Scientific basis of acupuncture on mesenchymal stem cells for treating ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

The scientific basis of acupuncture on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating ischemic stroke (IS) is discussed. MSCs transplantation has great potential for the treatment of tissue damage caused by early stage inflammatory cascade reactions of IS, but its actual transformation is limited by various factors. How to improve the homing efficiency of MSCs is the primary issue to enhance its efficacy. As such, the possible mechanisms of acupuncture and MSCs transplantation in inhibiting inflammatory cascade reactions induced by IS are explored by reviewing literature, and a hypothesis that acupuncture could promote the secretion of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) from ischemic foci to regulate SDF-1α/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis, thereby improving the homing efficiency of MSCs transplantation, exerting its neuroprotective function, and improving the bed transformation ability, is proposed.

Effects of adenovirus-mediated shRNA down-regulates PTEN expression on fibril-binding proteins vinculin, filamin A and cortactin in activated hepatic stellate cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated shRNA down-regulating phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression on vinculin, filamin A, and cortactin in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods: Activated rats hepatic stellate cell line (HSC-T6) was cultured in vitro. Recombinant adenovirus Ad-shRNA/PTEN carrying PTEN targeted RNA interference sequence [short hairpin RNA (shRNA)] and empty control virus Ad-GFP were transfected into HSCs. The PTEN mRNA and protein expression of HSCs in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot. The expressional change of vinculin, filamin A and cortactin in HSCs of each group were detected by confocal laser scanning immunofluorescence microscope. Image-pro plus 6.0 software was used for image analysis and processing. The integrated optical density (IOD) of the fluorescence protein expression was measured. The experiment was divided into three groups: control group (DMEM instead of adenovirus solution in the adenovirus transfection step), Ad-GFP group (transfected with empty virus Ad-GFP only expressing green fluorescent protein), and Ad-shRNA/PTEN group (recombinant adenovirus Ad-shRNA/PTEN carrying shRNA targeting PTEN and expressing green fluorescent protein). One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of mean value among the three groups, and LSD-test was used for comparison between the groups. Results: shRNA targeted PTEN was successfully transfected and the expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in HSC (P < 0.05) was significantly down-regulated. HSCs vinculin was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. HSCs vinculin fluorescence IOD in the Ad-shRNA/PTEN group (19 758.83 ± 1 520.60) was higher than control (7 737.16 ± 279.93) and Ad-GFP group (7 725.50 ± 373.03) (P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between control group and Ad-GFP group (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the fluorescence IOD of Filamin A among the three groups (P > 0.05), but the subcellular distribution of Filamin A among the three groups were changed. Filamin A in the Ad-shrNA /PTEN HSC group was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. Filamin A HSC was mainly located in the nucleus.The filamin A HSC in the control group and Ad-GFP group was mainly located in the nucleus. The nucleocytoplasmic ratio of Filamin A in the AD-shrNA /PTEN group (0.60 ± 0.15) was significantly lower than control group (1.20 ± 0.15) and Ad-GFP group (1.08 ± 0.23), P < 0.05. but there was no statistically significant difference in filamin A nucleocytoplasmic ratio of HSC between the control group and the Ad-GFP group (P > 0.05). Cortactin HSCs in the three groups was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. The cortactin fluorescence IOD of HSCs in the Ad-shRNA/PTEN group was significantly higher than control group (22 959.94 ± 1 710.42) and the Ad-GFP group (22 547.11 ± 1 588.72 ) (P < 0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in the IOD of cortactin fluorescence in HSCs between the control group and the Ad-GFP group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The down-regulation of PTEN expression raises the expression of microfilament-binding protein vinculin and cortactin, and changes the subcellular distribution of another microfilament binding protein filamin A, that is, translocation from nucleus to the cytoplasm in activated HSC in vitro.

Integrative Analysis Confirmed the Association between Osteoprotegerin and Osteoporosis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective This study aimed to verify the association between osteoprotegerin gene () and its variants with osteoporosis (OP) by performing integrative analysis.Methods We used the KGG software to perform gene-based association analysis, which integrated all publicly available single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based values and obtained an overall value for the . The significant SNPs were screened for expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Meta-analysis was used to combine the associations between the variants of and bone mineral density (BMD) reported in the literatures. Then we performed dual-luciferase reporter gene systems for the functional verification of the variants of .Results In the gene-based association analysis, the over all value of was 6.24×10 for BMD at femoral neck (FN) and 7.37×10 for BMD at lumbar spine (LS), indicating the importance of for OP. The publicly available eQTL database identified 5 eQTLs which exert cis-regulation effects on at FN and LS. Literature searching found that rs2073617 (known as T950C) was the hot spot SNP. There were 13 relevant studies on rs2073617 besides the GEFOS-2 study identified from the PubMed. Significant differences among TT, TC and CC genotypes at FN (= 0.047) and LS (= 0.025) were shown by meta-analysis, demonstrating the associations between T950C polymorphism and BMD. Luciferase gene expression was significantly higher at the presence of allele C than allele T in the 293T cells (=-9.47, <0.01). Conclusion The integrative analysis further confirmed the importance of in OP and the correlation of T950C polymorphism with BMD of OP. The strategy can be used as a reference for functional interpretation of other disease-related genes.

Application and safety of hydroxychloroquine sulfate in rheumatic diseases:a multicenter retrospective study in Suzhou / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: A multicenter survey is conducted to study the application,the long-term effect and safety of hydroxychloroquine(HCQ)in the treatment of rheumatic diseases in Suzhou. METHODS: Retrospectively collect the data of outpatients and inpatients from Rheumatology Department of four general hospitals in Suzhou(the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, and Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First People's Hospital of Kunshan, the First People's Hospital of Changshu)from June 2017 to July 2018. A special questionnaire was used to collect data on general information, diagnosis, methods and courses in the use of hydroxychloro-quine, duration, efficacy and compliance, combined medication, adverse reactions of ophthalmology and other systems, and the use of hydroxychloroquine(HCQ)during pregnancy.Result Totally there were 856 cases, including 68 males(7.9%)and 788 females(92.1%).Classification of diseases: 147 cases of RA(including secondary SS of RA), 425 cases of SLE,12 cases of APS, 167 cases of PSS,104 cases of others, and 1 case of overlap syndrome(RA with SLE)The treatment course of HCQ: minimum 0.5 years, maximum 22.75 years, with an average of 3.59(SD=3.08)years.Dosage: 0.2 g/day in 604 cases, 0.4 g/day in 424 cases, 193 cases of using 0.4 and 0.2 successively, and 21 in other cases;721 cases used continuously. There were adverse reactions in 183 cases(7 males and 176 females), which were distributed in 30 cases of RA, 105 cases of SLE, 2 cases of APS, 31 cases of SS and 15 other cases. Ophthalmological adverse reactions occurred in 70 cases, with positive correlation in 4 cases. Ophthalmological examination: 121 cases(14.1%)every year;68 cases(7.9%)every two years. There were 92 cases of adverse skin reactions, with 8 cases of positive correlation. Other systems had few adverse reactions and there was no positive correlation. Continuous medication, combination of anti-rheumatic drugs and adverse reactions were associated, and continuous medication or combination of anti-rheumatic drugs were significantly associated with adverse reactions in ophthalmology and skin, respectively. The adverse reactions of ophthalmology were related to the course of treatment, and the adverse reactions of fundus increased after taking medicine for more than 7 years.There were 37 pregnancies and HCQ was used in 17 cases throughout pregnancy, and only 1 case had non-drug-related neonatal defects. CONCLUSION: HCQ is mainly used in the treatment of SLE, SS, RA and APS in Rheumatology Department in Suzhou. HCQ medication is standardized, but ophthalmic follow-up monitoring is not. Adverse reactions are mainly in skin and ophthalmology. Continuous medication and combination of antirheumatic drugs are associated factors of adverse reactions.Long-term treatment with HCQ is safe and well-toleratrd.

Comparison of the impact of laparoscopic and open surgery on immune function in colon cancer patients / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To study the impact of laparoscopic radical resection and open radical resection on immune function in patients with colon cancer. Methods 110 cases received complete mesocolic excision surgery of the right colon cancer patients, according to the different surgical methods divided into observation group and control group, the observation group adopted laparoscopic surgery while the control group treated with open surgery, then compared the inflammatory stress response and related immunology index changes before and after operation. Results After op-eration, inflammatory stress indicators such as MCP-1, HMGB-1, Glucagon, BG in observation group were signifi-cantly better than that in control group. After operation, WBC, CRP, IL-6 index in the two groups were significantly improved. CRP, IL-6, CD4+, CD8+, NK cell index in observation group was significantly better than that in control group. There were significant differences between the two groups, < 0.05. Conclusion Laparoscopic CME surgery can help to relieve inflammatory stress response, and the immune function is less affected, it is worthy of promoting clinical application.

Analysis on active molecules in Populus nigra wood extractives by GC-MS

Populus nigra has been introduced and largely planted in China, and the waste wood was still abandoned. Therefore, the wood extractives of Populus nigra were studied to further utilize the bio-resources. The result shown that the optimal extraction time of ethanol/methanol extraction, petroleum ether/acetic ether extraction, and benzene/alcohol extraction were 1h, 7h and 3h, respectively. Among sequential extractions, EPB extraction was the optimum extraction mode for the LR was 17.32%. The wood extractives included hexanedioic acid, bis [2-ethylhexyl] ester, phthalic acid derivatives, squalene, 3,3,7,11- tetramethyltricyclo [5.4.0.0[4,11]] undecan-1-ol, other rare drug and biomedical activities. The wood extractives of Populus nigra was fit to extract rare dibutyl phthalate and squalene

Molecular basis of antibacterial activities in extracts of Eucommia ulmoides wood

As one of the famous medicinal plants in China, the bark of Eucommia ulmoides is considered as the important traditional Chinese medicine. However, the constituents of Eucommia ulmoides wood isn't used effectively. Therefore, the molecules of wood extracts in Eucommia ulmoides are studied to further utilize the resources. The results show that the optimal extraction time period of ethanol/methanol extraction, petroleum ether/acetic ether extraction, and benzene/alcohol extraction are 3h, 5h, and 4h, respectively. Among sequential extractions, PABEEM extraction is the optimum extraction mode for the LRs is 22.95%. Its wood extracts included hexanedioic acid, bis[2-ethylhexyl] ester, 3,3,7,11-tetramethyltricyclo [5.4.0.0 [4,11]]undecan-1-ol, [all-E]- 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl- 2,6,10,14,18,22- tetracosahexaene, other rare drug and biomedical activities. And the wood extracts of Eucommia ulmoides is fit to extract 1,5-hexadien-3-yne, [all-E]- 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl- 2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene

The mechanisms of inhibitory effect of adenovirus-mediated wild-type PTEN gene on the proliferation in activated hepatic stellate cells in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Using an adenoviral vector, the wild-type PTEN gene was transduced into activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) cultured in vitro and cell cycle markers and were detect. Thereby, the potential mechanisms of inhibitory effect of the wild-type PTEN overexpression on the proliferation in activated HSC was investigated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The wild type PTEN gene was transduced into activated HSC (HSC-T6 ) cultured in vitro mediated by adenoviral vector. PTEN expression in HSC was measured by Western blot and Real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR. Flow cytometry (FCM) was then used to detect cell cycle phase of activated HSC. And the expressions of cyclinD1 and cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) in HSC were determined by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The data showed that exogenous wild type PTEN gene was successfully transduced and expressed in activated HSC cultured in vitro. The over-expression of wild type PTEN resulted in the increased number of HSC at G0/G1 phase ( P less than 0.01), and the number of HSC at S phase and G2/M phase were decreased significantly, P less than 0.01. Furthermore, there were decreased cyclinD1 and CDK4 expression in HSC infected with Ad-PTEN, P less than 0.01.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The over-expression of wild type PTEN inhibit transition of activated HSC in vitro from G1 to S phase and arrest cell cycle of them at G0/G1 phase via the down-regulated expressions of cyclinD1 and CDK4, and then inhibit HSC proliferation.</p>

Effect of elevated total cholesterol level and hypertension on the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease: a cohort study of Chinese steelworkers / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Increased blood pressure and elevated total cholesterol (TC) level are the two most important modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the world. Hypertension and hypercholesterolemia co-exist more often than would be expected and whether there is a synergistic impact on fatal CVD between elevated TC and hypertension need to be further examined in Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a cohort study which recruited 5092 Chinese male steelworkers aged 18 - 74 years in 1974 - 1980 and followed up for an average of 20.84 years. Totally 302 fatal CVD events were documented by the year of 2001. Cox proportional hazards regression models were undertaken to adjust for baseline variables with fatal CVD events as the outcome variable. Additive interaction model was used to evaluate the interaction between elevated TC and hypertension.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hypercholesterolemia and hypertension were significantly associated with an increased hazard ratio (HR) of fatal CVD (1.67 (95%CI 1.18 - 2.38) and 2.91 (95%CI 2.23 - 3.80) respectively. Compared to participants with normotension and TC < 240 mg/dl, the HRs were 1.11 (95%CI 0.56 - 2.21), 2.74 (95%CI 2.07 - 3.64) for hypercholesterolemia and hypertension respectively, and 5.51 (95%CI 3.58 - 8.46) for participants with both risk factors. There was an additive interaction with a 2.65 (95%CI 0.45 - 4.85) relative excess risk (RERI) between hypercholesterolemia and hypertension on CVD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We found that the risk of fatal CVD was significantly associated with an additive interaction due to hypercholesterolemia and hypertension besides a conventional main effect derived from either of them, which highlights that the prevention and treatment of both risk factors might improve the individual risk profile thus reduce the CVD mortality.</p>

Construction of efficient conjugal plasmids between Escherichia coli and Streptomycetes / 生物工程学报

Conjugal plasmid pGH112 has been developed based on the replicons of Streptomyces coelicolor plasmid SCP2 and E. coli ColE. The plasmid contains ampicilin resistance gene(amp) for selection in E. coli and thiostrepton resistance gene (tsr) for selection in Streptomycetes, and a 0.76 kb oriT fragment of (IncP) RK2. Conjugal transfer of pGH112 was performed from E. coli to S. coelicolor A3(2), S. avermitilis, S. lividans TK54, S. toxytricini NNRL15443, S. venezuelae ISP5230 and Sacc. erythraea by conjugation, results show that the plasmid was able to transfer efficenctly from E. coli to Streptomycetes, was stably inherited in the recipients. pGH113 was constructed from pGH112 by combining the constitutive ermE promoter with green fluorescent protein gene(gfp).