Objective To analysis the relationship between blood homocysteine concentration in diabetic retinopathy patients with vascular endothelial cell damage and platelet activation.Methods 80 type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients,including 50 no diabetic retinopathy(NDR group)and 30 diabetic retinopathy(DR group)and 30 normal controls were selected to measure the concentration of Hcy as well as circulating endothelial cells(CEC),Endothelin(ET),Yon Willebrand(vWF)and platelet activation markers CD62p and CD63.Results The level of CEC,ET,vWF,CD62p,CD63 and Hcy in T2DM group were,distinctly higher than those of control(P＜0.01),furthermore,the level of these markers in DR group were also higher than that in NDR group(P＜0.01).Blood CEC level Was positively related with ET(r=0.839,P＜0.05),and the same relationship was found in Hcy and CEC(r=0.615,P＜0.05),ET(r=0.642,P＜0.05),CD62p(r=0.623,P＜0.05)and CD63(r=0.542,P＜0.05).Conclusions High blood Hcy,CEC,ET,vWF,CD62p and CD63 level were tighdy related with DR.High level of Hcy,vascular endMermis cell damage and platelet activation maybe play an important role in the pathogenesis of DR.

Urinary excretions of transforming grow th factor-? 1 (TGF-? 1), laminin (LN) and type Ⅳ collagen were determined i n 182 type 2 diabetic patients. Urinary excretions of TGF-? 1, LN and type Ⅳ collagen were increased in type 2 diabetic patients, and these findings were fa irly well correlated with severity of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Urinary TGF-? 1 seems to be the early index of DN, urinary LN and type Ⅳ collagen appear to be the indices of DN severity.

Objective To evaluate the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway in carbon monoxide (CO)-induced up-regulation of the mitofusin-1 (Mfn1) expression in endotoxin-challenged rat alveolar macrophages.Methods Alveolar macrophages obtained from the rats aged 12-20 weeks were subcuhured and seeded in 96 well plates at a density of 4× 104 cells/ml.After being cultured for 24 h,the cells were divided into 4 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),endotoxin group (group L),lipopolysaccharide (LPS) +CO-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) group (group L+C) and LPS+CORM-2+PI3K inhibitor LY294002 group (group L+C+LY).Cells were cultured normally in group C.Cells were stimulated by using LPS 10 μg/ml in L,L+C and L+C+LY groups.In group L+C,CORM-2 100 μmol was given at 1 h before stimulation with LPS.In group L+C+LY,LY294002 20 μg and CORM-2 100 μ mol were given at 1.5 and 1.0 h before stimulation with LPS,respectively.The cells were continuously incubated for 24 h after the end of treatment.The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of PI3K,phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and Mfn1 in cells was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the concentration of TNF-α was significantly increased,and the IL-10 concentration was decreased in L,L+C and L+C+LY groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group L,the concentration of IL-10 was significantly increased,the TNF-α concentration was decreased,and the expression of PI3K,p-Akt and Mfn1 was up-regulated in group L+C (P＜0.05).Compared with group L+C,the concentration of IL-10 was significantly decreased,the TNF-α concentration was increased,and the expression of PI3K,p-Akt and Mfn1 was down-regulated in group L+C+LY (P＜0.05).Conclusion PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is involved in CO-induced up-regulation of Mfn1 expression in endotoxin-challenged rat alveolar macrophages.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of supernatants of normal skin keratinocytes(NK) and scar keratinocytes(SK) on proliferation and collagen synthesis of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts(HSFB).

METHODSThe supernatant, collected from cultured NK and SK, was added to the cultivated HSFB. The MTT-method, 3H-proline incorporation and radioimmunoassay were employed to measure the cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and secretion.

RESULTSNK supernatant could inhibit HSFB proliferation and increase the collagen synthesis, but inhibit collagen secretion, as compared with the control group. On the contrary, SK supernatant could increase collagen synthesis and secretion, which had little effects on HSFB proliferation.

CONCLUSIONKeratinocytes derived from normal skin and hypertrophic scar show different effects on hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

Cell Division ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Fibroblasts ; physiology ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; physiology

Objective: To evaluate the minimally invasive splayed incisions in the internal fixation with a conventional calcaneal plate for calcaneal fractures of sanders types Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Methods: This prospective study was conducted from May 1st, 2016 to December 1st, 2017 in the 40 patients with calcaneal fracture at Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Pudong Hospital. Their ages ranged from 23 to 55 years (average, 39.5 years). According to the Sanders classification, 27 fractures were type Ⅱ and 13 type Ⅲ. They were all treated with a conventional calcaneal plate through minimally invasive splayed incisions. The Böhler and Gissane angles, the height, width and length of the affected calcaneus were compared between preoperation, 3 months after operation and the last follow-up; the clinical function of the affected feet was graded using the Maryland foot score; postoperative complications were observed. Results: The 40 patients were followed up for an average of 12.5 months (from 11 to 16 months). All the skin incisions healed well with no skin necrosis or wound infection. No injury to the sural nerve occurred. All the fractures healed after an average of 8 weeks (from 7 to 10 weeks). All the patients resumed their routine daily activities and returned to their former work post after an average time of 4.1 months (from 3 to 6 months). At pre-operation, 3 months after operation and the last follow-up, their Böhler angles were respectively 19.2°±6.3°, 30.5°±6.4° and 29.9°±6.5°; their Gissane angles 103.9°±14.8°, 119.3°±5.6° and 119.8°±6.3°; their calcaneal heights (32.5±3.5) mm, (36.8±1.5) mm and (36.5±1.8) mm; their calcaneal widths (36.8±3.4) mm, (33.1±3.8) mm and (33.0±3.2) mm; their lengths (61.4±4.5) mm, (65.5±6.9) mm and (65.5±9.4) mm. In all the patients, the Böhler and Gissane angles and the calcaneal heights and lengths increased significantly while the calcaneal widths decreased significantly at 3 months after operation and the last follow-up (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between 3 months after operation and the last follow-up in the Böhler or Gissane angle, the height, width or length of the affected calcaneus (P>0.05). Their Maryland foot scores showed 35 excellent cases, 4 good cases and one fair case, giving an excellent and good rate of 97.5%. Conclusions A conventional calcaneal plate plus minimally invasive splayed incisions can be effective for calcaneal fractures of Sanders types Ⅱ and Ⅲ, leading to reduced wound complications, anatomical restoration of calcaneal morphology, and smooth subtalar articular surface.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of educational background of men who have sex with men (MSM) on their high risk sexual behaviors and the HIV/STI infection rates.

METHODSDuring July to November of 2009 and March to October of 2010, snowball and convenience sampling methods were adopted to recruit MSM from MSM venues and via the internet in Changzhou city of Jiangsu province, and finally 659 MSM were conducted a questionnaire survey and serological testing. According to the educational background of MSM, they were divided into 3 groups, that is, junior high school group (206 cases), high school group (254 cases), and university group (199 cases). The questionnaire mainly includes information on social demography, sexual behaviors, condom use, etc. Blood samples were collected for HIV and syphilis spirochete detection, and urine samples were also collected in 291 MSM who were recruited during July to November of 2009 for neisseria gonorrhoeae and chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid detection. χ(2) test and other statistical analysis methods were used to compare the characteristics of sexual behaviors and HIV/STI infections in 3 groups.

RESULTSOf the 659 valid questionnaires returned, junior high school group, high school group, and university group accounted for 31.3% (206 cases), 38.5% (254 cases) and 30.2% (199 cases). Places where MSM of different education levels most often to seek sexual partners, were significantly different. Junior high school group and high school group mostly went to bath house/sauna club (56.3%, 116 cases) and bar (34.8%, 88 cases) for partners, respectively, while the university group sought partners mainly through the internet (41.1%, 81 cases) (χ(2) = 99.35, P < 0.05). 53.4% (109/204) of the junior high school group had anal sex with men in the last 6 months, which was higher than that of high school group (67.7%, 172/254) (χ(2) = 9.74, P < 0.05) and university group (72.7%, 144/198) (χ(2) = 16.04, P < 0.05) . A total of 54.4% (111/204) of the junior high school group had sex with women in the last 6 months, which was higher than that of university group (38.6%, 76/197) (χ(2) = 10.10, P < 0.05) , but was not statistically significantly different from that of high school group (46.9%, 119/254) (χ(2) = 2.59, P = 0.11) . The rates of condom use with men at the last anal sex in junior high school group (73.4%, 80/109) , high school group (78.0%, 131/168) and university group (73.9%, 105/142) were similar. The rates of condom use with women in the last intercourse in junior high school group, high school group and university group were 51.8% (57/110), 54.6% (65/119) and 61.8% (47/76), respectively(χ(2) = 1.88, P = 0.39) . In junior high school group, high school group and university group, the infection rates of HIV were 9.2% (19/206), 10.6% (27/254) and 5.6% (11/197) (χ(2) = 3.68, P = 0.16), the positive rates of neisseria gonorrhoeae were 3.8% (3/79), 3.4% (4/117) and 0.0% (0/95) (χ(2) = 3.85, P = 0.14), the positive rates of chlamydia trachomatis were 5.1% (4/79), 9.4% (11/117) and 4.2% (4/95) (χ(2) = 2.70, P = 0.26). The infection rate of syphilis in junior high school group was 19.9% (41/206), which was higher than high school group (12.2%, 31/254) (χ(2) = 5.11, P < 0.05) and university group (10.2%, 20/197) (χ(2) = 7.45, P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONThere was no obvious correlation between education level and high risk sexual behaviors;MSM with lower education level were at higher risk of infection of syphilis.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cultural Characteristics ; Educational Status ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Schools ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis ; epidemiology ; Universities ; Unsafe Sex ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Synuclein-gamma (SNCG), which was initially identified as breast cancer specific gene 1, is highly expressed in advanced breast cancers, but not in normal or benign breast tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SNCG siRNA-treatment on breast cancer cells and elucidate the associated mechanisms. METHODS: Vectors containing SNCG and negative control (NC) siRNAs were transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells; mRNA levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay, cell migration was assessed by the Transwell assay, apoptosis and cell cycle analyses were conducted with the flow cytometer, and Western blot analysis was performed to determine the relative levels of AKT, ERK, p-AKT, and p-ERK expression. RESULTS: SNCG mRNA levels were significantly reduced in MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with SNCG siRNA. Our results indicate that in SNCG siRNA-treated cells, cell migration and proliferation decreased significantly, apoptosis was induced, and the cell cycle was arrested. Western blot analysis indicated that the protein levels of p-AKT and p-ERK were much lower in the SNCG siRNA-treated groups, than in the control and NC groups. CONCLUSION: SNCG siRNA could decrease the migration and proliferation of breast cancer cells by downregulating the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Migration Assays ; Cell Movement* ; Cell Proliferation ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Phosphorylation* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Synucleins*