Objective:To investigate the correlation between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(cfPWV)and carotid artery structural,hemodynamic,and cardiac functional parameters.Methods:A total of 420 healthy volunteers who underwent neck ultrasound,cardiac ultrasound,and cfPWV examination at Kailuan General Hospital from June 2022 to February 2023 were selected,and they were divided into two groups based on the atherosclerosis threshold value of cfPWV>10 m/s,which included high cfPWV group(140 cases,cfPWV>10 m/s)and low cfPWV group(280 cases,cfPWV≤10 m/s).The demographic data(age,sex)of 420 persons were collected,and the common carotid artery diameter(CCAD),common carotid artery intima-media thickness(CIMT),plaque status,peak systolic velocity(PSV),end-diastolic velocity(EDV)and mean flow velocity(MFV)were compared between two groups.Then,the differences of interventricular septal thickness(IVST)of heart,left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),the ratio of blood flow velocity at early stage to that at advanced stage in mitral valve(E/A)and stroke volume(SV)were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to analyze the independent influence factors of cfPWV enhancement.Results:The average age of high cfPWV group was(61.31±9.66)years old,which was significantly higher than(51.06±10.47)years old of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that was significant(t=-9.56,P<0.01).In the parameters of common carotid artery,63 persons(45.0%)occurred plaque in 140 persons of high cfPWV group,which was significantly lower than 50 persons(17.86%)in 280 persons of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(x2=34.97,P<0.05).The differences of CCAD,CIMT,PSV,EDV and MV of common carotid artery at right side of persons between two groups were significant(t=-2.16,-5.40,4.52,5.59,5.04,P<0.05),respectively.The parameters of heart showed that the LVPWT thickness increased(9.35±1.13)mm,and the ratio of E/A<1 increased 77.86%in high cfPWV group,which were significantly related to the increase of cfPWV(r=0.27,0.38,P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age(OR=1.05,95%CI:1.02-1.08),CCAD(OR=1.63,95%CI:1.22-2.16),plaque presence(OR=1.84,95%CI:1.07-3.17),LVPWT(OR=1.35,95%CI:1.05-1.72),and the ratio of E/A<1(OR=2.37,95%CI:1.32-4.26)were independent predictors of cfPWV enhancement.Conclusion:The enhancement of cfPWV is closely related to high age,the reconstruction of common carotid artery(widening of inside diameter,and plaque formation),left ventricular hypertrophy,and diastolic abnormality,which indicates it is possible that atherosclerosis process accompanies by the change of interaction mechanism of blood vessels-heart.

AIM:To establish a stable and efficient rat model of alcoholic liver disease(ALD),we investigat-ed the effects of different alcoholic beverage concentrations and alcohol dosing regimens.METHODS:(1)SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10):blank,ALD1,ALD2,ALD3,and ALD4.Except for the blank group,rats received intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily with an 8-hour interval)for 4 weeks,along with free access to 0%,5%,10%,or 15%alcoholic beverage to evaluate concentration-dependent effects.(2)An-other cohort was divided into three groups(n=10):blank,ALD5,and ALD6.Rats(except blank)were gavaged with 56%alcohol twice daily for 9 weeks(8 mL/kg for ALD5;6 mL/kg in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for ALD6),with 10%alcoholic beverage available ad libitum to assess dose-dependent effects.Serum biochemical markers[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density li-poprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)]and inflammatory cytokines[interleu-kin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]were analyzed after modeling,complemented by imaging(B-ultrasound,CT,and MRI).Success and survival rates were calculated.RESULTS:(1)ALD1～4 groups exhibited sig-nificantly elevated ALT,AST,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and reduced HDL-C and liver-to-spleen CT density ratio vs blank.ALD3(10%alcoholic beverage)showed the highest modeling success rate with low mortality.(2)ALD5 and ALD6 groups also had siginificant differin terms(P<0.01),with ALD6(gradually increas-ing dose)displaying more severe liver injury,higher success rate,and better survival.CONCLUSION:The optimal ALD model was induced by intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for 9 weeks)combined with 10%alcoholic beverage.This protocol offers a reliable approach for ALD re-search and drug development.

BACKGROUND: The transcription factor POU2F1 regulates the expression levels of microRNAs in neoplasia. However, the miR-29b1/a cluster modulated by POU2F1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. METHODS: Gene expression in GC cells was evaluated using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and RNA in situ hybridization. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to evaluate protein interactions. Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the biological behavior of GC cells. MiR-29b1/a cluster promoter analysis and luciferase activity assay for the 3'-UTR study were performed in GC cells. In vivo tumor metastasis was evaluated in nude mice. RESULTS: POU2F1 is overexpressed in GC cell lines and binds to the miR-29b1/a cluster promoter. POU2F1 is upregulated, whereas mature miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p are downregulated in GC tissues. POU2F1 promotes GC metastasis by inhibiting miR-29b-3p or miR-29a-3p expression in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, PIK3R1 and/or PIK3R3 are direct targets of miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p , and the ectopic expression of PIK3R1 or PIK3R3 reverses the suppressive effect of mature miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p on GC cell metastasis and invasion. Additionally, the interaction of PIK3R1 with PIK3R3 promotes migration and invasion, and miR-29b-3p , miR-29a-3p , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 regulate migration and invasion via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway in GC cells. In addition, POU2F1 , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 expression levels negatively correlated with miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p expression levels in GC tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS The POU2F1 - miR-29b-3p / miR-29a-3p-PIK3R1 / PIK3R1 signaling axis regulates tumor progression and may be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/physiology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Octamer Transcription Factor-1/metabolism* ; Mice, Nude ; Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics* ; Male ; Immunohistochemistry ; Female

AIM:To establish a stable and efficient rat model of alcoholic liver disease(ALD),we investigat-ed the effects of different alcoholic beverage concentrations and alcohol dosing regimens.METHODS:(1)SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10):blank,ALD1,ALD2,ALD3,and ALD4.Except for the blank group,rats received intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily with an 8-hour interval)for 4 weeks,along with free access to 0%,5%,10%,or 15%alcoholic beverage to evaluate concentration-dependent effects.(2)An-other cohort was divided into three groups(n=10):blank,ALD5,and ALD6.Rats(except blank)were gavaged with 56%alcohol twice daily for 9 weeks(8 mL/kg for ALD5;6 mL/kg in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for ALD6),with 10%alcoholic beverage available ad libitum to assess dose-dependent effects.Serum biochemical markers[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density li-poprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)]and inflammatory cytokines[interleu-kin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]were analyzed after modeling,complemented by imaging(B-ultrasound,CT,and MRI).Success and survival rates were calculated.RESULTS:(1)ALD1～4 groups exhibited sig-nificantly elevated ALT,AST,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and reduced HDL-C and liver-to-spleen CT density ratio vs blank.ALD3(10%alcoholic beverage)showed the highest modeling success rate with low mortality.(2)ALD5 and ALD6 groups also had siginificant differin terms(P<0.01),with ALD6(gradually increas-ing dose)displaying more severe liver injury,higher success rate,and better survival.CONCLUSION:The optimal ALD model was induced by intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for 9 weeks)combined with 10%alcoholic beverage.This protocol offers a reliable approach for ALD re-search and drug development.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(cfPWV)and carotid artery structural,hemodynamic,and cardiac functional parameters.Methods:A total of 420 healthy volunteers who underwent neck ultrasound,cardiac ultrasound,and cfPWV examination at Kailuan General Hospital from June 2022 to February 2023 were selected,and they were divided into two groups based on the atherosclerosis threshold value of cfPWV>10 m/s,which included high cfPWV group(140 cases,cfPWV>10 m/s)and low cfPWV group(280 cases,cfPWV≤10 m/s).The demographic data(age,sex)of 420 persons were collected,and the common carotid artery diameter(CCAD),common carotid artery intima-media thickness(CIMT),plaque status,peak systolic velocity(PSV),end-diastolic velocity(EDV)and mean flow velocity(MFV)were compared between two groups.Then,the differences of interventricular septal thickness(IVST)of heart,left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),the ratio of blood flow velocity at early stage to that at advanced stage in mitral valve(E/A)and stroke volume(SV)were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to analyze the independent influence factors of cfPWV enhancement.Results:The average age of high cfPWV group was(61.31±9.66)years old,which was significantly higher than(51.06±10.47)years old of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that was significant(t=-9.56,P<0.01).In the parameters of common carotid artery,63 persons(45.0%)occurred plaque in 140 persons of high cfPWV group,which was significantly lower than 50 persons(17.86%)in 280 persons of low cfPWV group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(x2=34.97,P<0.05).The differences of CCAD,CIMT,PSV,EDV and MV of common carotid artery at right side of persons between two groups were significant(t=-2.16,-5.40,4.52,5.59,5.04,P<0.05),respectively.The parameters of heart showed that the LVPWT thickness increased(9.35±1.13)mm,and the ratio of E/A<1 increased 77.86%in high cfPWV group,which were significantly related to the increase of cfPWV(r=0.27,0.38,P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age(OR=1.05,95%CI:1.02-1.08),CCAD(OR=1.63,95%CI:1.22-2.16),plaque presence(OR=1.84,95%CI:1.07-3.17),LVPWT(OR=1.35,95%CI:1.05-1.72),and the ratio of E/A<1(OR=2.37,95%CI:1.32-4.26)were independent predictors of cfPWV enhancement.Conclusion:The enhancement of cfPWV is closely related to high age,the reconstruction of common carotid artery(widening of inside diameter,and plaque formation),left ventricular hypertrophy,and diastolic abnormality,which indicates it is possible that atherosclerosis process accompanies by the change of interaction mechanism of blood vessels-heart.

Objective:We aimed to develop a novel visualized model based on nomogram to predict postoperative overall survival.Methods:This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study, including participants with histologically confirmed gastric and colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery from 11 medical centers in China from August 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. Baseline characteristics, histopathological data and nutritional status, as assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score and the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox regression were used to identify variables to be included in the predictive model. Internal and external validations were performed.Results:There were 681 and 127 patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. A total of 188 deaths were observed over a median follow-up period of 59 (range: 58 to 60) months. Two independent predictors of NRS 2002 and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage were identified and incorporated into the prediction nomogram model together with the factor of age. The model's concordance index for 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 0.696, 0.724, and 0.738 in the training cohort and 0.801, 0.812, and 0.793 in the validation cohort, respectively.Conclusions:In this study, a new nomogram prediction model based on NRS 2002 score was developed and validated for predicting the overall postoperative survival of patients with gastric colorectal cancer. This model has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability in predicting the long-term survival rate of patients with gastrointestinal cancer after radical surgery.

To establish a cell-based rapid luciferase suppression assay for high-throughput screening (HTS) anti-alphaviruses compounds screening, which could cause viral encephalitis, raise the social issues associated directly with public health and huge economic burden to the society. The Gaussia luciferase assay system was used for HTS model for identifying inhibitors of labeled virus XJ160-GLUC. The decreased 50% GLUC activity inhibition ratio was deemed to be the screening positive index. The reaction system in this model was optimized, and the reliability of the model was evaluated. For HTS model's optimization, cells were infected with XJ160-GLUC at an MOI of 0.025 PFU/cell. The supernatant treated with compounds 48h were collected for GLUC expression detection. In the model, Z' factor was up to 0.71, demonstrating that HTS assay for identifying inhibitors that target all aspects of the viral life cycle of XJ160-GLUC was stable and reliable. After screening 8080 compounds (five-in-one), 341 positive samples were selected, and the positive rate was 4.2% with a cutoff at 50% inhibition. Then 1705 compounds were screened subsequently and the positive rate was 1.1% with obtaining 19 positive compounds. These results will lay the foundation for finding the anti-alphaviruses' drug targets.
Alphavirus ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Genes, Reporter ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; methods ; Luciferases ; genetics ; metabolism

Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Acupuncture is an ef-fective treatment for DGP in recent years. Literatures on acupuncture therapy for DGP treatment were screened for the past 10 years. Statistical analysis was made on acupoints used in the literatures in order to find the most com-monly used acupoints and combinations. This article was aimed to explore and summarize the use of the acupuncture law for the better service of clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Present studies mainly focused on in vitro culture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)and cell transplantation for treating intracalvarium diseases.However,the understanding of survival,differentiation,migration and structure of transplanted cells in the damaged spinal cord is limited.OBJECTIVE:To explore effects of local BMSC transplantation in repair of spinal cord damage and feasibility of replacement therapy of BMSCs.METHODS:Adult healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to cell transplantation and control groups.Rat models of spinal cord transection damage were established.Rat BMSC suspension or calcium and magnesium phosphate buffer were transplanted immediately after injury to the damage zone.At 1 day,1,2,3,4 and 8 weeks before and after transplantation,BBB score motor function was observed in rats,and at 1 week after transplantation,immunohistochemical staining was utilized to observe BrdU-labeled BMSC survival in the spinal cord damaged site.At 4 weeks after transplantation,the general observation and histological detection were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 1-8 weeks after transplantation,BBB scores were higher in the cell transplantation group than in the control group.At 1 week following surgery,immunohistochemical staining showed that BrdU-positive cells were detected in the distal end of rat spinal cord in the cell transplantation group.At 4 weeks following surgery,nerve fibers were found in the damaged spinal cord.These verified that BMSCs were transplanted into rat damaged spinal cord immediately following damage,and the transplanted cells could survive.Living BMSCs can differentiate into neurons,and formed neuron pathway in the local region of damage,which will promote the recovery of conduction function of spinal nerve fibers,and contribute to the recovery of rat hindlimb motor function following high-level spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Acidic fibrobiast growth factor can regulate cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival, also can down-regulate the known inhibitor of axon regeneration, such as proteoglycan, help axons overcome these inhibitory factors, and have significant role on the regeneration of nerve fibers.OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility and effect of the acidic fibroblast growth factor combined with peripheral nerve transplantation in the treatment of high-level spinal cord injury in rats.METHODS: A total of adult 108 female SD rats were randomly divided into autologous nerve group, autologous nerve combined .with acidic fibroblast growth factor group, and high-level spinal cord injury group. The rat T_(8-10) spinous process and lamina were bite, revealing dural sac, high-level spinal cord was resected at a horizon level, cutting 3 mm, no nerve fibers were confirmed to be attached under the microscope. In the autogenous nerve group and autologous nerve combined with acidic fibroblast growth factor group, bilateral the 8~(th) to 10~(th) pairs of intercostal nerves were harvested 2 cm, then cross-transplanted into high-level spinal cord defect (proximal white matter and distal gray matter, distal white matter and proximal gray matter), fibrin gel and fibrin gel containing acidic fibroblast growth factor were used respectively to fix the implanted intercostal nerve, followed by dural suture.High-level spinal cord transection group was subjected to exclusion between stumps. At 90 days postoperation, somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential were used to test nerve electrophysiological recovery. At 76 days postoperation,biotinylated dextran amine anterograde tracing was applied to observe the motor conduction bundle recovery. At 60 days postoperation, hindlimb motor function recovery was assessed by BBB score.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The somatosensory and motor evoked potential waveforms were not elicited in rats of high-level spinal cord transaction group, but did elicit in autogenous nerve group and autologous nerve combined acidic fibroblast growth factor group. The average latency and amplitude of somatosensory and motor evoked potentials, as well as BBB scores in autologous nerve combined acidic fibrobiast growth factor group were significantly superior to autologous nerve group (P ＜ 0.01).In the autogenous nerve group and autologous nerve combined acidic fibroblast growth factor group, many more biotinylated daxtran amine-positive nerve fibers passed in the damage zone, compared with high-level spinal cord transection group (P ＜0,01), the autologous nerve combined acidic fibrobiast growth factor group was more than autogenous nerve group (P ＜ 0.01). It is indicated that autologous peripheral nerve graft acidic flbroblast growth factor can better restore the limb motor functions of rats after high-level spinal cord injury.