In our research, we let 30 cases with parturient hypertension syndrome (PHS) as the experimental group and 30 other cases of normal pregnancy as the control group. The Cu, Zn and Cd of each sample collected from maternal serum, umbilical serum and placenta were surveyed by means of the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results chowed as follows: 1.The maternal serum Zn level of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (P0.05) in the Zn, Cu level and Cu/Zn ratio of the umbilical serum and placenta between the experimental and control group. 4. There was no coordination in the Zn, Cu lenel and Cu/Zn ratio (r0.05) between 2 groups, but the Zn level and Cu/Zn ratio of the placenta and umbilical serum showed coordination between the 2 groups (Zn: r=0.44, p

BACKGROUND:Stem cel transplantation is a new method for blinding eye disease. But there is a lack of research about the protective effect of retinal stem cel transplantation on retinal ganglion cel s in glaucoma. OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effect of retinal stem cel transplantation on retinal ganglion cel s of rats with glaucoma. METHODS:Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=15 per group) including control, model and retinal stem cel transplantation groups. Rat models of glaucoma were prepared in the latter two groups, and at 7 days after modeling, rats in the three groups were given intravitreal injection of 1 mL retinal stem cel s (5x106 cel s), the same amount of PBS, and no treatment, respectively. Subsequently, relative indicators were detected at 2 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and insulin-like growth factor I protein as wel as the number of retinal ganglion cel s were the highest in the control group, fol owed by the retinal stem cel transplantation group model group, and the lowest in the model group (P<0.05). The number of apoptotic retinal ganglion cel s in model group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05), and which in the retinal stem cel transplantation group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05), but higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). These results suggest that retinal stem cel transplantation for rat glaucoma can exert a protective effect on retinal ganglion cel s.

BACKGROUND:Studies have found that a variety of biological materials can be used for preparing corneal stroma scaffolds that have good biocompatibility, but research on preparation and biocompatibility of the acel ular porcine corneal stroma scaffold is little. OBJECTIVE:To explore the preparation and biocompatibility of the acel ular porcine corneal stroma scaffold. METHODS:Acel ular porcine corneal stroma scaffold and its extract were prepared. Wel-grown human corneal stromal cel s were selected and cultured in the extract of acel ular porcine corneal stroma scaffold (experimental group) or in the complete medium (control group), respectively. After 1, 2 and 3 days of culture, the proliferation ability of human corneal stromal cel s was detected by MTT assay. In the meanwhile, human corneal cel s were directly seeded onto the acel ular porcine corneal stroma scaffold, and then the cel growth on the scaffold was detected using immunochemical method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The number of human corneal stromal cel s was in a rise with time in the two groups, and absorbance values had no significant difference between two groups at different time points of culture. Human corneal stromal cel s grew wel on the scaffold, and were positive for cel integrinβ1, vimentin, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1, as wel as CD34, CDK2 and K-Ras. These results show that the acel ular porcine corneal stroma scaffold has no cytotoxicity, and has good biocompatibility.

Objective To observe the effects of treadmill training at different intensities on the expression of p-AKT in rats' gastrocnemius muscles after focal cerebral ischemia,and to investigate whether intensive training is beneficial for the recovery of motor function.Methods Left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in 120 male Wistar rats using the intraluminal thread method,and they were divided into an MCAO group (no training),a normal training group (treadmill training once a day for 30 min) and an intensive training group (treadmill training twice a day for 60 min),each of 30 rats.There was also a sham control group with 30 members not given MCAO or training.The four groups were further divided into 3 day,7 day and 14 day subgroups.Five rats randomly selected from each subgroup were sacrificed for hematoxylin-eosin staining after 4％ paraformaldehyde treatment.Neurological function was evaluated using Zausinger scores,and the expression of p-Akt was detected by western blotting.Results No significant differences in Zausinger scores were observed between the intensive training group and the normal training group after 1,3 or 7 days of training.However the average Zausinger score in the intensive training group was significantly higher than in the normal training group after 14 d of treadmill training.After 7 d and 14 d of treadmill training the average cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscles in the sham group was significantly higher than in the other three groups.The average area of the intensive training group was significantly larger than that of the normal training group.The expression of p-Akt in the gastrocnemius was significantly increased in the intensive training group compared with the normal training group in the 7 day and 14 day subgroups.Conclusion Treadmill training can improve the expression of p-Akt in atrophied gastrocnemius muscles caused by MCAO.Intensive training is more effective for the recovery of muscle function.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect and influential factors of intrauterine device (IUD) after insertion under B-type ultrasound guidance. Methods A total of 434 healthy women of childbearing potential, aged for 18 to 40 years were enrolled. After IUD insertion under ultrasound guidance, the uterine profile was observed during the procedure and the patients’ biological characteristic was recorded and gynecologic examiation was performed at month 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 during following up. All data were analyzed with SPSS software. Results There was no accident in operation.In 18 months after IUD insertion, the pregnancy rate with IUD was 1.94%,the expulsion rate was 4.59% and the removal rate was 5.54%. The risk factors of expulsion were the history with cesarean delivery and artificial abortion plus IUD insertion (P

Objective: This study was to investigate the effects of MEHP on isolated rat heart and explore its mechanism. Methods: The experiments were performed with Langendorff-perfused rat heart with a Langendorff apparatus. 35 SD rats were used in the experiment and there were 5 rats per group. MEHP at doses of 3.125, 6.250, 12.500 and 25.000 μmol/L were given to the hearts for 25 minutes. Effects of NAC at concentration of 5 mmol/L were evaluated by co-treatment with 12.500 or 25.000 μmol/L MEHP. Data was collected per 5 minutes for 25 minutes. The heart rate, LVDP, LVEDP, dp/dtmax, and dp/dtmin were measured and analyzed using a PL3508 Data Acquisition and Analysis System. 200 waves at least were required each time. LDH contents in heart lavage fluid were determined by photometric assays using the automated biochemical analyzer. A section of the heart tissue was used for histopathological examination. DCFH-DA method was used to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species in different groups of heart tissues. Results: There was a concentration dependent decrease of heart rate (P<0.05) . At concentrations of 6.250, 12.500 and 25.000 μmol/L, MEHP significantly decreased the LVDP, dp/dtmax and dp/dtmin (P<0.05) , and this decrease is more pronounced with perfusion time. As the MEHP was given up to 6.250, 12.500 and 25.000 μmol/L, a statistical significance was found in the increase of LVEDP (P<0.05) . For dp/dtmin, a significant increase was observed at the concentration of 3.125 μmol/L when perfused with 10 and 15 min (P<0.05) , but this increase disappeared over time. LDH in cardiac perfusate increased as the MEHP given a higher concentration (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, Histopathological analysis showed edema of myocardial tissue and cells, and inflammatory cells infiltration and myocardial cells necrosis were obvious in the MEHP perfusion groups. Myocardial ROS levels of the four MEHP treatment groups were all significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05) . These heart damage induced by MEHP could be attenuated by NAC in different degrees. Conclusion MEHP can induce damage to myocardial tissue of isolated rat heart and one possible mechanism is the oxidative stress

Phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM) is a key enzyme in glycolytic pathways. With PCR technique based on an EST identified in our lab, a novel gene named SjPGAM (GenBank Accession No. EU374631) was cloned. Sequence analysis revealed that the ORF of SjPGAM gene contained 753 nucleotides, encoding 250 amino acids, and the molecular weight was about 28.26 kD. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the mRNA level of SjPGAM was much higher in the 14 days and 19 days schistosomula than other stages, suggesting that the gene was a schistosomula stage differential expression gene. The SjPGAM cDNA fragment was subcloned into an expression vector pET-28a (+) and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 cells. In the presence of IPTG, the 31 kD fusion protein was expressed in included bodies. Western blotting revealed that the fusion protein could be recognized by the rabbit serum anti-Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen preparation. The study provides important basis for investigating the mechanism of the PGAM in the glycolytic pathways of Schistosoma japonnicum.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphoglycerate Mutase ; genetics ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Schistosoma japonicum ; enzymology ; genetics ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; immunology ; parasitology

AIM: To study the degree of astigmatism, axial distribution and axial symmetry pattern of binocular astigmatism in primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 years with myopia.METHODS:A total of 239 cases(478 eyes)of primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 years who underwent keratoplasty for myopia correction at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2020 to 2022 were randomly selected, and optometry was performed under ciliary muscle paralysis and was statistically analyzed.RESULTS:Astigmatism degree: 0.25 to 1.00 D accounted for 78.5%, 1.25 to 2.00 D accounted for 17.1%, and >2.00 D accounted for 4.4%. The axial distribution of astigmatism: 86.6% was astigmatism with the rule, 5.9% was astigmatism against the rule, and 7.5% was oblique astigmatism; both genders and different astigmatism degrees were dominated by astigmatism with the rule, and there were differences with the other two axes(both P<0.05). Axial symmetry pattern of astigmatism: the median axial difference in astigmatism between the direct symmetry model and the mirror symmetry model was 7° and 10°, respectively, with no statistical significance in both models(P=0.158), and there was no difference between the two in gender, degree of astigmatism, and axial distribution of astigmatism, but in the age group of 7-12 years old, the difference between the axial astigmatism of the direct symmetry model and the mirror symmetry model was statistically significant(P=0.027).CONCLUSION:The axial distribution of binocular astigmatism in myopic primary and middle school students is mostly astigmatism with the rule; the degree of astigmatism is more common from 0.25 to 1.0 D; however, there is no tendency for axial symmetry pattern of astigmatism.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between plasma microRNA126 (miR-126) level and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) formation and to determine whether the miR-126 in plasma could serve as a blood-based biomarker for CCC in patients with severely narrowed coronary arteries (CAD).

METHODSIn this prospective study, a total of 120 consecutive CAD patients with ≥ 95% stenosis in one epicardial coronary artery were enrolled. Thirty healthy people served as normal control. They were divided into two groups according to Rentrop grades: patients with grade 2 and 3 collateral development (good CCC group, n = 64) and patients with grade 0 and 1 collateral development (poor CCC group, n = 56). Plasma miR-126 was measured by RT-PCR and serum VEGF was evaluated by ELISA method.

RESULTSFasting plasma glucose (FPG) was significantly lower in patients with good CCC than in patients with poor CCC ((5.99 ± 1.48) mmol/L vs. (6.40 ± 2.50) mmol/L). Plasma miR-126 levels and VEGF levels were significantly lower in CAD patients than in healthy people (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.07 ± 0.02, P = 0.023 and (2 110 ± 455) ng/L vs. (2 574 ± 450) ng/L, P = 0.011, respectively). miR-126 and VEGF levels were significantly higher in good CCC group than in poor CCC group (miR-126: 0.06 ± 0.02 vs. 0.03 ± 0.01, P = 0.021;VEGF:(2 549 ± 614) ng/L vs. (1 759 ± 452) ng/L, P = 0.008) . In CAD patients with good CCC, the miR-126 level was positively correlated to the VEGF expression (r = 0.712, P = 0.005) while there was no correlation between miR-126 level VEGF in CAD patients with poor CCC (r = 0.342, P = 0.483) . Multivariate analysis revealed that plasma miR-126 (OR = 2.145, 95% CI 1.691-2.988, P = 0.001) and VEGF (OR = 1.279, 95% CI 1.068-2.295, P = 0.013) were independent predictors of collateral formation in patients with severely narrowed coronary arteries. In CAD patients, the area under the miR-126 ROC curve is 0.951 (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONPlasma miR-126 level is positively correlated to the CCC formation and is an independent predictor of CCC development in patients with severely narrowed coronary arteries, suggesting that plasma miR-126 might be a useful new, stable blood biomarker for predicting CCC formation in patients with severely narrowed coronary arteries.

Biomarkers ; Collateral Circulation ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Disease ; Heart ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; blood ; Multivariate Analysis ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve

The development of broad-spectrum antivirals against human coronaviruses (HCoVs) is critical to combat the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, as well as future outbreaks of emerging CoVs. We have previously identified a polyethylene glycol-conjugated (PEGylated) lipopeptide, EK1C4, with potent pan-CoV fusion inhibitory activity. However, PEG linkers in peptide or protein drugs may reduce stability or induce anti-PEG antibodies in vivo. Therefore, we herein report the design and synthesis of a series of dePEGylated lipopeptide-based pan-CoV fusion inhibitors featuring the replacement of the PEG linker with amino acids in the heptad repeat 2 C-terminal fragment (HR2-CF) of HCoV-OC43. Among these lipopeptides, EKL1C showed the most potent inhibitory activity against infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its spike (S) mutants, as well as other HCoVs and some bat SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) tested. The dePEGylated lipopeptide EKL1C exhibited significantly stronger resistance to proteolytic enzymes, better metabolic stability in mouse serum, higher thermostability than the PEGylated lipopeptide EK1C4, suggesting that EKL1C could be further developed as a candidate prophylactic and therapeutic for COVID-19 and other coronavirus diseases.