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Objective To study the morphology of olfactory bulb(OB) neurons and the change of related proteins, and explore the causes of olfactory dysfuction in Alzheimer' s disease(AD). Methods Golgi-Cox staining technique was used to evaluate the morphological changes of neurons in the OB and anterior piriform cortex (aPC) of APP/PS1 AD model mice. The morphology of neurons was determined by Sholl analysis. Western blotting was used to evaluate the levels of protein expression. Results The results of Golgi-Cox showed that the dendrite length and branch number reduced significantly in the OB neurons of 3-5-month-old APP/PS1 mice, an age that the mice did not show the pathological characteristics and cognitive impairment of AD. Western blotting analysis showed that levels of potassium chloride cotransporter 2(KCC2), a potassium chloride transporter crucial for neuronal morphology and synaptic function, decreased significantly in the OB of 3-5-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Conclusion Abnormal neuronal morphology and KCC2 signal might be the basis of early olfactory dysfunction in AD. Thus, maintaining normal KCC2 signal may be one of the keys to intervene the olfactory abnormalities in the early stage of AD.
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OBJECTIVE@#To simulate the different prevalence of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Beijing as the spreading and the outbreak city and analyze the response capacity of its medical resources of fever clinics, and to provide a scientific basis for optimizing the spatial layout in Beijing under severe epidemics.@*METHODS@#The study obtained epidemiological indicators for COVID-19, factors about medical resources and population movement as parameters for the SEIR model and utilized the model to predict the maximum number of infections on a single day at different control levels in Beijing, simulated as an epidemic spreading city and an epidemic outbreak city respectively. The modified two-step floating catchment area method under ArcGIS 10.6 environment was used to analyze spatial accessibility to fever clinics services for the patients in Beijing.@*RESULTS@#According to the results of the SEIR model, the highest number of infections in a single day in Beijing simulated as an epidemic spreading city at low, medium and high levels of prevention and control were 8 514, 183, and 68 cases, the highest number of infections in a single day in Beijing simulated as an outbreak city was 22 803, 10 868 and 3 725 cases, respectively. The following result showed that Beijing was simulated as an epidemic spreading city: among the 585 communities in Beijing, under the low level of prevention and control, there were 17 communities (2.91%) with excellent accessibility to fever clinics, and that of 41 communities (7.01%) with fever clinics was good. Spatial accessibility of fever clinics in 56 communities (9.57%) was ranked average, and 62 communities' (10.60%) accessibility was fair and 409 communities (69.91%) had poor accessibility; at the medium level of prevention and control, only the west region of Fangshan District and Mentougou District, the north region of Yanqing District, Huairou District and Miyun District had poor accessibility; under the high level of prevention and control, 559 communities' (95.56%) had excellent accessibility. The accessibility in 24 communities (4.10%) was good and in 2 communities (0.34%) was average. In brief, the existing fever clinics could meet the common demand. Beijing was simulated as an outbreak city: under the low level of prevention and control, only 1 community (0.17%) had excellent accessibility to fever clinics, and 5 communities (0.86%) had good accessibility. The accessibility of fever clinics in 10 communities (1.71%) was average and in 12 communities (2.05%) was fair. The accessibility of fever clinics in 557 communities (95.21%), nearly all areas of Beijing, was poor; under the middle and high level of prevention and control, the accessibility of ecological conservation areas was also relatively poor.@*CONCLUSION@#The distribution of fever clinic resources in Beijing is uneven. When Beijing is simulated as an epidemic spreading city: under the high level of prevention and control, the number of fever clinics can be appropriately reduced to avoid cross-infection; at the medium level of prevention and control, the fever clinics can basically meet the needs of patients with fever in Beijing, but the accessibility of fever clinics in ecological conservation areas is insufficient, and priority should be given to the construction of fever clinics in public hospitals above the second level in the ecological conservation areas. When the level of prevention and control is low, the accessibility of fever clinics in ecological conservation areas is poor. Priority should be given to the construction of fever clinics in ecological conservation areas, and temporary fever sentinels can be established to relieve the pressure of fever clinics. When Beijing is simulated as an outbreak city and has low prevention and control, due to a large number of infections, it is necessary to upgrade the prevention and control level to reduce the flow of people to curb the development of the epidemic.
Subject(s)
Humans , Beijing , COVID-19 , Catchment Area, Health , China/epidemiology , Cities , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene Apa I polymorphism and the susceptibility to bone and joint tuberculosis in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between May, 2015 and June, 2016, 100 patients with bone and joint tuberculosis and 100 healthy volunteers were recruited concomitantly in Heyuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Vitamin D receptor gene Apa I polymorphisms in these subjects were analyzed using SNaPshot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The genotype frequencies of Apa I-AA, Apa I-Aa and Apa I-aa were 51%, 41%, and 8% in the case group and 33%, 55%, and 12% in the control group, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The genotype of Apa I-AA was significantly higher in the case group with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.073 (95% CI: 1.142-3.763).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Apa I polymorphisms of the VDR gene are associated with the susceptibility to bone and joint tuberculosis in Chinese Han population, and individuals with a Apa I-AA genotype are at greater risks to develop bone and joint tuberculosis.</p>
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Nocathiacin I, a glycosylated thiopeptide antibiotic, displays excellent antibacterial activities against multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens. Previously, a novel nocathiacin I formulation for intravenous administration has been successfully developed and its aqueous solubility is greatly enhanced for clinical application. The purpose of the present study was to increase the fermentation titer of nocathiacin I and reduce or eliminate analogous impurities by screening the medium ingredients using response surface methodology. After a sysmatic optimization, a water-soluble medium containing quality-controllable components was developed and validated, resulting in an increase in the production of nocathiacin I from 150 to 405.8 mg·L at 150-L scale. Meanwhile, the analogous impurities existed in reported processes were greatly reduced or eliminated. Using optimized medium for fermentation, nocathiacin I with pharmaceutically acceptable quality was easily obtained with a recovery of 67%. In conclusion, the results from the present study offer a practical and efficient fermentation process for the production of nocathiacin I as a therapeutic agent.
Subject(s)
Actinobacteria , Metabolism , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Chemistry , Bioreactors , Culture Media , Fermentation , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Peptides , Chemistry , Metabolism , Quality ImprovementABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To fabricate a new composite scaffold material as an implant for sustained delivery of rifampicin and evaluate its performance of sustained drug release and biocompatibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The composite scaffold material was prepared by loading poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres that encapsulated rifampicin in a biphasic calcium composite material with a negative surface charge. The in vitro drug release characteristics of the microspheres and the composite scaffold material were evaluated; the in vivo drug release profile of the composite scaffold material implanted in a rat muscle pouch was evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography. The biochemical parameters of the serum and liver histopathologies of the rats receiving the transplantation were observed to assess the biocompatibility of the composite scaffold material.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency of microspheres were (56.05±5.33)% and (29.80±2.88)%, respectively. The cumulative drug release rate of the microspheres in vitro was (94.19±5.4)% at 28 days, as compared with the rate of (82.23±6.28)% of composite scaffold material. The drug-loaded composite scaffold material showed a good performance of in vivo drug release in rats, and the local drug concentration still reached 16.18±0.35 µg/g at 28 days after implantation. Implantation of the composite scaffold material resulted in transient and reversible liver injury, which was fully reparred at 28 days after the implantation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The composite scaffold material possesses a good sustained drug release capacity and a good biocompatibility, and can serve as an alternative approach to conventional antituberculous chemotherapy.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Biocompatible Materials , Chemistry , Delayed-Action Preparations , Drug Carriers , Chemistry , Drug Liberation , Lactic Acid , Chemistry , Microspheres , Polyglycolic Acid , Chemistry , RifampinABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect and safety evaluation of catgut implantation at acupoint and drugs for levels of bone metabolism and free radicals in postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five postmenopausal women were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut implantation group (33 cases) and a medication group (32 cases). Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were used as main points combined with adjunct points according to syndrome differentiation in the acupoint catgut implantation group, once two weeks. The medication group was treated with oral administration of 2 pills of Fu fuchun capsule, once a day. Three months constitute one course in the both groups. The scores of the symptoms and signs were evaluated, and elbow vein blood was drawn to detect the correlative index on the beginning and the ending day of the treatment respectively. The safety of catgut implantation at acupoint was evaluated after one course of treatment. Besides, the sex hormone test in ovulatory period was detected in twenty-eight normal women in reproductive age with regular menstrual cycle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) The total effective rate of the acupoint catgut implantation group was 93.9% (31/33), and that of the medication group was 96.9% (31/32), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The contents of bone gla protein (BGP), calcitonin (CT), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the both groups had significant differences after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01); 2) The content of estradiol (E2) in serum in the both groups was decreased more obviously than those of normal women in reproductive age (both P<0.001). The content of E2 in the both groups was obviously increased after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), this function in the acupoint catgut implantation group was weaker than that of the medication group (P<0.05), while the incidence rate of adverse effect in the acupoint catgut implantation group was lower than that of the medication group (P<0.05); 3) There were significant differences of the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) before and after treatment in the acupoint catgut implantation group, the level of SOD was obviously increased after treatment (P<0.01), while the level of MDA decreased obviously (P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Catgut implantation at acupoint can improve the low level of estrogen of postmenopausal women, with good safety. It can regulate the levels of bone metabolism and free radicals of postmenopausal women, so it is very meaningful to prevent and treat postmenopausal degenerative diseases including the osteoporosis and to delay the process of apolexis.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Middle Aged , Absorbable Implants , Acupuncture Points , Bone and Bones , Metabolism , Catgut , Free Radicals , Metabolism , Postmenopause , Metabolism , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of berbamine on human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of 24 h and 48 h incubation with different concentrations (0 to approximately 64 microg/ml) of the berbamine on SMMC7721 cells were evaluated using 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Hoechst 33258 staining was conducted to distinguish the apoptotic cell, and the appearance of sub-G1 stage was determined by PI (propidium iodide) staining, the percentage of apoptotic cell was determined by flow cytometry following annexin V/PI staining. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle distribution and the mitochondrial membrane potential (psi(m)); the expression of activated caspase3 and caspase9 was analyzed by Western-blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proliferation of SMMC7721 was decreased after treatment with berbamine in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Berbamine could induce apoptosis in SMMC7721 cells and could cause cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, to induce loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (psi(m)) and activate caspase3 and caspase9. Berbamine-induced apoptosis could be blocked by the broad caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Berbamine exerts antiproliferative effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC7721 cells. The anticancer activity of berbamine could be attributed partly to its inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells through loss in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and caspase activation.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Alkaloids , Pharmacology , Apoptosis , Benzylisoquinolines , Pharmacology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Metabolism , Pathology , Caspase 3 , Metabolism , Caspase 9 , Metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Enzyme Activation , Liver Neoplasms , Metabolism , Pathology , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Membrane Potentials , Mitochondria, Liver , MetabolismABSTRACT
This article is to summarize the molecular and functional analysis of the gene "suppression of tumorigenicity 13" (ST13). ST13 is in fact the gene encoding Hsp70 interacting protein (Hip), a co-factor (co-chaperone) of the 70-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsc/Hsp70). By collaborating with other positive co-factors such as Hsp40 and the Hsp70-Hsp90 organizing protein (Hop), or competing with negative co-factors such as Bcl2-associated athanogen 1 (Bag1), Hip facilitates may facilitate the chaperone function of Hsc/Hsp70 in protein folding and repair, and in controlling the activity of regulatory proteins such as steroid receptors and regulators of proliferation or apoptosis. Although the nomenclature of ST13 implies a role in the suppression of tumorigenicity (ST), to date available experimental data are not sufficient to support its role in cancer development, except for the possible down-regulation of ST13 in gastric and colorectal cancers. Further investigation of this gene at the physiological level would benefit our understanding of diseases such as endocrinological disorders, cancer, and neurodegeneration commonly associated with protein misfolding.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Adenosine Triphosphate , Metabolism , Carrier Proteins , Chemistry , Genetics , Physiology , Cloning, Molecular , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins , Metabolism , Protein Folding , Tumor Suppressor Proteins , Chemistry , Genetics , PhysiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare therapeutic effects of the three phase acupuncture method and routine acupuncture method on periarthritis of shoulder.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomized, controlled and single blind method was adopted and 70 cases were divided into a three phase acupuncture group and a routine acupuncture group, 35 cases in each group. Same acupoints were selected in the two groups and selection of acupoints, manipulation of the needle and motion in the three phase acupuncture group were conducted by stages.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate was 97.15% in the three phase acupuncture group which was better than 87.10% in the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.05). After treatment, VAS scores decreased significantly in the two groups (P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference between the two groups in the difference of VAS after treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The three phase acupuncture treatment was superior to the routine acupuncture therapy in therapeutic effect on periarthritis of shoulder.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acupuncture Therapy , Pain Measurement , Periarthritis , Therapeutics , Shoulder Pain , Therapeutics , Single-Blind MethodABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe therapeutic effect of thread embedding therapy on chronic gastritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy cases of chronic gastritis were randomly divided into the treatment group (n = 36) treated by thread embedding therapy and the control group (n = 34) by acupuncture. Weishu (BL 21), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected as main points. And plasma contents of cAMP, cGMP, gastrin and substance P were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 88.89% in the treatment group and 76.47% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05); there were significant differences before and after treatment in plasma contents of cAMP, cGMP, gastrin and substance P in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the changes of these indexes in the treatment group were significantly superior to the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Thread embedding therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis and it can adjust nucleotides, gastrin and substance P to improve the functions of the nerve-endocrine-immunity network.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Gastritis , Therapeutics , Gastrointestinal Hormones , NucleotidesABSTRACT
Suliao (GV 25) is the 25th acupoint of The Governor Vessel and is mostly used to treat various nasal diseases clinically. In light of the recordation about the therapeutic effect of Suliao (GV 25) in ancient medical books, combining with his own several years' clinical experiences, Prof. ZHANG Jia-Wei enlarges the clinical application of Suliao (GV 25) creatively, and treats hyperkinetic syndrome of childhood, three facial diseases and some diseases of the lower-jiao in combination with the unique flying needling therapy, attaining rapidly therapeutic effect.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture TherapyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the base sequence of an enhancer in up-stream 5'-flank near regulation region (from -595 to +74) of human colorectal cancer related gene ST13.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Several deletion PCR primers were designed. Amplified DNA fragments of ST13 gene 5'-flank near region were cloned with pGEMT-EASY vector and sequenced; then subcloned into several pGL2 report vectors respectively. Equal quantitative recombined DNA was transfected into SW620 cell lines and the luciferase activity was checked.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Several amplified base sequence fragments (669 bp,263 bp,163 bp) in pGL2-Basic all enhanced and promoted luciferase gene expression strongly. The 47 bp and 101 bp fragments didn't promote luciferase gene expression. 101 bp fragment recombined with pGL2-Promoter enhanced luciferase gene expression distinctly (P<0.01), but the effect was less strong than the positive pGL2-Control(P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The base sequence 101 bp (from -595 to -494) in up-stream 5'-flank near regulation region of colorectal cancer related gene ST13 is an enhancer regulating gene transcript.</p>