[Distribution Characteristics, Ecological Risk Assessment, and Source Tracing of Heavy Metals in the Sediments of Typical Lakes in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River].

In this study, surface sediment samples were collected from Dongting Lake, Honghu Lake, and Chihu Lake, and the concentrations of 10 heavy metals were measured. Then, the potential risk of heavy metal accumulation was evaluated using the cumulative pollution index (Igeo), the enrichment factor (EF), and the potential ecological risk index (RI), and the sources were traced using correlation analysis (Pearson) and principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that the pollution and potential ecological risk of Cd were the most serious. The mean values of Cd in East Dongting Lake, Honghu Lake, and Chihu Lake were 2.85, 1.59, and 3.57 mg·kg-1, respectively. The concentrations of Cd were 25.87, 11.36, and 37.58 times higher than the soil background values of the corresponding provinces, which exceeded the risk screening value (0.6 mg·kg-1). Particularly, the Cd concentration of Chihu Lake exceeded the risk control value (3.0 mg·kg-1). Besides Cd, the concentration of As in Honghu Lake was also of concern. At the same time, the Cu, As, Zn, and Pb in Chihu Lake should not be neglected. The potential ecological risks of the three lakes were ranked as follows:Chihu Lake (RI=1 127)>East Dongting Lake (RI=831)>Honghu Lake (RI=421). The primary sources of heavy metals were industrial mining, agricultural production, and aquaculture, and some heavy metals (Mn and Cu) were from natural sources. This study was of great significance for the prevention and control of heavy metals in the sediments of typical lakes in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

The lymphatic system: a therapeutic target for central nervous system disorders.

The lymphatic vasculature forms an organized network that covers the whole body and is involved in fluid homeostasis, metabolite clearance, and immune surveillance. The recent identification of functional lymphatic vessels in the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord has provided novel insights into neurophysiology. They emerge as major pathways for fluid exchange. The abundance of immune cells in lymphatic vessels and meninges also suggests that lymphatic vessels are actively involved in neuroimmunity. The lymphatic system, through its role in the clearance of neurotoxic proteins, autoimmune cell infiltration, and the transmission of pro-inflammatory signals, participates in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases and traumatic injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor C is the master regulator of lymphangiogenesis, a process that is critical for the maintenance of central nervous system homeostasis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge and recent advances relating to the anatomical features and immunological functions of the lymphatic system of the central nervous system and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for neurological disorders and central nervous system repair.

Metformin promotes angiogenesis and functional recovery in aged mice after spinal cord injury by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway.

Treatment with metformin can lead to the recovery of pleiotropic biological activities after spinal cord injury. However, its effect on spinal cord injury in aged mice remains unclear. Considering the essential role of angiogenesis during the regeneration process, we hypothesized that metformin activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in endothelial cells, thereby promoting microvascular regeneration in aged mice after spinal cord injury. In this study, we established young and aged mouse models of contusive spinal cord injury using a modified Allen method. We found that aging hindered the recovery of neurological function and the formation of blood vessels in the spinal cord. Treatment with metformin promoted spinal cord microvascular endothelial cell migration and blood vessel formation in vitro. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of metformin in an in vivo model promoted endothelial cell proliferation and increased the density of new blood vessels in the spinal cord, thereby improving neurological function. The role of metformin was reversed by compound C, an adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor, both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway likely regulates metformin-mediated angiogenesis after spinal cord injury. These findings suggest that metformin promotes vascular regeneration in the injured spinal cord by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway, thereby improving the neurological function of aged mice after spinal cord injury.

Prevalence of Bacterial Coinfections with Vibrio harveyi in the Industrialized Flow-through Aquaculture Systems in Hainan Province: A Neglected High-Risk Lethal Causative Agent to Hybrid Grouper.

Vibrio harveyi is one of the most serious bacterial pathogens to aquatic animals worldwide. Evidence is mounting that coinfections caused by multiple pathogens are common in nature and can alter the severity of diseases in marine animals. However, bacterial coinfections involving V. harveyi have received little attention in mariculture. In this study, the results of pathogen isolation indicated that bacterial coinfection was a common and overlooked risk for hybrid groupers (♀ Epinephelus polyphekadion × â™‚ E. fuscoguttatus) reared in an industrialized flow-through pattern in Hainan Province. The artificial infection in hybrid groupers revealed that coinfections with V. harveyi strain GDH11385 (a serious lethal causative agent to groupers) and other isolated pathogens resulted in higher mortality (46.67%) than infection with strain GDH11385 alone (33.33%), whereas no mortality was observed in single infection with other pathogens. Furthermore, the intestine, liver and spleen of hybrid groupers are target organs for bacterial coinfections involving V. harveyi. Based on the infection patterns found in this study, we propose that V. harveyi may have a specific spatiotemporal expression pattern of virulence genes when infecting the host. Taken together, bacterial coinfection with V. harveyi is a neglected high-risk lethal causative agent to hybrid groupers in the industrialized flow-through aquaculture systems in Hainan Province.

[Analysis of Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics and Potential Ecological Risks of Surface Sediments in Dongjiang Lake].

To understand the pollution characteristics, spatial distribution characteristics, potential ecological risks, and sources of heavy metals in surface sediments of Dongjiang Lake, 12 surface sediment samples were collected from Dongjiang Lake. The contents of 20 heavy metals including Li, Be, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pb, and U were analyzed in this study. The geo-accumulation index method and potential risk index method were used to evaluate the pollution degree and potential risks of heavy metals in sediments, and the correlation analysis and principal component analysis were used to trace the source of the primary heavy metals. The results showed that the average contents of ω(Cd)(2.25 mg·kg-1) and ω(As)(80.80 mg·kg-1) in heavy metals of Dongjiang Lake sediments were 21.2 times and 5.5 times the background value (0.11 mg·kg-1 and 14.7 mg·kg-1) of Hunan province. The overall spatial distribution of heavy metals was in the order of South>North>Central. The evaluation by the geo-accumulation index method showed that Cd was at the heavy pollution level, As and Se were at the moderate pollution level, Ag and Ga were at the light pollution level, and the other heavy metals were below the pollution standard. The evaluation by the potential risk index showed that all the surface sediments of Dongjiang Lake were at the high-risk level. The main environmental risk factor was Cd, which had an extremely high risk; the second was As, which had a medium risk; and the remaining heavy metals had no ecological risk.

[Distribution Characteristics and Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Phthalic Acid Esters in Surface Water of Qiandao Lake, China].

In order to reveal the pollution and risk level of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in Qiandao Lake, six types of PAEs in 17 sampling points (in Qiandao Lake and its inflowing rivers) in dry and wet seasons were detected. The results showed that six types of PAEs were detected in both dry and wet seasons, with the concentrations of 0.98-5.33 µg·L-1 (average concentration 2.63 µg·L-1) in the dry season and 3.22-17.88 µg·L-1 (average concentration 7.99 µg·L-1) in the wet season. In terms of the detection rate and concentration of each monomer PAEs, DiBP, DBP, and DEHP were the main PAEs components in the water body. The measured value of DBP at 10 sampling points and its average mass concentration in the wet season were higher than the national standard (3 µg·L-1). Principal component analysis indicated that the main sources of PAEs were personal care products, plastics, and domestic waste. The pollution level of PAEs in Qiandao Lake was at a high level at home and abroad. The health risk assessment results in Qiandao Lake showed that the non-carcinogenic risk index of PAEs in the study area was less than 1, which would not produce non-carcinogenic risks to the human body. The carcinogenic risk index of children exceeded 10-6 at some points, indicating that it may pose carcinogenic risks to children, to which more attention should be paid.

Utx Regulates the NF-κB Signaling Pathway of Natural Stem Cells to Modulate Macrophage Migration during Spinal Cord Injury.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) play vital roles in the homeostasis of neurological function. Ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat, X chromosome (UTX) is an important regulator of stem cell phenotypes. In our current study, we aimed to investigate whether the conditional knockout of UTX on neural stem cells alters macrophage assembly in response to spinal cord injury (SCI). Conditional knockout Utx of NSC (Utx-KO) mice was used to generate SCI models by the modified Allen method. We reported that neurological function and scar hyperplasia significantly improved in Utx-KO mice after SCI, accompanied by significantly reduced assembly of macrophages. With a 45-fold pathway array and Western blot, we found that Utx-KO could significantly inhibit NF-κB signaling activation and promote the synthesis and secretion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in NSCs. Administration of the selective NF-κB p65 activator betulinic acid and the selective MIF inhibitor ISO-1 confirmed that the activation of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation or inhibition of MIF could eliminate the benefits of Utx-KO in SCI, such as inhibition of macrophage aggregation and reduction in scar proliferation. This study confirmed that UTX in NSCs could alter macrophage migration and improve neurological function recovery after SCI in mice.

Silencing of lncRNA PKIA-AS1 Attenuates Spinal Nerve Ligation-Induced Neuropathic Pain Through Epigenetic Downregulation of CDK6 Expression.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is among the most intractable comorbidities of spinal cord injury. Dysregulation of non-coding RNAs has also been implicated in the development of neuropathic pain. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA, PKIA-AS1, by using lncRNA array analysis in spinal cord tissue of spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model rats, and investigated the role of PKIA-AS1 in SNL-mediated neuropathic pain. We observed that PKIA-AS1 was significantly upregulated in SNL model rats and that PKIA-AS1 knockdown attenuated neuropathic pain progression. Alternatively, overexpression of PKIA-AS1 was sufficient to induce neuropathic pain-like symptoms in uninjured rats. We also found that PKIA-AS1 mediated SNL-induced neuropathic pain by directly regulating the expression and function of CDK6, which is essential for the initiation and maintenance of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain. Therefore, our study identifies PKIA-AS1 as a novel therapeutic target for neuroinflammation related neuropathic pain.

Tetramethylpyrazine Facilitates Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting MMP2, MMP9, and Vascular Endothelial Cell Apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major public health issue that leads to neurological dysfunctions and morbidities in patients. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) plays a neuroprotective role in SCI; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms and therapeutic effects of TMP on SCI. METHODS: A contusion SCI model was established that used a modified Allen's method. In the TMP group, TMP (200 mg/kg) was injected daily for 5 days post-injury, while in the Negative Control (NC) group, an equal volume of normal saline was injected. Hindlimb motor function was evaluated using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) scale. The effects of TMP on protein levels of the matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2) and 9 (MMP9), Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by western blotting. Apoptotic changes in vascular endothelial cells were evaluated using immunofluorescence and TUNEL staining. Alterations in 3D vessel morphology after treatment with TMP were assessed by synchrotron radiation micro-CT (SRµCT). RESULTS: TMP treatment significantly improved recovery in hindlimb motor function and attenuated vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in rats with SCI. Additionally, TMP treatment markedly decreased the protein levels of MMP2 and MMP9, pro-apoptotic bax and cleaved caspase-3 while promoting angiogenesis, as evidenced by vessel visualization using SRµCT. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that TMP attenuated SCI-induced neurological impairments by the down-regulation of the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 proteins, the inhibition of vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and the promotion of angiogenesis.

Synchrotron radiation micro-CT as a novel tool to evaluate the effect of agomir-210 in a rat spinal cord injury model.

MicroRNA-210 (miR-210) was initially reported to be associated with hypoxia and plays a vital role in modulating angiogenesis. However, the potential effect and underlying mechanisms of miR-210 activity in rat spinal cord injury (SCI) have not yet been fully illuminated. In the present study, differential microRNA expression after SCI was determined by Microarray analysis. To explore the effect of miR-210 after SCI, we intrathecally injected agomir-210 with Alzet Osmotic Pumps to up-regulated the endogenous miR-210 expression. Then, synchrotron radiation micro-CT (SRµCT) imaging was used to investigate the effect of agomir-210 in rat SCI model. We found that the endogenous miR-210 expression could be up-regulated by intrathecal agomir-210 injection. The administration of agomir-210 significantly promoted angiogenesis, as evidenced by increased vessel number and volume detected by SRµCT, attenuated the lesion size and improved functional recovery after SCI. Additionally, agomir-210 attenuated cellular apoptosis and inflammation in the injured rat spinal cord. Expression levels of pro-apoptotic protein (Bax) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß) were significantly decreased after agomir-210 treatment, whereas expression levels of anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) proteins were up-regulated. In conclusion, our results indicated that SRµCT is a powerful imaging tool to evaluate the effects of angiogenesis after agomir-210 administration in rat SCI model. The up-regulation of endogenous miR-210 expression following agomir-210 administration promoted angiogenesis and anti-apoptotic protein expression, and attenuated inflammation. MiR-210 played a positive role in neurological functional recovery and could be a potential new therapeutic target for SCI.

Tetramethylpyrazine enhances functional recovery after contusion spinal cord injury by modulation of MicroRNA-21, FasL, PDCD4 and PTEN expression.

Our previous study showed Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) has protective effects against SCI. In this study, we aimed to uncover the mechanism underlying the protective effects of TMP in SCI. SCI was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with a modified weight-drop device. One group was subjected to SCI in combination with TMP administration at a dose of 200mg/kgd, for 3 days. Concurrently, another group received SCI in combination with an equal volume of 0.9% saline. Locomotor functional recovery was assessed during the 4 weeks post-injury by performing the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) rating procedure. Lesion size and spared tissue were measured by cresyl violet staining. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) expression was determined by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. FasL, PDCD4, and PTEN are direct targets of miR-21 in many diseases and cell types; their levels were analyzed by western blot. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of PDCD4 and PTEN. Cell apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining and DNA laddering. TMP treatment after contusion SCI significantly improved functional recovery, decreased lesion size, and increased tissue sparing and miR-21 levels; expression of FasL, PDCD4, and PTEN was decreased. TMP treatment also reduced apoptosis after SCI. Thus, TMP administration improved functional recovery and reduced cell apoptosis. Its protective effect may partly based on increasing the expression of miR-21 and decreasing the expression of FasL, PDCD4, and PTEN. These could serve as new exploratory targets for SCI treatment.

Anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical spondylosis.

This meta-analysis aims to estimate the benefits and drawbacks associated with anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylosis. Of 3651 identified citations, 10 randomised controlled studies involving 2380 participants were included. Moderate quality evidence supports that patients in the ACDA group had: (1) a higher Neck Disability Index (NDI) success rate at 3 month (relative risk [RR]=0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78 to 0.93, p=0.0002) and 2 year follow-up (RR=0.95, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.00, p=0.04); (2) greater neurological success at 2 year follow-up (RR=0.95, 95%CI 0.92 to 0.98); and (3) were more likely to be employed within 6 weeks after surgery (RR=0.80 95%CI 0.66 to 0.96). In summary, the current evidence indicates that ACDA is associated with a higher NDI success rate in the short and long-term as well as a higher neurological success rate. Patients who undergo ACDA may also have a greater likelihood of being employed in the short-term. However, all of the evidence reviewed is of moderate or low quality and the clinical significance often marginal or unclear. Additional data are needed to compare the benefits and limitations of ACDA and ACDF.

[Prevalence and influence of diabetic retinopathy in populations at the age of ≥ 40 years in Luzhou City, Sichuan Province in 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence rate and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy(DR) in residents at the age of ≥ 40 years in Luzhou, Sichuan Province. METHODS: A multistage, stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 7 communities of 8002 permanent residents ( ≥ 40 years old) for diabetes screened from May to December 2011 in Luzhou, Sichuan Province.Reference to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes recommended by World Health Organization in 1999, to the 1374 diabetes screening out patients with questionnaire, physical examination, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hours postprandial plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin(HbAlc) and visual acuity, ocular diseases, fundus examination, etc.Some patients with fundus fluorescein angiography to the DR diagnosis, diagnostic criteria with reference to the diagnosis standard made by Chinese Ocular Fundus Diseases Society, Chinese Ophthalmological Society, Chinese Medical Association in 1984. Rates between the groups were compared using χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test or Fisher exact test, using multivariate analysis of risk factors associated with DR screening. RESULTS: A total of 8002 people were chosen and invited to take part in the project, 7478 persons completed the study, the overall response rate was 93.48%.One thousand three hundreds and seventy-four persons were diagnosed as diabetic patients, which took the proportion of 18.37% of the selected population, while 214 DR patients were found with the DR prevalence of 15.57%, occupying 2.86% of the total.Of 214 patients, 194 cases were non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, making up 90.65% of DR patients, while 7 cases were found to be proliferative diabetic retinopathy, constitute 9.35% of DR patients. Multi-factor analysis manifest that there were close relationship between diabetic duration (trend χ(2) = 189.21, P < 0.01) , the level of HbAlc (χ(2) = 30.021, P < 0.01) , coronary heart disease (χ(2) = 4.075, P = 0.044) and DR prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of DR is high in the diabetic residents in Luzhou, Sichuan Province. Diabetic duration, the level of HbAlc and coronary heart disease are the significant factors to influence DR development. These results indicate that the changes of the level of HbAlc are closely related to the genesis and development of DR among the diabetic patients.

Development of biodegradable polycaprolactone film as an internal fixation material to enhance tendon repair: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Current tendon repair techniques do not provide sufficient tensile strength at the repair site, and thus early active motion rehabilitation after tendon repair is discouraged. To enhance the post-operative tensile strength, we proposed and tested an internal fixation technique using a polycaprolactone (PCL) biofilm. PCL was chosen for its good biocompatibility, excellent mechanical strength, and an appropriate degradation time scale. METHODS: PCL biofilms were prepared by a modified melt-molding/leaching technique, and the physical and mechanical properties and in vitro degradation rate were assessed. The pore size distribution of the biofilm and the paratenon of native tendons were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Next, we determined whether this biofilm could enhance the tensile strength of repaired tendons. We performed tensile tests on rabbit Achilles tendons that were first lacerated and then repaired: 1) using modified Kessler suture combined with running peripheral suture ('control' group), or 2) using biofilm to wrap the tendon and then fixation with sutures ('biofilm' group). The influence of different repair techniques on tendon tensile strength was evaluated by mechanical testing. RESULTS: The novel biofilm had supple texture and a smooth surface. The mean thickness of the biofilm was 0.25 mm. The mean porosity of the biofilm was 45.3%. The paratenon of the rabbit Achilles tendon had pores with diameters ranging from 1 to 9 µm, which were similar to the 4-12 µm diameter pores in the biofilm cross-section. The weight loss of the biofilms at 4 weeks was only 0.07%. The molecular weight of PCL biofilms did not change after immersion in phosphate buffered saline for 4 weeks. The failure loads of the biofilm were similar before (48 ± 9 N) and after immersion (47 ± 7 N, P > 0.1). The biofilm group had ~70% higher mean failure loads and 93% higher stiffness compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: We proposed and tested an internal fixation technique using a PCL biofilm to enhance tendon repair. Internal fixation with the biofilm followed by standard suturing can significantly increase the tensile strength of tendon repair sites. This technique has the potential to allow active motion rehabilitation during the early post-operative period.

Anti-apoptotic effect of microRNA-21 after contusion spinal cord injury in rats.

Multiple cellular, molecular, and biochemical changes contribute to the etiology and treatment outcome of contusion spinal cord injury (SCI). Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been found following SCI in recent studies. However, little is known about the functional significance of the unique role of miRNAs in SCI. We analyzed the miRNA expression patterns 1 and 3 days following rat SCI using miRNA microarray. Microarray data revealed that nine miRNAs were upregulated and five miRNAs were downregulated 1 day post-injury, and that three miRNAs were upregulated and five miRNAs were downregulated 3 days post-injury, in the sites of contused when compared with sham rat spinal cords. Because miR-21 was one of the miRNAs being most significantly upregulated, we investigated its function. Knockdown of miR-21 by antagomir-21 led to attenuated recovery in hindlimb motor function, increased lesion size, and decreased tissue sparing in rats. Compared with the negative control group, treatment with antagomir-21 significantly increased apoptosis following SCI. Pro-apoptosis genes Fas ligand (FasL), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) were proved to be direct targets of miR-21 in many diseases and cell types. In vivo treatment with antagomir-21 increased the expression of FasL and PTEN, but did not affect PDCD4. These results suggested that miR-21 played an important role in limiting secondary cell death following SCI, and that the protective effects of miR-21 might have been the result of its regulation on pro-apoptotic genes. Thus, miR-21 may play an important role in the pathophysiology of SCI.

Tetramethylpyrazine accelerates the function recovery of traumatic spinal cord in rat model by attenuating inflammation.

In the present study, we explored the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine Ligusticum wallichii Franchat (chuanxiong), on a rat model of contusion spinal cord injury (SCI). The contusion SCI model was induced in rats by a modified Allen's weight-drop method with a severity of 5 g × 50 mm impacting on the T10 segment. In the TMP treatment group, rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with TMP (200mg/kg), every 24h for 5 days, starting half an hour after contusion SCI. The control group was treated with saline. Compared with the control group, the TMP group significantly ameliorated the recovery of hindlimb function of rats. TMP treatment significantly reduced the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, nuclear factor κappa B, pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 and neutrophil infiltration. On the other hand, TMP enhanced the expression of inhibitor κappa B and anti-inflammation cytokine interleukin-10. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that TMP inhibits the development of inflammation and tissue injury associated with spinal cord contusion in rats which may improve the rats' hindlimb function.

[Study on the differentially expressed microRNA of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells in high glucose environment by microRNA gene chip].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the differentially expressed microRNA (miRNA) of human retinal microvascular endothelial cell (HRCEC) in hyperglycemic environment by miRNA gene chip, then adopt bioinformatics methods to forecast target genes of part differentially expressed miRNA. METHODS: Experimental study. HRCEC were cultured. Took the 3-4 generation growth good cells and divided the cells into three groups: (1) normal control group: DMEM medium with 25 mmol/L glucose; (2) high glucose group: conditioned medium with 90 mmol/L glucose; (3) mannitol high permeability control group: conditioned medium with 65 mmol/L mannitol and 25 mmol/L glucose. Each group cells were cultured in the above conditions for five days, then used in situ cell death detection kit for apoptosis detection; the total RNA was isolated and examined; the differentially expressed miRNA were detected by miRNA gene chip, part results of miRNA array were verified by real-time quantitate polymerase chain reaction (PCR), potential miRNA targets were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. RESULTS: Observed apoptotic HRCEC by fluorescence microscope: the nucleus of normal control group and mannitol control group were dyed by DAPI and appeared blue fluorescence, but hadn't apoptosis fluorescent signals; the nucleus of high glucose group also appeared blue fluorescence, and had green apoptosis fluorescent signals. Quality testing of total RNA: with spectrophotometer measurement, the ratio of absorbance of total RNA in normal control group at A(260)/A(280) nm was 1.99, at A(260)/A(230) was 2.05;total RNA of high glucose group at A(260)/A(280) was 1.98, at A(260)/A(230) was 2.26. The results of formaldehyde degeneration agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the electrophoresis strips were clear and complete, indicated that the total RNA had better quality and high purity. Compared with normal control group, 49 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in high glucose group (fold change > 2 and fold change < 0.5), including 31 up-regulated miRNAs and 18 down-regulated miRNAs. The results of real-time quantity PCR revealed that hsa-miR-320c and hsa-miR-29a(*) were up-regulated in high glucose group, which were consistence with the miRNA gene chip. Furthermore, the target genes prediction of two above miRNAs were involved many growth factors and proteins. CONCLUSION: miRNA are differently expressed in HRCEC under hyperglycemic conditions.

[CCR1 expression on immune cells in orbital tissue of patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CC chemokine receptor 1(CCR1) on the immune cells in orbital tissue of patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy(TAO). METHODS: The tissue samples of orbital tissue were collected from 25 cases of TAO patient and 10 normal control subjects, and the expression of CCR1 in the immune cells was studied by SP immunohistochemistry. The correlation between CCR1 and clinical activity scores (GAS) was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of CCR1 on immune cells was positive, in orbital tissue of patients with TAO, and the positive rate was 84%, while it was negative or low positive in normal control subjects. The difference between them was significant (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of CCR1 on the immune cells of orbital tissue with TAO had significant correlation with CAS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of chemokine receptor CCR1 on the immune cells in orbital tissue of TAO patients is higher than that of normal subjects. CCR1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of TAO.

Visualization of microvasculature by x-ray in-line phase contrast imaging in rat spinal cord.

Computed tomography combined with angiography has recently been developed to visualize three-dimensional (3D) vascular structure in experimental and clinical studies. However, there remain difficulties in using conventional x-ray angiography to detect small vessels with a diameter less than 200 µm. This study attempted to develop a novel method for visualizing the micro-angioarchitecture of rat spinal cord. Herein, synchrotron radiation-based x-ray in-line phase contrast computed tomography (IL-XPCT) was used to obtain 3D micro-vessel structure without angiography. The digital phase contrast images were compared with conventional histological sections. Our results clearly demonstrated that the resolution limit of the spatial blood supply network in the normal rat thoracic cord appeared to be as small as ~10 µm. The rendered images were consistent with that obtained from histomorphology sections. In summary, IL-XPCT is a potential tool to investigate the 3D neurovascular morphology of the rat spinal cord without the use of contrast agents, and it could help to evaluate the validity of the pro- or anti-angiogenesis therapeutic strategies on microvasculature repair or regeneration.