, and prevent CM onset; BoNT/A can regulate NLRP3 level in TNC.

OBJECTIVE:Anterior cervical decompression and fusion is a classic surgical method for the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis.The use of nail plates increases the fusion rate and stability and indirectly leads to adjacent vertebral degeneration and postoperative dysphagia.In this paper,the clinical results and complications of ROI-CTM self-locking system and traditional cage combined with screw-plate internal fixation in the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis were compared by meta-analysis to provide evidence-based support for the selection of internal fixation methods in anterior cervical decompression and fusion. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,VIP,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,and Embase databases were searched for Chinese and English literature on the application of ROI-CTM self-locking system and fusion cage combined with screw plate internal fixation in the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis.The retrieval time range was from inception to July 2023.Two researchers selected the literature strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The Cochrane bias risk tool was used to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials.Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of cohort studies.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.Outcome indicators included operation time,intraoperative blood loss,Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,Neck Disability Index,C2-C7 Cobb angle,fusion rate,incidence of adjacent vertebral degeneration,cage subsidence rate,and incidence of dysphagia. RESULTS:Thirteen articles were included,including eleven retrospective cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials,with 1 136 patients,569 in the ROI-C group,and 567 in the cage combined with the nail plate group.Meta-analysis results showed that the operation time(MD=-15.52,95%CI:-18.62 to-12.42,P<0.000 01)and intraoperative blood loss(MD=-24.53,95%CI:-32.46 to-16.61,P<0.000 01)in the ROI-C group and the fusion device combined with nail plate group.Postoperative adjacent segment degeneration rate(RR=0.40,95%CI:0.27-0.60,P<0.000 01)and postoperative total dysphagia rate(RR=0.18,95%CI:0.13-0.26),P<0.000 01)were statistically different.The two groups had no significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,Neck Disability Index,C2-C7 Cobb angle,fusion rate,or cage subsidence rate(P≥0.05). CONCLUSION:Applying an ROI-CTM self-locking system and traditional cage combined with plate internal fixation in anterior cervical decompression and fusion can achieve satisfactory clinical results in treating degenerative cervical spondylosis.The operation of the ROI-CTM self-locking system is more straightforward.Compared with a cage combined with plate internal fixation,the ROI-CTM self-locking system can significantly reduce the operation time and intraoperative blood loss and has obvious advantages in reducing the incidence of postoperative dysphagia and adjacent segment degeneration.The ROI-CTM self-locking system is recommended for patients with skip cervical spondylosis and adjacent vertebral disease.However,given its possible high settlement rate,using a fusion cage combined with screw-plate internal fixation is still recommended for patients with degenerative cervical spondylosis with multiple segments and high-risk factors of fusion cage settlement,such as osteoporosis and vertebral endplate damage.

BACKGROUNDHerpes simplex virus thymidine kinase phosphorylates ganciclovir to ganciclovir monophosphate, which is then converted to ganciclovir triphosphate by endogenous cellular nucleoside kinases. The ganciclovir triphosphate acts as a DNA chain terminator due to the lack of a functional 3'-OH group and terminates the process of DNA replication, hence leading to cell apoptosis. At present, HSVtk gene usually acts as suicide gene to kill tumor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the selective cytotoxicity of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSVtK/GCV) suicide gene system controlled by the a-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro.

METHODSpAFP-HSVtk-IRES2-EGFP recombinant plasmid vectors driven by the AFP promoter were constructed. HL-7702 liver cells, HUH-7 HCC, and HepG2 HCC were transfected with the recombinant plasmids. HSVtK gene expression was detected using Western blotting analysis. HepG2 cells line stably expressing HSVtk gene was selected by G418 reagent. The cytotoxicity of HSVtK/GCV suicide gene system on hepatoma cells was measured by CCK-8 reagents when different doses of ganciclovir were added.

RESULTSPlasmid pAFP-TK-IRES2-EGFP-expressed HSVtk gene was constructed successfully. HSVtk gene expression level was significantly higher in AFP-positive hepatoma cells than in AFP-negative liver cells. After G418 selection, a HepG2 cells line stably expressing HSVtk gene was acquired. With the increase of the dose of ganciclovir the optical density at 450 nm of HepG2 cells stably expressing HSVtk gene gradually decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe HSVtK gene-specific expression in hepatoma cells as well as the cytotoxicity of the suicide gene system in HepG2 cells provided the basis for the targeted gene therapy of HCC.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fetal Proteins ; genetics ; Ganciclovir ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Transfection

Yeast cell wall plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of cell morphology upon the cell wall stress. The cell wall of yeast consists of β-glucans, mannoproteins and chitin. The composition and structure remodel due to cell wall stress. Brewer's yeast cell wall exhibits stress response during long-term acclimation in order to adapt to environmental changes. This paper reviews the composition and structure of yeast cell wall and the molecular mechanisms of cell wall remodeling and signal pathway regulation.
Cell Wall ; Chitin ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast autolysis affects the flavor and quality of beer. The regulation of yeast autolysis is a need for industrial beer production. Previous studies on brewer's yeast autolysis showed that the citric acid cycle-related genes had a great influence on yeast autolysis. To explore the contribution of isocitrate dehydrogenase genes in autolysis, the IDP1 and IDP2 genes were destroyed or overexpressed in typical lager yeast Pilsner. The destruction of IDP1 gene improved the anti-autolytic ability of yeast, and the anti-autolytic index after 96 h autolysis was 8.40, 1.5 times higher than that of the original strain. The destruction of IDP1 gene increased the supply of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and the NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio was 1.94. After fermentation, intracellular ATP level was 1.8 times higher than that of the original strain, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) was reduced by 10%. The destruction of IDP2 gene resulted in rapid autolysis and a decrease in the supply of NADPH. Anti-autolytic index after 96 h autolysis was 4.03 and the NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio was 0.89. After fermentation, intracellular ATP level was reduced by 8% compared with original strain, ROS was 1.3 times higher than that of the original strain. The results may help understand the regulation mechanism of citric acid cycle-related genes on yeast autolysis and provide a basis for the selection of excellent yeast with controllable anti-autolytic performance.
Humans ; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; NADP ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Autolysis ; Adenosine Triphosphate

Mitophagy is a process whereby cells selectively remove mitochondria through the mechanism of autophagy, which plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In order to explore the effect of mitophagy genes on the antioxidant activities of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutants with deletion or overexpression of mitophagy genes ATG8, ATG11 and ATG32 were constructed respectively. The results indicated that overexpression of ATG8 and ATG11 genes significantly reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content upon H₂O₂ stress for 6 h, which were 61.23% and 46.35% of the initial state, respectively. Notable, overexpression of ATG8 and ATG11 genes significantly increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP content, which were helpful to improve the antioxidant activities of the strains. On the other hand, deletion of ATG8, ATG11 and ATG32 caused mitochondrial damage and significantly decreased cell vitality, and caused the imbalance of intracellular ROS. The intracellular ROS content significantly increased to 174.27%, 128.68%, 200.92% of the initial state, respectively, upon H₂O₂ stress for 6 h. The results showed that ATG8, ATG11 and ATG32 might be potential targets for regulating the antioxidant properties of yeast, providing a new clue for further research.
Mitophagy/genetics* ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics* ; Antioxidants ; Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species