OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes of patients with type 2 diabetes in different stages in glucagon (GC) and free fatty acid (FFA) in fasting, OGT and L-Arg experiments, and discusses the role of pancreatic alphabeta cells in diabetes pathogenesis by studying the relations among indexes such as glucagon (GC), free fatty acid (FFA) and blood glucose (BG), insulin, insulin homeostasis model (HOMA) and glucose metabolism hormone secretion curve, in order to provide theoretical basis for the treatment of diabetes.

METHODStudy objects were divided into the T2DM group (45 cases), the IGT group (28 cases) and the NGT group (30 cases) for an OGTT experiment and then an L-Arg experiment on the next day. Under the fasting state, their blood glucose (FBG), insulin (F), glucagon (FGC), free fatty acid (FFA) were detected to calculate HOMA-beta, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and HOMA-IR of different groups. Meanwhile, efforts were made to calculate different time quantum detected in OGTT and L-Arg experiments and area under the curve AUC(BG), AUC(INS) and AUC(GC).

RESULTObvious overall differences were observed in FFA and FGC of the three groups. FGC of each group was negatively correlated with HOMA-beta and ISI. Among all of the 103 study objects, FGC was positively correlated with FBG and HOMA-IR and negatively correlated with HOMA-beta and ISI, with no correlation with FINS; FFA was positively correlated with FBG, HOMA-IR and negatively correlated with FINS, HOMA-beta, ISI. FGC and FFA were positively correlated in the T2DM group and the IGT group, but with no statistical correlation in the NGT group. The sequence of the three study objects was T2DM > IGR > NGT in AUC(GC) in the OGTT experiment and T2DM > IGR > NGT in in AUC(GC) in the L-Arg experiment, with the significant positive correlation between AUC(GC) and AUC(BG) and significant negative correlation with AUC(INS).

CONCLUSIONGlucagon and free fatty acid of T2DM and IGT patients increased, which was positively correlated with blood glucose and HOMA-IR and negatively correlated with INS, HOMA-beta and ISI. The increase in glucagons of T2DM and IGT patients indicated inappropriate secretion of pancreatic alphabeta cells among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; metabolism ; Female ; Glucagon ; blood ; Humans ; Insulin ; secretion ; Islets of Langerhans ; secretion ; Male ; Middle Aged

AIM: To investigate the probably mechanism of amniotic extraction inhibiting haze formation after epipolis laser in situ keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK) in rabbit cornea.METHODS: Thirty rabbit corneas were performed with Epi-LASIK.All eyes were randomly divided into three groups: eyes treated with amniotic extraction (AE group),eyes treated with 1g/L dexamethasone (hormone group) and eyes treated with solvent (solvent control group).Haze grade evaluation was performed under the slit lamp after Epi-LASIK for 1,4 and 8wk.The repair of corneal epithelium was observed by using HE staining,and the expression of NF-kB protein P65 was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α,TGF-β1 and IL-1) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4,IL-10 and IL-13) were determined by ELISA.RESULTS: HE staining showed that the basal cells of corneal epithelium were more uniform and arranged regularly in AE groups after Epi-LASIK for 1wk as compared with the hormone group and the solvent control group.After 4wk,there were a few of new collagen fibers in the superficial stroma of AE group,forming a small amount of scar.After 8wk,the corneal stroma of AE group showed a small amount of new collagen fibers,arranged regularly,and rarely formed scar.At the early stage (1 and 4wk),AE treatment has an obviously effect on inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors (TNF-α,TGF-β1 and IL-1) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4,IL-10 and IL-13),and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01).Moreover,the activation of the NF-kB signaling pathway was significantly inhibited by treatment with AE in the early postoperative period (1 and 4wk).CONCLUSION: Amniotic extraction may reduce the inflammatory response in corneal epithelial cells by inhibiting the NF-kB signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting the formation of collagen and scar and the occurrence of haze.

Objective To compare treatment response according to the PERCIST1.0,RECIST1.1,EORTC,and WHO criteria in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Methods A total of 41 CLM patients (27 males,average age 68.48 years;14 females,average age 62.43 years) from January 2010 to September 2013 were included in this retrospective study.PET/CT scan was performed before chemotherapy and after 4-6 cycles′ chemotherapy.The baseline and the sequential follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT of each patient were evaluated according to the PERCIST1.0,RECIST1.1,EORTC,and WHO criteria.The response was categorized into 4 levels including CR,PR,SD,PD.PET/CT images were used for both metabolic and anatomic evaluation.The concurrent diagnostic CT or MRI images (performed within 1 week of PET/CT) were also utilized when needed.The agreements of criteria were analyzed using Kappa test.The response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) were compared using χ2 test.Results The RR and DCR according to the PERCIST1.0,EORTC and RECIST1.1 criteria were 31.71％(13/41) and 63.41％(26/41),31.71％(13/41) and 60.98％(25/41),17.07％(7/41) and 68.29％(28/41),respectively.The general comparison of PERCIST1.0 and RECIST1.1,EORTC and RECIST1.1 criteria showed good agreements (κ values: 0.711,0.689).Significant difference was not found in the DCR(χ2=2.000,P>0.05) but found in the RR(χ2=6.000,P<0.05) between PERCIST1.0 and RECIST1.1.Difference of DCR between EORTC and RECIST1.1 was not significant(χ2=3.000,P>0.05),while the RR had significant difference(χ2=6.000,P<0.05).The RR and DCR according to WHO criterion were 12.20％(5/41) and 70.73％(29/41),which had a good consistency with those according to PERCIST1.0 criteria (κ=0.629).Significant statistical difference was not found in the DCR(χ2=3.000,P>0.05) but found in the RR(χ2=8.000,P<0.05) between PERCIST1.0 and WHO criteria.Conclusions In evaluating CLM treatment response,anatomical criteria and metabolic criteria have a good consistency.But metabolic criteria are more sensitive for RR evaluating.

Objective To investigate the expression and correlation of NKG2D and sMICA in lung cancer patients. Methods By collecting 30 lung cancer patients as the test group,and taking 30 healthy volunteers as the contrast group, the expression of NKG2D and sMICA in the two groups were examined separately by FACS and ELISA method. Results The expressions of NKG2D in the two groups were (81.56±8.78) %, (85.63±6.62) %. The lung cancer patients were high remarkable. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P <0.05). The expression of sMICA in the two groups were (354.13 ±80.575) pg/ml,(216.53±48.175) pg/ml. The lung cancer patients were low remarkable. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P <0.01). There was a significant relation between the two groups (r =-0.349, P =0.006). Conclusion The expression of NKG2D and sMICA may provid one of the immune targets for diagnosing that can forecast the immune state and malignant metastasis of the lung cancer patients. The significant relation between NKG2D and sMICA may take on main role in the immune escaping of tumor. It may provide the suitable target of the patients for tumor organisms and immune treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of lentivirus-mediated BMP-2 overexpression plasmid transfection into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and silk fibroin scaffold on osteoblast transformation. METHODS: The lentivirus BMP-2 overexpression vector was constructed, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured, and the combined culture system of nuclear scaffolds was constructed. Alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase staining were used to detect the osteogenic transformation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Ten New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 3.2 to 4.5 kg(averaging 3.9 kg), aged (2.89±0.45) years old, were selected to construct the rabbit tibial defect model by drilling a conical tibial defect (5 mm in length, 2 mm in width and 3 mm in depth) with an oral drill. The repair of the tibial defect in the animal model was observed by HE staining. The experimental group was implanted with silk fibroin scaffold + BMP-2 overexpression vector bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell complex, while the negative control group was implanted with silk fibroin scaffold+non-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell complex. RESULTS: Compared with the control group(silk fibroin scaffold+non-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells), the number of adherent cells on the surface of the scaffold in the experimental group(silk fibroin scaffold+transfected BMP-2 overexpression vector BMP-2 complex) increased significantly. Compared with the control group, the ECM secretion in the experimental group increased significantly. EDX analysis showed that the content of calcium ion was 0.22% in the control group and 0.86% in the experimental group, which showed that the ability of inducing calcium ion formation in the experimental group was stronger than that in the control group. Alizarin red staining of calcium nodules showed that there was no obvious change in the naked eye of the control group, and a small amount of calcium nodules could be seen under the microscope. In the experimental group, obvious red area staining was observed by naked eye, and a large number of calcium nodules were observed by microscopy. The results of alkaline phosphatase staining showed that there was no obvious change in the naked eye of the control group, and no obvious change in the microscopic observation. In the experimental group, purple area staining was observed by naked eyes, and ALP staining was strongly positive by microscopy. The combined culture system of silk fibroin scaffold and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can repair cartilage defects. The repair effect of BMP-2 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells after transfection is obviously better than that of non-transfection group. HE staining showed that inflammatory cells decreased and scaffolds disappeared slightly in the control group. In the experimental group, inflammatory cells were significantly reduced, scaffolds disappeared and angiogenesis was observed. CONCLUSIONS Lentivirus-mediated BMP-2 overexpression plasmid can promote BMSC to differentiate into osteocytes and secrete more extracellular matrix containing Ca²⁺ to promote bone defect repair.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroins ; Lentivirus ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Plasmids ; Rabbits ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the toxicity of copper on MES23.5 dopaminergic cells and the probable mechanisms involved in this process.

METHODSMES23.5 dopaminergic cells were selected as our experimental model. [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay was used to detect the influence of copper on the cell viability. The semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and the high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) have been used to detect the tyrosine hydroxlase (TH) mRNA and protein expression and the dopamine content in MES23.5 cells. The flow cytometry have been used to detect the changes of mitochondrial transmembrane potential.

RESULTS100 and 200 mumol/L copper had no effect on the MES23.5 cell viability, whereas 400 and 800 mumol/L of copper could decrease the cell viability (P < 0.01). Treating cells with 200 mumol/L copper for 24 h decreased the TH mRNA expression, the TH expression and the dopamine content compared with the control (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Besides, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential also decreased with the treatment of 200 mumol/L copper for 24 h (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCopper could exert the toxic effects on MES23.5 dopaminergic cells and decrease the cell function. The dysfunction of mitochondria may be the mechanism of this toxicity effect.

Animals ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Copper ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Dopamine ; biosynthesis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hybridomas ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nerve Degeneration ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism

A series of new coumarin-based benzotriazole derivatives were successfully synthesized via a multi-step sequence of cyclization, etherification and N-alkylation, and were confirmed by 1H NMR, IR, MS spectra as well as elemental analyses. All these synthesized coumarin compounds were evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activities against four Gram-positive bacteria, four Gram-negative bacteria and three fungi by two fold serial dilution technique. The bioactive assay showed that all these prepared coumarin benzotriazoles could inhibit the growth of the tested bacterial and fungal strains. Title compounds 11a-11e and 13a-13c were more active than chloromycin on Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6896. Coumarin benzotriazoles 11a and 11b displayed comparable antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 4698 in comparison with reference drug chloromycin. Compared to fluconazole, compounds 11a-11d displayed stronger inhibition on Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 96918. Moreover, coumarin-based benzotriazoles in combination with antibacterial chloromycin or antifungal fluconazole, showed notable antimicrobial efficacy with less dosage and broader antimicrobial spectrum. More importantly, fluconazole-insensitive A. fumigatus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus N 315 (MRSA) were sensitive to these combined drugs.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; drug effects ; Chloramphenicol ; pharmacology ; Coumarins ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; drug effects ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Triazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the effect of islet transplantation for patients with type 2diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods Since December 2007, 4 cases of islet transplantations were performed on 3 patients with type 2 DM and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Two patients received simultaneous islet-kidney transplant from single-donor (SIK), and one received 2 consecutive islet transplants 5 months following kidney transplantion (IAK). All recipients given insulin with a dose of percutaneous transhepatic portal catheterization. Anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody was used as induction. For SIK, low-doses of Tacrolimus and sirolimus were used as maintenance immunosuppression protocol. For IAK, the maintenance protocol included cyclosporine and MMF.Insulin dose, the level of blood glucose, C-peptide and the value of HbA1 were observed. Results The first patient of SIKhad normal glucose level 3 days after surgery and became insulin independent within the first month, but insulin was administered gradually and the dose reduced to 1/3. The second patient of SIK died of bleeding and secondary infection of liver puncture site 5 days following operation, the blood glucose level recovered to normal 24 h after operation. The insulin dose of the patient of IAK was reduced to 1/2 after the first transplant. The patient became insulin free after the second operation. The level of fasting and postprandial C-peptide of the surviving recipients increased by 600 pmol/L. The value of HbA1 of the SIK was 6.7 %～7.3 %, while that of the IAK was 5. 5 %～ 5. 9 %. Conclusion Islet transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with type 2 DM.

Ten compounds, including seven sesquiterpenes, two phenols and one phenylpropanoid, were isolated from the roots of Illicium majus by means of silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. On analysis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data , their structures were established as cycloparviflorolide (1), cycloparvifloralone (2), tashironin (3), tashironin A (4), anislactone A(5), anislactone B (6), pseudomajucin (7), syringaldehyde (8), methyl-4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybenzoate (9), and (E)-3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxycinnamic alchol (10), respectively. Compounds 1-4 and 8-10 were first isolated from this plant. In the in vitro assays, at a concentration of 1.0 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), compounds 5 and 6 were active against LPS induced NO production in microglia with a inhibition rate of 75.31% and 53.7%, respectively.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; Illicium ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

With the application of the photoconversion technology of genetically expressed fluorescent proteins in biologic field, more powerful confocal imaging ability was demanded. The aim of the present study was to establish an experimental model employing confocal simultaneous scanner unit for simultaneous laser stimulation and imaging, taking study of forebrain neurodevelopment in zebrafish as an example. In the present study, 36-48-hour-old Tg(lhx5:kaede) zebrafish embryos were mounted with 1.2% low melting temperature agarose. The forebrain neurons marked with kaede were observed using the simultaneous scanner unit of confocal microscopy. The 405 nm laser was used to stimulate the region of interest (ROI), while 488 and 559 nm lasers were used to acquire images at the same time. The photoconversion state of kaede protein was then reviewed, and the projecting pattern of neurons stimulated by the ultraviolet laser was examined. The results showed that, the fluorescence of stimulated kaede turned from green to red, and the photoconversion of kaede demonstrated anterior dorsal telencephalon (ADt) neurons projected axons ventrally into the anterior commissure (AC) and supraoptic tract (SOT). These results suggest the confocal simultaneous scanner unit meets the demand of the photoconversion experiment. The application of confocal simultaneous scanning technology in examining Tg(lhx5:kaede) zebrafish embryos affords an ideal experimental model in neurodevelopment study.
Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Neurons ; cytology ; Prosencephalon ; embryology ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Zebrafish ; embryology