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Objective To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and Kelch 13 (PfK13) genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to provide insights into the development of the malaria control strategy in local areas. Methods A total of 85 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infections in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes were amplified using a nested PCR assay. The amplification products were sequenced, and the gene sequences were aligned. Results There were no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in PfK13 gene in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, while drug-resistant mutations were detected in PfMDR1 and PfCRT genes, and the proportions of PfMDR1_N86Y, PfMDR1_Y184F and PfCRT_K76T mutations were 35.29% (30/85), 72.94% (62/85) and 24.71% (21/85), respectively. Conclusion There are mutations in PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.
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Objective::To discuss the effect of Qingzao Jiufei Tang on enzymatic activity and regulatory factor of glucose 6-phosphatedehydrogenase(G6PD) in pentose phosphate energy metabolism pathway in lung cancer. Method::Fifty male C57BL6J mice were randomly divided into five groups. Animal models were induced through axillary injection with Lewis cells. The Qingzao Jiufei Tang group was given drugs (11, 5.5, 2.8 g·kg-1·d-1) two weeks before modeling, the cyclophosphamide(CTX) group was intraperitoneally injected with CTX (50 mg·kg-1), and the model group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline after molding. At 14 d after modeling, the mice were sacrificed, and the tumor tissues were collected. The enzymatic activity of G6PD, content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method. Expressions of gp91phox and p22phox mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) method. Result::Compared with the model group, the enzymatic activity of G6PD in high-dose group, medium-dose group and low-dose group were reduced obviously (P<0.05, P<0.01). Content of ROS, mRNA expressions of gp91phox and p22phox in high-dose group, medium-dose group and low-dose group were reduced obviously (P<0.01). Conclusion::Qingzao Jiufei Tang may inhibit the expression of G6PD by inhibiting the expression of gp91 phox, p22phox oxidase, and then reduce content of ROS, so as to reduce the energy metabolism and hyperplasia of lung cancer cells.
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Objective::To study the effect of Qingzao Jiufei Tang on the expression of key limiting enzymes hexokinase 2(HK2), phosphofructokinase 2(PFK2) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and the glucose content in Lewis mice colon cancer cells. Method::A total of 50 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into model group, chemotherapy group, and high, middle and low-dose Qingzao Jiufei Tang groups, with 10 mice in each group. The lung cancer cell model was established by injecting Lewis lung cancer cells into the right axilla. The high, middle and low dose groups were administered at the doses of 11, 5.5, 2.75 g·kg-1·d-1 for 2 weeks before modeling. The drug was administered through intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 50 mg·kg-1·(2 d)-1 in the chemotherapy group. The model group was intragastrically administered with an equal volume of normal saline. After the inoculation, the drug was administered for two weeks. Two weeks later, all of the mice were put to death, and tumor tissues were collected. The mRNA expression of HK2 was detected by Real-time PCR. the protein expression of PFK2 was detected by Western blot, the PKM2 activity was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result::Compared with the model group, mRNA expressions and activity of PKM2 in lung cancer cells of treatment groups were significantly declined, and glucose content increased significantly, with significant differences from those of model group (P<0.01). The PFK2 protein expressions in lung cancer cells of treatment groups (high, medium and low-dose groups) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Qingzao Jiufei Tang could inhibit Lewis proliferation, and decrease the glucose intake in lung cancer cells. The effect targets may be the key rate-limiting enzymes HK2, PFK2, PKM2.
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Visual memory, mainly composed of visual long-term memory (VLTM) and visual working memory (VWM), is an important mechanism of human information storage. Since Baddeley proposed the multicomponent working memory model, the idea that VWM is independent of the VLTM system has been widely accepted. However, the new theoretical evidence suggested a close connection between VLTM and VWM. For instance, the three embedded components model describes the VLTM and VWM in the same framework, which suggests that VWM is only a distinct state of VLTM. On the one hand, the operating function of VWM is supported by the persistence of VLTM. On the other hand, the evidence from neuroimaging studies shows that VWM and VLTM tasks activate some same brain areas. In addition, the whole visual memory system shows a trend of processing from early visual cortex to prefrontal cortex. The present article not only reviews the current studies about the relationship between VLTM and VWM but also gives some forecasts for future studies.
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Humans , Brain , Physiology , Memory, Long-Term , Memory, Short-Term , Visual Cortex , Physiology , Visual PerceptionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Repair of bone defects is not only a clinical problem, but also a hot topic in the field of orthopedics. Although autologous bone grafting is considered as the "gold standard" for bone repair, its use is limited due to the limited source of autogenous bone, bone infections and pains that are easy to occur in the donor region. Allograft bones are always associated with immune rejection, slow healing, and infection. Therefore, it is imminent to develop new materials for bone repair. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of rabbit adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs) as seed cells and hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP) composite as a carrier on the repair of rabbit vertebral defects. METHODS:Thirty-eight 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were selected,and two of them were used to culture rADSCs in vitro. Passage 3 rADSCc were inoculated on HA/β-TCP scaffolds and then cultured in vitro for 2 weeks.A 5 mm×5 mm×3 mm bone defect was prepared at the anterior edge of L4/5vertebral body in the remaining 36 rabbits. These model rabbits were then randomized into cell-scaffold composite group, scaffold group and control group with no intervention, with 12 rabbits in each group. rADSCs/HA/β-TCP composite and HA/β-TCP scaffold were implanted into the cell-scaffold and HA/β-TCP groups, respectively. Anteroposterior and lateral DR of the spine and Lane-Sandhu X-ray were performed at 4, 8, 12 postoperative weeks. All rabbits were sacrificed at 12 postoperative weeks and specimens were collected for gross and histopathological observations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Under the gross observation, bone defects in the cell-scaffold group were essentially replaced by new bone tissues, which was significantly better than that in the scaffold group and control group. At 12 postoperative weeks, the material implanted was basically absorbed in the cell-scaffold group, partially absorbed in the scaffold group and poorly absorbed in the control group in which there was a clear boundary with the surrounding tissues and patchy calcified shadows were visible. X-ray results showed that the repair effect in the cell-scaffold group was better than that in the scaffold group and control group (P < 0.05). Histopathological findings showed the marked absorption of the implant in the cell-scaffold group, partial residual in the scaffold group with some fibrous calluses and osteoid tissues, and a large amount of fiber tissues and a small amount of calluses in the control group. Overall, the rADSCs/HA/β-TCA has a good ability to repair bone defects.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of anterior versus posterior surgical treatments of thoracolumbar fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) were identified from MEDLINE (1966 - 2006.7), EMBASE (1966 - 2006.7), PubMed (1996 - 2006.7), Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2006).We hand-searched Chinese Journal of Orthopedics (from establishment to May 2006) and Orthopaedic Journal of China (from establishment to May 2006). RCTs and CCTs were included. Data were extracted by two reviewers with designed extraction form. RevMan 4.2.8 software was used for data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two RCTs and four prospective clinical trials were included. The combined results showed that compare with posterior surgical management, anterior approach in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures proved the less incidence of complications; better neurologic recovery and corrected kyphosis angle; more complete and reliable decompression of the canal. However, there was not difference between the two groups in the general status outcomes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>To compare with posterior fixation system, anterior surgical managements in the thoracolumbar spinal trauma might be the optimal choices because the lower rates of complications and loss of corrected kyphosis angle; better neurologic recovery, also. Besides, due to the lack of Evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal injuries, the results which indicated above need further study.</p>