BACKGROUND:Liquiritin has the protective and nutritive effects on neural stem cells. However, the effect of liquiritin on neural stem cells from the brain of mouse embryos remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of liquiritin on the proliferation of neural stem cells from the brain of mouse embryos. METHODS:Neural stem cells were separated from the embryonic brain of Kunming white mice at the gestational age of 14 days. The identification of embryonic neural stem cells was performed by immunocytochemistry method. The expression of neural stem cells-special genes was determined by qRT-PCR. The cell growth curve was drawn and proliferation of embryonic neural stem cells treated with 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 g/L liquiritin for 48 hours was measured by MTT assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) When cultured at day 5, al individual neural stem cells gathered together into neurospheres; with the extension of time, the neurospheres were enlarged, and gathered together into larger cell masses. (2) Results from immunocytochemistry showed that all the floating neurospheres was nestin-positive. Data from qRT-PCR revealed a higher expression of nestin mRNA, but there was no expression of neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the neural stem cells. (4) The growth of neural stem cells was slow at the beginning. After 2-3 days, the cell proliferation quickly entered the exponential phase. After 4 days, the cell proliferation gradually slowed down, and the overall cell growth entered into the platform period. (5) The cell proliferation after treatment with 2, 4 or 8 g/L liquiritin was faster than that in the control group (0 g/L). To conclude, 2-8 g/L liquiritin could increase the proliferation of neural stem cells from the brain of mouse embryos.

BACKGROUND: Salvianolic acid B can ease nerve injury and promote neurogenesis, but its effects on proliferation,apoptosis and differentiation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus remain unclear.OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of salvianolic acid B on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of rat hippocampal neural stem cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation.METHODS: Hippocampal neural stem cells were isolated from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats, and divided into six groups, five of which were cultured in an incubator containing anaerobic mixtures (1% O2, 5% CO2 and 94% N2) for 150minutes followed by treatment with different concentrations of salvianolic acid B (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/L), respectively.After 4 days of intervention, MTT was used to detect cell proliferation. After 48 hours of intervention, flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis in the hippocampus. After 5 days of culture, flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the percentage of cells positive for neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Normally cultured cells acted as controls (normoxic group).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the normoxic group, the proliferation of neural stem cells was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and the rate of apoptosis was increased in the oxygen-glucose deprivation group (P <0.01). After treatment with different concentrations of salvianolic acid B, the cell viability and the ratio of neurons in total cells were increased, and the ratio of astrocytes was decreased, especially in 20 and 40 mg/L groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these results suggest that salvianolic acid B alleviates adverse effects of oxygen-glucose deprivation on neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.

AIM :To investigate the association of primary open-glaucoma (POAG), intraocular pressure (IOP) and systemic blood pressure in a rural population aged 50 years old or above in Shaanxi Province, China.METHODS: In the population-based, cross-sectional study, 1 775 (83.53%) residents, aged 50 years old or above, from 3 counties of Shaanxi Province, China, undertook an interview with a standard questionnaire and a detailed eye examination, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry and dilated fundus examination. Two blood pressure reading in the sitting position were taken. Gonioscopy was performed if a narrower peripheral anterior chamber (less than one fourth of the corneal thickness) was indicated. Automated visual field testing was performed by participants assessed to have suspicion of glaucomatous disc damage or if IOP was 22mmHg or higher.RESULTS: IOP significantly correlated with systemic blood pressure, and both IOP and systolic blood pressure increased significantly with increasing age. No association between POAG and hypertension was found. The frequency of POAG increased significantly with lower diastolic perfusion pressure.CONCLUSION: Data in our study are accordance with those reported in other population-based studies, and confirm that lower diastolic perfusion pressure is a significant risk factor for primary open angle glaucoma.

AIM: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a rural population in Shaanxi Province of China.METHODS: A total of 2 835 (81.00%) people aged 40 years old or more, from Fuping county, Jingbian county and Yang county of Shaanxi Province, China, underwent a comprehensive interview and a relative eye examination. The present of AMD was classified into neovascular AMD (NV) and pure geographic atrophy (GA) by using direct ophthalmoscopy for fundus examination according to International Classification System.RESULTS: The prevalence (95% CI) of AMD was 3.00% (2.42, 3.71) in this population, of which NV accounted for 1.45% (1.05, 1.98) and 1.55% (1.14, 2.10)for GA. The prevalence of AMD increased significantly with increasing age (P ＜0.001). AMD was present in 0.47% of participants aged 40 to 49 years, rising to 11.90% of participants older than 80 years, of which the corresponding data increased from 0.28% to 4.76% for NV and from 0.19% to 7.14% for GA. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of NA and GA between genders in this population. With multiple logistic analyses, apart from advancing age, only smoking was found to have a strong association with any type of AMD.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AMD in the rural population of Shaanxi Province of China is lower than that reported from other population-based studies in different provinces of China, less than that reported in whites, more than that reported in blacks. Except increasing age, smoking is also a significant well-known risk factor for AMD.

· AIM: To assess the prevalence and related risk factors for primary angle-closure glaucoma in a rural population for 40 years of age or older in Shaanxi Province.· METHODS: By using a stratified, cluster-based, random sampling technique, 8 500 persons of all ages were selected randomly, including 3 500 those aged 40 years or more, from the North, the South and the Middle of Shaanxi Province in Western China from July to December in 2003. All participants had an interview with a standard questionnaire and those questions related to glaucoma of previous diagnosis and treatment, family history and outbreak history. Then a detailed and relative eye examination was performed, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, external eye examination with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination. The intraocular pressure was measured with Perkins applanation tonometry to those persons aged 50 years old or more and those with suspected increased IOP. A further examination was performed to those persons with suspicious glaucoma, including repeated tonometric examination, gonioscopy, dark room test, automated visual field testing, et al.·RESULTS: 6 815 of the eligible 8 500 persons of all ages were interviewed and examined from July to December in 2003, a response rate of 80.18%, including 2835 of the eligible 3 500 persons of 40 years old or more with a response rate of 81.00%. According to Van Herick method, the percentage of shallow peripheral anterior chamber was 13.6%, of which 10.4% was in grade 2, 3.0% in grade 1, and 0.2% in grade 0. In this rural population for 40 years of age or older 31 participants were found to have primary angle-closure glaucoma, with the prevalence of 1.09%. With multiple logistic analyses, the prevalence increased significantly with age (P=0.008), whereas no significant difference (Pgender=0.180, Peducation=0.199) was found in the rate with gender and education, although women and illiteracy seemed to be at increased risk of the disease (OR: 1.77, 95%CI,0.77-4.10; OR: 1.71, 95%CT, 0.76-3.87). Of 31 participants, 21 persons (67.74%) had not been previously diagnosed and treated. Of 10 participants previously diagnosed, 6 (60%) had been received peripheral iridectomy; nevertheless, no any other treatments were performed. 48.39% participants suffered from visual impairment in various degrees, of which the percentage of blindness in either eye accounted for 29.03%. Of those with primary angle-closure glaucoma, 22 persons (70.97%) were classified as having chronic from of the disease.· CONCLUSION: In this rural population in Shaanxi Province of China, the rate of occludable angles is 13.6%, more common than that reported previously in other Chinese populations. The prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma is close to that from other Asian populations, increasing with age. A majority of glaucoma was undiagnosed and untreated previously.

· AIM: To assess the prevalence and related risk factors of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a rural population in Shaanxi Province.· METHODS: By using a stratified, duster-based, random sampling technique, 8 500 persons of all ages were selected randomly, from the North, the South and the Middle of Shaanxi Province from July to December in 2003. All participants had an interview with a standard questionnaire and those questions related to glaucoma of previous diagnosis and treatment, family history and outbreak history. Then a detailed and relative eye examination was performed, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, external eye examination with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination. The intraocular pressure was measured with Perkins applanation tonometry to those persons aged 50years old or more and those with suspected increased IOP. A further examination was performed to those persons with suspicious glaucoma, including repeated tonometric examination, gonioscopy, dark room test, automated visual field testing, et al.· RESULTS: 6 815 of the eligible 8 500 persons of all ages were interviewed and examined from July to December in 2003, a response rate of 80.18%. 9 participants were found to have POAG, with the prevalence of 0.13%, age ranging from 38 to 80 years (mean year:62.0). In those aged 30 years old or more, the prevalence of the disease was 0.23%, 0.28% and 0.39% for those more than 40 and 50 years old, respectively. The rate of suspicious POAG was 0.18% (12 cases) with age ranging from 35 to 77 years (mean year: 54.7). With multiple logistic analyses, the prevalence increased significantly with age (P=0.023). Other than increasing age, myopia was also a strong risk factor for POAG. Of 9participants with POAG, only 2 cases (22.22%) had been previously diagnosed. No one with POAG was received any treatment previously. 66.67% (6 cases) participants with POAG suffered from visual impairment in various degrees secondary to POAG. The percentage of blindness in either eye was 33.33%.· CONCLUSION: The prevalence of POAG is close to that from other Chinese populations, increasing with age. A majority of glaucoma was undiagnosed and untreated previously.

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of adenosine and exercise stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for detecting coronary heart disease (CHD) in women. Methods One hundred and thirty-eight patients with CHD were randomly divided into two groups: adenosine stress group (n = 69)and exercise stress group (n = 69). All patients underwent myocardial SPECT evaluation. Coronary angiography (CAG), referred as "gold standard" , was performed in each patient within 1 week before or after MPI. The diagnostic value of the two stress MPI was compared with χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results In adenosine stress group, the sensitivity, negative predictive value and accuracy were 88.2% (45/51),72.7% (16/22), 88.4% (61/69), respectively, which were not significantly different from those of the exercise stress group (91.7% (44/48), 66.7% (8/12), 81.2% (52/64); χ2 =0. 571, 0. 714, 0.249, P >0.05). However, the false positive rate of adenosine stress (11.1%, 2/18) was significantly lower than that of exercise stress (50.0%, 8/16), P = 0.023. Conclusions Adenosine and exercise stress MPI have similar value for CHD diagnosis in women, however, adenosine stress MPI may have an advantage of low false positive rate.

Objective To analyze tumor immune microenvironment and related mechanisms in liver cancer.Methods We included 10 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,hepatitis B patients and healthy volunteers from January 2015 to December 2017 in Shanxi Grand Hospital.We first detected the peripheral and local GM-CSF level in each group,detected myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) GM-CSF and pathway-related protein expression.from liver cancer,tumor margin and normal liver tissue through flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry,Finally,we transfected the CCR4-NOT transcriptional complex subunit 7 (CNOT7) recombinant plasmid in the hepatoma cell line,and then detected the related protein expression.Results There was no significant difference for peripheral blood GM-CSF level between liver cancer group,hepatitis group and control group (P＞0.05).The level of local GM-CSF was (32.2±8.9) ng/L,which was higher than that of hepatocellular carcinoma (9.7±2.7) ng/L and normal liver tissue (11.6±2.9) ng/L.The difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The proportion of MDSCs at the edge of the tumor was (9.9 ±3.6) ％,which was higher than that of liver cancer (4.0± 1.5) ％ and normal liver tissue (6.3±2.3) ％,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Immunohistochemistrydata was consistent with previous data.Compared with normal liver tissue,CNOT7 and STAT3 were highly expressed in liver cancer tissues,while STAT1 was lowly expressed.HepG2 human hepatoma cells were selected for transfection.Compared with the empty plasmid group,CNOT7 expression was decreased in the knocking out group at the same time STAT1 expression was increased,STAT3 and GM-CSF expression was decreased.Conclusion In hepatocellular carcinoma,the secretion of GM-CSF increased and the number of MDSCs increased.Knocking out CNOT7 reduced GM-CSF secretion and activate the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role SMYD3 and histone methylation in the carcinogenesis of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSHBx expressing plasmid was transfected into HepG2 cell, the localization of HBx and SMYD3 was detected by immunofluorescence, SMYD3 mRNA and protein were checked by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot, cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSAfter HBx transfection, HBx and SMYD3 protein were mainly localized in nucleus. HBx protein enhanced SMYD3 mRNA and SMYD3 expressions in HepG2. After HBx transfection, apoptosis of HepG2 was decreased, and cell proliferation was increased.

CONCLUSIONSHBx may induce the expression of histone methyltransferase SMYD3, which in turn stimulates cell proliferation and blocks apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation

Animals ; Captopril ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism