The head of the silkworm is a nerve center and a sense organ, contains antennaes and sensory hair, feels the outside signal, and responds to the external signal delivered to the brain. Juvenile hormone is mainly synthesized and secreted by corpora allata, and it needs to be played with the aid of the hormone binding protein, because the juvenile hormone binding protein is the carrier of juvenile hormone transport and plays a functional in vivo, they have an extremely important function in insects. The objective of this study is to screened and identify a novel BmTOL proteins that it has a conserved structure of the juvenile hormone binding protein family by SilkDB and NCBI database. Its coding gene number is BGIBMGA003404 (GenBank Accession No. KY681053). We also expressed the recombinant protein using the prokaryotic expression system, and then successfully purified the recombinant protein by Ni-NTA chromatography column to generate the polyclonal antibodies. The expression patterns analysis in various tissues showed that both in transcriptional and protein levels Bmtol was higher expressed in head. Furthermore, the expression level of Bmtol gene was higher in newly exuviated silkworm, and expression level of Bmtol gene was lower from at 3 days 5th instar to 7 days pupa, began to increase after the moth. Immunohistochemistry showed that BmTOL protein was localized in the cortex, antennaes and brain of the head, It may be related to the information transmission of the head, and provides an important source of information for the growth and development of silkworm.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of internal fixation with closed reduction and hollow compression screws for the treatment of femoral neck fracture in young and middle-aged patients.

METHODSFrom June 2013 to December 2016, 33 young and middle-aged patients with femoral neck fractures were treated with hollow compression screws fixation including 17 males and 16 females with an average age of 38.5 years old ranged from 19 to 59 years old; 20 cases were on the left side and 13 cases on the right side;the time from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 5 days with an average of 3 days. According to Garden classification, 1 case were type I, 11 cases were type II, 18 cases were type III, 3 cases were type IV. During regular follow-up after operation, through the hip joint X-ray, the healing situation of bone and osteonecrosis were observed. The Harris score was used to evaluate the hip function of the final follow-up.

RESULTSThe operation time was from 30 to 50 minutes, the blood loss during operation was 20 to 70 ml. All patients were followed up for 8 to 42 months with an average of 24 months. At the final follow-up, the Harris score of hip joint was excellent in 18 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 3 cases. Among them, the pain scores were 40.61±5.08, function scores were 38.94±6.78, malformation scores were 3.88±0.69, motion range scores were 3.70±0.64 and the total scores were 87.12±11.98. Thirty cases achieved bone healing, the healing time was 4 to 12 months with an average of 7.5 months, 2 patients occurred with nonunion (Garden type IV), 1 patient with femoral head necrosis (Garden type IV). All patients had no postoperative infection, internal fixation loosening, refracture and other complications.

CONCLUSIONSIn treating the young and middle-aged patients with femoral neck fracture, closed reduction and hollow compression screw fixation has advantages of simple, stable fixation, less trauma, high rate of fracture healing, osteonecrosis of the femoral head with low risk and satisfactory clinical effect.

BackgroundCurrently, drug-eluting balloon (DEB) appears to be an attractive alternative option for the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Nevertheless, the clinical outcomes of DEB have seldom been compared to those of new-generation drug-eluting stent (DES). Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DEB compared to those of new-generation DES in the treatment of ISR.

MethodsA comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library up to November 2, 2017 was performed to identify pertinent articles comparing DEB to new-generation DES for the treatment of ISR. In addition, conference proceedings for the scientific sessions of the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, and EuroPCR were also searched. The primary endpoint was target lesion revascularization (TLR) at the longest follow-up. Dichotomous variables were presented as risk ratios (RR s) with 95% confidence intervals (CI s), while the overall RR s were estimated using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model.

ResultsFive randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eight observational studies involving 2743 patients were included in the present meta-analysis. Overall, DEB was comparable to new-generation DES in terms of TLR (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.89-1.72, P = 0.21), cardiac death (RR = 1.55, 95% CI: 0.89-2.71, P = 0.12), major adverse cardiovascular event (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.98-1.48, P = 0.07), myocardial infarction (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.72-1.76, P = 0.62), and stent thrombosis (RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.38-2.42, P = 0.92). However, DEB was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality than new-generation DES (RR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.09-2.50, P = 0.02). This was especially true in the real-world observational studies (RR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.12-2.88, P = 0.02). In RCTs, however, no significant difference was found between the two treatment strategies in the risk of all-cause mortality.

ConclusionsThe current meta-analysis showed that DEB and new-generation DES had comparable safety and efficacy for the treatment of ISR in RCTs. However, treatment with DEB was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality in the real-world nonrandomized studies.

BackgroundOur previous studies have shown that Tongxinluo (TXL), a compound Chinese medicine, can decrease myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, protect capillary endothelium function, and lessen cardiac ventricle reconstitution in animal models. The aim of this study was to illuminate whether TXL can improve hypercholesterolemia-impaired heart function by protecting artery endothelial function and increasing microvascular density (MVD) in heart. Furthermore, we will explore the underlying molecular mechanism of TXL cardiovascular protection.

MethodsAfter intragastric administration of TXL (0.1 ml/10 g body weight) to C57BL/6J wild-type mice (n = 8) and ApoE-/- mice (n = 8), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose levels in serum were measured. The parameters of heart rate (HR), left ventricular diastolic end diameter, and left ventricular systolic end diameter were harvested by ultrasonic cardiogram. The left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, cardiac output, and left ventricular fractional shortening were calculated. Meanwhile, aorta peak systolic flow velocity (PSV), end diastolic flow velocity, and mean flow velocity (MFV) were measured. The pulsatility index (PI) and resistant index were calculated in order to evaluate the vascular elasticity and resistance. The endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was evaluated by relaxation of aortic rings in response to acetylcholine. Western blotting and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed for protein and gene analyses of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunohistochemical detection was performed for myocardial CD34 expression. Data in this study were compared by one-way analysis of variance between groups. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

ResultsAlthough there was no significant decrease of cholesterol level (F = 2.300, P = 0.240), TXL inhibited the level of triglyceride and VLDL (F = 9.209, P = 0.024 and F = 9.786, P = 0.020, respectively) in ApoE-/- mice. TXL improved heart function of ApoE-/- mice owing to the elevations of LVEF, SV, CO, and LVFS (all P < 0.05). TXL enhanced aortic PSV and MFV (F = 10.774, P = 0.024 and F = 11.354, P = 0.020, respectively) and reduced PI of ApoE-/- mice (1.41 ± 0.17 vs. 1.60 ± 0.17; P = 0.037). After incubation with 10 μmol/L acetylcholine, the ApoE-/- mice treated with TXL aortic segment relaxed by 44% ± 3%, significantly higher than control group mice (F = 9.280, P = 0.040). TXL also restrain the angiogenesis of ApoE-/- mice aorta (F = 21.223, P = 0.010). Compared with C57BL/6J mice, the MVD was decreased in heart tissue of untreated ApoE-/- mice (54.0 ± 3.0/mmvs. 75.0 ± 2.0/mm; F = 16.054, P = 0.010). However, TXL could significantly enhance MVD (65.0 ± 5.0/mmvs. 54.0 ± 3.0/mm; F = 11.929, P = 0.020) in treated ApoE-/- mice. In addition, TXL obviously increased the expression of VEGF protein determined by Western blot (F = 20.247, P = 0.004).

ConclusionsTXL obviously improves the ApoE-/- mouse heart function from different pathways, including reduces blood fat to lessen atherosclerosis; enhances aortic impulsivity, blood supply capacity, and vessel elasticity; improves endothelium-dependent vasodilatation; restraines angiogenesis of aorta-contained plaque; and enhances MVD of heart. The molecular mechanism of MVD enhancement maybe relate with increased VEGF expression.

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the changes and significance of sulfur dioxide (SO) in patients with POTS.

MethodsThe study included 31 children with POTS and 27 healthy children from Peking University First Hospital between December 2013 and October 2015. A detailed medical history, physical examination results, and demographic characteristics were collected. Hemodynamics was recorded and the plasma SOwas determined.

ResultsThe plasma SOwas significantly higher in POTS children compared to healthy children (64.0 ± 20.8 μmol/L vs. 27.2 ± 9.6 μmol/L, respectively, P < 0.05). The symptom scores in POTS were positively correlated with plasma SOlevels (r = 0.398, P < 0.05). In all the study participants, the maximum heart rate (HR) was positively correlated with plasma levels of SO(r = 0.679, P < 0.01). The change in systolic blood pressure from the supine to upright (ΔSBP) in POTS group was smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The ΔSBP was negatively correlated with baseline plasma SOlevels in all participants (r = -0.28, P < 0.05). In the control group, ΔSBP was positively correlated with the plasma levels of SO(r = 0.487, P < 0.01). The change in HR from the supine to upright in POTS was obvious compared to that of the control group. The area under curve was 0.967 (95% confidence interval: 0.928-1.000), and the cutoff value of plasma SOlevel >38.17 μmol/L yielded a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 92.6% for predicting the diagnosis of POTS.

ConclusionsIncreased endogenous SOlevels might be involved in the pathogenesis of POTS.

BACKGROUNDSH3TC2, PMP2, and BSCL2 genes are related to autosomal recessive (AR) Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 1, autosomal dominant (AD)-CMT1, and AD-CMT2, respectively. Pathogenic variants in these three genes were not well documented in Chinese CMT patients. Therefore, this study aims to detect SH3TC2, PMP2, and BSCL2 pathogenic variants in a cohort of 315 unrelated Chinese CMT families.

METHODSA total of 315 probands from 315 unrelated Chinese CMT families were recruited from the Department of Neurology of Third Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Hospital. We screened for SH3TC2 pathogenic variants in 84 AR or sporadic CMT probands, PMP2 pathogenic variants in 39 AD or sporadic CMT1 probands, and BSCL2 pathogenic variants in 50 AD or sporadic CMT2 probands, using polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. All these patients were out of 315 unrelated Chinese CMT families and genetically undiagnosed after exclusion of pathogenic variants of PMP22, MFN2, MPZ, GJB1, GDAP1, HSPB1, HSPB8, EGR2, NEFL, and RAB7. Candidate variants were analyzed based on the standards and guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Clinical features were reevaluated.

RESULTSWe identified three novel heterozygous variants such as p.L95V (c.283C>G), p.L1048P (c.3143T>C), and p.V1105M (c.3313G>A) of SH3TC2 gene and no pathogenic variants of PMP2 and BSCL2 genes. Although evaluation in silico and screening in the healthy control revealed that the three SH3TC2 variants were likely pathogenic, no second allele variants were discovered. According to the standards and guidelines of ACMG, the heterozygous SH3TC2 variants such as p.L95V, p.L1048P, and p.V1105M were considered to be of uncertain significance.

CONCLUSIONSSH3TC2, PMP2, and BSCL2 pathogenic variants might be rare in Chinese CMT patients. Further studies to confirm our findings are needed.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of fascioliasis in yaks, Bos grunniens, from 3 counties of Gansu Province in China. A total of 1,584 serum samples, including 974 samples from white yaks from Tianzhu, 464 from black yaks from Maqu, and 146 from black yaks from Luqu County, were collected and analyzed using ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against Fasciola hepatica. The overall F. hepatica seroprevalence was 28.7% (454/1,584), with 29.2% in white yaks (284/974) and 27.9% in black yaks (170/610). The seroprevalence of F. hepatica in yaks from Tianzhu, Luqu, and Maqu was 29.2%, 22.6%, and 29.5%, respectively. Female yaks (30.9%) had higher F. hepatica seroprevalence than male yaks (23.4%). Also, F. hepatica seroprevalence varied by different age group from 24.1% to 33.8%. Further, the seroprevalence ranged from 21.8% to 39.1% over different seasons. Interestingly, the season and age of yaks were associated with F. hepatica infection in yaks in the investigated areas. These findings provided a basis for further studies on this disease in yaks from 3 counties of Gansu Province in northwestern China, which may ultimately support the development of effective control strategies of fascioliasis in these areas.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Cattle* ; China* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fasciola hepatica ; Fascioliasis* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Ranunculaceae ; Risk Factors* ; Seasons ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

To investigate the metabolism of quercitrin in rat intestinal flora and possible biological pathways, laying the foundation for the metabolic mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine glycosides ingredients. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method was established to detect the quercitrin and its metabolites with 0.1% formic acid solution(A)-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile(B) as the mobile phase for gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL•min⁻¹. Electrospray negative ion mode was applied to analyze the metabolites of quercitrin in rat intestinal flora. Metabolite ToolsTM, mass defect filter(MDF) and other technologies were used to screen, analyze the metabolites and infer the chemical formula of the metabolites. The results showed that quercitrin would have degalactoside, deoxygenation and acetylation reactions, and the aglycone quercetin resulted from degalactoside would have further reactions such as hydroxylation, deoxygenation, reduction, and ring opening to achieve deoxygenation metabolite kaempferol, C2-C3 double bonds hydrogenation and reduction product taxifolin, and degalactoside product quercetin. The research results showed that quercitrin can be metabolized by rat intestinal flora, which could increase their hydrophobicity and chemical diversity.

BACKGROUNDIntralesional excision with curettage is the standard method of giant cell tumor (GCT) treatment, but the ideal filling material after curettage remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the oncological and functional outcomes which underwent cementation or bone grafting after GCT curettage around the knee.

METHODSWe reported 136 cases with GCTs in distal femur or proximal tibia who accepted curettage from five clinical centers during the last 15 years. All patients were divided into two groups according to filling materials. Recurrence-free survival proportions were used to evaluate oncological outcomes while the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 functional score was used to evaluate functional outcomes. Other parameters including surgical complication, general condition, and radiological classification had been analyzed. The valid statisitical data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0 software.

RESULTSAfter GCT curettage, 86 patients (63.2%) accepted bone grafting while 50 patients (36.8%) accepted cementation. There was no statistical difference in age, gender, tumor location, radiological classification, fixation, follow-up time, and MSTS 93 functional score between cementation group and bone grafting group. The recurrence-free survival proportions showed that the recurrence rate in bone grafting group was higher than it in cementation group (P = 0.034). Surgical complication was lower in cementation group than that in bone grafting group but without statistically significant difference (P = 0.141).

CONCLUSIONSParameters including patients' age, gender, tumor location, and radiological classification did not affect surgeons' treatments in cavity filling after GCT curettage. Cementation should be recommended because of easy usage, the similar postoperative knee function with bone grafting, and the better local tumor control than bone grafting.

OBJECTIVEStem cell-based therapies are promising in regenerative medicine for protecting and repairing damaged brain tissues after injury or in the context of chronic diseases. Hypoxia can induce physiological and pathological responses. A hypoxic insult might act as a double-edged sword, it induces cell death and brain damage, but on the other hand, sublethal hypoxia can trigger an adaptation response called hypoxic preconditioning or hypoxic tolerance that is of immense importance for the survival of cells and tissues.

DATA SOURCESThis review was based on articles published in PubMed databases up to August 16, 2017, with the following keywords: "stem cells," "hypoxic preconditioning," "ischemic preconditioning," and "cell transplantation."

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and critical reviews on the topics were selected.

RESULTSHypoxic preconditioning has been investigated as a primary endogenous protective mechanism and possible treatment against ischemic injuries. Many cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of hypoxic preconditioning have been identified.

CONCLUSIONSIn cell transplantation therapy, hypoxic pretreatment of stem cells and neural progenitors markedly increases the survival and regenerative capabilities of these cells in the host environment, leading to enhanced therapeutic effects in various disease models. Regenerative treatments can mobilize endogenous stem cells for neurogenesis and angiogenesis in the adult brain. Furthermore, transplantation of stem cells/neural progenitors achieves therapeutic benefits via cell replacement and/or increased trophic support. Combinatorial approaches of cell-based therapy with additional strategies such as neuroprotective protocols, anti-inflammatory treatment, and rehabilitation therapy can significantly improve therapeutic benefits. In this review, we will discuss the recent progress regarding cell types and applications in regenerative medicine as well as future applications.