Aim To study the effects of propofol on apoptosis of cortical astrocytes isolated from neonatal rats.Methods Pure astrocytes(AST)were obtained from the cultured cerebral cortical cells and identified by the GFAP stain technology in neonatal rats.AST cells were treated with different concentrations of propofol(0,10,30,90 μmol·L-1)for 8 hours.Cell viability was measured by MTT method,and the apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI double staining.Cytochrome C(cyt-C)leakage was detected by Western blot.Caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities were measured by spectrophotometry.Results AST cells were administered with different concentrations of propofol(0,10,30,90 μmol·L-1)for 8 hours.It decreased the survival rate in a concentration-dependent manner,induced the leakage of cyt-C in mitochondria,up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3 and caspase-9,and induced AST apoptosis.Conclusion Propofol induces the apoptosis of astrocytes in neonatal rat cortex in vitro,which may be related to the activation of mitochondria apoptosis pathway induced by mitochondrial cyt-C release.

Objective To investigate the expression of interferon-induced protein 44 (IFI44) gene in the leukocytes of the peripheral blood samples from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the relationship between the expression level and disease activity. Methods Mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood samples from 100 SLE patients were compared with those of 40 disease controls and 40 healthy donors (HD) and the expression of the IFI44 was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR.Comparisons between groups were performed with ANOVA, and the correlation analysis between the level of expression was higher in SLE patients than disease controls and healthy donors (26.8±5.3, 7.4±2.7, 5.2±2.0,respectively) (P=0.0012, P=0.005), but no difference was found between disease controls and healthy donors. Mild disease activity and the SLE patients with stable disease (63.1±22.4, 28.0±7.2, 9.2±1.8, respectively)and 24 hours urine protein level (r=0.42, P=0.000). Conclusion IFI44 is demonstrated to be highly expressed in SLE patients. The level of IFI44 may be a promising candidate biomarker for identifying SLE activity.

p53, as a transcription factor, is an important tumor suppressor gene and plays the key role in the p53-dependent gene regulatory network. Therefore, it is important to understand its biological function at the level of the whole system. In this paper, based on KEGG database and related literatures in English and Chinese, the interaction mode and quantitative relationship of the related molecules involved in p53 signaling pathway were extracted. By using S-system equations and 'Simulink' toolbox of Matlab7.0, a dynamic model of p53 signaling pathway was developed, and the dynamic regulatory characteristics of p53 signaling pathway were analyzed on model simulation. The results were in accord with the literatures and could reflect quantitatively the complex regulatory relationship between the interacting molecules involved in p53 signaling pathway. In addition, model simulation helped us find and identify the key molecules in this signaling pathway. Thus, this model can be used as a basis for the follow-up study of the relationship by precise and quantitative assessment.
Algorithms ; Computer Simulation ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Models, Biological ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; physiology

Objective: To investigate the effects of remifentanil combined with propofol on hemodynamics, inflammatory stress response and immune function in patients with acute abdomen complicated with septic shock. Methods: From June 2017 to August 2018, 112 patients with acute abdomen complicated with septic shock who admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University were enrolled in the study.They were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to the digital table, with 56 cases in each group.The control group was anesthetized with sevoflurane combined with propofol.The observation group was anesthetized with remifentanil combined with propofol.The hemodynamic parameters of the patients entering the operating room(T0₎, 0.5h(T₁), 1h(T₂) and awake(T₃) after anesthesia were recorded.The intraoperative norepinephrine dosage was recorded.The inflammatory response, stress response and immune function indicators at T₀, T₂ and T₃ were recorded. Results: Compared with T₀, T₁ and T₂, the MAP of the two groups was higher at T₃, and the differences were statistically significant(t_{control group}=4.834, 4.484, 5.378, t_{observation group}=6.420, 7.006, 6.152, all P<0.05). Compared with T₀, the HR of the two groups was higher at T₃, and the differences were statistically significant(t_{control group}=5.943, t_{observation group}=7.722, all P<0.05). Compared with T₁ and T₂, CO of the two groups was higher at T₃, and the differences were statistically significant(t_{control group}=4.276, 2.262, t_{observation group}=6.318, 5.132, all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in MAP, HR and CO between the two groups at T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃(all P>0.05). The doses of norepinephrine in the observation group and the control group were (1 587.7±287.5)μg and (1 937.9±397.6)μg, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant(t=5.341, P<0.05). The serum levels of C reactive protein(CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) and interleukin 6(IL-6) increased with time in the two groups, and the differences were statistically significant(t_{control group}=17.06, 36.13, 19.07, 3.822, 9.466, 2.874, 14.18, 26.87, 16.21, t_{observation group}=11.72, 20.79, 11.01, 2.810, 6.559, 3.716, 10.52, 24.56, 17.64, all P<0.05). At T₂ and T₃, the serum levels of CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 in the observation group[T₂: CRP (89.63±17.65)mg/L, TNF-α (51.16±10.16)ng/L, IL-6 (34.26±6.25)ng/L, T₃: CRP (136.15±26.25)mg/L, TNF-α (58.64±11.12)ng/L, IL-6 (67.56±12.67)ng/L]were lower than those in the control group[T₂: CRP (112.15±22.34)mg/L, TNF-α (59.56±11.58)ng/L, IL-6 (42.65±8.37)ng/L, T₃: CRP (175.16±34.75)mg/L, TNF-α (65.79±11.35)ng/L, IL-6 (79.02±14.56)ng/L], the differences were statistically significant(t=5.919, 6.703, 4.080, 3.367, 6.010, 4.443, all P<0.05). Compared with T0, serum levels of epinephrine(E), cortisol(Cor) increased in two groups at T₂ and T₃, and the differences were statistically significant(t_{control group}=10.03, 8.096, 8.679, 7.029, t_{observation group}=6.473, 4.728, 6.330, 4.727, all P<0.05). Compared with T₂, serum levels of E and Cor in two groups at T₃ were decreased, and the differences were statistically significant(t_{control group}=2.400, 2.638, t_{observation group}=2.260, 2.162, all P<0.05). At T₂ and T₃, the serum levels of E, Cor in the observation group[T₂: E (286.36±41.02)ng/L, Cor (262.52±29.89)μg/L, T₃: E (270.35±33.59)ng/L, Cor (253.23±30.28)μg/L]were lower than those in the control group[T₂: E (312.56±38.75)ng/L, Cor (287.56±38.76)μg/L, T₃: E (295.79±35.12)ng/L, Cor (270.25±30.15)μg/L], the differences were statistically significant (t=3.457, 3.917, 3.828, 2.981, all P<0.05). At T₀, T₂ and T₃, there were no statistically significant differences in CD₃⁺, CD₄⁺, CD₈⁺ and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusion Remifentanil combined with propofol anesthesia can make hemodynamics more stable in patients with acute abdomen complicated with septic shock, and can alleviate inflammation and stress response.

Objective:To study the effect of long noncoding RNA growth arrest-specifific transcript 5 (lncRNA GAS5) on the occurrence and development of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by analyzing the differential expression of lncrna GAS5 in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases.Methods:The expression of GAS5 in each subtype and pathological stage of breast cancer was studied by the TCGA data. The correlation of GAS5 was analyzed by using TNBC data GSE76124 and GSE83937 from the GEO database of the United States. The elated genes were collected and take the intersection. The positive correlation genes were used to analyze the GO function and the enrichment of KEGG pathway. GSEA of GAS5 was analyzed with TCGA database and GEO76124 data. GSE40525 and GSE76250 were selected from GEO data set to screen different miRNA and mRNA of TNBC, and construct the ceRNA network of GAS5-mirna-mrna through prediction.Results:The expression of GAS5 in breast cancer was lower than that in the adjacent tissues. GAS5 was mainly involved in various metabolic processes, including organic metabolism, macromolecular metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, etc. In terms of pathway, GAS5 mainly affected the ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, Wnt signaling pathway. By constructing the regulatory network of GAS5 in TNBC, we found that GAS5 was most likely to regulate the expression of 25 genes including SLC7A2 and lLONRF2 by adsorbing hsa-mir-650 and has-mir-532-5p.Conclusion:lncrna GAS5 may play a role of tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer and provide a new therapeutic target for gene therapy of breast cancer.

Objective:To explore the possible mechanism of Bupiwei Xieyinhuo Shengyang Prescription on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods:The main active components and target information of Bupiwei Xieyinhuo Shengyang Prescription were screened by TCMSP database, and targets were identified by GeneCards, OMIM, TTD and PharmGKB databases. The intersection of active ingredient components and disease targets was selected to construct PPI network by STRING. Cytoscape CytoNCA plug-in was used to extract core targets for analysis. GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using Metascape. Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct the "component-target-signal pathway" network, and Autodock was used to complete molecular docking verification. Animal experiments were further used for verification. SPF SD male rats were selected and GERD model was established by esophageal stent implantation. After 14 days of intervention, serum TNF-α and COX-2 levels of rats in each group were detected for verification.Results:A total of 215 effective compounds were screened from Bupiwei Xieyinhuo Shengyang Prescription. The main targets of GERD were TNF, IL6, CASP3, TP53 and PTGS2, which mainly focused on cancer pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway and NF-κB signaling pathway. The results of molecular docking showed that the binding potential and activity of the key active components of Bupiwei Xieyinhuo Shengyang Prescription and the core target were better. Compared with the model group, Bupiwei Xieyinhuo Shengyang Prescription could reduce the serum expression levels of TNF-α and COX-2 ( P<0.01). Conclusions:By regulating TNF, IL6, CASP3, TP53, PTGS2 and other core targets, Bupiwei Xieyinhuo Shengyang Prescription can regulate NF-κB signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway and other signaling pathways to play a role in the treatment of GERD.

Objective:To explore the features the gait of elderly persons with type 2 diabetes and peri-pheral neuropathy.Methods:Twenty patients no less than 60 years old with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) formed a DPN group, while 20 counterparts with type 2 diabetes but without peripheral neuropathy composed the DM group, and another 20 healthy counterparts served as a control group. The three groups were tested using the Swedish Qualisys motion capture system and their walking speed, step length, step width, stride frequency and stride length, bipedal foot support phase time, single foot support phase time, peak plantar pressure, and regional-holding time were collected and compared.Results:The average walking speed, stride length and stepping frequency of the DPN group were all significantly lower than the other 2 groups′ averages. Their bipedal support phase was significantly longer, but their single foot support phase time was significantly shorter. And in the DPN group the average first and second peak plantar pressures and the second peak pressure time were significantly greater than the other groups′ averages.Conclusions:Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy have significant gait abnormalities, decreased walking stability, as well as increased plantar pressure and plantar compression time.

Objective To assess the value of multimodal ultrasonography for diagnosing thyroid nodules—atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) of thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) categories 3 to 5. Methods A total of 90 AUS thyroid nodules in TI-RADS 3-5 categories from 88 patients underwent conventional ultrasonography, ultrasound elastography, superb microvascular imaging, and multimodal ultrasonography at the same time. With fine needle aspiration biopsy results as the gold standard, the methods were compared in terms of the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, false positive rate (FPR), false negative rate (FNR), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for diagnosing thyroid nodules. Results There were no significant differences between patients with benign and those with malignant thyroid nodules in terms of sex, age, and nodule locations (all P > 0.05), but the proportion of thyroid nodules ≤ 1 cm in diameter was significantly higher for malignant thyroid nodules than for benign thyroid nodules (χ²=9.610, P=0.002). Compared with benign nodules, malignant nodules were significantly more frequent to have low-level echoes or very low-level echoes, a blurred margin, a vertical diameter/horizontal diameter ratio of > 1, and microcalcifications or no calcifications (all P < 0.05). An ultrasound elastography score of ≥ 3 and type III vascularity on superb microvascular imaging indicated a higher possibility of malignant thyroid nodules (both P < 0.001). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the size, echogenicity, margin, and vertical diameter/horizontal diameter ratio, and superb microvascular imaging type of thyroid nodules were not significant markers for benign or malignant thyroid nodules (all P > 0.05), while microcalcifications/no calcifications and an ultrasound elastography score of ≥ 3 were independent risk factors for malignant AUS nodules (both P < 0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, FPR, and FNR of conventional ultrasonography for AUS nodules were 91.30%, 71.40%, 62.70%, 28.60%, and 8.70%, respectively; the values for ultrasound elastography were 85.50%, 66.70%, 52.20%, 33.30%, and 14.50%, respectively; the values for superb microvascular imaging were 66.70%, 76.20%, 42.90%, 23.80%, and 33.30%, respectively; and the values for multimodal ultrasonography were 75.20%, 92.50%, 67.70%, 24.80%, and 7.50%, respectively. For distinguishing between benign and malignant AUS nodules, the AUC values of conventional ultrasonography, ultrasound elastography, superb microvascular imaging, and multimodal ultrasonography were 0.866, 0.745, 0.774, and 0.918, respectively. Conclusion Multimodal ultrasonography shows better diagnostic efficacy for AUS nodules of TI-RADS 3-5 compared with conventional ultrasonography, ultrasound elastography, and superb microvascular imaging, which can facilitate the malignancy risk stratification and management of AUS thyroid nodules.