Objective To study the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) mRNA in re-nal tissue after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and to investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on renal IRI and its mechanism. Methods Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(n =6), a renal IRI group (n=18) and an HBO treatment group (n=18). Renal IRI models were established in all the rats. The plasma levels of Cr in the experimental groups were then measured after 1, 3 and 5 hours. The expres-sion of HIF-1α mRNA was also detected using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Kidney tissue sections were preserved for ultrastructure examination. Results (1) The average levels of plasma Cr in the renal IRI group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Compared with the renal IRI group, plasma Cr was significantly lower in the HBO treatment group. (2) The average expression of HIF-1α mRNA was significantly lower an hour after reperfusion, but significantly higher after 3 hours than in the control group. There was no significant difference by the 5th hour after reperfusion. In the HBO treatment group, HIF-1α mRNA was up-regulated significantly at the 1st and 3rd hour after reperfusion compared with the renal IRI group, but it was reduced significantly by the 5th hour after reperfusion. (3) The severity of the kidney injury increased gradually with time in the renal IRI group. After HBO treatment, however, the damage to the renal tissues decreased significantly. Conclusions HIF-1α mRNA plays an important role in the development of renal IRI. The damage to renal tissues and renal function improves significantly after reperfusion and HBO treatment through earlier priming and up-regulating of HIF-1α mRNA expression. HBO should be applied early to help prevent renal IRI.

Objective:To explore the expressions of miRNAs related to accelerating senescence in serum of the patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and to clarify their effects in the pathogenesis of aMIC.Methods:The levels of miRNAs related to accelerating senescence (miR-132, miR-193b, miR-130b, miR-20a, miR-296, miR-329 and miR-206) were measured in the serum of the patients with aMCI (aMCI group,n=66) and healthy controls(control group,n=76) using quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).The genes targeted by the altered miRNAs were predicted by TargetScan 6.0.DAVID was used to analyze the function of miRNA target genes.The serum levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and silent in formation regulator 1(SIRT1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.Results:The expression levels of miR-206 and miR-132 in serum of the patients in aMCI group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05).BDNF and SIRT1 were both target genes of miR-206 and miR-132.The levels of BDNF (29.50 μg·L-1± 3.13 μg·L-1) and SIRT1 (1.86 μg·L-1± 0.25 μg·L-1) in serum of the patients in aMCI group were both obviously lower than those in control group (BDNF: 32.29 μg·L-1±3.66 μg·L-1;SIRT1: 2.10 μg·L-1± 0.29 μg·L-1, P<0.05).Conclusion:The expression levels of miR-206 and miR-132 in serum of the aMCI patients are significantly up-regulated.Both of them might be involved in the pathogenesis of aMCI through inhibiting the BDNF and SIRT1 expressions.

Background Researches showed that transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) promotes the activity of human Tenon capsular fibroblasts (TFs),which plays a role in the scarring of filtering blebs after antiglaucoma surgery.However,its mechanism is not fully clear.Lysyl oxidases (LOXs) are important extracellular matrix proteases which can catalyze the cross-linking of collagen and elastin.Investigating the impact of TGF-β2 on the expression of LOXs has a great significance for the understanding of the pathogenesis of filtering bleb scarring and its prevention.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of TGF-β2 on the expression of LOXs in cultured human TFs.Methods The TFs at 4-8 generations were divided into normal control group and different concentrations of TGF-β2 treated-groups,and 100,200,400,800 μ1 of TGF-β2 with the final concentration of 2,4,8 and 16 ng/ml was added into the medium to treat human TFs respectively for 24 hours.The LOXs in the cells were detected by Western blot to determine the optimal dose of TGF-β2.The 4 ng/ml TGF-β2(200 μ1) was used to treat human TFs for 6,12,24 and 48 hours respectively,and the change of LOXs expression in the cells over time was assayed by Western blot.The expression and distribution of LOX protein in the normal cells and TGF-β2-treated cells was detected by using immunofluorescence technique.This study was approved by Daping Hospital of Third Military Medical University Ethic Commission.The guardians of the patients who offered the specimen knew the purpose of the study and signed informed consent.Results Western blot assay showed that the expressions of LOX,LOXL1,LOXL2,LOXL3 and LOXL4 in the cells were gradually elevated from the normal control group and 2,4,8,16 ng/ml TGF-β2-treated groups,showing significant differences among the groups (F =37.338,13.438,31.067,11.767,15.167,all at P＜0.01).The expression of LOXL2 protein in the cells was 0.68±0.07,1.09±0.10,1.32±0.07,1.50± 0.06 and 1.89±0.12 in the normal control group and 6-,12-,24-and 48-hour groups respectively after 4 ng/ml TGF-β2 treatment,with a significant increase over time (F =82.832,P=0.000).The expression of LOX was weak in the normal cultured TFs,while the fluorescence intensity of LOX expression was evidently enhanced in the cytoplasm of the cells in the TGF-β2-treated group.Conclusions TGF-β2 upregulates the expressions of LOXs in human TFs in a dose-and time-dependent manner,which probably offers a basis for the further study on the prevention of filtering bleb scarring after glaucoma surgery.

Objective Sperm screening is an essential step in IVF procedures. The swim-up method, an assay on sperm motility, is used clinically to select the ideal sperm for subsequent manipulation. However, additional parameters, including acrosome reaction capability, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis are also important indicators of mammalian sperm health. To monitor both sperm motility and chemotaxis simultaneously during sperm screening, we designed and constructed a microdevice comprising a straight channel connected with a bi-branch channel that mimics the mammalian female reproductive tract. Methods The width and length of the straight channel were optimized to select the motile sperm. Cumulus cells were selectively cultured in the bi-branch channel to generate a chemoattractant-forming chemical gradient. Sperm chemotaxis was represented by the ratio of the sperm swimming towards different branches. Results The percentage of motile sperm was improved from ( 58. 5 ± 3. 8 ) % to ( 82. 6±2.9)% by a straight channel 7 mm in length and 1 mm in width. About 10% of sperm were found chemotactically responsive in our experiment, which is consistent with previous studies. Conclusion The combined evaluation of both sperm motility and chemotaxis was achieved for the first time, and the motile and chemotactically responsive sperm can be easily enriched on a lab-on-a-chip device to improve IVF outcome.

Objective To observe the incidence of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in obese acute pancreatitis (AP) patients with medical treatment, and evaluate the impact of obesity in AP progression.Methods A multicenter prospective controlled study was conducted. APACHE Ⅱ scoring system was used to evaluate the severity of AP. Results 161 patients with mild AP(MAP) were enrolled, according to the cut-off point of 25 kg/m2, these patient were divided into obese group (79 patients) and non-obese group (82patients). The levels of CRP, hypertriacylglycerolemia, complication rate, incidence of SAP and mortality were observed under the circumstance of identical medical treatment. The levels of CRP in obese group and non-obese group were (117±109 ) mg/L and (35±36 ) mg/L(P<0.01). The number of obese patients with hypertriacylglycerolemia was two times as many as that in non-obese patients, but there was no significantly difference. There was no local complication in both groups, but the incidence of systematic complication in obese patients (20.3%) was significantly higher than that in non-obese group (6.1%, P<0.01). 16patients (20.3%) in obese group progressed into SAP, which was significantly higher than that in non-obese group (5 patients, 6.1%, P<0.01). One patient(1.3%) died in obese group, but no one died in non-obese group. In MAP patients with APACHE Ⅱ 4～7 points, the incidence of SAP (43.3%) in obese group was significantly higher than that in non-obese group (18.5%, P<0.05). Conclusions Obese MAP patients with APACHE Ⅱ 4～7 points were prone to develop into SAP. More aggressive interventions are needed.

Objective To introduce the application experience of a new steel bar used in minimally invasive surgery for pectus carinatum.Methods From January to October 2018, Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of Shanghai Xinhua Hospital performed a minimally invasive surgery for 25 cases of patients with pectus carinatum used a new type of steel bar.All 25 pa-tients were male, aged 10 -17 years, with an average age of(13.80 ±1.66)years.The application experience of the new bar in pectus carinatum minimally invasive surgery was summarized .Results All operations were successfully completed .The op-eration time was 35-100 min, averaged(73.44 ±17.49)min, postoperative hospital stay was 3 -6 days, averaged(3.68 ± 0.85)days.Postoperative complications included 5 cases of pneumothorax(the lung compression was about 2％ -10％, not necessary for surgical intervention).One case occured wound healing delay 1 month after operation, and healed after no surger-cal treatment.The other patients recovered smoothly.Conclusion The new steel bar is convenient to use, greatly reduces the difficulty of the pectus carinatum surgery procedure , also reduced surgical trauma and complications , has a good application prospect.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of high mobility group boxl (HMGBI) gene silence on adriamycin (ADM)-induced apoptosis in K562/A02 drug resistance leukemia cells.

METHODSK562/ A02 cells were transient transfected with HMGB1- small interference RNA(siRNA) vector, and the levels of HMGB1 gene differential expression pre-and post-transfection were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of ADM on K562/A02 was determined by WST-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The release of Smac/DIABLO from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm was assayed by Western blotting. Activity of Caspase-3 was assayed with a Caspase Colorimetric Assay Kit.

RESULTS(1) The HMGB1 expression at mRNA and protein levels in HMGB1 siRNA transfected K562/A02 cells were decreased by 86% and 71% respectively compared with control. (2) Suppression of HMGB1 by siRNA in K562/A02 cells resulted in a reversal of the resistance to ADM, and decreased IC50 from (4.83 +/- 0.08) microg/ml to (1.33 +/- 0.10) microg/ml. 1 microg/ml and 5 microg/ml of ADM treatment increased cell apoptotic rate by 27% and 32% respectively. (3) HMGB1 suppression in K562/A02 cells significantly promoted ADM- induced Smac/DIABLO release from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, and increased the activities of Caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONHMGB1 gene silence can enhance sensitivity of K562/A02 cells to ADM and reverse cell resistant to ADM.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Gene Silencing ; HMGB1 Protein ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

To study the secondary metabolites of a marine-derived fungus Ascotricha sp. ZJ-M-5, several chromatographic methods including macroporous resin, silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20 were used to isolate the compounds, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods. Ten compounds were obtained and identified as ascotrichic acid B (1), (3R)-6-hydroxymellein (2), beta-carboline (3), (22E, 24R)-ergosta-7, 22-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta-triol (4), (22E, 24R)-ergosta-7, 22-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 9alpha-tetraol (5), cyclo (Leu-Pro) (6), cyclo (Ile-Leu) (7), cyclo (Pro-Val) (8), cyclo (Pro-Gly) (9), and cyclo (Hpro-Ala) (10). Among them, compound 1 is a new 3, 4-seco-lanostane triterpenoid which has been isolated from the filamentous fungi for the first time, and compounds 2-10 are firstly isolated from Ascotricha genus.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ascomycota ; chemistry ; Carbolines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dipeptides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Humans ; Lanosterol ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Peptides, Cyclic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Objective To analyze miR-10b expression level and the gene upstream methylation level in schwannomas so as to explore and identify the potential target genes for miR-10b in schwannomas .Methods The miR-10b with its potential target genes including HOXB 3 ,HOXD10 ,PTEN ,PIK3CA ,MAPRE1 and HADC4 were quantitatively analyzed by PCR in 13 cases of schwannomas and 6 cases of human vestibulocochlear nerves . We studied the correlation between the differentially expressed genes and the clinical characteristics of schwannomas . Finally ,the differences in miR-10b gene upstream methylation levels were measured and analyzed by pyrosequencing between schwannomas and normal vestibulocochlear nerves .Results Compared with that of normal nerves ,the expression level of miR-10b was significantly higher (P=0 .0003) while the level of PTEN was lower (P=0 .0047) in schwannomas .Negative correlation existed between the levels of miR-10b and PTEN (P=0 .001 , r= -0 .689) . Moreover ,the methylation level of the miR-10b gene promoter was downregulated in schwannomas ;it had negative correlation with the expression level of miR-10b (P= 0 .011 , r= -0 .571) .There was a significant difference in tumor mass diameter between miR-10b higher expression group and lower group (P=0 .016);however ,there was no difference in age or recurrence rate (P>0 .05) .Conclusion The downregulation of methylation level of the promoter leads to higher expression of miR-10b gene ,and it may targetedly inhibit the expression of PTEN .

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of RAS protein in human glioma tissues and its influence on tumor growth.

METHODSRAS protein expression in glioma tissues was determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Subsequently, MTT cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to assay U251 cells with reduced RAS expression.

RESULTSThe expression of RAS in glioma was increased and strongly correlated with pathological grade. Downregulation of RAS resulted in glioma cells growth suppression and increased apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of RAS protein in human glioma was increased. Downregulation of RAS can inhibit glioblastoma cell growth through the RAS signal pathway.

Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Growth Processes ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Glioma ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; ras Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics