AIM:To observe the expression of angiogenesis factors in the myocardial tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats .METHODS:The diabetic rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin .After 12 weeks, the cardiac function was measured by MPA cardiac function analysis system .The myocardial collagen volume fraction ( CVF) was assessed by Masson staining .The capillary vessels was quantified as the ratio of capillary to myocyte (C/M) using CD31 immunostaining.The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin ( Ang)-1, endostatin and Ang-2 were observed by Western blotting .RESULTS:Compared with normal control group , the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was evidently increased (P<0.01), but left ventricular pressure rise maximum rate (+dp/dtmax), left ventricular pressure decrease maximum rate (-dp/dtmax) and the ratio of capillary/myo-cyte (C/M) were significantly decreased (P<0.05).The CVF and the expression level of endostatin were significantly increased, whereas the expression levels of VEGF and Ang-1 evidently decreased (both P<0.05) in diabetic rats.Howev-er, no marked difference in the expression of Ang-2 between the 2 groups was observed (P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Im-balances between the angiogenic factors (VEGF and Ang-1) and anti-angiogenic factors (endostatin) may play an impor-tant role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy .

Flavonoids is one of the biggest families of the plant-derived secondary metabolites with structural diversity. Until now, over 10 000 kinds of flavonoids with distinct structures have been purified and identified from plants, and some of them possess a range of important pharmacological effects, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory and so on. So far, a number of genes and enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of flavonoids have been reported, especially, a great of progress has been achieved in the synthetic biology of flavonoids in the recent years. Herein, based upon a brief introduction on the biosynthesis of flavonoids, this review summarizes the research advances in synthetic biology of flavonoids in the past two decades (2001-2021), highlighting the cell factories construction of the representative flavonoids. And, a brief discussion and prospects of the relevant metabolic bottlenecks and optimizing strategies are proposed.

Diabetic SD rats were established by injection of streptozotocin,and were divided into normal blood sugar control group(NC),diabetic control group(DM),and the insulin treatment group(IDM).12 weeks later,the maximum rates of increasing and decreasing pressure in left ventricle were both decreased in DM group(P＜ 0.05),and those in IDM group were higher than those in DM group(P＜0.05).Regional myocardial blood flow in DM group was lower than that in NC group [(3.39 ± 0.48 vs 3.90 ± 0.45) ml · g-1 · min-1,P＜ 0.05],and that in IDM group was higher than that in DM group [(4.46 ± 0.52 vs 3.39 ± 0.48) ml · g-1 · min-1,P＜0.05].The capillary density ratio in DM group was lower than that of NC group [0.429 ± 0.091 vs 0.545 ± 0.082,P＜0.05],but that in IDM group was higher than DM group [0.494 ± 0.076 vs 0.429 ± 0.091,P＜0.05].VEGF and Ang-1 expression in DM group were the highest in 3 groups (P＜0.05).Insulin therapy may improve the angiogenesis and myocardial blood flow in diabetic rats with cardiomyopathy.

Objective To investigate MR imaging features of femoral marrow in treated ?-thalassemia major.Methods MR imaging of the proximal femoral marrow was performed in 35 cases of ?-thalassemia major and 45 age-and sex-matched normal children as control.Coronal images of femoral marrow with the techniques of spin echo and fast field echo(FFE)were obtained.On T_1-weighted imaging the red and yellow femoral marrow were judged and marrow distribution was classified into five groups.The hemosiderosis of marrow was judged on the basis of signal intensity of marrow on FFE imaging.The marrow distribution classification and the hemosiderosis on MR imaging were correlated with clinical features.Results On FFE,marrow hemosiderosis occurred in 15 patients with a marked hypo-intensity signal and was related to the age(P=0.032).On T_1-weighted imaging,the femoral marrow in 35 patients was classified as groupⅢand IV,while the marrow distribution was groupⅠorⅡin all normal children,there was statistically significant difference(P

Background Whether ocular anterior and posterior chamber exist a blood-aqueous barrier is in controversy.Conventional method can not offer a good evidence because it is unable to detect the aqueous component in the posterior chamber.Objective This study was to investigate the distribution of Gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acids(Gd-DTPA)after peripheral iridectomy with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in rabbit.Methods Monocular peripheral iridectomy was performed on the right eyes in 8 clean New Zealand white rabbits and the fellow eyes were as controls.0.2 ml/kg(0.5 mol/L)Gd-DTPA,a tracer of MRI,was injected into ear vein in vivo to scan the eyes with MRI for the observation of the permeability and distribution.The signal enhanced ratio of interest region associated with time were analyzed.Results The signal in ciliary body of both eyes showed an immediately sharp enhancement within 10 minutes following the injection of Gd-DTPA with a peak intensity at 30-40 minutes,and then the intensity was gradually weaken over time.The signal was stronger in the operative eyes than that in the fellow eyes.The signal in the posterior chamber was gradually increased after operation,however,that in posterior chamber of the control eyes was lower.The interest regions of Gd-DTPA were ciliary,anterior chamber and posterior chamber,and the enhanced signal intensities were consisted in the posterior chamber after operation.However,the increase of the signal was not seen in the posterior chamber in the control eyes.Conclusions The pathway of plasma protein entering into the anterior chamber is very different from that of aqueous secretion.There exists a barrier between the anterior and posterior chamber which might be an integral part of the blood-ocular barrier.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of eschar grinding and wound coverage by biological dressing A in the management of deep partial-thickness burn wound on the extremities.

METHODSSeventy-three patients with deep partial-thickness burns on the extremities were divided into two groups to receive different managements. The patients in group 1 were treated with eschar grinding and wound coverage with biological dressing A, and group 2 received conventional treatment. The white blood cell count, body temperature, incidence of wound infection and wound healing time were observed.

RESULTSCompared with conventional treatment, wound management with eschar grinding and coverage by biological dressing A could increase the effective rate (29/32 vs 31/41, P<0.05), inhibit systemic inflammation and scar hypertrophy, and shorten the wound healing time (13.79-/+5.72 vs 17.08-/+8.39, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONEschar grinding and wound coverage by biological dressing A can be effective for management of deep partial-thickness burns on the extremities, and earlier treatment with the dressing A achieves better effect.

Biological Dressings ; Burns ; pathology ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; prevention & control ; Debridement ; instrumentation ; methods ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective By analyzing the surveillance result of Brucellosis in human being of Guizhou province from 2005 to 2008,to understand the current situation of relevant population with brucella infection,and then to provide the basis for the development of prevention and control measures.Methods According to the Brucella Disease Monitoring Standards (GB 16885-1997),in Guizhou province,Huaxi,Wudang,Xingyi,Dushan,Ceheng,Long Lane,Xifeng,Carey,Ziyun and so on other areas(city,county) were selected as monitoring points,and occupational groups of animal husbandry in agricultural areas,as well as farmers and students contacted with livestock were selected as monitoring subjects.Rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and tube agglutination test (SAT) were used to detect Brucellosis antibody.Results From 2005 to 2008,Brucellosis antibody detection rate was 0.63％(37/5904) in target groups of Guizhou province,specifically,the rates in Huaxi,Wudang,Xingyi and Ceheng counties(towns or districts) were 2.28％(19/832),0.16％(2/1274),1.84％(15/815) and 0.14％ (1/735),respectively; the rates in livestock workers,peasants and students contacted with livestock in rural areas were 1.29％ (36/2800),0.04％ ( 1/2814) and 0.00％ (0/290),respectively.In all antibody positive carriers,most were dairy cattle raisers which accounted for 83.78％ (31/37) in the total infected persons.Conclusions Dairy cattle and goat raisers in some counties(towns or districts) of Guizhou province have infected Brucellosis,and direct contacts with brucella-carrying cattle is the major route of Brucellosis transmission in human being.Strengthen livestock quarantine and dispose infected livestock timely are the key of Brucellosis control.

OBJECTIVETo present a method of quantitative diagnosis of craniofacial skeleton deformities based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT).

METHODS20 cases with facial asymmetric deformities underwent 3D CT and the 3D images were reconstructed by Mimics 10.0 (Belgium). Anatomical landmarks were located and the coordinate of the landmarks obtained. Axial images of 1 patient with Romberg disease was used as representative case. The differences in the distance between the right landmarks and the left were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe measurement results were not significantly different between two stages with an interval of 4 weeks ( P > 0.05), showing a reproducible resutls. The deviation of landmarks at facial midline increased gradually from upward to downward, reaching (2.63 +/- 0.54) mm at menton point. Paired landmarks showed asymmetry in three dimensions, especially gonion point on the left side, which was deviated 10.21 mm inward, 9.26 mm forward, 6.30 mm upward, compared to the opposite side.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of 3D CT quantitative analysis can provide precise information in the diagnosis and treatment planning of facial asymmetry deformity.

Anatomic Landmarks ; diagnostic imaging ; Cephalometry ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Facial Asymmetry ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tranilast on myocardial fibrosis in mice with viral myocarditis (VMC).

METHODSMale balb/c mice (n=72) were randomly divided into control, VMC and tranilast groups (n=24 each). In the VMC and tranilast groups, the mice were infected with Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) to prepare VMC model, while the control group was treated with Eagle's medium. After modeling, the tranilast group was administrated with tranilast [200 mg/(kg.d)] until the day before sampling. On days 7, 14 and 28 after CVB3 or Eagle's medium infection, heart specimens (n=8) were taken and examined after Toluidine blue staining and Nissl staining for counts of mast cells (MC), hematoxylin-eosin staining for myocardial pathological changes, and Masson staining for myocardial fibrosis. The expression of CTGF and type I collagen (Col I) in the myocardial tissue was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot. The correlations of CTGF mRNA expression with MC counts and Col I expression were analyzed.

RESULTSThe myocardial pathological changes and collagen volume fraction in the VMC group were significantly higher than in the control group at all three time points (P<0.05). Tranilast treatment significantly decreased the myocardial pathological changes and collagen volume fraction compared with the VMC group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of CTGF and Col I increased in the VMC group compared with the control group, and the increases were reduced with tranilast treatment (P<0.05). The number of MC was positively correlated to CTGF mRNA expression on the 7th day and 14th day (r=0.439, P=0.049) in the VMC group. There were positive correlations between the mRNA expression of Col I and CTGF on the 7th day and 14th day (r=0.646, P=0.007) and the 28th day (r=0.326, P=0.031).

CONCLUSIONSTranilast may inhibit the aggregation of MC and down-regulate the expression of CTGF, relieving myocardial fibrosis of mice with VMC.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; drug therapy ; Myocardium ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; ortho-Aminobenzoates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the role of tranilast in the pathogenesis of myocardiac fibrosis in viral myocarditis.

METHODSSeventy-two BALB/C mice were randomly divided into control, model and intervention groups (n=24 each). Mice in the model and intervention groups were infected with Coxsackievirus B3 to induce viral myocarditis. The intervention group was given with tranilast (200 mg/kg) by gavage until sacrifice for sampling, while the other two groups were administered with the same volume of normal saline. Cardiac tissues were obtained from 8 mice on 7, 14 and 28 days after modeling. The mast cell number was observed by toluidine blue staining and thionine staining. The cardiac tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as masson trichrome to observe the pathological changes in cardiac tissues. The mRNA and protein expression of osteopontin and transforming growth factor-β1 was measured by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively.

RESULTSIn the model group, the mRNA and protein expression of osteopontin reached the highest level on the 7th day, decreasing from the 14th day, and became to the least on the 28th day; while the expression of TGF-β1 increased from the 7th day, reaching a peak on the 14th day, and decreased slightly on the 28th day. The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and OPN was lower in the intervention group than the model group (P<0.05), but higher than the control group (P<0.05). The expression of OPN mRNA was positively correlated to the number of mast cells.

CONCLUSIONSTranilast can reduce myocardial fibrosis by decreasing the number of mast cells, inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 and OPN.

Animals ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; complications ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Osteopontin ; analysis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; analysis ; genetics ; ortho-Aminobenzoates ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use