·AIM: To study the effect of an intravitreal injection of angiostatin on vascular leakage in the retina and iris of oxygen-induced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).·METHODS: Brown Norway rats at postnatal day 7 (P7) were exposed to hyperoxia (750mL/L O2 )for 5 days (P7-12) and then returned to normoxia to induce retinopathy. Angiostatin was reconstituted in sterile Phosphate Buffered Saline(PBS) and diluted to desired different concentrations. Angiostatin solution was injected into the vitreous of the right eye of the ROP rats at P14 and the age-matched normal rats through pars plana using a glass capillary, and the left eye received the same volume of sterile PBS as the control. Vascular permeability was quantified at 1, 2 and 3 days after the injection by measuring albumin leakage from blood vessels into the retina and iris using the Evans blue method and normalized by total protein concentrations. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retina was evaluated using the Western Blot analysis and immuno-histochemistry 24 hours following the injection.·RESULTS: ROP rats showed significant increases of vascular permeability in the retina and iris (P<0.01). Angio-statin reduces vascular permeability in a dose-dependent manner in the retina of ROP rats. The reduction showed a time course trend. [Angiostatin injection reduced retinal vascular permeability by approximately 1.5 and 2-fold at P15 (P<0.05) and P16 (P<0.01), respectively.] Angiostatin injection significantly reduced VEGF levels in the retina of ROP rats but did not affect retinal VEGF levels in normal rats.·CONCLUSION: Angiostatin significantly decreases pa-thological vascular permeability in the retina and iris of ROP rats but not in normal rats. Angiostatin down-regulates VEGF expression in retina of ROP rats. These results suggest that angiostatin may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of ROP and other diseases with vascular leakage.

DNA Fingerprinting ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Homicide ; Humans ; Mitochondria

Objective:To explore the traits of gray matter volume (GMV) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) in patients with schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by magnetic resonance imaging technique (MRI).Methods:Twenty-two patients with schizophrenia,20 patients with OCD and 23 normal controls were recruited in this study.All of the patients satisfied diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ),patients and the normal controls were well matched for gender,age and years of education.All subjects received structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and resting functional MRI scans.The ANOVA and post hoe anolysis were used to compoare the GMV and Relto differences among the subjects.Results:Compared with the normal controls,patients with schizophrenia and OCD had common GMV loss in the right anterior cingulate (P ＜ 0.001,uncorrected),while lower ReHo in the left cuneus(P ＜ 0.001,uncorrected) and higher ReHo in the left upper medial frontal gyrus(P ＜ 0.001,uncorrected) respectively.Conclusion:It suggests that patients with schizophrenia and OCD share common structural changes and functional alterations,which could attribute so many similarities between the two diseases.

Aim at the two problems in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mechanism elucidation, one is the lack of detailed biological processes information, next is the low efficient in constructing network models, we constructed an auxiliary elucidation system for the TCM mechanism and realize the automatic establishment of biological network model. This study used the Entity Grammar Systems (EGS) as the theoretical framework, integrated the data of formulae, herbs, chemical components, targets of component, biological reactions, signaling pathways and disease related proteins, established the formal models, wrote the reasoning engine, constructed the auxiliary elucidation system for the TCM mechanism elucidation. The platform provides an automatic modeling method for biological network model of TCM mechanism. It would be benefit to perform the in-depth research on TCM theory of natures and combination and provides the scientific references for R&D of TCM.
Animals ; Automation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Databases, Factual ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of beta-dystroglycan (beta-DG) and the roles of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) on beta-DG in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC).

METHODSbeta-DG in highly lung metastatic cell line ACC-M and lowly lung metastatic one ACC-2 was tested by immunocytochemistry with different concentrations (10, 15, 20, 25 micromol x L(-1)) of TIMPs, and that without the regulation of TIMPs was served as controls. beta-DG was detected in seven specimens of SACC and ten cases of normal salivary gland tissues which were considered as a comparison group by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThere was no positive beta-DG immune-staining at the ACC-2 and ACC-M cell lines without TIMPs in the cell culture. beta-DG expressed after the regulation of TIMPs. beta-DG expression was localized predominantly in basement membrane of the acinus, while the negative results were distributed in the carcinoma cells and around the cancer cell nests.

CONCLUSIONBeta-DG is widely expressed by transmembrane protein that plays important roles in connecting the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton, the fracture of this structure means that it is easy to invade and transfer, so restoration of beta-DG expression by TIMPs is considered to be critical for successful treatment of SACC.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dystroglycans ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases

The aim of this study was to improve the stability and cover the unpleasant odor of valerian oil by preparation of beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex. The preparation method was established based on the yield of inclusion complex and entrapment efficiency of valerian volatile oil. After that, the formulation and processing parameters were optimized by uniform design table. The formations of inclusion complex were validated by DSC and X-RD method. The stability of valerian oil beta-cyclodextrin inclusion was studied under stressed conditions. In conclusion, relatively high yield of inclusion complex and entrapment efficiency were obtained by saturated solution-ultrasonication method. Inclusion complex yield and entrapment efficiency of the valerian oil were (84.78 +/- 3.23)% and (86.23 +/- 2.48)%, which were prepared under the optimized conditions, respectively. The results of DSC and X-RD were indicated the formation of inclusion complex. The stability of test showed that the valerian oil-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was improved significantly.
Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Odorants ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Valerian ; chemistry ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of total vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support in treating severe congenital kyphoscoliosis.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to April 2012,21 patients with severe congenital kyphoscoliosis were treated with total vertebral column resection and internal fixation through posterior approach combined with anterior mesh cage support. There were 8 males and 13 females with an average age of 19.4 years old (ranged from 10 to 35). And 6 cases were thoracic segments deformity,13 cases were thoracolumbar segments and 2 cases were lumbar segments, of them, 2 cases were accompanied with Chairs deformity, 6 cases with diastematomyelia, 4 cases with syringomyelia,and 1 case with neurofibromatosis. According to the Frankel grade system, 3 cases were grade C, 5 cases grade D and 13 cases grade E. Blood loss, operative time, and perioperative complications were recorded. Coronal and sagittal Cobb angle, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities were measured and analyzed before and after operation.

RESULTSThe average operative time was 5.2 h (3.5 to 6.5 h) and blood loss was 2,500 ml (1,400 to 4,900 ml). The 2nd day after operation, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities had obviously improved than preoperative (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in above items between postoperative on the 2nd day and final follow-up (P > 0.05). The corrective rate of kyphosis and scoliosis were (60.97 +/- 6.30)% and (62.24 +/- 5.82)%, respectively. On the first day after surgery,2 cases of Frankel grade E aggravated to grade D, and obtained recovery at 2 week after conservative treatment. And 1 case palinesthesia later,grade D aggravated to grade C and obtained recovery after revision surgery in time. One case complicated with permanent blindness of left eye, 1 case occurred injury of pleura and 2 cases had cerebrospinal fluid leak during operation. All patients were followed up from 9 to 31 months with an av- erage of 18.6 months. At final follow-up,all patients obtained bone union, Frankel grade D in 4 cases and grade E in 17 cases, no correction loss and internal fixation loosening was found.

CONCLUSIONTotal vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support can effectively correct kyphosis and scoliosis in severe congenital kyphoscoliosis and can avoid injury of spine cord by spinal crispation, but intraoperative position and neurologic complications should still be considered.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spine ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: T helper (Th) 17 cells play a critical role in the development of asthma, but the underlying mechanism of how interleukin (IL)-17 is regulated in allergic airway inflammation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of Bcl11b on Th17 response in asthma. METHODS: Blood samples from patients with mild asthma (MA) and severe asthma (SA) were collected. Expression of Bcl11b, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were determined in CD4+ T cells and plasma by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Relative mRNA and protein levels of Bcl11b, IL-17A and genes involved in the TGF/Smad signaling pathway were examined by PCR, ELISA and western blot analysis in house dust mite (HDM)-challenged mice. Ectopic expression of Bcl11b in HDM-stimulated primary mouse splenocytes was achieved by nucleofection of Bcl11b expression plasmid. RESULTS: We found significantly decreased Bcl11b but increased IL-17A and TGF-β1 expression in patients with asthma and a strongly negative correlation between Bcl11b and these 2 cytokines in SA patients. Similar expression patterns of Bcl11b, IL-17A and TGF-β1 were also found in mice with HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. We demonstrated further that Smad2/3 phosphorylation was increased in HDM-challenged mice and that ectopic expression of Bcl11b in HDM-stimulated primary mouse splenocytes reduced Smad2 phosphorylation and IL-17 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate a potential effect of Bc111b in controlling IL-17-mediated inflammation in asthma and suggest that Bc111b may be a useful therapeutic target for asthma.
Animals ; Asthma* ; Blotting, Western ; Cytokines ; Ectopic Gene Expression ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukin-17* ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Interleukins ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Plasma ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pyroglyphidae ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes ; Transforming Growth Factors

Objective To understand the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of dengue fever in China from 2011 to 2018, and predict the incidence of dengue fever in China in 2019. Methods Based on the case data of dengue fever in China from 2011 to 2018 in the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, the trend of dengue fever was described and predicted by using the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) with R 3.6.0 software. Based on the data of the incidence of dengue fever in the country, provinces and cities from 2011 to 2016 provided by the national scientific data sharing platform for population and health, global and local spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed using GeoDa 1.12 software to determine the dengue fever hotspots. Results The incidence of dengue fever was 14 302 in 2019, showing no disease outbreaks. The incidence of dengue fever in 2012(Moran’s I=-0.088, P=0.037), 2013(Moran’s I=-0.121, P=0.040) and 2014(Moran’s I=-0.076, P=0.045) showed a global spatial negatively correlaton. In 2016(Moran’s I=0.078, P=0.048), the incidence of dengue fever was positively correlated with global space. The results of local autocorrelation analysis showed that the high incidence of dengue fever was mainly in the southeast coastal areas of China. Conclusions In 2019, the epidemic of dengue fever in China showed no obvious fluctuation trend, and the epidemic situation showed spatial clustering distribution.

A large amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is required for fatty acid synthesis and maintenance of the redox state in cancer cells. Malic enzyme 1(ME1)-dependent NADPH production is one of the three pathways that contribute to the formation of the cytosolic NADPH pool. ME1 is generally considered to be overexpressed in cancer cells to meet the high demand for increased de novo fatty acid synthesis. In the present study, we found that glucose induced higher ME1 activity and that repressing ME1 had a profound impact on glucose metabolism of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) cells. High incorporation of glucose and an enhancement of the pentose phosphate pathway were observed in ME1-repressed cells. However, there were no obvious changes in the other two pathways for glucose metabolism: glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Interestingly, NADPH was decreased under low-glucose condition in ME1-repressed cells relative to wild-type cells, whereas no significant difference was observed under high-glucose condition. ME1-repressed cells had significantly decreased tolerance to low-glucose condition. Moreover, NADPH produced by ME1 was not only important for fatty acid synthesis but also essential for maintenance of the intracellular redox state and the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Furthermore, diminished migration and invasion were observed in ME1-repressed cells due to a reduced level of Snail protein. Collectively, these results suggest an essential role for ME1 in the production of cytosolic NADPH and maintenance of migratory and invasive abilities of NPC cells.
Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Malate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; NADP ; metabolism ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; Pentose Phosphate Pathway ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism