Acidic Environment Induces Pyroptosis of NLRP3 Inflammatory Vesicle-Mediated Nucleus Pulposus Cells Through Up-Regulation of POSTN Expression

SUMMARY: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is induced by nucleus pulposus (NP) dysfunction as a result of massive loss of NP cells. It has been reported that the acidic microenvironment of the intervertebral disc (IVD) can induce NP cell pyroptosis, and that up-regulation of periostin (POSTN) expression has a negative effect on NP cell survival. However, the relationship between the acidic environment, POSTN expression level and NP cell pyroptosis is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between acidic environment and POSTN expression level in NP cells, as well as the effect of POSTN in acidic environment on NP cell pyroptosis. NP cells were obtained from the lumbar vertebrae of Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats. These cells were divided into normal and acidic groups according to whether they were exposed to 6 mM lactic acid solution. And NP cells in the acidic group were additionally divided into three groups: (1) Blank group: no transfection; (2) NC group: cells transfected with empty vector plasmid; (3) sh-POSTN group: cells transfected with sh-POSTN plasmid to knock down the expression level of POSTN. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot was performed to assess the expression of POSTN at the mRNAand protein levels. CCK8 was used to evaluate cell survival. Western blot, in addition, was performed to examine acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC)-related proteins. And pyroptosis was detected by ELISA and western blot. The expression level of POSTN was significantly increased in NP cells in acidic environment. Knockdown of POSTN expression promoted the survival of NP cells in acidic environment and reduced the protein levels of ASIC3 and ASIC1a in NP cells. Moreover, knockdown of POSTN expression decreased the pyroptosis proportion of NP cells and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. The levels of pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-Caspase-1, and cleaved-GSDMD were also affected by the decreased POSTN expression. The extracellular acidic environment created by lactic acid solution activated NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle-induced caspase-1 to get involved in NP cell pyroptosis by up-regulating POSTN expression.

La degeneración del disco intervertebral (DDIV) es inducida por una disfunción del núcleo pulposo (NP) como resultado de una pérdida masiva de células NP. Se ha informado que el microambiente ácido del disco intervertebral (DIV) puede inducir la piroptosis de las células NP y que la regulación positiva de la expresión de periostina (POSTN) tiene un efecto negativo en la supervivencia de las células NP. Sin embargo, la relación entre el ambiente ácido, el nivel de expresión de POSTN y la piroptosis de las células NP es poco clara. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la relación entre el ambiente ácido y el nivel de expresión de POSTN en células NP, así como el efecto de POSTN en ambiente ácido sobre la piroptosis de las células NP. Las células NP se obtuvieron de las vertebras lumbares de ratas macho Sprague Dawley (SD). Estas células se dividieron en grupos normales y ácidos según se expusieron a una solución de ácido láctico 6 mM. Las células NP en el grupo ácido se dividieron adicionalmente en tres grupos: (1) Grupo en blanco: sin transfección; (2) grupo NC: células transfectadas con plásmido vector vacío; (3) grupo sh-POSTN: células transfectadas con plásmido sh-POSTN para reducir el nivel de expresión de POSTN. Se realizó una PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real (qRT-PCR) y una transferencia Western para evaluar la expresión de POSTN en los niveles de ARNm y proteína. Se utilizó CCK8 para evaluar la supervivencia celular. Además, se realizó una transferencia Western para examinar las proteínas relacionadas con los canales iónicos sensibles al ácido (ASIC). La piroptosis se detectó mediante ELISA y Western blot. El nivel de expresión de POSTN aumentó significativamente en células NP en ambiente ácido. La eliminación de la expresión de POSTN promovió la supervivencia de las células NP en un ambiente ácido y redujo los niveles de proteína de ASIC3 y ASIC1a en las células NP. Además, la eliminación de la expresión de POSTN disminuyó la proporción de piroptosis de las células NP y los niveles de citocinas proinflamatorias interleucina (IL) - 1β e IL-18. Los niveles de proteínas relacionadas con la piroptosis NLRP3, ASC, Caspasa-1 escindida y GSDMD escindida también se vieron afectados por la disminución de la expresión de POSTN. El ambiente ácido extracelular creado por la solución de ácido láctico activó la caspasa-1 inducida por vesículas inflamatorias NLRP3 para involucrarse en la piroptosis de las células NP mediante la regulación positiva de la expresión de POSTN.

The weight-adjusted-waist index predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in general US adults

Abstract Background The authors examined the relationship between Weight-adjusted Waist Index (WWI) and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among adults in the US. Methods This prospective cohort study included 26,882 individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 through 2014. WWI was calculated as waist circumference divided by the square root of weight. The main outcomes of this study were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Mortality status and cause of death were determined by NHANES-linked National Death Index records through December 31, 2015. Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% CIs for mortality for all causes and cardiovascular diseases. Results A total of 26,882 participants with a mean WWI of 10.89 ± 0.01, of whom 49.23% were male. The average follow-up time was 68.95 ± 1.07 months, and 1870 participants were determined as deceased (4.99%), including 349 cardiovascular death (0.88%). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant difference in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality between patients with WWI <11.33 and ≥11.33 (both log-rank testp < 0.0001). The fully adjusted Cox proportional hazard model indicated that a higher WWI level (≥ 11.33) was associated with an increased 95% risk for cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.30‒2.93) and 68% risk for all-cause death (HR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.41‒2.00) compared with the counterparts. Conclusions Elevated WWI levels were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality independently.

Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the flow of ultrasonic irrigations in root canal / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To study the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) characteristics of ultrasonic root canal irrigation when the file was placed at a certain depth in the root canal, to provide a reference for clinical application.@*Methods @#First, scanning laser vibrometry (SLV) was utilized to analyze the characteristics of vibrational ultrasonic files under specific power. Then ICEM CFD 18.0 software was used to establish the root canal ultrasonic irrigation model. The insertion position of the ultrasonic working tip was set 1 mm away from the physiological apical foramen, and cloud images of the results were obtained by FLUENT 18.0 software. Volume fraction, flow velocity and pressure in the root canal were evaluated after setting the computing conditions.@*Results@#The vibration of the ultrasonic working tip was mainly transverse vibration with slight longitudinal vibration. The amplitude of transverse vibration of each part of the working tip was different. Maximum values were observed at the apical end area of the file, and the closer to the base of the file, the smaller the amplitude. The area where the cavitation volume fraction of the rinsing fluid was greater than 0 was concentrated around the working point. The flow rate of the irrigating fluid was up to 2 m/s, within the area 0.2 mm in front of the working tip, the velocity of the irrigating fluid was greater than 0.1 m/s, while within the area 0.8 mm from the root tip, the velocity of the irrigating fluid was small or even zero. The apical pressure value was non-positive when the tip of the file was 1 mm away from the apical foramen in this model.@*Conclusion@# Based on the experimental results, it appears that when the ultrasonic working tip was placed 1 mm short of the working length, the ultrasonic irrigating flow did not overflow the root apical foramen and the irrigation process was relatively safe; the irrigation fluid had a strong irrigation effect within approximately 0.2 mm in front of the working tip.

Research progress on probiotics for the prevention and treatment of oral and gastrointestinal chemoradiotherapy mucositis / 口腔疾病防治

@#http://www.kqjbfz.com/article/2021/2096-1456/2096-1456-29-8-567.shtml

Oral health management in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 口腔疾病防治

@#Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in children. In recent years, the treatment and prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children have improved significantly. However, acute lymphoblastic leukemia itself and treatment measures can lead to a variety of adverse oral complications and affect further treatment. These complications have a significant effect on patients and affect further treatment. To improve the quality of life of children, this article reviews the oral health status and oral health management of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia for clinical reference. The literature review shows that the oral health management measures for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia mainly include oral health education, active prevention of oral diseases, timely oral treatment before the start of antitumor treatment, elimination of potential sources of infection after blood examination and risk assessment, treatment of oral mucosal problems during therapy, oral emergency during antitumor therapy should be carried out under the guidance of hematologists and regular oral inspection and oral care. However, current studies have found that there is still a lack of effective prevention and treatment measures for oral mucositis. As a common oral disease in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis remain to be further studied.

Occupational health risk assessment of dust in cement production enterprises / 预防医学

Objective@#To evaluate the occupational health risk of key posts exposed to cement dust in four cement production enterprises, and to provide reference for cement pneumoconiosis prevention and control. @*Methods@#Four Chinese typical cement enterprises and key posts exposed to cement dust were selected to carry out occupational health investigation and detection, and three risk assessment methods were used to assess their occupational health risk levels, including semi-quantitative comprehensive index method, semi-quantitative contact ratio method and risk rating method of International Mining and Metal Commission ( ICMM ). Meanwhile, the differences and consistencies among different assessment methods were compared. @*Results@#Dust free silica content ranged from ( 4.70±2.01 ) % to ( 5.63±2.48 ) %,and the total and respirable dust concentrations exposed by bagged cement loaders and cement baggers exceeded Chinese permissible concentration-time weighted average（ PC-TWA ）. The results of semi-quantitative comprehensive index method showed that all the types of work were at high risk of total and respirable dust, while the results of the other two assessment methods showed that bagged cement loaders and cement baggers were at a extremely high or intolerable risk. There were no significant differences among three risk assessment methods whether in terms of total dust or respirable dust ( P>0.05 ). ICMM risk rating method and contact ratio method showed highly positive correlation in term of respirable dust ( rs=0.894, P=0.016 ), but not in term of total dust ( rs=0.733, P=0.097 ). However, the correlations of comprehensive index method with the other two methods were unable to conduct.@*Conclusion@#Bagged cement loaders and cement baggers are at high occupational health risk levels. Moreover, semi-quantitative contact ratio method and ICMM risk rating method have high positive correlation in term of respirable dust, the applicability of comprehensive index method still needs further study.

Identify Myeloid Differentiation-Related MiRNAs Response to ATRA Induction by RNA Sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To identify differentiation related miRNA and evaluate roles of miRNA during ATRA induced myeloid differentiation.@*METHODS@#The small RNA sequencing was used to analyze differential expressed miRNAs in ATRA induced NB4 cells. Then the several up or down-regulated miRNA were selected as the research candidates. SgRNAs targeting the genome of each miRNA were designed and NB4 cells with inducible expression of Cas9 protein were generated. After transduced sgRNA into NB4/Cas9 cells, the mutation level by PCR and surveyor assay were evaluated. The cell differentiation level was investigated by surface CD11b expression via flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#A total of 410 mature miRNAs which expressed in NB4 cells were detected out after treated by ATRA, 74 miRNAs were up-regulated and 55 were down-regulated miRNAs with DNA cleavage generated by CRISPR/Cas9 was assayed directly by PCR or surveyor assay, quantitative PCR showed that the expression of miRNA was downregulated, which evaluated that gene edition successfully inhibitied the expression of mature miRNA. MiR-223 knockout showed the myeloid differentation of NB4 significantly inhibitied, while miRNA-155 knockout showed the myeloid differentation of NB4 cells significantly increased.@*CONCLUSION@#CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful tool for gene editing and can lead to miRNA knockout. Knockouts of miR-223 and miR-155 have shown a differentiation-related phenotype, and the potential mechanism is the integrative regulation of target genes.

Clinical effect of microecological preparation on digestive tract complications and nutritional status after esophageal cancer surgery: A randomized controlled study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze the effect of microecological preparation on digestive tract complications and nutritional status after esophageal cancer surgery. Methods    A total of 146 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2017 to June 2019 were selected. There were 91 males and 55 females, aged 65 (61.9±8.2) years. They were randomly divided into two groups (an observation group and a control group, n=73 in each group) according to whether microecological preparation was given when they could take food one week after the surgery. Nutritional status and the incidence of gastrointestinal complications including anorexia, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (≥3 times per day) in the first month after operation were compared between the two groups. Results    The incidence of anorexia, nausea, diarrhea (≥3 times per day), anastomotic fistula and stenosis in the observation group was lower and the index of nutritional status was higher than those in the control group within one month after the operation (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in acid reflux, vomiting, lung infection and incision infection between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion    Microecological preparation can regulate gastrointestinal microecological balance, improve nutritional status, reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal complications and accelerate the postoperative rehabilitation.

Research progress in upper digestive tract microbiota and esophageal cancer / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are high, with strong invasiveness and poor prognosis. In China, the number of morbidity and death accounts for about half of the world. The cause of the disease has not yet been clarified, and it is known to be related to many factors such as chronic damage to the upper digestive tract caused by poor diet and lifestyle, heredity and environment. With the continuous advancement of molecular biology technology, metagenomics and high-throughput sequencing began to be used as non-culture methods instead of traditional culture methods for micro-ecological analysis, and is becoming a research hotspot. Many studies have shown that the disturbance of upper digestive tract microecology may be one of the causes of esophageal cancer, which affects the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer through complex interactions with the body and various mechanisms. This paper reviews the research progress, which is of great significance to further clarify the value of upper gastrointestinal microecology in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer.

Compound odontoma: a case report and literature review / 口腔疾病防治

@#Odontoma is one of the most common odontogenic tumors in the jaws, and it is widely considered as tooth hamartomas. This article reports a rare compound odontoma with 39 denticles which was checked and diagnosed radically by CBCT, and relevant literatures are reviewed.

AMPK regulates mitochondrial oxidative stress in C2C12 myotubes induced by electrical stimulations of different intensities / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study effect of electrical stimulations of different intensities on mitochondrial oxidative stress in C2C12 myotubes and explore the molecular mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After 7 days of differentiation, C2C12 myotubes were subjected to electrical stimulations (15 V, 3Hz, 30 ms) for 60, 120, or 180 min, and the morphological changes of muscular tubes were observed under inverted microscope. The levels of MDA and SOD activity of the cells were detected, and flow cytometry was used to detect mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and membrane potential. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PGC1, AMPK-Ser485, AMPK-Thr172, and AMPK in the cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant changes occurred in the morphology of C2C12 myotubes in response to electrical stimulations. Electrical stimulation for 60 min resulted in significantly increased levels of MDA, AMPK-Ser485 and AMPK-Thr172 in the cells (P<0.05); simulations of the cells for 120 and 180 min caused significantly increased MDA, ROS, mitochondrial ROS, AMPK-Ser485 and PGC1 along with marked reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electrical stimulation significantly activates oxidative stress, and a longer stimulation time causes stronger mitochondrial oxidation. AMPK-Thr172 regulates oxidative stress induced by stimulations for a moderate time length, while AMPK-Ser485 and PGC1 function to modulate oxidative stress following prolonged stimulations.</p>

Compound odontoma: a case report and literature review / 口腔疾病防治

@#Odontoma is one of the most common odontogenic tumors in the jaws, and it is widely considered as tooth hamartomas. This article reports a rare compound odontoma with 39 denticles which was checked and diagnosed radically by CBCT, and relevant literatures are reviewed.

Genetic Analysis of A Case of Congenital Dysfibrinogenemia Caused by Arg16His Mutation in Exon 2 of FGA / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the phenotype and genotype of a family with congenital dysfibrinogenemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Assays of coagulation, including activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), pro-thrombin time(PT)and thrombin time(TT) were carried out with Sysmex CA-7000 in the proband and his family members. The quality and quantity of fibrinogen in plasma were determined by Clauss and electrophoresis, respectively. Fibrinogen and inconstituent were analyzed by Native-PAGE. All exon and exon intron boundaries of fibringen genes were analyzed by direct sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proband had normal APTT, but prolonged PT and TT. The activity of fibrinogen in plasma was decreased while its quantity was normal. These abnormalities were also found in his sisters and daughter, while his wife was normal. Genetic analysis revealed heterozygous G1233A in the exon 2 of FGA which resulted in Arg16His missense mutation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Inherited dysfibrinogenemia is caused by Arg16His mutation in exon 2 of FGA.</p>

Analysis on Nutritional Risk Screening and Influencing Factors of Hospitalized Patients in Central Urban Area / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Rational nutritional support shall be based on nutritional screening and nutritional assessment.This study is aimed to explore nutritional risk screening and its influencing factors of hospitalized patients in central urban area.It is helpful for the early detection of problems in nutritional supports,nutrition management and the implementation of intervention measures,which will contribute a lot to improving the patient's poor clinical outcome.A total of three tertiary medical institutions were enrolled in this study.From October 2015 to June 2016,1202 hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled in Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) for nutritional risk screening,including 8 cases who refused to participate,5 cases of same-day surgery and 5 cases of coma.A single-factor chi-square test was performed on 312 patients with nutritional risk and 872 hospitalized patients without nutritional risk.Logistic regression analysis was performed with univariate analysis (P＜0.05),to investigate the incidence of nutritional risk and influencing factors.The incidence of nutritional risk was 26.35％ in the inpatients,25.90％ in male and 26.84％ in female,respectively.The single-factor analysis showed that the age ≥60,sleeping disorder,fasting,intraoperative bleeding,the surgery in recent month,digestive diseases,metabolic diseases and endocrine system diseases had significant effects on nutritional risk (P＜0.05).Having considered the above-mentioned factors as independent variables and nutritional risk (Y=1,N=0)as dependent variable,logistic regression analysis revealed that the age ≥60,fasting,sleeping disorders,the surgery in recent month and digestive diseases are hazardous factors for nutritional risk.Nutritional risk exists in hospitalized patients in central urban areas.Nutritional risk screening should be conducted for inpatients.Nutritional intervention programs should be formulated in consideration of those influencing factors,which enable to reduce the nutritional risk and to promote the rehabilitation of inpatients.

Protective Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide on Portal Hypertensive Vasculopathy in Rabbits by Activating AKT-NF-κB Pathway / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in portal hypertension (PH)-induced esophagus-gastric junction vascular lesions in rabbits was observed.The rabbit PH models were established.The animals were randomly divided into the following groups:normal,PH,PH+sodium hydrosulfide (PH+S),PH+propargylglycine (PH+PPG).The plasma H2S levels,apoptosis of esophageal-gastric junction vascular smooth muscle cells,and the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB),p-AKT,Iκ Ba and Bcl-2 were detected.The cystathionine γ lyase (cystathionine-gamma-splitting enzyme,CSE) in the junction vascular tissue was measured.The results showed that the plasma H2S levels and the CSE expression levels had statistically significant difference among different groups (P＜0.05).As compared with PH group,plasma H2S levels were declined obviously (11.9±4.2 vs.20.6±4.5,P＜0.05),and CSE expression levels in the junction vascular tissue were notably reduced (1.7±0.6 vs.2.8±0.8,P＜0.05),apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells per unit area was significantly decreased (0.10±0.15 vs.0.24±0.07,P＜0.05),and the expression levels of p-AKT and NF-κB were significantly decreased (2.31±0.33 vs.3.04±0.38,P＜0.05;0.33±0.17 vs.0.51±0.23,P＜0.05),however,Iκ Ba and Bcl-2 expression increased obviously (5.57±0.17 vs.3.67±0.13,P＜0.05;0.79±0.29 vs.0.44±0.36,P＜0.05) in PH+PPG group.As compared with PH group,H2S levels were notably increased (32.7±7.3 vs.20.6±4.5,P＜0.05),the CSE levels in the junction vascular tissue were significantly increased (6.3±0.7 vs.2.8±0.8,P＜0.05),apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells per unit area was significantly increased (0.35±0.14 vs.0.24±0.07,P＜0.05),and the expression levels of p-AKT and NF-κB were significantly increased (4.29±0.49 vs.3.04±0.38,P＜0.05;0.77±0.27 vs.0.51±0.23,P＜0.05),yet Iκ Ba and Bcl-2 expression decreased significantly (3.23±0.24 vs.3.67±0.13,P＜0.05;0.31±0.23 vs.0.48±0.34,P＜0.05) in PH+S group.It is concluded that esophagus-gastric junction vascular lesions happen under PH,and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells is declined.H2S can activate NF-κB by the p-AKT pathway,leading to the down-regulation of Bcl-2,eventually stimulating apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells,easing PH.H2S/CSE system may play an important role in remission of PH via the AKT-NF-κB pathway.

Survival analysis of stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer patients with lobectomy and sublobar resection / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To make a survival analysis for the stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent lobectomy, segmentectomy or wedge resection and to discuss whether the segmentectomy and wedge resection can be used as a conventional operation. Methods    The clinical data of 474 patients diagnosed with ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer from January 2012 to June 2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University were retrospectively anlyzed. There were 192 males and 282 females with a mean age of 60 years. Their sex, age, histological type, tumor size, surgical pattern, smoking, drinking, survival rate, disease-free survival rate, recurrence rate were compared. Results    Disease-free survival rate of patients with wedge resection was significantly lower than that of the patients undergoing lobectomy and segmentectomy (P<0.05). When tumor diameter≤19 mm, the disease-free survival rate of patients with wedge resection was lower than that of patients with lobectomy (P=0.006) and segmentectomy (P=0.065). Disease-free survival rate of patients with tumor diameter of 20-<30 mm was significantly lower than that of patients with tumor diameter≤19 mm (P=0.026). Excluding patients with wedge resection, disease-free survival of the patients with lobectomy and segmentectomy and tumor diameter of 20-<30 mm was significantly lower than that of patients with tumor diameter≤19 mm (P=0.036). Patients with wedge resection had significant higher risk of local recurrence than that of patients undergoing lobectomy (P<0.001) and segmentectomy (P=0.002). Conclusion    StageⅠA non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing segmentectomy can obtain approximate survival and disease-free survival rate compared with  those with lobectomy, especially in patients with tumor diameter≤19 mm. Pulmonary wedge resection as surgical treatment of lung cancer patients must be selected carefully according to the actual situation and surgical purposes.

MiR-375 suppresses angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting platelet-de-rived growth factor-C / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:Abnormal angiogenesis is an important hallmark of HCC. Ectopic miR-375 overexpression led to repression of proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation, and it induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells as well. In this study, we explored the effect of miR-375 on HCC angiogenesis. Methods:We evaluated the antiangiogenic effects of miR-375 using human umbilical vein endothelial cells, tube formation assays, rat aortic ring sprouting assays, and chicken chorioallantoic membrane assays. Bioinformatics software was used to predict the downstream target gene of miR-375. MiR-375 regulation to target genes was explored by overexpres-sion and knockdown of miR-375 in hepatoma cells. Luciferase assay was performed to confirm its molecular mechanism. Rescue assay of target gene was further used to prove that miR-375 inhibited HCC angiogenesis by directly regulating its target gene. Results:MiR-375 inhibited HCC angiogenesis. Platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGFC) was a potential target gene of miR-375. MiR-375 inhibited PDGFC expression in hepatoma cells by targeting its 3′-UTR. MiR-375 exerted its antiangiogenic effect partially by PDGFC inhibition. Conclusion:MiR-375 repressed tumor angiogenesis by targeting PDGFC in HCC.

Interaction of effective ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines with intestinal microbiota / 中国中药杂志

A large number and wide varieties of microorganisms colonize in the human gastrointestinal tract. They construct an intestinal microecological system in the intestinal environment. The intestinal symbiotic flora regulates a series of life actions, including digestion and absorption of nutrient, immune response, biological antagonism, and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of many diseases. Therefore, it is greatly essential for the host's health status to maintain the equilibrium of intestinal microecological environment. After effective compositions of traditional Chinese medicines are metabolized or biotransformed by human intestinal bacteria, their metabolites can be absorbed more easily, and can even decrease or increase toxicity and then exhibit significant different biological effects. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicines can also regulate the composition of the intestinal flora and protect the function of intestinal mucosal barrier to restore the homeostasis of intestinal microecology. The relevant literatures in recent 15 years about the interactive relationship between traditional Chinese medicines and gut microbiota have been collected in this review, in order to study the classification of gut microflora, the relationship between intestinal dysbacteriosis and diseases, the important roles of gut microflora in intestinal bacterial metabolism in effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines and bioactivities, as well as the modulation effects of Chinese medicine on intestinal dysbacteriosis. In addition, it also makes a future prospect for the research strategies to study the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicines based on multi-omics techniques.

Correlation between self-efficacy and fall efficacy in patients with stroke / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between self efficacy and fall efficacy in patients with stroke.Methods The falls efficacy scale-international (FES-I) and the stroke self-efficacy questionnaire(SSEQ) were applied to 300 patients with stroke.Results The FES-I score of the participants was 39.13± 16.40,the scores of the indoor activity dimension and outdoor activity dimension were (26.01 ± 11.13) and (18.33 ± 7.76),respectively.The total mean score of SSEQ was (40.11 ± 22.37),the scores of the activity function dimension and self-management dimension were (24.97± 14.40)and (15.14±8.35),respectively.FES-I scores were positively correlated with SSEQ scores (r=0.550-0.802,P＜0.05).Falls efficacy could explain 34.3％ and 36.8％ variation amount for each dimension of self-efficacy in patients with stroke.Conclusion Falls efficacy is closely related to self-efficacy in patients with stroke.In order to improve the quality of medical care,medical staff should pay attention to the occurrences of reduction of self-efficacy and selfesteem in patients with stroke when they avoid falling during some activities.