β-caryophyllene alleviates cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury in mice by activating autophagy / 中国中药杂志

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury is an important cause of acute ischemic stroke. Timely elimination of damaged proteins and organelles by regulating autophagy during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion plays an important role in relieving brain damage. In order to investigate whether β-caryophyllene(BCP) could protect neurons from cerebral I/R injury by regulating auto-phagy, C57 BL/6 J male mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and drug-administered group. After intra-gastric administration was given for 5 days, the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) model was established by suture method. Twenty four hours after surgery, the infarct volume and neurological function were assessed; the pathological changes of cortical tissue were observed by HE staining; Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins beclin1, p62, LC3 B and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2; immunofluorescence was used to observe the expression of LC3 B in the ischemic cortex. The autophagy of cortical tissue in the ischemic area was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results showed that as compared with the model group, the BCP pretreatment significantly reduced the neurological deficit, decreased the percentage of cerebral infarction volume, reduced the death of brain tissue cells in the ischemic area, up-regulated the expression of beclin1, LC3 B and Bcl-2 protein, down-regulated p62 protein expression, and significantly increased the number of autophagosomes in the cortical tissue of the ischemic area. It was finally determined that BCP could protect neurons from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating autophagy.

Surveillance of malaria vectors in Anhui Province from 2016 to 2018 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the population distribution, density, seasonal fluctuation and nocturnal activity of malaria vectors in Anhui Province from 2016 to 2018, so as to provide a data support for formulating the control strategy for imported malaria during the malaria post-elimination stage. Methods The malaria vectors were monitored in 105 counties (cities or districts) of Anhui Province from 2016 to 2018, and the population density, seasonal fluctuation and nocturnal activity of the mosquitoes were observed using the lamp trapping and human bait trapping methods. The density of Anopheles mosquitoes was compared among different years, regions and mosquito-capturing sites. Results Anopheles mosquitoes were captured in 103 counties (cities or districts) of Anhui Province during the period from 2016 to 2018, and a total of 32 494 mosquitoes were captured using the lamp trapping method and 36 228 captured using the human bait trapping method. All captured mosquitoes were morphologically identified as Anopheles sinensis, and no An. anthropophagus was found. The density of An. sinensis peaked from June to August, and the peak nocturnal activity was found during the period between 19∶00 and 23∶00. Among all mosquito-capturing sites, the highest mosquito density was seen in the livestock and poultry sheds (H = 18.835, P < 0.05). The density of An. sinensis varied significantly in regions in 2016 and 2017 (H = 16.655 and 11.566, P < 0.01), and a low density was found in north of the Huai River. Conclusions An. sinensis is widely distributed in Anhui Province, which is the currently predominant malaria vector in the province. During the malaria post-elimination stage, the malaria vector monitoring should be intensified and vector control interventions should be timely adopted in epidemic foci of Anhui Province to prevent the local re-transmission of overseas imported malaria.

Role of ubiquitin E3 ligase TRIM10 in regulating cardiomyocyte hyper-trophy / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To explore the role of ubiquitin E3 ligase tripartite motif 10 (TRIM10) in the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy .METHODS: Primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes ( NRCMs ) were infected with siRNA-TRIM10, siRNA-control, Ad-TRIM10 or Ad-GFP for 24 h respectively, and then stimulated with phenylephrine ( PE) for additional 24 h.The protein levels of TRIM10, AKT and ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot .The size of the NRCMs was measured by immunofluorescence staining .The mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide ( ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP) was detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS:Compared with the control , PE treatment signifi-cantly increased the protein expression of TRIM 10.Moreover, transfection of NRCMs with siRNA-TRIM10 markedly inhibi-ted cardiomyocyte size , the mRNA expression of ANP and BNP , and the phosphorylation levels of AKT and ERK as com-pared with siRNA-control after PE treatment.In contrast, overexpression of TRIM10 significantly enhanced PE-induced hy-pertrophic effect on NRCMs above .CONCLUSION:TRIM10 regulates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy partially through AKT and ERK signaling pathways .

Role of ubiquitin E3 ligase TRIM10 in regulating cardiomyocyte hyper-trophy / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To explore the role of ubiquitin E3 ligase tripartite motif 10 (TRIM10) in the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy .METHODS: Primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes ( NRCMs ) were infected with siRNA-TRIM10, siRNA-control, Ad-TRIM10 or Ad-GFP for 24 h respectively, and then stimulated with phenylephrine ( PE) for additional 24 h.The protein levels of TRIM10, AKT and ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot .The size of the NRCMs was measured by immunofluorescence staining .The mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide ( ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP) was detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS:Compared with the control , PE treatment signifi-cantly increased the protein expression of TRIM 10.Moreover, transfection of NRCMs with siRNA-TRIM10 markedly inhibi-ted cardiomyocyte size , the mRNA expression of ANP and BNP , and the phosphorylation levels of AKT and ERK as com-pared with siRNA-control after PE treatment.In contrast, overexpression of TRIM10 significantly enhanced PE-induced hy-pertrophic effect on NRCMs above .CONCLUSION:TRIM10 regulates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy partially through AKT and ERK signaling pathways .

Improved Fertility Following Enucleation of Intramural Myomas in Infertile Women / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The relationship between intramural myomas and fertility remains unclear. The main debate rests on whether cavity-distorting intramural myomas (CDMs) adversely affect fertility more than non-CDMs. We aimed to compare the effects of enucleating non-CDMs and CDMs on fertility improvement in females with unexplained infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We prospectively recruited 83 women undergoing myomectomy for unexplained infertility with intramural myomas between June 2008 and November 2012 and classified them into non-CDMs group (n = 45) and CDMs group (n = 38). We then compared postoperative infertility rates, spontaneous pregnancy rates, pregnancy outcomes, live birth rates, and obstetric complications. For continuous variables, we calculated the mean ± standard deviation, median and interquartile range, and analyzed the data using Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. For categorical variables, the Pearson's Chi-square test, the continuity correction test, and Fisher's exact test were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients' demographics and myoma characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The overall spontaneous pregnancy rate increased from 0% to 68.42% following myomectomy. The postoperative infertility rate was significantly higher in the non-CDMs group than that in the CDMs group (50.00% vs. 23.53%, t = 5.579, P = 0.018), whereas the postoperative spontaneous pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the non-CDMs group than that in the CDMs group (47.62% vs. 70.59%, t = 4.067, P = 0.044). Compared with the enucleation of non-CDM, the enucleation of CDM patients was a protective factor for the fertility restoration (risk ratio [RR] = 3.717, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.284-10.753, P = 0.015), although postoperative fertility restoration declined with age (RR = 1.141, 95% CI: 1.005-1.295, P = 0.041).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intramural myomas are associated with impaired fertility. Women experiencing unexplained infertility, and possessing intramural myomas, have a better chance of conception following myomectomy, and these benefits are more obvious for younger patients and patients with CDM.</p>

Effect of Bortezomib on Angiotensin Ⅱ-induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in ApoEMice / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the role of proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ) in inflammatory response in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ). Methods Ang Ⅱ-induced ApoEmice AAA models were established. Forty male ApoEmice (8-10-week-old) were randomly and equally divided into four groups:Sham group,BTZ group,Ang Ⅱ group,and Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group.HE staining,immunohistochemical staining,and flow cytometry were used to analyze the inflammatory response. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Western blotting was used to analyze the activation of nuclear factor κB signaling (NF-κB). Results The mean maximum suprarenal aortic diameter (Dmax) of Sham group,BTZ group,Ang Ⅱ group,and Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group were (1.00±0.01),(0.99±0.01),(1.50±0.13),and (1.20±0.04)mm,respectively (F=8.959,P=0.000). The Dmax of Ang Ⅱ group was significantly larger than those of Sham group (P=0.000) and Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group (P=0.015). The incidence of AAA in Ang Ⅱ group,Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group,and Sham group were 60%,17%,and 0,respectively. HE staining revealed that the abdominal aortic wall thickening was more severe in Ang Ⅱ group than in Sham group and Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group,similar with the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the CD3T lymphocyte count was significantly higher in Ang Ⅱ group than in Sham group (107.9±15.9 vs. 0,P=0.000) and Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group (107.9±15.9 vs. 0.8±0.5,P=0.000). Flow cytometry also demonstrated that the proportion of the CD3T lymphocytes of the Ang Ⅱ group [(13.50±0.69)%] was significantly higher than that in the Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group [(10.40±0.78)%] at week 1 (t=3.009,P=0.040),and the proportion of the CD3T lymphocytes of the Ang Ⅱ group [(22.70±0.93)%] was significantly higher than that in the Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group [(15.10±0.97)%] at week 4 (t=5.654,P=0.005). The qPCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression of ICAM-1 was significantly up-regulated in Ang Ⅱ group than in Sham group (1.93±0.54 vs. 1.00±0.15,P=0.011) and Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group (1.93±0.54 vs. 0.83±0.08,P=0.009). Western blot analysis showed a lower phosphorylation level of inhibitor of NF-κB in the Ang Ⅱ group compared with the Sham group or Ang Ⅱ+BTZ group,accompanied with an increased phosphorylation level of p65. Conclusion Proteasome inhibitor BTZ can attenuate AAA formation partially by regulating T lymphocytes infiltration through regulating the mRNA expression of ICAM-1 regulated by the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Change of Serum Angiopoietin-like Protein 2 and Its Significance in Patients with Arteriosclerotic Occlusion / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigated the changes of angiopoietin-like protein 2(Angptl2) in patients with arteriosclerotic occlusion (ASO). Methods A total of 140 subjects including 75 ASO patients (ASO group) and 65 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study. Angptl2 and adiponectin were evaluated by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Biochemical data and high sensitive C reactive protein were measured and recorded as well. Results Compared to the control group,the ASO group presented with significantly higher level of plasma Angptl2 [(13.55±9.17) μg/L vs. (9.04±4.79) μg/L,P=0.010]. Plasma Angptl2 level of critical limb ischemia subjects was significantly higher than that of intermittent claudication subjects [(17.01±10.20)μg/L vs. (10.53±6.97) μg/L,P=0.003]. The best diagnostic cutoff value of Angptl2 was 13.67 μg/L,with a sensitivity of 60.34% and a specificity of 81.25%. In addition,type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with ASO exhibited significantly higher serum Angptl2 levels [(18.67±9.84)μg/L] than those without ASO [(13.01±3.47) μg/L] (P=0.021). In ASO group,serum Angptl2 levels were negatively correlated with ankle brachial index (r=-0.244,P=0.035). Conclusion The plasma level of Angptl2 increases in ASO patients. Its level is remarkably increased when the disease progressions to critical limb ischemia. Angptl2 can be a potential biological marker of disease progression.

Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria and influencing factors of severe cases in Anhui Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases and investigate the influenc-ing factors of severe cases in Anhui Province,so as to provide the evidence for improving the control strategy. Methods The ep-idemiological data of imported malaria cases in Anhui Province from January 1st,2012 to April 18th,2017 were collected and analyzed. Results The imported malaria cases in Anhui Province were mainly young men of migrant workers. There were im-ported malaria cases in 79％(83/105)of counties(districts)in Anhui Province. . Totally 686 imported malaria cases were re-corded,in which there were 62 severe cases(9.04％),and four death cases with the mortality rate of 0.58％. The age,educa-tion,initial diagnosed departments,initial diagnosed results,time from onset to seeing a doctor,and time from seeing a doctor to diagnosis were the influencing factors for the severe cases. Conclusion The proportion of severe imported malaria cases is high in Anhui Province. The monitoring sensitivity,clinician's awareness of malaria diagnosis,and health education for migrant workers should be improved.

Change of Serum Angiopoietin-related Growth Factor in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Its Clinical Significance / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes and value of plasma angiopoietin-related growth factor (AGF) in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum AGF level was analyzed in 50 AAA patients and in 56 healthy subjects. AGF and adiponectin were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Routine testing of blood biochemistry and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasma AGF level was significantly higher in AAA patients than in the controls [(87.91±96.87) μg/L vs. (56.89±41.32) μg/L, P=0.040],while serum adiponectin level showed no significant difference between these two groups. The plasma AGF level in patients with an AAA>5 cm and those with AAA between 3 cm and 5 cm were (96.08±68.61) μg/L and (75.27±46.05) μg/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Plasma AGF is highly expressed in AAA patients. Higher serum AGF level is associates with larger AAA. Thus, AGF may be a potential serum biomarker for AAA.</p>