Small Molecules Accelerate Skin Wound Healing: Shikonin Efficacy and Mechanism of Action in Mice / Las Moléculas Pequeñas Aceleran la Curación de Heridas en la Piel: Eficacia de Shikonin y Mecanismo de Acción en Ratones

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic wound healing potential and molecular mechanisms of shikonin as small molecules in vitro. A mouse burn model was used to explore the potential therapeutic effect of shikonin; we traced proliferating cells in vivo to locate the active area of skin cell proliferation. Through the results of conventional pathological staining, we found that shikonin has a good effect on the treatment of burned skin and promoted the normal distribution of skin keratin at the damaged site. At the same time, shikonin also promoted the proliferation of skin cells at the damaged site; importantly, we found a significant increase in the number of fibroblasts at the damaged site treated with shikonin. Most importantly, shikonin promotes fibroblasts to repair skin wounds by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study shows that shikonin can effectively promote the proliferation of skin cell, and local injection of fibroblasts in burned skin can play a certain therapeutic role.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el potencial terapéutico de cicatrización de heridas y los mecanismos moleculares de la shikonina como moléculas pequeñas in vitro. Se utilizó un modelo de quemaduras en ratones para explorar el posible efecto terapéutico de la shikonina; Rastreamos las células en proliferación in vivo para localizar el área activa de proliferación de células de la piel. A través de los resultados de la tinción para patología convencional, encontramos que la shikonina tiene un buen efecto en el tratamiento de la piel quemada y promueve la distribución normal de la queratina de la piel en el sitio dañado. Al mismo tiempo, la shikonina también promovió la proliferación de células de la piel en el sitio dañado. Es importante destacar que encontramos un aumento significativo en la cantidad de fibroblastos en el sitio dañado tratado con shikonina. Lo más importante es que la shikonina promueve la función reparadora de fibroblastos en las heridas de la piel regulando la vía de señalización PI3K/ AKT. Este estudio muestra que la shikonina puede promover eficazmente la proliferación de células de la piel y que la inyección local de fibroblastos en la piel quemada puede desempeñar un cierto papel terapéutico.

Differential Proteomic and Genomic Comparison of Resistance Mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Cefoperazone Sodium/Sulbactam Sodium.

The aim of this study was to determine the resistance mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium. We retrospectively analyzed the drug resistance of P.a isolated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. Drug-resistant P.a strains were constructed, then wild-type (WT) and drug-resistant (DR) strains were compared using protein and gene microarrays to determine differences between DR and WT strains. The resistance rates of P. aeruginosa during 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 21.2%, 21.4%, and 24.6% respectively. Among 242 protein peaks of WT and DR bacteriophage proteins, 41 were differentially expressed between the two groups. The expression of 26 and 15 proteins were respectively upregulated and downregulated in the DR compared with the WT group. Gene microarray results revealed 679 mutant loci in the DR group, of which 42 with the top 50 Q values were found in the NCBI database. The rate of P.a resistance to cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium remained high between 2013 and 2015. The numbers of different proteins and genetic variations in the DR strains suggested that the resistance mechanism of P.a to cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium involves multiple genes and proteins that might be key to controlling P.a resistance to cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium.

Inhibitory Effect on the Hepatitis B Cells through the Regulation of miR-122-MAP3K2 signal pathway.

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of regulation of miR-122-MAP3K2 signal pathway on the hepatitis B cells. We detected the content of MAP3K2 from patients with HBV blood serum samples and analyzed the correlation between content of MAP3K2 and copies of HBV-DNA. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect the function of cells from control group (wild type) and observer group (overexpresses miR-122). Secretion levels of HBsAg and MAP3K2 in the supernatant and level of MAP3K2 in cells were detected by ELISA and western blot, respectively. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the copies of HBV-DNA and MAP3K2 in serum. In the assays involving detection of the number of HBV-DNA copies, the supernatant levels of HBsAg and MAP3K2, and the level of MAP3K2 in the cells, the rate of increase of these indicators significantly slowed as culture time. In conclusion, overexpression of miR-122 could inhibit the migration of hepatoblastoma cells; however, following transfection with miR-122, DNA synthesis and the secretion of HBsAg were inhibited. Overexpression of miR-122 can also downregulate MAP3K2. Consequently, we concluded that regulating the miR-122-MAP3K2 signaling pathway exerts an inhibitory effect in hepatitis B cells.

A preliminary analysis of microRNA profiles in the subchondral bone between Kashin-Beck disease and primary knee osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic osteochondral disorder primarily associated with cartilage degeneration. The bone texture structure in KBD was also changed but it was not identical to primary knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigates the differences in microRNA (miRNA) profiles of subchondral bone collected from patients suffering from KBD in comparison with those with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Subchondral bone tissues were taken from four patients with KBD and four patients with primary knee OA undergoing total knee replacement. The miRNA array profiling was performed using an Affymetrix miRNA 4.0 Array, and then the target gene predictions and function annotations of the predicted targets were performed. RESULTS: Our results showed that 124 miRNAs had lower expression levels in the subchondral bone sampled from KBD patients in comparison with OA patients. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses of the predicted targets demonstrated numerous significantly enriched GO terms and signal pathways essential for bone development and integrity, such as metabolic processes, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that a large set of miRNAs are differentially expressed in the subchondral bone of patients with KBD and OA and contributes new insights into potential pathological changes in the subchondral bone of KBD patients.

Effectiveness of nursing intervention for increasing hope in patients with cancer: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the efficacy of nursing interventions to increase the level of hope in cancer patients, in a meta-analysis. METHODS: electronic databases were searched. Two of the authors independently extracted data from the eligible studies, and Stata 13.0 software was used to pool the data. RESULTS: nine randomized controlled trials were included, and methodological quality of each randomized controlled trial (RCT) was evaluated using Cochrane handbook recommendations. A random effects model was used to combine results from eligible studies. The pooled results using the fixed effects model showed that scores to first effects increase significantly after the use of nursing intervention between the groups. Heterogeneity was observed among the studies for posttest (df = 8, P = 0.000; I2 =76.1 %). The results indicated significant heterogeneity across the nine selected studies. The test for heterogeneity showed no homogeneity among studies for follow-up (df = 8, P = 0.328; I2 = 12.9 %), and there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: the current evidence suggests that nursing intervention has a positive effect on hope in cancer patients. However, more large-scale and high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

A Gene Constellation in Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Viruses May Have Facilitated the Fifth Wave Outbreak in China.

The 2016-2017 epidemic of influenza A (H7N9) virus in China prompted concern that a genetic change may underlie increased virulence. Based on an evolutionary analysis of H7N9 viruses from all five outbreak waves, we find that additional subclades of the H7 and N9 genes have emerged. Our analysis indicates that H7N9 viruses inherited NP genes from co-circulating H7N9 instead of H9N2 viruses. Genotypic diversity among H7N9 viruses increased following wave I, peaked during wave III, and rapidly deceased thereafter with minimal diversity in wave V, suggesting that the viruses entered a relatively stable evolutionary stage. The ZJ11 genotype caused the majority of human infections in wave V. We suggest that the largest outbreak of wave V may be due to a constellation of genes rather than a single mutation. Therefore, continuous surveillance is necessary to minimize the threat of H7N9 viruses.

Effectiveness of nursing intervention for increasing hope in patients with cancer: a meta-analysis / Eficácia da intervenção de enfermagem para aumento da esperança em pacientes com câncer: uma meta-análise / Eficacia de la intervención de enfermería para aumentar la esperanza en pacientes con cáncer: un meta análisis

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of nursing interventions to increase the level of hope in cancer patients, in a meta-analysis. Methods: electronic databases were searched. Two of the authors independently extracted data from the eligible studies, and Stata 13.0 software was used to pool the data. Results: nine randomized controlled trials were included, and methodological quality of each randomized controlled trial (RCT) was evaluated using Cochrane handbook recommendations. A random effects model was used to combine results from eligible studies. The pooled results using the fixed effects model showed that scores to first effects increase significantly after the use of nursing intervention between the groups. Heterogeneity was observed among the studies for posttest (df = 8, P = 0.000; I2 =76.1 %). The results indicated significant heterogeneity across the nine selected studies. The test for heterogeneity showed no homogeneity among studies for follow-up (df = 8, P = 0.328; I2 = 12.9 %), and there was no statistical significance. Conclusion: the current evidence suggests that nursing intervention has a positive effect on hope in cancer patients. However, more large-scale and high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

RESUMO Objetivo: meta-análise para avaliar a eficácia da intervenção de enfermagem, no nível de esperança para pacientes com câncer. Método: foram pesquisados bancos de dados eletrônicos. Dois dos autores, de forma independente, extraíram os dados dos estudos elegíveis e os agruparam no software Stata 13.0. Resultado: nove ensaios clínicos randomizados foram incluídos e a qualidade metodológica destes estudos foi avaliada utilizando as recomendações do manual Cochrane. Um modelo de efeito aleatório foi usado para combinar resultados dos estudos elencados. O agrupamento dos resultados por meio de um modelo de efeitos fixos mostrou primeiros escores revelaram um efeito significativamente maior após o uso da intervenção de enfermagem entre os grupos. Foi identificada heterogeneidade entre os estudos para pós-teste (df = 8, p = 0.000; I2 =76.1 %). Os resultados indicaram heterogeneidade significativa nos nove estudos selecionados. O teste para heterogeneidade não demonstrou homogeneidade entre os estudos de acompanhamento (df = 8, p = 0.328; I2 = 12.9 %), mas sem significância estatística. Conclusão: as evidências atuais sugerem que a intervenção de enfermagem tem um efeito positivo no sentimento de esperança em pacientes com câncer. No entanto, são necessários mais ensaios controlados randomizados em maior escala e de alta qualidade para confirmar esses resultados.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia de la intervención de enfermería para pacientes oncológicos en el nivel de esperanza en un meta análisis. Método: se buscó información en bases de datos electrónicas. Dos de los autores extrajeron de forma independiente los datos de los estudios de elegibilidad, y se utilizó el software Stata 13.0 para agrupar los datos. Resultados: se incluyeron nueve ensayos aleatorios controlados y se evaluó la calidad metodológica del ensayo controlado aleatorizado (ECA) utilizando las recomendaciones del manual Cochrane. Se utilizó un modelo de efectos aleatorios para combinar los resultados de los estudios elegibles. Los resultados agrupados utilizando el modelo de efectos fijos mostraron que las puntuaciones al primer efecto aumentan significativamente después del uso de la intervención de enfermería entre los grupos. Se observó heterogeneidad entre los estudios de post-prueba (df = 8, P = 0.000; I2 =76.1 %). Los resultados indicaron heterogeneidad significativa en los nueve estudios seleccionados. La prueba de heterogeneidad no mostró homogeneidad entre los estudios de seguimiento (df = 8, P = 0.328; I2 = 12.9 %), pero no hay significación estadística. Conclusión: la evidencia actual sugiere que la intervención de enfermería tiene un efecto positivo en la esperanza en pacientes con cáncer. Sin embargo, se necesitan más ensayos controlados aleatorios de gran escala y de alta calidad para confirmar estos resultados.

A novel Zea mays ssp. mexicana L. MYC-type ICE-like transcription factor gene ZmmICE1, enhances freezing tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana.

The annual Zea mays ssp. mexicana L., a member of the teosinte group, is a close wild relative of maize and thus can be effectively used in maize improvement. In this study, an ICE-like gene, ZmmICE1, was isolated from a cDNA library of RNA-Seq from cold-treated seedling tissues of Zea mays ssp. mexicana L. The deduced protein of ZmmICE1 contains a highly conserved basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain and C-terminal region of ICE-like proteins. The ZmmICE1 protein localizes to the nucleus and shows sumoylation when expressed in an Escherichia coli reconstitution system. In addition, yeast one hybrid assays indicated that ZmmICE1 has transactivation activities. Moreover, ectopic expression of ZmmICE1 in the Arabidopsis ice1-2 mutant increased freezing tolerance. The ZmmICE1 overexpressed plants showed lower electrolyte leakage (EL), reduced contents of malondialdehyde (MDA). The expression of downstream cold related genes of Arabidopsis C-repeat-binding factors (AtCBF1, AtCBF2 and AtCBF3), cold-responsive genes (AtCOR15A and AtCOR47), kinesin-1 member gene (AtKIN1) and responsive to desiccation gene (AtRD29A) was significantly induced when compared with wild type under low temperature treatment. Taken together, these results indicated that ZmmICE1 is the homolog of Arabidopsis inducer of CBF expression genes (AtICE1/2) and plays an important role in the regulation of freezing stress response.