As quantum dots( QDs),an advanced porduct of nanotechnology,have been widely used in bio-medicine due to their unique photoelectric properties. QD safety evaluation has become a hot area of research. So far,some researchers have expressed concern about the neurotoxic potential of QDs because the central nervous system was confirmed to be one of the target organs. Several studies found that QDs could enter the central nervous system by crossing the blood brain barrier and following neural pathways and produce some neurotoxic effects,such as damaging the structure and function of neural cells and impairing synaptic plasticity. The potential toxicity mechanisms could include oxidative stress,inflammation and change of ion channels.

Aim To study the effects of dexamethasone(DXM)and peroxisome-proliferation activated receptor?(PPAR?)agonist pioglitazone on intracellular cytokines expression of T_H1/T_H2 and the mechanism of that in asthma model,and compare the difference between two drugs.Methods 24 Balb/c mice were divided into 4 groups randomly: control group,asthma group,DXM group,and pioglitazone group,with 6 mice in each group.The expression of T-bet and GATA3 of lung were detected using western blot,and the intracellular cytokines interluekin 4 and interferon ? expressions of CD~(4+)Tcell were measured using flowcytometry.Results Compared with control group,the level of the expression of T-bet of lung in asthma group increased significantly(P0.05),while both of GATA3 and T-bet decreased after DXM treatment,and the decreasing degree of GATA3 was more than that of T-bet.The results of flowcytometry indicated that the ratio of intracellular cytokines IL-4/IFN? of CD~(4+) T cell in asthma group was much higher than that of control group(P

AIM: To study the effects of dexamethasone (DXM) on intracellular expression of TH1/TH2 cytokines and the mechanism of that during the development of asthma. METHODS: Eighteen BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups at random: control group, asthma group, and DXM treated group, with 6 mice in each. The expressions of T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) and GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3) in lung tissue were detected by Western blotting. The expressions of intracellular cytokines interleukin-4 and interferon-? in CD4+ T cell were measured by flowcytometry.RESULTS: The results of flow cytometry indicated that the ratio of intracellular cytokines IL-4/IFN-? in CD4+ T cells in asthma group was much higher than that in control group (P

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation value of neutrophil elastase (NE) in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted.The data of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation admitted to Department of Central Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Boai Hospital of Zhongshan City Affiliated to Southern Medical University from September 2012 to October 2015 were enrolled.The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they suffered from VAP or not.The content of NE in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at the time of mechanical ventilation start,VAP diagnosis (the worst value from 48 hours after mechanical ventilation start to weaning in non-VAP patients),and at the time before mechanical ventilation weaning,as well as inflammation parameters,clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS),duration of mechanical ventilation and prognosis were recorded.Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the predictive value of NE on VAP diagnosis and prognosis.Results Finally 38 patients were enrolled in the VAP group,and 40 in non-VAP group,and baseline data was similar between the two groups.There was no significant difference in the content of NE in serum and BALF between VAP group and non-VAP group [serum NE (μg/L):67.04 (63.00,75.75) vs.69.00 (63.75,75.00),BALF NE (μg/L):96.26 (85.26,176.01) vs.95.26 (86.76,107.11),both P ＞ 0.05].From continuous monitoring,no significant change in the content of NE in serum and BALF during mechanical ventilation was found in the non-VAP group,but the content of NE in serum and BALF at the time of VAP diagnosis in VAP group was significantly higher than that at mechanical ventilation start [μg/L:157.00 (153.04,165.75) vs.67.04 (63.00,75.75),178.04 (153.00,188.25) vs.96.26 (85.26,176.01),both P ＜ 0.05],and NE content in serum and BALF was significantly decreased at the time after VAP clinical recovery and before mechanical ventilation weaning [μg/L:75.67 (64.51,110.55) vs.157.00 (153.04,165.79),95.50 (66.56,183.02) vs.178.04 (153.00,188.25),both P ＜ 0.05].The NE in the start time of VAP in VAP group was divided into four groups according to quartile,it was found that with the increase of NE content in serum and BALF,the CPIS was increased,the duration of mechanical ventilation was prolonged,and the prognosis was poor (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with non-VAP group,white blood cell count (WBC),neutrocyte proportion,C-reactive protein (CRP),and procalcitonin (PCT) in VAP group were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.01).NE in BALF was significantly positively correlated with WBC,neutrocyte proportion,CRP and PCT (r value was 0.507,0.432,0.779,and 0.519,respectively,all P =0.000),among which the highest correlation was CRP.NE in BALF used for VAP diagnosis has good accuracy,with sensitivity of 87.4％,and specificity of 90.6％,and sensitivity and specificity of NE in serum for VAP diagnosis was 78.6％ and 79.2％ respectively.Conclusion NE can be used as one of the indicators for VAP diagnosis,and it is related to the prognosis of VAP.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) and the characteristics of Medical Research Council (MRC) score and electromyogram.Methods:A case control study was conducted. Patients with mechanical ventilation ≥ 7 days and MRC score admitted to department of respiratory and critical care medicine of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from September 2018 to January 2020 were enrolled, and they were divided into ICU-AW group (MRC score < 48) and non-ICU-AW group (MRC score ≥ 48) according to MRC score. The general situation, past medical history, related risk factors, MRC score, respiratory support mode, laboratory examination results, electromyogram examination results, ICU-AW related treatment, outcome and length of ICU stay were collected, and the differences between the two groups were compared. The risk factors of ICU-AW were analyzed by binary multivariate Logistic regression, and the characteristics of MRC score and electromyogram were analyzed.Results:A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the analysis, including 17 patients in ICU-AW group and 43 patients in non-ICU-AW group. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on the first day of ICU admission and the ratio of invasive mechanical ventilation between ICU-AW group and non-ICU-AW group [APACHEⅡ score: 21 (18, 25) vs. 18 (15, 22), SOFA score: 7 (5, 12) vs. 5 (3, 8), BNP (ng/L): 364.3 (210.1, 551.2) vs. 160.1 (66.8, 357.8), BUN (mmol/L): 9.9 (6.2, 17.0) vs. 6.0 (4.8, 9.8), invasive mechanical ventilation ratio: 88.2% vs. 46.5%, all P < 0.05]. Binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed no independent risk factor for ICU-AW. The average MRC score of 17 ICU-AW patients was 33±11. The limb weakness was symmetrical, and the proximal limb weakness was the main manifestation. Electromyography examination showed that the results of nerve conduction examination in ICU-AW patients mainly revealed that the amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) were decreased, and the conduction velocity was slowed down; needle electromyography showed increased area of motor unit potential (MUP), prolonged time limit and a large number of spontaneous potentials. Prognosis evaluation showed that compared with non-ICU-AW group, patients in ICU-AW group underwent more tracheotomy (70.6% vs. 11.6%), longer length of ICU stay (days: 57±52 vs. 16±8), and more rehabilitation treatment (58.8% vs. 14.0%), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Conclusions:The occurrence of ICU-AW may be related to high APACHEⅡ score and SOFA score, high levels of BNP and BUN on the first day of ICU admission and the proportion of invasive mechanical ventilation, but the above factors are not independent risk factors for ICU-AW. The MRC score of ICU-AW patients was characterized by symmetrical limb weakness, mainly proximal limb weakness; in electromyography examination, the nerve conduction examination results mainly showed that CMAP and SNAP amplitude were decreased, and conduction velocity was slowed down; needle electromyography examination showed increased MUP area, prolonged duration and a large number of spontaneous potentials.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 17-allylamino-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG) on the proliferative and invasive ability of gastric cancer cells and associated mechanism.

METHODSThe proliferative ability was tested by MTT method and the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry(FCM) when 17AAG was used to treat gastric cancer cell SGC7901. Apoptosis was detected by FCM and PI-Annexin V double staining. The invasive ability was tested by transwell method. Expression of HSP90, HSP70, c-met and AKT was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe growth of SGC7901 cells was inhibited after the administration of 17AAG, and the inhibitation was dose- and time-dependent. The cell cycle was blocked at the G0/G1 phase. The apoptotic ratio in 17AAG group was much higher than that in blank group and DMSO group (P<0.01). The cellular invasive ability decreased significantly (P<0.01). The expression of HSP70 was elevated by 17AAG, and the expression of c-met and AKT was down-regulated, but no change of HSP90 was observed.

CONCLUSION17AAG can inhibit the proliferative and invasive ability of SGC7901 cells, and induces apoptosis through down-regulating the expression of HSP90 client proteins instead of the target HSP90 itself.

Apoptosis ; Benzoquinones ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Humans ; Lactams, Macrocyclic ; pharmacology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

The adverse health effects of fine particles in the air pollution has been confirmed, and health consequences induced by ultrafine particles (mass media aerodynamic diameter < 0.1 micrometer), which was also known as nanoparticles, was drawing an increasing attention by researchers. Firstly, this review discussed the sources and physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles in the atmosphere in China. And then we focused on the biological effects and potential toxicity mechanisms of some common nanoparticles in the atmosphere on the major tissues and organs. Finally, the research focus of the nano particles in air pollutants was also presented.
Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Biomedical Research ; trends ; China ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; adverse effects ; Particle Size

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most severe complications during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). This study aimed to determine the risk factors for ICH and mortality in such patients. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical data of 77 patients who received VV-ECMO due to severe respiratory failure from July 2013 to May 2019 at China-Japan Friendship Hospital. Demographical data, laboratory indices, imaging characteristics, and other clinical information were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for ICH and mortality. RESULTS: Of 77 patients, 11 (14.3%) suffered from ICH, and 36 (46.8%) survived. The survival rate was significantly lower (18.2% [2/11] vs. 51.5% [34/66], P = 0.040) in patients with ICH than in those without ICH. Multivariable analysis revealed that factors independently associated with ICH were diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 12.848, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.129-146.188, P = 0.040) and minimum fibrinogen during ECMO (aOR: 2.557, 95% CI: 1.244-5.252, P = 0.011). Multivariable analysis showed that factors independently associated with mortality were acute hepatic failure during ECMO (aOR: 9.205, 95% CI: 1.375-61.604, P = 0.022), CO2 retention before ECMO (aOR: 7.602, 95% CI: 1.514-38.188, P = 0.014), and minimum platelet concentration during ECMO (aOR: 0.130, 95% CI: 0.029-0.577, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Diabetes mellitus and minimum fibrinogen concentration during ECMO are risk factors for ICH in patients with severe respiratory failure managed using VV-ECMO. This indicated that anticoagulants use and nervous system monitoring should be performed more carefully in patients with diabetes when treated with VV-ECMO due to severe respiratory failure.
Adult ; Anticoagulants ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Osteoarthritis (OA), in which M1 macrophage polarization in the synovium exacerbates disease progression, is a major cause of cartilage degeneration and functional disabilities. Therapeutic strategies of OA designed to interfere with the polarization of macrophages have rarely been reported. Here, we report that SHP099, as an allosteric inhibitor of src-homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), attenuated osteoarthritis progression by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization. We demonstrated that M1 macrophage polarization was accompanied by the overexpression of SHP2 in the synovial tissues of OA patients and OA model mice. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, myeloid lineage conditional Shp2 knockout (cKO) mice showed decreased M1 macrophage polarization and attenuated severity of synovitis, an elevated expression of cartilage phenotype protein collagen II (COL2), and a decreased expression of cartilage degradation markers collagen X (COL10) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) in OA cartilage. Further mechanistic analysis showed thatSHP099 inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling mediated by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and PI3K-AKT signaling. Moreover, intra-articular injection of SHP099 also significantly attenuated OA progression, including joint synovitis and cartilage damage. These results indicated that allosteric inhibition of SHP2 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OA.