BACKGROUND:Various studies confirm that smoking can contribute to the resorption of periodontal alveolar bone.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of smoking in alveolar bone resorption of periodontitis rat models.
METHODS:A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into three groups. Normal group:rats were normal y fed without any other pre-treatment;Control group:experimental periodontitis model was established using wire ligation method in rats;Experimental group:rat models were given passive smoking during experimental
modeling period. Al rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks of modeling, periodontal tissue were removed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for examining pathological changes in periodontal tissue, and immunohistochemical analysis was done for observing receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and osteoprotegrin expression.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 8 weeks of modeling, expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand factor was significantly higher in alveolar bone of rats from experimental group in comparison to control group (P<0.05), whereas expression of osteoprotegerin in alveolar bone was significantly greater in rats from control group when compared to experimental group (P<0.05). This finding suggests that smoking can increase the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand protein and reduce osteoprotegrin expression in periodontal rats, thus increasing the resorption of periodontal alveolar bone.

BACKGROUND: Photocrosslinked alginate hydrogel has been a popular bone tissue engineering material because of its excellent biocompatibility and minimally invasive injection, but there are still problems such as insufficient strength and poor cell adhesion. OBJECTIVE: To construct the negatively charged hydrogels by introducing sodium methacrylate into photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels, and to explore the changes in its physical performance and cell adhesion. METHODS: After preparation of methacrylated alginate by reacting sodium alginate with 2-aminoethyl methacrylate, methacrylated alginate, photoinitiator and sodium methacrylate (0, 20, 40, 60 mmol/L) were homogeneously mixed. The negatively charged photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels were prepared under ultraviolet light. The functional groups of the hydrogels were analyzed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface morphology of the hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy and the swelling ratio was measured. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with each group of hydrogels for 48 hours, and the cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was investigated by cell counting kit-8 assay. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on the surface of each group of hydrogels. The early adhesion of the cells was observed by live/dead staining at the 4th hour, and cell spreading was observed on the 3rd day. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the introduction of sodium methacrylate could lead to a new peak at wavenumber of about 1 600 cm-1 in the hydrogel infrared wave, which was from the sodium methacrylate. (2) Scanning electron microscope observed that the density of the negatively charged photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels increased and the pore size of the gels decreased with augment of concentrations of sodium methacrylate. (3) The swelling ratio of the hydrogel decreased with the increase of the concentration of sodium methacrylate. (4) The live/dead staining revealed that the cells grew well on the surface of each hydrogel, and the cell viability reached above 95%. The cell counting kit-8 assay results showed that the negatively charged photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels had no cytotoxicity. (5) The early cell adhesion rate increased gradually and the cell extension became better with the increase of concentration of sodium methacrylate. (6) In summary, the introduction of sodium methacryl into photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels can adjust its physical properties and significantly improve its cell adhesion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the consistency of invasive dynamic blood pressure (BP) monitoring between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the common carotid artery (CCA). METHODS: Eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were cannulated in SMA and CCA simultaneously for BP monitoring, respectively. The abdominal aorta was prepared for the induction of BP change through clamping/de-clamping by a microvascular clip. The dynamic BP monitoring was performed by a polygraph system. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) values would be recorded during different time periods: the baseline (T1), the increasing period after clamping (T2), the platform period during clamping (T3), the decreasing period after de-clamping (T4), and the final platform period (T5). Three trials were performed on each rat with 15-minute intervals between consecutive monitoring. RESULTS: Systolic BP showed no significant differences between SMA and CCA. However, significant difference was found in diastolic blood pressure except at T5 (P=0.534). Mean arterial pressure of two arteries were signifi cantly different only at T1 (P=0.015). The strength of association was significantly high between BP measurements through SMA and CCA (P<0.001). The Bland- Altman analyses showed that mean bias of MAP changed no more than 5 mmHg and standard deviation less than 8 mmHg during T2 and T4, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study indicates SMA might be an alternative site for invasive BP monitoring during abdominal aorta occlusion and release, especially in cerebrovascular-related research.

Using an integrated bioinformatics approach to find novel biomarkers that can predict asthma severity. From June 2022 to December 2022, this clinical medical study was conducted and completed in the Department of Allergy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University. The gene chip dataset GSE43696 was screened and downloaded from the high-throughput Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the gene chip data preprocessing was completed using package "affy" in R and "rma" algorithm in turn. Use the the "edgeR" and "limma" packages to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal controls, mild to moderate asthma patients and severe asthma patients, and then use the "clusterProfiler" package to perform GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs, finally use the STRING website to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs to further screen key genes. Using the R language "WGCNA" package, the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed on the dataset GSE43696, and the modules significantly related to the severity of asthma were screened out, then the hub genes were obtained by intersecting the WGCNA analysis results with the DEGs screened by PPI. Datasets GSE43696 and GSE63142 were used to verify the expression of hub genes, and the diagnostic value was evaluated according to the ROC curve, then the potential function of hub genes in dataset GSE43696 was further clarified by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The results showed that a total of 251 DEGs were screened, including 39 in the normal group and mild to moderate asthma group, 178 in the normal group and severe asthma group, and 34 in the mild to moderate asthma group and severe asthma group, mainly involved in biological processes such as response to toxic substance, response to oxidative stress, extracellular structure organization, extracellular matrix organization. Two modules significantly correlated with asthma severity were screened out (red module, P=7e-6, r=0.43; pink module, P=5e-8, r=-0.51), and finally six hub genes were obtained, including B3GNT6, CEACAM5, CCK, ERBB2, CSH1 and DPPA5. The comparison of gene expression levels and ROC curve analysis of datasets GSE43696 and GSE63142 further verified the six hub genes, which may associated with o-glycan biosynthesis, alpha linolenic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, pentose and glucoronate interconversions. In conclusion, through a variety of bioinformatics analysis methods, this study identified six hub genes significantly related to the severity of asthma, which potentially provided a new direction for the prediction and targeted therapy of asthma.
Humans ; Asthma/genetics* ; Computational Biology ; Hospitals

Using an integrated bioinformatics approach to find novel biomarkers that can predict asthma severity. From June 2022 to December 2022, this clinical medical study was conducted and completed in the Department of Allergy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University. The gene chip dataset GSE43696 was screened and downloaded from the high-throughput Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the gene chip data preprocessing was completed using package "affy" in R and "rma" algorithm in turn. Use the the "edgeR" and "limma" packages to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal controls, mild to moderate asthma patients and severe asthma patients, and then use the "clusterProfiler" package to perform GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs, finally use the STRING website to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs to further screen key genes. Using the R language "WGCNA" package, the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed on the dataset GSE43696, and the modules significantly related to the severity of asthma were screened out, then the hub genes were obtained by intersecting the WGCNA analysis results with the DEGs screened by PPI. Datasets GSE43696 and GSE63142 were used to verify the expression of hub genes, and the diagnostic value was evaluated according to the ROC curve, then the potential function of hub genes in dataset GSE43696 was further clarified by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The results showed that a total of 251 DEGs were screened, including 39 in the normal group and mild to moderate asthma group, 178 in the normal group and severe asthma group, and 34 in the mild to moderate asthma group and severe asthma group, mainly involved in biological processes such as response to toxic substance, response to oxidative stress, extracellular structure organization, extracellular matrix organization. Two modules significantly correlated with asthma severity were screened out (red module, P=7e-6, r=0.43; pink module, P=5e-8, r=-0.51), and finally six hub genes were obtained, including B3GNT6, CEACAM5, CCK, ERBB2, CSH1 and DPPA5. The comparison of gene expression levels and ROC curve analysis of datasets GSE43696 and GSE63142 further verified the six hub genes, which may associated with o-glycan biosynthesis, alpha linolenic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, pentose and glucoronate interconversions. In conclusion, through a variety of bioinformatics analysis methods, this study identified six hub genes significantly related to the severity of asthma, which potentially provided a new direction for the prediction and targeted therapy of asthma.
Humans ; Asthma/genetics* ; Computational Biology ; Hospitals

Objective: To investigate the correlation between expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ZXF1 and clinicopathological characteristics, as well as prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma; and to explore its potential molecular mechanism. Methods: A total of 83 lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples and 83 paracancerous lung tissue samples from lung adenocarcinoma patients were collected. The mRNA expression of ZXF1 in the tumors and the corresponding adjacent non-tumor tissues were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The correlation between ZXF1 level and clinicopathological characteristics such as age, gender, smoking history, tumor size, tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis was evaluated. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate regression, based on the data of a 12-56 months follow-up after surgery. In vitro ZXF1 was over-expressed in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, and then the proteins functionally related to ZXF1 were identified by protein array analysis. Results: Of the 83 cases of lung adenocarcinoma, the ZXF1 mRNA levels in the tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues were 8.32±3.05 and 1.05±0.47, respectively (P<0.05), and a high-level the high expression of ZXF1 in the tumor tissues was detected in 56 cases. The expression status of ZXF1 was closely correlated with the tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), but was not significantly related to age, gender and tumor size. Based on a 12-56 months follow-up, the patients with high level ZXF1 expression had a shorter disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than that of the group with low level ZXF1 (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that ZXF1 expression, tumor size and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors to DFS; and ZXF1 expression, tumor size, lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation were independent risk factors to OS. The protein array data revealed that expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 5 (BMP-5)and stem cell factor receptor (SCFR)were upregulated upon overexpression of the ZXF1 in A549 cells. Conclusions lncRNA ZXF1 is overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma, and is closely correlated with tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis. As an independent risk factor, a high expression of ZXF1 indicates a poor prognosis for the patients. ZXF1 may influence the biological behavior of lung adenocarcinoma by enhancing the protein expression of BMP-5 and SCFR.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of growth hormone (GH) on the erectile function and the number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in internal iliac arterial ligation rats.

METHODSThirty-six mature male Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups: GH intervention group, internal iliac arterial ligation group and sham operation group. After four weeks and eight weeks of treatment, one jalf of the rats of each group were selected respectively and tested for erectile function and then sacrificed for the detection of nNOS-containing nerve fibers by streptaridin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry techniques(SP method).

RESULTSAfter four weeks, the erection frequency and the number of nNOS-containing never fibers in the sham operation group significantly increased compared with the other two groups, which showed no significant difference(P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in erection rate among the three groups. After eight weeks, the number of nNOS-containing never fibers in corpus carvosum in the internal iliac arterial ligation group decreased compared with the other two groups, between which there was no significant difference. And there was no significant difference in erection frequency and erection rate among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONGrowth hormone can improve erectile function of internal iliac arterial ligation rats, which can be explained by the increase in the number of nNOS-containing never fibers in corpus carvosum of rats.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Growth Hormone ; pharmacology ; Iliac Artery ; Ligation ; Male ; Nerve Fibers ; enzymology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective The purpose of this study is to construct eukaryotic gene vector of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase(HSV1-tk)and to observe the expression of HSV1-tk in lung adenocarcinoma AGZY cell line.Methods The full length HSV1-tk gene was amplified by PCR from plasmid pHSV 106 and was inserted into pMD18-T.The recombinant plasmid was recombined with eukaryotic vector plRES 2-EGFP u-sing gene recombinant technique .HSV1 -tk was transfected into adenocarcinoma AGZY cell line with Lipo-fectamineTM 2 000.Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect the transfection and expression of HSV 1-tk.RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of HSV 1-tk.The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay .Re-sults A length of 1 130 bp gene sequence was obtained by PCR .The expressions of HSV 1-tk at mRNA and protein levels were displayed by RT -PCR and Western blot .MTT analysis showed that there were no significant changes cell survival on after transfection .Conclusion The eukaryotic expression vector of HSV 1 -tk report gene is successfully constructed and HSV 1-tk is effectively expressed in transfected AGZY cells .

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression levels of IL-17 in serum and IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) in intestinal mucosa tissue in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and controls, and evaluate their relationship with disease activity and explore the role of IL-17 in the patho-genesis of UC. A total of 36 Chinese UC patients and 60 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum IL-17 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined by ELISA and immunonephelometry, respectively. The IL-17R mRNA expression levels were detected by quantitative PCR. Serum IL-17 levels were significantly elevated in UC patients as compared with those in the healthy controls (P<0.05). Among UC patients, serum IL-17 levels were significantly increased in active phase as compared with those in inactive phase (P<0.05), and correlated with CRP levels (r=0.578, P<0.01). IL-17R expression levels were higher in active UC patients than in healthy controls (P<0.05). It was concluded that IL-17 levels were highly expressed in UC, especially in active phase, and correlated with CRP levels in UC patients.
Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; blood ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; Receptors, Interleukin-17 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical efficacy of osteotomy and fusion in treating severe rigid equinus deformity.

METHODSFrom April 2010 to October 2015, 13 patients(16 feet) with severe rigid equinus deformity were treated with osteotomy and fusion by hollow screw, including 6 males and 7 females aged from 39 to 62 years old with an average of(49.6±5.3) years old;the courses of diseases ranged from 5 to 27 years with an average of (9.0±4.8) years. Six patients (9 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for three joints, 4 patients(4 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for four joints, and 3 patients (3 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for tibiotalar and calcaneal-talar joints. All patients manifested as foot pain, heel could not touch floor and walking before operation. Postoperative complications were observed, AOFAS score were applied to evaluate clinical effect.

RESULTSThirteen patients were followed up from 18 to 24 months with an average of 20 months. Only one patient occurred local skin necrosis after operation and healed by dressing change and anti-infective therapy. All feet obtained fracture healing, the time ranged from 12 to 16 weeks with an average of 13.2 weeks. AOFAS score were improved from 11.85±10.66 before operation to 81.38±3.69 after operation, and had significant difference(=-25.67, <0.05);15 feet good and 1 foot moderate.

CONCLUSIONSTibiotalar and calcaneal-talar joint fusion, osteotomy and fusion for three and four joints could treat severe rigid equinus deformity according to patients' individual and could obtain satisfied clinical effects.

Adult ; Arthrodesis ; Calcaneus ; pathology ; Equinus Deformity ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; Treatment Outcome