A systemic review on association between on maternal atmospheric pollution exposure during pregnancy and childhood obesity / 环境与职业医学

Background Maternal atmospheric pollution during pregnancy may alter fetal intrauterine development programming, thereby increasing the risk of childhood obesity in the future. Objective To investigate the effects of atmospheric pollution exposure during pregnancy on the incidence of childhood obesity in offspring. Methods English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Medline) and Chinese databases (Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform) were searched for literature reporting exposure to atmospheric pollution during pregnancy and childhood obesity published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2023. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the quality assessment tools for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies recommended by the US National Institutes of Health. Results Twenty-four studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and the associated atmospheric pollutants included particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxide, carbon oxide, and sulfur oxide. In comparison to the non-exposed group, prenatal exposure to various common atmospheric pollutants were significantly associated with an elevated risk of childhood obesity in offspring. Conclusion Maternal exposure to atmospheric pollution during pregnancy is associated with an elevated risk of childhood obesity in subsequent years. Future studies should pay more attention to the effects of atmospheric pollution on the distribution of children's body fat and metabolic development, and further identify potential mechanisms of atmospheric pollutant exposure leading to childhood obesity.

Application of the left side hepatic parenchymal transection-first approach in laparoscopic central tumor anatomical hepatectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Acting as a difficult and high risk procedure in the operation, laparoscopic central tumor anatomical hepatectomy possesses various technical points that shall be noted in the process of application. The choice of laparoscopic approach has been recognized to be one of the key technical links for this technique. According to the anatomical characteristics of the middle lobe of liver and "Easy first" strategy, the authors summarize the laparoscopic central tumor anatomical hepatectomy technology with left side hepatic parenchymal transection-first approach. The left side hepatic parenchymal transection-first approach is found to be simple, fast, safe and effective in operation, which overcomes the challenges of complicated target Glisson pedicle operation and high technical risk of laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy. The approach also better complies with the "no-touch" principle for malignant tumors. Significantly, it exhibits clinical application value in laparoscopic central tumor anatomical hepatectomy.

Factors influencing of the clinical outcome of interventional therapy for complex high-risk indicated coronary artery disease assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To explore the factors influencing the clinical outcome of complex high-risk indicated patients percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP-PCI) assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Methods:The clinical data of patients with CHIP-PCI assisted by ECMO in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2018 to April 2022 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into the survival and death groups according to the in-hospital survival status. The baseline characteristic, the results of coronary angiography, and the use of ECMO, blood products and drug were compared between the two groups. The 24-h rate of change of biochemical test indicators after the use of ECMO were calculated and the univariate analysis was analyzed using rank sum test. According to the univariate analysis, the variables ( P<0.05) were included in multivariate logistic regression to analyze the factors affecting the clinical outcomes of patients. Results:A total of 67 CHIP patients who completed PCI with ECMO were included. In the survival group ( n=36), the duration of ECMO treatment was 59 (41, 87) h, 9 cases received continuous renal replacement therapy, and 11 cases received IABP. In the death group ( n=31), the duration of ECMO treatment was 31 (19, 80) h, 12 cases received continuous renal replacement therapy and10 cases received IABP. The proportion of patients with chronic total occlusion lesions (CTOs) in the survival group was lower than that in the death group, the duration of ECMO of the survival group was longer than that of the death group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 24-h lactate change rate ( OR=2.864, 95% CI: 1.185-6.918, P=0.019), 24-h eGFR change rate ( OR=0.050, 95% CI: 0.003-0.871, P=0.040), 24-h D-dimer change rate ( OR=1.497, 95% CI: 1.044-2.146, P=0.028) and 24-h direct bilirubin change rate ( OR=2.617, 95% CI: 1.121-6.111, P=0.026) were associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusions:Within 24 h after CHIP-PCI assisted by ECMO, the rapid decline in lactic acid, D-dimer and direct bilirubin, and the rapid recovery of eGFR, are associated with the decreased risk of hospital mortality from CHIP.

Risk factors for neonatal asphyxia and establishment of a nomogram model for predicting neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture: a multicenter study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted with 613 cases of neonatal asphyxia treated in 20 cooperative hospitals in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from January to December 2019 as the asphyxia group, and 988 randomly selected non-asphyxia neonates born and admitted to the neonatology department of these hospitals during the same period as the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for neonatal asphyxia. R software (4.2.2) was used to establish a nomogram model. Receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that minority (Tujia), male sex, premature birth, congenital malformations, abnormal fetal position, intrauterine distress, maternal occupation as a farmer, education level below high school, fewer than 9 prenatal check-ups, threatened abortion, abnormal umbilical cord, abnormal amniotic fluid, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, emergency caesarean section, and assisted delivery were independent risk factors for neonatal asphyxia (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia based on these risk factors was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.723-0.772). The calibration curve indicated high accuracy of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. The decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide a higher net benefit for neonates at risk of asphyxia.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture are multifactorial, and the nomogram model based on these factors has good value in predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, which can help clinicians identify neonates at high risk of asphyxia early, and reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia.

Effects and mechanisms of liver cancer cell-derived LC3B + extracellular vesicles on the exhaustion of CD8 + T cells / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of liver cancer cell-derived secretory autophagosomes, extracellular vesicles expressing LC3B (LC3B + EVs), in promoting the exhaustion of CD8 + T cells. Methods:The proportions of LC3B + EVs and PD-1 + CD8 + T cells in peripheral blood and ascites of liver cancer patients were measured by flow cytometry. Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between the proportions of LC3B + EVs and PD-1 + CD8 + T cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were treated with LC3B + EVs or heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) blocking antibody-pretreated LC3B + EVs for 72 h in the presence of αCD3/CD28 antibodies and IL-2 in vitro. The proportions of PD-1 + CD8 + T and IFN-γ + CD8 + T cells and the concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the supernatants were all detected by flow cytometry. Results:The proportions of LC3B + EVs and HSP90α + LC3B + EVs in plasma and ascites from liver cancer patients were significantly higher than those in healthy control group and non-cancerous ascites group. The level of plasma LC3B + EVs, especially HSP90α + LC3B + EVs, was significantly correlated with the percentage of exhausted PD-1 + CD8 + T cells. In addition, LC3B + EVs from human liver cancer cells up-regulated the percentage of exhausted CD8 + T cells in vitro. However, LC3B + EVs pretreated with HSP90α blocking antibody could significantly inhibit LC3B + EVs-induced CD8 + T cell exhaustion. Conclusions:Liver cancer cell-derived LC3B + EVs could effectively induce CD8 + T cell exhaustion mainly through the membrane-bound HSP90α.

Multiple Mild Stimulations Reduce Membrane Distribution of CX3CR1 Promoted by Annexin a1 in Microglia to Attenuate Excessive Dendritic Spine Pruning and Cognitive Deficits Caused by a Transient Ischemic Attack in Mice / 神经科学通报·英文版

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause reversible and delayed impairment of cognition, but the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Annexin a1 (ANXA1) is a phospholipid-binding protein. Here, we confirmed that cognition and hippocampal synapses were impaired in TIA-treated mice, and this could be rescued by multiple mild stimulations (MMS). TIA promoted the interaction of ANXA1 and CX3CR1, increased the membrane distribution of CX3CR1 in microglia, and thus enhanced the CX3CR1 and CX3CL1 interaction. These phenomena induced by TIA could be reversed by MMS. Meanwhile, the CX3CR1 membrane distribution and CX3CR1-CX3CL1 interaction were upregulated in primary cultured microglia overexpressing ANXA1, and the spine density was significantly reduced in co-cultured microglia overexpressing ANXA1 and neurons. Moreover, ANXA1 overexpression in microglia abolished the protection of MMS after TIA. Collectively, our study provides a potential strategy for treating the delayed synaptic injury caused by TIA.

Effects of continuous light exposure on muscle fiber remodeling and lipid metabolism in mice / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of continuous light exposure on skeletal muscle fiber type transformation and lipid metabolism, and to explore its internal relationship.Methods:Mice were randomly divided into normal light group and 24-hour continuous light group by random number table. The serum and skeletal muscle lipid content and urine 6-sulfatoxymelatonin(6-SML)level were detected by ELISA. The expression of circadian clock and lipid metabolism related genes mRNA were observed by realtime PCR. The muscle fiber type and lipid deposition were evaluated by tissue immunofluorescence as well as oil red O staining.Results:Compared with the normal light group, the level of 6-SML in urine at night decreased( P<0.05), and the expression level and rhythm of brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1(Bmal1), circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput(Clock), and period 2(Per2)mRNA in the skeletal muscle changed in continuous light group. In addition, the body weight, blood lipid, free fatty acid, and triglyceride contents of skeletal muscle in continuous light group increased significantly( P<0.05 or P<0.01), the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b (Cpt1b)mRNA, the key enzyme of fatty acid oxidation, decreased significantly( P<0.05), while the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase(Scd1)mRNA, a lipid synthesis related gene, increased significantly( P<0.01). Further immunofluorescence analysis showed that the proportion of slow muscle fibers decreased and that of fast muscle fibers increased in continuous light group(both P<0.05). Conclusion:The process of ectopic deposition of lipid in skeletal muscle in mice induced by continuous light exposure may be related to the remodeling of skeletal muscle fibers.

Separation and structural elucidation of C25 epimers of furostanol saponin from aerial parts of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis / 中国中药杂志

Paris polyphylla var. chinensis(PPC) is used as one of the origin plants of Paridis Rhizoma described in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). Its resources shortage makes the planting scale gradually expand, and plenty of aerial parts are abandoned because of not being effectively used. On the basis of previous research, this study separated steroidal saponins to further clarify the chemical composition of the aerial parts of PPC. As a result, three pairs of 25R or 25S epimers of furostanol saponins were obtained by various column chromatography techniques. Their structures were identified as neosolanigroside Y6(1), solanigroside Y6(2), neoprotogracillin(3), protogracillin(4), neoprotodioscin(5) and protodioscin(6) by spectral data combining with chemical transformation. Compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 2, 3 and 5 are isolated from Paris plants for the first time. Compounds 4 and 6 are isolated from this plant for the first time. Previously, only several spirostanol glycosides with 25S configuration were isolated from Paris plants. Guided by mass spectrometry, the present study isolated the furostanol saponins with 25S configuration from this genus for the first time, which further enriches the chemical information of Paris genus and provides a reference for the isolation of similar compounds.

Analysis of correlation between thyroglobulin and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with serum thyroglobulin.Methods:Data of 539 patients with papillary thyroid nodule (≤1cm) in Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University and the Department of Oncology Surgery of Suzhou Municipal Hospital for thyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed. All of the nodules were classified as TI-RADS 4b with ultrasound. According to the postoperative pathological results, patients were divided into PTMC group (experiment group) and benign tumor group (control group) . The PTMC patients were also divided into lymph node metastasis group (experiment group) and no lymph node metastasis group (control group) based on the cervical lymph node metastasis. Then we analyzed the relationship between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) , thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) , thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (Tg) with PTMC and lymph node metastasis by SPSS.Results:Age, TSH, Tg and TgAb were independent risk factors for PTMC, B: -0.020, 0.192, 0.026, 0.008, 95% CI: 0.962-0.998, 1.045-1.404, 1.015-1.038, 1.003-1.014, both P<0.05. The relations between PTMC and TSH, Tg and TgAb were positive, while age was in negative correlation with PTMC. Meanwhile, age and thyroglobulin (Tg) were also independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in PTMC patients, B: -0.025, 0.014, 95% CI: 0.957-0.994, 1.008-1.021, both P<0.05. Age was negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis and Tg was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis. Tg level higher than 26.520 ng/ml indicated that the nodule was PTMC (sensitivity: 0.560, specificity: 0.719) , and Tg level higher than 36.695 ng/ml predicted lymph node metastasis in PTMC patients (sensitivity: 0.532, specificity: 0.788) . Conclusion:Tg is a sensitive serum index for identifying PTMC from benign thyroid nodule, and it is also related to lymph node metastasis in PTMC patients.

Invasive infections related to anti-TNF-α therapy in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease / 国际儿科学杂志

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α(anti-TNF-α)agents have been widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)in children.Anti-TNF-α therapy can effectively induce and maintain disease remission, promote intestinal mucosal healing, and prevent long-term end-stage organ damage and growth retardation in pediatric IBD patient.Anti-TNF-α agents can significantly impair the human immune function, which may increase the infection risk of IBD children, including the infection of bacteria, viruses, fungi and mycobacteria.This study summarizes the current published literature regarding infections in pediatric patients with IBD receiving anti-TNF-α therapies, which can help to improve the cognition of pediatric medical staff on opportunistic infection of pediatric IBD patients following anti-TNF-α treatment.

Impacts of postoperative radiotherapy on long-term survival of patients with locally advanced biliary tract cancers——a propensity score-matched analysis based on the SEER database / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To explore the impacts of postoperative radiotherapy on long-term survival of the patients with resectable locally advanced (T 3-4and/or N +) biliary tract cancers (BTCs) and to analyze the prognostic factors. Methods:The patients with locally advanced gallbladder cancer ( n=1 922) and the patients with extrahepatic biliary duct cancer ( n=3 408) who received surgical resection during 2006-2016 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database. They were grouped according to different treatment schemes (only surgery and surgery + radiation). The propensity score matching (PSM) method was employed to adjust the differences in baseline prognostic characteristics between patients who received only surgery and those treated with surgery+ radiation. The role of the two treatment schemes on the survival of the patients was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the prognosis factors were assessed using the Cox regression. Results:The 1 174 patients with gallbladder cancers and the 2 144 patients with extrahepatic biliary duct cancer were respectively matched according to propensity scores. The postoperative radiotherapy showed a significant advantage in 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) compared to only surgery for both the patients with gallbladder cancer ( χ2=35.73, P< 0.001) and those with extrahepatic biliary duct cancer ( χ2=9.878, P=0.002). After adjusting related covariates, independent prognostic factors for all the patients included pathological grading, T status, N status, treatment pattern, and age. For the patients with extrahepatic biliary duct cancer, independent prognostic factors also included race and year of diagnosis. The benefits of postoperative radiotherapy were observed in various clinicopathologic characteristics except for the patients with T 1-2 gallbladder cancer and the extrahepatic biliary duct cancer patients with a pathological grade of Ⅰ-Ⅱ and N 0 status or with age ≥ 70. Conclusions:Long-term survival benefits can be gained through postoperative radiotherapy for the patients with resectable locally advanced (T 3-4 and/or N+ ) BTCs. However, adjuvant radiation should be cautiously adopted for the patients with T 1-2 gallbladder cancer and the extrahepatic biliary duct cancer patients with a pathological grade of I-Ⅱ and N 0 status or with age ≥70.

Effect of miR-125a-5p targeting Scarb1 gene on hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of cardiomyocytes and its mechanism / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect and mechanism of miR-125a-5p targeted regulation of scavenger receptor B1 (Scarb1) gene on anoxia/reoxygenation injury of rat cardiomyocytes.@*METHODS@#H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into blank control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation group, transfection control group and mir-125a-5p transfection group. The expression of miR-125a-5p, cardiomyocyte viability, apoptosis rate, ATP content and the expression of Scarb1, Cyt C, Bax, Bcl-2 and NF-κB signaling pathway related proteins were determined. Target gene of miR-125a-5p was predicted with Targetscan software, and the targeting of miR-125a-5p on Scarb1 was verified by double luciferase reporter gene experiment.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank control group, the expression of miR-125a-5p, Bax, Cyt C and the apoptotic rate of cardiomyocytes in the hypoxia/reoxygenation group were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the expression of Scarb1, Bcl-2 and the content of ATP were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the situation of mir-125a-5p transfection group was just the opposite. Double luciferase reporter gene experiment has confirmed Scarb1 to be the target of miR-125a-5p. Hypoxia/reoxygenation can promote the expression of NF-κB p65, C-myc and Cyclin D1 in cardiomyocytes, while down-regulating the expression of miR-125a-5p can inhibit the expression of such proteins.@*CONCLUSION@#Hypoxia/reoxygenation can induce the expression of miR-125a-5p in rat cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of miR-125a-5p can protect cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation by up-regulating the expression of Scarb1. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Changes of microRNA-153 expression and its regulatory role in arsenic-induced hepatocytes apoptosis / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the changes of microRNA-153 (miR-153) expression and the mechanism of regulating histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase (SET7/9) and histone H3K4 methylation (H3K4me1) in the process of arsenic-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress-related hepatocytes apoptosis.Methods:Human normal hepatocytes (L-02 cells) were cultured in vitro and divided into control, arsenic treatment, arsenic + negative transfection, arsenic + miR-153 up-regulation and arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation groups according to different treatment methods. Arsenic+ negative transfection, arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation and arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation groups were transfected with transfection plasmid and transfection reagent according to a certain proportion (3 μg: 8 μl). After 24 h, arsenic treatment, arsenic+ negative transfection, arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation and arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation groups were all treated with 100 μmol/L sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2) as the final concentration for 24 h. The control group was treated with phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of the same volume as NaAsO 2 for 24 h. The expression of miR-153 was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry; real-time cell dynamic analyzer (RTCA) was used to detect cell proliferation; Western blotting was used to detect the expression of endoplasmic reticulum marker proteins glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), SET7/9 and H3K4me1. Results:The expression levels of miR-153 in each group were significantly different ( F = 10.73, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group [(41.10 ± 6.08)%], the expression level of miR-153 in arsenic treatment group [(4.35 ± 0.20)%] was significantly decreased ( P < 0.05); compared with the arsenic+ negative transfection group [(10.00 ± 2.40)%], the expression level of miR-153 in arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation group [(157.70 ± 42.70)%] was significantly increased ( P < 0.05), and that in arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation group [(4.20 ± 0.28)%] was significantly decreased ( P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the total cell apoptosis rate and G1 phase cell proportion among the five groups ( F = 29.69, 104.32, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the total cell apoptosis rates and G1 phase cell proportions in arsenic treatment, arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation and arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation groups were significantly increased ( P < 0.05); compared with the arsenic+ negative transfection group, the total cell apoptosis rate and G1 phase cell proportion in arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation group were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05), and those in arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation group were significantly increased ( P < 0.05). The difference of cell proliferation rate in each group was statistically significant ( F = 799.35, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the cell proliferation rates in arsenic treatment, arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation and arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation groups were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05); compared with the arsenic+ negative transfection group, the cell proliferation rate in arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation group was significantly increased ( P < 0.05), and that in arsenic+ miR-153 down-regulation group was significantly decreased ( P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of SET7/9, GRP78 and H3K4me1 in each group were significantly different ( F = 78.52, 52.13, 54.32, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the protein expression levels of SET7/9, GRP78 and H3K4me1 in arsenic treatment group were significantly increased ( P < 0.05); compared with the arsenic+ negative transfection group, the protein expression levels of SET7/9, GRP78 and H3K4me1 in arsenic+ miR-153 up-regulation group were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05), and those in arsenic + miR-153 down-regulation group were significantly increased ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:miR-153 plays an important role in arsenic-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress-related hepatocytes apoptosis, the expression and regulation are related to the changes of SET7/9 and H3K4me1 levels.

Down-regulated PTTG1 expression promotes the senescence of human prostate cancer LNCaP-AI / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of the down-regulated expression of pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) on the senescence of human castration-resistant prostate cancer LNCaP-AI cells.@*METHODS@#Human castration-resistant prostate cancer LNCaP-AI cells were induced in vitro and transfected with siRNA targeting PTTG1 (the siRNA-PTTG1 group), the reagent lip3000 only (the mock group) or siRNA negative control vector (the NC group). All the cells were cultured in fetal bovine serum (FBS) or charcoal-stripped bovine serum (CSS) and counted with the cell counting chamber. The senescence characteristics of the transfected LNCaP-AI cells were examined by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, and the expressions of the senescence-related β-galactosidase-1-like proteins (Glb1), the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p-21CIP1 and p-27Kip1, and the chromatin-regulating heterochromatin protein 1γ (HP1γ) were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#The expression of PTTG1 in the human prostate cancer LNCaP-AI cells was significantly reduced in the siRNA-PTTG1 group compared with those in the mock and NC groups (0.21 ± 0.01 vs 0.56 ± 0.02 and 0.61 ± 0.02, P < 0.05). Culture with FBS markedly increased while that with CSS decreased the number of LNCaP-AI cells transfected with siRNA, but both FBS and CSS enhanced the proliferation of the LNCaP-AI cells in the mock and NC groups. SA-β-Gal staining revealed that reducing the expression of PTTG1 induced a remarkably higher positive rate of the LNCaP-AI cells in the siRNA-PTTG1 than in the mock and NC groups (［63.5 ± 2.35］% vs ［11.3 ± 1.24］% and ［12.4 ± 1.15］%, P < 0.05). The siRNA-PTTG1 group, in comparison with the mock and NC groups, showed a significantly down-regulated expression of PTTG1 (0.21 ± 0.01 vs 0.56 ± 0.02 and 0.61 ± 0.02, P < 0.05), but up-regulated expressions of p-21CIP1 (0.32 ± 0.03 vs 0.20 ± 0.02 and 0.21 ± 0.03, P < 0.05), p-27Kip1 (0.38 ± 0.02 vs 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.22 ± 0.01, P < 0.05), Glb1 (0.24 ± 0.01 vs 0.13 ± 0.01 and 0.15 ± 0.01, P < 0.05), and HP1γ (0.41 ± 0.01 vs 0.26 ± 0.01 and 0.27 ± 0.02, P < 0.05) in the LNCaP-AI cells.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Down-regulated expression of PTTG1 induces senescence of human castration-resistant prostate cancer LNCaP-AI cells.

Effect of SET7/9-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress on arsenic-induced hepatocyte apoptosis / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effect of SET7/9 (SET domain containing 7/9) -mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) on protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) signaling pathway, and to explore the mechanisms of arsenic-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.METHODS:Human liver LO2 cells were divided into control group, arsenic poisoning model group, negative transfection group and SET7/9 siRNA transfection group.The apoptosis of the LO2 cells in each group was analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein levels of SET7/9, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) , PERK and p-PERK in the LO2 cells of each group were observed by Western blot.RESULTS:Inhibition of SET7/9 expression reduced the apoptotic rate of arsenic-induced LO2 cells.Arsenic exposure increased the expression of SET7/9 in the LO2 cells.Arsenic exposure increased the protein levels of GRP78 and p-PERK in the LO2 cells, but decreased the protein levels of GRP78 and p-PERK after transfection with SET7/9 siRNA (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Arsenic exposure induces hepatocyte apoptosis by increasing SET7/9 to activate ERS by PERK signaling pathway.

Effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced autophagy on hepatocyte apoptosis / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe the changes of autophagy-related indexes during endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) induced by dithiothreitol (DTT) and its effect on apoptosis in human normal hepatocytes.METHODS:LO2 cells were treated with DTT at 2.0 mmol/L for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h to induce ERS.The expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) , protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) , activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) , C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) , autophagy-related gene 12 (Atg12) , autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot.The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.The formation of autophagosomes was observed under transmission electron microscope.After the LO2 cells were pretreated with rapamycin at 400 nmol/L for 1 h and treated with DTT at 2.0mmol/L for 24 h, the effect of rapamycin pretreatment on the apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS:After treatment with DTT at 2.0 mmol/L for 6, 12 and 24 h, the mRNA and protein levels of GRP78, PERK, ATF4, CHOP, Atg12, Atg5 and LC3 in the LO2 cells were significantly higher than those in 0 h group (P<0.05).At the same time, the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰwas also increased after DTT treatment (P<0.05).Observation under transmission electron microscope showed that autophagosomes were found in the LO2 cells treated with DTT for 6, 12 and 24 h.After DTT treatment for 6, 12 and 24 h, the apoptosis rate of LO2 cells was significantly higher than that in DTT 0 h group, while the apoptosis induced by DTT was significantly decreased after rapamycin pretreatment (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:ERS induces autophagy and rapamycin pretreatment alleviates the apoptosis of LO2 cells to some extent.

Expression and clinical significance of N-Myc and p53 in prostate cancer tissues / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To detect the expression of N-Myc and p53 in the tissues of prostate cancer (PCa) patients and to explore the relationship between them and their significance.Methods A total of 63 patients with PCa and 50 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent prostate surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were recruited in 2015-2016. The expression of N-Myc and p53 in pathological tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry of MaxVision method. Results The expression of N-Myc and p53 in PCa tissues was increased (P < 0.05). The expression of N-Myc and p53 in PCa tissues was correlated with bone metastases and TNM stage (P < 0.05), but not related to patient age, preoperative PSA level and other factors (P> 0.05). In addition, the expression of p53 was also correlated with Gleason score.Conclusion The high expression of N-Myc and p53 in PCa may involved in the malignant progression and metastasis of prostate cancer, and it is expected to become a new target for detecting PCa metastasis.

Correlation of Adventitial Vasa Vasorum with Intracranial Atherosclerosis: A Postmortem Study / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vasa vasorum (VV) have been believed to be rare or non-existent in small-caliber intracranial arteries. In a series of human cerebral artery specimens, we identified and examined the distribution of VV in association with co-existing intracranial atherosclerosis. METHODS: We obtained cerebral artery specimens from 32 consecutive autopsies of subjects aged 45 years or above. We scrutinized middle cerebral artery (MCA), vertebral artery (VA), and basilar artery (BA) for the presence of adventitial VV. We described the distribution of VV, and the characteristics of co-existing atherosclerotic lesions. RESULTS: Among 157 intracranial arteries, adventitial VV were present in 74 of the 157 specimens (47%), involving MCA (n=13, 18%), BA (n=14, 19%), and VA (n=47, 64%). Although qualitatively these 74 adventitial VV distributed similarly in arteries with or without atherosclerotic lesions (disease-free arteries n=4/8; arteries of pre-atherosclerosis n=17/42; and arteries of progressive atherosclerosis n=53/107), the presence of adventitial VV in intracranial VA was associated with a heavier plaque load (1.72±1.66 mm2 vs. 0.40±0.32 mm2, P < 0.001), severer luminal stenosis (25%±21% vs. 12%±9%, P=0.002), higher rate of concentric lesions (79% vs. 36%, P=0.002), and denser intraplaque calcification (44% vs. 0%, P=0.003). Histologically, intracranial VA with VV had a larger diameter (3.40±0.79 mm vs. 2.34±0.58 mm, P < 0.001), thicker arterial wall (0.31±0.13 mm vs. 0.23±0.06 mm, P=0.002), and a larger intima-media (0.19±0.09 mm vs. 0.13± 0.04 mm, P=0.003) than VA without VV. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the distribution of adventitial VV within brain vasculature and association between vertebral VV and progressive atherosclerotic lesions with a heavier plaque load and denser intraplaque calcification.

Micro-dissection testicular sperm extraction for non-obstructive azoospermia patients with the history of secondary testicular injury / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the value of micro- dissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in the treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in patients with the history of secondary testicular injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally, 121 NOA patients with the history of secondary testicular injury underwent micro-TESE in our hospital from September 2014 to December 2017. We analyzed the correlation of the sperm retrieval rate with the causes of testicular injury and compared the outcomes of the ICSI cycles with the sperm retrieved from the NOA males by micro-TESE (the micro-TESE group) and those with the sperm ejaculated from severe oligospermia patients (sperm concentration <1×10⁶/ml, the ejaculate group). Comparisons were also made between the two groups in the female age, two-pronucleus (2PN) fertilization rate, transferrable embryos on day 3 (D3), D3 high- quality embryos, D14 blood HCG positive rate, embryo implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Testicular sperm were successfully retrieved by micro-TESE in 86.0% of the patients (104/121), of whom 98.4% had the history of orchitis, 75.5% had been treated surgically for cryptorchidism, and 63.6% had received chemo- or radiotherapy. No statistically significant differences were observed between the micro-TESE and ejaculate groups in the 2PN fertilization rate (59.4% vs 69.3%, P > 0.05), D14 blood HCG positive rate (44.6% vs 57.9%, P > 0.05), embryo implantation rate (31.8 %% vs 32.6%, P > 0.05) and clinical pregnancy rate (41.5% vs 48.7%, P > 0.05). However, the rate D3 transferrable embryos was significantly lower in the micro-TESE than in the ejaculate group (40.5% vs 52.2%,P < 0.05), and so was that of D3 high-quality embryos (32.5% vs 42.1%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Micro-TESE can be applied as the first choice for NOA patients with the history of secondary testicular injury, but more effective strategies are to be explored for the improvement of ICSI outcomes with the sperm retrieved by micro- TESE.</p>

Quantitative assessment of the dynamic changes of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury with contrast enhanced ultrasound in rabbit / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury ( IRI) by contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in rabbit model and investigate its clinical value . Methods Sixty rabbits were randomly assigned into seven groups :sham operation group and 6 hepatic IRI groups ( 0 .5 h ,2 h ,6 h ,12 h ,24 h ,72 h) . The rabbits of hepatic IRI group established as follows :the hepatic artery , portalvein and bile duct in the portal triad to the left liver lobes were interrupted for 60 min with a vascular clip and then reflow the blood . The perfusion imaging of left liver lobe was observed and then the peak signal Intensinty ( PI) ,time to peak intensinty ( Tp) ,area under the curve ( AUC) ,and mean transit time ( MTT ) were calculated . The rabbits were sacrificed and blood samples were withdrawn for the measurement of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase ( AST) and alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) ,liver samples from the left lateral were collected for the measurement of myeloperoxidase ( MPO) and histologic examination . The correlation between parameters of CEUS and the test results above were analyzed . Results There were significant differences in the parameters of CEUS between hepatic IRI group and sham group ( P < 0 .001) . PI and AUC showed a decreased tendency and the lowest values were measured in the 24 h group .Tp and MTT showed a upward tendency and the maximum values were measured in the 24 h group . The parameters of CEUS showed correlation with ALT ,AST and MPO ( P < 0 .001 ) . AUC showed significant correlation with ALT ,AST and MPO ( r = - 0 .702 , - 0 .802 , - 0 .846 ;all P < 0 .001 ) . Conclusions CEUS can assess liver functional and pathological changes in the process of hepatic IRI in real-time ,dynamically ,rapidly ,noninvasively and objectively . It is expected to replace the invasive pathological inspection . AUC is the best index for evaluating hepatic IRI in parameters of CEUS .