Objective: To investigate how fatty liver was developed in ventromedial hypothalamus(VMH)-lesioned obese rats. Methods: Two groups of rats were prepared: (1)VMH-lesioned obese rats, and (2)sham VMH-lesioned rats. One week after VMH lesions, livers of all rats were isolated for morphological observation and for determination of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein(MTP), phosphatidate phyosphohydrolase (PAP), malic enzyme (ME), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PDH). Results: Triglyceride contents in livers of VMH-lesoned obese rats increased significantly, and were about 1.8-fold of control group. Activities of ME, G6PDH and PAP in the livers were also enhanced markedly compared to their controls. Many lipid droplets in cytoplasm of hepatocytes from VMH-lesioned obese rats were observed, while there was no similar finding in hepatocytes of control rats. MTP activity in livers of VMH-lesioned obese rats was higher than that in livers of sham-operated non-obese rats [0.201?0.013 vs. 0.175?0.014 ?g/(mg protein?h),[WTBX]P0.05). Conclusion: Hepatic triglyceride production and activity of MTP were increased in VMH-lesioned obese rats, but magnitude of the latter did not exceed the former. This resulted in hepatic triglyceride accumulation in spite of increase in transport of triglyceride out of liver by MTP. This may contribute to the development of fatty liver in VMH-lesioned obese rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of green tea polysaccharides (TPs) on glucose metabolism and the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-?) in KKAy type 2 diabetic mice. Methods: Glucose tolerance test, fasting and postprandial glucose, gluconeogenesis, and insulin sensitivity were investigated in type 2 diabetic mice with orally administered TPs at the dose of 500mg/kg for 4-10 w. Effect of TPs on activity of PPAR-? was tested in vitro. Results: TPs could not only improve glucose tolerance, but also reduce fasting and postprandial blood glucose. In addition, TPs could inhibit gluconeogenesis and enhance insulin sensitivity in KKAy diabetic mice. TPs had also an effect of activating of PPAR-? with dose-response. Conclusion: TPs have beneficial effect of lowering blood glucose in KKAy type 2 diabetic mice, which may be induced by enhancing insulin sensitivity by activating of PPAR-?.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of the bioactive artificial vertebrae of a nano- hydroapatite crystals and polyamide 66 composite(n-HA/PA66)to restore the height and architecture of thoracolumbar burst fracture.Methods From December 2003 to February 2006,38 patients(29 males and 9 females)with a mean age of 35.6 years(17-63 years)were treated surgically through anterior ap- proach for decompression and implanted with the bioactive artificial vertebrae of n-HA/PA66 composite to reconstruct the structure of the thoracolumbar burst fractured vertebra.Results All the patients were successfuly followed-up for an average of 8 months,ranging from 6 to 21 months.The bioaetive artificial vertebrac of n-HA/PA66 composite were fused with the receptor bone 3-4 months after operation.The neu- rological function of the patients was restored partially or completely.The thoracolumbar spine was stable during physical examination and the height of thoraeolumbar burst fractured vertebrae that had been restored did not changa during the follow-up.Conclusions Our results show the bioaetive artificial vertebrae of n-HA/PA66 can restore the height and structure of thoracolumbar burst fractured vertebrae and reconstruct the structure of the tboraeolumbar vertebrae effectively,indicating that the bioaetive artificial vertebrae of n- HA/PA66 can be used extensively in clinical spinal surgery.

Skin wounds are global public problems,especially in terms of the difficult healing of chronic wounds,which may seriously affect patients'lives.Most skin-wound animal models are currently established by physical method,and different animal models have different biological characteristics.This review therefore classifies mouse,rat,and other animal models of skin wounds according to the literature,summarizes and analyzes the construction of skin-wound animal models based on physical method and evaluation indicators,and considers the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models,to provide a basis for the rational construction of skin-wound animal models and drug research and development.

OBJECTIVETo assess the changes of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, left atrial size and atrial premature contraction (PAC) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

METHODSThis study involved 277 patients with OSAS diagnosed after an overnight polysomnography, who underwent a 24-h Holter electrocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for detection of PAC. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), 137 patients with PAC identified from these patients were classified into 3 groups, namely the mild (5≥AHI<15), moderate (15≥AHI<30) and severe (AHI≥30) groups. Serum CRP level was assessed by a high-sensitivity radio-immunoassay. The left atrial diameter and echocardiographic parameters were recorded by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE).

RESULTSWe found a high prevalence of PAC in these OSAS patients (137/277, 49.4%). Serum CRP was significantly higher in severe OSAS group (5.01∓4.68 mg/L) than in the moderate (3.03∓1.94 mg/L) and mild OSAS (2.98∓1.82 mg/L) groups (P=0.040 and 0.033, respectively). The left atrial diameter was significantly increased in severe OSAS group (40.1∓7.9 mm) as compared to that in moderate (37.9∓5.5 mm) and mild (33.7 ∓ 3.8 mm) groups (P=0.025 and 0.002, respectively). The severity of OSAS was positively correlated to both CRP (r=0.304, P=0.034) and left atrial diameter (r=0.411, P=0.003). After adjusting for gender, age and body mass index (BMI), a strong correlation was found between the left atrial diameter and CRP (r=0.594, P=0.0005).

CONCLUSIONThere is a high prevalence of PAC in OSAS patients. The progression of OSAS is associated with increased serum CRP level and left atrial size in patients with premature atrial complexes. Our study suggests that inflammation associated with OSAS might contribute to atrial structural and electrical remodeling in OSAS patients with PAC.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Premature Complexes ; complications ; pathology ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; Prevalence ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; blood ; complications

OBJECTIVETo identify the genotype of RET gene in one multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) kindred.

METHODSGenome DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes. The DNA sequence of gel-purified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products was determined with the previously reported 6 pairs of primers of PCR amplification of 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16 exons of RETgene.

RESULTSNo abnormalities were found in exon 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16. C to G replacement in nucleotide 14 996 of exon 11 was identified in DNA samples obtained from both peripheral blood of 2 affected brothers. This missense point mutation arisen in heterozygosity and caused a substitution of Cys to Trp residue at codon 634 ( Cys 634 Trp) in RET protein.

CONCLUSIONThe genotype of the family is identified as Cys 634 Trp substitution of RET gene.

Adult ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the significance of toll-like receptors (TLR) -7 and -8 in the pathogenesis of infection caused by Enterovirus type 71 (EV71) through measuring the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 in brain and lung tissues from the death cases caused by EV71 infection.

METHODSNine children who died of EV71 infection (EV71 group) were selected as study subjects, and 7 children who died of accidents or non-infectious diseases were used as the control group. Brain and lung tissues from the death cases in both groups at autopsy were collected, and immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 in lung and brain tissues in both groups. Integrated optical density (IOD) was applied for semi-quantitative analysis of the expression of TLR7 and TLR8.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical results showed that the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 in lung and brain tissues was strongly positive in the EV71 group, and the IOD values in the EV71 group were also significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 between lung and brain tissues in the EV71 group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTLR7 and TLR8 are highly expressed in lung and brain tissues from the patients who die of severe EV71 infection, suggesting that TLR7 and TLR8 may be involved in the pathogenesis of brain and lung damages caused by severe EV71 infection.

Brain ; immunology ; Child ; Cytokines ; physiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; Enterovirus Infections ; etiology ; immunology ; Humans ; Lung ; immunology ; Toll-Like Receptor 7 ; analysis ; physiology ; Toll-Like Receptor 8 ; analysis ; physiology

Objective: To observe the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in treatment of Parkinson′s disease (PD) with constipation. Methods: From September 2017 to April 2019, 22 PD patients with serious constipation in the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were treated with FMT and followed up for 12 weeks. Spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) per week and scores of Wexner Constipation Scale (Wexner), Constipation Quality of Life Scale (PAC-QOL) and Parkinson′s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39) were recorded before and after transplantation. Results: Compared with the number of independent defecation and scores before treatment, the number of independent defecation per week (4.63±2.25, 5.38±1.23, 5.75±1.29, 5.54±1.30 vs 1.57±0.74), Wexner score (7.92±2.61, 5.67±1.78, 5.08±1.83, 4.92±1.78 vs 16.67±4.31), PAC-QOL score (62.3±3.2, 58.8±2.8, 57.1±3.9, 59.6±4.4 vs 110.3±14.7) and PDQ-39 score (44.8±14.8, 37.8±12.8, 32.8±12.3, 31.9±9.2 vs 58.7±16.7) were significantly improved by FMT treatment at two, four, eight and 12 weeks (P<0.01). After 12-week treatment, the effective rate was 100% (22/22), and the clinical cure rate was 86% (19/22). No serious adverse reactions occurred during treatment. Conclusion FMT is effective and safe in treating PD with constipation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between microRNA (miRNA) differential expression and quality of embryo. METHODS: The miRNA expression profiles of 8 blastocysts were detected by a TaqMan microRNA array, and miRNAs with a stable expression were selected. Additional blastocysts were selected, and the candidate miRNA was detected by real-time PCR. Meanwhile, chromosomal abnormalities of the embryos were detected by using next-generation sequencing, and the results were compared. RESULTS: The expression of mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p was higher than that of miR-145, which suggested that mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p are related to early embryo development. The expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p were significantly lower in the normal chromosome group. With the threshold values of above 9 and 3 for the relative expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p, respectively, there was no embryo without a chromosomal abnormality. CONCLUSION There is a correlation between the expression level of specific miRNA and chromosomal abnormalities of embryos, which may be used as a novel biomarker for embryo selection.

The study was aimed to investigate the effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng (tPNS) on cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) and the underlying mechanism. rBMSCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. After being incubated with different concentrations of tPNS (1, 10, 100 μg/mL) for 48 h, the rBMSCs were stained with EdU and PI for proliferation and cell cycle assay, respectively. CoCl2 group was treated with 300 μmol CoCl2 for 24 h, and different concentrations tPNS groups were treated with 300 μmol CoCl2 plus 1, 10 or 100 μg/mL tPNS. After Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, flow cytometry was applied to measure the cell apoptosis. For mitochondrial membrane potential assay, rhodamine123 and Hoechst33342 staining were used. qRT-PCR was applied to analyze gene expression of Bcl-2 family. The results showed that the proliferation rates of the three concentrations tPNS groups were all higher than that of the control group (all P < 0.05). Compared with control group, only 100 μg/mL tPNS group exhibited increased cell percentage of S and G2 phase. Compared with that in control group (without CoCl2), the apoptotic rate was increased by 14.2% in CoCl2 group. And the apoptotic rates were reduced by 14.4%, 12.8% and 13.9% in three concentrations tPNS groups, compared with that in CoCl2 group (all P < 0.01). CoCl2 could decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential, while different concentrations of tPNS reversed the inhibitory effect of CoCl2. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl mRNA expressions in all tPNS groups were higher than those in CoCl2 group (all P < 0.05). Moreover, 10 and 100 μg/mL tPNS groups showed lower ratios of Bax/Bcl-2, compared with CoCl2 group. The results suggest that tPNS protects the rBMSCs against CoCl2-induced apoptosis through improving the cell mitochondrial membrane potential, up-regulating the expressions of anti-apoptosis genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, and reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 gene expression ratio.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mitochondria ; Panax notoginseng ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins