BACKGROUND: There are few reports addressing the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into neurons, and the uncertainties mainly focused on the differentiated neurons had neuron morphology, but did not have neuron function. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of rat bone marrow mesenchyma stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation into neuron-like cells and glial-like cells under rat hippocampal neuron's conditional medium. METHODS: Rat BMSCs at passage 5 were divided into 4 groups. The medium of hippocampal neurons and glial cells was added in the conditioned medium group. The Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing bFGF was added in the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) group. The serum-free medium containing Neurobasal and B27 was added in the serum-free medium group. The DMEM supplemented with fetal bovine serum was added in the negative control group. 12 and 24 hours following induction, neuron specific enolase (NSE), microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected using immunocytochemical staining in each group. NSE, MAP-2 and GFAP expression was determined using Western-blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 12 and 24 hours following induction, BMSCs were positive for MAP-2, GFAP and NSE in the conditioned medium, bFGF and serum-free medium groups, but negative in the negative control group. Compared with the negative control group, MAP-2 expression was significantly enhanced in the conditioned medium, bFGF and serum-free medium groups 24 hours following induction (P < 0.05), and the increased range was significantly greater in the conditioned medium group compared with other two groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference in NSE and GFAP expression was detected in the conditioned medium, bFGF and serum-free medium groups. Results suggested that hippocampal neuron conditioned medium can in vitro induce the differentiation of rat BMSCs into neuron-like cells and glial cell-like cells. Compared with the bFGF medium and serum-free medium, positive rate was greatest in the hippocampal neuron conditioned medium-induced neurons and glial cells.

Objective:To investigate the role and action mechanism of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in skin photoaging.Methods:Normal human skin fibroblasts (NHDF) were divided into several groups: NHDF group receiving normal culture without transfection, AQP3 cDNA group transfected with AQP3 cDNA, AQP3 siRNA group transfected with AQP3 siRNA, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein Q (hnRNPQ) cDNA group transfected with hnRNPQ cDNA, hnRNPQ siRNA group transfected with hnRNPQ siRNA, AQP3-hnRNPQ cDNA group transfected with AQP3 and hnRNPQ cDNAs, AQP3-hnRNPQ siRNA group transfected with AQP3 and hRNPQ siRNAs, cDNA empty vector group transfected with a cDNA empty vector, and siRNA empty vector group transfected with a siRNA empty vector. Transfected or untransfected NHDFs were irradiated with ultraviolet A (UVA) at a dose of 10 J·cm -2·d -1 for 3 consecutive days to establish a model of cellular senescence, and NHDF receiving no UVA irradiation served as a control. A cell counting method was used to evaluate the cellular proliferative activity, a senescence-related β-galactosidase staining kit to evaluate the senescence level of NHDFs in each experimental group, and luciferase reporter gene technology to assess the transcriptional regulation activity of p53. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of AQP3, hnRNPQ and senescence-related proteins p53 and p21 in NHDFs. Two-independent-sample t test was used for comparisons between two groups, and one-way analysis of variance for comparisons among multiple groups. Results:After 3-day consecutive irradiation with UVA, the expression of p53 and p21 in NHDFs and the percentage of β-galactosidase-positive cells significantly increased compared with the unirradiated control group (all P < 0.05) , but the expression of AQP3 and cellular proliferative activity on days 5, 6 and 7 significantly decreased in the UVA group compared with the unirradiated control group (all P < 0.05) . After 3-day consecutive irradiation with UVA, aggravated senescence-related phenotypes of UVA-induced NHDFs were observed in the AQP3 siRNA group compared with the siRNA empty vector group, and there were significant differences in the expression of p53, p21 and hnRNPQ, percentage of β-galactosidase-positive cells, p53 transcriptional regulation activity and cellular proliferative activity between the 2 groups (all P < 0.05) . Further silencing of the hnRNPQ gene could reverse the above effects. Compared with the siRNA empty vector group, the senescence-related phenotypes of UVA-induced NHDFs were attenuated in the hnRNPQ siRNA group, and significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of the expression of p53, p21 and hnRNPQ, percentage of β-galactosidase-positive cells, p53 transcriptional regulation activity and cellular proliferative activity (all P < 0.05) . After 3-day consecutive irradiation with UVA, the senescence-related phenotypes of UVA-induced NHDFs were significantly attenuated in the AQP3 cDNA group compared with the cDNA empty vector group (all P < 0.05) , manifesting as significantly decreased expression of p53 (0.25 ± 0.06 vs. 0.56 ± 0.08) , p21 (0.23 ± 0.06 vs. 0.70 ± 0.07) and hnRNPQ (0.82 ± 0.09 vs. 0.92 ± 0.03) , percentage of β-galactosidase-positive cells (31.23% ± 6.54% vs. 81.53% ± 7.62%) and p53 transcriptional regulation activity (2.52 ± 0.36 vs. 7.16 ± 0.25) , but increased cellular proliferative activity ([2.93 ± 0.33]× 10 6/ml vs.[2.15 ± 0.23]× 10 6/ml) , and further overexpression of hnRNPQ could reverse the above effects. After 3-day consecutive irradiation with UVA, the expression of p53, p21, percentage of β-galactosidase-positive cells, p53 transcriptional regulation activity and cellular proliferative activity in the hnRNPQ cDNA group were 1.41 ± 0.09, 1.42 ± 0.06, 91.06% ± 4.24%, 12.35 ± 0.88 and (1.23 ± 0.41) × 10 6/ml respectively, and the senescence-related phenotypes of UVA-induced NHDFs were significantly aggravated in the hnRNPQ cDNA group compared with the cDNA empty vector group (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:AQP3 may alleviate the UVA-induced senescence of NHDFs by regulating hnRNPQ and downregulating p53 expression.

OBJECTIVE:To prospectively study the effects of trimetazidine on myocardial remodeling and oxidative stress in patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD),in order to provide reference for clinical treatment of HHD.METHODS:Eighty-two HHD patients were selected from our hospital during Jan.2014-Jul.2016,and they were divided into control group and observation group by sortition randomization method,with 41 cases in each group.Control group received routine HHD chemical drug (antihypertensive drugs,lipid-lowering drugs,hypoglycemic agents and antiplatelet drugs,etc.) therapy.Observation group was additionally given trimetazidine 20 mg,tid,on the basis of control group.Both groups were treated for 3 months.Before treatment and after 3 months of treatment,SBP,DBP,New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function grade,LVEF,LVESD,LVEDD,LVMI and the levels of GSH-Px,SOD,MDA and ROS were compared between 2 group.The occurrence of ADR was observed in 2 groups.RESULTS:Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in each index between 2 groups (P＞0.05).After 3 months of treatment,SBP and DBP of 2 groups were decreased significantly compared to before treatment (P＜0.01);there was no statistical significance between 2 groups (P＞0.05).There was no statistical significance in NYHA cardiac function grade compared to before treatment or between 2 groups (P＞0.05).LVESD,LVEDD and LVMI of observation group were decreased significantly compared to before treatment (P＜0.05);LVEF was increased significantly compared to before treatment (P＜0.05);LVEDD and LVMI of observation group were significantly lower than control group (P＜0.05).Compared to before treatment,SOD level of control group was decreased significantly,while the levels of GSH-Px and SOD in observation group were increased significantly;MDA and ROS of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).No obvious ADR was found in 2 groups.CONCLUSIONS:Trimetazidine can improve cayocardial remodeling and reduce oxidative stress level of HHD patients with good safety.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of high glucose, angiotensin II (AngII) and Losartan on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA in cultured mesangial cells (MCs).

METHODSMCs of SD rats were isolated and cultured. High glucose (30 mmol/L) and AngII (10(-9), 10(-7), and 10(-5) mol/L) were added to the medium for 72 hours to observe the influence on CTGF mRNA expression. Losartan of 10(-5) mol/L and AngII of 10(-5) mol/L were added to the medium to observe the effects of Losartan on CTGF mRNA expression stimulated by AngII. The expressions of CTGF mRNA were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSRT-PCR showed that high glucose and AngII up-regulated the expression of CTGF mRNA, and AngII stimulated the expression in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of CTGF mRNA induced by AngIIwas partially suppressed by 10(-5) mol/L Losartan (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose and AngII can enhance the expression of CTGF mRNA and thus be involved in the process of renal fibrosis. Losartan can have a partial fibrogenesis-inhibiting effect, with implications for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glomerular Mesangium ; metabolism ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To study the health status ,the current health service needs and the influencing factors concerning the rural elderly population in Northern Jiangsu. Methods Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was conducted in elderly people over 60 in Xuzhou ,Lianyungang ,and Suqian.Participants were face-to-face interviewed with questionnaires.Information on health status and health service needs was collected and analyzed. Results A total of 2655 elderly people were enrolled in this study ,including 1252 males (47.2%)and 1403 (52.8%)females with a mean age of (70.9 ± 6.7)years.Self-assessed health was generally poor ,with the two-week morbidity at 26.6%and the prevalence of chronic diseases at 60.1%;46.5% of the participants regularly took medications ;4.1% of them had physical disability ;8.2% had impaired daily activities ;The two-week hospital visit rate was 29.4%;The one-year hospitalization rate was 18.5%;The rate of non-hospitalization for people in need of hospitalization was 27.6%.Multivariate analysis showed that old age(OR＝5.51) ,adequate income(OR＝2.29)and short journey to a medical institution (OR＝7.90) were associated with high two-week hospital visit rates ;old age(OR ＝ 1.76) ,female gender(OR ＝1.36) ,empty-nest(OR＝ 1.37 ) ,family harmony (OR＝ 1.91 ) ,having chronic diseases (OR＝ 3.49 ) , and high frequency in taking medications (OR＝1.69)were correlated with high hospitalization rates. Conclusions The elderly population in rural areas of Northern Jiangsu shows poor health ,has high needs for health services ,and lacks sufficient service utilization.

PURPOSE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, with a rising prevalence worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play important roles in the development and treatment of AD. However, the exact role of lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in neuronal damage in AD is largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AD model was established in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells via treatment with amyloid β1−42 (Aβ). The expression of NEAT1 and microRNA-107 (miR-107) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry. The expression of phosphorylated tau protein (p-Tau) was measured by Western blot. The interaction between NEAT1 and miR-107 was explored by bioinformatics analysis, luciferase activity, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS: NEAT1 expression was enhanced in Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells, and its knockdown attenuated Aβ-induced inhibition of viability and promotion of apoptosis and p-Tau levels. NEAT1 was indicated as a decoy of miR-107. miR-107 abundance was reduced in Aβ-treated cells, and its overexpression reversed Aβ-induced injury. Moreover, interference of miR-107 abated silencing of NEAT1-mediated inhibition of neuronal damage in Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. CONCLUSION: LncRNA NEAT1 aggravated Aβ-induced neuronal damage by sponging miR-107, indicating a novel avenue for treatment of AD.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; Computational Biology ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunoprecipitation ; Luciferases ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Prevalence ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; tau Proteins

Objective:To understand the utilization of clinical services provided through hospital-at-home to the elderly in Xuzhou City, and analyze patient satisfaction.Methods:The stratified cluster sampling method was used to select community elderly people aged 60 and above in Xuzhou city to conduct a face-to-face questionnaire survey.Descriptive analysis was used to examine the utilization and evaluation of home-based clinical services for the elderly.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze associated factors for the satisfaction of the elderly in this care setting.Results:A total of 203 elderly people who had received this type of services were investigated.The overall satisfaction of the elderly in Xuzhou City with home-based clinical services was 79.3%(161/203), and the average satisfaction score of the comprehensive evaluation was(4.11±1.03)points.Age( β=-0.011), marital status( β=0.164), informed consent for service( β=0.162), doctors' bed-side services( β=0.146), service fee( β=0.346), and the home hospital bed assembling process( β=0.257)were the influencing factors for satisfaction with family hospital bed services, according to the patients involved in the comprehensive evaluation(all P<0.05). Conclusions:The utilization and evaluation with clinical services by elderly people in the hospital-at-home setting in downtown Xuzhou is relatively good, with relatively high satisfaction.Comprehensive measures should be taken in response to factors related to satisfaction to promote sustainable development of clinical services through hospital-at-home in China.

Objective:To investigate the status quo of continuing education and training needs among general practitioners in Pudong New Area of Shanghai.Methods:An online questionnaire survey was conducted among general practitioners registered in the community health service center of Shanghai Pudong New Area in September 2019. The questionnaire included items of general information, the status quo of continuing education, the training needs and demands, and the knowledge and skills to be improved.Results:There were total 1 824 general practitioner in Pudong New Areal, 861 participated in the survey with a participant rate of 47.2%. A total of 861 valid questionnaires retrieved with a response rate of 100.0%. Among all participants, 79 (9.18%) thought that continuing education was very useful for improving or developing their professional ability, 564 (65.51%) thought it was useful, and 41 people (4.76%) thought it was almost useless. There were significant different in views on the roles of continuing education among participants with different ages, types of registration, and working years (χ2=15.544, 15.382, 21.979; P<0.05). There are 112 participants (13.01%) who spend less than 1 day in continuing education each month, and 224 (26.02%) who spent more than 3 days a month in continuing education, the times of attending continuing education was related to the taking administrative duty for general practitioners (χ2=9.551, P<0.05). When general practitioners choose continuing education programs, the first consideration was the practicability of the contents [772 (31.94%)], followed by the form of teaching [541 (22.38%)]. The three most recognized forms of continuing education courses were online learning (28.22%), training and off-line teaching (25.58%) and special lectures (24.69%) The three most required knowledge and skills to be improved through continuing education were the endocrine system, respiratory system, and blood circulation system. Conclusions:The survey shows the current status and traing needs of continuing education among general practitioners in Shanghai Pudong New Area, which indicates that it is necessary to take the job competence as the core and carry out various activities of continuing education for general practitioners in community health service centers.

Objective To explore the relationship between serum levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and the risk of cerebral infarction in Parkinson's patients. Methods A total of 129 patients with confirmed Parkinson's disease who were hospitalized in our hospital were selected, among the 58 patients had Parkinson's disease complicated with cerebral infarction (complicated with cerebral infarction group), and the remaining 71 patients had Parkinson's disease alone (control group). Blood TH levels and other potential related information were collected retrospectively at the time of diagnosis. Comparative analysis of data was performed using SPSS software. Results Comparing the serum TH expression levels in patients with Parkinson's disease and patients with cerebral infarction at admission , the serum TH level in patients with cerebral infarction was lower. Results also showed that the levels of CRP, IL-6, MDA, and Hcy were higher in patients with cerebral infarction, while PON-1 level was lower. In addition, patients with cerebral infarction had lower motor ability (higher UPDRS Ⅲ score). Further regression analysis was carried out with the occurrence of Parkinson's disease complicated with cerebral infarction as the dependent variable and the potential influencing factors as the independent variable. The results indicated that factors such as low expression of TH, high expression of inflammatory factors, and high expression of oxidative stress factors were positively correlated with the risk of complications of the two diseases. Conclusion The low expression of TH, inflammatory state and high oxidative stress state are the potential risk factors for Parkinson's disease complicated with cerebral infarction, which deserves clinical attention.

Objective: To study the current situation and relevant risk factors for disability and dementia among the elderly in urban areas of Jiangsu province. Methods: A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select representative elderly people aged 60 years and over in urban areas in Jiangsu Province, and a face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted.The activities of daily living(ADL)scale and mini-mental state examination(MMSE)were used to assess the status of disability and dementia.And the relevant risk factors for disability and dementia were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression methods. Results: A total of 1 600 elderly people were investigated and 1 514 valid questionnaires were recovered.The effective recovery rate was 94.6%.The rates of disability and dementia were 17.9%(271/1 514)and 8.5%(129/1 514)respectively in the elderly in Jiangsu urban areas.Univariate analysis showed that age, marital status, education level, empty-nest, whether or not to suffer from chronic diseases, health status, medication, and whether or not to have dementia were significantly related with the disability in the elderly(P<0.01). And age, gender, marital status, education level, whether or not to suffer from chronic diseases, health status, medication, and whether or not to have disability were significantly related with the dementia in the elderly(P<0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors associating with increasing disability in the elderly were advanced age(OR=16.371), non-marriage(OR=1.917), chronic disease(OR=2.256), poor health condition(OR=23.214), dementia(OR=4.067)and insufficient income(OR=1.607)(P<0.05). And the factors associating with increasing risks for dementia in the elderly were advanced age(OR=2.864), female(OR=1.610), poor health condition(OR=3.097), empty nest(OR=1.607)and disability(OR=4.026)(P<0.05). Therefore, comprehensive measures should be taken for intervention of disability and dementia in the elderly. Conclusions The incidence of disability and dementia is high among the elderly in urban areas of Jiangsu Province.Disability and dementia are the results of the interaction effect of health, family and social factors.Therefore, comprehensive measures against risk factors should be taken for intervention of disability and dementia in the elderly.