Epidemiological and animal studies have demonstrated that dietary lower intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and(or) higher intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids(n-6 PUFAs) leading to imbalance of their ratios are closely related to obesity.The mechanisms underlied are involved in PUFA′s effects on fatty acid synthesis and oxidation,adipocyte proliferation and differentiation and leptin expression.At transcription level,PUFAs can regulate the activities of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and CCAAT enhancer bin-ding proteins.

Background Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is determined to have a neurotrophy effect and promoting effect to the growth of axon.GDNF has been applied in ophthalmology.Research showed that artemin,a new member of GDNF family,has a better function in protection of neuron,but seldom relevant document of distruibution of artemin in retina is found so far.Objective The aim of the present study is to investigate the distribution and expression of artemin in normal rat retinal neuron cells and retinal ganglion cells,and imitate diabetic environment to observe the expression of artemin at the condition of high glucose.Methods Retinal tissue was isolated from clean neonatal SD rats and cultured by expand culture method in DMEM/F12 containing 10% fetal bovine serum.40 mmol/L of glucose was added in medium in the seventh day after culture for 12 hours as experimental group.The expression and location of artemin in retina were tested by real-time PCR and cell immunofluorescence assay.Use of experimental animals followed the Management Regulation of experimental animals of Jiangsu Province.Results Cultured cells showed the typical cell body and processes in the seventh day.Cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) presented the red fluorescence for Thy1.1 antibody,and multiple fluorescence label revealed that RGCs exhibited the green fluorescence for artemin antibody and red fluorescence for Thy1.1 antibody,indicating artemin protein was positively expressed in cultured RGCs.The numbers of positive cells for Thy1.1 antibody was (442±9)/high field in normal culture group and (263±7) /high field in 40mmol/L glucose culture group,showing a significant difference between them (P＜0.05).The expression of artemin mRNA in normal culture group and in 40 mmol/L glucose culture group,was showing a considerably difference between them(P＜0.05).Conclusion Artemin can be expressed in cultured retinal neuron cells and RGCs in rats.High glucose environment down-regulate the expression of artemin.This study proved a new idea for protecting RGCs against damage.

Objective To investigate the expression difference of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)between lung cancer and lung benign disease,and its relation to clinical characteristics and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and to research the possible role of VEGF in the growth of lung can- cer.Methods The expression of VEGF and microvascular density(MVD)were detected in 60 lung cancer tissues and 30 lung benign disease tissues after operation by immunohistochemical method and put up statisti- cal analysis.Results The positive rate of VEGF expression(63%)and MVD(45.13?10.27)in lung cancer tissues were both higher than those in lung benign disease tissues(27%,33?6.49)(P

Objective:To evaluate the effects of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) pretreatment on diaphragmatic function in septic rats.Methods:Twenty-six clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 220-260 g, were divided into 3 groups using a random number table method: sham operation group (group S, n=6), sepsis group (group Sep, n=10) and NRG-1 group (group N, n=10). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized rats.Group S underwent simple laparotomy.At 30 min before operation, recombinant human NRG-1β 10 μg/kg was injected through tail vein in group N, while the equal volume of normal saline was given in S and Sep groups.At 24 h after operation, the survived rats were sacrificed, and the diaphragm was removed for determination of the contractile function and contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and for examination of the pathological changes (by hematoxylin and eosin staining). Results:Compared with group S, the force-frequency curve was shifted downward, and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased ( P<0.01), inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in Sep and N groups.Compared with group Sep, the force-frequency curve was shifted upward , and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased ( P<0.01), inflammatory cell infiltration was alleviated in group N. Conclusion:NRG-1 pretreatment can improve diaphragmatic contractile function in septic rats, and the mechanism is related to reducing diaphragmatic inflammatory responses.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). More than one-third of patients with COVID-19 experience neurological symptoms, including confusion, headaches, and decreased/disordered taste. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease patients are at high risk and susceptible to infection with COVID-19, which may cause severe illness and even death. There appears to be an interaction between AD and COVID-19, and on the one hand, patients with COVID-19 seem to be more likely to develop AD. AD patients, on the other hand, may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19. Therefore, understanding the common link between COVID-19 and AD may help to develop treatment strategies. Risk factors common to AD and COVID-19 are aging, ApoE ε4 allele, β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuroinflammation, oxidative stress. Here, this article focuses on the relationship between COVID-19 and AD, explores common risk factors and potential pathogenesis, and provides help for early prevention, treatment and recovery.

The study is aimed to explore a rapid method to extract DNA from fried Chinese medicinal products. The alkaline lysis buffer was made of sodium hydroxide, 1% PVP and 1% TritonX-100 and Tris-HCl solution was neutralized, through heat cracking and neutralization two step to extract DNA from processed and prepared products of traditional Chinese medicine. Then universal primes were used to amplify PCR products for fired Chinese medicinal materials. The results indicated the optimized alkaline lysis method for extracting DNA is quick and easy. Extracting of the different processed Sophora japonica of DNA concentration was (420.61 ± 123.91) g x L(-1). Using 5% Chelex-100 resin purification can improve the DNA concentration. Our results showed that the optimized alkaline lysis method is suitable for Chinese medicinal materials for quickly DNA extraction.
Alkalies ; chemistry ; Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hydrolysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sophora ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics

This study is to investigate the effect of Vam3, a dimeric derivative of resveratrol, on SNP-induced apoptosis and its potential mechanism in rat articular chondrocytes. Isolated rat articular chondrocytes were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, to induce apoptosis. Apoptosis percentage was evaluated by Annexin V-PI and nucleus fracture was examined by DAPI staining. Level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected using 2, 7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) as a fluorescence probe by fluorescence microplate reader. The change in mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by TMRE staining. Expressions of SIRT1, acetylated p53 (ac-p53), cleaved caspase 9 and cleaved caspase 3 were determined by Western blotting. It showed that Vam3 up to 10 micromol x L(-1) could significantly reduce SNP-induced rat articular chondrocytes apoptosis (P < 0.01) and nucleus fracture, inhibit the increase of intracellular ROS level (P < 0.01) and reverse the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.01). Simultaneously, Vam3 could upregulate the expression of SIRT1, deacetylate p53, and inhibit the cleavage of caspase 9 and caspase 3 (P < 0.01) of rat articular chondrocytes exposed to SNP. This study indicates Vam3 could protect rat articular chondrocytes against SNP-induced apoptosis, perhaps through the upregulation of SIRT1 and deacetylation of p53.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arabidopsis Proteins ; pharmacology ; Cartilage, Articular ; cytology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Nitroprusside ; pharmacology ; Qa-SNARE Proteins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Sirtuin 1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the role of demyelination and the alteration of chondrotin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG,NG2) expression after compression injury of the spinal cord (CSCI).Methods Seventy-five adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a sham-operation group,a CSCI 1 day group,a CSCI 3 day group,and a CSCI 7 day group.There were 15 rats in each group.The injuries in the CSCI groups were inflicted using a technique devised in our laboratory.Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) neurological function assessment was used to assess the rats' motor function,osmic acid staining and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM)were used to observe any pathological changes of myelinated nerve fibers in the white matter at 1,3 and 7 days after CSCI.The amount of myelinated nerve fibers in the posterior funiculus of the spinal cord and the ratio of myelin sheath thickness to axon diameter (the G-ratio) were calculated.Any alteration in NG2 expression was observed by Western blotting.Results The average neurological function assessment scores in the CSCI groups were (1.23 ±0.45),(0.65 ± 0.35) and (0.00 ± 0.00) respectively.Compared with the normal group (21.00 ± 0.00) and the sham operation group (21.00 ± 0.00),the differences were all statistically significant.The rats' motor function deteriorated gradually with time after the CSCI.Osmic acid staining showed that the white matter was intact in the normal and sham groups.After being compressed the myelinated nerve fibers became swollen,degenerated and broke down.The amount of myelinated nerve fibers in the normal group,the sham operation group and the three CSCI groups was (2771 ± 108),(2675 ± 199),(2403 ± 161),(1708 ± 70) and (8 10 ± 95) respectively.The amount of myelinated nerve fibers decreased in the CSCI groups and reached a minimum on the 7th day.The difference was statistically significant.The TEM quantity analysis showed that the G-ratios in the normal,sham operation,and CSCI 1 day,3 day and7 day groups were (18.10±0.4),(17.70±1.0),(6.69 ±0.8),(5.73 ±0.4) and (4.95 ±0.5) respectively.Compared with the normal and sham operation groups,the G-ratios in the 3 CSCI groups were lower and reached their minimum on the 7th day after injury.The difference was statistically significant.TEM observation showed that the axons and myelin sheaths were intact in the normal and sham groups.After CSCI the axons became swollen and cell organelles in the axoplasm degenerated and decreased.The layers of myelin sheath shrank,folded and even wrinkled,which had an onion-like appearance.The oligodendrocytes exhibited chromatin condensation.Macrophages showed infiltration.Western blotting showed that the expression of NG2 in the CSCI groups reached a maximum on the 1st day after injury and then decreased with time.The expression of NG2 in the CSCI groups was higher than in the normal and sham groups,and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion Demyelination occurs after CSCI-the amount of myelinated nerve fibers decreases and neurological deficits increase with time.The expression of NG2 was associated with changes in the myelin sheaths after CSCI and contributed to recovery of the myelin sheath through proliferation and differentiation to oligodendrocytes and perhaps other kinds of cells.

Objective To explore the characteristics of dipyridamole 201 Tl myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) SPECT in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods Thirty patients with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent pharmacological stress 201Tl MPI SPECT after intravenous infusion of dipyridamole (0. 56 mg/kg) for 4 min. The early and delayed SPECT images were acquired respectively at 10 and 240 min after 201Tl injection. The images were analyzed and reported by two or three experienced nuclear medicine physicians. Results All patients were found to have abnormal perfusion patterns at delay imaging, however 90.00% (27/30) were also abnormal at early images. Six patients had reverse redistribution. Conclusion Dipyridamole 201Tl MPI SPECT imaging may be of some value for the assessment of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background Epidemiological investigation showed that 15％-29％ of patients with cataract have preexisting astigmatism of ＞ 1.50 D.So to control astigmatism is very important to the improvement of visual function after cataract surgery.The implantation of Toric intraocular lens (IOL) is a new option for the correction of preexisting astigmatism during cataract surgery,now.Short-term clinical studies of cataract patients with AcrySof Toric IOL implantation have revealed a good stability.However,the evaluation of long-term clinical result is seldom.Objective This study was to evaluate the long-term clinical results of Toric intraocular lens(IOL) implantation.Methods A serial case-observational study was designed.One hundred and twenty eyes of 78 cataract patients were included in this study.Phacoemulsification combined with AcrySof Toric IOL implantation was performed and the patients received a 2-year follow-up.Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA),best corrected distance visual acuity(BCDVA),residual cylinder,IOL rotation,vector analysis and accuracy of astigmatic correction were clinically evaluated in 1 day,1 month,3 months,6 months,1 year and 2 years,respectively.Comparison of these results of different follow-up periods were made.Results Sixty-seven patients (101 eyes)finished the follow-up and 19patients(19 eyes)lost visit due to other diseases affected.At 2 years visit after AcrySof SN60TT implantation,UCDVA,BCDVA,residual cylinder,absolute value of IOL rotation degree,vector magnitude of surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was 0.16 (0.20),0 (0.1),0.75 (0.5) D,(2.9± 1.8) °,(1.2 ± 0.6) D,and the correction index (CI)was 0.90±0.41.A positive correlation was found between SIA and TIA(r=0.74,P =0.000).Compared to 1 month,3,6 months and 1 year,there was a mild tendency of decrease in accuracy of astigmatism correction and CI.Residual cylinder and degree of IOL rotation at 2 years after surgery were also slightly higher.However these changes were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).Conclusions After 2 years of follow-up,patients with AcrySof Toric implantation remain good visual acuity.AcrySof Toric IOL presents excellent long-term rotational stability and accuracy of astigmatism correction.