Nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3, NLRP3) inflammasomes regulate the secretion of caspase-1, interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-1β, and other cytokines, and participates in aging. In recent years, it has been found that NLRP3 inflammasomes are abnormally activated in aging heart and vessels, and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasomes can alleviate heart aging and vascular aging. This review summarizes the research of NLRP3 inflammasome in heart and vascular aging, and the related drugs to promote the discovery of the mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome in heart and vascular aging and the development of related drugs.

ObjectiveTo establish a new method for preparing synaptosomes.MethodsDensity gradient centrifugation method was used to isolate synaptosomes of mouse, checking by transmission electron microscopy.ResultsSynaptosomes prepared by this method had intact morphological characteristics, surrounding with a continuous oval-shaped membrane structure, moreover, mitochondrion and lots of synaptic vesicle in them.ConclusionThis method is applicable to establish a rapid, convenient and useful method for preparing synaptosomes.

The direct effects of glutamate and dizocilpine maleate (MK-801, non-competitive N-Methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist) on the metabolism of dopamine were investigated in the striatum of normal and parkinsonian rats. L-dopa, L-glutamic acid and MK-801 were administered in the striatum locally by microdialysis. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were simultaneously sampled by microdialysis. The concentrations of DOPAC and HVA were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). L-dopa increased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal and parkinsonian rats. L-glutamic acid decreased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in striatum of normal rats but not parkinsonian rats. MK-801 increased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal rats but not parkinsonian rats. MK-801 prevented the L-glutamic acid-induced decrease of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal rats. Our results indicate that glutamate modulates the metabolism of dopamine (DA) through NMDA receptors and that the improvement of PD by MK-801 is not through improving the metabolism of DA.
Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; physiology ; Microdialysis ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the polymorphism of DNA repair genes XPC (Ala499Val and Lys939Gln) and XPG (His1104Asp) is associated with the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSA hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 500 cases with HCC and 507 controls. Genotypes of XPC and XPG were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction with the TaqMan MGB probe.

RESULTSCompared to the CC genotype, the CT genotype and the TT genotype of XPC Ala499Val were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.85-2.12; adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.68-2.51, respectively). Compared to the AA genotype, the AC genotype and the CC genotype of Lys939Gln were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.78-1.85; adjusted OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.88-3.73, respectively). Compared to the CC genotype, the CG genotype and the GG genotype of XPG His1104Asp were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.56-1.27; adjusted OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.67-1.87, respectively) However, the stratified analysis revealed that the females with the AC+CC genotype of XPC Lys939Gln had increased risk of HCC compared to those with AA genotype (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.01-4.64).

CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that XPC and XPG polymorphisms do not independently affect on the susceptibility to HCC, but the joint effect of C allele of XPC Lys939Gln and female may modify the risk of HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Endonucleases ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hematological characteristics of co-inheritance of α-thalassemia (α-thal) and β-thalassemia (β-thal) and to survey the incidence of co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal in Guangxi.

METHODSDNA samples from 370 primary and middle school students who were β-thal carriers in Guangxi were further processed for the α-goblin gene mutation screening, and were grouped based on the genotype of β- and α-goblin gene. The hematological indexes to the different groups were compared by One-way ANOVA.

RESULTSOf the total 370 β-thal carriers, 79 were found to carry α-thal, which gave a frequency of 21.35% for β-thal carriers and 1.36% for coincidence of these two common disorders in the local population. As expected, the 79 patients presented very variable α-globin alterations in combination with β-globin mutations, showing 31 genotype combined with the coincidence of both Hb disorders. Except the genotypes of 3 β-thal heterozygotes combined with ααα(anti3.7) triplication and 2 β-thal carriers with IVS-II-654(C→T)/N combined-α(3.7)/αα presented the phenotype of thalassemia intermedia, and other 74 carriers with co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal all presented the phenotype of β-thal trait. There were significant differences between β-thal heterozygotes and the carriers with a co-inheritance of both β+α(0) thal in MCH, MCV and Hb. In addition, there existed significant difference between the carriers with a co-inheritance of both β+α(+) thal and a co-inheritance of both β+α(0) thal in MCV, MCH and Hb.

CONCLUSIONCompared to that of β-thal heterozygotes, the carriers with a co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal had slighter phenotype with hematological characteristics. It's difficult to distinguish the double heterozygotes with the co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal from β-thal heterozygotes by hematological indexes, the molecular diagnosis should be performed.

Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; alpha-Thalassemia ; blood ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; blood ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the characters of the treatment of perioperative period in fractures with diabetes mellitus (DM) and the effect of diabetes on the treatment of them.

METHODSTo retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 97 fracture patients with DM (DM group) who accepted operation. Compare the difference of the average hospitalized length, medical cost and the incidence of postoperative complications with the controls.

RESULTS(1) Insulin dosage was less in postoperative period (0.5 +/- 0.2) U.d(-1).kg(-1) than steady period (0.7 +/- 0.2) U.d(-1).kg(-1) and operative period (0.7 +/- 0.3) U.d(-1).kg(-1), the difference is significant (P < 0.05); (2) There were more complications in DM group than that in the control group before operation. The fractured patients with DM could receive operation after preoperative treatment and improving micro-circulation; (3) Compared with control group, DM group had longer preoperative preparation period of in-hospital duration, and higher in-hospital medical costs; (4) There were no significant difference between DM group and control group (P > 0.05) in postoperative complications and wound healing.

CONCLUSIONSFractured patients with DM should take effective methods to treat complications of DM and do adequate preparation for the operation. Rational treatment of preoperative complications is very important for preventing postoperative one and guarantee operation successful. But the longer of hospitalized length is, the higher of in-hospital medical costs are.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Complications ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Care ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To study the correlation between liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) category with tumor differentiation, Ki67 index, microvascular infiltration, and predictive prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological data of 178 patients with HCC who were confirmed by histopathological studies after liver resection between January 2015 and September 2020 at Lishui Central Hospital and Lishui People’s Hospital. There were 156 males and 22 females, with age of (57±10) years old. These patients were assessed for LI-RADS categories according to the 2018 version of LI-RADS, and they were divided into 4 groups according to the assessment results: 12 patients with LI-RADS-3 (the LI-RADS-3 group); 26 patients with LI-RADS-4 (the LI-RADS-4 group); 102 patients with LI-RADS-5 (the LI-RADS-5 group); and 38 patients with LI-RADS-M (the LI-RADS-M group). The patients' general information, tumor markers, pathology and other clinical data were recorded. Correlation analysis between the LI-RADS category with pathology was performed by the Kendall's tau-b test. Survival analysis between groups was performed by the Kaplan-Meier analysis. The Cox regression risk model was used to analyze the relationship between these variables with the risk of death.Results:The Kendall's tau-b test showed that LI-RADS category was positively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation ( t=0.204, P=0.002), but not with microvascular infiltration and Ki 67 index ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for 4.2 to 84.2 months (median follow-up 36.3 months). By the end of follow-up, 31 patients had died and 147 patients were alive. The cumulative 1-year and 3-year survival rates of the LI-RADS-5 group were 97% and 90% respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the LI-RADS-M group (81% and 63%), and the LI-RADS-4 group (96% and 81%), ( P<0.05). The cumulative 1-year and 3-year survival rates of patients in the LI-RADS-3 group were 100% and 67% respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference with the LI-RADS-5 group ( P>0.05). The Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that tumor glycoantigen 199 (>50 μl/ml) to be an independent influencing factor in survival of HCC patients ( HR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.24-0.76, P=0.004). Conclusion:The LI-RADS category of HCC was positively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, and patients with HCC meeting the LI-RADS-5 criteria had relatively better prognosis.

Adult ; Amyloidosis ; complications ; Factor X Deficiency ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; complications ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore the intranasal surface localization of the lacrimal sac in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

METHODSFifteen adult cadavers (30 sides) were studied, the data of projection position of the lacrimal sac on the lateral wall of nasal cavity were measured.

RESULTSIn 2/3 cadavers, the lacrimal sac is located above the axilla of the middle turbinate, and 1/3 lies below it. A majority of the lacrimal sac (2/3) are located below the entry point of the common lacrimal canaliculus, about 1/3 lies above it. Inner canthal ligament projects on the middle of the lacrimal sac, almost equal to the level of common lacrimal canaliculus. Thirty-two cases (thirty-nine sides) of chronic dacryocystitis were followed-up > 6 months after operation. Thirty-five sides were cured, 2 sides improved and 2 sides ineffective. The cure rate was 89.8%, improve rate 5.1% and ineffective rate 5.1%, respectively, and the total effective rate was 94.9%.

CONCLUSIONSThe central position of dacryocystorhinostomy should be 0.2 cm above the front of the axilla of the middle turbinate, to make an curved mucous membrane incision 0.8 cm above and 0. 4 cm below the front of the axilla of the middle turbinate and bone ostium about 1.2 cm x 1.0 cm. It is the best position in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Locating the inner canthal ligament with a bayonet type forceps to find the projection of lacrimal sac is also a simple and easy method.

Adult ; Aged ; Anatomy, Regional ; Chronic Disease ; Dacryocystitis ; surgery ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEChanges of the internal and external cellular environments can induce calcium homeostasis disorder and unfolded protein aggregation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This ER function disorder is called endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Severe long-term ERS can trigger the ER apoptosis signaling pathway, resulting in cell apoptosis and organism injury. Recent researches revealed that ERS-induced cell death was involved in the neurocyte retrogradation in the progress of neuron degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease and so on. Therefore, the protection effect of the traditional Chinese drug-Tiantai No. 1 (1) on the ERS injury of AD was investigated at the molecular gene level in this study with a view to explore the gene pharmacodynamic actions and mechanisms of this drug.

METHODSPrimarily cultured marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of rats were treated by tunicamycin (TM) in order to induce ERS. RT-PCR, fluorescence immunocytochemistry and Western blot techniques were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of the protective stress protein-ER molecular chaperones GRP78 and GRP94 (which would assist cells to resist cellular stress injury), and to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis promoting molecule Caspase-12 on the membrane of the ER, respectively.

RESULTSProtein expression levels of GRP78 and GRP94 were significantly increased in the TM-induced MSCs, and the mRNA level of Caspase-12 was also remarkably increased in the TM-induced MSCs (P<0.05). All these proved that the ERS model was successfully established by TM in MSC. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein levels of GRP78 and GRP94 were all significantly increased compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01) after MSCs were treated with Tiantai No.1 while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Caspase-12 were significantly decreased compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). This effect showed a dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONTiantai No.1 might attenuate the cell apoptosis induced by ERS injury, and thus protect the neurons against AD.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Antagonism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA ; analysis ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Physiological ; drug effects ; genetics ; Tunicamycin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology