Autophagy is an active research area in the biomedical field as its role has been identified in many physiological and pathological processes. Accordingly, there is a growing demand to identify, quantify and manipulate the process accurately. Meanwhile, there is great interest in identifying compounds that modulate autophagy because they may have applications in the treatment of a variety of autophagy-related diseases. In this review, we summarize the current status of autophagy screening systems to facilitate identification of autophagy modulators.
Autophagy ; Humans

ObjectiveTo find out if the immune system derived thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) β splice variant(TSHβ-Ⅴ) would be regulated by circulating thyroid hormone levels to get a further understanding of the function and mechanism of this TSHβ-Ⅴ in thyroid homeostasis.MethodsA total of 20 weaning Balb/c mice (half male and half female) were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to their body mass and gender(n =10).Mice of control group were fed with common diet and deionized water.Mice of the low-iodine(LI) group were fed with low-iodine diet(containing iodine 20 - 40 μg/kg,iodine-intake about 0.25 μg/d) and deionized water.The experimental period was 3 months.At the end of the experiment,mice were executed and the blood was collected to observe the levels of TSH and thyroid hormone by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) ; bone marrow (BM),peripheral blood(PBL),thyroid gland and pituitary were collected to assay the TSHβ-Ⅴ mRNA expression by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsThe serum free thyroxine(FT4) and total thyroxine(TT4) levels in LI group of mice[(0.47 ± 0.70)nmol/L,(2.41 ± 0.28)pmol/L] were significantly lower than that of the control group of mice [(55.2 ± 3.68) nmol/L, (32.72 ± 1.02) pmol/L,t =43.81,86.04 、all P ＜ 0.01 ] and the serum total triiodothyronine(TT3) and free triiodothyronine(FT3) reduction in LI group of mice[ (0.76 ± 0.08)nmol/L,(4.01 ± 0.40)pmol/L] were significantly lower than that of the control group of mice [ (1.10 ± 0.06)nmol/L,(5.40 ± 0.38)pmol/L,t =9.81,7.5 1,P ＜ 0.01 ].Iodine insufficiency strongly elevated the serum TSH in LI group of mice[ (35.67 ± 17.39)mU/L] than that in control group of mice[ (0.24 ± 0.10)mU/L,t =- 6.11,P ＜ 0.01 ].The mRNA levels of TSH β-Ⅴ in BM (9.62 ± 0.60) and in PBL( 9.25 ± 0.83 ) of LI group of mice were lower than those in control group of mice (7.69 ± 0.36,7.11 ± 0.41,t =6.77,5.64,P ＜ 0.01),while the mRNA level of TSH β-Ⅴ in pituitary of LI group of mice (1.99 ± 0.61) was increased compared with that in control group of mice (5.75 ± 0.98,t =- 8.02,P＜ 0.01).Compared with control group of mice(9.12 ± 0.62),the level of thyroid TSH β-Ⅴ mRNA in LI group of mice (9.32 ± 0.91 ) was not significantly changed (t =0.45,P ＞ 0.05).There was no detectable native TSHβ in BM,PBL and thyroid.The mRNA level of native TSHβ in pituitary in LI group of mice( - 7.17 ± 1.78) was dramatically elevated compared to that in control group of mice( - 1.43 ± 0.51,t =- 7.60,P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe mRNA levels of TSHβ-Ⅴ are suppressed in BM and PBL in low iodinediet induced hypothyroidism mice,which suggest that immune system derived TSHβ-Ⅴ may be more important thannative TSHβ in immune-thyroid regulation.

AIM To observe the protective effect of Ganduqing Granule(GDQ) on acute hepatic injury. METHODS Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups, namely normal control group, model group, Ganduqing large (GDQ Ⅰ), middle(GDQ Ⅱ), small dose(GDQ Ⅲ) groups and Yiganning (YGN) positive group. Acute hepatic injury induced by thioacetamide. The changes of blood serum ALT, AST activity and plasma endotoxin (ET) level and TNF-?, IL-6 levels were measured and livers were taken for pathology examination. RESULTS Plasma ET level and blood serum ALT, AST levels and TNF-?, IL-6 levels were significantly lower than model group ( P

Objective To investigate the regional left ventricular function after mitral valve replacement with and without chordal preservation by strain rate imaging. Methods A total of 55 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement were enrolled. Twenty underwent complete excision of the subvalvular apparatus (group A), 20 preserved the posterior chordopapillary apparatus only (group B) and the other 15 underwent total chordal preservation (group C). Systolic peak strain rate (SRs) were measured preoperatively, at 7-10 days and 3 months after operation. Results Before operation, SRs had no differences between different segments of the left ventricular in each group (F=0.37, 0.74, 0.90, all P>0.05). At 7-10 days after operation, SRs in the most segments of left ventricular were signiifcantly lower than those of before operation (F=3.91, 8.12, 7.57, all P<0.05). At 3 months after operation, SRs in some segments of left ventricular were signiifcantly higher than those of preoperation in each group (t=2.12, 3.19, 3.25, 2.08, 2.78, 4.79, 2.81, 2.58, 2.87, 1.60, 0.34, 1.04, 0.73, 0.70, 1.68, all P<0.05). SRs had no signiifcant differences between each segment of left ventricular in group C (F=1.76, P>0.05). By contrast, SRs in some segments of left ventricular were different from those of other segments in group A and group B (F=17.8, 8.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion Comparing to conventional mitral valve replacement and mitral valve replacement with preservation of posterior subvalvular apparatus, mitral valve replacement with preservation of total subvalvular apparatus makes the papiltary function preserved completely, which are beneifcial for the motor coordination of left ventricular wall and the recovery of regional left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the early diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency rickets.

METHODSConcentrations of serum 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were measured in normal control (n=73), suspected rickets (n=45) and confirmed rickets groups (n=65). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum 25(OH)D for rickets.

RESULTSSerum 25(OH)D levels in the suspected and confirmed rickets groups were 83±30 and 72±31 nmol/L respectively, which was lower than in the normal control group (112±37 nmol/L) (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the suspected and confirmed rickets groups (P>0.05). Vitamin D deficiency rates in the suspected and confirmed rickets groups were higher than in the control group (P<0.01). The ROC curve area of serum 25(OH)D for the diagnosis of rickets was 0.760 (95%CI 0.692-0.820, P<0.01), and the optimal operating point was 90.70 nmol/L (sensitivity 68.49%, specificity 72.73%). There was no significant difference in levels of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase between the three groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSerum 25(OH)D levels in infants with suspected and confirmed rickets are significantly reduced and this may reflect vitamin D deficiency . Therefore, it may be useful to check serum 25(OH)D levels in screening for rickets.

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; ROC Curve ; Rickets ; blood ; diagnosis ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical results of surgery for rotationally and vertically unstable pelvis fracture.

METHODSThirty-four patients with rotationally and vertically unstable pelvis fractures were treated. There were 23 male and 11 female,with the average age of 36 years ranging from 13 to 56 years. There were 9 cases of type APC III, 14 cases of type LC III, and 11 cases of type VS according to Young-Burgess Classifiction. All patients' pelvis were treated with temporary external fixation after hospitalization, and were treated with open reduction and internal fixation through anterior approach after stabilization of body condition.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 12 to 48 months (average 21 months). All the incisions healed well, and the fractures got union for 3 to 6 months. According to the Majeed evaluation, the results were excellent in 21 cases, good in 10, fair in 3. All patients were not remained deformity of rotation and dislocation. But 3 patients remained lameness, 4 remained low back pain, 3 remained both leg and feet numbness.

CONCLUSIONIn the management of the rotationally and vertically unstable pelvis fractures, a stable pelvis can be reconstructed by effective open reduction and internal fixation through the anterior approaches, so that further sequelae can be reduced.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; classification ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of Xiongshao Capsule (XS), consisting of Chuangxiongol and paeoniflorin, in preventing restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in senile coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

METHODSA multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 335 CHD patients were randomly assigned to treatment with oral administration of XS, or a placebo for 6 months after successful PCI. A clinical follow-up was performed at 1, 3 and 6 months after PCI and an angiographic follow-up was scheduled at 6 months. The primary endpoint was angiographic restenosis defined as a luminal stenosis ≥ 50% in follow-up. The secondary endpoints were combined incidence of death, target lesion nonfatal myocardial infarction, repeat target-vessel angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The follow-up for the above clinical endpoint events was continued to 1 year after PCI.

RESULTSThe subgroup analysis of 152 senile patients (68 cases angiographic follow-up) showed that the restenosis rates tended to reduce in the XS group as compared with that in the placebo group (24.32% vs. 38.71%, P > 0.05), and the minimum lumen diameter (MLD) significantly increased in the follow-up (2.15 ± 0.84 for XS vs. 1.73 ± 0.91 for placebo, P < 0.05). The incidence of recurrent angina at 3 and 6 months after PCI was also significantly reduced in the XS group (4.11% and 12.33%) as compared with those in the placebo group (17.72% and 43.04%), but there was no significant difference in the combined incidence of clinical outcomes (6.85% in the XS group vs. 11.39% in the placebo group, P > 0.05). No significant adverse reactions occurred within the 6-month follow-up period in the XS group.

CONCLUSIONAdministration of XS in addition to standardized Western medication for 6 months is demonstrated to be safe and effective in reducing post-PCI recurrent angina and inhibiting luminal restenosis after PCI in senile CHD patients.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Capsules ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Restenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Endpoint Determination ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Placebos ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo provide the acute toxicity data of hygromycin B phosphotransferase (HPT) using recombinant protein purified from E. coli.

METHODSRecombinant HPT protein was expressed and purified from E. coli. To exclude the potential adverse effect of bacteria protein in recombinant HPT protein, bacterial control plasmid was constructed, and bacteria control protein was extracted and prepared as recombinant HPT protein. One hundred mice, randomly assigned to 5 groups, were administrated 10 g/kg, 5 g/kg, or 1 g/kg body weight of HPT or 5 g/kg body weight of bacterial control protein or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) respectively by oral gavage.

RESULTSAll animals survived with no significant change in body weight gain throughout the study. Macroscopic necropsy examination on day 15 revealed no gross pathological lesions in any of the animals. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of HPT was 10 g/kg body weight in mice and could be regarded as nontoxic.

CONCLUSIONHPT protein does not have any safety problems to human health.

Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Recombinant Proteins ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Toxicity Tests, Acute

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of Xue Hanjing oral fluid on mice immunological function.

METHODThe weight of thymus gland and spleen and the function of abdominal cavity macrophage were measured. Production of the hemolysin antibody, the immunoglobulin of blood serum and complement and the proliferation of T lymphocytes were observed respectively by means of microblood, immune-turbidimetry and MTT staining.

RESULTXue Hanjing oral fluid could enhance index of the thymus gland and spleen and the phago-percent of abdominal cavity macrophage, increase the immunoglobulin of blood serum(IgG and IgM), and accelerate production of the hemolysin antibody and the proliferation of T lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONSXue Hanjing oral can reinforce immunological function in mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hemolysin Proteins ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology

Objective To select a safe, flexible and lightweight manipulator and to execute its kinematic analysis and trajectory planning, so as to improve the application of serial robot in the treatment of hazardous biochemical products. Methods The kinematic modeling was carried out for the manipulator, and the kinematic and inverse kinematic formulas were deduced and verified.Differential transform method was used to obtain the Jacobian matrix of the manipulator,and the trajectory planning was implemented for the manipulator at joint and cartesian spaces.Results An ideal motion curve was formed by the trajectory planning of serial robot to realize its stable and high-efficiency motion at spaces.Conclusion Serial robot is facilitated to execute the treatment of hazardous biochemical products, and references are provided to other researches on serial robot.