miR-29c-3p represses the angiogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting SERPINH1 to regulate the Wnt signaling pathway

Purpose: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by early metastasis and late diagnosis. miR-29c-3p is confirmed to repress angiogenesis in multiple tumor types. Yet, the functions of miR-29c-3p in the mechanism of ESCC angiogenesis, which were not sufficiently explored previously, were exactly what we investigated here at the molecular level. Methods: The mRNA level of miR-29c-3p and Serpin peptidase inhibitor clade H member 1 (SERPINH1) in ESCC tissues were assessed via bioinformatics analysis. Thereafter, miR-29c-3p and SERPINH1 (HSP47) mRNA level in ESCC cell lines was evaluated via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of abnormal miR-29c-3p and SERPINH1 expression on ESCC cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and HUVEC angiogenesis were examined via CCK8, colony formation, transwell, and angiogenesis assays, respectively. The protein levels of SERPINH1, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA), Wnt-1, ?-catenin, and p-?-catenin were evaluated via Western blot. Expression of VEGFA secreted by ESCC cells was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treatment with the Wnt activator BML-284 further revealed the way miR-29c-3p mediated the Wnt signaling pathway and its effects on angiogenesis. Results: Herein, we revealed a decrease of miR-29c-3p expression in ESCC tissues and cells, while the overexpressed miR-29c-3p could remarkably suppress ESCC cell progression, as well as HUVEC angiogenesis. Meanwhile, overexpressed miR-29c-3p notably downregulated VEGFA and repressed the Wnt signaling pathway. Treatment with the Wnt activator BML-284 could reverse the inhibition of HUVEC angiogenesis caused by miR-29c-3p. SERPINH1 was a downstream target of miR-29c-3p. SERPINH1 knockdown suppressed the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells and impeded the Wnt signaling activation, while such suppression was reversed through miR-29c-3p inhibitor. Conclusions: We confirmed the mechanism that miR-29c-3p targeted SERPINH1, thus regulating angiogenesis in ESCC through the Wnt signaling pathway. It improves the understanding of angiogenesis in ESCC and offers new ideas for the research of ESCC treatment strategies in the future.

Influences of eccentric contraction training on soccer player's speed / Influências do treinamento de contração excêntrica sobre a velocidade de futebolistas / Influencias del entrenamiento de contracción excéntrica en la velocidad de futbolistas

ABSTRACT Introduction: Strength quality can be divided into maximum strength, rapid strength, endurance, and reaction strength. Rapid strength has been a hot topic of discussion in contemporary sports industry research. Objective: Study the influences of eccentric contraction training of the lower limbs in soccer players and its repercussions on the athletes' speed. Methods: A multifunctional centrifugal training instrument was used as a training tool through the experimental method to analyze the effect of eccentric contraction training on the rapid strength of soccer players. The athletes were divided into experimental and control groups for training. Explosive power, speed sensitivity, and dynamic index of special rapid power were tested before and after training. Results: Compared to the control group, the explosive power index, the sensitivity index, and the kinetic index showed better expressivities in the experimental group; the four jumping ability indexes, the three sensitivity indexes - except the 15s step frequency - and the eccentric training in the experimental group showed a very significant improvement (P<0.01). Conclusion: Eccentric contraction training can effectively improve muscle strength; its training effect is better than that of concentric training, especially eccentric contraction training on the lower limbs, which has an important impact on the rapid strength of soccer players. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: A qualidade da força pode ser dividida em força máxima, força rápida, resistência e força de reação. Entre elas, a força rápida tem sido um tema de discussão acirrado nas pesquisas da indústria esportiva contemporânea. Objetivo: Estudar as influências do treinamento de contração excêntrica dos membros inferiores em jogadores de futebol e suas repercussões sobre a velocidade dos atletas. Métodos: Utilizou-se um instrumento de treinamento centrífugo multifuncional como ferramenta de treinamento através do método experimental para analisar o efeito do treinamento de contração excêntrica sobre a força rápida dos jogadores de futebol. Os atletas foram divididos no grupo experimental e no grupo de controle para o treinamento. Foram testados a potência explosiva, a sensibilidade à velocidade e o índice dinâmico de potência rápida especial antes e após o treinamento. Resultados: Em comparação com o grupo de controle, o índice de potência explosiva, o índice de sensibilidade e o índice cinético demonstraram melhores expressividades no grupo experimental; os quatro índices de capacidade de salto, os três índices de sensibilidade - exceto a frequência de passos de 15s - e o treinamento excêntrico no grupo experimental mostraram uma melhora significativa (P<0,01). Conclusão: O treinamento de contração excêntrica pode efetivamente melhorar a força muscular, seu efeito de treinamento é melhor do que o do treinamento concêntrico, especialmente o treinamento de contração excêntrica sobre os membros inferiores, que tem um impacto importante sobre a força rápida dos jogadores de futebol. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Resumen Introducción: La calidad de la fuerza puede dividirse en fuerza máxima, fuerza rápida, resistencia y fuerza de reacción. Entre ellos, la fuerza rápida ha sido un tema candente de discusión en las investigaciones de la industria deportiva contemporánea. Objetivo: Estudiar las influencias del entrenamiento de la contracción excéntrica de los miembros inferiores en jugadores de fútbol y sus repercusiones en la velocidad de los atletas. Métodos: Se utilizó un instrumento de entrenamiento centrífugo multifuncional como herramienta de entrenamiento a través del método experimental para analizar el efecto del entrenamiento de la contracción excéntrica en la fuerza rápida de los jugadores de fútbol. Los atletas se dividieron en el grupo experimental y el grupo de control para el entrenamiento. La potencia explosiva, la sensibilidad a la velocidad y el índice dinámico de potencia rápida especial se probaron antes y después del entrenamiento. Resultados: En comparación con el grupo de control, el índice de potencia explosiva, el índice de sensibilidad y el índice cinético mostraron mejores expresividades en el grupo experimental; los cuatro índices de capacidad de salto, los tres índices de sensibilidad -excepto la frecuencia de paso de 15s- y el entrenamiento excéntrico en el grupo experimental mostraron una mejora significativa (P<0,01). Conclusión: El entrenamiento de la contracción excéntrica puede mejorar eficazmente la fuerza muscular, su efecto de entrenamiento es mejor que el del entrenamiento concéntrico, especialmente el entrenamiento de la contracción excéntrica en los miembros inferiores, que tiene un impacto importante en la fuerza rápida de los jugadores de fútbol. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Lower Body Perfusion Reduces the Morbidity of Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Type A Dissection: A Propensity-Matched Analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Lower body perfusion (LBP) is a technique used to provide blood perfusion to distal organs and spinal cord during circulatory arrest. However, the effect of LBP on the prognosis of aortic arch surgery, especially on postoperative renal function, remains unclear. Methods: A total of 304 patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent total aortic arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk implantation between May 2016 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into LBP group (group L, n=85) and non-LBP group (group NL, n=219). Routine lower body circulatory arrest was applied during operation in group NL, and antegrade LBP combined was applied during operation in group L. Perioperative data were recorded. Propensity score matching was used for statistical analysis. Results: After propensity score matching, 85 pairs of patients were successfully matched. Two groups significantly differed in circulatory arrest time (six minutes vs. 30 minutes, P=0.000), cross-clamping time (101 minutes vs. 92 minutes, P=0.010), minimum nasopharyngeal temperature (29.4ºC vs. 27.2ºC, P=0.000), and highest lactate value during cardiopulmonary bypass (2.3 μmol/L vs. 4.1 μmol/L, P=0.000). Considering the postoperative indicators, the drainage volume (450 mL vs. 775 mL, P=0.000) and the incidence of level I acute kidney injury (23.5% vs. 32%, P=0.046) in group L was lower than those in group NL. Conclusion: LBP resulted as a safe and feasible approach in aortic arch surgery, as it could significantly shorten the circulatory arrest time, which might reduce the incidence of postoperative level I acute kidney injury.

Development and application of a method for determination of activity and vitality of Hansenula polymorpha by carboxyfluorescein diacetate-propidium iodide dua fluorescent staining / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Objective To develop a method for determination of activity and viability of Hansenula polymorpha by dual fluorescent staining with carboxyfluorescein diacetate(CFDA)and propidium iodide(PI).Methods The time durations(5,10,20,40,60 and 120 min for CFDA,5,10,15,20 and 25 min for PI)and working solution concentrations(50,100,200and 300 μg for CFDA,2,10,20 and 30 μmol/L for PI)for the dual fluorescent staining were optimized by single factor test. Under the optimal condition,the H.polymorpha samples at theoretical survival rates of 0,25%,50%,75% and 100%were determined,of which the fluorescent intensity was observed under fluorescent microscope,and the gray value was analyzed by ImageJ software. The live and dead cells were counted,based on which the actual survival and death rates were calculated. Meanwhile,the relationships of actual gray value,actual survival rate and actual death rate to the corresponding theoretical values were analyzed. Activity and viability of three batches of cultured H.polymorpha were detected by CFDA-PI dual fluorescence staining.Results The optimal time durations for staining with CFDA and PI were 60 and 5 min,while the optimal working solution concentrations were 200 and 2 μmol/L,respectively. The actual gray value,actual survival rate and actual death rate of H.polymorpha samples at various theoretical survival rates were significantly correlated to the corresponding theoretical values(R~2=0. 998 3～0. 999 2,P < 0. 05). The CVs of activity and viability values in three detections of three batches of H.polymorpha culture were 3. 20%～4. 03% and 1. 10%～2. 27%, respectively.Conclusion The CFDA-PI dual fluorescent staining was successfully developed,which may be used for determination of activity and vitality of H.polymorpha.

Differences in implant osseointegration in the jaw and femur in animal experiments / 口腔疾病防治

@#The jaw and femur are commonly used sites in basic research for modeling bone defects or inserting implants. An increasing number of studies have identified that the jaw and femur indeed show great differences in embryonic development and growth, histomorphology and bone metabolism. A literature review showed that, compared with the femur, the main osteogenic pathway of the jaw may have better osteogenic ability, and its stem cells have better proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ability. However, the jaw structure is less regular, the osteogenic differentiation ability of its osteoblasts is mineralization slightly weak, and the immune cells of the jaw are more sensitive to cytokines. These may be the reasons why the osseointegration of the jaw implant is different from that of the femur in animal experiments, but its specific mechanism has not been clarified.

Feasibility and quality control of robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the feasibility of robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty and to summarize the experience of quality control and technical process management. Methods    From January to December 2018, our hospital completed robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty for 5 patients, including the upper right lung lobe in 2 patients, the middle right lung lobe in 1 patient and the lower left lung lobe in 2 patients. There were 3 males and 2 females with an age of 56.6 (39-75) years. The surgical approach was the same as the surgical incision of the robotic lobectomy. During the operation, the lobes were separated, all enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were cleaned, pulmonary hilum was dissected, pulmonary arteriovenous vessels and bronchi were exposed, and pulmonary vessels were treated. After exposing the main bronchi, the bronchi were cut off at the distal end of the lesion, and the lobes where the lesion was located (including lesions) were excised by sleeve type and the bronchi were continuously sutured with 3-0 Prolene from the back wall for anastomosis. After the anastomosis, no air leakage was found in the expanded lung, and the anastomosis was no longer wrapped. Results    The operation time was 147.4 (100-192) min, including bronchial anastomosis time 17.6 (14-25) min. Intraoperative blood loss was 60.0 (20-100) mL, and 20 (9-37) lymph nodes were dissected. Three patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 1 neuroendocrine tumor. All patients showed negative results in the freezing pathology of bronchial stump during operation. All patients recovered well after surgery, without perioperative complications, and the anastomosis was smooth. Postoperative hospital stay was 10.8 (7-14) days. The patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months without anastomotic stenosis or other complications. Conclusion    Since the robot system is a special instrument with 3D vision and 7 degrees of freedom for movable joints, the robotic bronchial suture is more flexible and accurate. The robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty are safe and feasible.

Genome-wide identification of the Sec-dependent secretory protease genes in Erwinia amylovora and analysis of their expression during infection of immature pear fruit / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

The general secretory (Sec) pathway represents a common mechanism by which bacteria secrete proteins, including virulence factors, into the extracytoplasmic milieu. However, there is little information about this system, as well as its associated secretory proteins, in relation to the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. In this study, data mining revealed that E. amylovora harbors all of the essential components of the Sec system. Based on this information, we identified putative Sec-dependent secretory proteases in E. amylovora on a genome-wide scale. Using the programs SignalP, LipoP, and Phobius, a total of 15 putative proteases were predicted to contain the N-terminal signal peptides (SPs) that might link them to the Sec-dependent pathway. The activities of the predicted SPs were further validated using an Escherichia coli-based alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) gene fusion system that confirmed their extracytoplasmic property. Transcriptional analyses showed that the expression of 11 of the 15 extracytoplasmic protease genes increased significantly when E. amylovora was used to inoculate immature pears, suggesting their potential roles in plant infection. The results of this study support the suggestion that E. amylovora might employ the Sec system to secrete a suite of proteases to enable successful infection of plants, and shed new light on the interaction of E. amylovora with host plants.

lncRNA TUG1 promotes proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by regulating the miR-545-3p/CNR2 axis

Osteoblast differentiation is an effective way to promote bone formation. Long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated 1 (TUG1) has been identified as a crucial modulator of multiple biological processes. This study was designed to investigate the function of TUG1 in the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells hFOB1.19. In this study, we found that TUG1 promoted hFOB1.19 cell proliferation, while TUG1 knockdown hindered cell proliferation. TUG1 and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2) were upregulated, while miR-545-3p was down-regulated in hFOB1.19 cells undergoing osteoblastic differentiation. TUG1 induced osteoblast differentiation by increasing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression of osteoblastic differentiation markers. TUG1 was a sponge of miR-545-3p and regulated osteoblastic differentiation by modulating miR-545-3p. Moreover, miR-545-3p directly targeted CNR2 and restored the effect of CNR2 on osteoblastic differentiation. In conclusion, TUG1 accelerated the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by sponging miR-545-3p and increasing CNR2 expression, which might provide a new biomarker for bone diseases.

Survival rate and influencing factors of HIV/AIDS after highly active antiretroviral therapy in Yinzhou District / 预防医学

Objective@#To analyze the survival rate and its influencing factors of HIV/AIDS patients after antiviral therapy in Yinzhou District of Ningbo,so as to provide basis for AIDS prevention and control. @*Methods@#The data of HIV/AIDS patients who received highly active antiretroviral therapy（HAART）in Yinzhou District from May 2005 to December 2014 were retrieved from the national AIDS comprehensive prevention and control information system;the survival rate was calculated by life table and Kaplan-Meier analysis;the influencing factors for survival time was analyzed by a multivariate cox proportional risk regression model.@*Results@#Among 327 HIV/AIDS patients,twenty four were dead and three were lost. The average follow-up time was（5.63 ± 1.98）years. The cumulative survival rates of the subjects were 95%,92%,and 90% at 1,5,and 10 years after HAART. The Results of multivariate cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that patients who were at younger age when treatment begins（HR=1.053,95%CI: 1.001-1.108）,were transmitted by homosexual contact（HR=0.026,95%CI: 0.003-0.253）and by blood transmission（HR=0.043,95%CI: 0.006-0.309）,had high level of CD4+T lymphocyte at baseline（HR=0.993,95%CI: 0.988-0.998),and had viral load below the detection limit after six months of treatment（HR=0.028,95%CI: 0.009-0.084）were less likely to be dead.@*Conclusions@#The survival rate of HIV/AIDS patients after HAART is high,and is associated with the age when treatment begins,route of transmission,baseline CD4+T lymphocyte level and viral load after six months of treatment.

Risk assessment and prevention in clinical diagnosis and treatment in implant surgery associated with systemic diseases / 口腔疾病防治

@#Patients seeking implantation often have several systemic diseases, which will introduce complications to treatment. This paper reviews the risk assessments and prevention of systemic diseases in patients with oral implant therapy with the relevant literature. The patients with cardiovascular diseases are prone to stroke and cardiac arrest, and anticoagulants and antihypertensive drugs will complicate cases. The potential risks of endocrine system diseases are infections and crises caused by unstable hormone levels. The risks of respiratory diseases are dyspnea and swallowing devices. The difficulty of treating patients with neuropsychiatric diseases is attributable to poor cooperation and adverse effects of the drugs. Bone and joint system diseases may decrease the success of implantation. Hematological system, digestive system and kidney diseases may lead to hemorrhage. By inquiring about detailed medical and medication history, evaluating vital signs and detecting important objective indicators, performing targeted measures, discussing with specialists, and observing patients closely, clinicians can avoid the abovementioned risks.

The administration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α/γ agonist TZD18 inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell lines

Aim of Study: This study is to investigate the effects of a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ dual agonist TZD18 on cell growth, apoptosis, caspase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and apoptotic-related protein expression in MKN-45 cells. Materials and Methods: 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay against various human cancer cell lines was performed to investigate the whether TZD18 could in reduce the proliferation rates of cancer cells. The percentages of apoptotic cells and mitochondrial membrane potential level were determined by flow cytometry. The subcellular localization of cytochrome c was examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Western blotting assay was performed to reveal the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Results: The results showed that the administration of TZD18 could inhibit the growth of MKN-45 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the apoptotic ratio increased sharply along with a significant increase of caspase activities, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release following TZD18 exposure. The expression of Bax and p27kip1 increased significantly, whereas the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was downregulated. Conclusion: These results indicated that the administration of PPAR α/γ agonist TZD18 may inhibit cell growth by inducing the apoptotic process in MKN-45 cells

Influence of the SmartClip self-ligating bracket on plaque control in orthodontic patients / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To explore the influence of the SmartClip self-ligating bracket and traditional metal bi-wing brackets on plaque control and to provide a reference for the oral healthcare of orthodontic patients.@*Methods@#The patients were divided into the SmartClip self-ligating bracket group, the metal bi-wing bracket group, and the control group, consisting of untreated volunteers, and the patients were examined before treatment, 1 month after the treatment started, 3 months after the treatment started, and when the treatment ended. The oral hygiene status was recorded at four time points, and the plaque index of the following six teeth was compared among the time points: the upper-right central incisor (UR1), the lower-left central incisor (LL1), the upper-right first molar (UR6), the lower-left first molar (LL6), and the upper left canine (UL3) and the lower-right canine (LR3).@*Results@#Compared with before treatment, after first month, third month and end of treatment the plaque index of LL1, LR3, LL6 and UR6 in both the SmartClip self-ligating bracket group and the traditional metal bi-wing bracket group was increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in PLI index between the end of treatment and 3 months after orthodontic treatment (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in PLI index in the control group at each time period (P > 0.05). After three months of orthodontic treatment, the plaque index of LL1 and LR3 in the SmartClip self-ligating bracket group was higher than that in the traditional metal bi-wing bracket group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).@*Conclusion@#Lower anterior and posterior areas are susceptible to plaque accumulation in treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. The SmartClip self-ligating bracket system has no advantage over the traditional metal bi-wing bracket in terms of oral hygiene.

The relation between the upper first molar root tips and the maxillary sinus floor in patients with different vertical facial patterns / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To study the relation between the upper first molar root tips and the maxillary sinus floor in patients with different vertical facial patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to explore the reference data for safe clinical orthodontic treatments.@*Methods@#Three-dimensional images were reconstructed from CBCT data. The CBCT data from 120 adolescents and adults were divided into three groups (low-angle group, average-angle group, high-angle group) based on vertical facial type. For each subject, the distance from the maxillary sinus floor to the upper first molar root tips was measured, and the types of contacts were classified. ANOVA and LSD t tests were used for statistical comparisons and performed using SPSS 19.0.@*Results@#Of the 120 samples, only 27% of the upper first molar root tips lost their contacts with the maxillary sinus floor, and the other 73% of the root tips contacted the sinus to different extents. Significant differences in the distances from the maxillary sinus floor to the upper first molar root tips were found for different vertical facial types (P < 0.05). The high-angle group had the lowest sinus floor, relative to the root tips, of the three adult groups (P < 0.05). In the adult group with a low angle, the measured value for the palatal root tips was the lowest and was significantly different from those in the other groups (P < 0.05).@*Conclusion@#Seventy-three percent of the upper first molar root tips contacted the maxillary sinus floor. The maxillary sinus floor tended to be lower relative to the first molar root tips in patients with a high-angle facial pattern than in others. The roots protruded into the sinus to a greater extent.

Report of two cases of primary mediastinal tuberculosis / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Two cases of primary mediastinal lymphonode tuberculosis involved right bronchus were summarized in the report. Major clinical symptoms included cough and bloody sputum. Chest enhanced CT scan showed mediastinal lymph node enlargement with ring-shaped enhancement. Bronchoscopy suggested neoplasm in right bronchus. Diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed by histopathology in samples from lymph node puncture and brochoscopic biopsy. The clinical symptoms and medical imaging of patients were improved after transbrochoscopic interventional therapy and systemic chemotherapy.

Morphological Features of Complex Congenital Cardiovascular Anomalies in Fetuses: as Evaluated by Cast Models / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Accurate prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies,vascular ones in particular,is still challenging.A fetal cardiovascular cast model can provide a copy of the cardiac chambers and great vessels with normal or pathological structures.This study was aimed to demonstrate three-dimensional anatomy of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies in fetuses by means of corrosion casting.Twenty fetuses with prenatal-ultrasound-diagnosed complex cardiovascular anomalies were enrolled in this study (19 to 35 gestational weeks).Fetal cardiovascular cast models were made by a corrosion casting technique.The specimens were injected with casting material via the umbilical vein,and then immersed in strong acid after casting fluid was solidified,to disclose the geometries of cardiovascular cavities.Nineteen cast models were successfully made from 20 specimens.The casts distinctly showed the morphological malformations and spatial relationship between cardiac chambers and great vessels.One hundred and eleven abnormalities were revealed by casting in the 19 specimens,including 34 abnormalities located in the cardiac chambers (3,4 and 27 anomalies in the atria,atrioventricular valves and ventricles,respectively),and 77 in the great vessels (28,20,24 and 5 anomalies in the aorta and its branches,the pulmonary artery,the ductus arteriosus and the major veins,respectively).Corrosion casting can display three-dimensional anatomy of fetal complex cardiovascular anomalies.This improves our understanding of related pathomorphology and prenatal diagnosis.

The role of MCP-1-CCR2 ligand-receptor axis in chondrocyte degradation and disease progress in knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common arthritic disease and multifactorial whole-joint disease. Interactions of chemokines and OA is inadequately documented. RESULTS: In vivo and in vitro studies were conducted to investigate monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and receptor chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) in chondrocyte degradation and cartilage degeneration. Chondrocytes from 16 OA patients and 6 normal controls were involved in this study. After stimulation of MCP-1, the expression of MCP-1 and CCR2 increased significantly (P < 0.001) and the expression of MMP-13 also increased (P < 0.05). MCP-1 stimulation also induced (or enhanced) the apoptosis of OA chondrocytes (P < 0.05). Additionally, the degradation of cartilage matrix markers (metalloproteinase 3 and 13, MMP3 and MMP13) in the culture medium of normal chondrocytes was also assessed. Furthermore, intra-articular injection of MCP-1 in mouse knees induced cartilage degradation and the CCR2 antagonist did not impede cartilage destroy in rats knees of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) model. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the MCP-1-CCR2 ligand-receptor axis plays a special role in the initiation and progression of OA pathology. Patients with ambiguous etiology can gain some insight from the MCP-1-CCR2 ligand-receptor axis.

Effect of active immunization against angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor on hypertension & arterial remodelling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Background & objectives: angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AaT1) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. tThis study was undertaken to explore the effect of active immunization against AaT1 receptor on blood pressure and small artery remodelling in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Methods: Male SHR and Wistar rats aged two months were actively immunized with different peptides (AaTR12185、AaTR10014 and AaTR12181) corresponding to particular sequences of rat receptor, while another SHR group was given losartan (10 mg/kg/day) orally once a day. Aanti-AaT1 receptor antibodies were detected by ELISAa and blood pressure was measured. The effect of the antibodies on the artery and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation was studied. Results: all immunized animals produced antibodies against the particular peptides. The systolic blood pressure was decreased in the SHR immunized with peptide-AaTR12181 compared with the control. However, no changes were observed in the SHR immunized with other two peptides. The Wistar rats immunized with the three peptides did not show any changes in blood pressure. The media/lumen area ratio of the mesenteric artery was reduced in SHR immunized with and similar to that of the SHR treated with losartan. The antibody from SHR immunized with AaTR12181 had no effect on the proliferation of VSMC. But it could inhibit the proliferation caused by angiotensin II and its effect at the titre of 1:40 was similar to that of 1μmol/l losartan. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that the antibody from SHR immunized with AaTR12181 had the effect of reducing blood pressure and target organ protection similar to losartan. Aactive immunization against AaT1 receptor may be a promising strategy in future for the treatment of hypertension.

Effects of Dangguibuxue Tang, a Chinese herbal medicine, on growth performance and immune responses in broiler chicks

The effects of Dangguibuxue Tang (DBT) on growth performance and immunity response in immunosuppressed broiler chicks were investigated in this study. 240 one-d-old broiler chicks (DaHeng S01) were randomly divided into 4 groups, 2.0% DBT-treatment (A), 0.5% DBT-treatment (B), cyclophosphamide-control (C), and control group (D). From 4 d to 7 d of age, chicks in group A, B and C were given cyclophosphamide (CY) at a dosage of 100mg/kg body weight (BW) daily by intraperitoneal injection to induce immunosuppression. Chicks in group D were given an equal volume of physiological saline daily by intraperitoneal injection and considered normal chicks. Groups A and B were supplemented with 2.0% or 0.5% of DBT in the drinking water from 8 d to 42 d of age. Groups C and D did not receive any additional medication. The results revealed that chicks from group B had lower feed:gain rate (FGR), lower total mortality, higher immunity organ indexes, higher levels of Newcastle disease (ND) antibody and infectious bursal disease (IBD) antibody, higher interleukin-2 and interleukin-6 levels, and greater lymphocyte proliferative responses to concanavalin A (ConA) during the experiment than those from group C. However, no significant difference in the immunity status in the two levels of DBT-treatment was observed. These results indicate that supplementation of 0.5% of DBT can improve both cellular immunity and humoral immunity in immunosuppressed broiler chicks.

Service Functions of Private Community Health Stations in China: A Comparison Analysis with Government-sponsored Community Health Stations / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In China,with the restructuring of health care system moving forward,private community health facilities have been playing a complementary but increasingly important role in providing public health and basic medical care services in urban areas.However,only limited evidence is available concerning the service functions of private community health facilities in China.The aim of this study was to explore the functions of private community health stations (PCHSs) to provide evidence-based recommendations for policy-making and practice in the development of urban community health services systems.A total of 818 PCHSs and 4320 government-sponsored community health stations (GCHSs)located in 28 cities of China were investigated in 2008.The percentages of stations that provided health services and the annual workload per community health worker (CHW) were compared between the two types of institutions.The results showed that the percentages of PCHSs providing public health services were significantly higher than those of GCHSs (P＜0.05); but no significant differences were found in the percentages of basic medical services providing between PCHSs and GCHSs (P＞0.05).The annual workloads of all the public health services and basic medical services per CHW in PCHSs were lighter than those in GCHSs (P＜0.05),except for resident health records establishment and health education materials distribution (P＞0.05).At present,the GCHSs are still the mainstream in urban China,which will last for a long period in future.However,our findings showed that the annual workloads of CHWs in PCHSs were no heavier than those in GCHSs,and the PCHSs were willing to provide public health services.In view of current inadequacy of health resources in China,it is feasible to further develop PCHSs under the guidance of the government,given that PCHSs can perform the basic functions of community health services,which is useful for the formation of public-private partnerships (PPP) and the improvement of community health services.

The effect of losartan on glomerular sclerosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the degradation mechanism of losartan on extracellular matrix in rats with diabetic nephropathy.@*METHODS@#The rat model of diabetic nephropathy was established by streptozotozin(STZ) injection, and the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (a normal group, a model group and a losartan group). For 16 weeks, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were measured, and glomerular sclerosis index(GSI) were caculated. The expression of collagen Type IV,connective tissue growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta1 were examined by Western blot and real time-PCR respectively.@*RESULTS@#Blood urea nitrogen, GSI and the expressions of collagen Type IV and CTGF protein in the losartan group were lower than those in the model group(all P<0.05), and the expressions of collagen Type IV mRNA,TGF-beta1 mRNA and CTGF mRNA were lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Losartan modulates glomerular sclerosis and decreases the accumulation of collagen Type IV by inhibiting TGF-beta1 and CTGF.