Mechanisms of inflammation modulation by different immune cells in hypertensive nephropathy.

Hypertensive nephropathy (HTN) is the second leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and a chronic inflammatory disease. Persistent hypertension leads to lesions of intrarenal arterioles and arterioles, luminal stenosis, secondary ischemic renal parenchymal damage, and glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. Studying the pathogenesis of hypertensive nephropathy is a prerequisite for diagnosis and treatment. The main cause of HTN is poor long-term blood pressure control, but kidney damage is often accompanied by the occurrence of immune inflammation. Some studies have found that the activation of innate immunity, inflammation and acquired immunity is closely related to the pathogenesis of HTN, which can cause damage and dysfunction of target organs. There are more articles on the mechanism of diabetic nephropathy, while there are fewer studies related to immunity in hypertensive nephropathy. This article reviews the mechanisms by which several different immune cells and inflammatory cytokines regulate blood pressure and renal damage in HTN. It mainly focuses on immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines and inhibitors. However, further comprehensive and large-scale studies are needed to determine the role of these markers and provide effective protocols for clinical intervention and treatment.

Fire acupuncture for anti-LGI1 antibody autoimmune encephalitis: a case report.

Autoimmune encephalitis, a class of encephalitis, is clinically characterized by multifocal or diffuse brain injury, including aberrant mental behavior, convulsions, and near-event memory impairment. In this article, we describe a female patient with autoimmune encephalitis who tested positive for leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibodies and had hippocampal inflammatory edema in the lesion area. During the first 3 months of her illness, the patient primarily experienced memory loss, the onset of rigid twitching in her extremities that lasted for 1 min while in remission, and incontinence. After gamma globulin administration, methylprednisolone shock, and other symptomatic therapies during hospitalization, the patient's psychiatric symptoms and seizures improved considerably; however, she did not fully recover her memory. After receiving fire acupuncture for 6 months, the patient's understanding, orientation, and calculation skills improved considerably. Her memory and mental state were also improved at the follow-up visit. In this case, the use of fire acupuncture for the treatment of autoimmune encephalitis resulted in favorable outcomes with important benefits for conditions affecting the central nervous system; however, more convincing data are required to support the effectiveness of this treatment method.

Large-scale mRNA transfer between Haloxylon ammodendron (Chenopodiaceae) and herbaceous root holoparasite Cistanche deserticola (Orobanchaceae).

Exchanges of mRNA were shown between host and stem parasites but not root parasites. Cistanche deserticola (Orobanchaceae) is a holoparasitic herb which parasitizes on the roots of woody plant Haloxylon ammodendron (Chenopodiaceae). We used transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses to identify nearly ten thousand mobile mRNAs. Transcript abundance appears to be a driving force for transfer event and mRNA exchanges occur through haustorial junction. Mobility of selected mRNAs was confirmed in situ and in sunflower-Orobanche cumana heterologous parasitic system. Four C. deserticola →H. ammodendron mobile mRNAs appear to facilitate haustorium development. Of interest, two mobile mRNAs of putative resistance genes CdNLR1 and CdNLR2 cause root-specific hypersensitive response and retard parasite development, which might contribute to parasitic equilibrium. The present study provides evidence for the large-scale mRNA transfer event between a woody host and a root parasite, and demonstrates the functional relevance of six C. deserticola genes in host-parasite interactions.

Downregulated KIF3B Induced by miR-605-3p Inhibits the Progression of Colon Cancer via Inactivating Wnt/ß-Catenin.

Colon cancer is a common malignant disease with high morbidity and mortality, and miRNA dysfunction has been confirmed as an important reason for cancer development. Several studies have verified miR-605-3p as a tumor inhibitor while its roles in colon cancer remain uncertain. In this study, the specimen of the patients and the cell lines of colon cancer were used to observe the expression of miR-605-3p, and the CCK-8, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry assay were used to observe the functions of miR-605-3p in colon cancer cells. The downstream factors of miR-605-3p were predicted by TargetScan and then were verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, western blot was used to investigate the effect of miR-605-3p on Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway. The result showed that miR-605-3p was extremely downregulated in the pathological tissues and tumor cells, and miR-605-3p could effectively induce the apoptosis and impede the proliferation and invasion of the tumor cells. It was found that KIF3B was a target of KIF3B; decreased KIF3B could reverse the effects of miR-605-3p on colon cancer. Besides, the inactivated Wnt/ß-catenin pathway was also observed in colon cells when miR-605-3p was upregulated, and the phenomenon could be rescued by KIF3B upregulation. In conclusion, miR-605-3p could inactivate the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway induced via promoting KIF3B expression.

Proteomics analysis of the hypothalamus in spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with twirling reinforcing manipulation, twirling reducing manipulation or electroacupuncture.

Hypertension is one of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Numerous proteins serve a critical role in hypertension. Acupuncture has been widely used as a treatment for hypertension in China. The results of the current study suggested that electroacupuncture (EA), twirling reinforcing manipulation (TRFM) and twirling reducing manipulation (TRDM) may be useful in the treatment of hypertension. Additionally, proteome analysis of spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with EA, TRFM and TRDM was performed. There were 117 (EA group), 61 (TRFM group) and 86 (TRDM group) differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) identified in the respective experimental groups compared with the model group. Moreover, parallel reaction monitoring assays were used to validate the reliability of the DEPs. The majority of the results were consistent with previous proteomics results, in particular that for expression of neudesin neurotrophic factor (NENF). NENF may potentially represent an antihypertensive drug target.

Suppressive effects of RASAL2 on renal cell carcinoma via SOX2/ERK/p38 MAPK pathway.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with poor prognosis. Ras protein activator like 2 (RASAL2) protein has been previously demonstrated to serves as a tumor suppressor in a variety of malignancies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of RASAL2 in RCC. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to measure mRNA and protein expression in RCC tissues, whilst immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to evaluate protein expression in RCC cells. A Cell Counting Kit-8 and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine staining were applied to determine cell viability, and Transwell assays were conducted to measure RCC cell invasion and migration. RASAL2 expression was identified to be downregulated in RCC tissues, which associate negatively with RCC pathological grade. Sox2 expression, in addition to ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, were demonstrated to be increased in RCC tissues. In RCC cells, RASAL2 overexpression decreased the expression of Sox2 and the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Physiologically, RASAL2 overexpression decreased RCC cell viability, invasion and migration. The expression of metalloproteinase-2/9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 were also identified to be decreased and increased by RASAL2 overexpression, respectively. By contrast, RASAL2 knockdown exerted opposite effects on RCC cells compared with those observed following RASAL2 overexpression. RASAL2 expression decreased RCC cell viability, migration and invasion, which was demonstrated to be associated with the inactivation of SOX2/ERK1/2/p38 MAPK signaling. These results suggest that RASAL2 may potentially serve as a potential target for the development of novel therapeutic intervention strategies against RCC.

[Origin and relationship of jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11)].

Both the twelve jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are the commonly used first-aid points. These two kinds of acupoints are located closely and similar in function, hence, they are often confused in application. In order to explore the origin of their location and theory as well as their relationship, the relevant data were retrieved. It has been found that the relationship between jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) is traced at the earliest time to Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics). It is believed that the jing-well points refer to the starting points or the ending points of the twelve regular meridians and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are located at the crossing sites of yin-yang related meridians of the regular meridians. These two kinds of acupoints are interconnected, share the same source and are also different from each other. Qiduan (EX-LE 12) is also named as foot-Shixuan. Shixuan (EX-UE 11) and Qiduan (EX-LE 12) can be regarded as the same category, just like jing-well points. In clinical practice, the jing-well points are generally selected in treatment of internal diseases, local diseases and those on the running course of meridians. They can be used separately in treatment. Shixuan (EX-UE 11) is the first option, or combined with Qiduan (EX-LE 12) in the emergent treatment of tense syndrome and syncope. The jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are different even though sharing the same origin. They are mutually benefited and supplemented with each other in clinical practice.

[Acupuncture strategy for Bu-yi in Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor].

This article focuses on the Bu-yi (the disease has not been cured after treatment) recorded in the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor and discusses four aspects, including acupuncture feasibility, acupuncture treatment transformation, acupuncture point selection and acupuncture treatment principles. We hope to explain the virtual acupuncture in the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor from a deeper level and provide new ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment.

[Exploration into the simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture].

Four controversial types of simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture and their possible meanings were summarized to explore several key elements of reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture, in addition, the simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture was classified by single factor. It is concluded that the definition of simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture should try not to include other non-manipulative elements. According to single factor, it can be divided into: needle-oriented reinforcing-reducing manipulation, twisting reinforcing-reducing manipulation, lifting and interpolating reinforcing-reducing manipulation, fast and slow reinforcing-reducing manipulation, breathing reinforcing-reducing manipulation, opening and closing reinforcing-reducing manipulation. In addition, after considering the effect and principle of number reinforcing-reducing manipulation, it can be considered.

Aluminum chelates supported by ß-quinolyl enolate ligands: synthesis and ROP of ε-CL.

Treatment of tautomers of ß-quinolyl ketone-enaminones with AlMe3 afforded ß-quinolyl enolato dialkylaluminium complexes LAlMe2 (L = [(2-C9H6N)-CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(R)-O-], R = CH3 (), (t)Bu (), Ph (), o-tolyl (), p-tolyl (), p-OMePh ()), respectively. reacted with benzyl alcohol to generate the corresponding LAl(OBn)2 complex . Complexes and were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. All complexes were tested as catalyst precursors for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). The results indicated that LAlMe2 () exhibited good activity towards the ROP of ε-CL in the presence of benzyl alcohol at 80 °C, and LAl(OBn)2 exhibited higher catalytic activity in the absence of alcohol than for the ROP of ε-CL. However, both polymerizations were less controlled. Kinetic studies showed that the polymerization reaction catalyzed by and proceeded with first-order dependence on the monomer and took place through coordination-insertion.

[The effects of DR2 on myocardial ischemic postconditioning and its underlying mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of dopamin receptors-2 (DR2) on myocardial ischemic postconditioning and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The myocardial ischemic postconditioning (PC) model was established in cultured primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes which were then randomly assigned in the following groups: Nomial control group, Isehemia/reperfusion (L'R) group, PC (ischemic postconditioning) group, PC + Bro (Bromocriptine, a DB2 antagonist) group, PC + Hal (Haloperidol, a DB2 repressor) and PC + Hal + Bro groups. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cell medium were analyzed by colorunetry. The cell ultrastructure changes were observed by transmission electron microscope. The cell apoptosis was analyzed using flowcytometiy. The protein expression level of D112 and activity of p-p38 and p-JNK were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the nonnal control group, hR increased the protein expression level of DB2, enhanced LDH activity and MDA content, promoted cell injury and apoptosis, decreased SOD activity, up-regulated the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Compared with the hR group, although PC further increased the expression of DR2 protein, it decreased LDH activity and MDA content, cell injury and apoptosis, increased SOD activity, down-regulated activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Bromocriptine treatment further enhanced PC-induced canlioprotective effect, yet Hal addition attenuated this enhancing effect exerted by bromocriptine. CONCLUSION: The activation of DB2 is involved in the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through down-regulating the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK.

A three-dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer: poly[[[µ-4,4'-(propane-1,3-diyl)dipyridine-κ(2)N:N](µ-3,3'-thiodipropionato-κ(3)O,O':O)cadmium(II)] monohydrate].

In the title coordination polymer, {[Cd(C6H8O4S)(C13H14N2)]·H2O}n, the Cd(II) atom displays a distorted octahedral coordination, formed by three carboxylate O atoms and one S atom from three different 3,3'-thiodipropionate ligands, and two N atoms from two different 4,4'-(propane-1,3-diyl)dipyridine ligands. The Cd(II) centres are bridged through carboxylate O atoms of 3,3'-thiodipropionate ligands and through N atoms of 4,4'-(propane-1,3-diyl)dipyridine ligands to form two different one-dimensional chains, which intersect to form a two-dimensional layer. These two-dimensional layers are linked by S atoms of 3,3'-thiodipropionate ligands from adjacent layers to form a three-dimensional network.

[17 cases of mucosal antral cyst with main symptoms of eye pain].

OBJECTIVE: To draw the attention to mucosal antral cyst, thus reduce the probability of missed diagnosis and missed treatment by retrospectively analyzing 17 cases of eye pain patients with no obvious nasal symptoms in our department from January 2003 to September 2011. METHOD: All patients were performed ophthalmologic examination including eye position, eyesight, refraction, visual field, intraocular pressure and fundus examination, and the results showed that all of them had no eye disease. After excluding the deviation of nasal septum, concha bullosa and Haller gas room, CT scanning of paranasal sinus showed the maxillary sinus cyst. The patients were operated by nasal endoscope through joint path of middle meatus or inferior meatus and given antibiotics after operation. The nasal cavity packing was removed 24 hours postoperatively and the patients were discharged from hospital a week later. All the patients continued using intranasal corticosteroids and were followed up for half a year to observe whether the eye pain disappeared or recurred, when various processing was given to the surgical cavity with the help of nasal endoscope. RESULT: Among the 17 cases, 14 cases of eye pain disappeared after the operation, and the remaining 3 patients got symptomatic relief without recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Mucosal antral cyst can cause eye pain. After excluding eye disease, once we diagnosed patients for mucosal antral cyst and the routine application of corticosteroids treatment was proved to be invalid, we should take operation treatment as early as possible, regardless of the size and location of the cysts.

Poly[µ7-sulfanediyldiacetato-disilver(I)].

In the title coordination polymer, [Ag2(C4H4O4S)], each AgI cation is four-coordinated by three of the four carboxylate O atoms and the S atom from symmetry-related sulfanediyldiacetate ligands, thus defining a distorted tetrahedral geometry at the metal centre. The AgI cations are bridged by sulfanediyldiacetate groups, leading to a two-dimensional layer structure. These layers are interconnected via Ag-S bonds to form a three-dimensional coordination polymer network overall.

Genome-wide association study dissects the genetic architecture of oil biosynthesis in maize kernels.

Maize kernel oil is a valuable source of nutrition. Here we extensively examine the genetic architecture of maize oil biosynthesis in a genome-wide association study using 1.03 million SNPs characterized in 368 maize inbred lines, including 'high-oil' lines. We identified 74 loci significantly associated with kernel oil concentration and fatty acid composition (P < 1.8 × 10(-6)), which we subsequently examined using expression quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, linkage mapping and coexpression analysis. More than half of the identified loci localized in mapped QTL intervals, and one-third of the candidate genes were annotated as enzymes in the oil metabolic pathway. The 26 loci associated with oil concentration could explain up to 83% of the phenotypic variation using a simple additive model. Our results provide insights into the genetic basis of oil biosynthesis in maize kernels and may facilitate marker-based breeding for oil quantity and quality.

A transposable element insertion within ZmGE2 gene is associated with increase in embryo to endosperm ratio in maize.

Most of the maize kernel oil is located in the embryo while the majority of starch is located in the endosperm. Maize kernel composition and value are affected significantly by the ratio of the embryo size to the endosperm size; however, the genetic regulation of embryo to endosperm ratio (EER) in maize is unknown. Here we identified ZmGE2 gene, which encodes a cytochrome p450 protein, as a gene associated with EER variation in maize. We first expressed rice Giant Embryo (GE) gene driven by oleosin promoter in maize and detected a 23.2 % reduction in EER in transgenic seeds, demonstrating the existence of evolutionarily conserved mechanisms for EER determination in rice and maize. We next identified maize GE2, a homolog of rice GE sharing 70 % identity in amino sequence, as a candidate based on the similar expression pattern and co-localization with a previously detected QTL for EER. Followed by linkage and association mapping, a 247-bp transposable element (TE) insertion in 3'-untranslated region of ZmGE2 gene was identified to be associated with increase in EER and kernel oil content. Expression level of the favorable ZmGE2 allele containing the 247-bp TE insertion was strongly reduced. In addition, the 247-bp TE insertion site was a selection target during the artificial long-term selection for the high EER trait in a high oil population. This is the first report that demonstrates an association of ZmGE2 with EER variation in maize and identifies ZmGE2 gene as a promising target for manipulation of EER and grain composition by either transgenic approach or molecular breeding in maize.

Chitosan enhanced gene delivery of cationic liposome via non-covalent conjugation.

Two new types of stable ternary complexes were formed by mixing chitosan with DOTAP/pDNA lipoplex and DOTAP with chitosan/pDNA polyplex via non-covalent conjugation for the efficient delivery of plasmid DNA. They were characterized by atomic force microscopy, gel retarding, and dynamic light scattering. The DOTAP/CTS/pDNA complexes were in compacted spheroids and irregular lump of larger aggregates in structure, while the short rod- and toroid-like and donut shapes were found in CTS/DOTAP/pDNA complexes. The transfection efficiency of the lipopolyplexes showed higher GFP gene expression than DOTAP/pDNA and CTS/pDNA controls in Hep-2 and Hela cells, and luciferase gene expression 2-3-fold than DOTAP/pDNA control and 70-120-fold than CTS/pDNA control in Hep-2 cells. The intracellular trafficking was examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Rapid pDNA delivery to the nucleus enchanced by chitosan was achieved after 4 h transfection.

[Analysis on effect of endoscopic nasal cavity surgery expansion in 108 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic nasal cavity enlarging surgery for the alleviation of nasal obstruction. METHODS: One hundred and eight patients with deviation of the nasal septum (DNS) and chronic hypertrophic rhinitis (CHR) were included in this study. Individualized operations were performed. DNS patients were treated by three line tension relaxing correction or nasal septum plasty. CHR patients were treated by inferior turbinate out fracture in combination with plasma radiofrequency ablation for reducing the volume of nasal soft tissue, sub-mucoperiosteal partial resection of the inferior turbinate or partial inferior turbinectomy. RESULTS: All patients were followed for 3-12 months after surgery with an effective improvement in 97.2%. Symptoms of headache or complications of rhinitis sicca were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Being careful to keep the physiological function of nasal mucosa, the integrity of the nasal septum, appropriate expansion of the nasal cavity volume, and restore ventilation with bilateral symmetry of the nasal cavity, satisfactory relief of nasal obstruction can be achieved.

Quantitative modeling and optimization of magnetic tweezers.

Magnetic tweezers are a powerful tool to manipulate single DNA or RNA molecules and to study nucleic acid-protein interactions in real time. Here, we have modeled the magnetic fields of permanent magnets in magnetic tweezers and computed the forces exerted on superparamagnetic beads from first principles. For simple, symmetric geometries the magnetic fields can be calculated semianalytically using the Biot-Savart law. For complicated geometries and in the presence of an iron yoke, we employ a finite-element three-dimensional PDE solver to numerically solve the magnetostatic problem. The theoretical predictions are in quantitative agreement with direct Hall-probe measurements of the magnetic field and with measurements of the force exerted on DNA-tethered beads. Using these predictive theories, we systematically explore the effects of magnet alignment, magnet spacing, magnet size, and of adding an iron yoke to the magnets on the forces that can be exerted on tethered particles. We find that the optimal configuration for maximal stretching forces is a vertically aligned pair of magnets, with a minimal gap between the magnets and minimal flow cell thickness. Following these principles, we present a configuration that allows one to apply > or = 40 pN stretching forces on approximately 1-microm tethered beads.

Bis-(1H-benzimidazole-κN)bis(4-methyl-benzoato-κO,O')cobalt(II).

In the title mononuclear complex, [Co(C(8)H(7)O(2))(2)(C(7)H(6)N(2))(2)], the Co(II) atom is coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from two 4-methyl-benzoate ligands and two N atoms from two benzimidazole ligands in an octa-hedral coordination geometry. The molecules are assembled via inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions into a three-dimensional network.