Association of immune cells and the risk of esophageal cancer: A Mendelian randomization study in a East Asian population.

Immunotherapy has been used in esophageal cancer (EC), but the causal relationship between EC and immune cells is not clear. Although the cellular phenotype has been reported as a biomarker for immunotherapy, the biomarker studies for immunotherapy in EC still face great challenges. Comprehensive 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to determine the causal association between immune cell signatures and EC in this study. Based on publicly available genetic data, we explored causal associations between 731 immune cell signatures and EC risk. EC had no statistically significant effect on immunophenotypes. Nine immunophenotype types were positively associated with the risk of EC: CD20-%B cell, CD20% lymphocytes, CD25 on IgD- CD27-, CD25 on IgD+ CD24+, CD27 on IgD+ CD24+, CD28+ CD45RA- CD8br AC, CD3 on TD CD8br, IgD-CD38dim%B cells, and Mo MDSC AC. In addition, a total of 15 immunophenotypes were identified as causally associated with EC. IgD+ CD38- %B cell, IgD- CD24- %lymphocyte, CD19 on IgD- CD38dim, CD20 on IgD+ CD24+, CD62L-myeloid DC AC, CD4+ AC, Lymphocyte %leukocyte, CD3 on HLA-DR+ T cell, CD3 on CD45RA- CD4+, HVEM on naive CD4+ AC, HVEM on CD45RA- CD4+, CD4 on TD CD4+, CD4 on CD4 Treg, and CD4 on CD39+ resting Treg, and CD4 on activated & secreting Treg. Our study has demonstrated the close connection between immune cells and EC by genetic means, thus providing guidance for future clinical research.

Treg cells as a protective factor for Hashimoto`s thyroiditis: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background and objectives: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), a chronic autoimmune disorder impacting thyroid function, is a growing public health concern. The relationship between Treg cells and HT has been extensively studied, with Treg cells considered crucial in suppressing HT progression. However, these studies have mainly been observational, limiting our understanding of Treg cells' impact on HT risk. Leveraging large datasets, we utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to examine the causal association between Treg cell biomarkers and HT, providing additional validation for these relationships. Methods: Comprehensive two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to determine the causal association between Treg cells signatures and HT in this study. Based on publicly available genetic data, we explored causal associations between 165 Treg cells signatures and HT risk. Results: The European cohort study has identified five Treg cell phenotypes that causally protect against HT risk. Resting Treg %CD4 (OR = 0.975, 95% CI = 0.954~0.998, P = 0.030); CD4 on resting Treg (OR = 0.938, 95% CI = 0.882~0.997, P = 0.041; CD28- CD8dim %CD8dim (OR = 0.983, 95% CI = 0.969~0.998, P = 0.030); CD25 on CD39+ resting Treg (OR = 0.926, 95% CI = 0.864~0.991, P = 0.026); 5) CD28 on activated & secreting Treg (OR = 0.969, 95% CI = 0.942~0.996, P = 0.025). The Asian cohort study has identified four Treg cell phenotypes negatively correlated with the risk of HT. CD25hi %T cell (OR = 0.635, 95% CI = 0.473~852, P = 0.002); CD4 Treg %CD4 (OR = 0.829, 95% CI = 0.687~1.000, P = 0.050); CD127-CD8br %T cell (OR = 0.463, 95% CI =0.311~0.687, P< 0.001); CD3 on resting Treg (OR = 0.786, 95% CI = 0.621~0.994, P = 0.044). Conclusion: Our study has demonstrated the close connection between Treg cells and HT by genetic means, thus providing foundational basis for future research.

Mendelian Randomization Validates the Immune Landscape Mediated by Aggrephagy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients from the Perspectives of Multi-omics.

Objective: To delineate the immune landscape of ESCC patients mediated by aggrephagy through bioinformatics and identify prognostic cell cluster genes with causal attributes to esophageal cancer through Mendelian randomization. Methods: Quality control, dimension reduction, and annotation were performed on the ESCC single-cell dataset. NMF clustering of various cell subgroups was carried out based on the expression of AGG-related genes, and AGG-related genes in each cluster were identified. Pseudo-temporal analysis was used to observe changes in the expression of AGG-related genes in each cluster. Cell communication analysis was employed to observe interactions between cell subgroups. Changes in classification, metabolism, or KEGG pathways in related subgroups were observed based on different cell characteristics. The AGG cluster attributes of TCGA and GEO samples were assessed based on GSVA, and the prognosis of each cluster was observed. The immune treatment situation and the relationship between mutation level and prognosis of AGG cluster-related samples were observed through the TIDE database and microsatellite instability. Finally, the eQTL of genes in each prognostic AGG cluster was used as an instrumental variable, with esophageal cancer as the outcome factor. Through Mendelian randomization analysis, AGG cluster-related genes with a causal relationship to esophageal cancer were established. Results: Dimension reduction clustering of single-cell transcriptome data identified 19 different cell subgroups. After re-annotation of the 19 cell subgroups, it was found that the CAF cells, B cells, T cells, NK cells, etc., of ESCA patients were all elevated compared to the control group. CAF cells had a high degree of communication with most cells. There were significant differences in macrophage metabolism and B-cell-mediated signal transduction pathways in different AGG clusters. The TUBA1B+Mac-C0 cluster, along with other clusters, exhibits predictive prognostic and immunotherapeutic potential at the transcriptional level. Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a causal relationship between genes such as CTSZ, CTSC, DAD, COLEC12, ATOX1, within the AGG cluster, and the onset of esophageal cancer. Conclusion: Aggrephagy mediates and influences the alterations and interactions of various immune cells in patients with ESCC. We elucidate the roles of AGG-related clusters, such as TUBA1B+Mac-C0, VIM+CD8+T_cells-C0, UBB+Mac-C2, in mediating prognosis and immune therapy in ESCC patients. Genes causally associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer are identified within the AGG cluster, including CTSZ, CTSC, DAD, COLEC12, ATOX1, etc., offering new evidence for clinical immune therapy. These findings underscore the significance of these gene clusters in influencing both prognosis and immune responses in the context of esophageal cancer, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers.

Mini-open Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy versus Standard Posterior Approach for Ankylosing Spondylitis-related Spinal Kyphosis: A Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical strategy for spinal kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been challenging. Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) through a minimally invasive (MI) approach has been developed with promising clinical outcomes. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of PSO via an MI approach and a standard posterior approach (SPA) for treating AS-related spinal kyphosis. METHODS: A total of 41 patients with AS-related spinal kyphosis who underwent PSO through an MI approach (MI surgery [MIS] group: n = 25) or SPA (SPA group: n = 16) between January 2015 and July 2020 were retrospectively included. Spinopelvic parameters were evaluated before the surgery, immediately after the surgery, and at the 2-year follow-up. Clinical data including operative time, estimated blood loss, blood transfusion, level of fusion, incision length, bed rest period, length of hospitalization, and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. The Scoliosis Research Society outcomes instrument-22 (SRS-22) was administered to assess patients' quality of life at the latest follow-up. Comparisons between the two groups were performed using independent sample t-test or Chi-square test. RESULTS: Characteristics and baseline kyphosis of the two groups were matched. At the 2-year follow-up, in the MIS group, the average correction values of the sagittal vertical axis and global kyphosis (GK) were 9.5 cm and 44.3°, respectively. Compared with the SPA group, the MIS group had similar correction values and correction losses after surgery. No obvious differences were observed in any radiographic parameters, except for GK, immediately after surgery and at the 2-year follow-up between the two groups (p > 0.05). The MIS group had a significantly shorter operative time, lesser blood loss, lesser transfusion volume, shorter fusion level, and lesser time to mobilization than did the SPA group. Higher average functional activity scores of SRS-22 were obtained in the MIS group than in the SPA group. CONCLUSION: Mini-open PSO may be an effective alternative to the SPA for treating AS-related spinal kyphosis, with comparable correction effect, lesser surgical trauma and faster recovery. This comparative study may provide valuable guidance for surgical decision-making and patient counseling.

Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed malignant ductal cell heterogeneity and prognosis signatures in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PAC) remains one of the most lethal malignant neoplasms, which is diagnosed at an advanced stage and thus lose the chance for curative resection. Here, we further probed PAC with a comprehensive multi-omics approach. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we provided an integrated analysis of ductal cell subpopulations over the Leiden algorithm to identify two mian subcluster: S100A6 + cells and FXYD2 + cells. The gene set enrichment analysis results show that the two subtypes focused on different pathways related to tumor development. Furthermore, we integrated bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets to generate and validate the prognostic signatures of the overall survival (OS) in PAC patients and S100A6 + cells were significantly enriched in high-risk groups which had a poor prognosis. Collectively, this research expands our understanding of ductal cell and provides a new reliable prognosis signature in PAC.

Protective effects of mangiferin against myocardial cell damage and its effects on the expression of NFATc4 / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effects of mangiferin against oxidative stress injury of myocardial cells induced by hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）， and its effects on the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 4（NFATc4）. METHODS H9c2 myocardial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into blank group， H2O2 group， and 50， 100， 150 μmol/L mangiferin groups. Mangiferin groups were treated with different concentrations of mangiferin for 12 h， and then were subjected to H2O2 （200 μmol/L） stimulation for 12 hours together with the H2O2 group； relative survival rate was detected in each group， and the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in cell supernatant and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in H9c2 cells were measured. Meanwhile， the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins [B cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl- 2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved caspase-3] and nuclear protein NFATc4 were determined. Furthermore， the NFATc4 interference sequence was transfected， and the effects of NFATc4 on oxidant stress indexes and apoptosis-related proteins in H2O2- induced myocardial cells were investigated. RESULTS Compared with blank group， relative cell viability， the levels of SOD and CAT， relative expression of Bcl-2 were decreased significantly， while the levels of MDA and ROS， relative expressions of Bax， cleaved caspase-3 and nuclear protein NFATc4 were increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the H2O2 group， the above indexes of 100 and 150 μmol/L mangiferin groups were reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. After the transfection of the NFATc4 interference sequence， the expression of nuclear protein NFATc4 was down-regulated significantly； the levels of MDA and SOD， the protein expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were all decreased/down-regulated significantly， while the levels of SOD and CAT， and the protein expression of Bcl-2 were all increased/up-regulated significantly， compared with H2O2 group （P＜ 0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Mangiferin can relieve H2O2-induced oxidative stress of H9c2 cells， reduce the apoptosis and inhibit the nuclear translocation of NFATc4， thereby alleviating myocardial cell damage； reducing the nuclear level of NFATc4 protein is related to reducing H2O2-induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

Minimally invasive surgery versus standard posterior approach for Lenke Type 1-4 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a multicenter, retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of posterior minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to standard posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery for Lenke Type 1-4 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study enrolled 112 patients with Lenke Type 1-4 AIS who treated with MIS (n = 64) or PSF (n = 48) between March 2007 and January 2015. Coronal and sagittal parameters were evaluated before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the last follow-up. Operative time, level of fusion, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, and intraoperative radiation exposure were recorded. 22-item Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire (SRS-22) was applied for assessment of life quality. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was assessed according to postoperative computed tomography images, and the complications were collected in follow-up period. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of 2 groups were matched. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in terms of radiographic parameters immediately after surgery and at the last follow-up. The MIS group had significantly longer operative time, more level of fusion, less intraoperative blood loss, and lower blood transfusion rate (p < 0.001). The evaluation of pain using SRS-22 showed significantly lower score in MIS group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between 2 groups in terms of accuracy of pedicle screw placement and complications. CONCLUSION: Posterior MIS is a safe and effective alternative to standard open approach for Lenke Type 1-4 AIS patients with curves < 70° and reasonable flexibility. Mid-term results showed MIS had the advantages of less blood loss and pain with more fusion segments.

Correlation analysis between postoperative hip pain and spino-pelvic/hip parameters in adult scoliosis patients after long-segment spinal fusion.

PURPOSE: To explore the correlations between postoperative hip pain and spino-pelvic/hip parameters in adult scoliosis patients after long-segment spinal fusion. METHODS: We retrospectively identified adult scoliosis patients who underwent long-segment spinal fusions between December 2009 and August 2015. The patients were divided into a pain group (PG) and a control group (CG) based on whether hip pain was reported at the end of follow-up. There were 34 cases in the PG and 42 in the CG. The visual analogue scale was employed to assess the postoperative hip pain in PG patients. Two sets of parameters were recorded: one before and one after the surgery. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the variations in acetabular coverage and centre-edge (CE) angle between the two groups (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the Tönnis angle, acetabular angle of Sharp, neck-shaft angle, lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, coronal vertical axis, sagittal vertical axis or Cobb angle. The variation in acetabular coverage before and after operation in the PG was significantly correlated with that of LL (p < 0.05), while the changes in the CE angle and Tönnis angle were not significantly correlated with those in spino-pelvic parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative hip pain among adult scoliosis patients after long-segment spinal fusion is significantly associated with the variation in acetabular coverage and CE angle, and the change in acetabular coverage is correlated with that in LL for those who develop hip pain after the surgery. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Percutaneous albumin/doxycycline injection versus open surgery for aneurysmal bone cysts in the mobile spine.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to validate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous doxycycline/albumin injection for spinal aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) as an alternative to open surgery. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2016, 25 patients who had no/minor neurological deficits (modified Frankel scale D or E) and acceptable local stability (spinal instability neoplastic score < 12) were included in the study, of whom 14 were treated with percutaneous doxycycline/albumin injection (injection group) and 11 were treated with open surgery (surgery group). The demographic and clinical information of the injection and surgery groups were recorded and compared. RESULTS: In the injection group, lesion size was significantly reduced in all 14 patients, all patients showed complete neurological recovery, and 13 patients had complete relief of neck pain; their mean visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased from 3.4 to 0.5. No complication or recurrence was observed during the mean 30.7-month follow-up (range, 24-50 months). In the surgery group, 9 patients had complete neurological recovery and 2 patients had residual slight paresthesia; their mean VAS decreased from 3.4 to 0.5. Two had local recurrence during their follow-up at 66.5 months (range, 50-96 months). Compared with the surgery group, the injection group showed no significant difference in the rate of recurrence (P = 0.14) and complication (P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous doxycycline/albumin injection for spinal ABCs can be safely and effectively performed in well-selected cases. It could serve as an alternative treatment, especially for spinal ABCs lesions with acceptable local stability and in patients without severe neurological deficits. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Chrysophanol protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing cellular PARylation

The clinical application of doxorubicin (DOX) in cancer chemotherapy is limited by its life-threatening cardiotoxic effects. Chrysophanol (CHR), an anthraquinone compound isolated from the rhizome of L., is considered to play a broad role in a variety of biological processes. However, the effects of CHR׳s cardioprotection in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy is poorly understood. In this study, we found that the cardiac apoptosis, mitochondrial injury and cellular PARylation levels were significantly increased in H9C2 cells treated by Dox, while these effects were suppressed by CHR. Similar results were observed when PARP1 activity was suppressed by its inhibitors 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) and ABT888. Ectopic expression of PARP1 effectively blocked this CHR׳s cardioprotection against DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury in H9C2 cells. Furthermore, pre-administration with both CHR and 3AB relieved DOX-induced cardiac apoptosis, mitochondrial impairment and heart dysfunction in Sprague-Dawley rat model. These results revealed that CHR protects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing cellular PARylation and provided critical evidence that PARylation may be a novel target for DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.

A 14-year literature survey on spine-related clinical research output by orthopedic surgeons from mainland China.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, China is increasingly playing an active role in various fields of biomedical research. Many bibliometric studies have provided valuable insights to different fields of clinical studies. However, similar evaluation on spine surgery-related clinical research is still limited. We herein aimed to examine the scientific publications by orthopedic spine surgeons from mainland China within a 14-year period. METHODS: Articles were identified in PubMed using predetermined query terms. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and T tests, Chi-squared tests, and regression analysis were conducted on the number of publications, impact factors (IFs), citations, region of the study, and associated medical subject headings (MeSHs). RESULTS: A total of 1498 articles were identified and the annual number of publications, citations, and IFs all increased exponentially. The average IF was significantly higher in 2007 to 2013 than 2000 to 2006. Most publications were from Shanghai and Beijing and the 5 most productive administrative regions generated 70% of all publications. Analysis of associated MeSHs suggested research topics became more heterogeneous over the study period. CONCLUSION: This was the first comprehensive evaluation on the clinical research output by orthopedic spine surgeons from mainland China. The annual number of publications and citations both increased significantly; however, research was highly concentrated in a handful of administrative regions.

Inhibition of CREPT restrains gastric cancer growth by regulation of cycle arrest, migration and apoptosis via ROS-regulated p53 pathway.

CREPT (cell-cycle related and expression-elevated protein in tumor) was reported to be associated with growth of several human cancers; however, its clinical significance and regulatory mechanism still remain unclear in human gastric cancer. In the present study, we found CREPT was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues compared to the matched adjacent normal tissues. CREPT silence inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cells through inducing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, which was linked to the reduction of Cyclin D1 and Cyclin D-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and the elevation of p53 and p21. In addition, CREPT knockdown (KD) decreased migration of gastric cancer cells through up-regulating E-cadherin and down-regulating vimentin, N-cadherin and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) expressions. Further, CREPT KD induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, as evidenced by the increase of cleaved Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Intriguingly, suppressing p53 expressions significantly abolished CREPT silence-induced apoptosis, and reduction of cell viability. Moreover, CREPT KD caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation using discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, which was reversed by ROS scavenger, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), pretreatment. Of note, NAC pretreatment abrogated apoptotic cell death in CREPT KD gastric cancer cells. In vivo, suppressing CREPT reduced the gastric tumor growth in gastric cancer xenograft models. Altogether, our results provided a novel insight into CREPT in regulating gastric cancer progression through apoptosis regulated by ROS/p53 pathways.

Association between speed and endurance performance with sleep duration in children and adolescents / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the association between sleep duration and athletic performance, and provide scientific basis to improve the 50 m and endurance performance in children and adolescents.@*METHODS@#All the 119 462 subjects aged 9-15 years in both genders were sampled from 2014 National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance by using stratified random cluster sampling method, to measure the height, weight, 50 meters and endurance performance and investigate sleep duration with questionnaire. Their body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated and the students' 50 m, endurance run scores and sleep durations were assessed. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the difference between the different sleep groups, and multifactor Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the sleep condition and athletic performance.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of insufficient sleep was 94.67% in the total subjects, the prevalence was higher among the girls (95.26%)than the boys (94.09%, χ2=80.99, P<0.001), and higher among the urban (95.41%) than the rural students(93.93%, χ2=128.48, P<0.001).The children with sufficient sleep had better performance in 50 m and endurance run scores( χ250 m=10.10, P50 m＜0.01; χ2endurance run=21.76, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis after controlling the gender, area, grade and BMI showed that children with adequate sleep showed better results(OR50 m=1.14, 95%CI50 m=1.05-1.23, P50 m<0.01; ORendurance run=1.21, 95%CIendurance run=1.11-1.31, Pendurance run<0.001). As for gender, the excellent rates of 50 m and endurance run scores in the boys with adequate sleep were higher (P<0.001), but there were no significant difference in 50 m and endurance run excellent rates in the girls of different sleep conditions. The excellent rates of 50 m and endurance run in the urban children and the endurance rate in the rural children and adolescents with adequate sleep were higher than those with insufficient sleep (P<0.01) while there were no significant difference in the 50 m excellent rates between the different sleep groups in rural areas. The 50 m and endurance run excellent rates of the children and adolescents with adequate sleep in each grade were higher than those of the children in the same grade with insufficient sleep (Pprimary students' endurance performance<0.001, and the rest P<0.05). Children and adolescents with normal BMI and overweight who slept well had better performance in 50 m (P<0.05). The endurance run excellent rate of children and adolescents with adequate sleep in each BMI group was higher than that in children and adolescents with insufficient sleep in the same BMI group (Pmalnutrition<0.01, Pnormal<0.01, Poverweight<0.05, Pobesity<0.05). The children and adolescents were divided into different groups according to the sleep duration,the one who slept less than 7 hours had lower 50 m excellent rate than the other groups with longer sleeping duration (P<0.01) and the rate in the ones who slept more than 9 hours was the highest (P<0.001).The endurance excellent rate in the children and adolescents who slept more than 9 hours was significantly higher than that in the other groups (P<0.001).There was no significant dose-response relationship in excellent rates and sleep durations.@*CONCLUSION@#The prevalence of insufficient sleep has increased, and the sleep condition in children and adolescents is severe. Children and adolescents with sufficient sleep have better athletic performance, so we should strengthen the prevention and control of the lack of sleep in children and adolescents.

Salvianolic acid B regulates bone metabolism through Nox4 pathway in HFD mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To evaluate the effects of salvianolic acid B ( Sal B ) on bone metabolism and its potential mechanism in high fat diet ( HFD) mice.Methods Thirty C57BL/6J male mice were divided into three groups with 10 mice each, namely normal , HFD and HFD+Sal B.HFD and HFD+Sal B mice were treated with HFD, and HFD+Sal B group mice were also with Sal B (125 mg· kg -1· d-1).After 12 weeks' treat-ment, femurs were harvested .The effects of Sal B on biomechanical strength were evaluated by biomechani-cal tests, and the effects of Sal B on bone microstruc-ture were evaluated by Safranin O/fast green staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining .The expression of nuclear factor-kappa B ( NF-κB)-p65 and NADPH ox-idase 4 ( Nox4 ) and cathepsin K in femurs was deter-mined by immunohistochemical staining . Results Maximum load and elastic load significantly decreased ,and the trabeculae became thinner and irregular in the femurs of HFD mice , while Sal B treatment could re-verse the descending biomechanical strength and the disorganized femurs bone micro-structures in HFD mice.In addition, the expressions of Nox4, NF-κB-p65 and cathepsin Kmarkedly increased in HFD mice , and Sal B possessed the ability to down-regulate the ex-pression of Nox4, NF-κB-p65, and cathepsin K in the femurs triggered by HFD .Conclusions Sal B treat-ment improves bone metabolism via regulating Nox 4/NF-κB/cathepsin K signaling pathway in HFD mice . The findings contribute to the understanding and exten-sion of the applications of Salvia miltiorrhiza and its constituents on osteoporosis .

Role of cell apoptosis regulated by P53 in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

P53 abnormality or mutation is commonly seen in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and therefore, restoration of P53 function has become a research hotspot in the treatment of HCC.This article reviews the association of P53 with Bcl-2 protein family, microRNA, TGFβ, HBV, HCV, and AKT and the role of P53 in regulating cell apoptosis, in order to provide clues for improving the therapeutic outcome of HCC.

Seropharmacological study on osteogenic effects of post-absorption ingredients of an osteoprotective herbal formula / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To further investigate the {ptin vitro} effects of an osteoprotective herbal formula "ELP" (Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Fructus Psoraleae) using seropharmacological approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were fed with ELP or its individual component herbs for 2 days. The serum containing the postabsorbed ingredients of the herbal items were collected for cell culture using UMR106 cell, RAW264.7 cell and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) isolated from the bone marrow of the rats. The effects of the herbal-containing serum on cell toxicity were detected by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; bromodeoxyuridine assay was conducted to measure the cell proliferation of UMR106 cell and MSC; cell activity was measured using colorimetric method, and mRNA expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteopontin (OPN) of UMR106 and MSC as well as matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K of RAW264.7 were analyzed using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ELP and its component serum exhibited no cytotoxic effects on the cells. The ELP-containing serum increased the proliferation of UMR106 cell and MSC by 25.7% and 14.4 %, respectively and the alkaline phosphatase activity of MSC was increased by 42.6%. On the contrary, it inhibited the RAW264.7 cell differentiation by 29.2 %. ELP serum upregulated the Runx2 expression of UMR and MSC by 1.18 fold and 1.27 fold, respectively. It also upregulated ALP and OPN expression in MSC by 1.69- and 2.12-fold, respectively. On the other hand, ELP serum down-regulated MMP-9 and cathepsin K expression of RAW264.7 cell by 0.46- and 0.36-fold, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The serum of the animals fed with ELP contains active ingredients which are effective in promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.</p>

[Landscape pattern change of ethnic townships under the background of urbanization: Case of Aerla Town in Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner, Inner Mongolia, China.] / åŸŽå¸‚åŒ–ä¸‹çš„æ°‘æ—ä¹¡é•‡æ™¯è§‚æ ¼å±€å˜åŒ–­­ä»¥å† 蒙古莫力达瓦达斡尔自治旗阿尔拉镇为例.

With the stable development of new countryside construction and new-type urbanization, the changing of the landscape pattern in countryside attracts more attention, especially in the ethnic townships which are hardly accessible. To explore the development of these areas, it is crucial to understand the spatial and temporal variation of the landscape pattern. In this paper, the landscape pattern change was analyzed at both patch type level and landscape level based on the landscape ecology theory. The land use data (format: vector) got from Aerla Town (a typical Daur ethnic township in Inner Mongolia) for the duration from 2008 to 2013 was studied by ArcGIS platform and Fragstats. For the type level, the grassland, farmland, and forest turned into building land gra-dually. Regarding the landscape level, the landscape diversity index and landscape connectivity index were relatively low, the heterogeneity index and the landscape fragmentation were relatively high. With considering the correlation analysis and grey correlation of the above indexes as well as the social and economic development in Aerla Town, the results indicated that population change and GDP growth were the main driving forces of landscape pattern change. Finally, the driving forces which resulted in the variation of landscape pattern with the incorporation of the economic, cultural, policy, and natural effects were discussed. The research could provide basic information and theoretical foundation for the development of minority areas in Northeast China.

Application of Chinese herbal medicines to revitalize adult stem cells for tissue regeneration / 中国结合医学杂志

It has been established in the recent several decades that adult stem cells play a crucial role in tissue renewal and regeneration. Adult stem cells locate in certain organs can differentiate into functional entities such as macrophages and bone cells. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are two of the most important populations of adult stem cells. The application of these stem cells offers a new insight in treating various pathological conditions, through replenishing cells of specific functions by turning on or off the differentiating program within quiescent stem cell niches. Apart from that, they are also capable to travel through the circulation, migrate to injury sites and differentiate to enhance regeneration process. Recently, Chinese medicine (CM) has shown to be potential candidates to activate adult stem cells for tissue regeneration. This review summarizes our own, as well as others' findings concerning the use of Chinese herbal medicine in the regulation processes of adult stem cells differentiation and their movement in tissue repair and rejuvenation. A number of Chinese herbs are used as therapeutic agents and presumably preventive agents on metabolic disorders. In our opinion, the activation of adult stem cells self-regeneration not only provides a novel way to repair tissue damage, but also reduces the use of targeted drug that adversely altering the normal metabolism of human subjects.

[Fluorescence characterization of dissolved organic matter in East China sea].

Sea water samples were collected in the East China Sea in March and April, 2005, and three-dimensional fluorescence of dissolved organic matter was measured by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy. The position, number and intensity of fluorescence peak in the spectra and the relations of the peaks were analyzed to determine the type, distribution and origin of the fluorescence dissolved organic matter. Seven types of fluorescence peaks were detected from the samples. There are protein-like fluorescence peaks B with Exmax/Emmax = 275/300 nm, D with Exmax/Emmax = 225/295-305 nm, T with Exmax/Emmax = 280/345 nm, and S with Exmax/Emmax = 225-240/320-350 nm, two humic-like peaks A with Exmax/Emmax = 250-255/410-455 nm and C 335-345/410-440 nm, and marine humic peak M with Exmax/Emmax = 305 nm/400-420 nm. Peaks B, S and A appeared in all surveyed area. Peaks T and D appeared in the north of the surveyed area. Peaks M and C only appeared in a few stations. In the surface layer, the source of the fluorescence dissolved organic matter might be the fresh water outflow of the Yangtze River, while the fluorescence dissolved organic matter in the middle layer had double sources from the Yangtze River and the phytoplankton. The good correlationships of different fluorescence peaks showed the same source or some relationship between the protein-like and the humic-like fluorescence dissolved organic matter.