Afterglow Performance of Phenylenevinylene-Based Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles Doped with Photosensitizers Containing Electron-Withdrawing Groups.

It is usually believed that doping with photosensitizers capable of generating singlet oxygen (1O2) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the afterglow performance of semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs). However, the effect of doping photosensitizer bearing electron-withdrawing groups has not been reported. Here we report the effect of doping with six photosensitizers possessing different electron-withdrawing groups on the afterglow performance of SPNs using poly[(9,9-di(2-ethylhexyl)-9H-fluo-rene-2,7-vinylene)-co-(1-methoxy-4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-2,5-phenylenevinylene)] (PF-MEHPPV) as substrate. It was found that the afterglow performance of SPNs was significantly influenced by doping with photosensitizers bearing electron-withdrawing groups. For the doped photosensitizers with strong electron-withdrawing groups, the stronger the electron-withdrawing ability of the group, the worse of the afterglow performance of the SPN regardless of the 1O2 generation ability of the photosensitizer. When the doped photosensitizer exhibited weak or none electron-withdrawing effect, the 1O2 generation ability of the photosensitizer played a dominant role on the afterglow performance of the SPNs. This work deepens the understanding of the design and synthesis of SPNs with different afterglow properties.

Outcomes of different types of pulmonary atresia in neonates treated by ductus arteriosus stenting / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To summarize the outcomes of different types of pulmonary atresia in neonates treated by ductus arteriosus stenting. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 19 neonates who had pulmonary atresia treated by ductus arteriosus stenting in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 2014 to June 2021 were included. They were divided into the intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) group and the ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD) group. Ductus arteriosus stents were implanted by different approaches. These children were followed up regularly at the 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery and annually since then to evaluate the outcome. Independent sample t-test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: There were 12 children in PA-IVS group and 7 in PA-VSD group. All of them were full term in fants. The gestational age of the PA-IVS group and the PA-VSD group was (38.8±1.1) and (37.7±1.8) weeks, the birth weights were (3.2±0.4) and (3.4±1.1) kg, and the age at operation was (10±9) and (12±7) days, respectively, without significant difference (all P>0.05). Among the 12 children with PA-IVS, 9 had stents successfully implanted through the femoral artery and 3 through the femoral vein. Of the 7 children with PA-VSD, 2 had the stents successfully implanted via the femoral artery and 2 failed, and the remaining 3 had stents successfully implanted via the left carotid artery. There was no postoperative thromboembolism, arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm or other vascular complications. Five children with PA-VSD who had successful operations were followed up at 6 months of age. They all had the operation for pulmonary atresia, repair of the ventricular septal defect, removal of arterial duct stents, and ligation of the arterial duct. All children survived without any stent displacement or stenosis and biventricular circulation was achieved during the follow-up. Conclusions: Ductus arteriosous stenting can be the first-stage treatment for children with PA-IVS and PA-VSD. In addition to the traditional femoral vein and femoral artery approach, the carotid artery can be used as a route for stent placement.

Multi-omics analysis of regulating effects of hyperoside on lipid metabolism in high-fat diet mice / 生理学报

The aim of this study was to explore the regulating effects of hyperoside (Hyp) on lipid metabolism in high-fat diet mice. The high-fat diet mouse model was established by high-fat diet induction. After 5 weeks of Hyp intragastric administration in high-fat diet mice, the serum lipid levels before and after Hyp administration were measured by the corresponding kits. The tissue structure of mouse liver was observed by HE staining before and after Hyp administration. The changes of intestinal flora and transcriptome were measured by Illumina platforms. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to determine non-targeted metabolites. The results showed that Hyp significantly reduced lipid levels in the high-fat diet mice and effectively restored the external morphology and internal structure of liver tissue. Hyp changed the species composition of the intestinal flora in high-fat diet mice, increased the abundance of beneficial flora such as Ruminococcus, and decreased the abundance of harmful flora such as Sutterella. Combined multi-omics analysis revealed that the effect of retinoic acid on lipid metabolism was significant in the high-fat diet mice treated with Hyp, while the increase of retinoic acid content was significantly negatively correlated with the expression of genes such as cyp1a2 and ugt1a6b, positively correlated with AF12 abundance, and significantly negatively correlated with unidentified_Desulfovibrionaceae abundance. These results suggest that Hyp may modulate the abundance of AF12, unidentified_Desulfovibrionaceae and inhibit the expression of genes such as cyp1a2 and ugt1a6b, thus increasing the content of retinoic acid and regulating lipid metabolism in the high-fat diet mice.

Mutation analysis of the PTPN11 gene in a pedigree with LEOPARD syndrome / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To determine mutations in the PTPN11 gene in a family with LEOPARD syndrome.Methods:Clinical evaluation was carried out in a large pedigree with confirmed LEOPARD syndrome diagnosed in Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 4 patients and 2 unaffected healthy members in the family, as well as 100 unrelated healthy controls. DNA was extracted from the blood samples, and PCR was performed to amplify all exons of the PTPN11 genes, followed by Sanger sequencing.Results:There were 14 members in 3 generations of the family, 6 of whom were affected (3 males and 3 females) , demonstrating an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Skin lesions were mainly distributed on the face, trunk and limbs, accompanied by special facial features and cardiovascular system abnormalities. A missense mutation c.1632G>T (p.R558L) in the PTPN11 gene was identified in the 4 patients, which resulted in the substitution of arginine by leucine at amino acid position 558. This mutation had not yet been reported previously. No mutation was detected in the PTPN11 gene in the 2 unaffected family members or 100 healthy controls.Conclusion:The missense mutation c.1632G>T in exon 13 of the PTPN11 gene may be the molecular basis for LEOPARD syndrome in this family.

Outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles of progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol compared with other three ovulation hyperstimulation protocols / 解剖学报

Objective To analyze the clinical outcomes of progestin primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) compared with the other three different controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols in fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Methods A total of 430 oocyte pick-up cycles and 272 FET cycles were retrospectively analyzed. Number of oocytes retrieved, laboratory indexes and pregnancy outcome of FET were compared. Results The mean oocytes retrieved (11.1±7.3), fertilization rate (85.6%), cleavage rate (95.1%) and excellent embryo rate (20.2%) as well as transplantable embryo rate (4. 5 ±3.1) of the PPOS group did not show significant differences compared with the other 3 subgroups (all P<0.05) in fresh cycle. As for pregnancy outcomes in FET cycles, no statistically significant differences were observed among the four groups in embryo implantation rate (26.2%), clinical pregnancy rate (63.0%) and abortion rate (11.8%) (all P<0.05). However, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate was higher in PPOS group compared with the other groups. Conclusion Compared with the other three ovulation stimulation programme, PPOS might be used as a new alternative for controlled ovulation stimulation protocols.

Protective effect of Rhodiola rosea on vascular endothelium in rats with intermittent hypoxia / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To observe the protective effect of Rhodiola rosea on vascular endothelium in rats with intermittent hypoxia (IH) and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods According to random number table method, 45 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal control group, IH group and Rhodiola rosea low, medium and high dose groups, with 9 rats in each group. The IH model was reproduced by putting the rats into IH model chamber, and then feeding them with nitrogen, oxygen and compressed air for 45 days. The feeding bin and feeding time of rats in the normal control group were consistent with those in other groups, and the oxygen concentration in the tank was maintained at 20%-21%. The rats in Rhodiola rosea high, medium and low dose groups were intraperitoneally injected with Rhodiola rosea (0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 mL/100 g), starting from the 15 th day in IH chamber, and the injection continued for 30 days. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) in the coronary arteries of rats in each group were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. The contents of coronary hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in rats were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in coronary artery tissues of rats in each group were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The pathological changes of aorta in each group were observed under light microscope. Results Compared with the normal control group, SOD and NO in the IH group decreased [SOD (U/mg): 4.43±0.22 vs. 8.60±0.34, NO (μmol/g): 3.09±0.07 vs. 4.81±0.41, both P < 0.01], MDA, TNF-α, HIF-1α and mRNA expression of ET-1 and VEGF increased [MDA (nmol/mg): 0.78±0.03 vs. 0.50±0.03, TNF-α(pg/mg): 6.35±0.29 vs. 3.27±0.14, HIF-1α (ng/mg): 14.55±0.70 vs. 7.16±0.17, ET-1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.75±0.03 vs. 1.10±0.07, VEGF mRNA (2-ΔΔCt):4.38±0.10 vs. 1.20±0.07, all P < 0.01]. Compared with the IH group, SOD and NO were increased in three Rhodiola rosea groups, MDA, TNF-α, HIF-1α and mRNA expression of ET-1 and VEGF were decreased in three Rhodiola rosea groups, and the changes in the Rhodiola rosea high dose group were more significant than those in the low and medium dose Rhodiola rosea groups [SOD(U/mg): 7.47±0.19 vs. 5.41±0.37, 6.71±0.28, MDA (nmol/mg): 0.57±0.20 vs. 0.74±0.04, 0.70±0.03, NO (μmol/g): 4.00±0.28 vs. 3.27±0.18, 3.47±0.28, TNF-α(pg/mg): 3.90±0.17 vs. 5.08±0.27, 4.39±0.26, HIF-1α(ng/mg): 8.40±0.23 vs. 11.07±0.41, 9.81±0.44, ET-1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.12±0.04 vs. 1.71±0.03, 1.63±0.07, VEGF mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 2.45±0.09 vs. 3.99±0.12, 3.27±0.08, all P < 0.05]. Under light microscope, the inner membrane of the normal control group was intact, and the endothelial cells were loose and slightly stained on the surface of the inner membrane; in the IH group, part of the arterial areas showed endointima edema or even abscission, and interstitial edema in the vascular wall. The pathological changes in three Rhodiola rosea groups were less than that in the IH group, and the changes of Rhodiola rosea high dose group were more significant. Conclusion Rhodiola rosea can protect the vascular endothelium caused by IH exposure through improving the level of anti-hypoxia in tissues and inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Application of negative molds technology based on three-dimensional printing in digital maxillofacial prostheses / 中华口腔医学杂志

Objective@#To explore a digital negative molds technique based on three-dimensional (3D) printing to assist in the manufacture of maxillofacial prostheses, and to improve the deficiency of the current clinical treatment.@*Methods@#Seventeen patients with maxillofacial defects (including nasal defects, orbital defects, cheek defects, auricle defect) were scanned by means of facial optical scanning and computer tomography (CT). The 3D models were then reconstructed and global registration was made to merge the reconstructed models into a new digital model for 3D design. The 3D design of the prostheses was implemented in software. The mechanical connection structure was designed by forward engineering technology for 3 patients with intra-oral defects in maxilla who needed to make removable partial dentures, so that the silicone prostheses and removable partial denture could be combined. The removable partial dentures were made by conventional method and connected with the prostheses. According to the 3D data of the prostheses, the digital negative molds were designed, and the 3D printing technology was used to finish the processing of the resin molds. Silicone for prostheses were filled and cured in the resin molds to fabricate the clinical restorations for the patients. The margin adaptation and retention of the prostheses was detected.@*Results@#Twenty patients with varying degrees of maxillofacial defects were rehabilitated using the courses developed in the study. All patients reported no pain or discomfort during the treatment; and they were satisfied with the final prostheses of the shape, color, retention, stability, etc. Eighteen of the prostheses showed good marginal adaptation, and sixteen of the prostheses showed good retention effect.@*Conclusions@#The digital negative molds technique used in this study could greatly reduce the intensity of manual operation and provided a good therapeutic effect for patients with maxillofacial defects.

Combined use of docetaxel and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Docetaxel, a cel cycle specific anti-tumor drug, is a drug that is used primarily for treating breast cancer; however, its efficacy is low when used for treatment of cancer not sensitive to radiotherapy. Bone marrow mesenchymal stemcels have been shown to strengthen the effects of tumor-specific targeting chemotherapy drugs. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of docetaxel combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels (BMSCs) on human hepatoma cel line SMMC-7721. METHODS:BMSC cels were culturedin vitro. The logarithmic growth of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cels were randomly divided into blank control group, BMSCs group and combined treatment group (combined treatment of BMSCs and docetaxel). SMMC-7721 cel cycle was detected usingflow cytometry. Cel growth rate of SMMC-7721 was determined by MTT assay. mRNA and protein expressions of tumor suppressor genes PTEN and p53 were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Combined treatment of docetaxel and BMSCs inhibited SMMC-7721 cell proliferation. Compared with the blank control group, the number of cells at the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased in BMSCs group and combined treatment group. The cell growth rate of SMMC-7721 was significantly inhibited in BMSCs group compared with the blank control group, and that was further inhibited in combined treatment group (P< 0.05). mRNA and protein expressionof PTENandp53 were significantly increased in combined treatment group compared with BMSCs group and blank control group (P< 0.05). Our results suggest that BMSCs inhibit the growth of SMMC-7721 cells,andcombined use of docetaxel and BMSCs strengthensthe antitumor effect of BMSCs.

Clinical and genetic analysis of a pedigree with acne inversa / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To detect γ-secretase gene mutations in a large Chinese pedigree with acne inversa (AI).Methods Clinical evaluation was carried out in a large pedigree with AI through field investigation.Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 17 family members (11 affected and 6 unaffected) and 100 unrelated healthy human controls.DNA was extracted from the blood samples,and PCR was performed to amplify all the coding regions of PSEN 1,PSENEN and NCSTN genes followed by DNA sequencing analysis.Results There were 67 members over 5 generations in this family,of whom,25 (13 males and 12 females) were affected by AI.AI was inherited in an autosomal dominant manner in this family.Skin lesions were mainly distributed on the neck,back,chest and buttocks,and occasionally in subaxillary regions.DNA sequencing revealed a novel missense mutation,c.1258C＞ T (p.Q420XP),in the exon 11 of the NCSTN gene in 11 affected family members,which leads to a substitution of glutamine by a premature termination codon at amino acid 420 (p.Q420X).The mutation was undetected in either the unaffected members or the unrelated healthy controls,and had not been registered in the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) database in National Center for Biotechnology Information.Conclusions There is a novel heterozygous missense mutation,c.1258C ＞ T in the exon 11 of the NCSTN gene,which may be the molecular basis of pathogenesis of AI in this family.

Total saponin from root of Actinidia valvata Dunn prevents the metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: To extract the active component from the root of Actinidia valvata Dunn and to investigate the effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro. METHODS: Total saponin was extracted from the root of A. valvata (TSAVD). HCC cells, such as BEL-7402, HepG2, PLC, SMMC-7721, MHCC-97-H, and MHCC-97-L, were treated with TSAVD in 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenytetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells were also treated respectively with TSAVD at different concentrations for 24 h in wound healing and adhesion assays, and the effects of TSAVD on BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells mobility and adhesion abilities were observed. Meanwhile, the effects of TSAVD on invasion and migration of BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells were also investigated by transwell chamber in invasion and migration assays. RESULTS: TSAVD at 1.5 mg/mL inhibited BEL-7402 cell proliferation with inhibition ratios (IRs) of 61.08%, 74.12%, 84.55% at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Meanwhile, TSAVD inhibited MHCC-97-H proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner from 1.5 to 0.5 mg/mL, with the IR of 36% at 1.5 mg/mL at 24 h. For SMMC-7721, PLC, and HepG2, the IR was lower than 30% at 1.5 mg/mL at 24 h. In the wound healing assay, mobility abilities of BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells in TSAVD treated groups were significantly weaker than those of the control group. After pretreatment for 24 h with TSAVD, adhesion abilities were reduced in both MHCC-97-H and BEL-7402 cells, with IRs of 48.50%±4.86% and 49.85%±5.25% at 200 µg/mL. The IRs of MHCC-97-H and BEL-7402 cells in the migration assay were 49.13%±2.91% and 79.37%±0.09% at 200 µg/mL. In the invasion assay, IRs were 69.78%±4.88% and 82.48%±0.25% at 200 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Of all HCC cells, the highest inhibition by TSAVD was seen for BEL-7402 proliferation. TSAVD could restrain adhesion, invasion, mobility, and migration abilities of BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells in vitro.

Role of NADPH oxidase in brain damage oxidative stress in ATP7Btx-J mice / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate whether NADPH oxidase is involved in brain damage of ATP7Btx-J mice through interfering oxidative stress.Methods ATP7Btx-J mice (20 weeks old),wild-type (WT) mice (20 weeks old) and apo-ATP7Btx-J mice (given the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin) were chosen in our study; apo-ATP7Btx-J mice were treated by daily oral administration with 200 mg/kg of apocynin since 16 weeks old till 20 weeks old.Copper concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and NADPH oxidase activity was detected by colorimetric method.The superoxide level was measured using superoxide-sensitive fluorescent probe dihyroethidine (DHE).The protein expression level of Cleaved caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blotting.The level of neuronal apoptosis was assayed with TUNEL method.Results The copper content in the striatum region of ATP7Btx-J mice was significantly higher than that of wild-type (WT) mice (P＜0.05).The activity ofNADPH oxidase and concentration of superoxide anion in the striatum region of ATP7Btx-J mice were significantly higher than those of WT mice (P＜0.05); those in the striatum region of apo-ATP7Btx-J mice were significantly lower than those of ATP7Btx-J mice (P＜0.05).The protein expression of Cleaved caspase-3 and the level of neuronal apoptosis in the striatum region of ATP7Btx-J mice were significantly higher than those of WT mice (P＜0.05); those in the striatum region of apoATP7Btx-J mice were significantly lower than that of ATP7Btx-J mice (P＜0.05).Conclusion NADPH oxidase may play a role in neuronal apoptosis in the striatum region of ATP7Btx-J mice through oxidative stress,and apocynin can protect the nervous system decreasing the NADPH oxidase level.

Total saponin from root of Actinidia valvata Dunn prevents the metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To extract the active component from the root of Actinidia valvata Dunn and to investigate the effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total saponin was extracted from the root of A. valvata (TSAVD). HCC cells, such as BEL-7402, HepG2, PLC, SMMC-7721, MHCC-97-H, and MHCC-97-L, were treated with TSAVD in 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenytetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells were also treated respectively with TSAVD at different concentrations for 24 h in wound healing and adhesion assays, and the effects of TSAVD on BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells mobility and adhesion abilities were observed. Meanwhile, the effects of TSAVD on invasion and migration of BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells were also investigated by transwell chamber in invasion and migration assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TSAVD at 1.5 mg/mL inhibited BEL-7402 cell proliferation with inhibition ratios (IRs) of 61.08%, 74.12%, 84.55% at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Meanwhile, TSAVD inhibited MHCC-97-H proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner from 1.5 to 0.5 mg/mL, with the IR of 36% at 1.5 mg/mL at 24 h. For SMMC-7721, PLC, and HepG2, the IR was lower than 30% at 1.5 mg/mL at 24 h. In the wound healing assay, mobility abilities of BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells in TSAVD treated groups were significantly weaker than those of the control group. After pretreatment for 24 h with TSAVD, adhesion abilities were reduced in both MHCC-97-H and BEL-7402 cells, with IRs of 48.50%±4.86% and 49.85%±5.25% at 200 μg/mL. The IRs of MHCC-97-H and BEL-7402 cells in the migration assay were 49.13%±2.91% and 79.37%±0.09% at 200 μg/mL. In the invasion assay, IRs were 69.78%±4.88% and 82.48%±0.25% at 200 μg/mL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Of all HCC cells, the highest inhibition by TSAVD was seen for BEL-7402 proliferation. TSAVD could restrain adhesion, invasion, mobility, and migration abilities of BEL-7402 and MHCC-97-H cells in vitro.</p>

Characteristics of airflow dynamics in upper airway after unilateral maxillectomy / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the characteristics of upper airway airflow dynamics during inspiration after unilateral total maxillectomy by means of computer numerical simulation. Methods Based on postoperative CT images of three patients with unilateral maxillary tumor, three-dimensional upper airway structures of the patients were reconstructed, and the upper airway airflow was simulated numerically by computational fluid dynamics method. Results The upper airway airflow trends of the patients during inspiration after unilateral maxillectomy were obtained. Airflow in the defect nasal cavity was separated, and made the spacious vortices of low velocity occurred throughout the entire maxillary defect cavity. Conclusions The upper airway trends of the three patients were generally in conformity with each other after their unilateral total maxillectomy, which illustrated that the respiratory patterns of such patients were of universality. Unilateral total maxillectomy resulted in structure changes of patients’ upper airway, which could disturb the upper airway airflow patterns，and affect the physiological functions of patients’ upper airway. Numerical simulation of patients' upper airway airflow after unilateral total maxillectomy could help to explain the phenomena of nasal drying and crusting, secretion accumulation as well as other symptoms of the kind of patients.

Overexpression of fucosyltransferase IV promotes A431 cell proliferation through activating MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Lewis Y (LeY) is a carbohydrate tumor-asssociated antigen. The majority of cancer cells derived from epithelial tissue express LeY type difucosylated oligosaccharide. Fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of LeY oligosaccharide. Our previous studies have shown that FUT4 overexpression promotes A431 cell proliferation, but the mechanism is still largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways on FUT4-induced cell proliferation. Results show that overexpression of FUT4 increases the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and PI3K/Akt. Inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002 and Wortmannin) prevented the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and Akt PI3K). Moreover, phosphorylation of Akt is abolished by inhibitors of ERK1/2 (PD98059) and p38 MAPK (SB203580). These data suggested that FUT4 not only activates MAPK and PI3K/Akt signals, but also promotes the crosstalk among these signaling pathways. In addition, FUT4-induced stimulation of cell proliferation correlates with increased cell cycle progression by promoting cells into S-phase. The mechanism involves in increased expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK 2, CDK 4, and pRb, and decreased level of cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors p21 and p27, which are blocked by the inhibitors of upstream signal molecules, MAPK and PI3K/Akt. In conclusion, these studies suggest that FUT4 regulates A431 cell growth through controlling cell cycle progression via MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Digital diagnosis and treatment system for facial prostheses / 华西口腔医学杂志

Conventional diagnosis and treatment for facial prostheses have setbacks and limitations, including complicated procedure, inefficiency, low accuracy and poor esthetics, which could not meet the demand for high quality of the prostheses of the patients. With the technology of the computer aided design and computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM), the new era for diagnosis and treatment for facial prostheses has been started since the 1990's. The digital diagnosis and treatment system for facial prostheses has been formed during these ten years, which including the digital data acquisition of the facial defect, CAD for facial prostheses, rapid fabrication of the prostheses. This new system will be the development direction and mainstream technology in the future.

[Expression of beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli protein and correlation between them in the development of mouse tooth germ].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the distributions of beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein in the tooth germ, and obtain the messages of function of the two factors and the relationship between them. METHODS: Mice were selected and cohabited with the ratio of female mice to male ones being 2:1, and Embryo day 0.5 was confirmed based on the finding of vaginal plug. The distributions of beta-catenin and APC protein in the Embryos on day 13.5, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5, 17.5 were examined in the paraffin-embedded sections by immunohistochemistry methods. RESULTS: During E13.5 d to E17.5 d, positive expression of beta-catenin was found in the oral epithelium and the dental lamina, and became more and more strong. The staining were whole cell. During the bud stage, strong positive expression of APC protein was found in the oral epithelium and the dental lamina, but the expression displayed a down-regulation tendency. The staining was the cytomembrane and cytoplasm. There was negative correlation between beta-catenin and APC protein (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The result of beta-catenin suggests its contribution in the early development of enamel organ and the proliferation of cell. Coincidance of the two factors staining site was found, according to the statistics.

Expression of beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli protein and correlation between them in the development of mouse tooth germ / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the distributions of beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein in the tooth germ, and obtain the messages of function of the two factors and the relationship between them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice were selected and cohabited with the ratio of female mice to male ones being 2:1, and Embryo day 0.5 was confirmed based on the finding of vaginal plug. The distributions of beta-catenin and APC protein in the Embryos on day 13.5, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5, 17.5 were examined in the paraffin-embedded sections by immunohistochemistry methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During E13.5 d to E17.5 d, positive expression of beta-catenin was found in the oral epithelium and the dental lamina, and became more and more strong. The staining were whole cell. During the bud stage, strong positive expression of APC protein was found in the oral epithelium and the dental lamina, but the expression displayed a down-regulation tendency. The staining was the cytomembrane and cytoplasm. There was negative correlation between beta-catenin and APC protein (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result of beta-catenin suggests its contribution in the early development of enamel organ and the proliferation of cell. Coincidance of the two factors staining site was found, according to the statistics.</p>

Signal transduction pathway in copper-induced apoptosis of primary cultured rat cortical neuron / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate copper-induced apoptosis of primary cultured rat cortical neurons and the protective effect of thioredoxin,an apoptosis signal regulated kinase-1(ASK1)inhibitor,and explore the role of ASK1-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)/caspase-3 signaling pathway in the neurotoxicity of copper.Methods The changes in the viability and apoptosis of primary cultured rat neurons following exposure to cupric acetate and thoredoxin were assessed using MTT assay and flow cytometry.Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of phosphorylated ASK1(p-ASK1),p-JNKand caspase-3 in the exposed cells.Results Administration of cupric acetate in the cell culture resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of cell apoptosis and a reduction of the viability of the neurons,and the effect was antagonized by thoredoxin.The expression of p-ASK1 and p-JNK began to increase in the neurons at 4h after cupric acetate exposure,and reached the peak level at 48h,showing a time-and concentration-dependent pattern of the changes.Activated caspase-3 was expressed at 24h after the exposure,and the peak expression occurred at 48h.The application of thoredoxin significantly lowered the expressions of p-ASK1,p-JNK and caspase-3,and increased the viability and reduced the apoptotic rate in the exposed neurons(P＜0.05).Conclusions Copper can induce apoptosis of primary cultured rat cortical neurons,in which process ASK1-mediated JNK/caspase-3 signaling pathway may play a critical role.Thoredoxin can protect the cortical neurons from injuries induced by the copper.

Role of caspase-3, -8, and -9 in apoptosis of copper induced primary cortical neurons / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of primary cortical neuron injury induced by high concentrations of copper by observing the effect of aceticum culture medium on apoptosis of rat primary cortical neurons and expression of cleaved caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary cortical neurons were cultured for 72 hrs and then exposed to different concentrations of aceticum culture medium (20, 40 and 80 microM). The viability of neurons was detected by the MTT method. Apoptosis was observed by Hoechst33258 and flow cytometry Annexin V/PI. Expression of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 was measured by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Following incubation with aceticum culture medium, apoptosis of neurons was induced. Theviability of neurons was remarkably reduced and the rate of apoptosis was tremendously increased in a concentration dependent manner. Caspase 8 and caspase 9 were activated in 20 microM of copper aceticum culture medium 4 hrs after incubation and peaked at 48 hrs in various concentrations of copper aceticum culture medium, presenting with a time and concentration dependent manner. The activated caspase 3 was observed in 20 microM of copper aceticum culture medium 24 hrs after incubation, which was later than the activated caspase 8 and caspase 9. Caspase 3 expression reached a peak 48 hrs in various concentrations of copper aceticum culture medium, presenting with a time and concentration dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The apoptosis of primary cortical neurons can be induced by copper. Caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 cascade reaction may involve in the apoptosis of copper induced rat primary cortical neurons.</p>