Objective To investigate the effects of growth differentiation factor 11 ( GDF11 ) on β-cell function in db/db mice and its possible mechanism. Methods Twenty eight-week-old male db/db mice were randomizedtoi.p. administration of GDF11(0.3mg·kg-1·day-1)or equivalent PBS(n=10)for 6 weeks.10age-matched male db/m were used as normal control, received equivalent PBS injection for 6 weeks. Blood glucose levels, body weights and food intake were monitored weekly. IPGTT and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion ( GSIS) were analyzed. After 6 weeks of intervention, serum HbA1C , TG, TC, and FFA were measured respectively. The concentrations of hormones in serum and pancreas were evaluated. The mRNA expression of Pdx-1, MafA, Nkx6. 1, and insulin2 were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of phosphorylated Smd2 (P-Smad2), Smad2 in islet were examined by western blot. Results Compared with NC group, GDF11 administration decreased FBG, HbA1C , modified lipid profiles. GDF11 improved glucose tolerance and augmented GSIS. Moreover, GDF11 increased serum insulin and pancreatic insulin content, while decreased serum glucagon concentration. The expression of Pdx-1, MafA, Nkx6. 1, and Insulin2 were significantly increased in GDF11 group. GDF11 elevated the expression of P-Smad2 in islets. Conclusion s GDF11 may preserve β-cell function and facilitate the secretion and production of insulin. Diminishing the metabolic abnormalities, alleviating the secretion of glucagon, as well as maintaining the key transcript factor activation may contribute to the amelioration of β-cell function after GDF11 administration. Smad2 pathway may be related to the protective effects of GDF11.

Objective To investigate the effect of growth differentiation factor 11 ( GDF11 ) on aorta in apolipoprotein E-Null( ApoE-/-) mice and its possible mechanisms. Methods Four-week-old healthy male ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat diet for 1 week and were then divided into 4 groups:vehicle group(n=10), GDF11 group (n=10),adeno-associated virus-green fluorescent protein group(AAV-GFP group, n=10), and AAV-GDF11 group ( n=10 ) . The mice received intraperitoneal injection with phosphate buffered saline, GDF11 protein, a single injection of purified AAV-GDF11 or AAV-GFP through the tail vein, respectively. After 4 weeks, serum GDF11/8 level and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation were detected. After 12 weeks, serum GDF11/8, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α), total cholesterol ( TC), triglycerides ( TG), oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL), and free fatty acids(FFA)levels were measured, the plaque areas in aortic enface and cross sections were measured by oil red O or HE staining, the macrophages/T lymphocytes infiltration in plaques were detected with immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were determined by real-time PCR. Results Compared with vehicle or AAV-GFP groups, GDF11 and AAV-GDF11 groups presented improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, decreased levels of blood inflammatory factors, blood lipid, reduced plaque on face area sections[Vehicle group : GDF11 group:(31. 23 ± 3. 12)% vs (17. 18 ± 2. 17) %;AAV-GFP group : AAV-GDF11 group:(38.01±4.43)% vs(14.54±2.86)%,P<0.05]andcrosssections[Vehiclegroup :GDF11 group:(19. 87 ± 2. 11)% vs (10. 32 ± 1. 47)%;AAV-GFP group : AAV-GDF11 group:(23. 02 ± 2. 76)%vs (9.06±1.63)%, P<0. 05]. There were less macrophages and T lymphocytes infiltration in plaques and lower mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors at aortic wall. Conclusion GDF11 reduces the area of atherosclerotic lesion in ApoE-/-mice, which may be involved in endothelial protection, such as to reduce inflammatory reaction, and to change cellular composition in plaques.

Objective: To explore the effect of irisin on atherosclerosis with possible mechanisms in diabetes mellitus (DM) mice. Methods: A total of 30 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: Control group, the mice received citrate buffer solution for modeling control,n=10. DM group, the mice received streptozotocin injection for DM modeling,n=20; the DM group was further divided into 2 subgroups as DM control (DM-C) group, the mice received normal saline injection for 12 weeks and DM + irisin group, the diabetic mice received irisin injection for 12 weeks.n=10 in each subgroup. With 4 weeks of irisin intervention, the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was detected. With 12 weeks of intervention, the blood levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were examined by ELISA, the plaque areas in aortic en face and cross sections were measured by Oil red O or HE staining, the macrophages/T lymphocytes inifltration in plaques were detected with immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α were determined by RT-PCR. Results: Compared with DM-C group, DM + irisin group presented improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, decreased levels of blood inlfammatory factors, reduced plaque on face area sections (22.57 ± 2.17) % vs (35.09 ± 2.38) % and cross sections (19.36 ± 1.85) % vs (25.53 ± 7.87) %,P < 0.05, less macrophages (30.5 ± 2.79) % vs (41.34 ± 9.13) % T and lymphocytes infiltration (28.11 ± 4.24) % vs (35.79 ± 9.11) % in plaques and lower mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors(IL-6: 1.76 ± 0.50 vs 3.78 ± 1.15; TNF-α: 1.05 ± 0.30 vs 2.11 ± 0.48; ICAM-1: 1.96 ± 0.69 vs 2.71 ± 0.72; VCAM-1: 0.87 ± 0.21vs 1.45±0.25; MCP-1: 1.34 ± 0.34 vs 1.77 ± 0.55) at aortic wall, P<0.05.Conclusion: Irisin may improve atherosclerosis condition in ApoE-/- DM mice, the endothelial protection and antiinflammatoryreaction were the important mechanisms. Irisin has the potential for preventing/treating atherosclerosis.

Carrier State ; virology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To investigate the morphology characters of upper airway and its surrounding tissues in different age non-snoring males.Methods Total of 114 non-snoring males,with age-nlnge from 22 to 78 year old,were included in this study.They were divided into 3 groups:30 in younger group (22-29 years old),57 in middle-aged group(36-57 years old),and 31 in aged group(70-78 years old).All subjects had magnetic resonance imping sanning.Results (1)The nasopharynx in aged group was statistically different from that of the younger group and the midge aged group.The volume of nasopharynx in aged group(7.81±1.59)cm3 (χ-±s,same hereinafter) is greater than that in younger group(4.89±1.20)cm3 and middle aged groups(6.06±2.07)cm3.(2)The AP diameter/transverse dimeter of velophatynx,glossopharynx and laryngopharynx in the aged group tended to be smaller.The average value of AP diameter/transverse diameter of velopharynx in aged group is 0.46±0.14.while the value is 0.59±0.14 and 0.57±0.14 in midge and young groups respectively,compared with that of the aged group,there is statistical diffrence(P＜0.01).Further more,the min/max Section area of velophatynx,glossopharynx,hryngopharynx in aged group are smaller than that of young group and midlife groups.(3)The aged group had the thinnest thickness of posterior and lateral velopharyngeal walls,but the largest volume of soft palate and fatpads among all groups.Conclusions In non-snoring males,there is more fat deposition around the upper airway with aging.While the large naxopharynx and large transvdrse diameter of upper airway seem to balance the disadvantaged changes and to benefit the their sleep respiration.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the influence of reducing buccolingual width of artificial crown on distribution of biting force and masticatory efficiency in unilateral distal-extension implant denture and provide valuable information for the design of buccolingual width. To find a design that the biting force of implant prothesis was less evident than those on the contralateral natural teeth without compromising masticatory efficiency.

METHODST-Scan II occlusal analyzer and 722 grating spectrophotometer were used to analyze the distribution of biting force and masticatory efficiency in unilateral distal-extension implant denture. Heat-cured resin crowns with three different buccolingual width (group A: standard buccolingual width; group B: the buccolingual width was reduced by 1/4; group C: the buccolingual width was reduced by 1/3) were designed as follow, one was contoured with standard buccolingual width, the other two were made with reducd buccolingual width by 1/4 and 1/3.

RESULTSThe ratio of biting force (ROF) of group C was 16.25%, which was significantly lower than group A (27.38%) and B (22.60%) (P < 0.0083). The X axis displacement of center of occlusal force (COF) of group C was 2.0 mm, which was significantly difference with group A (1.5 mm, P = 0.004). The masticatory efficiency absorbance A value (MEA) of group C was 0.217, which was significantly lower than group A (0.345, P = 0.005) and B (0.289, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONSAccording to the study, the buccolingual width of the crown reduced by 1/4 was a more ideal design for unilateral distal-extension implant denture.

Adult ; Aged ; Bite Force ; Crowns ; Dental Occlusion ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastication ; Middle Aged ; Spectrophotometry

AIM:Atherosclerosis primarily involved systemic arteries .Luminal surface , a monolayer of endothelial cells , of artery directly exposes to blood and is susceptible to active substances in the blood .Exosomes contain significantly amount of proteins and RNAs .Ex-osomes can be good and bad for cells , depending on their component .Thus, exosomes may contribute to atherosclerosis by affecting endothelial cells .This study analyzed the relationship of exosome proteins and atherosclerosis .METHODS: Fifty-six patients and healthy subjects were recruited and divided into two comparisons:healthy subjects vs atherosclerosis ( HS vs AS) , and hypertension vs hypertension plus atherosclerosis ( HT vs HT+AS) .Serum exosomes were decoded by protein mass spectrometry .The protein profile and function were analyzed by gene ontology ( GO) .RESULTS:It was found that five child terms repeatedly appeared in “response to stimulus” and “immune system process” of BP of the two categories ( HS vs AS and AS vs HT+AS):“positive regulation of innate immune response”,“immune response-activating signal transduction”,”activation of innate immune response”,“innate immune re-sponse-activating signal transduction” and “innate immune response activating cell surface receptor signaling pathway ”.Two child terms repeatedly showed in “binding” of MF of the two categories:“antigen binding” and “enzyme binding”.Two proteins, PSMA6 and PSMA7, were repeatedly shown in the two categories .CONCLUSION:GO analysis was utilized for structure hierarchy “tree” to illustrate these proteins involved in various terms in BP , CC and MF.The PPI analysis supplied proteins which may play potentially im-portant roles in AS process .Innate immune system and blood coagulation pathway contribute to AS formation .The proteins, PSMA6, PSMA7 and Annexin A2, may can be the new target proteins for prevention and treatment of AS .

AIM:To analyze the proteins included in exosomes derived from blood of patients with hypertension and seek the main pathologi -cal changes in hypertension .METHODS:Forty-seven patients and healthy subjects were recruited and divided into two comparisons :healthy subjects vs atherosclerosis ( HS vs AS) , and atherosclerosis vs hypertension plus atherosclerosis ( AS vs HT+AS) .We extrac-ted exosomes from blood and utilized LC-MS/MS to identify the protein expression .We used GO analysis to established the hierarchy programs of biological process and molecular function .PPI was used to find the proteins related to the terms .RESULTS:It was found that three final child terms repeatedly shown in BP of the two categories ( HS vs AS and AS vs HT+AS):“signal transduction in re-sponse to DNA damage”,“response to zinc ion”, and“platelet aggregation”.It was found that two final child terms in MF of the two categories:“interleukin 2 receptor binding” and“ploy(A) RNA binding”.The proteins, PSMA6, PSMA7 and CA2, were related to the terms in the two categories .CONCLUSION: We discovered that the exosome proteins may indicate the pathological changes in hypertension through the biological processes related with the specific proteins .These specific proteins, such as VCL, PSMA6, DP, AKAP, ATP5B and CA2, can be the new indicators for severity of hypertension and new therapeutic targets .

In this study, five rhesus macaques were inoculated intravenously with SIVmac251 to establish a model of simian autoimmune deficiency syndrome (SAIDS). Peripheral blood samples were collected at different time points to monitor changes in the total T cell number and T lymphocyte subset. Plasma viral loads, cytokine expression levels and anti-SIV antibody levels were also assayed to acquire certain basic indexes to evaluate disease progression in the rhesus macaque SAIDS model. During the acute stage of infection, plasma viral loads reached a peak at week 1 post-inoculation and lasted for approximately 3 to 44 weeks. The CD3+ CD4+ T lymphocyte count in peripheral blood also transitorily decreased. During the same period, the level of interferon-gamma show an increasing trend, whereas IL-12 levels decreased; IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were maintained at normal levels or could not be detected. During the asymptomatic and ARC phases, plasma viral loads persisted above 10(4) RNA copies/mL and either increased or declined during the later stages of disease; CD3+ CD4+ counts showed a steadily declining trend and the ratio of CD4 to CD8 decreased during late-stage disease. Moreover, antibodies against viral proteins were detected in the plasma and showed a significant increasing trend, while there were no apparently changes in the levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha. In conclusion, the characteristics of the SIV animal models in our study are similar to those of patients with AIDS. Therefore, the rhesus macaque SIVmac251 infection models can be applied for further studies into AIDS.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; virology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; physiology ; Humans ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ; physiology ; Viral Load

Murine norovirus (MNV) was first discovered in mice in 2003. MNV is a member of the genus Norovirus in the family Caliciviridae. It is one of the most important and prevalent pathogens of laboratory mice, and almost all mouse strains are susceptible to MNV infection. In this study, a MNV strain was isolated from the cecal contents of infected mice and identified by the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, virus plaque assay, 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) assay, electron microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and nucleotide sequencing. On infection, the RAW264.7 cell line showed obvious cytopathic effects within 24 to 48 hours post-inoculation, as infected cells became rounded, bright and shrunken, with ultimate disintegration of the cell sheet. After the isolation of the MNV virus, the virus was plaque-purified in RAW264.7 cells. The TCID50 of the virus was 10(5.25/0.1 mL. Electron microscopic observations of the purified virus showed the presence of spherical and non-enveloped viral particles that were 30 to 35 nm in diameter. According to the identification results, the isolate was named as MNV Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN. Thereafter, five overlapping gene fragments that covered the entire open reading frame (ORF) were amplified by RT-PCR, and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) and 5'-UTR were amplified using the 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and the 5'-RACE method, respectively. Each of the gene fragments were cloned and sequenced, and whole genome sequences of the strain were obtained by assembling the cDNA fragment sequences. The results showed that the length of the complete genome was 7 380 nucleotides (GenBank accession number: HQ317203). The comparison of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the isolate was performed against other MNV strains in the GenBank database. A phylogenetic tree based on VP1 nucleotide sequences was constructed using MEGA5.0 software. The homology of nucleotides between the MNV Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN strain and other MNV isolates ranged from 87.4% to 89.7%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there was a close genetic relationship between the Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN strain and MNV strains isolated from Japan (S7-P2 and S7-PP3 isolates), Korea (K4 isolate), and Germany (Berlin/04/06/DE and Berlin/05/06/DE isolates). This is the first report of the isolation and identification of MNV in China, and the first report of the genetic analysis of its complete genome.
Animals ; Caliciviridae Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Norovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Rodent Diseases ; virology ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics