Genotype-phenotype correlations, surgical selections, and postoperative complications of 5α-reductase 2 deficiency in 69 children with hypospadias / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

5α-reductase 2 deficiency prevents testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone, which causes abnormal urogenital sinus development. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between genotype-phenotype, surgical selections, and postoperative complications of 5α-reductase 2-deficient patients with hypospadias. We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with 5α-reductase 2 deficiency after genetic testing in the Department of Endocrinology and underwent initial hypospadias surgery in the Department of Urology in Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University (Beijing, China), from April 2007 to December 2021. A total of 69 patients were included in this study; the mean age at surgery was 34.1 months, and the average follow-up time was 54.1 months. Sixty children were treated with preoperative hormone stimulation (PHS) to promote penile growth. The average penis length and glans width were increased by 1.46 cm and 0.62 cm, respectively. The most frequent mutations were p.R227Q (39.1%, 54/138), p.Q6* (15.2%, 21/138), p.G203S (12.3%, 17/138), and p.R246Q (11.6%, 16/138). In 64 patients who were followed up, 43 had a one-stage operation and 21 had a staged operation, and there were significant differences in external masculinization score (EMS) ( P = 0.008) and the average number of operation required to cure ( P < 0.001) between one-stage and staged operations. PHS had a positive effect ( P < 0.001) on penile development. The p.R227Q mutation was associated with higher EMS and less severe hypospadias. One-stage surgery can be selected if conditions permit. The growth and development of children are acceptable in the long term, but penis growth remains unsatisfactory. Long-term complications of hypospadias should be considered during puberty.

An improved fixation method for preparing mouse brown adipose tissue for transmission electron microscopy / 解剖学报

Objective To improve the fixation method of the transmission electron microscope for better morphological preservation of mitochondria and lipid droplets in mouse brown adipose tissue. Methods The fixation method for mouse brown adipose tissue was optimized, mainly including an increased concentration of paraformaldehyde from 2% to 4% in the pre-fixative, employment of transcardial perfusion followed by immersion fixation in pre-fixation, and using imidazole-buffered osmium tetroxide as the post-fixative. The ultrastructures of brown adipocytes prepared by the improved method were observed and compared with those of a known standard protocol (3 mice in each group). The improved method was further validated in the quantitative analysis of mitochondrial cristae density and lipid droplets. Results The mitochondrial cristae and membrane structure of other organelles of brown adipocytes were better preserved using the optimized method compared with those of the standard method. Lipid droplets were presented as round structures with high electron density instead of vacuolated appearances. Using this method, we observed that the density of mitochondrial cristae and the content of lipid droplets increased in brown adipocytes after cold adaptation. Conclusion The optimized method can better preserve the ultrastructure of organelles in brown adipocytes, especially mitochondria and lipid droplets, and ma)' be applicable for studying the ultrastructures remodeling of brown adipose tissue under different physiological or pathological conditions.

Effects of extramedullary disease on patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To summarize the characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) admitted at Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. We compared the clinical characteristics and prognoses among patients with non-extramedullary disease (EMD), bone-related extramedullary (EM-B) disease, and extraosseous extramedullary (EM-E) disease and further explored the effects of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for EMD. Methods: From January 2015 to January 2022, data of 114 patients (22%) with EMD out of 515 patients with NDMM were retrospectively analyzed; 91 (18%) and 23 (4%) patients comprised the EM-B and EM-E groups, respectively. The clinical characteristics of patients in all groups were compared with the Chi-square test. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent prognostic factors were determined using multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, ISS stage, light chain, creatinine clearance, cytogenetic risk, 17p deletion, ASCT, and induction regimens among the three groups. Overall, 13% of EM-E patients had IgD-type M protein, which was significantly higher than that in EM-B patients (P=0.021). The median PFS of patients in the non-EMD, EM-B, and EM-E groups was 27.4, 23.1, and 14.0 months; the median OS was not reached, 76.8 months, and 25.6 months, respectively. The PFS (vs non-EMD, P=0.004; vs EM-B, P=0.036) and OS (vs non-EMD, P<0.001; vs EM-B, P=0.002) were significantly worse in patients with EM-E, while those were not significantly different between patients with EM-B and those with non-EMD. In the multivariate analysis, EM-E was an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with NDMM (HR=8.779, P<0.001) and negatively impacted PFS (HR=1.874, P=0.050). In those who did not undergo ASCT, patients with EM-B had significantly worse OS than those with non-EMD (median 76.8 months vs. not reached, P=0.029). However, no significant difference was observed in the PFS and OS of patients with EM-B and those with non-EMD who underwent ASCT. Conclusions: Compared to patients with either non-EMD or EM-B, those with EM-E had the worst prognosis. EM-E was an independent risk factor for OS in patients with NDMM. ASCT can overcome the poor prognosis of EM-B.

Inhibitory mechanism of icariin against oxidative stress-induced calcification in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to observe the inhibitory effect of icariin against oxidative stress-induced calcification in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) and elucidate the molecular mechanism of icariin in inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-mediated atherosclerotic calcification, so as to provide new ideas for exploring the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of Epimedii Folium. The VSMCs in rat thoracic aorta were subjected to adherent culture and then treated with the complete calcification DMEM containing high glucose and hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2) for three weeks. The resulting calcified VSMCs were divided into different treatment groups. Icariin was added one week after calcification induction for protecting the VSMCs, whose viability was then detected using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). Alizarin red-S staining was conducted to observe the calcification degree. The activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in VSMCs was measured using the disodium phenyl phosphate substrate and the calcium content was measured by arsenazo Ⅲ method. The mRNA expression levels of ossification-related factors including osteocalcin(OC), osteopontin(OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2), and type Ⅰ collagen(Col Ⅰa) were detected by real-time PCR. Western blot was carried out to determine the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), Runx2, activating transcription factor 4(ATF4), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor(eIF)-2α. The results showed that H_2O_2 significantly induced the calcification of VSMCs, increased the ALP activity and calcium content in VSMCs, promoted OC, OPN, Runx2, and Col Ⅰa mRNA expression and Runx2 protein expression, and reduced α-SMA protein expression. The ATF4 protein expression and eIF2α phosphorylation were also elevated significantly. Icariin reversed the calcification of VSMCs induced by H_2O_2, inhibited ALP activity and calcium content in VSMCs, down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of OC, OPN, Runx2 and Col Ⅰa and Runx2 protein expression, and relatively up-regulated the expression of α-SMA. The expression of ATF4 and phosphorylation of eIF2α also declined significantly. All these have demonstrated that icariin inhibited VSMCs calcification by down-regulating the ossification-related factors and lowering ALP activity and calcium content in VSMCs. Besides, the down-regulation of Runx2 expression and the inhibition of ATF4 and eIF2α-mediated cellular calcification pathway in ERS might also be involved in such calcification-suppressing process.

Effect of Epimedii Folium Total Flavonoids on Angiogenesis of Ischemic Myocardium in Rats After Acute Myocardial Infarction / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of total flavonoids from Epimedii Folium （TEF） on the angiogenesis of ischemic myocardium in rats after acute myocardial infarction （AMI） and discuss its molecular biological mechanism of attenuating myocardial ischemia and improving cardiac function. Method:AMI in rats was induced through the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. All male SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group， model group， diltiazem group （10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and TEF low-dose and high-dose groups （100 and 200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. After modeling， rats in the diltiazem group and TEF groups were given corresponding doses of diltiazem and TEF， respectively， and those in the model group and sham-operated group received normal saline of equivalent volume， once a day for 7 days. After the administration， VisualSonics Vevo2100 imaging system was used to detect the cardiac structure and function and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining to observe the histomorphological changes in myocardial ischemic area. Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze the expression of CD31 and <italic>α</italic>-smooth muscle actin （<italic>α</italic>-SMA） in ischemic myocardium and Western blot to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor 2 （VEGF-R2） and phosphorylation of protein kinase B （Akt） in ischemic myocardium. Real-time PCR was applied to quantify the mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF）. Result:Compared with the sham-operated group， the model group demonstrated significant increase in left ventricular systolic diameter （LVIDs）， left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole （LVIDd）， left ventricular end-systolic volume （LVEVs）， and left ventricular end-diastolic volume （LVEVd）， significant decrease in End-systolic thickness of left ventricular anterior wall （LVAWs）， end-diastolic thickness of left ventricle anterior wall （LVAWd）， end systolic thickness of left ventricular posterior wall （LVPWs）， stroke volume （SV）， ejection fraction （EF）， fractional shortening （FS）， and cardiac output （CO）， obvious pathological changes in the ischemic myocardium， and plummet of the expression of CD31 and <italic>α</italic>-SMA （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， Akt phosphorylation level， protein level of VEGF-R2， and mRNA levels of VEGF and bFGF （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. High-dose TEF significantly alleviated the pathological changes of ischemic myocardium as compared with the model group. Moreover， TEF high-dose group showed significantly lower levels of LVIDs， LVIDd， LVEVs， and LVEVd， significantly higher levels of LVAWs， LVAWd， LVPWs， SV， EF， FS， and CO， higher expression of CD31 and <italic>α</italic>-SMA （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， and higher levels of VEGF-R2 protein， phosphorylated Akt， and VEGF and bFGF mRNA than the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:TEF can effectively improve myocardial perfusion in peri-myocardial infarction area and attenuate ventricular remodeling and heart failure after AMI by up-regulating the expression of bFGF， VEGF， and VEGF-R2 in ischemic myocardium following AMI and activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases （PI3K）/Akt/VEGF signaling transduction pathway which can promote angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium.

Improving Effect of Modified Buyang Huanwutang Combined with Electroacupuncture on Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury due to Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Buyang Huanwutang combined with electroacupuncture （EA） in the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury （TSCI） due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis. Method:Eighty-seven TSCI patients who met the inclusion requirements were randomly divided into an observation group （<italic>n</italic>=44） and a control group （<italic>n</italic>=43）. On the basis of comprehensive western medical treatments， patients in the control group were further provided with Wuwei Tongshuan oral liquid，10 mL per time，three times per day， while those in the observation group received modified Buyang Huanwutang，one bag per day，for 12 consecutive weeks. Besides， EA was performed in both groups in the same way， once per day， six times per week， for six weeks in total. The American Spinal Injury Association （ASIA） motor score， modified Barthel index （MBI），visual analog scale （VAS） pain score，Berg balance scale （BBS） score，modified Ashworth scale （MAS） score， spinal cord independence measure-Ⅲ（SCIM-Ⅲ） score， lower limb range of motion （ROM）， and Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome score before and after treatment were evaluated， followed by the recording of the occurrence of complications during treatment. The brain-derived nerve growth factor （BDNF）， nerve growth factor （NGF）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， neurotrophic factor-3 （NT-3）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels before and after treatment were determined. Result:The motor， light touch， needling sensation， MBI， and BBS scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the AS and MAS scores were lower（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The angles of adductor and straight leg raising in the observation group were greater than those of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01），but the Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome score was lower（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Both the scores of self-care， respiration， and sphincter management in SCIM-Ⅲ and the total score in the observation group were elevated as compared with those of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The cumulative incidence of complications in the observation group was 34.09%，significantly lower than 55.81% in the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=4.149，<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with the control group， the observation group exhibited remarkably increased BDNF， NGF， VEGF， NT-3， and SOD （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and decreased MDA （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Modified Buyang Huanwutang combined with EA is effective in alleviating spinal cord injury， promoting neural functional recovery， improving independence in activities of daily living， reducing the incidence of complications of patients with TSCI， which may be related to the amelioration of ischemia and hypoxia， inhibition of lipid peroxidation， and acceleration of nerve cell repair and regeneration.

Guilu Erxian Glue () Inhibits Chemotherapy-Induced Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem Cell Senescence in Mice May via p16 / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of Guilu Erxian Glue (, GEG) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) senescence in mice and explore the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#The H@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, GEG increased cell viability as well as proliferation (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and reduced β -gal expression. Furthermore, GEG significantly decreased the expressions of p16@*CONCLUSION@#GEG can alleviate CTX-induced HSCs senescence in mice, and the p16

Effect of consolidation before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for non-favorable acute myeloid leukemia patients with first complete remisson and negative minimal residual disease / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To probe the prognostic value of consolidation chemotherapy in non-favorable acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who were candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with first complete remission (CR(1)) and negative minimal residual disease (MRD(-)) . Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 155 patients with non-favorable AML who received allo-HSCT in CR(1)/MRD(-) from January 2010 to March 2019. The survival data were compared between patients who received and those not received pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapy. Results: A total of 102 patients received pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapy (consolidation group) , and 53 cases directly proceeded to allo-HSCT when CR(1)/MRD(-) was achieved (nonconsolidation group) . The median ages were 39 (18-56) years old and 38 (19-67) years old, respectively. Five-year post-transplant overall survival [ (59.3±7.5) % vs (62.2±6.9) %, P=0.919] and relapse-free survival [ (53.0±8.9) % vs (61.6±7.0) %, P=0.936] were not significantly different between the two groups (consolidation vs nonconsolidation) . There was a weak relationship between consolidation therapy and cumulative incidence of relapse [consolidation: (21.9±5.4) % vs nonconsolidation: (18.3±6.0) %, P=0.942], as well as non-relapse mortality [consolidation: (22.4±4.3) % vs nonconsolidation: (28.4±6.5) %,P=0.464]. Multivariate analysis indicated that pre-transplant consolidation and the consolidation courses (< 2 vs ≥2 courses) did not have an impact on allo-HSCT outcomes. Conclusion: Allo-HSCT for candidate patients without further consolidation when CR(1)/MRD(-) was attained was feasible.

Complications of proximal hypospadias repair with transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty: a 15-year experience with long-term follow-up / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

There is still debate regarding the optimal surgical approach for proximal hypospadias. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes using transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty. A total of 320 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 40.2 months (range: 1-156 months). Complications were encountered in 125 patients (39.1%), including fistulas in 53 (16.6%), urethral strictures in 31 (9.7%), and diverticula in 41 (12.8%). The mean timing of presentation with a complication was 15.8 months (median: 1.7, range: 1-145), of which 79.2% were early complications and 20.8% were late complications. In all, 20.8% of the patients with complications presented after ≥1 year, and 12.8% presented after ≥5 years. Univariate analysis revealed that age at the time of surgery, flap length, and location of the urethral meatus were not correlated with complications. A stricture was present in 31.7% (13/41) of those with diverticula (P < 0.001), while late urethral diverticula were accompanied by urethral strictures in 11.1% (1/9) of cases (P = 0.213). These results indicate that transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty still has a high incidence of complications, even when performed by highly experienced physicians. Most complications of hypospadias are diagnosed within 1 year postoperatively, while fistulas and urinary strictures generally occur within 2 months and diverticula tend to be present by 1 year.

Prognostic value of donor chimerism at +90 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in young patients with intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the relationship between donor chimerism and relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: The clinical data of 105 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who underwent allo-HSCT and recurrence-free survival>90 days from January 2010 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The bone marrow samples were collected at 15, 30, 60, 90, 180, 270, 360 days after transplantation. Donor chimerism was detected by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) -PCR. Results: Of the 105 patients, 43 cases were male and 62 cases were female, with a median age of 38 (16-60) years. Till April 2019, the median follow-up was 843 (94-3 261) days. Ninety days after transplantation, 18 cases relapsed, 33 cases died, and 72 cases survived. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was (66.8±5.1) %, and the recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was (65.1±5.0) %. Pre-transplant disease status, pre-transplant minimal residual disease (MRD) , and 90 day post-transplantation chimerism were independent risk factors related to RFS. The risk of recurrence was significantly increased in patients with a donor chimerism rate ≤97.24% at 90 days after transplantation[HR=6.921 (95%CI 2.669-17.950) , P<0.001], which was considered as a sign of early relapse. Conclusion: SNP-PCR is an applicable method for detecting donor chimerism in patients after allo-HSCT. Chimerism rate equal or less than 97.24% at 90 days after transplantation predicts a higher risk of relapse.

Clinical and prognostic values of TP53 mutation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical and prognostic values of TP53 gene mutation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Methods: A retrospective analysis of 265 newly diagnosed AML patients with next-generation sequencing (NGS) data in the Hematology Department of Changhai Hospital from January 2010 to January 2019 was performed. Mutation analysis was carried out by targeted sequencing technology including 200 hematological malignancy related genes. The association of TP53 mutation with clinical features was analyzed. Results: Alterations in TP53 were found in 20 (7.5%) patients, including 17 case (6.4%) of missense mutations, 2 cases (0.7%) of frame-shift deletion mutations and 1 case (0.4%) of splicing sites mutation. A total of 23 kinds of TP53 mutations were detected, most of them (16, 69.6%) were located in the DNA binding domain of exon 5-8, 4 in the DNA binding domain of exon 3-4, 2 in exon 10 and 1 in splice site, respectively. The median age of patients with TP53 alterations was higher than those without [52 (26-72) years old vs 45 (14-75) years old, P= 0.008]. The frequency of complex karyotypes was higher in patients with TP53 alterations than those without [45.0% (9/20) vs 6.1% (15/245) , P<0.001]. Median overall survival (OS) of patients with TP53 alterations was shorter than those without[14.1 (95%CI 6.78-21.42) months vs 31.4 (95%CI 13.20-49.59) months, P=0.029]. The OS of patients treated with "Decitabine + CAG" was superior than that of patients treated with "3 + 7" regimen [30.0 (95%CI 27.35-38.84) months vs 12.5 (95%CI 5.80-19.19) months, P=0.018]. Multivariate analysis indicated that TP53, DNMT3A and USH2A alterations, WBC ≥ 12.45×10(9)/L had negative impacts on OS. Conclusion: The frequency of TP53 mutation was 7.5% in our cohort. Most mutations were located in the DNA binding domain. TP53 alterations were strongly associated with older age, complex karyotype and shorter OS. Decitabine-based induction chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve OS, more cases and/or multicenter randomized studies are needed for further confirmation.

Efficacy of Hyper-CVAD/MA and CHALL-01 regimens in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients under 60 years old / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To compare the difference of efficacy between traditional Hyper-CVAD/MA regimen and the adolescents inspired chemotherapy regimen, CH ALL-01, in treatment of adult Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL) . Methods: In this study we retrospectively analyzed 158 Ph(+) ALL patients receiving Hyper-CVAD/MA regimen (n=63) or CHALL-01 regimen (n=95) in our center and Changzheng hospital from January 2007 to December 2017, excluding patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) was administered during induction and consolidation chemotherapy. Patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation received TKI as maintenance therapy. Results: Of them, 91.1% (144/158) patients achieved complete remission (CR) after 1-2 courses of induction. CR rate was 90.5% (57/63) for patients in Hyper-CVAD/MA group and 91.6% (87/95) for patients in CHALL-01 group. There was no difference in CR rates between the two groups (χ(2)=0.057, P=0.811) . The last follow-up was June 2018. A cohort of 134 CR patients could be used for further analysis, among them, 53 patients received Hyper-CVAD/MA regimen and other 81 patients received CHALL-01 regimen. The molecular remission rates were significantly higher in CHALL-01 group (complete molecular response: 44.4%vs 22.6%; major molecular response: 9.9% vs 18.9%) (χ(2)=7.216, P=0.027) . For the patients in Hyper-CVAD/MA group, the 4-year overall survival (OS) was 44.81% (95%CI: 30.80%-57.86%) and the 4-year disease free survival (DFS) was 37.95% (95%CI: 24.87%-50.93%) . For patients received CHALL-01 regimen, the 4-year OS was 55.63% (95%CI: 39.07%-69.36%) (P=0.037) and 4 year DFS was 49.06% (95%CI: 34.24%-62.29%) (P=0.015) , while there was no significant difference in 4 year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) (P=0.328) or cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (CI-NRM) (P=0.138) . The rate of pulmonary infection was lower in patients received CHALL-01 regimen compared with patients received Hyper-CVAD regimen (43.4% vs 67.9%, χ(2)=7.908, P=0.005) . Conclusions: Outcome with CHALL-01 regimen appeared better than that with the Hyper-CVAD/MA regimen in Ph(+) ALL, which has lower incidence of pulmonary infection, higher molecular remission rate and better OS and DFS.

Technical principle and clinical application of Revolution energy spectral CT / 医疗卫生装备

Revolution energy spectral CT had its structural innovation introduced from the aspects of detector,driving system and CT bulb as well as high voltage generator,technical principle analyzed from the aspects of SSF,multi-model iterative reconstruction, cardiac imaging unlimited as well as material separation and quantitative analysis, and clinical application described in diagnoses of liver cancer, cholecystolithiasis and kidney stone, coronary arteriongraphy and metal artifact elimination.It's pointed out Revolution energy spectral CT was a new method for identifying the focal nature,tumor homology and components of inorganic substance as well as analyzing multi material quantitatively and qualitatively.

Pioglitazone ameliorates atherosclerosis in apoE knockout mice through transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling and adaptive T cell immunity / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine whether transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway and adaptive T cell immunity play roles in the anti-atherosclerotic effects of pioglitazone (PIO) in ApoEmice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ApoEmice with atherosclerosis induced by high-fat feeding were treated daily with PIO (20 mg/kg) or vehicle for 8 weeks. The protein expressions of TGF-β pathway in the atheromatous lesions of the aorta and the percentages of IFN-γand Foxp3cells in the spleen of the mice were examined with immunohistochemical staining. In the in vitro experiment, primary cultured splenocytes were stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and treated with PIO either alone or in combination with the PPARγ antagonist GW9662, after which the changes in percentages of CD4IFN-γcells and CD4CD25Foxp3cells were analyzed with flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PIO treatment of ApoEmice with high-fat feeding significantly attenuated the progression of atheromatous lesions (P<0.05) and resulted in increased expressions of TGFβ1 (P<0.01), TGFβRII (P<0.05), and p-Smad3 (P<0.05) and a decreased expression of Smad7 (P<0.05) in the lesions. PIO treatment also led to decreased percentage of IFN-γcells (P<0.05) and increased percentage of Foxp3cells (P<0.01) in the spleen of the mice. In primary cultured splenocytes, PIO treatment caused significant down-regulation of IFN-γ mRNA (P<0.05) and up-regulation of Foxp3 mRNA (P<0.05) and obviously increased the percentages of CD4IFN-γcells (P<0.05) and CD4CD25Foxp3(P<0.05); the effects of PIO on CD4IFN-γand CD4CD25Foxp3cells were abolished by treatment of the cells with GW9662.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The anti-atherosclerotic effect of PIO is probably mediated by the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and PPAR-γ-dependent modulation of Th1/Treg population.</p>

Effect of endomorphin-1 postconditioning against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and the role of Erk1/2 signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of postischemic treatment with endomorphin-1 (EM-1) against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury in rats and on extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2)-dependent signaling pathway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely the sham-operated group, IR group, EM-1 post-treatment group (EM50 group), EM-1 post-treatment group with PD98059 treatment (EM50+PD group), and PD98059 post-treatment group (PD group). The hemodynamic indexes of the rats were recorded. After reperfusion, CK-MB, LDH, CTnI, MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, and SOD activities or contents were measured, the infarct size was determined, and the expression levels of Erk1/2, P-Erk1/2 and cleaved caspase-3 were detected using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham group, the IR group showed significantly decreased heart rate and mean arterial pressure (P<0.05), which were increased obviously by EM-1 post-treatment (P<0.05). EM-1 post-treatment also resulted in significantly decreased LDH, CK-MB, CTnI, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α activities or contents (P<0.05), increased SOD activity (P<0.05), reduced the infarct size (P<0.05), and increased the expression level of P-Erk protein (P<0.05). Compared with EM50 group, EM50+PD group showed significantly decreased heart rate and mean arterial pressure (P<0.05), increased LDH, CK-MB, CTnI, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α activities or contents (P<0.05), decreased SOD activity, increased infarct size (P<0.05), and lowered expression of P-Erk protein (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Postischemic treatment with EM-1 protects the heart against IR injury by improving the cardiac function, inhibiting inflammation, and inhibiting oxidative stress and myocardial apoptosis, and Erk1/2 signaling pathway may be involved in this process.</p>

Mechanisms of total flavones of Epimedium on oxidative stress induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Epimedium (TFE) on oxidative stress induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, forty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operated group, model group, diltiazem group and flavonoids of Epimedium low and high doses groups with 8 rats in each. Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury model was induced by ligaturing the left anterior descending artery for 30 min followed reperfusion for 4 h after TFE was taken by intragastric administration for 4 days. The degree of myocardial infarct was observed by N-BT staining. The concentrations of MDA and activities of SOD and T-AOC in cardiac tissue were measured by colorimetry. Serum TnI concentrations were checked by ELISA. HE stain was used to observe myocardium structure under light microscope. Expressions of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in cardiac tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry method and Western blot, respectively. Compared with the model group, the degree of myocardial infarct, MDA concentration in cardiac tissue and the levels of TnI in serum significantly decreased in the diltiazem group and flavonoids of Epimedium low and high doses groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01); flavonoids of Epimedium low and high doses groups and the diltiazem group also showed improvements in myocardium structure under ischemia/reperfusion injury. TFE significantly increased the activity of SOD and T-AOC and the expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in cardiac tissue when compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Therefore, TFE can increase anti-peroxidant capacity of myocardium tissue by using intrinsically anti-oxidant signaling pathway of SIRT1 and Nrf2, which can inhibit irreversible damage of cardiomyocytes in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and protect normal function of cardiac tissue.

Leptin gene C2549A polymorphism in minority Hui and Uygur children with obesity / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship of leptin gene polymorphism with obesity in ethnic minority Hui and Uygur children in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight ethnic minority (35 Hui and 33 Uygur) children with obesity and 69 age-matched minority (36 Hui and 33 Uygur) children without obesity were recruited from six primary schools in the sub-urban areas of Urumqi. Venous blood was sampled from all subjects after fasting for 12 hours. Leptin gene C2549A polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Blood concentrations of lipids, leptin and insulin were measured with biochemical methods and radioimmunoassys, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 137 children tested, the prevalence of AA, AC and CC genotype was 9.5%, 33.6% and 56.9%, respectively. A allele frequency was significantly different between the two ethnic (i.e. Hui and Uygur) groups (P<0.05). A allele frequency and AA+ AC genotype frequency were not significantly different between obese and non-obese children in both ethnic groups (P>0.05). Blood leptin levels were not significantly different between obese and non-obese children with an AA+AC or CC genotype in both ethnic groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Leptin gene polymorphisms exist in Hui and Uygur children. The C2549A polymorphism is not significantly associated with the prevalence of obesity in both Hui and Uygur children.</p>

Antioxidative effects of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists montelukast and HAMI 3379 on ischemic injury in rat cortical neurons in vitro / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antioxidative effects of two cysteinyl leukotriene receptors antagonists (CysLT1R and CysLT2R) montelukast and HAMI 3379 on ischemic injury of rat cortical neurons in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured rat cortical neurons were pretreated with CysLT1R antagonist montelukast and CysLT2R antagonist HAMI 3379, and then exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery (OGD/R）or H2O2. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depolarization, neuronal viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were determined. Meanwhile, RNA interference was used to inhibit the expression of CysLT1R and CysLT2R，and the effects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ROS production in neurons was significantly increased after 1 h OGD, which reached the peak at 30 min and lasted for 1.5 h after recovery. Montelukast and HAMI 3379 at 0.01-1μmol/L moderately decreased OGD/R-induced ROS production (P<0.05). Montelukast mildly attenuated OGD/R-induced MMP depolarization (P<0.05)，but HAMI 3379 had no effect. H2O2 reduced neuronal viability and increased LDH release, namely inducing neuronal injury. Montelukast and HAMI 3379 at 0.1-1μmol/L moderately attenuated H2O2-induced neuronal injury (P<0.05). However, both CysLT1R siRNA and CysLT2R shRNA did not significantly affect the responses mentioned above.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In ischemic neuronal injury, montelukast and HAMI 3379 exert a moderate antioxidative effect, and this effect may be receptor-independent.</p>

Effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor NL101 on rat neurons / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor NL101 on L-homocysteine (HCA)-induced toxicity in rat neurons, and the toxic effect on normal rat neurons.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the presence of NL101 at various concentrations, HCA (5 mmol/L)-induced changes in cell density, necrosis, and viability were determined in the mixed cultures of rat cortical cells and the primary cultures of rat neurons. The direct effect of NL101 on primary neurons was also observed in the absence of HCA. Histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) was used as the control. After the treatments, cell viability, the density, and morphology of neurons and glial cells, and cell necrosis were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the mixed cultures of cortical cells, NL101 had no effect on HCA (5 mmol/L)-induced cell number reduction at 0.001-10μmol/L; however, it significantly attenuated necrosis at 1-10 μmol/L, and increased neuronal number at 1 μmol/L. NL101 had no effect on the mixed cortical cells in the absence of HCA. In the primary neurons, NL101 reduced neuronal viability and mildly increased necrosis at 1-10 μmol/L in the absence of HCA, while it significantly attenuated HCA-induced neuronal viability reduction at 0.01-10 μmol/L and reduced neuronal necrosis at 1-10 μmol/L. The effects of NL101 were apparently similar to those of SAHA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NL101 has protective effect on HCA-induced neuronal injury but it is neurotoxic at high concentrations, which is similar to the typical histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA.</p>

Effects of the water channel aquaporin 4 deficiency on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In wild type and AQP4 gene knockout (AQP4-/-) mice, lung fibrosis was induced by injection of bleomycin (3 mg/kg) into the trachea and saline injection was used as a control. At d3, 7, 14, 28 after bleomycin-treatment, mice were randomly sacrificed in batch and the lung coefficient was determined. Serum levels of TGF-β1 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA and hydroxyproline contents in lung tissue were determined by Alkaline hydrolysis method. H-E staining and Masson's staining were performed to examine the pathological changes of lung tissues after bleomycin-treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On d14 after bleomycin-treatment, the lung coefficients in wild type mice and AQP4-/- mice were 1.9-fold (12.69 ± 6.05 vs 6.80 ± 0.82, q=4.204, P<0.05) and 2.3-fold (14.05 ± 5.82 vs 6.05± 0.58, q=5.172, P<0.01) of that in control, respectively, but no significant difference was found between wild type and AQP4-/- mice in the lung coefficient value (P>0.05). The hydroxyproline contents in the lung increased after bleomycin-treatment; on d28, the lung hydroxyproline contents in wild type and in AQP4-/- mice were 1.55-fold (0.85 ± 0.22 g/mg vs 0.55 ± 0.14 μg/mg, q=4.313, P<0.05) and 1.4-fold (0.84 ± 0.13 μg/mg vs 0.60 ± 0.14μg/mg, q=4.595，P<0.05) of that in control, respectively, but no significant difference was noticed between wild type and AQP4-/- mice in lung hydroxyproline contents. There was a tendency that serum TGF-β1 and TNF-α levels increased in bleomycin-treated mice, but no significant difference was found between wild type and AQP4-/- mice. AQP4-knockout showed no effects on pathological changes of lung tissues with H-E staining and Masson's staining in mice with bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AQP4 might not be involved in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice.</p>