Objective To investigate the role of β-arrestin2 in intestinal inflammation and illustrate the mechanisms from the perspective of epithelial barrier function. Methods Dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)is used to induce acute intestinal colitis in mice. The experiment groups are designed as the wild type control(WT),the wild type colitis (WT+DSS) and the β-arrestin2- knockout colitis (KO+DSS). The expression of β-arrestin2 gene by mRNA and protein level is compared between the WT and WT + DSS groups. The difference of weight loss , disease activity index(DAI),spleen weight,colon length,histological score,intestinal permeability and important tight junction proteins (occludin ,claudin1 and ZO-1) were detected in the WT+DSS and KO+DSS groups. Results Compared with the WT group,the expression of β-arrestin2 was significantly higher in the colon of the WT+DSS group. Compared with the WT+DSS group,the KO+DSS group had less weight loss(P < 0.05),lower DAI(P<0.05),smaller spleen,longer colon and lower histological score(P=0.002). The KO+DSS group had a lower intestinal permeability(P = 0.009)and higher protein level of occludin and claudin1.There was no signifi-cant difference of ZO-1 in the two groups. Conclusion β-arrestin2 may promote mouse colitis through impairment of epithelial barrier function.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence and pathogenic characteristics of Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children with diarrhea under 5 years of age in western Yunnan, and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of infectious diarrhea in children. Methods Feces were collected from under five-year-old children with diarrhea in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University from 2020 to 2021. Clinical information of the cases was also collected. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from the samples after cold enrichment on selective culture plates, and the pathogenic characteristics of Yersinia enterocolitica were analyzed by biological type and serotype and virulence gene detection. Results A total of 397 feces were collected. Seven strains of Yersinia enterocolitica were isolated in three samples, and the prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica infection was 0.76% (3/397). Among the three positive samples, two Yersinia frederiksenii or Yersinia intermedia were isolated in specimen No. 212 , and five Yersinia enterocolitica were detected in specimens No. 24 and 226. Two Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from one sample were biological type 1A, and the virulence gene test results were ail-/ystA-/ ystB+ /yadA-/virF-, which were non-pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. Three Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from the other sample were biological type 3, serotype O∶3 (rfbc+), and virulence gene detection results were ail+/ystA+/ystB-/yadA+ /virF+, which were pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. While pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica was detected from feces of children with diarrhea at 11 months of age with a infection rate of 0.50%(2/397). Conclusion Sporadic infection of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica was found in under five-year-old children in western Yunnan Province. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and research of Yersinia enterocolitica.

OBJECTIVETo study the factors affecting extracellular glycerol (Gly) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI).

METHODSPerilesional extracellular Gly and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in 53 patients with STBI were consecutively monitored. Simultaneously, the intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CCP) were monitored. The hourly minimum of CCP and CBF and the hourly maximum of ICP levels were matched with the hourly Gly. Gly values were divided into several groups according to regional ICP (less than 15 mm Hg or larger than 15 mm Hg), CCP (less than 70 mm Hg or larger than 70 mm Hg), CBF (less than 50 AU or 50-150 AU) and the outcomes (death or persistent vegetative state group, severe or moderate disability group, and good recovery group).

RESULTSIn comparison with the severe or moderate disability group, the Gly concentration of the death or persistent vegetative state group increased significantly, but CBF and CCP decreased significantly. In comparison with the good recovery group, the Gly concentration of the severe or moderate disability group increased significantly, but CBF and CCP decreased significantly. The Gly concentrations in patients with ICP larger than 15 mm Hg, CCP less than 70 mm Hg and CBF less than 50 AU were respectively higher than those of patients with ICP less than 15 mm Hg, CCP larger than 70 mm Hg and 50 AU less than CBF less than 150 AU. In patients with diffuse axial injury, the mean Gly concentration was (201.17+/-55.00) micromol/L, which was significantly higher than that of the patients with epidural hematoma (n equal to 7, 73.26+/-8.37, P less than 0.05) or subdural hematoma (n equal to 9, 114.67+/-62.88, P less than 0.05), but it did not increase significantly when compared with those in patients with contusion(n equal to 24, 167.48+/-52.63).

CONCLUSIONGly can be taken as a marker for degradation of membrane phospholipids and ischemia, which reflects the severity of primary or secondary insult.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Brain Chemistry ; Brain Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Extracellular Space ; chemistry ; Female ; Glycerol ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Microdialysis ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of mild hypothermia on glucose metabolism and glycerol of brain tissue in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) using clinical microdialysis.

METHODSThirty-one patients with STBI(GCS less than or equal to 8) were randomly divided into hypothermic group(Group A) and control group(Group B). Microdialysis catheters were inserted into the cerebral cortex of perilesional and normal brain tissue. All samples were analyzed using CMA microdialysis analyzer.

RESULTSIn comparison with the control group, lactate/glucose ratio(L/G), lactate/pyruvate ratio(L/P) and glycerol(Gly) in perilensional tissue were significantly decreased; L/P in normal brain tissue was significantly decreased. In control group, L/G, L/P and Gly in perilensional tissue were higher than that in normal brain tissue. In the hypothermic group, L/P in perilensional tissue was higher than that in relative normal brain.

CONCLUSIONSMild hypothermia protects brain tissues by decreasing L/G, L/P and Gly in perilensional tissue and L/P in "normal brain" tissues. The energy crisis and membrane phospholipid degradation in perilensional tissue are easier to happen after traumatic brain injury, and mild hypothermia protects brain better in perilensional tissue than in normal brain tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; metabolism ; therapy ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycerol ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; methods ; Microdialysis ; Middle Aged

The distribution information of Lomatogonium rotatum. was collected by interview investigation and field survey, and 55 related environmental factors were collected, the habitat suitability study was conducted based on geographic information system (GIS) and maximum entropy model. The AUCs of ROC curve were both above 0.99, indicating that the predictive results with the maximum model were highly precise. The results showed that 13 major environmental factors have obvious influence on ecology suitability distributions of L. rotatum, including month average temperature of February et al., the suitable distribution areas are mainly concentrated in the east-central of Inner Mongolia, including Hexigten banner, Duolun county, Zhenglan banner et al., The zoning results basically coincide with the genuine producing areas, and further afford new suitable distribution areas, which can provide reference for L. rotatum's wild nursery and the siting of introduction and cultivation.
China ; Ecosystem ; Environment ; Gentianaceae ; growth & development ; Geographic Information Systems ; Rain ; Temperature

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma miRNA-124 and miRNA-765 levels in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods Thirty sTBI patients,admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to March 2010,and 24 healthy volunteers were included in the study.Quantitative RT-PCR was employed to determine the levels of miRNA-124 and miRNA-765 in the plasma and traumatic brain tissues at different time points after injury; receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to explore the potential of miRNA-124 and miRNA-765 as diagnostic TBI biomarkers.Results MiRNA-124 level dominantly increased 6 h after TBI and continued to rise 12 and 24 h,while miRNA-765 reached its peak level at 12 h after TBI in patients with sTBI,enjoying significant differences as compared with those in the matched healthy volunteers(t=2.41,P=0.001).miR-124 level (t=2.686,P=0.001) and miR-765 level (t=2.673,P=0.000) in the contusion and laceration tissues after sTBI predominantly increased as compared with those in the normal brain tissues surrounding to the contusion and laceration tissues,with significant difference.ROC curve analysis indicated that miR-124 and miR-765 were good diagnostic markers of sTBI (area under the curve:0.98 and 0.79).Conclusion Plasma-derived miR-124 and miR-765 change significantly,which could be employed as diagnostic markers for sTBI.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of small interference RNA (siRNA) on epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (egfl7) gene expression in human endothelial cell line HUVEC.

METHODSsiRNA targeting egfl7 (siRNA1, siRNA2, siRNA3 and siRNA4) was constructed through online design of Amnion company and transfected into human endothelial cell line HUVEC with lipofectamine. The nontransfected cells and cells treated with control siRNA were taken as controls. At 24, 48 and 72 hours post various interventions, cell viability was determined by MTS method as well as LDH and ATP releasing tests. egfl7 expressions at protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively.

RESULTSCell survival rate, LDH and ATP release were significantly reduced in siRNA treated cells compared to control cells (P < 0.05). Similarly, egfl7 expression at protein and mRNA levels was also significantly reduced in siRNA treated cells (P < 0.01), especially in siRNA1 treated cells.

CONCLUSIONsiRNA inhibited egfl7 gene expression and cell survival in HUVEC.

Cell Line ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo detect changes of Foxp3 expression in the decidua in patients with preeclampsia and investigate the correlation of Foxp3-924 (rs2232365) polymorphisms with preeclampsia.

METHODSFrom October 2011 to December 2012, 252 normal pregnant women and 156 preeclampsia patients of Han nationality from the same geographic region were tested for Foxp3-924 genotypes by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). Sixty-eight of the patients with preeclampsia (33 with mild and 35 with severe preeclampsia) and 30 of the normal pregnant women were also examined for Foxp3 expression in the decidua using immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSFoxp3 positive expression rates in the decidua was 51.52% in mild preeclampsia and 28.57% in severe preeclampsia cases, significantly lower than that in the control group (86.67%, P<0.05). In preeclampsia patients, the frequencies of Foxp3-924G/G, G/A, and A/A genotypes were 0.1346, 0.4615 and 0.4038, respectively, and the frequencies of Foxp3-924A and Foxp3-924 G were 0.6346 and 0.3654, respectively. The genotype frequencies of Foxp3-924G/G, G/A and A/A in the control group were 0.1508, 0.4087 and 0.4405, respectively, and the frequencies of Foxp3-924 A and Foxp3-924 G were 0.6448 and 0.3552, respectively. No significant differences were found in the gene frequencies of Foxp3-924G/A between preeclampsia patients and the control group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of Foxp3 in the placental tissue of preeclampsia patients is significantly lower than that in normal pregnant women, suggesting that lowered Foxp3 expression decreases the immunosuppressive function and causes imbalance of immune tolerance between maternal-fetal to induce preeclampsia. Foxp3-924 polymorphisms is not significantly correlated with the occurrence of preeclampsia.

Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pre-Eclampsia ; genetics ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics and treatment methods for complicated atlantoaxial dislocation.

METHODSA retrospective evaluation was done to summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics and complicated factors of 54 patients with complicated atlantoaxial dislocation who could not to be treated effectively by using conventional therapy in our hospital from February 2005 to October 2008. According to different complicated factors, different treatment methods mainly including transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate-III (TARP-III) operation, decompression procedure with deep grinding guided by computer aided design-rapid prototyping (CAD-RP), screw placement technique with CAD-RP guide plate and extensile approach surgery were performed.

RESULTSThe average follow-up period was 24 months. Among 54 cases, 48 cases achieved immediate anatomic reduction completely and 6 cases almost achieved anatomical reduction. All the compressed spinal cords were decompressed sufficiently. The decompression rate was 86.0% and the improvement rate of nerve function was 77.8%. Two cases suffered postoperative intracranial infection.

CONCLUSIONSome cases of complicated atlantoaxial dislocation can be effectively treated by using TARP-III operation, decompression procedure with deep grinding guided by CAD-RP, individualized screw placement technique with CAD-RP guide plate and extensile approach surgery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; abnormalities ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of a recombinant human tumor necrosis factor:Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc,with a trade name of Yisaipu) in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris.Methods A multicentre,randomized,double blind,and parallel-controlled trial was performed.One hundred and forty-four patients with moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris from four centres were randomly assigned and treated with either once-weekly subcutaneous injection of rhTNFR:Fc (50 mg) or oral methotrexate (MTX)(7.5 mg) for 12 weeks.Patients were followed up at 2,4,8,12 weeks after the treatment.Results One hundred and twenty-four patients finished the 12-week course of treat- ment.At 12 weeks after the treatment,a 50%,75%,90% improvement in psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was achieved by 86.11%,76.39%,52.78% respectively of rhTNFR:Fc-treated patients,and by 63.89%,44.44%,22.22% respectively in MTX-treated patients,and all the three improvement rates were of significant difference between the two groups of patients (all P0.05).Conclusion Compared with MTX,rhTNFR:Fc acts more quickly with a higher cure rate and less toxic reactions in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.