Objective To study the changes of gene and protein expressions of key components of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in myocardium of simulated weightless rats. Method Tail-suspended rats were adopted as animal model of simulated weightlessness. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to examine mRNA and protein expressions in rat myocardium, respectively. Result After 1 week tail-suspension,no obvious changes in angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), 1a and 1b subtype of type 1 angiotensin Ⅱ receptor (AT 1aand AT 1b), key components of RAS in myocardium were observed. But after 4 weeks tail-suspension, the expressions of AGT mRNA and higher molecular weight band of AGT protein increased significantly (P

Objective To explore changes of local renin-angiotensin system(RAS)in renal tissue of rat during short-and mid-term tail suspension,as well as their relations with humoral regulation and renal function induced by real or simulated weightlessness.Methods 1-and 4-week(wk)tail-suspended rat model were used to simulate short-and mid-term weightlessness,respectively.Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was carried out to examine the mRNA expression of components of local RAS in renal tissue.Results Except for angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type 2(AT2),all of the other components of local RAS,including angiotensinogen(AGT),renin,angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE),angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type 1a(AT1a)and angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type 1b(AT1b),were found their expression in renal tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats.After 1 wk of tail suspension,mRNA expression of renin in renal tissue increased significantly(P

Objective To explore the diagnostic consistency and correlation between MR discography (MRD) and CT discography (CTD) in diagnosing chronic low back pain. Methods Guided by C - arm fluoroscopy the mixed solution of gadoterate meglumine (GD-DOTA) and Iohexol (GD-DOTA at a dilution of 1 ∶ 400 with Iohexol) was injected into 96 lumbar intervertebral discs of the 36 patients. CT scanning was performed at 15 minutes after the injection of contrast, and axial together with sagittal SE T1WI MR scanning was carried out one hour after the injection. CTD and MRD images were randomly numbered and were independently evaluated by two experienced radiologists according to Dallas discogram scale in order to assess the diagnostic consistency and correlation between (MRD) and (CTD). In addition the diagnostic value of MRD was evaluated. Results The results revealed that in determining disc degeneration grade CTD and MRD were highly consistent with each other(Kappa = 0.836, P < 0.01), and the diagnostic results judged by the two reviewers were essentially in agreement (ICC = 1.00, P < 0.01; r = 0.997, P < 0.01). Higher consistency (Kappa = 0.836, P < 0.01) and correlation(ICC = 0.90, P < 0.01; r = 0.869, P < 0.01; Kappa =0.836, P < 0.01) in determining annulus rupture extent were also obtained. Conclusion MRD is an accurate diagnostic method for the determination of disc degeneration and the severity of annulus rupture, and this technique has greater consistency and correlation with CTD in diagnosing chronic low back pain.

Objective To investigate the efficiency and safety of ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction in enhancing β-galactosidase gene (β-gal gene) transfer into human proximal tubular cells(HKCs). Methods β-gal gene was transfected to HKCs as a mark gene with ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction. Cultured HKCs were grouped to receive the following 7 treatments respectively: ultrasound alone; microbubble alone; naked plasmid; ultrasound and plasmid; microbubble and plasmid; ultrasound, microbubble, and plasmid; and VigoFect and plasmid. In Group 6, HKCs were exposed to ultrasound under different sound intensities and time. X-gal stainning, typan blue stainning, and Hochest stainning were used to detect the transfection efficiency, cell survival rate, and cell apoptosis rate, respectively.Results β-galactosidase expression could be observed in the ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction groups. Along with the increasing of sound intensity and exposure time, the cell survival rate of HKCs decreased, and the cell apoptosis rate increased gradually. The transduction efficiency and survival rate in middle intensity (0.3 W/cm~2×60 s) of ultrasound exposure were higher than those of other groups, similar to those of Group 7.Conclusion Under optimum sound intensity and exposure time, ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction can increase gene transfer into HKCs. This non-invasive gene transfer method may be a useful tool for clinical gene therapy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in mammalian target of rapamyein (mTOR) with aging in rat kidneys.MethodsMale Wistar rats at the ages of 3, 12, 24 months were used for this study. Therenaltissuesandmesangialcellswereprocessedfor senescenceassociated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. The expression and location of roTOR in kidneys and mesangial cells were studied by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of the roTOR and p-roTOR were detected by Western blot assay and RT-PCR,respectively.ResultsThe expression of neutral β-galactosidase activity was increased in kidneys and mesangial cells with advancing age. Percentages of SA-β-gal staining positive ceils were (11.9±3.6)% versus ( 39.0±4.0)% versus ( 86.9±7.4) % in young, middle and aging glomerular mesangial cells (P<0.05). The mTOR staining appeared in the mesangial matrix and interstitium in kidneys, while the mTOR protein showed localization in cytoplasm and nucleus in mesangial cells. The staining intensity of mTOR in kidneys and mesangial cells in aged rats was markedly increased as compared to that in young and middle aged rats (P<0.05). The mRNA level of roTOR was significantly increased in kidneys and mesangial cells of agedrats versus young and middle aged rats,meanwhile, the roTOR and p-mTOR protein expressions were dramatically increased with advancing age (P<0.05 ).ConclusionsmTOR expression is increased with aging, which may play an important role in the aging process of kidneys.

Objective To explore the mechanism of SH?SY5Y mitochondrial dysfunction treated by manganese to find a new potential therapeutic target. Methods Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM)to observe the morphology of mitochondria. Cell treated with 250μmol/L for periods of time(2 h, 4 h, 6 h)while mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)and ROS can be detected by FCM and fluorescence microplate reader. Results After treating with MnCl2 in 6 h, TEM images showed early vacuoles, lamellar structures of SH?SY5Y cells. Then test the mitochondrial membrane potential and showed that MMP would be decreased gradually. Meanwhile, analysis showed that in comparison with control, treatment group had a higher ROS level respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion MnCl2 can cause mitochondrial damage through a mechanism closely related to disrupt the MMP or generate abundant ROS.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of short segment fixation with percutaneous pedicle screws or traditional open surgery for the type A1-A3 thoracolumbar compression fracture.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted on the clinical data of 64 patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture admitted to Shanxi Dayi Hospital between January 2012 and February 2017.There were 44 males and 20 females,aged 21-65 years [(45.4 ± 11.1) years].There was one patient with injured segment at T11,29 at T12,27 at L1 and seven at L2.According to AO typing,there were 39 patients classified as Type A1,two as Type A2 and 23 as Type A3.The patients were divided into minimally invasive surgery group (n =37) and open surgery group (n =27).Minimally invasive surgery group was treated with minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and open reduction.The open surgery group was treated with traditional open pedicle screw short segment fixation and open reduction.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,total hospitalization time,postoperative hospitalization time,visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after operation,local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra,segmental kyphosis and complications in two groups were recorded.Results All patients were followed up for 12-29 months,with an average of 13.2 months.Between the minimally invasive surgery group and open surgery group,no significant difference was found in the operation time [(106.4± 37.3) minutes vs.(131.3 ± 33.6) minutes] (P ＞ 0.05),and significant differences were found in intraoperative blood loss [(71.2 ± 34.9) ml vs.(409.3 ± 267.5) ml],total hospitalization time [(11.7 ± 7.2) days vs.(21.6 ± 12.8) days] and postoperative hospitalization time [(8.1 ± 7.4) days vs.(16.6 ± 10.6) days] (P ＜ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,VAS was (6.5 ±1.1) points preoperatively and was (2.3 ± 0.7) points and (1.0 ± 0.3) points immediately after operation and at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,VAS was (6.9 ± 1.0)points preoperatively and was (4.2 ± 1.0) points and (0.9 ± 0.4) points immediately after operation and at final follow-up (P ＜0.05).Compared with the preoperative VAS,those immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the preoperative VAS and VAS at final follow-up between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05),but significant difference was found in VAS immediately after operation between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,the local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra was (19.3 ± 3.8) °preoperatively,(3.4 ± 1.7) ° immediately after operation,and (4.6 ± 1.9) ° at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,the local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra was (19.6 ± 6.8) ° before operation,(1.6 ± 0.8) ° immediately after operation,and (2.4 ± 1.1) ° at final follow-up.The kyphosis of fractured vertebra immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups compared with the preoperative kyphosis(P ＜0.05),but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,the segmental kyphosis Cobb angle was (16.1 ± 9.1) ° before operation,(3.0-± 1.8) ° immediately after operation,and (5.9 ±1.8) ° at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,the segmental kyphosis Cobb angle was (15.2±12.0) ° before operation,(3.1 ± 1.4) ° immediately after operation,and (5.6 ± 2.1) ° at final follow-up.The segmental kyphosis Cobb angle immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups compared with the preoperative Cobb angle (P ＜ 0.05),but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).No spinal cord injuries because of pedicle screws were observed after operation in either group.In the open surgery group,there was one patient with wound infection who recovered after dressing change,and no infection case was found in the minimally invasive surgery group.Conclusion For type A1-A3 thoracolumbar compression fractures,both the minimally invasive posterior pedicle screw fixation and the traditional open pedicle screw fixation can achieve satisfactory near-term results,and the former is better in intraoperative blood loss,immediate relief of pain after operation and shorter hospital stay than the latter.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in regulating both angiogenesis and the expressions of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/Flk-1 expression in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HKC).

METHODSHKC cells were transfected with two recombinant plasmids containing sense and antisense full-length TIMP-1 cDNA (TIMP-1S-pcDNA3.0 and TIMP-1AS-pcDNA3.0, respectively) constructed previously, or treated with 100 µmol/L MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor III (with similar cellular enzyme suppression activity with sense TIMP-1 plasmid). The mRNA expression of TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, PTEN, VEGF and Flk-1 were examined by RT-PCR. In each group, the expression of PTEN, VEGF and Flk-1 were also detected using an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSCompared with non-transfected cells and cells transfected with the empty vector, sense TIMP-1-transfected cells showed obviously upregulated PTEN expression (P<0.05) and significantly lowered gelatinase activity (P<0.05) and VEGF and Flk-1 expressions (P<0.05). Transfection with the antisense TIMP-1 plasmid produced the reverse results (P<0.05). MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor III did not obviously affected the expression of PTEN, VEGF or Flk-1 as compared with the non-transfected or empty vector-transfected cells.

CONCLUSIONIn the aging progress, the renal tissues express high levels of TIMP-1 to upregulate PTEN expression via a MMP-independent pathway, and subsequently down-regulates the expression of VEGF and Flk-1 to cause aging-related impairment of renal angiogenesis. These findings provide new evidence for understanding the role of TIMP-1 in renal aging.

Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

Background: Nummular eczema (NE) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritic coin-shaped lesions and a long-lasting and easy-relapsing course, which severely decreases patients' qual-ity of life. This case was designed to observe the effects of specific acupuncture techniques on pruritic NE management.Case presentation: A 22-year-old female was first diagnosed with pruritic NE three years earlier. No al-lergies were found in the patch test;while emotional stress would trigger and aggravate the NE. External application of 0.1％tacrolimus failed to reverse this condition over a long period of treatment. Treatment&outcomes: An individualized acupuncture treatment protocol was identified. Half needling and encircling needling were applied at local eczematous lesions, with routine needling at meridian points, once per week, for 12 treatment sessions. All outcome measures, including the Eczema Area and Severity Index, Visual Analogue Scale score for pruritus, Self-Rating Anxiety Score, and Dermatology Quality Life Index, substantially improved over 6 months from pre-treatment to 3 months post-treatment. Conclusion: Acupuncture might be a promising non-pharmacological treatment method for patients with NE, especially for those with emotional stress. A randomized controlled trial with an adequate sample size and rigorous study design is required to verify the results of the study.

Objective:To explore the intention of exclusive breastfeeding and its influencing factors within six months after delivery of pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy in Xi'an.Methods:From January to February 2019, convenience sampling was used to select 2 671 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy who underwent regular obstetric examinations in Obstetrics Clinic of five hospitals in Xi'an for a cross-sectional survey. Pregnant women were surveyed by means of a field survey using a self-designed Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention of Pregnant Women in the Third Trimester Questionnaire. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of the intention of exclusive breastfeeding among pregnant women in the third trimester. A total of 2 671 questionnaires were distributed, 2 479 valid questionnaires were recovered, and the valid recovery rate was 92.8% (2 479/2 671) .Results:A total of 60.8% (1 507/2 479) of pregnant women planned to exclusively breastfeed within 6 months of delivery. Pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy whose husbands ( OR=2.950, 95% CI: 2.097-4.066) and family members ( OR=2.171, 95% CI: 1.571-3.000) supported exclusive breastfeeding had high intention to exclusively breastfeed, and those who participated in breastfeeding courses had a high intention to exclusively breastfeed ( OR=1.436, 95% CI: 1.199-1.719) . Conclusions:More than half of third-trimester women plan to exclusively breastfeed within six months postpartum. Husband and family support and enrolment in breastfeeding classes increase the intention of pregnant women to exclusively breastfeed. Prenatal breastfeeding courses should be carried out to raise the awareness of pregnant women and family members about exclusive breastfeeding, and focus on the support of husbands and family members for exclusive breastfeeding, so as to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate within six months after delivery.