[Analysis of the characteristics of electrocardiogram in patients of different genders with pulmonary hypertension]

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of ECG in patients with pulmonary hypertension(PH) and explore their correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR), mean pulmonary arterial hypertension(mPAP) and cardiac index(CI). Methods: A total of 186 patients with right heart catheterization were enrolled in the Department of Respiratory of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from August 2015 to October 2017. Patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure, incomplete clinical data and repeated examinations were excluded and there were 101 patients with pulmonary hypertension included. The results of ECG parameters and right heart catheterization were collected to analyze the ECG characteristics of patients with different genders and their correlation with PVR, mPAP and CI. Results: Among all PH patients, the duration of QRS axial in male group was significantly longer than that of the female group [(110.38±15.829) vs. (98.63±18.041) ms, P<0.001], and the S wave amplitude in V5 was significantly higher compared to female group [(1.304±1.356) vs. (0.648±0.663) mv, P<0.001]. Their heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc), QRS axis, S wave amplitude in Ⅰ, S and R wave amplitude in V1, R/S ratio in V1, S wave amplitude V5, all had a correlation with their PVR and the S wave amplitude in V1 was negatively correlated with PVR (r=-0.441, P<0.001). In the male group, PVR was not correlated with R/S ratio in V1 and S wave amplitude in V5. While PVR in the female group was significantly correlated with QTc, R wave amplitude in V1, R / S ratio in V1. In all PH patients, their P wave duration in Ⅱ, QRS axis and S wave amplitude in Ⅰ, S wave and R wave amplitude in V1, S wave amplitude in V5, QTc, R/S ratio in V1, all had correlations with mPAP (P<0.05). In male group, mPAP was not correlated with QTc, P wave duration in Ⅱ, and the S wave amplitude in V5 (P>0.05). The mPAP in the female group was only related to the S wave and R wave amplitude in V1, and S amplitude in Ⅰ and S wave amplitude in V5 (P<0.05). The CI was positively correlated with the S wave amplitude in V1 (r=0.34, P<0.001), and negatively correlated with the QRS axis (r=-0.219, P=0.04); CI in male group was not correlated with QRS axis(P=0.073), but correlated with QTc (r=-0.296, P=0.044). Conclusion: There were gender differences in QRS duration and S wave amplitude in V5 in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The QRS axis and the S wave amplitude in V1 were related to the heart index. There was a difference in the correlation between ECG and PVR, mPAP and CI in patients of different genders with pulmonary hypertension.

[Interaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and high risk human papillomavirus infection on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and their interaction on the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Methods: A total of 486 patients, including 208 women with normal cervix (NC), 154 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CINⅠ), 124 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CINⅡ/Ⅲ), were selected from the cervical lesions cohort from June to December, 2014. HR-HPV was detected by using flow-through hybridization technology and the urine concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was detected with high performance liquid chromatography. By using software SPSS 22.0, the χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Nemenyi rank test and Spearman rank correlation analysis were performed. And the interaction effects were evaluated by additive model. Results: The HR-HPV infection rates in NC, CINⅠ and CINⅡ/Ⅲ groups were 27.9%, 37.0% and 58.9%, respectively. The urine concentrations of 1-OHP (μmol/molCr) were 0.07±0.09, 0.11±0.10 and 0.17±0.15, respectively. With increasing severity of the cervical lesions, the HR-HPV infection rate gradually increased (trend χ(2)=29.89, P<0.001) and the high exposure rate of PAHs gradually increased (trend χ(2)=27.94, P<0.001). HR-HPV infection was positively correlated with 1-OHP exposure (r=0.680, P<0.001). There was a positive additive interaction between HPV infection and PAHs exposure in CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ group, but it was not found in CIN Ⅰ group. Conclusion: Both HR-HPV infection and high exposure of PAHs might increase the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm, and might have a synergistic effect on the progression of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Effects of soybean isoflavones on Wnt/β-catenin and the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in renal tissue of type 2 diabetic rats

To observe the effect of Soyisoflavones (SI) on the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway elements, transforming growth factor-β (THGF-β) and its related proteins in the renal interstitia of diabetic nephropathic (DN) rats, 48 DN rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: DN model group (group DN), soybean isoflavone treatment group (group DA), DN model group + losartan treatment group (group DL), DN model group + soybean isoflavones combined with losartan treatment group (group SL). Each group comprised 12 rats. Twelve healthy Wistar rats were selected as normal controls (group N). After 12 weeks of continuous administration of soybean isoflavone or losartan or those two combined, the body weight of rats was recorded and serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Scr) were measured. The expression of Wnt4, β-catenin, and TGF-β1 proteins, as well as mRNA, in the renal interstitium were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). In all the groups, Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 protein were only expressed in renal interstitial and renal tubular epithelial cells. There was no significant difference between group DA and group DL (P>0.05). FQ-PCR results showed that Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 mRNA were consistent with the expression of these proteins in the renal tissue of each group. Soy isoflavones can reduce 24-h urinary protein quantification, alleviate renal interstitial pathological damage, and regulate the expression of Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 in the renal interstitium. This suggests that soybean isoflavones could delay the process of renal interstitial fibrosis in DN rats by decreasing the expression of Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 in the renal interstitium, thus demonstrating that soybean isoflavones plus losartan have the best protective effects against diabetes-induced renal fibrosis.

Estimating Coherence Measures from Limited Experimental Data Available

Quantifying coherence has received increasing attention, and considerable work has been directed towards finding coherence measures. While various coherence measures have been proposed in theory, an important issue following is how to estimate these coherence measures in experiments. This is a challenging task, since the state of a system is often unknown in practical applications and the accessible measurements in a real experiment are typically limited. In this Letter, we put forward an approach to estimate coherence measures of an unknown state from any limited experimental data available. Our approach is not only applicable to coherence measures but can be extended to other resource measures.

[Survival time of HIV/AIDS death cases after antiretroviral therapy and related factors in Henan province, 2003-2015]

Objective: To analyze and investigate the survival time of dead HIV/AIDS patients after antiretroviral therapy (ART) and related factors in Henan province. Methods: The database of national integrated management system of HIV/AIDS was used to collect the information of dead patients who received ART between January 2003 and December 2015. Software SPSS 23.0 was used to analyze the survival time of dead patients and related factors. Result: A total of 6 267 AIDS patients died after ART and the average survival time was 23.85 months (Q(R): 6.87-50.46 months). Within 6 months, 7-12 months and 13-24 months after ART, the numbers of dead patients were 1 441 (23.00%), 652 (10.40%) and 1 052 (16.79%), respectively. The number of dead cases decreased after 24 months of ART. The number of AIDS-related deaths was 5 085 (81.1%); and 799 (12.7%) deaths were due to other causes, in which 179 (2.9%) were caused by accidents and 109 (1.7%) were caused by suicides. The differences in annual composition ratio of death causes during 2003-2015 had significance (χ(2)=864.27, P<0.01). Twelve months, 36 months, 60 months and 120 months after ART, the survival ratios were 66.59%, 36.62%, 19.24% and 0.64% respectively. Compared with patients infected through blood donation, the HR of the patients infected through sexual transmission was 1.602 (95%CI: 1.483-1.732). Compared with patients with initial level of CD(4)(+)T lymphocyte ≥350 unit/μl, the HR of patients with initial level of CD(4)(+)T lymphocyte<50 unit/μl was 2.320 (95%CI: 2.119-2.539). Compared with patients receiving second line ART, the HR of patients receiving no second line ART was 3.312 (95%CI: 3.083-3.558). Conclusion: The AIDS related deaths mainly occurred in the first six months after ART. As the increase of duration of ART, the death rate decreased. Sexual transmission, low initial level of CD(4)(+)T lymphocyte and receiving no second line ART were the risk factors for the deaths of HIV/AIDS patients.

[Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into neural stem cells induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor via Wnt/β-catenin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinases signal pathway]

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoting induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to differentiate into neural stem cells (NSCs) via Wnt/β-catenin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK/MAPK) signal pathways. Methods: iPSCs were cultured and identified. The iPSCs were induced to differentiate into NSCs by BDNF and retinoic acid (RA). Nestin was detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry after iPSCs differentiated. The technique of small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to silence the gene expression of β-catenin and ERK, and iPSCs were divided into control group, BDNF group (adding 10 μg/L BDNF), siRNA-ERK/BDNF group (transfected with siRNA-ERK and adding 10 μg/L BDNF) and siRNA-β-catenin/BDNF group (transfected with siRNA-β-catenin and adding 10 μg/L BDNF). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of key elements of Wnt/β-catenin and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways, included β-catenin, ERK1/2, c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc. The least significant difference test was used when data were compared between groups. Results: The immunofluorescence showed that iPSCs expressed octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (Oct4), SRY-related HMG box protein-2 (Sox2) and Nanog genes. The flow cytometry showed that Nestin-positive cells were 78.7% for BDNF and 43.5% for RA, and it was only 7.8% for routine medium. Compared with those in the control group, the mRNA expression of β-catenin, ERK1/2, c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc in the BDNF group were upregulated significantly (t=2.80, 2.318, 2.255, 1.799, 1.582, 1.663, all P<0.05), and the same results were acquired with the protein expression (t=2.805, 2.318, 2.255, 1.799, 1.582, 1.663, all P<0.050). Compared with those in BDNF group, the mRNA and protein expression of ERK1/2 in siRNA-ERK/BDNF group down-regulated obviously (t=1.917, 2.042, 1.673, 1.540, all P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression of c-fos and c-jun were down-regulated (t=1.022, 0.907, 0.848, 0.801, all P<0.05). However, the mRNA and protein expression of β-catenin and c-myc were not suppressed by siRNA-ERK (t=0.216, 0.185, 0.097, 0.112, all P>0.05). In siRNA-β-catenin/BDNF group, the mRNA and protein expression of β-catenin and c-myc was obviously down-regulated when compared with those in BDNF group (t=3.104, 2.774, 2.235, 1.911, all P<0.05), and expression of ERK1/2, c-fos and c-jun were down-regulated too (t=0.776-1.192, all P<0.05). Conclusion: BDNF promotes the differentiation of iPSCs by activating Wnt/β-catenin and ERK/MAPK signal pathway, there should be cross-talk between the two signal pathways, and c-fos and c-jun may be common nuclear transcription factors.

[The expression of SnoN in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and the mechanism of its participation in hypertrophic scar formation]

Objective: To investigate the expression of SnoN in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and the mechanism of its participation in hypertrophic scar formation. Methods: Eight patients with hypertrophic scar after burn in need of surgery were admitted in our unit from January to October 2013, and then hypertrophic scar tissue and normal skin tissue of full-thickness skin donor site resected by surgery of the patients were collected. Hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and normal skin fibroblasts of patients were isolated with method of explant culture and then sub-cultured. Cells of the third to fifth passage were used in the following experiments. (1) The protein expressions of SnoN of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and normal skin fibroblasts were assessed with Western blotting. (2) The mRNA expressions of SnoN of another batch of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and normal skin fibroblasts were determined with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. (3) Another batch of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and normal skin fibroblasts were treated with 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β(1)) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h, respectively, and then the protein expressions and mRNA expressions of SnoN of untreated cells and treated cells were detected as above. Data were processed with one way analysis of variance and independent sample t test. Results: (1) The protein expression of SnoN of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts was 0.020±0.003, significantly lower than that of normal skin fibroblasts (0.032±0.005, t=7.19, P<0.05). (2) The mRNA expression of SnoN of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts was 0.407±0.157, with no significant difference from that of normal skin fibroblasts (0.339±0.095, t=-1.29, P>0.05). (3) The protein expression of SnoN of normal skin fibroblasts was increased in a time-dependent fashion with the TGF-β(1) stimulation, and the protein expressions of SnoN of cells treated with TGF-β(1) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h were significantly higher than those of untreated cells (with t values from 2.27 to 27.89, P values below 0.05). The protein expression of SnoN of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts was decreased in a time-dependent fashion with the TGF-β(1) stimulation, and the protein expressions of SnoN of cells treated with TGF-β(1) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h were obviously lower than those of untreated cells (with t values from 10.80 to 13.85, P values below 0.05). (4) The mRNA expressions of SnoN of normal skin fibroblasts and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts were both increased in a time-dependent fashion with the TGF-β(1) stimulation, and the mRNA expressions of SnoN of the two types of cells treated with TGF-β(1) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h were both significantly higher than those of untreated cells (with t values from 18.16 to 58.22, P values below 0.05). Conclusions: The protein expression of SnoN in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts is reduced, which weakens its inhibitory effect on TGF-β(1) signal, thus amplifying the TGF-β(1) signal, and it may participate in the formation of hypertrophic scar.

Characterization and functional analysis of serpin-1 like gene from oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi

Serpins are a broadly distributed family of proteases found in various organisms that play an important role in regulating the immune response. Here, we identified a serpin-1 gene from Antheraea pernyi that encodes a 279 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 30.8 kDa. We expressed the recombinant Ap-serpin-1 protein in Escherichia coli and used the purified protein to prepare rabbit anti-Ap-serpin-1 polyclonal antibodies. We calculated the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer of the antibody as 1:128000. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Ap-serpin-1 was expressed in all examined tissues, including hemolymph, malpighian tubules, midgut, silk gland, integument and the fat body; the highest Ap-serpin-1 expression levels was detected in the fat body. We next investigated the expression patterns of Ap-serpin-1 in both fat body and hemolymph samples, following treatment with E. coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV). We reported that NPV and M. luteus significantly enhanced Ap-serpin-1 expression in the fat body. While, in the hemolymph samples, treatment with B. bassiana and M. luteus was shown to upregulate Ap-serpin-1 expression at 24 h induction. Altogether, our results suggest that Ap-serpin-1 is involved in the innate immunity of A. pernyi.

Mac-1 deficiency induces respiratory failure by affecting type I alveolar epithelial cells

As a β2 integrin family member, Mac-1 plays an important role in the inflammatory response. Inflammation and lung injury are closely associated, but the involvement of Mac-1 in the occurrence and development of such pathologies remains poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the relationship between Mac-1 deficiency and respiratory failure in Mac-1 knockout {Mac-1^-/-} mice, using C57BL/6J mice as a control. The newborn survival rate of Mac-1^-/- mice was calculated, and mouse lung tissue was treated with hematoxylin and eosin and subjected to immunofluorescent staining. Moreover, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of molecules specific to type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells, as well as alveolar surfactant proteins secreted by the latter. Survival of Mac-1^-/- pups was significantly lower than that of newborn C57BL/6J mice. In a float test, lung tissues from C57BL/6J mice were buoyant, whereas those of Mac-1^-/- mice were not. Compared with C57BL/6J mice, expression of proSP-C {specific to type II alveolar epithelial cells} and alveolar surfactant proteins in Mac-1^-/- mice was not significantly different, implying that type II cell function was unaltered. However, western blotting revealed expression of T1α, Aqp5, and Snx5 {type I alveolar epithelial cell markers} in Mac-1^-/- mice to be significantly decreased {P < 0.05}. In conclusion, Mac-1 may play an important role in respiratory failure. Its absence leads to this condition not by influencing type II alveolar epithelial cells or their secreted surfactant proteins, but rather by reducing type I alveolar cell numbers.

[Interaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and p16, FHIT gene CpG island methylation in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias]

Objective: To explore the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and p16, FHIT gene CpG island methylation, as well as their interaction in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. Methods: Objects of this study were from a cohort of cervical lesions study in Yangqu county of Shanxi province. All the patients were diagnosed pathologically, that including 83 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅡ/Ⅲ), 86 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅠ) and another 91 women under normal cervical (NC) condition. 1-hydroxy pyrene in the urine was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) while CpG island methylation status of tumor suppressor gene p16 and FHIT were measured by methylation-specifc polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test, chi-square test and trend of chi-square test. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between influencing factors and the cervical disease by using the SPSS statistical software (version 20.0). The interaction under study was evaluated by using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model. Results: Level of 1-hydroxy pyrene (H=50.743, P<0.001) and the high exposure rate of 1-hydroxy pyrene (trend χ(2)=20.146, P<0.001) were gradually increasing along with the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The CpG island methylation rates of p16, FHIT in CINⅠand CINⅡ/Ⅲ group were higher than that in NC group, and gradually increasing along with the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (trend χ(2)=9.75, P=0.002; trend χ(2)=10.39, P=0.001). Results from the GMDR model showed that interaction existed among the high exposure of 1-hydroxy pyrene and the CpG island methylation of p16, FHIT in CINⅠ and CINⅡ/Ⅲ group. Conclusion: Under the high exposure of 1-hydroxy pyrene and the CpG island methylation of p16, FHIT appeared to have increased the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and causing synergistic effect in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

[Effects of silencing Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 on the function of human hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts]

Objective: To explore the effects of silencing Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) on the secretion of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β(1)), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen type Ⅰ by human hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts. Methods: The human normal skin-derived fibroblasts and hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts were cultured with explant culture technique from the normal skin and hypertrophic scar tissue, which was obtained from 9 patients with hypertrophic scars after burn. Two kinds of fibroblasts of the third passage were both divided into 6 groups according to the random number table, with 9 wells in each group. Fibroblasts in blank control group were cultured for 72 h without transfection of any small interfering RNA (siRNA), fibroblasts in negative control group were for cultured for 72 h after transfected with non-target siRNA, fibroblasts in Smurf2 siRNA group were cultured for 72 h after transfected with 100 nmol/L Smurf2 siRNA, fibroblasts in blank control+ TGF-β(1) group were cultured for 72 h without transfection of any siRNA and then treated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β(1) for 6 h, fibroblasts in negative control+ TGF-β(1) group were cultured for 72 h after transfected with non-target siRNA and then treated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β(1) for 6 h, fibroblasts in Smurf2 siRNA+ TGF-β(1) group were cultured for 72 h after transfected with Smurf2 siRNA and then treated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β(1) for 6 h. (1) The protein and mRNA expression levels of Smurf2 of the two kinds of cells in blank control group, negative control group, and Smurf2 siRNA group were assessed by Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. (2) The content of TGF-β(1) in the cell culture supernatant of the two kinds of cells in blank control group and Smurf2 siRNA group was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (3) The protein expression levels of α-SMA of the two kinds of cells in the 6 groups were assessed by Western blotting. The content of collagen type Ⅰ in the cell culture supernatant of the two kinds of cells in the 6 groups was determined by ELISA. (4) The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and collagen type Ⅰ of the two kinds of cells in the 6 groups were assessed by RT-PCR. The sample numbers of each group in the above experiments were all 9. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design and Bonferroni test. Results: (1) The protein and mRNA expression levels of Smurf2 of the two kinds of cells in Smurf2 siRNA group were significantly lower than those in blank control group and negative control group (with P values below 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of Smurf2 of the two kinds of cells in blank control group and negative control group were close (with P values above 0.05). (2) The content of TGF-β(1) in the cell culture supernatant of hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts in blank control group and Smurf2 siRNA group was respectively (4.34±0.56) and (2.14±0.28) pg/mL, which was significantly higher than (1.52±0.20) and (1.41±0.18) pg/mL of normal skin-derived fibroblasts respectively (with P values below 0.05). In hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts, the content of TGF-β(1) in the cell culture supernatant in Smurf2 siRNA group was significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.05). In normal skin-derived fibroblasts, the content of TGF-β(1) in the cell culture supernatant in Smurf2 siRNA group was close to that in blank control group (P>0.05). (3) The protein expression levels of α-SMA and content of collagen type Ⅰ in the cell culture supernatant of the two kinds of cells in blank control+ TGF-β(1) group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (with P values below 0.05). The protein expression levels of α-SMA and content of collagen type Ⅰ in the cell culture supernatant of the two kinds of cells in negative control+ TGF-β(1) group were significantly higher than those in negative control group (with P values below 0.05). The protein expression levels of α-SMA and content of collagen type Ⅰ in the cell culture supernatant of the two kinds of cells in Smurf2 siRNA group were close to those in blank control group and negative control group (with P values above 0.05). The protein expression levels of α-SMA and content of collagen type Ⅰ in the cell culture supernatant of the two kinds of cells in Smurf2 siRNA+ TGF-β(1) group were significantly lower than those in blank control+ TGF-β(1) group and negative control+ TGF-β(1) group (with P values below 0.05). (4) The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and collagen type Ⅰ of the two kinds of cells in blank control+ TGF-β(1) group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (with P values below 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and collagen type Ⅰ of the two kinds of cells in negative control+ TGF-β(1) group were significantly higher than those in negative control group (with P values below 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and collagen type Ⅰ of the two kinds of cells in Smurf2 siRNA group were close to those in blank control group and negative control group (with P values above 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and collagen type Ⅰ of the two kinds of cells in Smurf2 siRNA+ TGF-β(1) group were significantly lower than those in blank control+ TGF-β(1) group and negative control+ TGF-β(1) group (with P values below 0.05). Conclusions: Silencing Smurf2 in human hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts can reduce the autocrine of TGF-β(1) and inhibit the TGF-β(1)-induced α-SMA expression and collagen type Ⅰ synthesis.

P2X7 receptor in the hippocampus is involved in gp120-induced cognitive dysfunction

To investigate the role of the P2X₇ receptor in learning and memory dysfunction induced by HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 (gp120), we established HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD) animal models by intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of gp120 in rats. We observed gp120-induced cognitive dysfunction in the radial arm water maze test. Results showed that rats in the gp120 groups had longer escape latencies and more errors compared to those in the control group. For example, the average trial time in the 50-ng/day-gp120 group on day eight (16.57 ± 1.71 s, N = 90) was significantly longer than that of control rats (9.93 ± 0.68 s, N = 90). The relative expression of P2X₇ mRNA in the control, 50-, 70-, and 100-ng/day-gp120 groups were 0.43 ± 0.06, 0.48 ± 0.07, 0.83 ± 0.05, and 0.84 ± 0.10, respectively; relative P2X₇ protein expression in those groups was 0.63 ± 0.07, 1.08 ± 0.06, 0.90 ± 0.07, and 1.03 ± 0.11, respectively. According to immunohistochemistry analysis, the staining intensity values for P2X₇ protein expression in the control, 50-, 70-, and 100-ng/d-gp120 groups were 0.88 ± 0.07, 1.41 ± 0.12, 1.28 ± 0.13, and 1.31 ± 0.10, respectively. The above results showed that the expression of P2X₇ increased significantly in the hippocampus of gp120 rats compared to that of the control group. These results suggest that ICV infusion of gp120 can successfully mimic HAD in rats, and P2X₇ may be involved in gp120-induced cognitive dysfunction. This could provide a theoretical foundation and potential drug target for research and treatment of ADC.

[Expression of CD137 in tumor cells of Hodgkin lymphoma from Northern China and its application in pathological differential diagnosis]

目的

明确CD137在北方地区经典型霍奇金淋巴瘤（cHL）中的表达，探讨其作为cHL辅助病理鉴别诊断新指标的可能应用价值。

方法

收集54例cHL患者资料，以55例伴有“HRS样细胞”的非cHL患者为对照。在病理组织标本中选取“HRS细胞”或“HRS样细胞”丰富的区域制作组织芯片；以“HRS细胞”或“HRS样细胞”为观察对象，cHL组应用CD30、CD15、CD20、PAX5、CD3免疫组织化学染色；同时对两组患者标本进行CD137（BBK-2）抗体免疫组织化学染色及采用EBV编码的小RNA（EBER）原位杂交法检测EBV感染状态。

结果

54例cHL患者均为淋巴结内原发，中位年龄45.5（22.0~68.0）岁；男女比例1.7∶1；对照组患者结内54例，结外（皮肤）1例，中位年龄50.0（12.0~81.0）岁；男女比例1.9∶1。54例cHL患者均表达CD30，HRS细胞主要诊断相关免疫标志物CD30、CD15、CD20、CD3阳性表达率依次为100.0%、70.4%、18.5％和0，可见PAX5弱至中等强度表达，阳性率70.4%；EBV感染阳性率25.9%（对照组阳性率21.8%）。cHL组CD137阳性率57.4%，对照组阳性率14.5%，差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。将cHL组及对照组按照患者年龄（≥60/<60岁）、性别、有无EBV感染、组织学亚型以及主要诊断相关标志物的表达与否进行分组，CD137阳性率差异均无统计学意义（P值均> 0.05）。以2013年为界进行分组，2013年前后两组cHL患者的CD137阳性率差异有统计学意义（39.4%对85.7%，P=0.001），对照组差异无统计学意义（12.5％对16.1%，P=0.705）；2013以后存档的标本中cHL组与对照组患者CD137阳性率差异有统计学意义（85.7％对16.1%，P<0.001）。

结论

通过研究初步证实北方地区大多数cHL患者的HRS细胞表达CD137，而对照组患者“HRS样细胞”CD137阳性率较低。保存期3年以内较保存期3年以上的cHL患者标本CD137阳性率高，更适于进行CD137免疫组织化学染色检测。CD137有望作为辅助cHL病理鉴别诊断的新指标。

[TNFAIP3 deletion status in classical Hodgkin lymphoma and its relation to Epstein-Barr virus]

Objective: To investigate the TNFAIP3/A20 abnormalities and its association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL). Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded tissue blocks of 54 CHL patients were collected and subjected to the construction of tissue microarray (TMA) for further analyses. EBV status was evaluated by in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBER1/2 and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with anti-LMP-1 antibody. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and IHC were performed to determine the copy number alterations of TNFAIP3 and A20 protein expression respectively. Results: The concordance rate of IHC for LMP-1 and ISH for EBER1/2 was100%, and 25.9% (14/54) cases were identified with EBV infection. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated 27.8% (15/54) cases with A20 expression deficiency. Of the 54 cases tested for A20 expression, 49 cases were simultaneously analyzed by FISH, which showed 10 (20.4% ) cases harboring TNFAIP3 deletion. However, discrepancy was observed between the results of A20 by IHC and TNFAIP3 deletion by FISH. Only 1 case with TNFAIP3 deletion demonstrated complete loss of A20 immunoreactivity. In addition, comparison of the frequency of either A20 expression loss or TNFAIP3 deletion between EBV-positive and-negative cases did not reveal any significance (P>0.05). Conclusion: TNFAIP3 deletion could be observed in both EBV-positive and - negative CHL cases. A20 expression by IHC could not confirm TNFAIP3 deletion by FISH, which might be related to the technical issues.

[Analysis of metabolic factors and relevance with the grade and stage in patients with renal cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between metabolic factors, such as obesity, blood pressure, blood glucose, serum lipid profile, and the histopathological characteristics of renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The medical records of 382 consecutive renal cell carcinoma patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2009 to January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Metabolic factors were collected from the records, including weight, body mass index, waist circumstance, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum total triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The patients were divided into different groups according to tumor grade, stage and diameter. Statistics analysis, such as t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic analysis, were performed to investigate the association between metabolic factors and grade, stage and tumor diameter of renal cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

A total of 80 (20.94%) of the tumors were classified as high grade disease, 63 (16.49%) were classified as advanced disease and 153 (40.05%) tumor diameter more than 4 cm. The patients in high grade group were found to have lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level than in low grade group (P=0.015), body mass index, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were found to be lower in advanced disease than in localized disease (P=0.022, P=0.005 and P=0.006, respectively), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was found to be lower in larger tumors (P=0.030). Other factors were comparable between the different groups. The results of Logistic analyses showed that, body mass index (OR=0.906, 95%CI: 0.852-0.986, P=0.023) and total cholesterol (OR=0.660, 95%CI: 0.492-0.884, P=0.005) were associated with the tumor stage, high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol level was significantly associated with tumor grade (OR=0.293, 95%CI: 0.108-0.797, P=0.016) and stage (OR=0.204, 95%CI: 0.065-0.635, P=0.006), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was significantly associated with tumor diameter (OR=0.756, 95%CI: 0.586-0.975, P=0.031).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate that metabolic factors, especially obesity and serum lipid profile, are closely related with the histopathological characteristics of renal cell carcinoma.

[Expression of MEK/ERK signal pathways in renal cell carcinoma with bone metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of MEK/ERK signaling pathways in renal cell carcinoma with bone metastasis, and to analyze the differences of expressions of VEGFR-2, MEK, ERK on the primary and metastasis tissue and its mechanism.

METHODS

The tissue samples were obtained from 7 renal cell carcinoma patients kindly provided by Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital from January 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010. The expression of MEK/ERK signaling pathways was detected in the 7 renal cell carcinoma patients` primary and matched metastatic tissues with ICH, The antibody concentrations were 1:200, 1:25, and 1:250, respectively. The mutation of the twentieth exon of the PDGFRA gene, the second exon of the K-ras gene, the fifteenth exon of the Braf gene and the second exon of the MEK1 gene were detected with PCR.

RESULTS

The expression intensities of VEGFR-2, MEK, and ERK were measured by H-score [intensity (1, 2, 3, or 4) multiplied by the distribution (%)]. VEGFR-2, MEK, and ERK expressions were divided into 3 groups according to the positive distribution of the tumor cells: 1, 0-5%; 2, 6%-50%; and 3, >50%, To assess intratumor heterogeneity, three distinct microscopic fields (×200) from each specimen were used to evaluate the expressions, Subsequently, the scores were averaged to obtain a single concatenated score for each tissue. VEGFR-2, MEK, and ERK expressions were assessed by 2 independent pathologists who were blinded to the clinicopathological data. The data were expressed as the mean value of the triplicate experiments. The expressions of MEK, and ERK were higher in the metastatic tissues than in the matched RCC tissues (6.10±4.10 vs. 1.33±0.51, P=0.015; 9.10±2.24 vs. 4.43± 2.84, P=0.021) while the expression of VEGFR-2 was not different between the primary and metastatic tissues (P=0.901). No mutation was detected on the twentieth exon of the PDGFRA gene, the second exon of the K-ras gene, the fifteenth exon of the Braf gene and the second exon of the MEK1 gene.

CONCLUSION

MEK/ERK signaling pathways may play an important role in the metastasis and the resistance of sunitinib in RCC patients with bone metastasis.

[Relationship and interaction between folate and expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 in cervical cancerization]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the interaction between folate and the expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2(MeCP2)in cervical cancerization.

METHODS

Forty one patients diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma(SCC), 71 patients diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasm(CIN1, n=34; CIN2 +, n=37)and 61 women with normal cervix(NC)were recruited in this study. Microbiological assay was conducted to detect the levels of serum folate and RBC folate, Western blot assay and real-time PCR were performed to detect the expression levels of MeCP2 protein and mRNA, respectively. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test and Spearman correlation with SPSS statistical software(version 20.0), and the interaction were evaluated by using generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction(GMDR)model.

RESULTS

The levels of serum folate(H=44.71, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=24.48, P<0.001)and RBC folate(H=5.28, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=3.83, P<0.05)decreased gradually along with the severity of cervical lesions. There was a positive correlation between serum folate level and RBC folate level(r=0.270, P< 0.001). The expression levels of MeCP2 protein(H=33.72, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=14.74, P<0.001)and mRNA(H=19.50, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=10.74, P<0.001)increased gradually along with the severity of cervical lesions. There were negative correlation between folate level and the expression level of MeCP2 protein(serum folate: r=-0.226, P=0.003; RBC folate: r=-0.164, P=0.004). Moreover, the results by GMDR model revealed there were interaction among serum folate deficiency, RBC folate deficiency, MeCP2 protein high expression and MeCP2 mRNA high expression in SCC and CIN2 + patients.

CONCLUSION

Folate deficiency and high expression of MeCP2 gene might increase the risk of cervical cancer and its precancerous lesions through interaction among serum folate deficiency, RBC folate deficiency, MeCP2 protein high expression and mRNA high expression in the progression of cervical cancerization.

[Mental health research for new nurse during the standardized training period]

Objective: To explore the mental health status for new nurse during the standardization training period and provide scientific basis for managers to formulate corresponding measures. Methods: Using eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) and symptom self-assessment scale (SCL-90) , understanding social support scale (PSSS) , trait coping style questionnaire (TCSQ) and other standardized psychological assessment tools and self designed general situation questionnaire, 141 nurses in our hospital before rotary department and 1 year later accepted the questionnaire survey while the control group accepted the same questionnaire. Results: Compared with before rotary department and the control group, the forced, anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity factor increased significantly in SCL-90 for rotary nurse and the differences were significant statistical significance (P<0.05) ; Pearson correlation analysis showed rotary nurse SCL-90 forcing factor scores and EPQ-E dimension scores, TCSQ negative coping scores were positively correlated (P<0.05; r₁=0.537; r₂=0.407; r₃=0.701) , and were negatively correlated with EPQ-E dimension scores, PSSS scores and TCSQ active responding score (P<0.05; r₁=-0.621; r₂=-0.671; r₃=-0.312) ; Anxiety was positively correlated with EPQ-N, PSSS scores and TCSQ negative responding score (P<0.05; r₁=0.607; r₂=0.409; r₃=0.764) , was negatively correlated with EPQ-E dimension scores, PSSS scores and TCSQ positive responding score (P<0.05; r₁=-0.569; r₂=-0.723; r₃= -0.418) ; Interpersonal sensitivity factor score was positively correlated with EPQ-N, P dimension scores and TCSQ negative coping scores (P<0.05; r₁=0.611; r₂=0.687; r₃=0.773) , was negatively correlated with EPQ-E dimension scores, PSSS scores and TCSQ active responding score (P<0.05; r₁=-0.506; r₂=-0.693; r₃=-0.307) . Conclusion: Rotary nurse mental health status was significantly lower than non-rotary nurse.Insufficient social support, negative coping style and instability personality characteristics are the main risk factors to affect the rotation nurses mental health.

Protective effects of naringin against gp120-induced injury mediated by P2X7 receptors in BV2 microglial cells

This study was aimed at exploring the effects of P2X7 receptors on gp120-induced injury and naringin's protective effects against gp120-induced injury in BV2 microglia. BV2 microglia injury model was established by gp120 treatment and MTS assay was used to verify whether naringin has a cell-protective effect against gp120-induced injury. Changes in P2X7 receptor expression were assayed using RT-PCR, qPCR, and western blot. Results showed that the ODs of the Ctrl, gp120, gp120+naringin, and gp120+BBG groups were 0.91 ± 0.10, 0.71 ± 0.09, 0.83 ± 0.10, and 0.83 ± 0.10, respectively. Compared to the control group, the gp120 group showed a significantly decreased cell survival rate. Cell survival rates of the gp120+naringin group increased significantly compared to those of the gp120 group, while no difference was observed when compared to the gp120+BBG group. The relative P2X7 mRNA expression levels in the Ctrl, gp120, gp120+naringin, and gp120+BBG groups were 0.73 ± 0.06, 1.05 ± 0.06, 0.78 ± 0.05, and 0.81 ± 0.04, respectively. The corresponding P2X7 protein expression levels were 0.46 ± 0.04, 0.79 ± 0.04, 0.38 ± 0.07, and 0.42 ± 0.06. P2X7 mRNA and protein expression in the gp120 group increased significantly compared to those in the control group, and declined in the gp120+naringin group compared to those in the gp120 group. Therefore, P2X7 receptors might be involved in gp120-induced injury in BV2 microglia, and naringin might play a protective role by inhibiting the up-regulated expression of P2X7 receptors.

Macrodeformation Twins in Single-Crystal Aluminum

Deformation twinning in pure aluminum has been considered to be a unique property of nanostructured aluminum. A lingering mystery is whether deformation twinning occurs in coarse-grained or single-crystal aluminum at scales beyond nanotwins. Here, we present the first experimental demonstration of macrodeformation twins in single-crystal aluminum formed under an ultrahigh strain rate (∼10^{6}  s^{-1}) and large shear strain (200%) via dynamic equal channel angular pressing. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the frustration of subsonic dislocation motion leads to transonic deformation twinning. Deformation twinning is rooted in the rate dependences of dislocation motion and twinning, which are coupled, complementary processes during severe plastic deformation under ultrahigh strain rates.

[Expression of MEK/ERK signal pathways in renal cell carcinoma with bone metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of MEK/ERK signaling pathways in renal cell carcinoma with bone metastasis, and to analyze the differences of expressions of VEGFR-2, MEK, ERK on the primary and metastasis tissue and its mechanism.

METHODS

The tissue samples were obtained from 7 renal cell carcinoma patients kindly provided by Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital from January 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010. The expression of MEK/ERK signaling pathways was detected in the 7 renal cell carcinoma patients` primary and matched metastatic tissues with ICH, The antibody concentrations were 1:200, 1:25, and 1:250, respectively. The mutation of the twentieth exon of the PDGFRA gene, the second exon of the K-ras gene, the fifteenth exon of the Braf gene and the second exon of the MEK1 gene were detected with PCR.

RESULTS

The expression intensities of VEGFR-2, MEK, and ERK were measured by H-score [intensity (1, 2, 3, or 4) multiplied by the distribution (%)]. VEGFR-2, MEK, and ERK expressions were divided into 3 groups according to the positive distribution of the tumor cells: 1, 0-5%; 2, 6%-50%; and 3, >50%, To assess intratumor heterogeneity, three distinct microscopic fields (×200) from each specimen were used to evaluate the expressions, Subsequently, the scores were averaged to obtain a single concatenated score for each tissue. VEGFR-2, MEK, and ERK expressions were assessed by 2 independent pathologists who were blinded to the clinicopathological data. The data were expressed as the mean value of the triplicate experiments. The expressions of MEK, and ERK were higher in the metastatic tissues than in the matched RCC tissues (6.10±4.10 vs. 1.33±0.51, P=0.015; 9.10±2.24 vs. 4.43± 2.84, P=0.021) while the expression of VEGFR-2 was not different between the primary and metastatic tissues (P=0.901). No mutation was detected on the twentieth exon of the PDGFRA gene, the second exon of the K-ras gene, the fifteenth exon of the Braf gene and the second exon of the MEK1 gene.

CONCLUSION

MEK/ERK signaling pathways may play an important role in the metastasis and the resistance of sunitinib in RCC patients with bone metastasis.

[Analysis of metabolic factors and relevance with the grade and stage in patients with renal cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between metabolic factors, such as obesity, blood pressure, blood glucose, serum lipid profile, and the histopathological characteristics of renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The medical records of 382 consecutive renal cell carcinoma patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2009 to January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Metabolic factors were collected from the records, including weight, body mass index, waist circumstance, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum total triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The patients were divided into different groups according to tumor grade, stage and diameter. Statistics analysis, such as t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic analysis, were performed to investigate the association between metabolic factors and grade, stage and tumor diameter of renal cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

A total of 80 (20.94%) of the tumors were classified as high grade disease, 63 (16.49%) were classified as advanced disease and 153 (40.05%) tumor diameter more than 4 cm. The patients in high grade group were found to have lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level than in low grade group (P=0.015), body mass index, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were found to be lower in advanced disease than in localized disease (P=0.022, P=0.005 and P=0.006, respectively), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was found to be lower in larger tumors (P=0.030). Other factors were comparable between the different groups. The results of Logistic analyses showed that, body mass index (OR=0.906, 95%CI: 0.852-0.986, P=0.023) and total cholesterol (OR=0.660, 95%CI: 0.492-0.884, P=0.005) were associated with the tumor stage, high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol level was significantly associated with tumor grade (OR=0.293, 95%CI: 0.108-0.797, P=0.016) and stage (OR=0.204, 95%CI: 0.065-0.635, P=0.006), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was significantly associated with tumor diameter (OR=0.756, 95%CI: 0.586-0.975, P=0.031).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate that metabolic factors, especially obesity and serum lipid profile, are closely related with the histopathological characteristics of renal cell carcinoma.

Compact high-power microwave divider and combiner

A novel, compact, TM01-TE10 mode power divider and a novel, compact, four-way TE10-TM01 mode power combiner were theoretically designed and experimentally tested as a proof of principle. The theoretical and experimental S parameters are consistent with each other. High-power experiments show that their power capacities are no less than 1.5 GW and 3 GW, respectively. The devices have the merits of high power capacities and low insertion losses.

GENOME-WIDE MAPPING OF COPY NUMBER VARIATIONS IN COMMERCIAL HYBRID PIGS USING A HIGH-DENSITY SNP GENOTYPING ARRAY

Copy number variations (CNVs) are important forms of structural variation in human and animals and can be considered as a major genetic component of phenotypic diversity. Here we used the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip V2 and a DLY [Duroc x (Large White x Landrace)] commercial hybrid population to identify 272 CNVs belonging to 165 CNV regions (CNVRs), of which 66 are new. As CNVRs are specific to origin of population, our DLY-specific data is an important complementary to the existing CNV map in the pig genome. Eight CNVRs were selected. for validation by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and the accurate rate was high (87.25%). Gene function analysis suggested that a common CNVR may play an important role in multiple traits, including growth rate and carcass quality.