Objective To study how ANGPTL4 modulates phenylephrine(PE)-induced cardiac fibrosis. Methods PE was applied to induce cardiac fibrosis. The knockdown effect of ANGPTL4 under PE stimuli was confirmed by Western blot;the proliferation of cardiac fibroblast was detected by CCK-8;mRNA levels of Collagen 1(Col1)and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)were detected by QPCR to investigate the regula-tion of cardiac fibrosis by ANGPTL4. Results PE induced the proliferation of cardiac fibroblast and the up-regula-tion of mRNA levels of Col1 and CTGF;ANGPTL4 knockdown deteriorated cardiac fibrosis,manifested by the up-regulation of Col1 and CTGF. Conclusion ANGPTL4 inhibits PE-induced cardiac fibrosis.

Praseodymium hexacyanoferrate film was modified on the graphite electrode by cyclic voltammetry in the solution of PrCl_3 and K_3Fe(CN)_6. Its electrochemical properties, including the influence of different scan rates, ions, and K~+ concentrations on the film, were studied. The membrane was characterized by IR and XPS. In IR spectrum, the vibration of cyano group verified from the formation of the film on the electrode. In XPS spectrum, the splitting of Fe2p_(1/2) )and Fe2p_(3/2)) showed that the valence of iron has been changed in the film formation, and a proper electropolymerization mechanism was put forward. The results showed the PrHCF film have some electrocatalytic activity to the oxidation of cysteine. The detection conditions for cysteine such as the potential and pH were also discussed.

Executive impairment is one of the common sequelae of stroke, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Repeti-tive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), as a new type of electrophysiological technique, has been used in the clinical treatment of Post-Stroke Executive Impairment (PSEI). This paper summarized the survey of PSEI, the basic principle and mechanism of rTMS, clinical application of rTMS for PSEI and its safety. Clinical studies showed that high frequency stimulation, low frequency stimulation, and combi-nation with other therapeutic methods were effective in PSEI. However, there was no unified theory about the mechanism and the best treat-ment plan of rTMS for PSEI.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in lesions of patients with psoriasis on T lymphocyte proliferation.Methods Tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions of 15 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (7 at progressive stage and 8 at resting stage) and normal skin of 15 human controls from the Department of Urology and Plastic Surgery,Taiyuan City Centre Hospital.MSCs were isolated from these skin specimens,cultured,and identified using flow cytometry and in vitro differentiation assay.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the concentration of interleukin (IL)-6,IL-1 1,hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the culture supernatant of third-passage MSCs.Peripheral blood T cells were obtained from a healthy adult and cocultured with the third-passage MSCs for four days.Then,cells were counted and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was conducted to evaluate the proliferation of T cells.One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test were carried out to compare the proliferation of T lymphocytes,and two independent samples t test to compare the concentrations of cytokines.Results Inverted microscopy revealed that the patient-and control-derived MSCs shared similar morphological properties and multi-directional differentiation capacity,along with the expression of CD29,CD44,CD73,CD90 and CD105,but absence of CD34,CD45 and HLA-DR on cell surface.After coculture with MSCs from the patients and controls for four days,the count of T lymphocytes per milliliter was (1.67 ± 0.34) × 105 and (1.04 ± 0.29) × 105 respectively (P＜ 0.01),and the proliferative activity (expressed as absorbence at 492 nm)was 0.317 ± 0.021 and 0.275 ± 0.007 respectively (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the control-derived MSCs,the patient-derived MSCs showed a significantly higher level of IL-1 1 ((181.37 ± 31.74) vs.(130.07 ± 29.20) ng/L,t =5.32,P ＜ 0.01),but a lower level of lL-6 ((61.67±17.53) vs.(76.74±18.96) ng/L,t=2.61,P＜0.05)and HGF ((319.24 ± 41.03) vs.(352.35 ± 51.47) ng/L,t =2.25,P＜ 0.05),as well as a similar level of TFG-β1,in the culture supernatant.Conclusions The inhibitory effect of MSCs in psoriatic lesions on T lymphocyte proliferation is diminished,which may contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Objective To explore the curative effectiveness of transplantation of bone marrow-derived liver stem cells (BDLSCs) transfected with rat interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene in the treatment of liver fibrosis in rats. Methods β2m-/Thy-1+BDLSCs isolated from Wistar rats were transfected with adenovirus-mediated rat IL-10 gene Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl4 to induce liver fibrosis, and randomly divided into three groups as follows: (1) the model group, infused with 1 ml normal saline (NS); (2) the BDLSC group, infused with NS containing untreated β2m-/Thy-1+BDLSCs (2×105 cells); (3) the IL-10 group, infused with NS containing β2m-/Thy-1+ BDLSCs transfected with IL-10 gene (2×105 cells). Infusion was done via the portal vein. Rats subcutaneously injected with olive oil served as control (the normal group). The BDLCs labeled with diamidine phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) in the liver were localized. Pathological changes and collagen area in liver tissues were observed. Liver function and blood blotting function were tested. Results β2m-/Thy-1+ BDLSCs labeled with DAPI were observed in liver tissues of rats. Significant pathological changes of liver tissues were observed in the model group. Compared with the model group, pathological changes were alleviated to some extent in the BDLSC group. The morphology of liver tissue in the IL-10 group was mostly close to that in the normal group. Collagen deposition of liver tissues was increased obviously in the model group. However, transplantations of untreated and IL-10-transfected BDLSCs both reduced collagen area. Compared with the BDLSC group, collagen deposition was significantly suppressed in the IL-10 group. Transplantation of IL-10-transfected BDLSCs suppressed obviously the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, PT and APTT as compared with the model group (P<0. 05). The levels of ALT, TBIL, PT and APTT in the IL-10 group were significantly reduced to the normal levels as compared with those in the BDLSC group (P<0. 05).Conclusions Transplantation of BDLSCs transfected with rat IL-10 gene was effective in treating liver fibrosis in rats. This combined strategy of IL-10 gene and BDLSCs may represent a feasible, effective and safe therapy form for liver fibrosis.

Objective To study the impact of maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation on hepatic steatosis in the early life of offspring rats and its possible mechanism. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a high fat diet (HF) or control (C) diet for 8 weeks before mating and throughout gestation and ifrst 3 weeks of lactation. The expressions of hepatic fatty acid catabolism related genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), acyl-CoA syn-thease long-chain family member3 (ACSL3), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α(CPT-1α) and 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (Ehhadh) were determined in offspring liver tissue. The liver pathology was examined in offspring rats at 3 weeks of age. Results Pathohistological ifndings at 3 weeks of age showed that there were diffuse vacuolar degeneration in cytoplasm of hepatocytes and spot necrosis in hepatic lobular in the HF offspring liver. The mRNA expressions of PPARαand Ehhadh genes were markedly increased in the HF offspring as compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of CPT-1αgene was also higher in the HF offspring than that in control group (P=0.19). The level of ACSL3 gene expression, however, was markedly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions Maternal high fat diet during pregnancy and lactation could result in an increased expression of genes related to hepatic fatty acidβ-oxidation, including PPARα, CPT1αand Ehhadh, but the liver steatosis cannot be reversed in the early life of offspring.

Objective To observe the effect of virtual reality robotic hand on hand motor function and activities of daily living of pa-tients after stroke. Methods From June, 2015 to June, 2016, 32 patients with hand motor dysfunction were assigned into experimental group (n=16) and control group (n=16). The experimental group received training with virtual reality robotic hand and hand based rehabilitation, while the control group received hand based rehabilitation only, for four weeks. They were evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of fingers and wrists and modified Barthel index (MBI) before and after treatment. Results The total score and the scores of items of FMA and MBI improved after treatment in the experimental group (Z>3.45 or t>3.45, P<0.01). The total score and the scores of the finger, wrist of FMA, and the scores of the eating, dressing and grooming of MBI improved in the control group (Z>2.07 or t>4.18, P<0.05). The total scores and scores of the items of FMA and MBI improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (Z>2.14 or t>3.20, P<0.05). Conclusion Virtual reality robotic hand training can promote the recovery of hand function and activities of daily living in patients af-ter stroke.

Objectives To examine the association of the maternal high-fat (HF) diet with increased susceptibility to obe-sity and the development of metabolic diseases in their offspring, and observe difference in the effect of maternal vs. acquired high fat diet on metabolic state in their offspring. Methods A total of 15 SD female rats were divided into HF diet group (group H, n=9) and control diet group (group C, n=6). After fed on different diet for seven weeks, they were mated at the age of ten weeks and became pregnant. Their offspring were then divided to groups CH and HH fed HF diet and groups CC and HC fed control diet. At the age of 3 and 8 weeks, the metabolic markers and the liver pathohistological evidences of their offspring were obtained. Results The body weight, area under curve (AUC) of glucose tolerance, cholesterol and triglyceride were all higher in group H than those in group C (P<0.05) before pregnancy. The offspring of group H had a higher body weight than the offspring of group C at the age of 3 weeks (P=0.002), and no difference in AUC was found between two groups (P>0.05). At the age of 8 weeks, there was no difference in fasting glucose and insulin levels among the four offspring groups. The AUC and body weight were higher in group H than in group C (main effect of maternal diet, P=0.024, P=0.013). The AUCs were also higher in groups CH and HH than groups CC and HC respectively (main effect of acquired diet, P=0.041). The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL at the age of 8 weeks were all higher in HH and CH groups than those in HC and CC groups (main effect of acquired diet, P=0.008, 0.007, 0.000, respectively). Their histological analysis at 8 weeks showed different degrees of fatty liver in HH, HC and CH groups, and normal liver in CC group. Conclusions Maternal HF diet may result in increased body weight, fatty liver and impaired glucose tolerance in their adult offspring, and thus increase the risk of developing metabolic diseases at their later age. .

Objective To observe the impacts of different storage temperatures on the activities of adipose tissues and the extraction and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) situated in harvested fat.Methods Adipose tissues obtained by liposuctions in healthy females were kept in different temperature;all groups of adipose tissues were studied in context of the histomorphology and activity of GAPD as well as the extraction efficiency and proliferation of ADSCs.Results Adipose tissues cryopreserved at 4 ℃ within 24 hours could retain their activities effectively,but their activities would decrease rapidly if they preserved at room temperature.The efficiency of adipose tissues extracting stem cells and their proliferations were affected by storage temperatures and times.If adipose tissues were preserved at room temperature for over 1 hour,the extraction efficiency and proliferation of their ADSCs would be lower significantly.Conclusions Adipose tissues cryopreserved at 4 ℃ can effectively ensure their activities and their extraction efficiency and proliferation of ADSCs.It is important to preserve adipose tissues at low temperature after harvesting fat graft.

Objective To study the effects of the rehabilitation robot-assisted task-oriented training on the hand function in patients after stroke. Methods From June, 2015 to September, 2016, 35 inpatients suffering from stroke were randomly allocated to control group (n=17) and trial group (n=18). Based on the routine rehabilitation, the trial group accepted robot-assisted task-oriented training, while the control group accepted therapist-assisted task-oriented training, for two weeks. They were measured the active range of motion (AROM) of fingers, assessed with fingers motor of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) invovled with hands before and after train-ing. Results The inpatients dropped three in the control group, two in the trial group. AROM of extension and flexion of all the fingers, the AROM of extension and total of three fingers of thumb, index and middle, and the total AROM of each finger improved in the trial group af-ter training (t>2.937, P<0.05), while the AROM of extension and flexion of all the fingers, AROM of extension, flexion and total of the fin-gers of thumb, index and middle, total AROM of the fingers of thumb, index and little improved in the control group after training (t>2.528, P<0.05);the AROM of extension and total of the fingers of thumb, index and middle, and the total AROM of fingers of thumb and index im-proved more in the trial group than in the control group (t>2.535, P<0.05). The scores of mass flexion, mass extension, opposition, cylinder grip, spherical grip and total score of FMA improved in the trial group after training (Z>2.000, P<0.05), while the scores of mass extension, opposition and the total score of FMA improved in the control group after training (Z>2.000, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on the items and total scores after training (P>0.05). The scores of feeding, dressing, toilet transfers, bathing, groom-ing of MBI and the total score of them improved in the trial group after training (Z>2.041, P<0.05), while the total score of MBI improved in the control group after training (Z=-2.527, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the items and total scores after training (P>0.05). Conclusion The rehabilitation robot-assisted task-oriented training can improve AROM of hemiplegic fingers and grip function.