Background Histopathological examination is an important approach to the basic and clinical study in ophthalmology.Different fix methods of retinal samples produce a large impact.The first fixed way often is used at home,and the last fixed way is preferred abroad.The comparative study between the two ways is lack.Objective This study was to compare rat retinal frozen sections following 4 different fix methods and confirm a simpler and better way.Methods Forty eyeballs were extracted from 40 SD rats and were randomly divided into four groups using random number table,ten for each group.The eyeballs were firstly fixed in 4％ paraformaldehyde overnight,4％ paraformaldehyde for 2-3 hours,formalin-acetic acid-alcohol (FAA) mixture solution,and then OCT embedding was performed in 3 groups.However,the samples were fixed in cold acetone following first liquid nitrogen frozen,OCT embeded in the forth group.Retinal serial sections of 4 groups were examined and compared after hematoxylin and eosin staining under the optical microscope.Results Retinal tissue was loosened interlayerly,and clustering of cells in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) were seen in the 4％ paraformaldehyde overnight fix group.The arrangement of interlayer and cells was improved in the 4％ paraformaldehyde for 2-3 hours group compared with 4％ paraformaldehyde overnight fix group.The retinal structure was closer among the layers in the FAA fixed group.In the later cold acetone fixed group,retinal morphology was more clear with the intact structure and regularly arranged cells in the ONL,INL and ganglion cell layer(GCL),as an living histology structure.Conclusions The first fix of retina produces a large impact on retinal morphology and structure.However,cold acetone fixation following first liquid nitrogen frozen is simpler,less time-consuming and more efficient way for the histopathological examination of retina.

Objective: To explore the clinical value of plasma copeptin level on major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurrence in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during hospitalization.
Methods: Our research included 2 groups:STEMI group, n=80 and Control group, n=80 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). All patients were treated in our hospital from 2012-06 to 2014-06. Plasma level of copeptin was detected by ELISA, other relevant examinations were conducted to study the MACE occurrence in STEMI patients.
Results: Plasma copeptin level in STEMI group (523.26 ± 142.69) pg/ml was higher than that in Control group (345.25 ± 89.36) pg/ml, P<0.05. In STEMI group, there were 28/80 (35%) patients suffered from MACE, compared with non-MACE patients, they had increased plasma copeptin, cardiac muscle protein I (cTnI), kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), P<0.05. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that plasma copeptin, cTnI and LVEF were the independent risk factors for MACE occurrence. According to occurred area under the curve, compared with cTnI and CK-MB, plasma copeptin level had the higher predictive value to judge the ROC, positive/negative possibility, sensitivity and speciifcity for MACE occurrence in STEAMI patients, P<0.05.
Conclusion: Plasma copeptin level could effectively predict MACE occurrence in patients with acute STEMI during
hospitalization, it may predict their prognosis at certain point.

AIM: To compare the methods of two currently employed isolation methods for endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs): from total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and from enriched CD133~+ cells, by defining the cell morphology, phenotype, reproductive activities and function in vitro, providing a reference for clinic application. METHODS: PBMCs from the healthy subjects were used for CD133~+ sorting or not. The two groups of isolated cells were suspended in complete medium M199 for 7 d to 14 d. EPCs phenotype were characterized by FACS. The proliferation of differentiated EPCs was studied by MTT assay, and VEGF concentration was measured using an ELISA kit. Matrigel experiment and migration assay were imitated vascularization in vivo. RESULTS: PBMCs produced more colony-forming units (CFU) than CD133~+ cells from the same volume of blood (P<0.01). From 7 d to 14 d, the two groups show decreased expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers and increased level of endothelial markers, but CD144~+ cells in CD133~+ group were lower than those in PBMCs groups (P<0.01). Cells in PBMCs group secreted more VEGF than that in CD133~+ group on 7 d (P<0.01). Compared to CD133~+ group, PBMCs group showed more potential of proliferation and vascularization in vitro. CONCLUSION: CD133~+ sorted cells show a lower capacity of differentiation, secretion, proliferation and vascularization in vitro, which is unable to differentiate to mature endothelial cells, indicating that it's not a preferential way to obtain EPCs for clinic therapy.

Objective To study the impact of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and its antagonist on the expressions of intestinal mucosa claudin-1,Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in rat models of acute liver failure.Methods Fifty four healthy male SpragueDawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group and intervention group according to a random number table.Rats in normal control (n=6) group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.9％ saline (12 mL/kg).Rats in model group (n=24) and intervention group (n=24) were intraperitoneally injected with a full dose of D-galactosamine (D-GalN) at a dose of 1 200 mg/kg to establish model of acute liver failure,while rats in intervention group were intraperitoneally injected with TNF-α antagonists (rhTNFR∶Fc) at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg before 24 hours given D-GalN.At each time point of hour 8,24,48 and 72,six rats in both model group and the intervention group were sacrificed,respectively,while the normal control group were all anesthetized and sacrificed at 72 h.Models were repeated five times.Serum liver function was detected by biochemical method,and serum TNF-α level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stained sections of liver and terminal ileum were examined under an optical microscope for pathological changes;and protein expression of the terminal ileum Claudin-1,ZO-1 protein and MLCK were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Means among groups were compared with t test.Results Acute liver failure was successfully induced in the D-GalN injected rats.In the model group,alanine aminotransferase (ALT) began to decline,total bilirubin continued to rise,and enzyme-jaundice separation developed at hour 72.But total bilirubin in intervention group at hour 72 was decreased.Light microscope showed that at hour 72,villus lodged at terminal ileum in the model group with part of villus tip failing off in the model group.Villus mucosa and submucosa interstitial were edema and infiltrated with numerous neutrophils.The terminal ileum kept integrate in the intervention group,and villus mucosa and submucosa were mild edema and only infiltrated with a small amount of neutrophil.Expressions of tumor necrosis necrosis factor (TNF)-α in rats of model group and intervention group were gradually increased and peaked at hour 24 ([239.83 ± 15.81] and [182.71± 17.08] ng/L,respectively),which were significantly higher than that of the control group ([24.19±3.57] ng/L,t=22.68and 15.73,respectively;both P＜0.01).Expression of serumTNF-α in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of model group (t=4.58,P＜0.01).Expressions of Claudin-1 and ZO-1 in model group decreased gradually at an early stage and reached the lowest level at hour 24 (0.355 ± 0.068 and 0.387 ± 0.091,respectively),which were both significantly lower than that of control group (1.640±0.188 and 1.015±0.150,respectively;t=12.87 and 7.14,respectively;both P＜0.01).In the intervention group,expressions of Claudin-1 and ZO-1 also decreased to the lowest level at hour 24 (1.051 ± 0.370 and 0.642 ± 0.082,respectivley),which were both significantly lower than that of control group (t =2.84 and 4.36,respectively;both P＜0.05),but significantly higher than model group with stastically difference (t =3.70 and 4.15,respectively;both P＜0.01).MLCK protein levels in the model and intervention group were gradually increased,which peaked at hour 24 (1.298±0.194 and 1.033 ± 0.073,respectively),significantly higher than the control group (0.460±0.069,t=8.16 and 11.44,both P＜0.01);and MLCK in the intervention group was lower than that in the model group with statistically difference (t=2.56,P＜0.05).Conclusions Expression of serum TNF-α in rat model of acute liver failure increases,which leads to decreased expression of Claudin-1 and ZO-1,and increased expression of MLCK,makes cell shrunk and cell gap increased.TNF-α antagonist could significantly reduce the inflammation and liver cell apoptosis,improve liver function by inhibiting MLCK expression and preventing decrease of Claudin-1 and ZO-1 proteins.

Two isolation methods for sorting of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs): from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD133(+) enriched cells were compared, by defining the cell morphology, phenotype, reproductive activities and function in vitro, to provide a reference for clinical application of EPCs. PBMCs from healthy subjects were used either directly for cell culture or for CD133(+) sorting. The two groups of cells were cultured in complete medium 199 (M199) for 7 to 14 days and the phenotypes of EPCs were analyzed by FACS. The proliferation of differentiated EPCs was studied by MTT assay, and the VEGF concentration was measured using an ELISA kit. ECM gel experiment and migration assay were performed in vivo. The results showed that PBMCs produced more colony-forming units (CFU) than CD133(+) enriched cells from the same volume of blood (P<0.01). From day 7 to 14, the two groups showed decreased expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers and increased level of endothelial markers, but CD144(+) cells in CD133(+) group were less than in PBMCs group (P<0.01). PBMCs group secreted more VEGF than CD133(+) group on the day 7 (P<0.01). As compared with CD133(+) group, PBMCs group had more potent potential of proliferation and vascularization in vitro. It was concluded that CD133(+) sorted cells showed a lower capacity of differentiation, secretion, proliferation and vascularization in vitro, suggesting that CD133-negative cells may be a preferential way to get EPCs for clinical therapy.

OBJECTIVETo study the intestinal expression of defensin-5 (RD-5), soluble phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and lysozyme in acute liver failure (ALF) using rat models, and to determine the relation of these expressions to intestinal bacterial translocation.

METHODSForty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group (n=8) and a model group (n=40; intraperitoneal injection of 10% D-galactosamine). The model group was further divided into five subgroups according to the time lapse after model establishment (8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 hours). At the end of the experiments, homogenates of mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen were cultured in agar for bacterial outgrowth.Hematoxylin-eosin stained sections of liver and terminal ileum were examined under an optical microscope to assess pathological changes. mRNA expression of RD-5, sPLA2 and lysozyme in the terminal ileum was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase reaction (RT-PCR), and protein expression of sPLA2 and lysozyme from the same anatomic location was determined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Means between groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTSALF was successfully induced in the D-galactosamine injected rats. No bacteria grew in the organ cultures from the control group, while 8.3%, 37.5% and 58.3% of the rats in the 24-, 48-and 72-hour model groups showed positive cultures. Despite this, the structure of the terminal ileum from the rats in the 72-hour model group was nearly intact, without obvious necrosis of mucosal epithelial cells. Expression of RD-5 and sPLA2 mRNA in the model groups gradually increased at early time points and peaked at 16 hours after induction of ALF (1.291+/-0.153 and 1.131+/-0.128), which was significantly higher than that detected in the control group (0.725+/-0.116 and 0.722+/-0.112, t=69.25, 95.71, all P<0.01). After that, the expression of RD-5 and sPLA2 mRNA progressively decreased, and by 72 hours after the induction of ALF, the expression (0.415+/-0.104 and 0.425+/-0.076) was significantly lower than that of the control group (t=31.55 and 44.98, all P<0.01). Lysozyme mRNA expression in the model group peaked at 8 hours after ALF induction (1.211+/-0.107), which was higher than that of the control group at this time point (0.853+/-0.093), and by 72 hours after ALF induction it declined to 0.704+/-0.103, which was significantly lower than that of the control group (t=9.224; all P=0.009). In addition, at 72 hours after ALF induction the protein expression of both lysozyme and sPLA2 was significantly lower in the model group (0.327+/-0.086 and 0.382+/-0.057) than in the control group (0.583+/-0.121 and 0.650+/-0.093, t=12.28 and 15.83, P=0.004 and 0.001). Similar results were obtained with immunohistochemical staining.

CONCLUSIONThe function of the ileal mucosal immune barrier in the rat model of acute liver failure decreased, along with decreases in expression of RD-5, sPLA2 and lysozyme in the Paneth cells.At the same time, the rate of organ bacterial translocation increased without obvious injury to the intestinal mucosa structure.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; Defensins ; Disease Models, Animal ; Galactosamine ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Intestines ; Liver Failure, Acute ; Male ; Muramidase ; Phospholipases A2 ; Protein Precursors ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Two isolation methods for sorting of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs): from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)and CD133+ enriched cells were compared,by defining the cell morphology,phenotype,reproductive activities and function in vitro,to provide a reference for clinical application of EPCs.PBMCs from healthy subjects were used either directly for cell culture or for CD133+ sorting.The two groups of cells were cultured in complete medium 199(M199)for 7 to 14 days and the phenotypes of EPCs were analyzed by FACS.The proliferation of differentiated EPCs was studied by MTT assay,and the VEGF concentration was measured using an ELISA kit.ECM gel experiment and migration assay were performed in vivo.The results showed that PBMCs produced more colony-forming units(CFU)than CD133+enriched cells from the same volume of blood(P<0.01).From day 7 to 14,the two groups showed decreased expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers and increased level of endothelial markers,but CD144+cells in CD133+ group were less than in PBMCs group(P<0.01).PBMCs group secreted more VEGF than CD133+group on the day 7(P<0.01).As compared with CD133+ group,PBMCs group had more potent potential of proliferation and vascularization in vitro.It was concluded that CD133+sorted cells showed a lower capacity of differentiation,secretion,proliferation and vascularization in vitro,suggesting that CD133-negative cells may be a preferential way to get EPCs for clinical therapy.

Although microRNA-155 (miR-155) is considered a pro-inflammatory mediator, cumulative evidence indicates that it also has anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages and dendritic cells. In this study, we identified the dramatic expression changes of more than half of potential miR-155-targeted genes upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation; 223 genes were down-regulated and 85 genes were up-regulated, including suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (

Objective To investigate the difference in the prognosis of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) caused by hepatitis recurrence after withdrawal of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUC) and possible causes in HBeAg-positive versus HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods A total of 108 CHB patients with HBV-ACLF caused by withdrawal of NUC who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled, and according to HBeAg status, these patients were divided into HBeAg-positive group with 57 patients and HBeAg-negative group with 51 patients. The two groups were compared in terms of sex, age, clinical manifestation, signs, levels of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time/international normalized ratio, and HBV DNA quantification on admission, complications (including hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis), and prognosis of HBV-ACLF. In addition, 48 CHB patients with continuous NUC antiviral therapy for > 2 years and HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL were enrolled, and the serum level of HBV pgRNA was measured to investigate the possible causes of the difference in the prognosis of HBV-ACLF between the patients with different HBeAg statuses. The two-independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data. Results For the 108 patients with HBV-ACLF caused by drug withdrawal and recurrence, the HBeAg-positive group had an improvement rate of 49.1% and the HBeAg-negative group had an improvement rate of 74.5%. The HBeAg-negative group had a significantly higher improvement rate than the HBeAg-positive group ( χ 2 =2.811, P =0.006). The HBeAg-positive group had a significantly higher level of HBV DNA than the HBeAg-negative group on admission ( t =-3.138, P =0.002). For the 48 CHB patients who achieved virologic response after long-term antiviral therapy, the HBeAg-positive group had a significantly higher HBV pgRNA load than the HBeAg-negative group ( H =2.814, P =0.049). Conclusion Compared with the HBeAg-positive CHB patients, HBeAg-negative CHB patients have a significantly better improvement rate of HBV-ACLF caused by hepatitis recurrence after withdrawal of NUC antiviral therapy. The difference in baseline HBV pgRNA level may be associated with the difference in the prognosis of HBV-ACLF in patients with different HBeAg statuses.

Tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins are important effectors of innate immunity against viral infections. Here we identified TRIM35 as a regulator of TRAF3 activation. Deficiency in or inhibition of TRIM35 suppressed the production of type I interferon (IFN) in response to viral infection. Trim35-deficient mice were more susceptible to influenza A virus (IAV) infection than were wild-type mice. TRIM35 promoted the RIG-I-mediated signaling by catalyzing Lys63-linked polyubiquitination of TRAF3 and the subsequent formation of a signaling complex with VISA and TBK1. IAV PB2 polymerase countered the innate antiviral immune response by impeding the Lys63-linked polyubiquitination and activation of TRAF3. TRIM35 mediated Lys48-linked polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of IAV PB2, thereby antagonizing its suppression of TRAF3 activation. Our in vitro and in vivo findings thus reveal novel roles of TRIM35, through catalyzing Lys63- or Lys48-linked polyubiquitination, in RIG-I antiviral immunity and mechanism of defense against IAV infection.
A549 Cells ; Animals ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/immunology* ; DEAD Box Protein 58/immunology* ; Dogs ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology* ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/pathology* ; Proteolysis ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Signal Transduction/immunology* ; THP-1 Cells ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3/immunology* ; Ubiquitination/immunology* ; Viral Proteins/immunology*