ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mucin 1 (MUC1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its regulatory mechanism. MethodsThe 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital. The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the patients with PNC. The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control (si-control) or siRNA targeting MUC1 (si-MUC1). Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells. The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1, NF-кB and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). ResultsThe expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues, and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection, growth and metastasis of NPC. Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features, including the proliferation and apoptosis, downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells. ConclusionDownregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.

Aim To dynamically characterize neuronal damage in the cortex and hippocampus of mice follow-ing acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R).Meth-ods Male C57BL/6J mice weighing 25-28 g under-went middle cerebral artery occlusion using the fila-ment method,followed by 1 hour of reperfusion to es-tablish the acute cerebral I/R injury mouse model.The experiment comprised a sham surgery group,I/R-6 h group,I/R-24 h group,and I/R-72 h group.Longa neurological function score was used to assess the neu-rological function.Triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining was conducted to detect cerebral in-farct volume.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was utilized to observe brain tissue pathological dam-age.Nissl staining was performed to evaluate neuronal damage.Immunofluorescence histochemistry staining was employed to assess the activation of astrocytes and microglia,as well as neuronal loss.Transmission elec-tron microscopy was used to examine mitochondrial damage in hippocampal neurons.Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression levels of mito-chondrial fission-fusion-related proteins p-Drp1/Drp1,Mff,Fis1,and OPA1.Results With prolonged cere-bral I/R time,neurological functional impairment,cerebral infarct volume,neuronal damage in the cortex and hippocampus,glial cell activation,neuronal loss,and mitochondrial damage gradually worsened in mice.The expression of mitochondrial fission-related proteins increased gradually,while the expression of mitochon-drial fusion-related proteins decreased gradually.Con-clusions Neuronal pathological damage,such as glial cell activation,neuronal loss,and mitochondrial dam-age,is gradually aggravated with prolonged cerebral I/R time,which may be associated with mitochondrial dynamics imbalance.

AIM To investigate the renoprotective effects and mechanism of Caragana sinica roots,Astragali Radix and their combination use on the rat model of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).METHODS Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the Empagliflozin group(10 mg/kg),the C.sinica roots group(3.1 g/kg),the Astragali Radix group(3.1 g/kg),and the C.sinica roots plus Astragali Radix group(6.2 g/kg).In contrast to the intact rats of the normal group,rats of the other groups underwent left nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)followed by 8-week intragastric gavage of the corresponding agent,during which their levels of FBG and 24 h urinary microprotein(24 h U-mAlb)were detected regularly.The rats killed at the end of the trial had their levels of Scr,BUN and Cystatin C detected;their renal pathological changes observed by HE,PAS and Masson stainings;their expressions of macrophage marker proteins CD68 and iNOS detected by immunohistochemistry;their expressions of renal JNK/SAPK pathway proteins such as JNK,p-JNK,TNF-α,IL-1β and ICAM-1 detected by Western blot;and their serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and ICAM-1 detected by ELISA as well.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed increased levels of FBG,24 h U-mAlb,BUN,Scr and Cystatin C(P＜0.01);more renal pathological damage,and increased levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and ICAM-1 in the renal tissue and serum(P＜0.01);and increased renal protein expressions of JNK and p-JNK(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,all of the groups intervened with an agent shared decreased levels of FBG,24 h U-mAlb,BUN,Scr and Cystatin C(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);alleviated renal pathological damage,and decreased levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and ICAM-1 in renal tissue and serum(P＜0.01).There existed no group difference between the Astragali Radix group and the C.sinica roots group in terms of all indices levels(P＞0.05).The C.sinica roots plus Astragali Radix group demonstrated its superiority over either C.sinica roots group or Astragali Radix group in terms of all the indices levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION C.sinica roots,Astragali Radix or their combination use can alleviate the renal pathological damage and improve the renal function of DKD rats through inhibiting the M1 macrophages,reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors,whose mechanism may lie in the inhibition of JNK/SAPK signal pathway activation.A better effect can be anticipated by the combination use of C.sinica roots and Astragali Radix.

AIM To investigate the impact of the combination use of Caragana sinica Radix and Astragali Radix on a rat model of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).METHODS The SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the Engelgin group,the Caragana sinica Radix group,the Astragali Radix group and the Caragana sinica Radix-Astragali Radix compatibility group,with 10 rats in each group.Following the successful establishment of a DKD model by unilateral amputate renal combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ),the corresponding gastric gavage of drugs were administered for 8 weeks.The rats had their 24 h urinary microalbumin(24 h U-mALB)detected at 0,4 and 8 weeks;their levels of Scr,BUN,CysC,MDA and SOD activity detected by ELISA;their renal ROS expression detected by fluorescence probe method;their renal pathological changes observed by HE,PAS,Masson and PASM-Masson staining;their renal expressions of NOX4,Drp1,MFN2 and P62 detected by immunohistochemistry;and their renal expressions of PINK1,MFN2,Parkin,LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ,P62 and p-Drp1 proteins detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,each treatment group displayed lower contents of 24 h U-mALB,BUN,Scr and CysC in the serum of rats(P＜0.01);reduced pathological structure damage of the renal tissue;decreased MDA level in serum and kidney(P＜0.01);increased SOD activity(P＜0.01);increased renal protein expressions of PINK1,MFN2,Parkin and LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased protein expressions of p-Drp1 and P62(P＜0.01).And the Astragali Radix group and the Caragana sinica Radix-Astragali Radix compatibility group took the lead(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Upon the rat model of DKD,the compatibility of Caragana sinica Radix and Astragali Radix may alleviate their renal pathological damage and improve their renal function by activating the mitochondrial autophagy to improve mitochondrial dynamics and inhibit their oxidative stress via PINK1/MFN2/Parkin pathway.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery combined with PanOptix trifocal intraocular lens implantation.METHODS:The retrospective study enrolled 22 cases(26 eyes)of cataract patients who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery combined with PanOptix trifocal intraocular lens implantation from August 2020 to August 2021. Follow-up to 3mo after surgery, the changes of far, intermediate and near visual acuity, aberration, Strehl ratio(SR)and modulation transfer function cutoff(MTF-cutoff)frequency were compared. Defocus curve at 1mo postoperatively was made, and the visual quality and satisfaction were evaluated after 3mo of surgery.RESULTS: The visual acuity of all patients was better than 0.1(LogMAR)at the far, intermediate and near distance at 1d, 1wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively, and it was significantly improved compared with those before surgery(all P<0.01). The defocus curve transitioned smoothly between +0.5 and -3.0D at 1mo after surgery, and visual acuity was better than 0.63. The total aberration and spherical aberration in the whole eye were significantly lower after surgery than before, and the SR and MTF-cutoff were significantly improved at 1d and 1wk after surgery(all P<0.05). With high satisfaction and good visual quality, patients could watch at far, intermediate and near distance without wearing glasses at 3mo after surgery.CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery combined with PanOptix trifocal intraocular lens implantation gave patients a comfortable and satisfactory full-course vision.

A variety of full 2ʹ-F/OMe-modified siRNAs were designed and synthesized, and the activity against hepatocellular carcinoma Huh-7 and HepG2 cells was evaluated. K&A DNA/RNA H-8 synthesizer was used to synthesize siRNAs, and neutral cytidinyl lipid DNCA mixed with cationic lipid CLD were used to transfect siRNA. By RT-qPCR and CCK-8 assay, the target gene silence and the proliferation of Huh-7 and HepG2 cells were detected. The siRNAs loading into Ago2 protein was detected by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation. Drug uptake and cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of PLK1 protein was detected by Western blot. Partial full 2ʹ-F/OMe modified siRNAs, especial siPLK1A3, increased the uptake of Huh-7 cells, enhanced their binding to Ago2 and gene silencing activity, down-regulated PLK1 protein, as well as induced more Huh-7 cell apoptosis and proliferation inhibition activity. It provides important data for the development of novel siRNA modification patterns and anti-HCC formulations.

Objective To analyze the genetic subtypes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance in the newly reported HIV-infected men in Guangxi. Methods The stratified random sampling method was employed to select the newly reported HIV-infected men aged≥50 years old in 14 cities of Guangxi from January to June in 2020.The pol gene of HIV-1 was amplified by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and then sequenced.The mutation sites associated with drug resistance and the degree of drug resistance were then analyzed. Results A total of 615 HIV-infected men were included in the study.The genetic subtypes of CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC accounted for 57.4% (353/615),17.1% (105/615),and 22.4% (138/615),respectively.The mutations associated with the resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI),non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI),and protease inhibitors occurred in 8 (1.3%),18 (2.9%),and 0 patients,respectively.M184V (0.7%) and K103N (1.8%) were the mutations with the highest occurrence rates for the resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs,respectively.Twenty-two (3.6%) patients were resistant to at least one type of inhibitors.Specifically,4 (0.7%),14 (2.3%),4 (0.7%),and 0 patients were resistant to NRTIs,NNRTIs,both NRTIs and NNRTIs,and protease inhibitors,respectively.The pretreatment resistance to NNRTIs had much higher frequency than that to NRTIs (2.9% vs.1.3%;χ²=3.929,P=0.047).The prevalence of pretreatment resistance to lamivudine,zidovudine,tenofovir,abacavir,rilpivirine,efavirenz,nevirapine,and lopinavir/ritonavir was 0.8%, 0.3%, 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.3%, 2.8%, 2.9%, and 0, respectively. Conclusions CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC are the three major strains of HIV-infected men≥50 years old newly reported in Guangxi,2020,and the pretreatment drug resistance demonstrates low prevalence.
Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; Mutation ; HIV-1/genetics* ; Protease Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Genotype

Ajania belonging to the subtribe Artemisiinae of Anthemideae(Asteraceae) is a genus of semi-shrubs closely related to Chrysanthemum. There are 24 species of Ajania in northwestern China, most of which are folk herbal medicines with strong stress tolerance. Modern medical studies have demonstrated that the chemical constituents of Ajania mainly include terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkynes, and essential oils. These compounds endow the plants with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimalarial, antioxidant, and insecticide effects. In this study, we reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Ajania, aiming to provide reference for the further research and development of Ajania.
Asteraceae ; Chrysanthemum ; Alkynes ; Antimalarials ; Antioxidants/pharmacology*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hypertension among adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and to provide clues for exploring the role of genetic and environmental factors on hypertension. Methods: A total of 69 220 (34 610 pairs) of twins aged 18 and above with hypertension information were selected from CNTR registered from 2010 to 2018. Random effect models were used to describe the population and regional distribution of hypertension in twins. To estimate the heritability, the concordance rates of hypertension were calculated and compared between monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ). Results: The age of all participants was (34.1±12.4) years. The overall self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 3.8%(2 610/69 220). Twin pairs who were older, living in urban areas, married, overweight or obese, current smokers or ex-smokers, and current drinkers or abstainers had a higher self-reported prevalence of hypertension (P<0.05). Analysis within the same-sex twin pairs found that the concordance rate of hypertension was 43.2% in MZ and 27.0% in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The heritability of hypertension was 22.1% (95%CI: 16.3%- 28.0%). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hypertension in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. The heritability of hypertension was higher in female participants. Conclusions: There were differences in the distribution of hypertension among twins with different demographic and regional characteristics. It is indicated that genetic factors play a crucial role in hypertension in different genders, ages, and regions, while the magnitude of genetic effects may vary.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Alcohol Drinking ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hypertension/genetics* ; Twins, Dizygotic/genetics* ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hyperlipidemia in adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and explore the effect of genetic and environmental factors on hyperlipidemia. Methods: Twins recruited from the CNTR in 11 project areas across China were included in the study. A total of 69 130 (34 565 pairs) of adult twins with complete information on hyperlipidemia were selected for analysis. The random effect model was used to characterize the population and regional distribution of hyperlipidemia among twins. The concordance rates of hyperlipidemia were calculated in monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ), respectively, to estimate the heritability. Results: The age of all participants was (34.2±12.4) years. This study's prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 1.3% (895/69 130). Twin pairs who were men, older, living in urban areas, married,had junior college degree or above, overweight, obese, insufficient physical activity, current smokers, ex-smokers, current drinkers, and ex-drinkers had a higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia (P<0.05). In within-pair analysis, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia was 29.1% (118/405) in MZ and 18.1% (57/315) in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. Further, in within-same-sex twin pair analyses, the heritability of hyperlipidemia was 13.04% (95%CI: 2.61%-23.47%) in the northern group and 18.59% (95%CI: 4.43%-32.74%) in the female group, respectively. Conclusions: Adult twins were included in this study and were found to have a lower prevalence of hyperlipidemia than in the general population study, with population and regional differences. Genetic factors influence hyperlipidemia, but the genetic effect may vary with gender and area.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Metabolic Diseases ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*