Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) expresses abundant glycolytic enzymes and displays comprehensive glucose metabolism reprogramming. Aldolase A (ALDOA) plays a prominent role in glycolysis; however, little is known about its role in HCC development. In the present study, we aim to explore how ALDOA is involved in HCC proliferation. HCC proliferation was markedly suppressed both in vitro and in vivo following ALDOA knockout, which is consistent with ALDOA overexpression encouraging HCC proliferation. Mechanistically, ALDOA knockout partially limits the glycolytic flux in HCC cells. Meanwhile, ALDOA translocated to nuclei and directly interacted with c-Jun to facilitate its Thr93 phosphorylation by P21-activated protein kinase; ALDOA knockout markedly diminished c-Jun Thr93 phosphorylation and then dampened c-Jun transcription function. A crucial site Y364 mutation in ALDOA disrupted its interaction with c-Jun, and Y364S ALDOA expression failed to rescue cell proliferation in ALDOA deletion cells. In HCC patients, the expression level of ALDOA was correlated with the phosphorylation level of c-Jun (Thr93) and poor prognosis. Remarkably, hepatic ALDOA was significantly upregulated in the promotion and progression stages of diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC models, and the knockdown of A ldoa strikingly decreased HCC development in vivo. Our study demonstrated that ALDOA is a vital driver for HCC development by activating c-Jun-mediated oncogene transcription, opening additional avenues for anti-cancer therapies.

Objective:To investigate the application of the modified double-clamp surgery with the preservation of Scarpa fascia in abdominoplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out in 26 female patients with total abdominoplasty who were admitted from March 2020 to January 2022, ranging in age from 26 to 50 years with averaged 36.9 years. The patients were divided into flap clamp group (12 cases) and Scarpa fascia clamp group (14 cases). The surgical time of abdominoplasty (excluding liposuction time), the occurrence of postoperative seroma, and postoperative incision infection were recorded in the two groups.Results:The average surgical time of the patients in the Scarpa fascia clamp group was 136 minutes, which was significantly lower than that of the flap clamp group (153 minutes) ( P<0.05). There was no postoperative seroma and incision infection in the two groups, and the postoperative incision healing grades were I/A. Conclusions:The modified double-clamp procedure with preservation of the Scarpa fascia can effectively reduce the surgical time and improve the operation efficiency.

To establish vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as secretary biomarkers for cell growth on topographic substrates, we have evaluated the secretion and expression of these 2 factors by SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells on poly-L-lactide (PLLA) micropillar arrayed topographic substrates. We fabricated topographic substrates with UV lithography, silicon etching and polydimethylsiloxane-based replica molding, and interfaced SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells with both the topographic substrates and PLLA flat substrates. Cell morphology and spreading were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 were evaluated with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time qPCR, respectively, 24 hours after cell plating. We successfully achieved 4 topographic substrates with a nominal pillar diameter of 2 microm and 4 microm, and a nominal pillar spacing of 2 microm and 7 microm. We found that the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and/or IL-8 by SH-SY5Y cells on 2-2 microm (pillar diameter-spacing), 4-2 microm and 4-7 microm topographic substrates were upregulated in comparison to those by cells on PLLA flat substrate, 24 hours after cell plating. Furthermore, both cytokines were even more substantially upregulated on the 2-7 microm substrate than on the other 3 topographic substrates. Compared to those on PLLA flat substrate, cells on topographic substrates showed significant changes in morphology (spreading area, perimeter and roundness), and the increase in the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 was accompanied with a decrease in cell spreading areas. These results provided evidence that pillar arrayed topography was an important microenvironmental factor in affecting VEGF and IL-8 expression or secretion, and VEGF and IL-8 might serve as important secretary biomarkers for growth on topographic substrates by SH-SY5Y cells.
Biomarkers ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; secretion ; Neuroblastoma ; secretion ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; secretion

The present paper was aimed to explore the effect of Shuxuetong on the membrane viscoelasticity of erythrocyte taken from the acute phase patients suffering from chronic pulmonary heart disease. The membrane viscoelasticity of erythrocyte was taken from the acute phase patients suffering from chronic pulmonary heart disease. The changes of membrane viscoelasticity of erythrocyte after treated with shuxuetong were detected by micropipette aspiration technique. The results showed that the Shuxuetong of certain concentration could cause the decrease of membrane elastic modulus and viscous coefficients in acute phase patients suffering from chronic pulmonary heart disease. The study offers experimental evidences that the comprehensive treatment of pulmonary heart disease should involve the drug or measure to improve the erythrocyte deformability.
Aged ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Elasticity ; drug effects ; Erythrocyte Deformability ; physiology ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; physiology ; Erythrocytes ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; blood ; drug therapy

UV photolithography and hydrofluoric acid wet etching were used to produce silicon master molds and polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS)-based soft lithography was adopted to fabricate three-dimensional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PDMS microwell patterns with high aspect ratio and channel connection. Nine microwell patterns were thus obtained with different structural dimensions. Patterns were treated with oxygen plasma etching and polylysine coating to enhance hydrophilicity and cell compatibility for subsequent culture of C17. 2 neural stem cells. With proliferation during the culture, C17. 2 cells gradually distributed within the microwells, showing an obviously three-dimensional (3-D) growth behavior. The presence of channel structures greatly favored the 3-D growth of C17. 2 neural stem cells on the microwell patterns. Multi-layered scanning with confocal microscopy and 3-D rendering after carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) staining showed that most C17. 2 cells grew within a range of 30 to 90 microm from the microwell bottom. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that C17. 2 cells within 3-D microwell patterns were uniformly nestin-positive on day 2 after cell plating. It could well be concluded that the microwell patterns thus fabricated were suitable for the 3-D culture and subsequent differentiation of C17. 2 neural stem cells. And the cells can be maintained with uniform stemness properties while cultured in these microwell patterns.
Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; chemistry ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the relationship between cognitive function of first-episode schizophrenic patients and dopamine D1 receptor gene. Methods A total of 112 first-episode schizophrenic patients and 60 healthy controls were evaluated with Wechsler adult intelligence scale ( WAIS-R), Wechsler memory scale (WMS) and Wisconsin card sort test (WCST) ,and genotyped one polymorphism (rs4532) within DRD1 gene using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Results There were no significant differences on the frequencies of the genotypes and alleles of rs4532 polymorphism between patients with schizophrenia and normal controls ( x2 =2.90, P=0.35; x2 = 0.01, P= 0. 93 ). There were significant differences in all index of WCST between two groups (P ＜0.01 ). Patients with rs4532G allele had worse WCST performance than those without G allele ((60.9 ± 13.2)%vs (44.9 ±21.3)%, t=4.79, P=0.00002). Conclusion Rs4532 polymorphism of DRD1 gene may be associated with executive function impairment in schizophrenic patients.

Objective To investigate the changes in the prescriptions of antidepressants for inpatients with psychosis from 2005 to 2008. Methods The prescriptions of antidepressants for all the inpatients with psychosis in Shanghai Mental Health Center were investigated by one day survey on each June 1st from 2005 to 2008. The most common diseases treated with antidepressants, the most commonly used antidepressants, the average dosage of antidepressants and the combination use of antidepressants were analysed. Results The most common diseases treated with antidepressants were affective disorder, schizophrenia and neurosis. The prescription rate of tricyclic antidepressants declined year by year, and that of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluctuated moderately, while that of antidepressants of newer generation with the other transmitter mechanisms such as venlafaxine, mitrazapine and trazodone increased gradually. Single antidepressant prescription was common, while the combination use of antidepressants accounted for a small portion. Combination use of antidepressants with one psychotropics (antipsychotics, mood stabilizer, sedative hypnotics) was common, while with two were less frequently occurred. Conclusion Prescriptions of antidepressants for patients with psychosis hospitalized in Shanghai Mental Health Center from 2005 to 2008 are relatively safe and reasonable. Antidepressants of newer generation have been widely used in clinics, and SSRIs have been serving as the major antidepressants.

The membrane viscoelasticity of erythrocyte taken from both normal subjects and patients with cor pulmonale during acute exacerbation was investigated using a micropipette aspiration technique. Experimental results were analysed with vogit viscoelaticity model based on pioneering theory of Chein et al. The results showed that the erythrocyte membrane elastic moduli ((6.970 +/- 1.050) x 10(-3) dyn/cm) and viscous coefficients ((0.936 +/- 0.242) x 10(-4) dyn x s/cm) of the cor pulmonale patients was significantly higher than those of the normal subjects ((5.203 +/- 1.051) X 10(-3) dyn/cm, (0.620 +/- 0.053) x 10(-4) dyn x s/cm). The membrane elastic moduli, viscous coefficients, rigidity of erythrocyte, and viscosity were all increased. It may be the important subcellular mechanism to cause the decrease of erythrocyte deformability and hyperviscosity of blood in these patients.
Blood Viscosity ; Elasticity ; Erythrocyte Deformability ; physiology ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; physiology ; Erythrocytes ; physiology ; Humans ; Models, Biological ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; blood

A micropipette technique was adopted to investigate the effect of blockade of integrin betal on adhesion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells onto type IV collagen (Col IV) coated surfaces and pseudopod protrusion of HCC cells in response to Col IV stimulation. Adhesion strength was expressed as an adhesion force, which was defined as the product of the cross sectional area and critical negative pressure needed to detach single cell away from the substrate. Chemotactic pseudopod protrusion of an HCC cell was evaluated using a dual-pipette set-up, in which two pipettes filled with Col IV solution were positional in close contact with the same cell and pseudopod protrusion into each pipette was viewed dynamically and recorded with a tape recorder. The lengths of pseudopods were measured and plotted against time to obtain a pseudopod growth curve. The integrin beta1 subunit on the surfaces of HCC cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that the adhesion forces for HCC cells adhering on 5 microg/ml Col IV coated surfaces were 932 +/- 134 (x 10(-10) N, n = 60). Upon treatment of HCC cells with Anti-CD29 in a protein concentration of 5 microg/ml and 10 microg/ml, the value decreased significantly to 449 +/- 119 (x 10(-10) N, n = 60) and 220 +/- 78 (x 10(-10) N, n = 55), respectively. In dual pipette chemotaxis experiment, when the two pipettes were filled with Col IV in an identical concentration of 600 microg/ml, pseudopods extended from the HCC cell into each of the pipettes nearly symmetrically, i.e., with nearly identical maximum pseudopod length and similar pseudopod growth curves. Upon addition of Anti-CD29 to one of the pipettes in a protein concentration of 20 microg/ml, pseudopod protrusion was blocked nearly completely while protrusion into the opposite pipette became more evidently, with larger maximum length. Expression of integrin beta1 was up to 95.78% to cells chosen in the experiment. These results suggested that integrin beta1 subunit was important constituent receptor subunit for mediating HCC cell adhesion and chemotactic pseudopod protrusion to Col IV.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion ; Chemotaxis ; immunology ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Humans ; Integrin beta1 ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Receptors, Very Late Antigen ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The Modified silk fibroin membranes were prepared by mixing the aqueous solutions of both silk fibroin and chitosan with the use of oxidized glucose aldehyde as a crosslinking agent. It was characterized by FTIR, DSC, measurements of membrane-potential and mechanical properties, the water swelling ratios and permeability coefficient for model drug 5-Fu in the different pH buffer solutions. It was shown that there were some strong hydrogen bond interaction and good compatibility between silk fibroin and chitosan molecules in the modified silk fibroin films. The isoelectric point of modified fibroin film was about pH 5.35, but that of natural fibroin film was around pH 4.5. It was also found that the mechanical properties of modified fibroin films were much better than those of fibroin itself. Its tensile strength and breaking elongation were greatly enhanced with the increase of chitosan content and their maximum values were as high as 71.4-72.7 MPa and 2.96%-3.82% respectively, at the composition of 40 wt%-60 wt% chitosan. Its coefficient of permeability decreased firstly and then increased slowly with the change of the pH value of solutions from pH 5 to pH 9, and the minimum coefficient of permeability was observed when pH=7.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; chemical synthesis ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; Fibroins ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Membranes ; Silk ; chemistry