BACKGROUND: Shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) may be employed for bone repair capable of resisting stress shielding and bone non-union due to the shape memory effect responding to changed external temperature. Evaluating the cytocompatibility of SMPU is important for its further in vivo experiments and applications. However, few have been done to investigate the cytocompatibility of SMPU after encounted from deforming and shape recovering.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the osteoblast compatibility of SMPU before and after stretching-shape recovering process. METHODS: Solvent casting method was used to fabricate SMPU films; the obtained SMPU films were stretched to 200%, and then fixed and finally recovered to its odginal shape at T_g+15 ℃, T_g-15 ℃ and T_g+15 ℃, respectively. Atomic force microscope (AFM) with tapping mode was employed to probe the surface morphology and phase separation of SMPU. Primary osteoblasts at 3-5 passages were seeded on SMPU films in vitro to evaluate the adhesion, proliferation and spreading of osteoblasts. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were obvious and regular phase separation resulted from soft segments and hard segments in SMPU, and some groove-ddge architectures within a scale of micrometers were produced by the stretching-shape recovering process. These special micropatterned structures promoted osteoblast adhesion and proliferation, and also resulted in partially oriented cell growth along the grooves. Shape memory process, i.e. stretching-shape recovering process may obviously change the surface morphology of SMPU films, and suggesting better biocompatibility with osteoblasts.

To investigate the chemical constituents of Saussurea deltoidea, 10 compounds were isolated from the title plant by various chromatography methods such as silica gel, RP-18 silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, HPLC, et al. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. Five isoprenoids and Five phenylpropanoids were isolated and elucidated as (3R, 6R, 7E) -3-hydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-9-one (1), (3S, 5R, 6S, 7E) -5, 6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (2), 3-hydroxy-beta-damascone (3), S-(+) -dehydrovomifoliol (4), megastigman-5-ene-3beta, 9R-diol (5), coniferaldehyde (6), beta-hydroxypropiovanillone (7), 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxyphenyl) -1-propanone (8), dihydrosyringenin (9), 4-[(1S) -3-hydroxy-1-methoxypropyl]-2, 6-dimenthoxyphenol (10). All the compounds were isolated from S. deltoidea for the first time.
Saussurea ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; isolation & purification

Objective To observe the effects of adiponectin (APN) on anxiety-and depression-like behaviors occurred in APP/PS1/tau triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD) model mice and investigate the possible mechanism.Methods The 9-month-old 3xTg-AD mice and wild type (WT) mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=8 for each group):WT+Saline,WT+APN,3xTg-AD+Saline and 3xTg-AD+APN groups.The mouse was chronically intracerebroventricular injection of APN or saline under free moving condition.Elevated plus maze task was used to evaluate the anxiety-like behaviors.Sucrose preference test and tail suspension test were used to evaluate the depression-like behaviors.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of p-AMPK,AMPK,p-GSK-3β (Ser9),GSK-3β and SIRT1 in the hippocampus of each mouse.Results In the elevated plus maze test,the time percentage spent in open arms of 3xTg-AD+Saline mice was ((4.2±2.7) ％),which significantly lower than that in WT+Saline group ((10.1±4.1)％) (q=4.349,P＜0.01) and in 3xTg-AD+APN group ((9.7±3.3)％) (q=4.065,P＜0.01).In the sucrose preference test,the sucrose preference percentage in 3xTg-AD+Saline group((48.8±5.3) ％) was lower than that in WT+Saline group ((60.9±6.7) ％) (q=4.522,P＜0.01) and in 3xTg-AD+APN group ((59.3±6.2)％) (q=3.911,P＜0.05).As for tail suspension test,the immobility time percentage in 3xTg-AD+Saline group((40.7±9.9)％) was higher than that in WT+Saline group ((27.1±4.8)％) (q=5.257,P＜0.001) and in 3xTg-AD+APN group ((31.4±6.0)％) (q=3.624,P＜0.05).The result of Western blot showed that there was no significant difference in expression level of AMPK and GSK-3β among four groups.However,compared with that in WT+Saline group,the expression levels of p-AMPK (q=3.586,P＜0.05),p-GSK-3β (Ser9) (q=3.125,P＜0.05),and SIRT1 (q=3.044,P＜0.05) in 3xTg-AD+Saline group were significantly decreased.In addition,compared with that in 3xTg-AD+Saline group,the expression levels of p-AMPK (q=3.374,P＜0.05) and p-GSK-3β (Ser9) (q=3.063,P＜0.05) in 3xTg-AD+APN group were obviously up-regulated without affecting the SIRT1.Conclusion Adiponectin can effectively alleviate the anxiety-and depression-like behaviors of 9-month-old 3xTg-AD mice by up-regulating the protein expression of p-AMPK and p-GSK-3β (Ser9) in the hippocampus.

Objective To investigate the optimal blood concentration range of tacrolimus(TAC)for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome(NS)in children.Methods Children with NS admitted to the Department of Nephrology and Immunology of Hebei Children's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively selected as study subjects.They were divided into the effective group and the ineffective group according to whether the treatment was effective or not,and the TAC threshold for effective treatment was determined by using the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve.The children with NS were divided into a low concentration group(＜3 ng/mL),a medium concentration group(3-5 ng/mL)and a target concentration group(5-10 ng/mL)according to the TAC concentration,and the relationships between the TAC concentration and the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions was analyzed.Results A total of 160 children were enrolled in the study.The numbers of complete remission(CR),partial remission(PR),and null remission(NR)cases of NS children were 91,37,and 32,respectively,and the treatment was effective in 128 cases(80％).The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the ROC curve(95％CI),sensitivity,specificity,and threshold of the mean trough concentration of TAC for predicting the efficacy of the treatment were 0.779(0.704,0.853),62.5％,84.45％,and 3.33 ng/mL,respectively.In terms of clinical efficacy,CR and PR were lower and NR was higher in the low concentration group compared with the target concentration group(P＜0.05);whereas,CR was lower and PR was higher in the medium concentration group(P＜0.05),and the difference in NR was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).In terms of different hormone-responsive phenotypes of NS,the CR of the low concentration group was lower(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in CR and PR between the medium concentration group and the target concentration group(P＞0.05).As for the different pathological types of NS,CR was lower in the low concentration group when compared with the target concentration group or medium concentration group(P＜0.05);while the differences in CR and PR between the medium concentration group and the target concentration group were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Regarding adverse reactions,the incidence of limb tremor and abnormal blood glucose was significantly higher in the target concentration group than in the other two groups(P＜0.05).In addition,the differences in serious infections and hypertension among the three groups were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion When TAC is used to treat NS in children,the recommended TAC concentration range is 3-5 ng/mL.

Objective:To observe the synaptic plasticity and characteristics of transmembrane calcium flux in the hippocampus of 3xTg-AD mice.Methods:According to different genotypes, 6-month-old mice were divided into two groups: APP/PS1/tau triple transgenic AD (3xTg-AD) model mice and wild type (WT) mice, with 13 mice in each group.Six mice were randomly selected from each group to do in vivo electrophysiological recording.Field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) was evoked by test stimulation, paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) was induced by two stimuli, and long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced by high frequency stimulation (HFS) in the hippocampal CA1 region of mice.The remaining seven mice in each group were used to detect the transmembrane calcium influx and efflux in the slices of hippocampal CA1 region by using non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT). In the electrophysiological and NMT experiments, one mouse fell off respectively.Finally, five mice were enrolled in the electrophysiological experiment and six in the NMT experiment.SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis of all data, and two independent sample t-test was used for comparison between the two groups. Results:(1) In the in vivo electrophysiological experiments, the fEPSP slopes of 3xTg-AD mice and WT mice evoked by test stimulation were stable within 30 min, and the average fEPSP slopes were ((97.8±2.3)%) and ((92.6±12.6)%), respectively.There was no statistical difference of the average fEPSP slopes between the two groups ( t=0.91, P>0.05). After paired-pulse stimulation, the PPF values of 3xTg-AD mice and WT mice were (1.58±0.69) and (1.74±0.17) respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups ( t=0.50, P>0.05). At 30 min and 60 min post-HFS, the LTP values in 3xTg-AD mice were ((104.9±10.9)%) and ((98.0±10.8)%) respectively, which were significantly lower than those in WT mice((156.5±21.3)%, t=4.43, P<0.01; (162.5 ±19.7)%, t=5.92, P<0.01). (2) In NMT experiments, the standardized mean and peak velocities of glutamate-induced Ca 2+ influx in hippocampal CA1 region of 3xTg-AD mice were ((-2 166.0±425.0)%) and ((-3 539.6±1 270.9)%) respectively, which were significantly higher than those in WT mice((-735.3±262.9)%, t=6.81, P<0.01; (-917.3±271.7)%, t=4.89, P<0.01). The standardized average and peak velocities of low Ca 2+ solution-induced Ca 2+ efflux in 3xTg-AD mice were ((1 451.6±297.1)%) and ((1 968.7±227.3)%) respectively, which were significantly lower than those in WT mice((2 579.3±810.9)%, t=2.92, P<0.05; (3 420.4±954.8)%, t=3.31, P<0.01). Conclusion:The hippocampal synaptic plasticity impairment observed in 6-month-old 3xTg-AD may be closely related with the intracellular Ca 2+ overload caused by increased calcium influx and decreased calcium efflux.

Objective:To investigate the effects of TNF-α knockout on liver and spleen neutrophil responses to Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infection in a mouse model. Methods:(1) TNF-α-knockout (TNF-α -/-) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups with six in each group: uninfected WT group, infected WT group, uninfected TNF-α -/- group and infected TNF-α -/- group. The mouse model of bloodstream infection was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of Vibrio vulnificus CGMCC1.1758 (2×10 8 CFU/200 μl), while the mice in the uninfected groups were injected intraperitoneally with equal amount of PBS. (2) Liver immune cells and splenocytes were isolated 4 h after infection and subjected to analyze the percentages and numbers of neutrophils, and the changes in cell viability, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and phagocytosis by flow cytometry. In addition, effects of Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infection on mTOR signaling pathway in murine neutrophils were evaluated in vivo. Results:(1)Compared with the uninfected WT group, the percentages and numbers of neutrophils in liver and spleen tissues of the infected WT group increased significantly. The percentage and number of liver neutrophils were significantly higher in the infected TNF-α -/- group than in the infected WT group, but no significant difference in spleen neutrophils was detected between the two groups. (2) Compared with the infected WT group, the phagocytosis of liver neutrophils rather than that of spleen neutrophils was enhanced in the infected TNF-α -/- group. (3) The survival rates of neutrophils in both liver and spleen were decreased, while the cellular ROS level was significantly increased in the infected WT group compared with those of the uninfected WT group. Compared with the infected WT group, the infected TNF-α -/- group had increased survival rates of both liver and spleen neutrophils, but decreased level of ROS. (4) The levels of p-AKT (S473) in liver and spleen neutrophils of the infected WT group were lower than those of the uninfected WT group. Compared with the infected WT group, the infected TNF-α -/- group had lower level of p-AKT (S473) in liver neutrophils, but higher p-AKT (S473) level in spleen neutrophils. There were no significant differences in p-4E-BP1(T37/46) levels between the uninfected WT group and the infected WT group. The p-4E-BP1 (T37/46) level in liver neutrophils was lower in the infected TNF-α -/- group than in the infected WT group, but no significant difference in p-4E-BP1 (T37/46) levels in spleen neutrophils was observed between the two groups. Conclusions:TNF-α had different effects on the neutrophils in spleen and liver tissues of mice with Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infection. It played a critical role in regulating the recruitment, phagocytic function and mTOR signaling of liver neutrophils after Vibrio vulnificus infection in vivo.

Objective To investigate the association between sleep structure and respiratory events in patients with epilepsy. Methods A total of 95 patients with epilepsy and 66 control patients who attended our hospital from March 2018 to March 2022 were enrolled,and polysomnography was used to compare sleep structure and respiratory events between the epilepsy group and the control group. Results Compared with the control group,the epilepsy group had significant reductions in REM sleep duration and R%,a significant increase in the longest duration of hypoventilation,and a significant reduction in the lowest oxygen saturation. Conclusion Changes in sleep structure are observed in patients with epilepsy,and patients with epilepsy and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome tend to develop hypoxemia.

Objective To Analyze the expression profiles of LncRNAs and mRNAs in ovarian epithelial cancer cell lines by gene mi-croarray, and then provide experimental evidences for investigating the function of LncRNAs associated with ovarian cancer. Methods The differentially expressed LncRNAs and mRNAs in ovarian epithelial cancer cell lines, such as A2780, HO8910 and SKOV3, and ovarian epithelial cell line HOSEpiC were analyzed by gene microarray. The differentially expressed mRNAs were further performed the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The expression levels of six candidate LncRNAs, which had significant difference between the o-varian epithelial cancer cell line and the ovarian epithelial cell line, were further verified by qRT-PCR. Results There were 227 up-regulated LncRNAs and 483 down-regulated LncRNAs in A2780, HO8910 and SKOV3 cell lines. The differentially expressed mRNAs in A2780, HO8910 and SKOV3 cell lines were mainly enriched in the tumor-related pathways such as PI3K-AKT, mTOR and TNF-α( P<0.05) . The expression levels of PTPRG-AS1, CCNT2-AS1, XLOC 009869 and LINC01138 in ovarian epithelial cancer A2780, SKOV3 and OVCR3 cell lines were up-regulated (P<0.05), while those of RP11-252P19.2 and RP11-744I24.2 in ovarian epithelial cancer A2780, SKOV3, OVCR3 and 3AO cell lines were down-regulated ( P<0.05) . Conclusion The differentially expressed LncR-NAs and mRNAs in ovarian epithelial cancer cell lines may be obtained by gene microarray, and the differentially expressed mRNAs are associated with the tumor-related pathways such as PI3K-AKT, mTOR and TNF-α, which may provide new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.