Moyamoya syndrome complicated with bilateral posterior cerebral artery embolism: a case report and literature review / 中华神经科杂志

No case of moyamoya syndrome with bilateral posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusion has been reported in China so far as this disease is extremely rare. The case shown in this article is a middle-aged women who has a history of atrial fibrillation, hypertension and type 2 diabetes acutely attacked by this syndrome. The main clinical manifestations included binocular blindness, right limb weakness. Imaging findings showed bilateral acute cerebral infarction in the parietal occipital lobe, bilateral anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery smoke angiogenesis, bilateral PCA occlusion with distal smoke angiogenesis. Considering the medical history of the patient, the cause of the disease was diagnosed as embolic stroke of undetermined source. The patient′s consciousness has been recovered and the limb weakness has been improved after active symptomatic treatment. However, the blindness did not see any improvements. This case report aims to improve clinicians′ understanding of bilateral PCA embolization in patients with moyamoya syndrome so the occurrence of cerebral infarction can be effectively prevented.

Genetic characteristics and survival analysis of 27 cases of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the genetic and genomic profiling of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and factors affecting its survival rate. Methods: Clinical characteristics, cytogenetics, molecular biology results and survival status of children with 27 JMML cases admitted to the Hematology Department of Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from December 2012 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, and the outcomes of the children were followed up. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Univariate analysis was used for analyzing factors affecting the overall survival (OS) rates of patients who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Log-Rank test was used for comparison of survival curves. Results: Among 27 JMML cases, there were 11 males and 16 females. The age of disease onset was 28 (11,52) months. There are 20 cases of normal karyotype, 4 cases of monosomy 7, 1 case of trisomy 8,1 case of 11q23 rearrangement and 1 case of complex karyotype. A total of 39 somatic mutations were detected.Those involved in RAS signal pathway were the highest (64%(25/39)), among which PTPN11 mutation was the most frequent (44% (11/25)). A total of 17 cases (63%) received HSCT, 8 cases (30%) did not receive HSCT, and 2 cases (7%) lost follow-up. For children receiving transplantation, the follow-up time after transplantation was 47 (11,57) months. The 1-year OS rate of high-risk transplantation group (17 cases) and high-risk non transplantation group (6 cases) was (88±8)% and (50±20)% respectively, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=5.01, P=0.025). The 5-year OS rate of the high-risk transplantation group was (75±11)%. The survival time of those who relapsed or progressed to acute myeloid leukemia after transplantation was significantly shorter than that of those who did not relapse (χ2=6.80, P=0.009). The OS rate of patients with or without PTPN11 mutation was (81±12) % and (67±19)% respectively (χ2=0.85, P=0.356). Conclusions: The main pathogenesis involved in JMML is gene mutation related to RAS signaling pathway, and the most common driver gene of mutation is PTPN11. Allogeneic HSCT can significantly improve the survival rate of high-risk JMML patients. The recurrence or progression after transplantation was related to poor prognosis.

Research on analgesic effect and prospect of clinical application of rutin / 中国药理学通报

Rutin is extracted from Ruta graveolens L. with many pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation , protecting cardiovascular system and analgesia. As a natural product, rutin has the advantages of low side effects and difficult tolerance, but its instability and low bioavailability still limit its clinical application. This paper summarizes the analgesic mechnism of rutin, and looks forward to the clinical applica¬tion of rutin based on its derivative and dosage forms. It is expected to provide ideas for further analgesic research and drug development and application of rutin in the future.

Clinical Efficacy of Haplo-HSCT of ATG Combined with PTCy for Children with Myelodysplastic Syndrome / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) in combination of ATG and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) -induced immune tolerance after transplantation in treatment of childhood myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS）.@*METHODS@#From July 2016 to November 2020, a total of 8 children with MDS receiving the haploidentical allo-HSCT combined with ATG and PTCy-induced immune tolerance after transplantation in our hospital were enrolled, whose clinical data were retrospected and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Median age at diagnosis of the 8 children (1 male and 7 females) was 6.4 (range, 10 months to 15 years) years old. The median medical history of MDS was 2.7 years (range, 3 months to 8 years). Among the 8 patients, 7 cases were diagnosed with refractory cytopenia of childhood and one with refractory anemia with excess of blasts. The HSC donors were father, mother or brother of patients and HLA matching in 6-9/12 loci were identical. All the donors were healthy and didn't carry the same pathogenic genes as the recipients. The median age of donors was 36.4 (range, 25 to 49) years old. The median mononuclear cell (MNC) number of the graft was 19.8, ranging in (13.2-47.3)×108/kg, and the median CD34+ cell number was 11.8×106/kg, ranging in (5.0-18.3)×106/kg. Graft-versus-host disease prophylactic regimen was started on day 3 and 4 after transplantation, in which cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg·d) was administered by intravenous infusion. From day 5 after transplantation, low-dose tacrolimus was administered by intravenous infusion and mycophenolate mofetil was administered orally. The median time of neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 12.6 (rang, 11 to 15) days and 13.3 (rang, 11 to 18) days, respectively. All the patients achieved full donor chimerism on neutrophil engraftment after transplantation. The median follow-up time was 1 032 (rang, 747 to 1 536) days. Both overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate were 100%.@*CONCLUSION@#Haplo-HSCT combined with ATG and PTCy-induced immune tolerance after transplantation is a safe and effective treatment for children with MDS.

Astaxanthin attenuates contrast-induced acute kidney injury in rats by inhibiting dynamin-related protein 1-mediated mitochondrial fission through activating SIRT1 pathway / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate whether astaxanthin (AST) down-regulates dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) through activating the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog-1 (SIRT1) signaling pathway, thereby attenuating contrast-induced acute kidney injury.Methods:Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 160-180 g were randomly divided into five groups: sham surgery group (Sham group), contrast medium injury group (CM group), astaxanthin-intervention group (AST+CM group), SIRT1 inhibitor Ex527 intervention group (Ex527+CM group), and astaxanthin combined with Ex527 intervention group (AST+Ex527+CM group). After 72 hours of modeling, heart blood was removed and kidney tissues were collected for follow-up testing. Serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and oxidative stress-related indexes total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by biochemistry; hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney; mitochondrial morphology and number were observed by transmission electron microscopy; reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by ROS staining in frozen sections; TUNEL staining was performed to detect apoptosis level. The expression levels of SIRT1, p53, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), Drp1 and apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting.Results:(1) Compared with the CM group, Scr and BUN level were significantly lower, T-SOD level was higher and MDA level was lower in the AST+CM group, while T-SOD level decreased and MDA level increased after the combination of Ex527 (all P<0.05). (2) ROS expression was lower in the AST+CM group compared to the CM group and higher after the combination of Ex527 (both P<0.05). (3) The number of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced in the AST+CM group compared to the CM group and increased after the combination of Ex527 (both P<0.05). (4) The protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α and Bcl-2 were increased and the protein expression levels of p53, Drp1 and Bax were decreased (all P<0.05) in the AST+CM group compared with the CM group, and the protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α and Bcl-2 were decreased and the protein expression levels of p53, Drp1 and Bax were increased when Ex527 was combined (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Astaxanthin can inhibit Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission by activating the SIRT1 pathway, thereby reducing contrast-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

POST1/C12ORF49 regulates the SREBP pathway by promoting site-1 protease maturation

Sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are the key transcriptional regulators of lipid metabolism. The activation of SREBP requires translocation of the SREBP precursor from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, where it is sequentially cleaved by site-1 protease (S1P) and site-2 protease and releases a nuclear form to modulate gene expression. To search for new genes regulating cholesterol metabolism, we perform a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen and find that partner of site-1 protease (POST1), encoded by C12ORF49, is critically involved in the SREBP signaling. Ablation of POST1 decreases the generation of nuclear SREBP and reduces the expression of SREBP target genes. POST1 binds S1P, which is synthesized as an inactive protease (form A) and becomes fully mature via a two-step autocatalytic process involving forms B'/B and C'/C. POST1 promotes the generation of the functional S1P-C'/C from S1P-B'/B (canonical cleavage) and, notably, from S1P-A directly (non-canonical cleavage) as well. This POST1-mediated S1P activation is also essential for the cleavages of other S1P substrates including ATF6, CREB3 family members and the α/β-subunit precursor of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase. Together, we demonstrate that POST1 is a cofactor controlling S1P maturation and plays important roles in lipid homeostasis, unfolded protein response, lipoprotein metabolism and lysosome biogenesis.

Clinical significance of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, and its correlation with p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), p53, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are important factors that facilitate tumor progression. The aims of our study were to investigate the expression of HIF-1α, p53, and VEGF in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated by curative surgery and to analyze their association with clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: The surgical specimens from 120 patients who had undergone potentially curative resection for ESCC were immunohistochemically assessed using monoclonal antibodies against HIF-1α, p53, and VEGF. Results: Positive rates of HIF-1α, p53, and VEGF expression were 61.7%, 56.7%, and 78.3%, respectively. No significant relationship was found between HIF-1α, p53, VEGF expression, and the analyzed clinicopathological parameters. There was no significant correlation between the expression of HIF-1α, p53, and VEGF. Univariate analysis revealed that overexpression of HIF-1α was associated with poor disease-free and overall survival (P = 0.023 and 0.01, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that upregulation of HIF-1α is an independent predictor for poor overall survival (P = 0.044). Conclusions: HIF-1α was a useful independent prognostic factor for surgically treated ESCC. Further studies with larger sample size are required to determine the relationship between the expression of HIF-1α, p53, VEGF, and clinicopathological parameters

Hemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke: risk factors and impact on outcomes / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in patients with acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS) and its impact on outcomes.Methods:From July 2016 to October 2019, patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou and diagnosed as PCIS were enrolled retrospectively. Their demography, clinical data, laboratory and imaging findings were collected. HT was defined as no intracranial hemorrhage detected by the first head CT/MRI after onset, and intracranial hemorrhage was found during head CT/MRI reexamination within 10 d after onset. Symptomatic HT was defined as intracranial hemorrhage indicated by imaging reexamination and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was higher than the baseline. The outcome was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months after onset, and >2 were defined as poor outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for HT, symptomatic HT, and poor outcomes. Results:A total of 242 patients with PCIS were enrolled. Their age was 68.02±12.0 years, and 111 were females (45.9%). The baseline median NIHSS score was 5.9 (interquartile range: 3.1-8.8). HT occurred in 19 patients (7.9%), and 14 of them (73.7%) were symptomatic HT. Follow-up at 3 months showed that 74 patients (30.58%) had poor outcomes, of which 12 died. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher baseline systolic blood pressure (odds ratio [ OR] 1.076, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.021-1.135, P=0.006; OR 1.161, 95% CI 1.087-1.240, P<0.001) and larger infarct volume ( OR 31.293, 95% CI 4.542-215.592, P<0.001; OR 2.084, 95% CI 1.414-3.073, P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for HT and symptomatic HT. The higher NIHSS score ( OR 1.511, 95% CI 1.307-1.746; P<0.001), diabetes mellitus ( OR 2.041, 95% CI 1.054-3.952; P=0.034) and symptomatic HT ( OR 4.514, 95% CI 1.458-13.979; P=0.009) were the independent risk factors for poor outcomes. Conclusions:HT is rare in patients with PCIS. Higher baseline systolic blood pressure and larger infarct volume are the independent risk factors for HT in patients with PCIS. Higher baseline NIHSS scores, diabetes mellitus, and symptomatic HT are the independent risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with PCIS.

Success rate and influencing factors of external cephalic version for singleton pregnancies in the third trimester / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the factors associated with the success rate of external cephalic version (ECV) for singleton and non-cephalic presentation pregnancies in the third trimester.Methods A retrospective study of ECV among singleton and non-cephalic presentation pregnant women in 36-40 weeks of gestation at Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2016 to June 2018 was analyzed.Results (1) Totally,251 cases of 358 pregnant women who underwent ECV were successful,with a total success rate of 70.1％ (251/358).The success rate of multipara was 79.1％ (129/163),while 62.6％ (122/195) in primipara (P＜0.01).The total vaginal delivery rate was 52.2％ (187/358),the vaginal delivery rate of multipara was 61.3％ (100/163),while 44.6％ (87/195) in primipara (P＜0.01).(2) Spontaneous reversion occurred in 7.6％(19/251) of ECV successful women,the rate of reversion of multipara was 10.9％ (14/129),higher than that of the primipara [4.1％ (5/122);P＜0.01].(3) Among the 232 pregnant women who did not reverted after successful ECV,187 cases of successful vaginal delivery,the vaginal delivery rate was 80.6％ (187/232);the vaginal delivery rate of the multipara was 87.0％(100/115),which was higher than that of the primipara [74.4％(87/117);P＜0.01].(4) The variables significantly associated with ECV success were parity,type of breech,whether fetal presentation was in pelvic or not (all P＜0.05).The complication rate was 2.2％ (8/358),among which the incidence of fetal distress,placental abruption and transient fetal heart abnormalities were 0.6％ (2/358),0.3％ (1/358) and 1.4％ (5/358) respectively.Conclusion By close monitoring,ECV is a safe and effective procedure in selected appropriate cases,and worthy of clinical application.

Development of Dynamic Ankle Prosthesis (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Mechanism design and control theory of dynamic ankle prosthesis are important research directions of active lower limb prosthesis. This paper started from the research status at home and abroad, reviewed the background, purpose and significance of dynamic ankle prosthesis, pointed out the shortcomings of passive ankle prosthesis design and kinematics, provided opinions and suggestions for the design and development of powered ankle prosthesis. According to the different driving modes, the research progress of pneumatic, hydraulic and motor driven ankle prosthesis mechanism design was systematically described, and the timeliness and energy dissipation of prosthesis under different driving modes were discussed. According to the different feedback accuracy and real-time of finite-state machine, trajectory tracking and direct volitional control, an optimization scheme was proposed to improve the function of dynamic ankle prosthesis control mode.

Clinical characteristics of severe anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in four children / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical features and treatment strategy of severe anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis in children. Methods The clinical data and follow-up information of 4 children with severe anti-NMDAR encephalitis were retrospectively analyzed. Results Four patients (one male and 3 females) were 10 to 13 years old and one child had teratoma combined. In all patients symptoms at onset mainly were psychiatric syndrome and movement disorder, and then progressed to seizures, disturbance of consciousness and central hypoventilation respiratory failure in one month. The anti-NMDAR antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid were positive in all patients. The EEG showed focal or diffuse slow waves. The brain MRI showed no pathological changes at the diagnosis. The treatment included methylprednisolone and large doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), ventilator for 5-95 days, and tracheotomy in 2 cases. One case died because of serious infection. In 21-27 months of the follow-up, one case had clinical recovery; 2 cases had the sustained use of immunosuppressive agents and anti-epileptic drugs and the clinical symptoms were significantly improved. The EEG and anti-NMDAR antibodies continued abnormal in the patient combined with teratoma. One patient relapsed. Conclusions The severe anti-NMDAR is more likely in older female children. The central hypoventilation respiratory failure occurs in the early course of the disease. Combination with tumor is high risk factor. Conventional hormone therapy and ventilator treatment is effective. The recovery is slow. It may be relapsed even one year later.

Identification and characterization of epidermal growth factor receptor ligands in Bombyx mori / 生物工程学报

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a multi-functional receptor distributed throughout the metazoa. Study on its ligands so far remained mainly on mammals, including how ligands are processed into active forms, their interaction with EGFR, and the signaling pathway they induce. However, in invertebrates, ligands are more divergent among species. Currently, except for Drosophila, less is known about the insect EGFR ligands. Here, we identified two EGFR ligands in Bombyx mori by homology search, domain prediction, analysis of the potential translation initiation sequence and construction of phylogenetic tree, termed as BmEGF-1 and BmEGF-2. BmEGF-1 shows the greatest similarity to Drosophila Spitz and their Rhomboid-recognition motifs are highly identical. BmEGF-2 is a homolog to Drosophila Vein. Then we purified BmEGF-1 extracellular domain expressed in E. coli, and performed pull-down assay with BmEGFR extracellular domain secreted by Sf9 cells. The result confirmed their interaction. Lastly, we found the phosphorylation level of ERK and p38 MAPK was elevated after expression of BmEGF-1 in BmE cells, which suggested that BmEGF-1 is not only able to activate the canonical ERK signaling pathway, but may participate in other cellular processes by inducing p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Our study provides reference to further study of the biological function of BmEGF in silkworm.

Effects of leg length discrepancy on gait: An experimental study / 医用生物力学

Objective To simulate leg length discrepancy by unilateral increase in lower limb of normal person, analyze gait features in the case of leg length discrepancy and its effect on walking gait, so as to provide theoretical proofs for chronical musculoskeletal diseases in lower limb amputees due to leg length discrepency. Methods Leg length discrepancy was simulated by subjects wearing shoes to increase the unilateral height of one leg. The time-space parameters, ground reaction forces and joint angles of the subjects during normal walking gait and leg length discrepancy gait were obtained via the 3D motion capture system and the reaction force platform to make comparative analysis. Results Significant differences were found between leg length discrepancy gait and normal gait in terms of step length, stride time and single supporting period. In the case of leg length discrepancy gait, the ground reaction force of both feet significantly increased at heel-strike phase compared with normal gait, and obvious changes were observed in angles of hip, knee and ankle joints. Conclusions Leg length discrepancy is an important cause leading to gait abnormalities, and maybe a cause of leg joint diseases for trans-tibial amputees wearing prosthesis.

Anatomical characteristics of deer and sheep lumbar spines: comparison to the human lumbar spine / Características anatómicas de la columna vertebral de ciervos y ovejas: comparación con la columna vertebral humana

Deer and sheep spines are often used as models of the human spine. A prerequisite for the use of animal models is information regarding the interspecies differences in the parameters of general interest. This would clarify the limitations of each animal model and substantiate the applicability of the obtained results to humans. Since sufficient data appear to be currently unavailable, we sought to investigate the feasibility of using deer and sheep as animal models for studies on the human spine. The objective of this study was a thorough comparison of the anatomical parameters of deer and sheep spines with those of the human spine. We employed three-dimensional reconstructions of computed tomography images, generated using figure analysis software, which facilitated quantitative analysis of the linear and curvature parameters and the geometric index of the vertebral bodies. Our findings represent a comprehensive database of the anatomical characteristics of the deer and sheep lumbar spines and their comparisons with those of the human lumbar spine. This study provides insight into the similarities and differences in the vertebral geometries between the human spine and the deer and sheep spines. We found that the differences are minimal and that they do not greatly compromise the utility of deer and sheep lumbar spines as models of the human lumbar spine.

La columna vertebral de ciervos y ovejas se utiliza frecuentemente como modelo de la columna vertebral humana. Un requisito previo para el uso de modelos animales es la información con respecto a las diferencias entre especies en los parámetros de interés general, lo que aclara las limitaciones de cada modelo animal y fundamenta la aplicabilidad de los resultados obtenidos para los seres humanos. Debido a que existen datos suficientes actualmente, hemos intentado investigar la viabilidad de utilizar ciervos y ovejas como modelos animales para los estudios sobre la columna vertebral humana. El objetivo fue realizar una comparación exhaustiva de los parámetros anatómicos de las columnas de ciervos y ovejas, con los de la columna vertebral humana. Empleamos reconstrucciones tridimensionales de imágenes de tomografía computadorizada, mediante un programa de análisis de la figura, lo que facilitó el análisis cuantitativo de los parámetros lineales y de la curvatura y el índice geométrico de las vértebras. Nuestros hallazgos representan una amplia base de datos de las características anatómicas de la columna lumbar de los ciervos y ovejas y sus comparaciones con las de la columna lumbar humana. Este estudio proporciona información sobre las similitudes y diferencias en las geometrías vertebrales entre la columna vertebral humana y las columnas de venado y oveja. Se encontró que las diferencias son mínimas y que no comprometen el uso de la columna de ciervos y ovejas como modelos de la columna lumbar humana.

Significance of Th1/Th17 Imbalance in Mice with Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Th1/Th17 cell imbalance on the pathogenesis of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In a murine GVHD model of C57BL/6 (H-2(b)), a low dose of halofuginone (HF) was applied for treating the recipients in order to result in Th1/Th17 imbalance. Rechipient mice were divided into GVHD group (without HF intervention) and GVHD plus HF group (treated by HF). The recipients were monitored for survival rate, clinical scores of acute GVHD, contents of circulatory Th1 and Th17 cells, Th1/Th17 ratio and serum level of IFN-γ and IL-17A. Expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A in target organs were analyzed by using real-time PCR, and the target organs were delivered for histological examinations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Recipients treated with HF showed that all the mortality, circulatory Th1/Th17 ratio and clinical score were higher than those in the mice without HF intervention (P < 0.05). Circulatory Th1/Th17 ratio positively correlates with clinical score (P < 0.001). HF administration reduces the expression level of intestinal IL-17A and increases intrahepatic and intestinal IFN-γ level (P < 0.05), HF treatment aggravates GVHD in liver and small intestine with augmented hepatic and intestinal inflammation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Th1/Th17 imbalance contributes to the pathogenesis of acute GVHD.</p>

Effects of chrysophanol on expression of SREBPs and lipid metabolism in Huh-7 cells / 药学学报

Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medicines which possess laxative, lipid-lowering, and weight-loss activities, but the active compounds of lipid-lowering and underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet clear. This study aims to explore the effects of chrysophanol on the mRNA expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) and lipid metabolism in human liver carcinoma Huh-7 cells, which is one of the active compounds obtained from Rhubarb. A reporter gene assay was used to test the transcription of SREBP. The intracellular triglyceride and total cholesterol contents were measured by using commercially available test kits. The SREBPs target genes expressions were measured by Quantitative Real-Time PCR. Cell viability was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8. As the results shown, chrysophanol (40 μmol · L(-1), 16 h) could notably inhibited human SRE promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner and decrease intracellular cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of SREBPs target genes were significantly downregulated by chrysophanol treatment. However there are no significant differences on cell viability when compared with the control group. These results suggested that chrysophanol might improve lipid metabolism through suppressing the mRNA expressions of SREBPs target genes to attenuate intracellular lipid accumulation.

Risk factors for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in children with measles / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the risk factors for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children with measles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 55 children with measles were retrospectively studied. Of the 55 children, 11 were complicated by ARDS. The risk factors for the development of ARDS were investigated by univariate analysis and multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the oxygen inhalation mode (nasal catheter/mask), the rate of sepsis, blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and lymphocyte counts at admission between the ARDS and non-ARDS groups (P<0.05). The presence of sepsis and higher blood CRP levels were identified as the major risk factors for the development of ARDS by the multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR=116.444, 1.050 respectively; P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The children with measles who have sepsis and higher blood CRP levels are at risk of ARDS.</p>

Interleukin-1 beta affects the biological properties of rat nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Endogenous stem cells have no repair effects on the process of disc degeneration. Authors assumed that this maybe associate with abnormal effects of related etiological factor, resulting in an inhibitory effect on the function of nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1βon biological characteristics of nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells of rats. METHODS:Lumbar spinal nucleus pulposus was obtained from 3-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured with col agenase and sequential trypsin digestion. The expression of CD24, CD34, CD45, CD90 and CD105 was detected using flow cytometry. Stem cellgene SOX2 and Nanog expression was measured using RT-PCR. Adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic abilities of nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells were observed. The apoptotic rate of interleukin-1β-treated nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells was detected using flow cytometry. Fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression of SOX9, proteoglycan, type II col agenase and caspase-3 gene after nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells were treated with interleukin-1β.

The cardioprotective effects of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial interstitium following ischemic/reperfusion in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) on the changes of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) protein and mRNA levels in rat heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion, and explore the mechanism by which IPTC protects myocardial interstitium following ischemic/reperfusion (I/R).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): sham control (SC) group, I/R group and IPTC group. The parameters of left ventricular function including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and its derivate (±dp/dt) were measured; the amount of myocardial collagen contents was determined by hydroxyproline quantification; the plasma activity of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected; the protien levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was measured by Western blot and the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was detected by real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were significantly decreased in I/R group compared with those of SC group, wherease the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA levels of MMP-2 were significantly enhanced in I/R group when compared to SC group. Compared with I/R group, the myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were increased in IPTC group, the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA level of MMP-2 were decreased in IPTC group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings indicate that IPTC has protective effects on myocardial interstitial after the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and IPTC may exert its cardioprotectve effect via inhibiting MMP-2 and enhancing TIMP-2 expression in cardiac muscle.</p>

Short-term prognostic factors in children with acute liver failure / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the factors that influence the short-term (6 months) prognosis in children with acute liver failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical information of 53 children with acute liver failure treated between June 2008 and September 2013 was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into survival group (n=21) and death group (n=32) according to their outcomes. The liver function parameters and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify major factors affecting the short-term prognosis in these patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences between the death and survival groups in the indices of international normalized ratio (INR), blood ammonia and serum albumin (Alb), and complications such as hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and multiple organ failure (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that serum Alb, INR, and hepatic encephalopathy were the major factors affecting the short-term prognosis of acute liver failure (OR=0.616, 75.493 and 1210.727 respectively; P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>INR, hepatic encephalopathy and serum Alb are the major factors that influence the short-term prognosis in children with acute liver failure.</p>