Viscoelasticity in trapezius myofascial pain syndrome: quantitative assessment using Real-Time Shear-Wave Elastography.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in the viscoelastic properties between normal trapezius muscles and those in patients with trapezius myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) using real-time shear-wave elastography (SWE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 31 patients with trapezius MPS and 31 volunteers. Sixty-one trapezius muscles (41 and 20 on the affected and non-affected side, respectively) of patients with MPS and 62 normal trapezius muscles in volunteers were assessed. Conventional ultrasonic parameters, including skeletal muscle thickness, resistance index (RI), and mean shear wave velocity (SWVmean) of trapezius muscles, were obtained in the seated position with the shoulders and neck relaxed. The daily neck leaning time (unit:hours) of all participants was obtained using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Ultrasound showed no statistically significant differences in thickness or RI of the trapezius muscles of the affected and non-affected sides in MPS patients versus normal trapezius muscles (p = 0.976 and 0.106, respectively). In contrast, the SWVmean of trapezius muscles in patients with MPS was significantly higher than that of normal trapezius muscles in both the affected and non-affected sides (4.41 ± 1.02 m/s vs. 3.35 ± 0.79 m/s, p < 0.001; 4.05 ± 0.63 m/s vs. 3.35 ± 0.79 m/s, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between the SWVmean of the trapezius muscles on the affected and non-affected sides in patients with MPS (4.41 ± 1.02 m/s vs. 4.05 ± 0.63 m/s, p = 0.225). Correlation analysis showed that daily neck forward time was positively correlated with the SWVmean of the trapezius muscles on the affected and non-affected sides in patients with MPS (r = 0.635, p < 0.001; r = 0.576, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: SWE can quantitatively evaluate stiffness of trapezius muscles in patients with trapezius MPS. The stiffness of both affected and non-affected trapezius muscles increased in patients with trapezius MPS, and the degree of increase positively correlated with the time of cervical forward leaning.

Upper trapezius muscle elasticity in cervical myofascial pain syndrome measured using real-time ultrasound shear-wave elastography.

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common cause of neck pain, which is a global public health problem. Because MPS does not present morphological changes within lesioned muscles, there are no imaging diagnostic criteria for this condition. In this study, we evaluate elasticity changes in upper trapezius muscles most frequently involved in cervical MPS using real-time ultrasound shear-wave elastography, and we examine their potential diagnostic value. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 109 right posterior neck pain patients for this prospective study. Of these, 51 were diagnosed with MPS and 58 with non-MPS in the right side of their neck. Among MPS patients, 19 fell into the 1-3 range (mild pain) for pain scores on the visual analog scale (VAS), 25 fell into the 4-6 range (moderate pain), and 7 into the 7-10 range (severe pain). MPS was diagnosed by two independent clinicians using the diagnostic criteria proposed by Simons et al. Using real-time ultrasound shear-wave elastography, we measured right trapezius mean shear-wave velocity (SWVmean). The midpoint of the line between the foramen magnum and the end of the right acromion served as measuring point. Regions of interest were scaled to span 0-8.0 m/s. Results: Trapezius SWVmean was significantly higher in MPS patients compared with non-MPS patients (P<0.001). Stratified analysis of MPS patients according to pain severity revealed similar trapezius SWVmean between mild pain and non-MPS patients (P=0.324), however SWVmean was higher in moderate and severe pain MPS patients compared with non-MPS patients (P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) value for upper trapezius SWVmean in MPS patients was 0.791 (95% CI: 0.703-0.863). Corresponding sensitivity and specificity values were 86.27% (95% CI: 73.7-94.3%) and 62.07% (95% CI: 48.4-74.5%). Stratified analysis of MPS patients by pain severity produced the following AUC values for trapezius SWVmean in MPS patients with mild, moderate, and severe pain: 0.578 (95% CI: 0.460-0.690), 0.899 (95% CI: 0.814-0.955), and 0.983 (95% CI: 0.914-0.999), respectively. Conclusions: Elasticity changes and increased stiffness in the trapezius occur in cervical MPS patients with moderate and severe pain. The SWVmean parameter reflecting trapezius muscle elasticity may be valuable for successful screening of cervical MPS, especially in patients with moderate and severe pain.

Efficacy of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction versus laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for early upper gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To compare clinical efficacy between laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (LPG-DTR) and laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (LTG-RY) in patients with early upper gastric cancer, and to provide a reference for the selection of surgical methods in early upper gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study method was carried out. Clinical data of 80 patients with early upper gastric cancer who underwent LPG-DTR or LTG-RY by the same surgical team at the Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the DTR group (32 cases) and R-Y group (48 cases) according to surgical procedures and digestive tract reconstruction methods. Surgical and pathological characteristics, postoperative complications (short-term complications within 30 days after surgery and long-term complications after postoperative 30 days), survival time and nutritinal status were compared between the two groups. For nutritional status, reduction rate was used to represent the changes in total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, body mass, hemoglobin and vitamin B12 levels at postoperative 1-year and 2-year. Non-normally distributed continuous data were presented as median (interquartile range), and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. The χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of data between groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the ranked data between groups. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method categorical, and compared by using the log-rank test. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data betweeen the two groups, except that patients in the R-Y group were oldere and had larger tumor. Patients of both groups successfully completed the operation without conversion to laparotomy, combined organ resection, or perioperative death. There were no significant differences in the distance from proximal resection margin to superior margin of tumor, postoperative hospital stay, time to flatus and food-taking, hospitalization cost, short- and long-term complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the R-Y group, the DTR group had shorter distal margins [(3.2±0.5) cm vs. (11.7±2.0) cm, t=-23.033, P<0.001], longer surgery time [232.5 (63.7) minutes vs. 185.0 (63.0) minutes, Z=-3.238, P=0.001], longer anastomosis time [62.5 (17.5) minutes vs. 40.0 (10.0) minutes, Z=-6.321, P<0.001], less intraoperative blood loss [(138.1±51.6) ml vs. (184.3±62.1) ml, t=-3.477, P=0.001], with significant differences (all P<0.05). The median follow-up of the whole group was 18 months, and the 2-year cancer-specific survival rate was 97.5%, with 100% in the DTR group and 95.8% in the R-Y group (P=0.373). Compared with R-Y group at postoperative 1 year, the reduction rate of weight, hemoglobin and vitamin B12 were lower in DTR group with significant differences (all P<0.05); at postoperative 2-year, the reduction rate of vitamin B12 was still lower with significant differences (P<0.001), but the reduction rates of total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, body weight and hemoglobin were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: LPG-DTR is safe and feasible in the treatment of early upper gastric cancer. The short-term postoperative nutritional status and long-term vitamin B12 levels of patients undergoing LPG-DTR are superior to those undergoing LTG-RY.

Influence of visceral lipids obesity on the early postoperative complications after radical gastrectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of visceral fat area (VFA) on the surgical efficacy and early postoperative complications of radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study method was used. Clinicopathological data and preoperative imaging data of 195 patients who underwent D2 radical gastric cancer surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2014 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria: (1) complete clinicopathological and imaging data; (2) malignant gastric tumor diagnosed by preoperative pathology, and gastric cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology; (3) no preoperative complications such as bleeding, obstruction or perforation, and no distant metastasis. Those who had a history of abdominal surgery, concurrent malignant tumors, poor basic conditions, emergency surgery, palliative resection, and preoperative neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. The VFA was calculated by software and VFA ≥ 100 cm2 was defined as visceral obesity according to the Japan Obesity Association criteria . The patients were divided into high VFA (VFA-H, VFA≥100 cm2, n=96) group and low VFA (VFA-L, VFA<100 cm2, n=99) group . The clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes and early postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of early complications. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze predictive values of VFA for early complications. Pearson's χ2 test was used to analyze the correlation between BMI and VFA. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, preoperative comorbidities, preoperative anemia, tumor TNM staging, N staging, T staging and tumor differentiation, surgical method, extent of resection, and tumor location between the VFA-L group and the VFA-H group (all P>0.05). However, patients in the VFA-H group had higher BMI, larger tumor, lower rate of hypoalbuminemia and greater subcutaneous fat area (SFA) (all P<0.05). The VFA-H group presented significantly longer operation time and significantly less number of harvested lymph nodes as compared to the VFA-L group (both P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, conversion to laparotomy and postoperative hospital stay (all P>0.05). Complications of Clavien-Dindo grade II and above within 30 days after operation were mainly anastomosis-related complications (leakage, bleeding, infection and stricture), intestinal obstruction and incision infection. The VFA-H group had a higher morbidity of early complications compared to the VFA-L group [24.0% (23/96) vs 10.1% (10/99), χ2=6.657, P=0.010], and the rates of anastomotic complications and incision infection were also higher in the VFA group [10.4% (10/96) vs. 3.0% (3/99), χ2=4.274, P=0.039; 7.3% (7/96) vs. 1.0% (1/99), P=0.033]. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that high BMI (OR=3.688, 95%CI: 1.685-8.072, P=0.001) and high VFA (OR=2.526, 95%CI: 1.148-5.559,P=0.021) were independent risk factors for early complications. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of VFA for predicting early complications was 0.645, which was higher than that of body weight (0.591), BMI (0.624) and SFA (0.626). Correlation analysis indicated that there was a significantly positive correlation between BMI and VFA (r=0.640, P<0.001). Conclusion: VFA ≥ 100 cm2 is an independent risk factor for early complications after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.It can better predict the occurrence of above early postoperative complications.

The ATP Level in the mPFC Mediates the Antidepressant Effect of Calorie Restriction / 神经科学通报·英文版

Food deprivation can rescue obesity and overweight-induced mood disorders, and promote mood performance in normal subjects. Animal studies and clinical research have revealed the antidepressant-like effect of calorie restriction, but little is known about the mechanism of calorie restriction-induced mood modification. Previous studies have found that astrocytes modulate depressive-like behaviors. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) is the predominant isoform in mediating astrocyte Ca

The ATP Level in the mPFC Mediates the Antidepressant Effect of Calorie Restriction / 神经科学通报·英文版

Food deprivation can rescue obesity and overweight-induced mood disorders, and promote mood performance in normal subjects. Animal studies and clinical research have revealed the antidepressant-like effect of calorie restriction, but little is known about the mechanism of calorie restriction-induced mood modification. Previous studies have found that astrocytes modulate depressive-like behaviors. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) is the predominant isoform in mediating astrocyte Ca

Prognostic significance of the hemoglobin A1c level in non-diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The predictive value of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in non-diabetic patients with myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether HbA1c levels were independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in non-diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who had undergone PCI by performing a meta-analysis of cohort studies.@*METHODS@#This meta-analysis included non-diabetic patients with CAD who had undergone PCI. A systematic search for publications listed in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from commencement to December 2018 was conducted. Studies evaluating the adverse clinical outcomes according to abnormal HbA1c levels in non-diabetic patients diagnosed with CAD who had undergone PCI were eligible. The primary outcomes were long-term all-cause deaths and long-term major adverse cardiac events, and the secondary outcome was short-term all-cause deaths. The meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.3 and Stata software 14.0. Odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using a random or fixed-effects model, depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies. Sub-group analysis or sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity, when necessary.@*RESULTS@#Six prospective cohort studies involving 10,721 patients met the inclusion criteria. From the pooled analysis, abnormal HbA1c levels were associated with increased risk for long-term all-cause death (OR 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.68, P = 0.001, I = 45%). Sub-group analysis suggested that abnormal HbA1c levels between 6.0% and 6.5% predicted higher long-term major adverse cardiac event (including all-cause deaths, non-fatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, recurrent acute myocardial infarction, heart failure requiring hospitalization, and stent thrombosis) risk (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.46-2.87, P < 0.001, I = 0). Contrarily, elevated HbA1c levels were not associated with increased risk of short-term all-cause death (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.88-1.54, P = 0.300, I = 0).@*CONCLUSIONS@#An abnormal HbA1c level is an independent risk factor for long-term adverse clinical events in non-diabetic patients with CAD after PCI. Strict control of HbA1c levels may improve patient survival. Further studies in different countries and prospective cohort studies with a large sample size are required to verify the association.

Expression Patterns of Inducible Cre Recombinase Driven by Differential Astrocyte-Specific Promoters in Transgenic Mouse Lines / 神经科学通报·英文版

Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS). They provide trophic support for neurons, modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity, and contribute to neuronal dysfunction. Many transgenic mouse lines have been generated to obtain astrocyte-specific expression of inducible Cre recombinase for functional studies; however, the expression patterns of inducible Cre recombinase in these lines have not been systematically characterized. We generated a new astrocyte-specific Aldh1l1-CreER knock-in mouse line and compared the expression pattern of Cre recombinase between this and five widely-used transgenic lines (hGfap-CreER from The Jackson Laboratory and The Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center, Glast-CreER, Cx30-CreER, and Fgfr3-iCreER) by crossing with Ai14 mice, which express tdTomato fluorescence following Cre-mediated recombination. In adult Aldh1l1-CreER:Ai14 transgenic mice, tdTomato was detected throughout the CNS, and five novel morphologically-defined types of astrocyte were described. Among the six evaluated lines, the specificity of Cre-mediated recombination was highest when driven by Aldh1l1 and lowest when driven by hGfap; in the latter mice, co-staining between tdTomato and NeuN was observed in the hippocampus and cortex. Notably, evident leakage was noted in Fgfr3-iCreER mice, and the expression level of tdTomato was low in the thalamus when Cre recombinase expression was driven by Glast and in the capsular part of the central amygdaloid nucleus when driven by Cx30. Furthermore, tdTomato was clearly expressed in peripheral organs in four of the lines. Our results emphasize that the astrocyte-specific CreER transgenic lines used in functional studies should be carefully selected.

Astrocytic GABA Receptors in Mouse Hippocampus Control Responses to Behavioral Challenges through Astrocytic BDNF / 神经科学通报·英文版

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mood disorder that affects almost 20% of the global population. In addition, much evidence has implicated altered function of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) system in the pathophysiology of depression. Recent research has indicated that GABA receptors (GABARs) are an emerging therapeutic target in the treatment of stress-related disorders such as MDD. However, which cell types with GABARs are involved in this process is unknown. As hippocampal dysfunction is implicated in MDD, we knocked down GABARs in the hippocampus and found that knocking down these receptors in astrocytes, but not in GABAergic or pyramidal neurons, caused a decrease in immobility in the forced swimming test (FST) without affecting other anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. We also generated astrocyte-specific GABAR-knockout mice and found decreased immobility in the FST in these mice. Furthermore, the conditional knockout of GABARs in astrocytes selectively increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in hippocampal astrocytes, which controlled the decrease in immobility in the FST. Taken together, our findings contribute to the current understanding of which cell types expressing GABARs modulate antidepressant activity in the FST, and they may provide new insights into the pathological mechanisms and potential targets for the treatment of depression.

Effect of golden-hour body temperature bundle management on admission temperature and clinical outcome in preterm infants after birth / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of golden-hour body temperature bundle management strategy on admission temperature and clinical outcome in preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks after birth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The preterm infants who were born in the delivery room of the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University and admitted to the department of neonatology of this hospital within 1 hour after birth from December 2015 to June 2016 and from January to May, 2017 were enrolled. The 173 preterm infants who were admitted from January to May, 2017 were enrolled as the intervention group and were given golden-hour body temperature bundle management. The 164 preterm infants who were admitted from December 2015 to June 2016 were enrolled as the control group and were given conventional body temperature management.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The intervention group had a significantly higher mean admission temperature than the control group (36.4±0.4°C vs 35.3±0.6°C; P<0.001). The incidence rate of hypothermia on admission in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (56.6% vs 97.6%; P<0.001). The intervention group had a significantly lower incidence rate of intracranial hemorrhage within one week after admission than the control group (15.0% vs 31.7%; P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Golden-hour body temperature bundle management for preterm infants within one hour after birth can reduce the incidence of hypothermia on admission and improve clinical outcome.</p>

Differential proteomic analysis of the zebrafish neuron protective effect of Cerebralcare granules using iTRAQ labeling coupled with 2DLC-MS/MS / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed proteins before and after administration of Cerebralcare granules to zebrafish central nerve injury (CNI) models and search practical markers and explore the molecular mechanism of the treatment. METHODS: Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with nano liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (Nano-LC-MS/MS) were used to analyze and identify differentially expressed serum proteins in the two groups. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the identified differentially expressed proteins, and the expression of representative differential proteins was verified by Western blotting. RESULTS: With the high throughput proteomic technology of iTRAQ coupled with Nano-LC-MS/MS, 1 933 unique proteins were identified, and 130 proteins showed ≥ 1.50 or ≤ 0.70 folds of changes during differentiation. The proteins detected in the zebrafish neuroendocrine brain had roles in the biological processes of translation, metabolic process and neuronal ion channel clustering. Ef1-α (elongation factor 1-alpha) and α-6-F (Na+/K+ transporting ATPase alpha 1 polypeptide) were validated by Western blotting. The two sets of data showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). These RESULTS were consistent with those from quantitative mass spectrometry. CONCLUSION: A high-throughput screen for zebrafish central nerve injury proteins can be performed by a combined use of iTRAQ and Nano-LC-MS/MS, and the molecular mechanism of Cerebralcare granules treatment can thus be preliminarily explored.

Identification of chemical constituents in Yangxue Qingnao granule by UPLC-Q-TOF/MSE / 药学学报

In order to clarify the chemical constituents in Yangxue Qingnao granule, we established a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography/orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLCQ- TOF/MSE) method. According to the high resolution MS spectra data, fragmentation ion information and retention time, 142 peaks were identified or tentatively presumed by comparison with reference standards data and literature reports. The herbal sources of these peaks were assigned. The results implied that phenolic acids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, phthalides, monoterpene glycosides were included in the main components of Yangxue Qingnao granule. The method is rapid for systematically elucidation of the constituents of Yangxue Qingnao granule and the results would facilitate the quality control of Yangxue Qingnao granule for safe and efficacious use.

Expression of MAPK1 in cervical cancer and effect of MAPK1 gene silencing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion and metastasis

Objective: To discuss the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) in the cervical cancer and effect of MAPK1 gene silencing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion and metastasis. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR method were employed to detect the expression of MAPK1 protein and mRNA in cervical cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue. The constructed siRNA-MAPK1 was transferred into human cervical cancer HeLa cells using Lipofectamine™2000. MTT method was used to detect the cell vitality, transwell method to detect the cell invasion, and western blot to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, zinc finger transcription factor (Snail), epithelial-mesenchymal transition related protein (EMT) E-cadherin and vimentin in cells. Results: The expression of MAPK1 protein and mRNA in the cervical cancer tissue was significantly higher than the one in the adjacent normal tissue (P < 0.01); after transfecting the siRNA-MAPK1 into the human cervical cancer HeLa cells through liposome, compared with the control group, its cell vitality was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), cell invasion was significantly decreased (P < 0.01); expressed of MMP-2, MMP-9, Snail and vimentin was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and E-cadherin was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Because of the high expression of MAPK1 in the cervical cancer tissue, the interference in the expression of MAPK1 can significantly inhibit the invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer HeLa cells, which is related to the interference in the expression of MMPs/TIMP and Snail-mediated generation of EMT.

Chemical constituents from endophyte Chaetomium globosum in Imperata cylindrical / 中国中药杂志

Isolation and purification of chemical constituents from solid culture of endophyte Chaetomium globosum in Imperata cylindrical was performed through silica gel column chromatography, gel filtration over Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Nine compounds were obtained and their structures were determined as chaetoglobosin F(1), chaetoglobosin Fex(2), chaetoglobosin E(3) cytoglobosin A(4), penochalasin C(S), isochaetoglobosin D (6), N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoyphenylalaninate(7), uracil(8) and 5-methyluracil(9), respectively, based on HR-MS and NMR data and comparison with literatures. Compound 7 was isolated from Chaeeomium sp. for the first time. In vitro cytotoxicity of compounds was evaluated using MTT mothed and 1,3,4 and 5 showed inhibition activity to the human cervical carcinoma cell HeLa with IC50 values of 99.43, 23.77, 97.92, 86.25 micromol x L(-1), while positive cotolocisnin Ad apno1ch alse IC50 24.33 micromol x L(-1).

Fumigaclavine I, a new alkaloid isolated from endophyte Aspergillus terreus / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to isolate and purify chemical constituents from solid culture of endophyte Aspergillus terreus LQ, using silica gel column chromatography, gel filtration with Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. Fumigaclavine I (1), a new alkaloid, was obtained, along with seven known compounds, including fumigaclavine C (2), rhizoctonic acid (3), monomethylsulochrin (4), chaetominine (5), spirotryprostatin A (6), asperfumoid (7), and lumichrome (8). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by various spectroscopic analyses (UV, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). The in vitro cytotoxicity of compound 1 was determined by MTT assay in human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, showing weaker cytotoxicity, compared with cisplatin, a clinically used cancer chemotherapeutic agent.

Expression of MAPK1 in cervical cancer and effect of MAPK1 gene silencing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion and metastasis

OBJECTIVE@#To discuss the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) in the cervical cancer and effect of MAPK1 gene silencing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion and metastasis.@*METHODS@#Immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR method were employed to detect the expression of MAPK1 protein and mRNA in cervical cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue. The constructed siRNA-MAPK1 was transferred into human cervical cancer HeLa cells using Lipofectamine™2000. MTT method was used to detect the cell vitality, transwell method to detect the cell invasion, and western blot to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, zinc finger transcription factor (Snail), epithelial-mesenchymal transition related protein (EMT) E-cadherin and vimentin in cells.@*RESULTS@#The expression of MAPK1 protein and mRNA in the cervical cancer tissue was significantly higher than the one in the adjacent normal tissue (P < 0.01); after transfecting the siRNA-MAPK1 into the human cervical cancer HeLa cells through liposome, compared with the control group, its cell vitality was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), cell invasion was significantly decreased (P < 0.01); expressed of MMP-2, MMP-9, Snail and vimentin was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and E-cadherin was significantly increased (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Because of the high expression of MAPK1 in the cervical cancer tissue, the interference in the expression of MAPK1 can significantly inhibit the invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer HeLa cells, which is related to the interference in the expression of MMPs/TIMP and Snail-mediated generation of EMT.

Screening and confirmation of psychotropic drugs in blood and urine by HPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a screening and confirmation method for psychotropic drugs and their metabolites in human blood and urine by HPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS.@*METHODS@#The samples were pretreated with Sirocco protein precipitation plate, and then analyzed by HPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS. The method was validated in terms of the limit of detection (LOD). An accurate mass database was created for psychotropic drugs screening.@*RESULTS@#The LOD for most of 56 determined compounds was < or = 0.1 ng/mL. The accurate mass database included the accurate mass information of 61 psychotropic drugs.@*CONCLUSION@#The method is accurate, rapid, sensitive and the database is suitable for psychotropic drugs screening and confirmation.

Application of liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry in toxicological screening / 法医学杂志

Due to the diversity of toxicologically relevant substances, the uncertainty of target compounds and the specificity of samples, toxicological screening techniques have always been valued by the forensic toxicologists. Depending on its powerful separation ability, superhigh resolution and accurate mass measurement, combined with the two levels spectrum database matching and abundance ratio of isotope ion, the liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analyzers have increasingly advantage in screening and identification of chemical compound. This review focuses on the applications of LC-HRMS in screening and identification of drug-of-abuse, prescription drugs, pesticide and stimulant. The prospect of LC-HRMS in forensic toxicology analysis is also included.

Construction and identification of a RNA interference plasmid for rat BNIP3 gene / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a RNA interfering plasmid targeting rat Bcl-2/E1B-19K-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) and assess its effect on exogenous BNIP3 expression in HEK293 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The miRNA sequences were designed using Invitrogen BLOCK-iT RNAi Designer and synthesized into double-strand oligonucleotides, which were cloned into the pcDNATM6.2-GW/EmGFP-miR vector, followed by transformation of the product into competent Top10 E. coli cells. After expansion of the transformed bacteria, the plasmid was extracted and sequenced before its co-transfection with pEGFP-C3- rBNIP3 plasmid into HEK293 cells. The interference effect of the constructed plasmid on BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sequencing result indicated that the interfering plasmid targeting rat BNIP3 was constructed correctly. After transfection into HEK293 cells, the interfering plasmid significantly inhibited exogenous BNIP3 mRNA and protein expressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The RNA interfering plasmid targeting rat BNIP3 has been constructed successfully, which provides a useful tool for studying the function of BNIP3.</p>

Transmission models of tuberculosis in heterogeneous population / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the transmission models of tuberculosis in heterogeneous population.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>The data used in this review were adopted mainly from the studies of models of tuberculosis reported from 1995 to 2006.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Relevant literature on transmission models of tuberculosis in heterogeneous populations are referenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Casual/random factors and genetic factors are the main reasons for epidemics of tuberculosis in recent years. Mass public transport is playing the primary role in casually close contact which can facilitate the transmission of tuberculosis. Genetic susceptibility not only varies endemic prevalence levels, but also drastically alters the effects of treatment for tuberculosis patients. Detailed studies further exhibit that casual contact and genetic factor are responsible for over 30% - 40% of the total new cases in recent years. The prevalence of tuberculosis could double (from 33% to 60%) if a genetically susceptible phenotype is present in only 30% of the population. And some challenges have emerged along with these exciting results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Casual/random contact, public transport and genetic susceptibility are responsible for most new tuberculosis cases and a wide variation in endemic tuberculosis levels between regions. Hence, the transmission model of tuberculosis in a heterogeneous population can provide more clues to underlying mechanism of tuberculosis transmission than in a homogeneous population. However, many challenges remain for us in understanding transmission of disease.</p>