Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic pathogenic protozoan, is widely distributed worldwide and can cause zoonoses, which is a serious threat to human health. Nowadays, the relationship between T. gondii infection and neuropsychiatric diseases has attracted researchers' attention increasingly. T. gondii infection is related to the pathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric diseases by affecting the nervous system, such as schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and so on. This review will focus on the relationship between T. gondii infection and neuropsychiatric diseases and summarizes the possible mechanisms of disorders resulting from T. gondii infection． It is expected that the study on the related pathogenic mechanism of T. gondii will lead to new therapeutic directions and feasible solution for the clinical treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases caused by T. gondii infection.

Aim To study the effect of gender differences in C57BL / 6J mice on antigen induced Sjogren's syndrome(SS)model. Methods The submandibular gland protein of C57BL/6J female and male mice was extracted and mixed with the same amount of Freund's complete adjuvant(FCA)for the first three times, the antigen concentration was adjusted to 2.5 g·L-1, mixed with Freund's incomplete adjuvant(FIA)for the fourth time, and the same-sex mouse antigen was injected into the back of mice for a total of four times to induce the mouse SS model. The mouse SS model was induced by multi-point intradermal injection of antigen on the back of mice for four times,the body weight of female and male mice was measured every week, the general condition was observed, the saliva volume of mice was measured at the sixth week of modeling. After the mice were sacrificed, the pathological changes of submandibular gland and the changes of T and B lymphocyte subsets in spleen were detected, and the differences in SS model preparation between female and male mice were compared. Results The SS model of male and female mice was successfully established, and there was no significant difference in general condition, saliva volume, submandibular gland pathology, plasma cells and memory B cells between male and female SS mice. The success rate of SS model was 75% in female mice and 60% in male mice. Compared with normal mice of the same sex, the weight loss of female SS mice was earlier and more obvious than that of male SS mice; the submandibular gland index of male mice was significantly higher than that of female mice. Compared with normal mice of the same sex, the proportion of Th17 and Treg cells in spleen of female SS mice was more statistically significant than that of male SS mice. Conclusions The success rate of SS modeling in female mice is higher than that in male mice. Compared with male SS mice, female SS mice have more significant SS like manifestations and pathological manifestations, which can provide a reference basis for the selection of gender when establishing SS model.

BACKGROUND: The cardiomyocyte apoptosis is considered as one of major contributions to cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Numerous studies find that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in a variety of biological functions. However, the role of circ_0068655 in MI and human induced pluripotent stem-derived cardiomyocytes (HCMs) remains unknown. METHODS: The expression of circ_0068655, miR-498, and PRKC apoptosis WT1 regulator (PAWR) in human MI heart tissues and hypoxia subjected HCMs was evaluated with qRT-PCR and Western blot. The effects of circ_0068655 on hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and cell migration in HCMs were evaluated with qRT-PCR, cell viability, cell death ELISA (POD), and Caspase-3 activity assay, and Trans-well assay, respectively. Furthermore, luciferase assay, qRT-PCR, biotin-labeled miRNA pulldown assay, and Western blot were employed in the functional studies. RESULTS: We found that the expression of circ_0068655 and PAWR was enhanced in MI patients and hypoxia subjected HCMs; by contrast, the expression of miR-498 decreased. Inhibited expression of circ_0068655 in HMCs counteracted hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and impaired cell migration, in sharp contrast to circ_0068655 knockdown. We identified that circ_0068655 sponged an endogenous miR-498 to sequester and inhibit its activity, leading to the increased PAWR expression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that the expression of circ_0068655 can promote cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the modulation of miR-498-PAWR axis in vitro, which highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic value of circ_0068655 in patients with MI.

BACKGROUND: The cardiomyocyte apoptosis is considered as one of major contributions to cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Numerous studies find that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in a variety of biological functions. However, the role of circ_0068655 in MI and human induced pluripotent stem-derived cardiomyocytes (HCMs) remains unknown. METHODS: The expression of circ_0068655, miR-498, and PRKC apoptosis WT1 regulator (PAWR) in human MI heart tissues and hypoxia subjected HCMs was evaluated with qRT-PCR and Western blot. The effects of circ_0068655 on hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and cell migration in HCMs were evaluated with qRT-PCR, cell viability, cell death ELISA (POD), and Caspase-3 activity assay, and Trans-well assay, respectively. Furthermore, luciferase assay, qRT-PCR, biotin-labeled miRNA pulldown assay, and Western blot were employed in the functional studies. RESULTS: We found that the expression of circ_0068655 and PAWR was enhanced in MI patients and hypoxia subjected HCMs; by contrast, the expression of miR-498 decreased. Inhibited expression of circ_0068655 in HMCs counteracted hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and impaired cell migration, in sharp contrast to circ_0068655 knockdown. We identified that circ_0068655 sponged an endogenous miR-498 to sequester and inhibit its activity, leading to the increased PAWR expression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that the expression of circ_0068655 can promote cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the modulation of miR-498-PAWR axis in vitro, which highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic value of circ_0068655 in patients with MI.

Objective To quantitatively study the pressure of residual lateral displacement in distal radius AO C3.1 fracture after manual reduction corrected by dynamic airbag pad using finite element analysis and to verify its effectiveness for correcting the residual displacement of fractures. Methods Imageware 13.0, Mimics 15.0 and ANSYS Workbench were used to simulate 1 cm residual lateral displacement after manual reduction of distal radius fracture corrected by dynamic airbag pad. Then the correlation between the distance of residual lateral displacement and the adjustment of dynamic airbag pad pressure were quantitatively analyzed. Results In the case of constant load restrained by airbag ribbon, during the process of pressure adjustment by splint pad, the stress was mainly distributed in the fracture end where the airbag pad was located. About 2.4 kPa pressure was needed to correct 1 mm displacement on radial side, while about 1.3 kPa pressure was needed to correct 1 mm displacement on dorsal side. The dynamic airbag pad was depressurized after the restoration of residual shift. At this time, displacement could be effectively prevented due to the constant load of airbag ribbon and the frictional load at the fracture end. Conclusions In the case of constant load constrained by airbag ribbon, intelligent airbag splint can effectively correct the residual lateral displacement after the manual reduction of the distal radius AO C3.1 fracture and prevent it from being displaced by adjusting pressure of the dynamic airbag pad.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early clinical effects of arthroscopic treatment for cruciate ligament cysts of the knee.

METHODSFrom September 2008 to January 2014, 23 patients with cruciate cysts were treated with arthroscopic surgery. There were 11 males and 17 females, with an average age of 28.3 years old (ranged, 16 to 56 years old). Twenty patients had injuries on the right knee and 8 patients had injuries on the left knee. Eight patients had a history of injury,5 patients had a history of chronic injury,and the other 15 patients had no obvious reasons for the symptom. Before the operation, 24 patients were clearly diagnosed as the cruciate ligament cysts of knee joint,and 4 patients were diagnosed as other problems of the knee, but the diagnosis were corrected after the operation. According to the MRI before the surgery,all the patients could be divided into 3 types: 14 were type I, 6 were type II, 8 were type III. After the operation, the patients were suggested to have a rest for 2 weeks, and take exercises everyday at the same time. The knee range of motion, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 subjective score, GLASGOW criteria, and McMurray test, pivot shift test, and anterior drawer test were observed to evaluate clinical results.

RESULTSAll the incisions healed at the first stage without complications. Twenty-five patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 52 months, with a mean of 26.7 months. Three patients accepted the reconstruction of ACL or tightened elongated ACL using bipolar radio frequency. The Lysholm score increased from preoperative 59.80 +/- 6.58 to 75.32 +/- 6.49 at the latest follow-up; IKDC 2000 score increased from preoperative 65.36 +/- 6.26 to 81.00 +/- 5.76 at the latest follow-up. According to GLASGOW criteria,23 patients got an excellent result and 2 good.

CONCLUSIONIt has a satisfactory curative effect on ACL reconstruction using bipolar radio frequency. It has advantages of firm fixation, simple and secure operation as well as quick postoperative recovery. It's very important to check the MRI before operations, and carefully seek the cysts during the operations, avoiding the omission of any cysts,especially the cases of multiple cysts. Finally, patients should take exercises actively after operations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Arthroscopy ; Cysts ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Young Adult

Objective To explore main risk factors of post-operative severe complications in elderly patients with gastric cancer.Methods From January 2006 to June 2011,a total of 236 elderly patients to receive gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed in this casecontrol study.The factors affecting post-operative severe complications were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results Age was younger in patients without than those with postoperative complications [(72.9±5.8) years vs.(80.6±6.7) years,t=-9.194,P=0.000].Serum levels of hemoglobin and albumin were higher in patients without than with post-operative complications [(109.94±18.72) g/L vs.(98.75±18.82) g/L,(38.37±5.52) g/L vs.(33.69± 3.35) g/L,t=4.391,7.080,both P=0.000].Operation time was shorter in patients without than with post-operative complications [(3.1 ± 1.0) hours vs.(3.6 ± 1.1) hours,t =-3.507,P =0.001)].Intraoperative blood transfusion volume was less in patients without than with post-operative complications [(2.5±4.4) L vs.(2.8±5.5) L,t=-4.901,P=0.000)].The long diameter of tumor was shorter in patients without than with post-operative complications [(4.5 ± 2.8) cm vs.(5.3± 2.7) cm,t =-2.111,P =0.036)].Logistic regression analysis revealed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),serum albumin level,age,operation time and blood transfusion volume were associated with postoperative severe complications.Logistic regression equation was as follow:P=1/[1+e(16.22-033X1+0.99X3-390X4-192X5-493X9)].Conclusions COPD,operation time,blood transfusion volume,serum albumin level and age are the main independent risk factors for post-operative severe complications in elderly patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUNDThere is a significant association between obesity and breast cancer, which is possibly due to the expression of leptin. Therefore, it is important to clarify the role of leptin/ObR (leptin receptor) signaling during the progression of human breast cancer.

METHODSNude mice with xenografts of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were administered recombinant human leptin subcutaneous via injection around the tumor site. Mice in the experimental group were intratumorally injected with ObR-RNAi-lentivirus, while negative control group mice were injected with the same dose of negative-lentivirus. Tumor size was blindly measured every other day, and mRNA and protein expression levels of ObR, estrogen receptor a (ERa), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for each group were determined.

RESULTSKnockdown of ObR-treated xenografted nude mice with a high leptin microenvironment was successfully established. Local injection of ObR-RNAi-lentivirus significantly suppressed the established tumor growth in nude mice. ObR level was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the negative control group, while the amounts of ERa and VEGF expression were significantly lower in the leptin group than in the control group (P < 0.01 for all).

CONCLUSIONSInhibition of leptin/ObR signaling is essential to breast cancer proliferation and possible crosstalk between ObR and ERa, and VEGF, and may lead to novel therapeutic treatments aiming at targeting ObR in breast cancers.

Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; MCF-7 Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; RNA Interference ; physiology ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

To investigate the apoptosis-induction effect of brucine on human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 cells, K562 cells were exposed to various dosages of brucine. MTT method was used to assayed the growth inhibition effect of brucine on K562 cells. The apoptosis of K562 cells was detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining, Annexin-V/PI double labeling method and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed that brucine could remarkably inhibit the K562 cell growth in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners at the range of 50 to 400 µg/ml, and its most significant inhibition was observed at 400 µg/ml for 72 hours and the inhibition rate was 94.0%. Staining of cells with AO-EB revealed that brucine induced nuclear chromatin condensation. After the K562 cells were treated with the brucine of 400 µg/ml for 72 hours, the most of the nucleus were orange stained and condensation-like or bead-like showing apoptotic morphology. The K562 cells treated with brucine of different concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400, 800 µg/ml) for 72 hours, Annexin-V/PI detection showed brucine could induce apoptosis of K562 cells, and apoptosis rate increased gradually with increasing concentration of drugs. The K562 cells treated with brucine of 400 µg/ml for 72 hours displayed typical ladder strap in DNA gel electrophoresis. It is concluded that brucine can efficiently inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis of K562 cells with dose-dependent manner in concentrations of 50 - 400 µg/ml.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Strychnine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish a new animal model of resorption of lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSTwenty 3-month-old Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The caudal discs of the experimental rats were surgically removed and were implanted in the epidural. The animals were killed at 30 days, and the implanted nucleus pulposus were took out for HE staining,flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. In the control group, coils were implanted in the back muscles, and the animals were killed at 30 days after the operation for the above test.

RESULTSIn the experimental group, immunohistochemical staining of TNF-alpha, VEGF were positive at 30 days. The Th cells and B cells in the experimental group were more than that in the control group with statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSIONThe model can well reveal the re-absorption process the of the ruptured disc, and provide a new re-absorption disc animal model for the further study.

Absorption ; Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; immunology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; cytology ; immunology