Objective To observe the expression of STEAP4 gene(a novel obesity-related gene) during the period of human preadipocyte differentiation and to explore the relationship between the STEAP4 gene expression and adipocytes differentiation,adipogenesis.Methods Human preadipocytes were cultured and differentiated into the matured adipocytes in vitro.Adipocytes morphology and lipid accumulation were observed during this process.Total RNA was extracted from adipocytes at various time points (preadipocyte,Day 0,Day 4,Day 6,Day 8,Day 11,Day 14,and Day 17) and the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression was measured by fluorescent real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polyme-rase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The level of STEAP4 mRNA expression remained high in preadipocytes.In the presence of differentiation medium (Day 4),there was a transient upregulation in the expression of STEAP4 gene.After that,with the human preadipocytes being differentiated into matured adipocytes,the expression of STEAP4 mRNA was downregulated and reached the lowest level in fully differentiated adipocytes.There was a significant difference between any 2 detected phases in the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression (Pa

Thrombus is a major factor leading to cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Although fibrinolytic anti-thrombotic drugs have been widely used in clinical practice, they are still limited by narrow therapeutic windows, short half-lives, susceptibility to inactivation, and abnormal bleeding caused by non-targeting. Therefore, it is crucial to effectively deliver thrombolytic agents to the site of thrombus with minimal adverse effects. Based on the long blood circulation and excellent drug-loading properties of human serum albumin (HSA), we employed genetic engineering techniques to insert a functional peptide (P-selectin binding peptide, PBP) which can target the thrombus site to the N-terminus of HSA. The fusion protein was expressed using Pichia pastoris and purified by Ni-chelating affinity chromatography. After being loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), the fusion protein formed homogeneous and stable nanoparticles (named as PBP-HSA@Au) with a diameter of 17.7 ± 1.0 nm and a zeta potential of -11.3 ± 0.2 mV. Cytotoxicity and hemolysis tests demonstrated the superb biocompatibility of PBP-HSA@Au. Platelet-targeting experiments confirmed the thrombus-targeting ability conferred by the introduction of PBP into PBP-HSA@Au. Upon near-infrared ray (NIR) irradiation, PBP-HSA@Au rapidly converted light energy into heat, thereby disrupting fibrinogen and exhibiting outstanding thrombolytic efficacy. The designed HSA fusion protein delivery system provides a precise, rapid, and drug-free treatment strategy for thrombus therapy. This system is characterized by its simple design, high biocompatibility, and strong clinical applicability. All animal experiments involved in this study were carried out under the protocols approved by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of Jiangnan University [JN. No20230915S0301015(423)].

This study aimed to analyze the etiology of the encephalitis outbreak in Longyan, Fujian Province, China in 2010, in order to provide valuable information for this prevention and control of this disease. Pathogens were confirmed from cerebrospinal fluid samples with fluorescent RT-PCR, virus isolation (RD cells), and neutralization tests. Then, the VP1 fragments or whole genome nucleotide sequences were determined for four virus strains using PCR. Homology was assessed using the MegAlign software, and a phylogenetic evolutionary tree was drawn using Mega 4.0 software. The results confirmed that the etiology of the outbreak was the ECHO6 intestinal virus, and the nucleotide sequence of the VP1 segment indicated that the C2 subtype was responsible. The genome sequence consisted of 7407 nucleotides, and resembled the genome of other ECHO and CoxB viruses with homology levels of 78.5%-87.3%. The encephalitis outbreak in Longyan in 2010 was caused by the ECHO6 C2 subtype intestinal virus, and its complete genome sequence length is similar to the standard strain (U16283) with a sequence homology of 80.4%.
Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Echovirus 6, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Echovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo discuss the changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in esophageal precancerosis lesions induced by methyl benzyl nitrosamine (MBNA) and the effect of Gexia Zhuyu decoction.

METHODWistar rats were subcutaneously injected with MBNA (3.5 mg x kg(-1) for twice per week to establish the model. Since the 1st day after the model establishment, they were orally administered with Gexia Zhuyu decoction (16, 8 mg x kg(-1)). At the 10th week, esophageal tissues were collected to observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa, detect SFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1, Axin2 and GSK-3β mRNA levels.by fluorescent quantitation PCR analysis and β-catenin protein level by Western blotting.

RESULTBeing induced by MBNA, rats in the model group showed slight atypical hyperplasia in the histopathological examination. Compared with the normal group, Gexia Zhuyu decoction dose high and low groups showed no significant pathomorphological and histological changes. The model group showed lower gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and higher β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction low dose group showed higher gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and lower β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated β-catenin protein level and down-regulated Wnt pathway could enhance Wnt pathway activity of MBNA-induced esophageal precancerous lesions. Gexia Zhuyu decoction could down-regulate the β-catenin protein level and up-regulate the transcription level of Wnt pathway inhibiting factors, but could not block MBNA-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions.

Animals ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Esophageal Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Nitrosamines ; adverse effects ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects

AIM: (1) To investigate the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) on rabbit conjunctival surface reconstruction with severe alkali burns. (2) To evaluate the possibility of AMT treatment for ocular alkali burns during recovering stage.METHODS: Animal models were established on 30 eyes of rabbits by creating severe alkali burns on the conjunctiva from the upper corneal limbus to the upper conjunctival fornix.Preserved human amniotic membrane transplantations and reconstruction of conjunctival fornix were performed at one week after injury (recovering stage). Epithelium growth of burned area after transplantation was observed using light microscope at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks. Conjunctival tissue in transplantation area was collected at 1, 4 and 8 weeks. The ultrastructure of the collected tissue was studied by electron microscope. The results were compared with control group,which received only vitamin C subconjunctival injection and antibiotic eye drops as treatment for alkali burn. Exterior eye pictures were also taken at the end of the observation, the width from upper corneal limbus to the edge of upper fornix was measured. Data was analyzed statistically.RESULTS: 1) Tn the transplant group, conjunctival epithelium growth was observed in the area of AMT under both light and electron microscope 1 week after surgery. At 4weeks, conjunctival epithelium with goblet cells that resembled normal conjunctival tissues was observed in the whole amniotic membrane area. At 12 weeks, the conjunctival epithelium on the amniotic membrane was well formed, and the connective tissue under the epithelium was loose at the fornix. No fibrosis was identified. In contrast, conjunctival epithelium necrosis was observed in the control group at 2weeks after alkali burns. Re-epithelization did not occur through the 12-week observation. Severe fibrosis with inflammatory cells infiltration was observed between 4 to 8weeks. At 12 weeks, fibrosis of the connective tissue at the fornix developed and there were no conjunctival epithelium covering the burned area. 2) In the transplant group, the conjunctiva in transplanted area had no scarring and appeared smooth at 12 weeks. Upper fornix was reconstructed. The depth of fornix was 7.9±0.3mm (7.6-8.2mm), which was approximate to the normal depth 8.2±0.2mm (8.0-8.4 mm,P＞.05). While in the control group, the burned area appeared rough with granuloma formation and severe scarring. Upper fornix became shallow. The depth of fornix was 3.1±1.7mm(1.0 to 4.5mm.), and significant difference was found between control and transplant group (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Human amniotic membrane preserved in glycerin can promote cell adhering, migrating and differentiating of normal conjunctival epithelium.Reconstruction of conjunctival surface in early stage of alkali burn can be achieved by AMT. AMT can effectively prevent symblepharon formation.

Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; utilization

Objective To explore the role of serum S-100B concentration of umbilical cord blood and blood on the 24 h after admission in the early diagnosis and development of newborn hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Forty-six HIE newborns(31 cases with mild HIE and 15 cases with moderate and severe HIE)were selected as HIE group,and 43 normal full-term newborns were selected as control group.The umbilical cord blood sample and blood sample were aquired on the 24 h after admission.The serum S-100B concentration was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)analysis.Results 1.There was no significant difference of serum S-100B concentration between the male sub-group and female sub-group of normal group and their birth weight had no significant relative to the serum S-100B concentration.2.The serum S-100B concentration of umbilical cord blood of control group and HIE group were(1.03?0.32)and(2.53?1.1)?g/L,respectively,there was significant difference between two groups(t'=8.848 P

ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and practicability of training technique in hemiplegia.Methods313 stroke patients with hemiplegia were divided randomly into the control group and training group, and treated with integrative training technique for hemiplegia impairment during 3 months. Locomotor recovery and the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) of patients in two groups were assessed before and after one, two and three months training respectively, using Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the scale of impairment in community rehabilitation.ResultsAfter treatment, FMA, FIM and the scale of impairment in community rehabilitation of the patients in the training group improved significantly ( P<0.001), the effectiveness was better than that of the control group ( P<0.05～0.001).The scales of FMA and FIM were proportional to the scale of impairment in community rehabilitation.ConclusionThe training technique for hemiplegia has ideal rehabilitation effectiveness.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the pathogen and characteristics of the serum types of enterovirus of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in the summer, 2009.

METHODSBoth throat swab and herpes fluids were taken respectively from 174 children with HFMD in the outpatient infection during April to September, 2009. Anti-Cox A16 and anti-EV71 IgMs in the serum were detected with ELISA. And RNA were extracted from each sample followed with real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR kits with three reagents: universal enterovirus primer, Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) primer and enterovirus 71 (EV71) primer. Parts of positive samples were sequenced and analyzed.

RESULTS(1) EV genes were detected from 167 cases, of which ,112 cases were positive for CA16 and 46 were positive for EV71. CA16: EV71 was 2.43: 1. (2) There were 51 cases with CA16 IgM positive and 25 cases with EV71 IgM positive in the early collected sera, and in the later samples, 98 cases with CA16 IgM positive and 32 cases with EV71 IgM positive. (3)The nucleotide homologies were 88.7%-98.5% of VP1 gene among CA16. The nucleotide homologies were 94.9% - 99.7% of VP1 gene among EV71, and were 92.1% - 95.3% with C4 subtype.

CONCLUSIONThe mainly pathogen causing HFMD in children in the summer, 2009 were CA16 and EV71. EV71 infection, mainly C4 subtype, was highly elevated according to the earlier reported. Real-time RT-PCR is more appropriate than the serological test.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; blood ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristic features of Desmodium gyrans in order to provide a basis for rational exploitation and utilization of the herb.

METHODSamples of the title plant were collected, the microscopic features of cross sections and powders were studied. TLC profiles and UV absorption of the plant extract were examined.

RESULTCalcium oxalate crystals were found in cells of transverse sections. Nonglandular hairs were observed on leaf surfaces. Characteristic peaks in the UV spectrum were identified.

CONCLUSIONThe distinct characteristic features revealed in this studies can serve as evidence for the identification of D. gyrans.

Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Fabaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Powders ; Quality Control ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet