Evaluation of right ventricular function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and analysis of the risk factors for right ventricular dysfunction in patients with silicosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the right ventricular function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2-D STE) and analyze the associated risk factors of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with silicosis. Methods: All 104 patients with silicosis treated in the Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled in this study in October 2022. The clinical information of patients such as general data, arterial blood gas analysis and pulmonary function test were collected. The right ventricular function of patients was evaluated by 2-D STE-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) and conventional echocardiographic-derived parameters, including right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and doppler tissue imaging-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S'), respectively. Based on their RVFWLS, the patients were divided into right ventricular dysfunction group and normal right ventricular function group. Risk factors for right ventricular dysfunction in patients with silicosis were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 104 silicosis patients were enrolled, with aneverage age (65.52±11.18) years old, among whom including 57 cases diagnosed with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ silicosis and 47 cases diagnosed with stage Ⅲ silicosis. 26 (25.00%) patients concurrent right ventricular dysfunction. The abnormal rates of RVFAC, TAPSE and S' in patients were 16.35% (17 cases), 21.15% (22 cases) and 6.73% (7 cases), respectively. The RVFAC and TAPSE in right ventricular dysfunction group were lower than those in normal right ventricular function group, and the incidence of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure ≥36 mmHg was higher than that in normal right ventricular function group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that arterial partial pressure of oxygen (OR=0.932, 95%CI: 0.885-0.981, P=0.007) was the protective factor, and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) /forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio<70% (OR=5.484, 95%CI: 1.049-28.662, P=0.044) and stage Ⅲ silicosis (OR=6.343, 95%CI: 1.698-23.697, P=0.007) were the risk factors for silicosis patients concurrent right ventricular dysfunction. Conclusion: The incidence of right ventricular dysfunction is higher in patients with stage Ⅲ silicosis than that in patients with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ silicosis. Using 2-D STE can help the early detection of silicosis with right ventricular dysfunction. Hypoxemia, airflow limitation and the stage Ⅲ silicosis are the risk factors for silicosis patients concurrent right ventricular dysfunction.

Clinical features and follow-up outcomes of optic nerve injury induced by acute methanol poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Acute methanol poisoning harms the optic nerve and central nervous system, can cause irreversible damage, even coma or death in severe cases. This article reported four cases of methanol poisoning. 3 patients mistakenly ingested industrial alcohol containing methanol, the most serious patient suffered from coma, vision loss and other symptoms, the blood methanol concentration was 869.3 μg/ml. Another patient was poisoning caused by inhalation of methanol, with symptoms such as total blindness in the right eye and decreased visual acuity in the left eye. After active supportive treatment, 2 patients had partial recovery of visual acuity, and 2 patients had no sequelae. This article discussed the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of optic nerve damage caused by methanol poisoning, in order to raise awareness of this disease.

Study on the difference of curative effect of conventional mercury displacement treatment on mercury in brain and kidney / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To explore the expulsion effect of sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS) on mercury in different organs of mercury poisoning and the therapeutic effect of glutathione (GSH) combined with antioxidant therapy on mercury poisoning. Methods: In February 2019, 50 SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 10 rats in each group: A (saline negative control group) , B (HgCL2 positive control group) , treatment group (C: intramuscular injection of DMPS 15 mg/kg treatment, D: intramuscular injection of DMPS30 mg/kg treatment, E: intramuscular injection of DMPS 15 mg/kg and intraperitoneal injection of GSH200 mg/kg treatment) . Rats in group B, C, D and E were subcutaneously injected with mercury chloride solution (1 mg/kg) to establish a rat model of subacute mercury poisoning kidney injury. Rats in group A were subcutaneously injected with normal saline. After the establishment of the model, rats in the treatment group were injected with DMPS and GSH. Rats in group A and group B were injected with normal saline. At 21 d (treatment 7 d) and 28 d (treatment 14 d) after exposure, urine and blood samples of 5 rats in each group were collected. Blood biochemistry, urine mercury, urine microalbumin and mercury content in renal cortex, cerebral cortex and cerebellum were detected. Results: After exposure to mercury, the contents of mercury in renal cortex, cerebrum and cerebellum of rats in group B, C, D and E increased, and urine microalbumin increased. Pathology showed renal tubular injury and renal interstitial inflammation. Compared with group B, urinary mercury and renal cortex mercury in group C, D and E decreased rapidly after DMPS treatment, and there was no significant decrease in mercury levels in cerebellum and cerebral cortex of rats, accompanied by transient increase in urinary albumin after DMPS treatment (P<0.05) ; the renal interstitial inflammation in group E was improved after GSH treatment. There was a positive correlation between urinary mercury and the contents of mercury in renal cortex, cerebral cortex and cerebellum (r=0.61, 0.47, 0.48, P<0.05) . Conclusion: DMPS mercury expulsion treatment can significantly reduce the level of metal mercury in the kidney, and there is no significant change in the level of metal mercury in the cortex and cerebellum.

Intervention Mechanism of Yishen Huayu Prescription on Glomerular Podocyte Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy Rats Based on EMT Regulated by Wnt/β-catenin Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the intervention mechanism of Yishen Huayu prescription on glomerular podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy （DN） rats based on epithelialmesenchymal transition （EMT） regulated by Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin pathway. Method:The 60 SD rats were divided into control group， model group， Wnt-C59 group （0.03 g·kg^-1 Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin pathway inhibitor）， low-dose group （8 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose group （16 g·kg^-1） and high-dose group （32 g·kg^-1）. After 12 weeks， various indexes ， including general signs， serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， renal index， urinary protein， blood glucose， renal pathological changes， podocyte and expressions of glomerular basement membrane injury and podocyte injury related proteins ［nephrin， synaptopodin］， Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin pathway related proteins （Wnt1， <italic>β</italic>-catenin）， podocyte EMT related protein ［<italic>α</italic>-smooth muscle actin （<italic>α</italic>-SMA）， E-cadherin］， were compared between groups. Result:Compared with the control group， the renal tissue in the model group showed significant pathological changes， including diffuse thickening of glomerular mesangial matrix and severe foot process fusion， and a significant increase in SCr， BUN， renal indexes， urinary protein， blood glucose， Wnt1， <italic>β</italic>-catenin， and <italic>α</italic>-SMA expression levels （<italic>P</italic><0.05） as well as a significant decrease in nephrin， synaptopodin and E-cadherin expression levels（<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with model group， SCr， BUN， renal index， urinary protein， blood glucose， Wnt1， <italic>β</italic>-catenin， and <italic>α</italic>-SMA expression levels in each intervention group significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， while the expression levels of nephrin， synaptopodin and E-cadherin significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Among intervention groups， the improvement of above indexes in high-dose Yishen Huayu prescription group was the most obvious （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， which was similar to the effect in Wnt-C59 group. Conclusion:Yishen Huayu prescription prevents podocyte EMT by inhibiting Wnt/<italic>β</italic>-catenin pathway， thereby repairing glomerular podocyte injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy.

Pharmacokinetic study on five components in phthalide target areas of Chaxiong and its β-CD inclusion compounds based on UPLC-MS/MS / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to establish a method for the determination of the concentration of five main components of phthalide target areas of Chaxiong(CPTA) and its inclusion of β-CD in the plasma of rats, and determine the pharmacokinetic parameters, absolute bioavailability and relative bioavailability of CPTA/β-CD inclusion compound in vivo. The plasma concentrations of senkyunolide A, N-butylphthalide, new osthol lactone, Z-ligustilide and butenyl phthalide were determined with UPLC-MS/MS. The content determination was conducted at the chromatographic conditions as follows: Shim-pack GIST C_(18)-AQ HP column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 3 μm), mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid solution(A)-acetonitrile(B), gradient elution, flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1), column temperature of 35 ℃ and injection volume of 2 μL. The mass spectra were obtained with electrospray ion source(ESI), positive ion mode and multi reaction monitoring. CPTA/β-CD inclusion compound was prepared by grinding method, DAS 2.0 software was used to model the data, and the absolute bioavailability of CPTA and relative bioavailability of inclusion compound were calculated. Finally, the methods for the determination of five components of senkyunolide A, N-butylphthalide, new osthol lactone, Z-ligustilide and butenyl phthalide in CPTA, were successfully established. The linear relationship among the five components was good within their respective ranges, r>0.99. The absolute bioavailability of the five components in rats was 22.30%, 16.32%, 21.90%, 10.16% and 12.43%, respectively. After CPTA/β-CD inclusion was prepared, the relative bioavailability of the five components was 138.69%, 198.39%, 218.01%, 224.54% and 363.55%, respectively, significantly improved. This method is rapid, accurate and sensitive, so it is suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of extracts in traditional Chinese medicine and their preparations.

Therapeutic Effect of Anemoside B4 on Chronic Endometritis in Rats and Its Related Factors / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:The effects of anemoside B4 on endometritis rats were studied through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Method:Animal experiments used 25% phenol glue to prepare endometritis models. 60 female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， Kushen gel group（0.005 g·kg-1），anemoside B4 gel low，medium and high dose groups（0.005，0.01，0.02 g·kg-1），10 rats in each group，except for the blank group，rats in each group were injected with 25% phenol glue into their vagina every 2 days，and the modeling continued for 30 days. Administration started on the day after modeling. Anemoside B4 gel low， medium and high dose groups were administered rectal daily，Kushen gel group was given daily vaginal administration. The blank group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline in the same way for 30 consecutive days. After the last administration，the uterus and its attachments of each group of rats were taken to analyze the uterine morphology and index. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat uterus. Real-time PCR was used to detect tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α），interleukin-1β （IL-1β），and interleukin-6 （IL-6），signal transduction protein 130 （gp130），signal transduction and transcription activator 3 （STAT3）mRNA expression. Detection of IL-6 and STAT3 protein expression in rat uterus by Western blot. In cell experiments，lipopolysaccharide （LPS）was used to induce rat endometrial epithelial cells to prepare an in vitro inflammation model， and Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-6，gp130 and STAT3 mRNA in each group of rat endometrial epithelial cells. Result:The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had inadequate uterine cavity adhesions， endometrial edema and hyperemia. Compared with model group， there was no adhesion in the uterine cavity of the rats in the high dose anemoside B4 gel group and the Kushen gel group. The uterine tissue was relatively complete， and the uterine pathological structure was significantly improved. Compared with the blank group， the uterine index of the model group was significantly increased（P<0.05）， the expression of IL-1β mRNA in the uterine tissue was significantly increased （P<0.05）， the expression of mRNA and protein of IL-6 and STAT3 in the uterine tissue significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， the uterine index in anemoside B4 gel high dose group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-6 and STAT3 in the uterine tissue were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference between the TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression compared with the model group. Cell experiment results showed that compared with the blank group， the mRNA expression of IL-6 and gp130 in model group endometrial epithelial cells was significantly increased （P<0.01）， STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-6， gp130 and STAT3 in anemoside B4 high dose group decreased significantly （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Anemoside B4 can improve the inflammatory response of chronic endometritis in rats and reduce the release of inflammatory factor IL-6. The mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of IL-6/STAT3 pathway.

Measurement of antiplatelet aggregation and potency of hirudo / 药学学报

The objective of this work was to develop a bioassay to quantify the antiplatelet aggregation activity of hirudo for quality evaluation and control. Antithrombin activity of hirudo extracted by high temperature decoction was determined by thrombin titration. Antiplatelet aggregation activity of hirudo was determined through pharmacodynamic experiments in vitro and in vivo using a bioassay we developed for quantifying inhibition of platelet aggregation. Methodological investigation was carried out and the titers of 12 batches of hirudo samples were determined. During the experiment, the disposal of animals is in accordance with the ethical standards of animal experiments. The results showed that the antithrombin activity of hirudo decocted at high temperature decreased significantly and almost lost its activity. Hirudo inhibited platelet aggregation and results in vivo and in vitro were consistent. These assays were employed to test 12 batches of hirudo. The results demonstrated that the biopotency of 12 batches was 113.49, 96.13, 121.22, 127.33, 83.48, 108.72, 131.41, 127.95, 76.90, 126.27, 132.89 and 573.53 U·mg-1. The method was reliable and reproducible and can be used to assess the quality of hirudo.

Targets prediction and mechanism of Zanthoxylum nitidum in intervention of inflammation based on network pharmacology / 中草药

Objective: To construct the “active components-inflammatory target-anti-inflammatory pathway” network of Zanthoxylum nitidum intervened in inflammation, and predict the target of Z. nitidum intervened in inflammation and its anti-inflammatory mechanism. Methods: Using domestic and foreign literatures, TCMSP database, Pharmmapper server, oral availability (OB), and pharmacodynamics (DL) as the limiting conditions, the components of Z. nitidum were screened and the relative targets were predicted and collected. OMIM database was used to screen inflammation-related genes and protein targets; The STRING database was used to construct the interactive network between inflammatory targets; The network file of “active ingredient-predictive target-inflammatory target” was obtained by PPI analysis and imported into Cytoscape 3.5.1 software to construct the network of “active ingredient- inflammatory target”, so as to obtain the targets directly related to the anti-inflammatory effects of Z. nitidum. DAVID database was used to enrich the KEGG pathway of the selected targets, and then ClueGO plug-in was used to analyze the biological function of the target involved. Finally, the “active component-inflammatory target-anti-inflammatory pathway” network was constructed by combining the above relationships. Results: Twenty-three active ingredients were screened, and nine core anti-inflammatory targets were identified as COX-2, iNOS, PPARG, COX1, MAPK-14, JUN, NR3C1 and so on; The most critical pathways included TNF TRLs signaling pathways. Conclusion: It is preliminarily revealed that the anti-inflammatory effect of Z. nitidum is achieved through the interaction of multiple components and multiple targets, regulating the joint intervention of multiple pathways. However, the key targets and specific regulatory mechanisms need to be explored and verified by further experimental studies.

A Point of Care Testing System for Chemical Oxygen Demand Based on Graphene Oxide-Nickel Nanoparticles Modified Electrode / 分析化学

An electrochemical analysis system for rapid determination of chemical oxygen demand ( COD) in flow state was established. A planar electrode modified with GO-NiNPs was matched with a 3D printed thin-layer cell. The sample was driven smoothly through the electrode surface by a micro peristaltic pump and then measured by chronoamperometry. The effect of modified materials, dielectric and electrochemical operating conditions were investigated. The whole response time of COD was 1. 5 min and the demand for the sample was about 2 mL. It turned out that the linear range of response in the low concentration region was 0. 15-100 mg/L, the linear equation was i(μA)=3. 974c (mg/L)+0. 2295 (r = 0. 9991) and the detection limit was 0. 04 mg/L. The linear response range in the high concentration region was 100-450 mg/L, and the linear equation was i(μA)=1. 938c (mg/L)+ 230. 9 (r = 0. 9877). Compared with the national standard method (GB11914-89) for measuring the actual water samples (Qinhuai River, Xuanwu Lake and Nanjing tap water), the correlation between them was quite good and the analysis time was dropped to 1/100. This new sensing system provided an environmentally friendly and portable method for detection of COD without using expensive, highly corrosive and toxic reagents.

Study on anti-hepatoma effect of lycopine based on mitochondrial targeting mechanism / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of lycorine apoptosis in the human Liver cancer cell line HepG-2. Methods: The inhibitory effect of Lycorine on HepG-2 cell growth was evaluated by the dimethylthiazol tetrazolium assay. Morphological apoptotic changes were characterized using an inverted microscope, Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining and cell ultrastructure. The rate of cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular fluorescent intensity of MMP were detected using laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy. Expression of the proteins Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome C, and Caspase-9 was assessed by western blotting. The activity of Caspase-3 protein was quantified using a Caspase-3 activity kit. Results: Lycorine inhibited the growth of HepG-2 cell line with an IC50 of 5.73 μmol/L. After 48 h lycoris radiata alkali treatment, morphological observation indicated that, the density of growth cell became thin, cell shrinkage and cell growth form an irregular shape, tend to appear apoptotic body. Moreover, with the drug concentration increases, the apoptotic body also gradually increased; Typical apoptosis characteristics of visible cells were observed under transmission electron microscopy. Compared with control group, with the increase of concentration of lycoris radiata alkali dosage, cell apoptosis rate increased, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased and MPTP membrane was open. After 48 h treatment of lycorine, relative activity of Caspase-3 increased in the HepG-2 cells, the expression of cytochrome C, Caspase-9 and Bax on the protein level were upregulated, and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was downregulated, and respectively into concentration dependence relationship, with statistical significance. Conclusion: Lycorine radiata had growth inhibition effect on human liver HepG-2 cells, and induced apoptosis of HepG-2 cells through mitochondrial pathway.

Overexpression of CircRNA BCRC4 Regulates Cell Apoptosis and MicroRNA-101/EZH2 Signaling in Bladder Cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Emerging evidence has indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in the regulation of cellular processes and are found to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors.However,the clinical role of circRNAs in bladder cancer (BC) and the molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully understood.In this study,the clinical specimens were obtained and the expression level of a circRNA BCRC4 was detected by real-time PCR in both BC tissues and cell line.The circular RNA over-expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into BC cells and related cell line.The cell cycles and apoptosis were observed using inverted microscope and flow cytometry.Western blotting was used to compare the relative protein expression of groups with different treatments.It was found that circRNA BCRC4 expression was lower in BC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues.Furthermore,consequences of fomed-expression of BCRC4 promoted apoptosis and inhibited viability of T24T and UMUC3 cells,and up-regulated BCRC4-inereased miR-101 level,which suppressed EZH2 expression in both RNA and protein levels.In addition,gambogic acid (GA) is a promising natural anticancer compound for BC therapy,and GA treatment increased the BCRC4 expression in T24T and UMUC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Altogether,our findings suggest that BCRC4 functions as a tumor suppressor in BC,and mediates anticancer function,at least in part,by up-regulating the expression of miR-101.Targeting this newly identified circRNA may help us develop a novel strategy for treating human BC.

Intermittent convulsions for 1.5 years and psychomotor retardation in a girl / 中国当代儿科杂志

The study reports a girl with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. The girl was admitted at the age of 2 years because of intermittent convulsions for 1.5 years and psychomotor retardation. She had a history of "hypoxia" in the neonatal period. At the age of 5 months recurrent epileptic seizures occurred. The child was resistant to antiepileptic drugs, and had many more seizures when she got cold or fever. She also had a lot of convulsive status epilepticus. No discharges were found during several video-EEG monitorings. Cerebral MRI examinations showed normal results. So Dravet syndrome was clinically suspected. ALDH7N1 gene mutation analysis revealed two heterozygote mutations, and pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy was thus confirmed. Seizures were generally controlled after pyridoxine supplementation.

Research progress of the correlation of Sox 5 and tumor / 基础医学与临床

Sox5 gene is located on 12p12.1 containing 29 exons.The gene can transcript 5 variants, thus produce 5 isoforms.L-SOX5A is an isoform with multiple functions , include regulate embryonic development , and determine cell differentiation .Sox5 also plays a role in pathogenesis of prostate cancer , breast cancer and lymphoma .

Neuroprotective effect of fasudil combined with bone marrow-derived neural stem cells on mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To explore the neuroprotective effect of fasudil combined with bone marrow -derived neural stem cells ( BM-NSCs) on the mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ( EAE).METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice (8~10 weeks old, n=32) were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG35-55) to establish chronic EAE model .The mice were randomly divided into control ( ddH2 O ) group, fasudil group , BM-NSCs group , and fasudil+BM-NSCs group .The clinical score and body weight were recorded every other day .The expression of neurotrophic factors was determined by immunofluorescence staining .RESULTS:In comparison with ddH2O group, fasud-il combined with BM-NSCs delayed onset and ameliorated severity of EAE .The numbers of brain-derived neurotrophic fac-tor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor , nerve growth factor , neurotrophin-3 and ciliary neurotrophic factor positive cells in fasudil group, BM-NSCs group and fasudil +BM-NSCs group were all increased in various extents .In particularly, the expression of these neurotrophic factors in fasudil +BM-NSCs group was significantly higher than that in the mice treated with fasudil or BM-NSCs alone (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Fasudil combined with BM-NSCs promotes the expression of neurotrophic factors and improves microenvironment of central nervous system , thus playing a positive role in neural restora-tion and regeneration through a synergistic and superimposed effect .

A study on the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal blood type by maternal blood / 预防医学

Objective ToexplorethevalueofprenataldiagnosisoffetalABObloodgroupsinthepreventionofABO-HDN,andtoprovideevidenceforpreventionofABO-HDN.Methods Atotalof3777sampleswerecollectedfromthe pregnant women whose ABO blood group is O,and we detected the ABO blood group by serological method to detect the titerofIgGanti-Aandanti-Binthematernalblood.Results Amongthe3777samplescollectedfromthepregnant women whose ABO blood group is O ,the titer of IgG anti-A to anti-B was 1 to1 024 in 27 samples(0.7%),1∶51 2 in 97 samples(2.6%),1∶256 in 1 63 samples(4.3%),1∶1 28 in 285 samples(7.5%)and 1:64 in 603 samples(1 6%). We followed the pregnancy and newborn outcome of 769 case whose antibody titer of 1∶64 or more ,and compared the fetal ABO blood group with results of the titer of IgG anti -A and/or anti -B.A total of 641 patients (83.3%) was corresponding resistance against A or B,and 1 28 patients (1 6.6%)was not corresponding resistance against A or B.The higher the antibody titer,the higher incidence of neonatal ABO hemolytic disease occurred.We extracted the fetal free DNA of peripheral blood plasma in 30 pregnant women, and the genotypes of fetal ABO blood group were detected by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP),and all the experiment presented success.Conclusion ThetiterofIgGanti-Atoanti-Bcouldbeusedtopreventtheoccurrenceofhemolyticdiseaseofnewborn. Considering the interference factors,the fetal free DNA in the maternal circulation could be used to prenatally detect fetal ABO blood groups.

Long non-coding RNA MEG3 induces renal cell carcinoma cells apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial pathway / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study aimed to examine the effect of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) MEG3 on the biological behaviors of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells 786-0 and the possible mechanism. MEG3 expression levels were detected by RT-qPCR in tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues from 29 RCC patients and in RCC lines 786-0 and SN12 and human embryonic kidney cell line 293T. Plasmids GV144-MEG3 (MEG3 overexpression plasmid) and GV144 (control plasmid) were stably transfected into 786-0 cells by using lipofectamine 2000. Cell viabilities were determined by MTT, cell apoptosis rates by flow cytometry following PE Annexin V and 7AAD staining, apoptosis-related protein expressions by Western blotting, and Bcl-2 mRNA by RT-qPCR in the transfected cells. The results showed that MEG3 was evidently downregulated in RCC tissues (P<0.05) and RCC cell lines (P<0.05). The viabilities of 786-0 cells were decreased significantly after transfection with GV144-MEG3 for over 24 h (P<0.05). Consistently, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased in 786-0 cells transfected with GV144-MEG3 for 48 h (P<0.05). Furthermore, overexpression of MEG3 could reduce the expression of Bcl-2 and procaspase-9 proteins, enhance the expression of cleaved caspase-9 protein, and promote the release of cytochrome c protein to cytoplasm (P<0.05). Additionally, Bcl-2 mRNA level was declined by MEG3 overexpression (P<0.05). It was concluded that MEG3 induces the apoptosis of RCC cells possibly by activating the mitochondrial pathway.

Effect of Qiguiyin Decoction on multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Qiguiyin Decoction, QGYD) on multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A pseudomonal infection model in SD rats was established by injecting multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa intraperitoneally. Infected rats were randomized into four groups treated with Pure water, QGYD, ceftazidime, or combined QGYD and ceftazidime. Blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta. Serum was then collected and analyzed by peptide array for immune responsiveness to multidrug-resistant beta-lactamase proteins, including Verona integronen-coded metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (VIM-1), Sao Paulo metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (SPM-1), and Temoniera (TEMs). Blood levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QGYD enhanced antibody reactivity against VIM-1 [epitopes 7-11 and 36-40] and TEM-1 [epitopes 26-27, 52-55, and 66-70]. QGYD treatment restored the compromised antibody reactivity against VIM-1 [epitopes 53-54 and 56-58] and SPM-1 [epitopes 16-19 and 82-85] following pseudomonal infection. Serum levels of IL-1β and Th1/Th2 in the rats were significantly elevated following pseudomonal infection (P<0.05 orP<0.01). In contrast, QGYD and combination QGYD and ceftazidime treatment restored the elevated serum IL-1β and Th1/Th2 levels to normal (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>QGYD improves the immune response to pseudomonal infection in rats by stimulating the production of protective antibodies against drug-resistant proteins VIM-1, SPM-1, and TEM-1. In addition, it protects the immune system and maintains immune responsiveness by restoring IL-1β and Th1/Th2 levels.</p>

Determination of equilibrium solubility and n-octanol/water partition coefficient of pulchinenosiden D by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D in different solvents and its n-octanol/water partition coefficients.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Combining shaking flask method and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the n-octanol/water partition coefficients of pulchinenosiden D, the equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D in six organic solvents and different pH buffer solution were determined by HPLC analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>n-Octanol/water partition coefficients of pulchinenosiden D in different pH were greater than zero, the equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D was increased with increase the pH of the buffer solution. The maximum equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D was 255.89 g x L(-1) in methanol, and minimum equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D was 0.20 g x L(-1) in acetonitrile.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Under gastrointestinal physiological conditions, pulchinenosiden D exists in molecular state and it has good absorption but poor water-solubility, so increasing the dissolution rate of pulchinenosiden D may enhance its bioavailability.</p>

Short-term memory characteristics of vibration intensity tactile perception on human wrist / 生理学报

In this study, a recall experiment and a recognition experiment were designed to assess the human wrist's short-term memory characteristics of tactile perception on vibration intensity, by using a novel homemade vibrotactile display device based on the spatiotemporal combination vibration of multiple micro vibration motors as a test device. Based on the obtained experimental data, the short-term memory span, recognition accuracy and reaction time of vibration intensity were analyzed. From the experimental results, some important conclusions can be made: (1) The average short-term memory span of tactile perception on vibration intensity is 3 ± 1 items; (2) The greater difference between two adjacent discrete intensities of vibrotactile stimulation is defined, the better average short-term memory span human wrist gets; (3) There is an obvious difference of the average short-term memory span on vibration intensity between the male and female; (4) The mechanism of information extraction in short-term memory of vibrotactile display is to traverse the scanning process by comparison; (5) The recognition accuracy and reaction time performance of vibrotactile display compares unfavourably with that of visual and auditory. The results from this study are important for designing vibrotactile display coding scheme.

Silencing pyruvate kinase M2 sensitizes human prostate cancer PC3 cells to gambogic acid-induced apoptosis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of silencing pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) on gambogic acid (GA)-induced apoptosis of human prostate cancer PC3 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three specific PKM2 siRNAs and one negative control siRNA (si-NC) were transfected into PC3 cells. The silencing effect of PKM2 siRNAs was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, and the effects of PKM2 siRNA on the vitality and apoptosis of GA-stimulated PC3 cells detected by MTT and AO/EB double staining, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of c-myc and cyclin D1 were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 3 PKM2 siRNAs effectively reduced the mRNA and protein expressions of PKM2, and PKM2 siRNA-1 exhibited the strongest silencing effect. At 24 h after transfection, the expression levels of PKM2 mRNA and protein were reduced by 70% and 85%, respectively (P < 0.05). Twenty-four hours of treatment with GA (0.5 micromol/L) following transfection with PKM2 siRNA-1 inhibited the vitality of the PC3 cells by 68%, increased their apoptosis, and significantly down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of c-myc (50% and 35%) and cyclin D1 (60% and 20%) (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Inhibition of PKM2 sensitized PC3 cells to GA-induced apoptosis, suggesting that PKM2 may be a potential therapeutic target for sensitizing human prostate cancer to GA.</p>