AIM: To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Hawthorn flavone on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis rats. METHODS: The atherosclerosis model was established by high fat diet plus vitamin D2. The blood lipid levels, heart index, atherosclerosis index (AI1, AI2) and coronary heart index were measured in each group. The histopathological changes of aorta were observed by oil red O staining, HE staining and Masson staining. ELISA experiments were used to detect IL-6, ICAM-1, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 protein level. RESULTS: Compared with normal group, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), heart index, atherosclerosis index (AI1, AI2) and coronary index in atherosclerosis model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The pathological score of aorta and the degree of fibrosis were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, TC, TG, LDL-C, heart index, atherosclerosis index (AI1, AI2) and coronary heart index were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased (P<0.01) in medium, high dose hawthorn flavonoids and atorvastatin groups. The pathological score of aorta significantly decreased and the degree of fibrosis significantly improved (P<0.01). The variation trend of blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemia rats is basically consistent with atherosclerotic rats. Meanwhile, compared with model group, the medium, high dose hawthorn flavonoids and atorvastatin groups could significantly inhibit the expression levels of IL-6, MCP-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 adhesion molecules (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The hawthorn flavone can inhibit the formation of aortic endothelial atherosclerotic plaque, reduce the degree of fibrosis and inflammation of atherosclerotic plaque in rats, and achieve the purpose of anti-atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, the hawthorn flavone has the effect of regulating blood lipid.

Objective:To design and construct a bone nonunion organoid on chip and explore the mechanism of aseptic bone nonunion.Methods:First a semi-open microfluidic chip was designed, on which human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC), human fetal lung fibroblast 1, (HFL1) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were co-cultured, and a three-dimensional organ on chip system was established. Different proportions of HFL1 and HUVEC were co-cultured with BMSC, which were divided into the control group (HFL1∶HUVEC=1∶1), the fibrosis group (HFL1∶HUVEC=3∶1) and the vascularization group (HFL1∶HUVEC=1∶3). The osteogenic differentiation of BMSC was observed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red staining. The transcription level of osteogenic marker genes SP7, RUNX2, ALPL, and BGLAP, and vascularization related genes KDR and VWF were analyzed by qPCR. The expression levels of RUNX2 and ALP were determined by Western Blot. Results:In the co-culture system of BMSCs, HFL1, and HUVECs, BMSCs exhibited normal growth and apparent biomineralization behavior. Endothelial cells were capable of forming structured vascular networks, confirming the successful establishment of the system. Compared to the baseline group, the fibrotic group showed no significant decrease in BMSC osteogenic differentiation. The relative expression levels of the mineralization marker genes ALPL and BGLAP were 0.55±0.19 ( P<0.001) and 0.42±0.27 ( P<0.001), respectively. Vascularization genes KDR and VWF were downregulated, with relative expression levels of 0.49±0.17 ( P<0.001) and 0.49±0.21 ( P<0.001). In contrast, in the vascularized group, BMSC osteogenic differentiation genes SP7, RUNX2, ALPL, and BGLAP were upregulated, with relative expression levels of 2.91±0.52 ( P<0.001), 3.83±1.87 ( P<0.001), 3.22±1.29 ( P<0.001), and 5.21±1.46 ( P<0.001), respectively. Vascularization genes KDR and VWF were also upregulated, with relative expressions of 8.24±2.84 ( P<0.001) and 5.32±1.67 ( P<0.001). Western blot results indicated increased expression of RUNX2 and ALP in the vascularized group and decreased expression in the fibrotic group. Conclusion:The bone nonunion organoid on chip could partially simulate the local microenvironment of bone nonunion. Fibrosis may lead to a significant decrease in bone formation ability and vascularization level, which might be an important reason for the occurrence of aseptic bone nonunion.

Cannabis is a traditional industrial crop that has been used for thousands of years for medicines， foods， and textiles. Due to its active components， cannabis has attracted extensive attention in the pharmaceutical industry at home and abroad. Currently， 55 countries around the world have legalized medical marijuana， and two provinces in China， Yunnan and Heilongjiang， can legally cultivate and process industrial hemp. However， the low content of cannabidiol （CBD） in industrial hemp is not conducive to subsequent development and research. Based on this， the author took medicinal cannabis， defined by CHEN Shilin′s team as tetrahydrocannabinol （THC） content<0.3% and high CBD content， as the research object， and reviewed four aspects of the active ingredients of medicinal cannabis， the isolation and purification technology of CBD， the development and application of cannabinoid-related products and the breeding methods of medicinal cannabis. Through combing， it is suggested that subsequent research should focus on excavation of genes of CBD synthesis， molecular breeding of evolutionary cannabis by gene editing technology， development of green extraction process， discovery of more active ingredients， and high yield of CBD through synthetic biology and cell-free system， with a view to provide reference for the development and application of medicinal cannabis in China.

RBM46 is a germ cell-specific RNA-binding protein required for gametogenesis, but the targets and molecular functions of RBM46 remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that RBM46 binds at specific motifs in the 3'UTRs of mRNAs encoding multiple meiotic cohesin subunits and show that RBM46 is required for normal synaptonemal complex formation during meiosis initiation. Using a recently reported, high-resolution technique known as LACE-seq and working with low-input cells, we profiled the targets of RBM46 at single-nucleotide resolution in leptotene and zygotene stage gametes. We found that RBM46 preferentially binds target mRNAs containing GCCUAU/GUUCGA motifs in their 3'UTRs regions. In Rbm46 knockout mice, the RBM46-target cohesin subunits displayed unaltered mRNA levels but had reduced translation, resulting in the failed assembly of axial elements, synapsis disruption, and meiotic arrest. Our study thus provides mechanistic insights into the molecular functions of RBM46 in gametogenesis and illustrates the power of LACE-seq for investigations of RNA-binding protein functions when working with low-abundance input materials.
Animals ; Mice ; 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics* ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Gametogenesis/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to silicosis. METHODS: First, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data were comprehensively analyzed in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of eight participants (four silicosis cases and four healthy controls) exposed to silica dust to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs). The functional SNPs in the identified DE-lncRNAs were then identified using several databases. Finally, the association between functional SNPs and susceptibility to silicosis was evaluated by a two-stage case-control study. The SNPs of 155 silicosis cases and 141 healthy silica-exposed controls were screened by genome-wide association study (GWAS), and the candidate SNPs of 194 silicosis cases and 235 healthy silica-exposed controls were validated by genotyping using the improved Mutiligase Detection Reaction (iMLDR) system. RESULTS: A total of 76 DE-lncRNAs were identified by RNA-seq data analysis (cut-offs: fold change > 2 or fold change < 0.5, P < 0.05), while 127 functional SNPs among those 76 DE-lncRNAs were identified through multiple public databases. Furthermore, five SNPs were found to be significantly correlated with the risk of silicosis by GWAS screening (P < 0.05), while the results of GWAS and iMLDR validation indicated that the variant A allele of rs1814521 was associated with a reduced risk of silicosis (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62-0.94, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION The presence of the SNP rs1814521 in the lncRNA ADGRG3 is associated with susceptibility to silicosis. Moreover, ADGRG3 was found to be lowly expressed in silicosis cases. The underlying biological mechanisms by which lncRNA ADGRG3 and rs1814521 regulate the development of silicosis need further study.
Case-Control Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Silicosis/genetics*

Objective:To comprehensively understand the operational status and existing problems of the neurosurgery professional training bases for standardized residency training in Guangdong Province.Methods:According to the scoring rules of "Standardized Residency Training Evaluation Indicators—Surgery (Neurosurgery) Professional Base" formulated by the Post-Graduation Medical Education Neurosurgery Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, 28 training bases were supervised and evaluated. The scoring results of the supervision of 28 neurosurgery training bases were collected, and the training bases were divided into two categories according to the traditional teaching history, 6 affiliated hospitals of traditional medical schools and 22 non-traditional affiliated/teaching hospitals. GraphPad 5.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the 14 core indicators, and t-test, variance analysis and Chi-square test were used for analysis. Results:The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the compliance rate of 14 core indicators between traditional teaching hospitals and non-traditional teaching hospitals ( P = 0.003), skill operation and type and number of surgeries ( P = 0.041) and student rotation plan ( P = 0.012). The differences were also statistically significant. Conclusion:This study reveals that the comprehensive management ability of training bases in traditional teaching hospitals is significantly better than that in non-traditional teaching hospitals. Additionally, it's suggested to strengthen the construction of professional bases, enhance the institutionalized management of bases, and thus realize the homogenization training of neurosurgery residents.

Objective:To investigate the predicting value of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and albumin (Alb) ratio on prognosis of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).Methods:A total of 107 patients with IHCA and spontaneous circulation recovery (ROSC) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University during January 1, 2017 and September 30, 2020 were selected as the subjects and divided into the survival group and death group according to the survival condition on day 14 after IHCA. The correlation between ratio of high sensitivity C-reactive protein/albumin (hs-CRP/Alb) and the prognosis of patients was analyzed.Results:No statistical significant differences were found between the survival and death groups in sex, age, medical history, ECG monitoring, recovery ventilation mode, percentage of first monitoring of heart rate and pre-resuscitation Alb (all P > 0.05). However, there were significant differences in the percentage of non-cardiogenic CA and adrenaline dose > 5 mg, time of CPR, concentrations of blood lactic acid, Alb, hs-CRP, and ratio of hs-CRP/Alb (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that percentage of adrenaline dose > 5 mg, concentration of blood lactic acid, time of CPR, and ratio of hs-CRP/Alb were independent risk factors for predicting death. ROC curve analysis showed that hs-CRP/Alb ratio, and concentration of hs-CRP and Alb had predictive value on the death of patients with IHCA; the areas under the curves of hs-CRP/Alb ratio, hs-CRP and Alb concentration were 0.876, 0.864 and 0.745, respectively. The predictive efficiency of hs-CRP/Alb ratio was better than that of hs-CRP concentration or Alb concentration. Conclusions:hs-CRP/Alb ratio has predictive value for the prognosis of patients with IHCA and the predictive value is superior to that of hs-CRP and Alb concentration.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of personal injuries in motorcycle accidents in Chongqing area to provide the reliable information and reference basis for reducing the injury and death risk of the motorcycle accidents.Methods Two hundreds and thirteen cases of motorcycle traffic accident occurred in Chongqing area from January 2015 to June 2016 were deeply collected,the collected contents included the basicinformation,driver information and personal injury,etc.Then accident data were statistically analyzed.Results The death rate of motorcycle drivers was higher than that of the pillion passengers.The death causes of craniocerebral injuries and craniocerebral injuries complicating thoracic and abdominal organ injuries accounted for 58.8％ and 20 ％ respectively,the proportions of head and neck,chest and back,lower extremity,upper extremity,abdominal and pelvic part and perineal part MAIS ≥2 were 71％,59％,33％,25％,20％ and 7％ respectively.The perineal injury rate of motorcycle drivers was higher than that of the pillion passengers.The ratio of occurrence rates between lower extremity fracture to upper extremity fracture was 1.8 ∶ 1,the persons in motorcycles-trucks accidents were easier to suffer from vehicle crushing.Conclusion Head and chest injuries are important causes leading to motorcycle drivers and pillion passengers' death and injury.The perineal injury can serve as an important basis for identifying the drivers and pillion passengers in partial motorcycle accidents.

Objective To investigate the relation between microembolic signals (MES) and vertebral basilar artery ste?nosis in patients with brainstem infarction. Methods A total of 156 patients with acute brainstem infarction, who were de?termined the cerebral infarction lesion and vertebral basilar artery stenosis by cranial magnetic resonance imaging and CT an?giography, and were monitored by transcranial Doppler via occipital window of basilar arterial MES monitoring in 7 days of the onset, were divided into microembolus signal negative group (n=136) and positive group (n=20). The clinical data were compared between two groups. The differences of different degrees of stenosis were analyzed in two groups. The differences of different locations of stenosis in patients with vertebral basilar artery stenosis were analyzed in two groups. Logistic regres?sion analysis was used to analyse the factors affecting MES. Results There were no significant differences in age, gender, history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus between the two groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the dif?ferent degrees of stenosis between two groups, no or mild stenosis was found in MES-negative group and severe stenosis in MES-positive group (P<0.05). There were 70 cases with no vertebral basilar artery stenosis, 86 cases with mild, moderate and severe stenosis, in which 14 cases were MES-positive and 72 cases were negative. There were significant differences in different locations of stenosis between the two groups. The proportion of multiple infarctions was significantly higher in MES-positive group than that of MES-negative group (P<0.05). The intracranial vertebral basilar artery stenosis and 75%of ver?tebral basilar artery stenosis were the independent risk factors of MES-positive. Conclusion Severe stenosis of the verte?bral basilar artery is more vulnerable to occur MES of posterior circulation, leading to cerebral infarction. Microemboli may be the cause of multiple infarctions in patients with vertebral basilar artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVEA RP-HPLC method was developed for simultaneous determination of bigelovin, ergolide and tomentosin in Inula hupehensis.

METHODAn Agilent C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used for separation at 40 degrees C. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water, and the flow rate was 1.2 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm.

RESULTThe method has good linearity in the ranges of 0.01792-0.1792 g x L(-1) (r =0.9999) for bigelovin, 0.0424-0.4240 g x L(-1) (r =0.9996) for ergolide, and 0.044 8-0.4480 g x L(-1) (r = 0.9996) for tomentosin. The average recoveries of bigelovin, ergolide, and tomentosin were 98.5%, 98.2%, 98.4%, with the RSD of 1. 3%, 1.3%, 1.7%, respectively. The results demonstrated that there was a significant difference in the contents of three sequterpene lactones among the tested Inulae Flos.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that the present RP-HPLC method is simple, quick and accurate, and can be used for the quality control of I. hupehensis, especially for the authentication of Inulae Flos.