To study whether cultured bovine trabecluar meshwork cells (BTMC) are capable of expressing tTG in protein and at mRNA level, BTMC were cultured in vitro and passaged three times, then the cells were transferred onto or cultured on sterile cover or submitted to isolation of RNA with Trizol, and the expression of tTG was detected by immunohistochemical technique and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. Our results showed that tTG immunostaining was positive in the cytoplasm and rarely in the nucleus of cultured BTMC. No immunostaining was seen in the negative control. Moreover, a single RT-PCR amplified product whose sequence and size were in accordance with our known parameters was obtained. The expression of tTG in cultured BTMC was confirmed in protein and at mRNA level. BMTC is available more readily for the investigation of the relationship between tTG and primary open-angle glaucoma.
Cells, Cultured ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trabecular Meshwork/*metabolism ; Transglutaminases/*biosynthesis ; Transglutaminases/genetics

Objective To explore the characteristics of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of lumbar sacral nerve roots (LSNR)in normal and degenerative lumbosacral vertebrae. Methods The research recruited 20 normal volunteers and 31 patients with spinal stenosis on conventional MRI and DWI scans in lumbosacral spine. We measured the areas from lumbar 3 to sacral 1 at the intervertebral spaces and reconstructed the 3D maximum intensity projection (MIP) and counted the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)of LSNR and ganglions. Results In the control group, 196 (98%) LSNR ran symmetrically and lateroinferiorly and 200 ganglions were well defined on MIP of DWI. In the patients group, 74 LSNR showed changes of compression on both T1WI and T2WI, in which DWI appeared thin and distorted in 59 (80%). The ADC value of LSNR were(1.70 ± 0.40)× 10-3 mm2/s and(1.98 ± 0.57) × 10-3 mm2/s separately in normal volunteers and patients (P=0.000), while the ADC values of ganglions were(1.42 ± 0.21)× 10-3 mm2/s and (1.54 ± 0.53)× 10-3 mm2/s respectively in normal volunteers and patients (P=0.000). Conclusion DWI can display the pattern and course of LSNR and ganglions, which indicate that ADC values of compressed LSNR and ganglions are higher than normal ones.

Objective To study the impact of imported filariasis cases on the elimination program in different areas of Shandong Province. Methods Dezhou was selected as former low endemic area and Yicheng as former high endemic area. Blood examination was carried out for both mobile population and local people for microfilariae(Mf). Mosquitoes were caught in field and dissected to count the ratio of those having laid eggs and the natural filarial infection rate. Mosquitoes reared at different temperatures were fed with Mf-positive blood and dissected after certain time period to observe the development of the larvae. The vectorial capacity and case transmission quantity were calculated and compared with those from different areas. Results The Mf positive rate of inflow population was 3.18% in average. No case was detected from 9 411 local residents after blood exam in Dezhou while 2 out of 692 local residents were found Mf positive in Yicheng. Mosquitoes'natural infection rate was 3.81% but no third stage larva was found. The shortest time period needed for the larva to develop into an infective stage was 16 days in Dezhou and 11 days in Yicheng. The time period from blood meal to egg-laying on average was 4. 95 days in Dezhou and 4.33 days in Yicheng. The ratio of vectorial capacity and case transmission quantity was 1:4.41 and 1:5. 82 respectively in Dezhou and Yicheng. Conclusion Filarial transmission seems unlikely in Dezhou for its low vectorial capacity and low transmission quantity resulted from low and evidently fluctuating temperature in the north. A low level filarial transmission may be possible in former high-endemic area such as Yicheng if there are as many imported cases as in Dezhou.

To study the effect of tTG fully phosphorothioated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (tTG-ASDON) on tTG expression in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells (BTMCs) in vitro and explore a new treatment alternative for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the ASDON1 and ASDON2 complementary to the protein codogram region of tTG were designed, synthesized and phosphorothioated according to the secondary structure of tTG. The ASDON1 and ASDON2 were embedded in Lipofectamine and transfected into BTMCs. The untreated group served as negative controls. The expression of tTG in the mRNA and protein level were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique-Supervision method respectively. Our results showed that both the mRNA and the protein of tTG with tTG-ASDON and tTG-ASDON2 were significantly decreased as compared with that of the controls (P < 0.05). On the other hand, no significant difference was found between the ASDON1 group and the ASDON2 group. It is concluded that the expression of tTG mRNA and protein in cultured BTMC are down-regulated by tTG- ASDON. As a result, tTG-ASDON may be used for the treatment of POAG through the inhibitory effect on the expression of tTG.
Cells, Cultured ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/metabolism ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense/*pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Trabecular Meshwork/cytology ; Trabecular Meshwork/*metabolism ; Transglutaminases/*biosynthesis ; Transglutaminases/genetics ; Transglutaminases/*pharmacology

Objective To estimate brain grey matter volume changes and location of abnormal brain regions cerebrum in early stage of bipolar disorder I (BD),in order to provided objective basis for diagnosing early stages BD.Methods 1 7 cases of BD with duration less than 2 years and 1 7 normal controls were recruited in this study.The volumetric difference of grey matter between two groups were analyzed by using voxel-based morphometry(VBM)software.Statistical threshold was voxel> 100,P <0.001 (uncor-rected).Results Compared to the normal controls,the grey matter volume of BD patients decreased in the left dorcial anterior cingu-late cortex(ACC),left insular,right sub-genu ACC,left superior temporal cortex,bilateral hippocampus-parahippocampus-amydala and left posterior lobe of cerebellum(P <0.001).Conclusion The grey matter volume of early stage BD patients is decreased,main-ly locating in the bilateral limbic system,the superior temporal gyrus and the cerebellar cortex,which probably is the morphological appearance of pathomechanism in early stages of BD.

To study whether cultured bovine trabecluar meshwork cells (BTMC) are capable of expressing tTG in protein and at mRNA level, BTMC were cultured in vitro and passaged three times, then the cells were transferred onto or cultured on sterile cover or submitted to isolation of RNA with Trizol, and the expression of tTG was detected by immunohistochemical technique and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. Our results showed that tTG immunostaining was positive in the cytoplasm and rarely in the nucleus of cultured BTMC. No immunostaining was seen in the negative control. Moreover, a single RT-PCR amplified product whose sequence and size were in accordance with our known parameters was obtained. The expression of tTG in cultured BTMC was confirmed in protein and at mRNA level. BMTC is available more readily for the investigation of the relationship between tTG and primary open-angle glaucoma.
Animals ; Cattle ; Cells, Cultured ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trabecular Meshwork ; metabolism ; Transglutaminases ; biosynthesis ; genetics

To study the effect of tTG fully phosphorothioated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (tTG ASDON) on tTG expression in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells (BTMCs) in vitro and explore a new treatment alternative for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the ASDON1and ASDON2 complementary to the protein codogram region of tTG were designed, synthesized and phosphorothioated according to the secondary structure of tTG. The ASDON1 and ASDON2 were embedded in Lipofectamine and transfected into BTMCs. The untreated group served as negative controls. The expression of tTG in the mRNA and protein level were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique Supervision method respectively. Our results showed that both the mRNA and the protein of tTG with tTG-ASDON1 and tTG-ASDON2 were significantly decreased as compared with that of the controls (P＜0.05). On the other hand, no significant difference was found between the ASDON1 group and the ASDON2 group. It is concluded that the expression of tTG mRNA and protein in cultured BTMC are down-regulated by tTG ASDON. As a result, tTG ASDON may be used for the treatment of POAG through the inhibitory effect on the expression of tTG.

Objective To explore the learning curve of the Tianji orthopedic robot in assisting percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).Methods A retrospective study was conducted of the consecutive 44 OVCF patients (71 fractured vertebrae) who had been treated with PKP assisted by the Tianji orthopedic robot from May 2018 to March 2019 at Department of Ortbopedics,The First Hospital of China Medical University.They were 2 men and 42 women,aged from 55 to 89 years (average,68.6 years).Their operations were performed by the same surgical team.The patients were divided into 4 even groups (n =11) according to the date of operation.The accuracy of robot-assisted puncture,total operation time,robot operation time,PKP operation time and complications were statistically analyzed and compared between the 4 groups.Natural logarithm regression analysis of total operation time,robot operation time and PKP operation time was conducted to determine the association between operation time and operation number [y =aln(x) + b,x indicating operation number and y operation time].Results The 4 groups were comparable due to insignificant differences in age,gender or operative segment between them (P ＞ 0.05).The total rate of accurate puncture was 95.8％ (68/71).The rates of accurate puncture were 92.9％ (13/14),94.4％ (17/18),94.7％ (18/19) and 100％ (20/20) for groups 1,2,3,and4,respectively,with no significant differences between groups (P ＞ 0.05).The total operation time for the 4 groups was respectively 56.6 ± 6.6 min,46.4 ± 8.5 min,40.2 ± 4.7 min and 40.4 ± 5.7 min and the robot operation time for the 4 groups was respectively 32.1 ±4.9 min,23.8 ±5.1 min,18.9 ±2.7 min and 19.6 ± 5.3 min,showing significant differences between the 4 groups (P ＞ 0.05) and a significant difference between groups 1 and 2 versus groups 3 and 4 (P ＞ 0.05) but no significant difference between group 3 and 4 (P ＞ 0.05).The natural logarithm regression analysis showed that the total operation time [y =-7.2861n(x) + 66.616,R2 =0.4889,P ＜ 0.001] and robot operation time [y =-5.6621n(x) +39.763,R2 =0.5196,P ＜ 0.001] decreased significantly with the increase of operation number but became stable in groups 3 and 4.There was no significant difference in PKP operation time among the 4 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The main intraoperative complication was leakage of bone cement in the anterior vertebral space and intervertebral space,with a total incidence of 8.5％ (6/71),showing no significant difference among the 4 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The puncture accuracy of the Tianji orthopedic robot in assisting PKP for OVCF may not change with the increased operation number.The total operation time and robotic operation time decrease with the increased operation number.The learning curve of the Tianji orthopedic robot becomes stable very fast,indicating the surgical technique is easy to learn.

BACKGROUNDBlood pressure variability (BPV) is a reliable prognostic factor for cardiovascular events. Currently there is a worldwide lack of large sample size studies in visit-to-visit BPV. Based on the Kailuan Study, we analyzed the visit-to-visit BPV of patients to investigate the range and influencing factors of BPV.

METHODSIn 11 hospitals in the Kailuan Company, 4 441 patients received routine health checkups. Physical examination measured blood pressure (BP), body height, body weight, and waist circumference, and body mass index was calculated. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

RESULTSThe effect of gender on systolic BPV was investigated. The average systolic BPV was 10.35 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) overall, 10.54 mmHg in males and 10.06 mmHg in females. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the age (RR = 1.022), systolic BP (SBP, RR = 1.007), LDL-C (RR = 1.098), and history of hypertension (RR = 1.273) were significant risk factors for higher systolic BPV. We found that aging (RR = 1.022), increased SBP (RR = 1.007), and a history of hypertension (RR = 1.394) were determinants of systolic BPV in males. The risk factors for systolic BPV of females were aging (RR = 1.017), increased SBP (RR = 1.009), increased LDL (RR = 1.136), and increased TG (RR = 1.157).

CONCLUSIONOur findings indicated that the systolic BPV is closely associated with age, SBP and history of hypertension.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; China ; Cities ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Waist Circumference ; physiology

OBJECTIVE To s tudy the impr ovement effects of tilianin on the atherosclerosis （AS）model mice and its potential mechanism. METHODS Eight C 57BL/6J mice were taken as the normal group. Forty ApoE－/－ mice were randomly divided into model group ，tilianin low-dose ，medium-dose and high-dose groups [ 2.1，3.5，7.0 mg/（kg·d）] and simvastatin group [positive control drug ，3.5 mg/（kg·d）]，with 8 mice in each group. Normal group was given normal diet ，and other groups were given high-lipid diet to induce AS model. At the same time ，normal group and model group were given normal saline intragastrically ， administration groups were given relevant drug intragastrically ，once a day ，for 12 consecutive weeks. The levels of TC ，TG， LDL-C，HDL-C，Ox-LDL，IL-1β，IL-6，MCP-1 and TNF-α in plasma were determined. The pathomorphological changes of the aorta in mice were observed. The positive rate of ICAM- 1，VCAM-1 and PCNA in the aorta were determined. mRNA expressions of MMP- 2，MMP-9，TGF-β1，Smad2 and Smad 3 as well as protein expressions of TGF-β1，Smad2/3 and p-Smad 2/3 were also determined in aorta of mice. RESULTS Compared with normal group ，the plasma levels of TC ，TG，LDL-C，Ox-LDL，IL-1β， IL-6，MCP-1 and TNF-α in model group were increased significantly（P＜0.01），while HDL-C level was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. Lipid plaques were formed in the aorta ，and the plaque area was large and caused severe stenosis of the lumen. mRNA expressions of MMP- 2，MMP-9，TGF-β1，Smad2 and Smad 3 as well as positive rate of ICAM- 1，VCAM-1，PCNA and protein expression TGF-β1，Smad2/3，and p-Smad 2/3 in the aorta were significantly increased （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group ， most of above indexes of medication groups were improved significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Tilianin can inhibit the activation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and then inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells ，reduce ， inflammation and regulate lipid metabolism to inhibit the No.81960766） formation of AS.