OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of arecoline on hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes rats and to elucidate its possible mechanism.

METHODSForty five Wistar rats were fed with high fructose diet for 12 weeks to induce type 2 diabetic rat model. rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8): control group, model group and model group were treated with different dose (0, 0.5, 1, 5 mg/kg) of arecoline. After 4 weeks, the fasting blood glucose, blood lipid and insulin level measured , mRNA expression of liver constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the protein expression of p-AKT and glucose transporter4 (GLUT4) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS1.5 mg/kg arecoline could significantly decrease the level of fasting blood glucose, blood lipid, blood insulin level and liver G6Pase, PEPCK, IL-6, TNF-alpha mRNA level in type 2 diabetes rats. 1.5 mg/kg arecoline also could significantly increase CAR, PXR mRNA level and p-AKT and GLUT4 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONArecoline improved hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes rats by increasing the mRNA levels of CAR and PXR leading to the creased glucose metabolism and inflammation related genes expression.

Animals ; Arecoline ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; metabolism ; Glucose-6-Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism ; Receptors, Steroid ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to fabricate biomatrix/polymer hybrid scaffolds using an electrospinning technique. Then tissue engineered heart valves were engineered by seeding mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) onto the scaffolds. The effects of the hybrid scaffolds on the proliferation of seed cells, formation of extracellular matrix and mechanical properties of tissue engineered heart valves were investigated. MSCs were obtained from rats. Porcine aortic heart valves were decellularized, coated with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) using an electrospinning technique, and reseeded and cultured over a time period of 14 days. In control group, the decellularized valve scaffolds were reseeded and cultured over an equivalent time period. Specimens of each group were examined histologically (hematoxylin-eosin [HE] staining, immunohistostaining, and scanning electron microscopy), biochemically (DNA and 4-hydroxyproline) and mechanically. The results showed that recellularization was comparable to the specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls. The specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls revealed comparable amounts of cell mass and 4-hydroxyproline (P>0.05). However, the specimens of hybrid scaffolds showed a significant increase in mechanical strength, compared to the controls (P<0.05). This study demonstrated the superiority of the hybrid scaffolds to increase the mechanical strength of tissue engineered heart valves. And compared to the decellularized valve scaffolds, the hybrid scaffolds showed similar effects on the proliferation of MSCs and formation of extracellular matrix. It was believed that the hybrid scaffolds could be used for the construction of tissue engineered heart valves.

Objective To study the efficacy of emergency orthotopic liver transplantation(EOLT) for acute(hepatic) failure(ALT).Methods A retrospective review was undertaken on the clinical data of 8 patients undergoing emergency liver transplantation for ALT.Results The 8 patients completely regained consciousness in 12 to 72 hours after operation.No case developed central nervous complications.One case of severe(hepatitis) complicated by acute renal failure died of respiratory infection and ARDS on postoperative day 7.One case who refused to take medication died from chronic rejection 12 months after operation.One case was(complicated) by bile duct stricture and biliary sludge at 14 months postoperatively and survived for 18 months.Four of the other 5 cases were followed up for 17 months and 1 cases for 14 months,and thir quality of life was excellent.3 of them have returned to work.Conclusions Emergency orthotopic liver thansplantation is an effective means to treat ALF.Intensive care and effective treatment preoperatively are pre-requisite(conditions) to ensure the success of EOLT.

Objective To investigate the arterial blood supply of the pancreas head and provide a theoretical basis for the gastroduodenal artery reconstruction in pancreatic transplantation(PT).Methods Photograms of digital subtraction artery(DSA)which performing on 300 patients were analyzed to recognize the aberrations of arterial blood supply of pancreatic head.Results In 300 DSA photograms,the gastroduodenal artery(GD.a)was identified in 131 cases,and the anterior superior pancreaicduodenal artery(ASPD.a)and posterior superior pancreaicduodenal artery(PSPD.a)in 79 cases.The rate of aberrant origin of pancreatic transverse artery(PT.a)from GD.a was 12.98℅.There are some minor sources of blood supply to the pancreas head from GD.a.The rate of absence of an ASPD.a-AIPD.a anastomosis and PSPD.a-PIPD.a anastomosis was 15.19℅and 24.05℅,respectively.Conclusions The reconstruction of gastroduodenal artery can ensure a complete blood supply to the pancreatic head and duodenum in PT.

17.1?mol/L).

The mechanism of degenerative intervertebral disc is very complex, which may be associated with multiple factors such as the mechanical stress force injury of intervertebral disc, nutritional deficiency, inflammatory stimulation, etc. Recently, many studies detected propionibacterium acnes(P. acnes) in degenerative intervertebral disc and supposed P. acnes was associated with degenerative intervertebral disc. Here, the papers related to P. acnes and degenerative intervertebral disc were reviewed. Further, we deduced the approach of P. acnes enterring into the intervertebral disc as well as the mechanism of P. acnes aggravating the disc degeneration. These may provide suggestions for treating degenerative intervertebral disc.

Background: We found microRNA (miR)-1246 to be significantly differentially expressed between severe active alopecia areata (AA) patients and healthy individuals. Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of miR-1246 in severe AA. Methods: Expression of miR-1246, dual-specific tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1c (NFATc1) in peripheral CD4+ T cells and in scalp tissues of patients were detected using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assays. Peripheral CD4+ T cells from the AA patients were transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing miR-1246. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to measure mRNA or protein expression of retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma (ROR-γt), interleukin (IL)-17, DYRK1A, NFATc1, and phosphorylated NFATc1. Flow cytometry was used to assay the CD4+ IL-17+ cells proportion. ELISA was used to measure cytokine levels. Results: miR-1246 levels decreased and DYRK1A and NFATc1 mRNA levels significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells and scalp tissues of severe active AA samples.NFATc1 protein expression was also significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells but not in the scalp tissues. NFATc1 positive cells were mainly distributed among infiltrating inflammatory cells around hair follicles. In peripheral CD4+ T cells of severe active AA, overexpression of miR-1246 resulted in significant downregulation of DYRK1A, NFATc1, ROR-γt, and IL-17 mRNA and phosphorylated NFATc1 protein, as well as a decrease in the CD4+ IL-17+ cells proportion and the IL-17F level. Conclusion miR-1246 can inhibit NFAT signaling and Th17 cell activation, which may be beneficial in the severe AA treatment.

Hypoxia is one of the most important characteristics of malignant tumor microenvironment, and its degree is closely related to the development and prognosis of the tumor. Hypoxia promotes neovascularization in tumor microenvironment, which leads to changes of energy metabolism and the formation of drug tolerance in tumor. Studies in recent years have shown that TCM can interfere with the occurrence and development of hypoxia tumor microenvironment in certain aspects, thus inhibiting tumor growth. This article summarized recent studies on the etiology, pathogenesis, and TCM intervention for the occurrence and development of hypoxia tumor microenvironment in terms of spleen deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm retention, and provided a reference for clinical intervention of tumors and research and development of new drugs.

As a novel population of neural crest-origin precursor cells, skin-derived precursor cells (SKPs) can be isolated from both embryonic and adult dermis. These cells have important values for research and potential clinical application in wound healing, organ regeneration and disease treatment for advantages in the abundance of cell sources, accessibility, potential of multipotent differentiation, and absence of ethical concerns. Here we review the developmental and anatomical origins of SKPs and their potential application in regenerative medicine. SKPs originate from the embryonic neural crest, and their sources may vary in different areas of the body. SKPs are widely found in the dermis, especially in the dermal papilla (DP), which was known as a niche of SKPs. The multipotent SKPs can used for autologous transplantation and are of vital importance in tissue repair.

BST-2 plays an important role in host innate immune response via inhibiting the release of HIV-1. HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu can interact with BST-2 through its transmembrane domains, degrade BST-2, and decrease BST-2 that are transported to the cell surface, thus anti-virus function of BST-2 is antagonized. In our study, we constructed plasmid RB connecting Rluc to the N-termimal of BST-2, and plasmid VE connecting EYFP to the C-terminal of Vpu. The two fusion proteins were co-expressed in 293 cells, and the interaction between the two proteins was detected via BRET method. And we further established a stable 293 cell line of dual-expression. By using BRET method, and the interaction between BST-2 and Vpu transmembrane domain as the target, a high-throughput screening assay was created that was expected to seek novel interaction inhibitors.
Antigens, CD ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; methods ; Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Binding ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism