OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of baicalin （BC） on insulin resistance in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus （GDM） and its underlying mechanism based on the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 1 （SUV39H1）/histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation （H3K9me3） axis. METHODS A GDM rat model was established by a combination of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection. The successfully modeled rats were divided into the GDM group， BC low-dose group， BC high-dose group， and high-dose of BC+AMPK inhibitor （Compound C） group， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 pregnant rats fed a normal diet served as the control group. Rats in each group were given corresponding drugs/normal saline intragastrically and/or intraperitoneally， once daily for 2 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， the levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， pancreatic function indexes [fasting insulin （FINS）， homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， insulin sensitivity index （ISI）]， blood lipid indexes （total cholesterol， triglyceride， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol）， liver function indexes （alanine transferase， aspartate transferase， alkaline phosphatase）， inflammatory indicators （C-reactive protein， interleukin-1β， interleukin-6）， metabolic regulatory protein [complement-C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 （CTRP3）]， insulin sensitivity related factors [glucose transporter 4 （GLUT4）， adiponectin]， and oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， malondialdehyde （MDA）] were measured. Pathological changes in liver tissue were observed， and the expressions of proteins related to the AMPK/SUV39H1/H3K9me3 axis in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the GDM group， rats in the BC low- and high-dose groups showed varying degrees of improvement in pathological changes such as disordered cell arrangement， vacuolar degeneration， lipid deposition， and inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue. Their FBG and FINS levels， HOMA-IR， the levels of blood lipid indexes， liver function indexes， inflammatory indicators and MDA， and the expressions of SUV39H1 and H3K9me3 were significantly decreased or down-regulated， while metabolic regulatory protein， insulin sensitivity-related factors and AMPK protein phosphorylation levels were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. The improvement was more significant in the BC high-dose group （ P ＜0.05）. Compound C could significantly reverse the ameliorative effects of high-dose BC on the above quantitative indicators （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS BC can significantly reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses， increase serum levels of CTRP3， GLUT4 and adiponectin， thereby improving insulin resistance in GDM rats. These effects may be related to the activation of AMPK and inhibition of SUV39H1-mediated H3K9me3 modification.

Objective To investigate the potential value of exosomes derived from rat ectoderm mesenchymal stem cells(EMSCs-exo)for repairing secondary spinal cord injury.Methods EMSCs-exo were obtained using ultracentrifugation from EMSCs isolated from rat nasal mucosa,identified by transmission electron microscope,nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and Western blotting,and quantified using the BCA method.Neonatal rat microglia purified by differential attachment were induced with 100 μg/L lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and treated with 37.5 or 75 mg/L EMSCs-exo.PC12 cells were exposed to 400 μmol/L H2O2 and treated with EMSCs-exo at 37.5 or 75 mg/L.The protein and mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS in the treated cells were determined with Western blotting and qRT-PCR,and the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,and IGF-1 in the supernatants were measured with ELISA.The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were detected using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.Results The isolated rat EMSCs showed high expressions of nestin,CD44,CD105,and vimentin.The obtained EMSCs-exo had a typical cup-shaped structure under transmission electron microscope with an average particle size of 142 nm and positivity for CD63,CD81,and TSG101 but not vimentin.In LPS-treated microglia,EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L significantly increased Arg1 protein level and lowered iNOS protein expression(P<0.05).EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L,as compared with the lower concentration at 37.5 mg/L,more strongly increased Arg1 mRNA expression and IGF-1 and IL-10 production and decreased iNOS mRNA expression and IL-6 production in LPS-induced microglia,and more effectively promoted cell survival and decreased apoptosis rate of H2O2-induced PC12 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion EMSCs-exo at 75 mg/L can effectively reduce the proportion of M1 microglia and alleviate neuronal apoptosis under oxidative stress to promote neuronal survival,suggesting its potential in controlling secondary spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the potential value of exosomes derived from rat ectoderm mesenchymal stem cells(EMSCs-exo)for repairing secondary spinal cord injury.Methods EMSCs-exo were obtained using ultracentrifugation from EMSCs isolated from rat nasal mucosa,identified by transmission electron microscope,nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and Western blotting,and quantified using the BCA method.Neonatal rat microglia purified by differential attachment were induced with 100 μg/L lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and treated with 37.5 or 75 mg/L EMSCs-exo.PC12 cells were exposed to 400 μmol/L H2O2 and treated with EMSCs-exo at 37.5 or 75 mg/L.The protein and mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS in the treated cells were determined with Western blotting and qRT-PCR,and the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,and IGF-1 in the supernatants were measured with ELISA.The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were detected using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.Results The isolated rat EMSCs showed high expressions of nestin,CD44,CD105,and vimentin.The obtained EMSCs-exo had a typical cup-shaped structure under transmission electron microscope with an average particle size of 142 nm and positivity for CD63,CD81,and TSG101 but not vimentin.In LPS-treated microglia,EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L significantly increased Arg1 protein level and lowered iNOS protein expression(P<0.05).EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L,as compared with the lower concentration at 37.5 mg/L,more strongly increased Arg1 mRNA expression and IGF-1 and IL-10 production and decreased iNOS mRNA expression and IL-6 production in LPS-induced microglia,and more effectively promoted cell survival and decreased apoptosis rate of H2O2-induced PC12 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion EMSCs-exo at 75 mg/L can effectively reduce the proportion of M1 microglia and alleviate neuronal apoptosis under oxidative stress to promote neuronal survival,suggesting its potential in controlling secondary spinal cord injury.

Objective To study biomechanical effects of cannulated screws at different fixation angles on posterior malleolus fracture based on finite element method, so as to determine the best fixation method of cannulatedscrew. Methods The finite element model of ankle joint, including tibia, fibula, astragalus, corresponding cartilage and ligaments was reconstructed using CT images, and 1 / 2 posterior malleolus fracture model was established on the basis of verifying its validity. The biomechanical effects of cannulated screw fixation on posterior malleolus fracture fixation model were analyzed. Results Compared with 0°,5°,10°,20° fixation model, the 15° fixation model had the smallest displacement. The screw stress of 15° fixation model was lower than that of 5°, 10°, 20° fixation model, and higher than that of 0° fixation model. But when the screw fixation angle was 0°, the peak contact pressure of ankle joint was much larger than that of normal ankle joint, which was easy to cause traumatic osteoarthritis. Conclusions Cannulated screw is safe and effective for treating posterior malleolus fracture which is less than 1 / 2 fragment size. The displacement and stress of the model are different at different fixation angles of screws. When the fixation angle of screw is 15°, the biomechanical stability is the best, which can be used to guide clinical operation.

Genetic gain-of-function mutations of warm temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) channel cause Olmsted syndrome characterized by severe itching and keratoderma, indicating that pharmacological inhibition of TRPV3 may hold promise for therapy of chronic pruritus and skin diseases. However, currently available TRPV3 tool inhibitors are either nonselective or less potent, thus impeding the validation of TRPV3 as therapeutic target. Using whole-cell patch-clamp and single-channel recordings, we report the identification of two natural dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers isochlorogenic acid A (IAA) and isochlorogenic acid B (IAB) that selectively inhibit TRPV3 currents with IC₅₀ values of 2.7 ± 1.3 and 0.9 ± 0.3 μmol/L, respectively, and reduce the channel open probability to 3.7 ± 1.2% and 3.2 ± 1.1% from 26.9 ± 5.5%, respectively. In vivo evaluation confirms that both IAA and IAB significantly reverse the ear swelling of dermatitis and chronic pruritus. Furthermore, the isomer IAB is able to rescue the keratinocyte death induced by TRPV3 agonist carvacrol. Molecular docking combined with site-directed mutations reveals two residues T636 and F666 critical for the binding of the two isomers. Taken together, our identification of isochlorogenic acids A and B that act as specific TRPV3 channel inhibitors and gating modifiers not only provides an essential pharmacological tool for further investigation of the channel pharmacology and pathology, but also holds developmental potential for treatment of dermatitis and chronic pruritus.

Objective This retrospective study is to analyze and summarize the clinical features and therapeutic experience of the isolated abdominal aortic dissection(IAAD). Methods Totally 17 patients of IAAD, who were admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to January 2016, were included in this retrospective analysis. Five patients with obvious pain or abdominal aorta diameter of 30 mm accompanied with sub-renal anchorage area of 15 mm, underwent endovascular repair. In these 5 patients, 4 cases were subjected to bifurcated stent graft endovascular repair and 1 case received the aorta uni-iliac endovascular repair combined with femoral-femoral artery bypass treatment. Moreover, 2 patients with sub-renal anchorage area of less than 15 mm were subjected to surgical treatment. In these 2 patients, 1 case with obvious pain and abdominal aorta diameter of 30 mm underwent the abdominal aorta-right iliac artery bypass combined with femoral-femoral artery bypass, while the other case with abdominal aorta diameter of 30 mm but no pain received the abdominal aorta-bilateral iliac artery bypass. Furthermore, 8 patients with no obvious pain and abdominal aorta diameter of less than 30 mm received conservative medical treatment. In addition, there were 2 patients with obvious pain and abdominal aorta diameter of 30 mm suffering from sudden death during the surgical preparation. Important complications of these patients during hospitalization and follow-up period were recorded, analyzed, and compared. Results For the 5 patients undergoing endovascular repair, the averaged hospitalization duration was(15.4 ± 2.9)d, one of whom died during hospitalization. There were 3 cases with follow-up period of ≥ 12 months, and 1 case reported left iliac branch occlusion. For the 2 patients subjected to surgical treatment, the follow-up period was less than 12 months, and no serious complications occurred during hospitalization or follow-up period. For the 8 patients receiving conservative medical treatment, the averaged hospitalization duration was(11.1±5.2)d. There were 4 cases with follow-up period of ≥ 12 months, and no serious complications occurred during hospitalization or follow-up period. Conclusions Endo or open surgical treatment is recommended for patients with isolated abdominal aortic dissection with obvious pain or abdominal aortic diameter of 30 mm. For the patients with no pain and abdominal aortic diameter of less than 30 mm, conservative medical treatment is recommended.

Objective To explore the lesion types of renal branches and evaluate the clinical results of endovascular treatment for renal artery branch lesions associated with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD).Methods Eight cases with renal artery branch lesions due to FMD from June 2014 to December 2015 in Department of Vascular and Endovascnlar Surgery,Henan Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.The computed tomography angiography was routinely performed to ascertain the property of renal artery lesion,and digital-subtraction angiography was further performed to confirm FMD diagnosis and analyze lesion characteristics.The renal artery branch lesion types,blood pressure (BP),renin activity,glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and restenosis after operation were observed,and the outcomes were recorded.Results In 8 patients,6 patients were found with the second grade renal branch lesions and 2 patients were found with tertiary branch lesions,involving 2 and more branch arteries for 4 cases and 1 branch for 4 cases.Five cases with branch-type cystic dilatation or aneurysms with coexisting stenosis including 1 case with dissecting aneurysm and renal local infarction,and 1 case with aneurysm located in the bifurcations of branches,and 3 cases with only branch stenosis were found.The angiography showed the small branch lesions of renal artery indicating FMD-mediated focal (5 cases) and multiple stenosis (3 cases).The branch stenosis was not operated in 1 case with dissecting aneurysm and renal local infarction,as BP could be controlled by antihypertensive treatment.Other 7 cases underwent endovascular angioplasties and the technical successful rate was 100％ without complications.After 1 week of operation,BP was improved,renal function remained normal,plasma renin activity was reduced and GFR was recovered for all patients.During the follow-up period (3 to 12 months),BP improvement was observed in 3 cases,and cure were found in 4 cases,and patient's GFR and plasma renin activity were improved in all patients.There were 2 cases with re-intervention during the follow-up period due to restenosis,and the involved branches were unobstructed without obvious stenosis after 1-year follow-up.Conclusions FMD can affect the renal branch artery with different lesions types and endovascular treatment is the first choice for the renal branch lesion of FMD.

In all six members of TRPV channel subfamily, there is an ankyrin repeat domain (ARD) in their intracellular N-termini. Ankyrin (ANK) repeat, a common motif with typically 33 residues in each repeat, is primarily involved in protein-protein interactions. Despite the sequence similarity among the ARDs of TRPV channels, the structure of TRPV3-ARD, however, remains unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of TRPV3-ARD solved at 1.95 Å resolution, which reveals six-ankyrin repeats. While overall structure of TRPV3-ARD is similar to ARDs from other members of TRPV subfamily; it, however, features a noticeable finger 3 loop that bends over and is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic packing, instead of being flexible as seen in known TRPV-ARD structures. Electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that mutating key residues R225, R226, Q255, and F249 of finger 3 loop altered the channel activities and pharmacology. Taken all together, our findings show that TRPV3-ARD with characteristic finger 3 loop likely plays an important role in channel function and pharmacology.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Ankyrin Repeat ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Protein Binding ; Protein Conformation ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; TRPV Cation Channels ; chemistry ; physiology

Objective To discuss the long term clinical effect of ileal orthotropic neobladder.Methods From 1991 to 1998,79 patients,mean age 55(41～75)years,male 74,female 6,were followed up.The serum creatinine and urea,electrolytes,blood routine,B ultrasonic scan of the neobladder residual urine and IVU or MRU of the patients were followed up.The max transverse diameter of renal pelvis and the max verticaI/level diameter of neobladder were measured in 5,10 to 14,15 years of postoperative when IVU or MRU.All results of different time were compared by the multiple comparisons.The local or distant cancer recurrence and the complications of the operation Were evaluated. Results Sixty-four cases,58 male,6 famle,were long term followed up:mean time was 167 (range,121～216)months.Seven cases died of other diseases.Seven cases had pelvic recarrence.Two cases had urethral recurrence.Three cases died of tumor metastasis.One case had ureter recurrence.Forty-eight patients were alive more than 10 years.The value of the serum creatinine,urea,electrolytes and bloods routine of the patients were normal after 5,10 to 14 and 15 vears postoperative (P＞0.05).The max transverse diameter of the renal pelvis in 5,10 to 14 and 15 years Dostoperative were 14.0 mm,14.1 mm and 13.7 mm,respectively,P＞0.05.The max vertical/level diameter of the neobladder in 5,10 to 14,15 years of postoperative were 110.4 mm/90.4 mm,111.5 mm/95.3mm and 127.0 mm/97.0 mm,respectively,P＞0.05.The residual urine of 5 cases was more than 50 ml and had not increased during follow up.Eight cases with neobladder stone were cured by the intracavitary lithothrypsis.Two cases with uretheral stricture were cured by the intracavitary therapy.Twelve cases of 14 cases with inguinal hernia were cured by reoperation,2 cases accepted conservative treatment.Only 17 cases had no complication involve of the cancer and the operation. Conclusion The upper urinary tract and neobladder of the ileal orthotopic neobladder could be stable for long time,the cure rate of tumor is satisfactory and the lifetime follow up is necessary.

Objective　To research the direct electrophysiological evidence of discomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) and the effect of 4-aminopyridine on it. Methods　Motor evoked potentials (MEPs), both spinal cord recorded MEPs (scMEPs) and extracellularly recorded MEPs (exMEPs) were recorded and characterized on a T13 epidural electrode (scMEPs) and an extracellular microelectrode (exMEPs) for 10 normal rats and 40 rats with lesions of various severity (sham, 35?g*cm force (gcf), 70?gcf, 100?gcf impact injury) at the T8-T9 cord using the Allen's drop model. The incline plane and Tarlov techniques were used to assess clinical neurological function. Results　MEPs in the normal rats were elicited by applying transcortical suprathreshold stimulation consisting of 3-4 early negative peaks (N1, N2, N3 and N4) followed by several late waves. The N1 and N2 peaks were largest in the anterior and ventrolateral funiculus, respectively, which was indicative of extrapyramidal pathways. The 100?gcf impact injuries and the cord transection abolished the MEP distal to the lesion, whereas the 35?gcf injuries resulted in a latency shift and amplitude decrement of the MEP peaks. Eighteen of the 20 rats with 70?gcf injuries showed clinical paraplegia. Among them, 7 rats had neurophysiological evidence of residual conduction pathways through the lesioned cord segment, such as the presence of N1 and N2 peaks in the scMEPs or exMEPs. After 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) administrations (1?mg/kg), the amplitude of the spared exMEP increased significantly and spread more widely. Conclusions　MEPs evoked by transcortical stimulation travel mostly in the extrapyramidal tract. MEP monitoring could provide an excellent method of detecting the functional integrity of the motor tracts after SCI, and could even detect spared motor fibers after discomplete SCI. Furthermore, the use of 4-AP or other K+ channel blocking agents may be a potential treatment for patients with chronic moderate to severe SCI.