Objective Based on the observation of the changes of symptoms, histopathology, visceral sensitivity, mast cell activation, autophagy, and Beclin-1 and Claudin-2 expression in rats, we established and evaluated a new rat model of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) induced by restraint-stress combined with capsaicin (CAP) administration.Methods Forty healthy 5-week old male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group I, model group II and model group III, with 10 rats in each group.The D-IBS model was established by restraint-stress combined with intragastric administration of CAP (2 mL/100 g body weight, 0.125% in group I, 0.250% in group II, 0.500% in group III), tail clipping and forelimb restriction for 30 minutes every day for 2 weeks.The rats in the control group were treated with saline for 2 weeks.The number of contraction of abdominal wall and arched back were measured by Power Lab instrument.The mast cell activation was detected using aldehyde-magenta-orange G staining.Light and electron microscopic examinations were performed to detect the morphology and autophagy of colonic tissues.The expressions of Beclin-1 and Claudin-2 in the colonic mucosa were detected by streptavidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical staining.Results All rats in the model group III died during the experiment.Compared with the control group and model group I, the stool frequency was increased and the visceral sensitivity threshold decreased in the model group II, and there were statistically significant differences between the model group II and the control and model groups I (P < 0.05).The colonic mucosa, mucosal epithelium and glands in each group showed normal morphology and there was no submucosal vasodilatation and diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration.Except for the control group, round purple-reddish staining spots were observed in the rat mucosal stroma or submucosa in the model groups I and II, indicating an increased expression of mast cells.The autophagy, expressions of Beclin-1 and Claudin-2 in the colonic epithelium were significantly increased in the model group II compared with control group and model group I (P< 0.05).Conclusions The model of D-IBS induced by restraint-stress combined with capsaicin is characterized by increased diarrhea, visceral hypersensitivity, increased mast cell expression and autophagy of intestinal epithelial cells, and disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier.This model is simple to set up and shows similar symptoms of human irritable bowel syndrome.Therefore, it is worthy of popularization and application.

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperthermia on the expression of E6 and E7 genes of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6 and 11 in HPV-infected human skin. Methods Tissue samples were obtained from the lesions of condyloma accuminatum (CA) in 6 patients after informed consent. Each sample was divided into 4 parts: one was embedded and directly stored at -80 ℃; the other 3 parts were placed in culture medium and the surface of the samples was irradiated for 30 minutes with a thermotherapy apparatus at 37℃, 42 ℃, 45 ℃, respectively, then the samples were taken out and stored at -80 ℃. RNA was extracted from the specimens, real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of E6 and E7 genes of HPV-6 and -11. Results Of the 6 patients, 2 were infected with HPV-6 and -11 respectively, 4 with both HPV-6 and HPV-11. The expression of E6 and E7 mRNA decreased with the increase in irradiation temperature. The relative mRNA expression levels at 37 ℃, 42 ℃ and 45 ℃ were 1.00 ± 0.00, 0.61 ± 0.17, 0.27 ± 0.15, respectively, for HPV-6 E6 gene, 1.00 ± 0.00, 0.56 ± 0.21, 0.16 ± 0.11 respectively, for HPV-6 E7 gene, 1.00 ± 0.00, 0.60 ± 0.22, 0.16 ± 0.08, respectively, for HPV-I1 E6 gene, 1.00 ± 0.00, 0.55 ± 0.15, 0.24 ± 0.06, respectively, for HPV-11 E7 gene; statistical difference was noted among them between the specimens irradiated at different temperature (all P < 0.01). Conclusion Hyperthermia can remarkably suppress the expression of HPV-6/I 1 E6 and E7 genes, which may be a possible mechanism under the regression of warts induced by local hyperthermia.

Objective To investigate the association between arterial compliance and fundus oculi arteriosclerosis in elderly people. Methods A total of 73 elderly subjects,including 61 elderly patients with fundus oculi arteriosclerosis and 12 healthy volunteers were recruited into the study.Capacitive arterial compliance(C1)and oscillatory arterial compliance(C2)were measured by DO2020 Cardiovascular Profiling Instrument.Moreover,fundus photographs were measured using Canon figure fundus camera. Results There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),mean artery pressure,pulse pressure,capacitive arterial compliance (C1),and oscillatory arterial compliance(C2)between patients with fundus oculi arteriosclerosis and healthy volunteers(all P<0.05).In multiple regression analysis,the grade of fundus oculi arteriosclerosis was significantly correlated with SBP,DBP,mean artery pressure and pulse pressure (r=0.357,0.261,0.342,0.280,all P<0.05).Moreover,there were significant correlations between the grade of fundus oculi arteriosclerosis and Cl(r=-0.281,P<:0.05),and C2(r=-0.308,P<0.01). Conclusions These findings underscore the efficacy of C1 and C2 in identifying patients with fundus oculi arteriosclerosis.

Objective : To investigate the antidepressant effects and the underlying mechanisms of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC) and its nanoparticle formulation(THCN). Methods : Forty-six male ICR mice were randomly divided into Con group, LPS group, THC group, THCN group and SER group. A mouse depression model was established by intraperitoneal administration of LPS. The anxiety and depression-like behaviors of mice were evaluated by open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST). Myelin staining was applied to assess the extent of demyelination in the prefrontal cortex of the mice. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were further examined for the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) through quantitative immunofluorescence assays. Results : Compared with the Con group, the LPS group showed increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in both the long-term and short-term experiments(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination increased in the LPS group of the long-term experiment(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP was reduced in the LPS group of the short-term experiment(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05); the expression of TLR4 decreased in the THC group(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the THC group showed reduced depressive-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05), while the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THCN group and the SER group were reduced(P<0.05), and the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THC group and the THCN group were reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination was reduced in the THC group, THCN group and SER group in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP increased in the THC group of the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 was reduced(P<0.05), and the expression of GFAP increased in the THCN group(P<0.05). Compared with the THC group, the THCN group and the SER group showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 in the hippocampal DG area increased in the short-term experiment(P<0.01). Conclusion Tetrahydrocurcumin and its nanoparticle formulation both exert significant ameliorative effects on depression-like behaviors and demyelination in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide. The antidepressant mechanism of THC appears to be mediated through the down-regulation of TLR4 and the up-regulation of GFAP. The mechanism underlying the antidepressant action of THCN seems predominantly focused on the enhancement of GFAP expression.

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of miR-29b-3p on congenital heart disease and its mechanism. 【Methods】 The expression level of miR-29b-3p in serum from CHD patients and normal individuals， and in cells was detected by RT-qPCR. Dimethylsulfoxide （DMSO） was used to induce P19 cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of cardiogenesis-associated genes， and phosphatase and tensin homolog （PTEN） level in cells. The proliferation and migration of cardiomyocytes were measured by CCK-8 and Transwell assay， respectively. Dual-luciferase gene reporter assay was used to verify the targeted relationship between miR-29b-3p and PTEN. 【Results】 Compared with that of normal individuals， the expression of miR-29b-3p in CHD patients was decreased. During differentiation， miR-29b-3p level was higher at late stage than that at early stage. Downregulated miR-29b-3p inhibited the differentiation of P19 cells into cardiomyocytes， and inhibited cell proliferation and migration. miR-29b-3p targeted PTEN. The increased PTEN level induced by miR-29b-3p knockdown inhibited the differentiation of P19 cells， and proliferation and migration of cardiomyocytes. 【Conclusion】 miR-29b-3p was downregulated in the serum of CHD patients. The downregulation of miR-29b-3p inhibited the differentiation of P19 cells， proliferation and migration of cardiomyocytes by targeting and regulating PTEN.