Properties Investigation of GO/HA/Pt Composite Thin Film

Hydroxyapatite/graphene oxide/platinum (HA/GO/Pt) nanocomposite was synthesized and electrodeposited on a pure zirconium substrate. The coated zirconium was annealed at 200, 300, 400, and 600°C in vacuum furnace in presence of argon gas. The structure and morphology of the coated samples were characterized. Biocompatibility and wear and corrosion resistances of specimens were examined. The result of corrosion tests shows that the graphene into HA/Pt composites significantly improves their corrosion resistance. The wear tests results of uncoated and coated samples before and after annealing show that coated samples annealed at 300°C had better wear resistance compared with uncoated and coated samples at other temperatures. Furthermore, the biocompatibility test shows that the coatings improved the cell attachment and proliferation compared to the pure zirconium substrate.

Key factors determining variations in RNA interference efficacy mediated by different double-stranded RNA lengths in Tribolium castaneum

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) length may affect RNA interference (RNAi) efficacy. Herein, variation in RNAi efficacy associated with dsRNA molecular length was confirmed via comparison of knockdown results following dsRNA injection into Tribolium castaneum. Through in vitro experiments with T. castaneum midgut, dsRNA accumulation in the midgut, degradation by midgut homogenates and persistence in haemolymph after injection were tested to determine the causes of RNAi efficacy variation. The comparative efficacies of dsRNAs were 480 bp ≈ 240 bp > 120 bp > 60 bp >> 21 bp. The combined midgut dsRNA accumulation and midgut homogenate-induced degradation analyses suggested cellular uptake to be the key barrier for 21 bp dsRNA functioning, but was likely not the main determinant of the variation in longer dsRNAs' (≥60 bp) bioactivity. In vitro RNAi experiment with T. castaneum midgut showed that long dsRNAs all significantly depleted the expression of corresponding genes, suggesting little variation in intracellular RNAi machinery's affinity for different dsRNA lengths. In vivo haemolymph content dynamics of different dsRNAs following injection indicated higher persistence of longer dsRNAs. In addition, comparison of the in vivo and in vitro RNAi efficacy also indicated the importance of haemolymph degradation. Thus, the varied efficacy of long dsRNAs resulted from their degradation by nucleases, which varied with dsRNA length.

[Association between nutrition factors in the third trimeter and preeclampsia:a case-control study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between dietary intake during the third trimester and preeclampsia.

METHODS

A case-control study with 1∶1 matching was performed. A total of 131 patients with preeclampsia hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2016 to December 2016 were selected as the case group. According to age ±3 years and gestational age ±2 weeks, 131 pregnant women with normal blood pressure and no proteinuria in the hospital were randomly selected as the control group. The questionnaires of food frequency and gestational health risk factors in the past three months were conducted and the average daily intakes of various nutrients were calculated. Conditional Logistic regression was applied to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Multivariate conditional Logistic regression showed that pre-pregnancy body mass index(OR=1. 18, 95%CI 1. 08-2. 82) and gestational weight gain(OR=1. 51, 95%CI 1. 15-1. 97) were higher, while the intakes of red and/or yellow fruits(OR=0. 76, 95%CI 0. 60-0. 98), and dietary vitamin C(OR=0. 57, 95%CI 0. 33-0. 99) and folic acid(OR=0. 36, 95%CI 0. 18-0. 72) were lower in case group than that in control group(P<0. 05).

CONCLUSION

Higher pre-pregnancy body mass index and over gestational weight gain are the risk factors for pre-eclampsia. Appropriate increase of red and/or yellow fruit intake during pregnancy may be beneficial to prevent pre-eclampsia. Vitamin C and folic acid intake might be protective factors for pre-eclampsia. .

[An analysis of various diseases and hearing screening in NICU infants]

Objective:It is the first time to study the hearing screening results in NICU infants in Heilongjiang province,to analyze the various diseases and hearing loss distribution in NICU infants.Method:Three hundred and thirty four newborns(668 ears) in NICU received hearing screening with TEOAE and AABR test.We compared the results of different risk factors.Result:The failed ratio of different diseases in NICU are as follow: premature infants 61%,hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE) 35%,neonatal infectious pneumonia 30%,neonatal sepsis 30%,neonatal aspiration pneumonitis 36%,neonatal jaundice 29%.Conclusion:The positive ratio of preterm infants was 61%,which is higher than the other diseases in NICU infants of Heilongjiang province.Both TEOAE and AABR failure have a high incidence of abnormal hearing status.Neonatal jaundice,neonatal infectious pneumonia and premature infants diseases are the high risk factors of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder(ANSD) in NICU infants of Heilongjiang.

Senkyunolide A protects neural cells against corticosterone-induced apoptosis by modulating protein phosphatase 2A and α-synuclein signaling

Background

Depression is characterized by a pathological injury to the hippocampal neurons. Senkyunolide A (SenA) is one of the major active components of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san, which is widely used in the treatment of depression-related disorders.

Materials and methods

In the present study, it was hypothesized that the antidepressant effect of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san depended on the function of SenA and the authors attempted to reveal the molecular mechanism associated with the treatment. An in vitro depression model was induced using corticosterone (Cort), and the effect of SenA on the cell viability, apoptosis, and protein phosphatase 2A/α-synuclein (PP2A/α-syn) signaling was detected. To validate the mechanism driving the therapeutic effect of SenA, activity of PP2A and α-syn was modulated and the effect on neural cells was evaluated.

Results

The results showed that SenA protects Cort-induced cell apoptosis in PC12 cells. In addition, SenA increased Cort-induced reduction of PP2A activity, while it decreased the expression of p-PP2A, α-syn, and p-α-syn (Ser129). Further, modulation of PP2A activity with specific inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) increased Cort-induced cell apoptosis, while PP2A activator D-erythro-sphingosine (SPH) exhibited an opposite effect. The neuroprotective effects of SenA on neural cells also depended on inhibition of α-syn function, the regulation of which would influence the activity of PP2A in a negative loop.

Conclusion

Collectively, the results suggested that the neuroprotective effects of SenA were exerted by modulating activities of PP2A activities and α-syn. The findings partially explained the mechanism associated with the neuroprotective effect of SenA.

Theaflavin alleviates inflammatory response and brain injury induced by cerebral hemorrhage via inhibiting the nuclear transcription factor kappa β-related pathway in rats

OBJECTIVE

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most common acute cerebrovascular diseases with high mortality. Numerous studies have shown that inflammatory response played an important role in ICH-induced brain injury. Theaflavin (TF) extracted from black tea has various biological functions including anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated whether TF could inhibit ICH-induced inflammatory response in rats and explored its mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ICH rat models were induced with type VII collagenase and pretreated with TF by gavage in different doses (25 mg/kg-100 mg/kg). Twenty-four hours after ICH attack, we evaluated the rats' behavioral performance, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and the formation of cerebral edema. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines were examined by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nissl staining and transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) were aimed to detect the neuron loss and apoptosis, the mechanism of which was explored by Western blot.

RESULTS

It was found that in the pretreated ICH rats TF significantly alleviated the behavioral defects, protected BBB integrity, and decreased the formation of cerebral edema and the levels of ROS as well as inflammatory cytokines (including interleukin-1 beta [IL-1β], IL-18, tumor nectosis factor-alpha, interferon-γ, transforming growth factor beta, and (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 [CXCL1]). Nissl staining and TUNEL displayed TF could protect against the neuron loss and apoptosis via inhibiting the activation of nuclear transcription factor kappa-β-p65 (NF-κβ-p65), caspase-1, and IL-1β. We also found that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a nonspecific activator of NF-κβ-p65, weakened the positive effect of TF on ICH-induced neural defects and neuron apoptosis by upregulating NF-κβ-related signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

TF could alleviate ICH-induced inflammatory responses and brain injury in rats via inhibiting NF-κβ-related pathway, which may provide a new way for the therapy of ICH.

The regulatory effect of Xiaoyao San on glucocorticoid receptors under the condition of chronic stress

In modern society, fierce competitions cause yearly increase of depression and anxiety. Xiaoyao San is a traditional Chinese medicine which relieves depression and nourishes liver. The active ingredients contain saikoside A, saikoside C, saikoside D, ferulic acid, ligustilide, Atractylenolide I, Atractylenolide II, Atractylenolide Ⅲ, paeoniflorin, Albiflorin, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid and pachymic acid. In stress condition, glucocorticoid receptors participate in the hypothalamus-pituitarium-adrenal gland (HPA) axis to regulate the balance of organism. In response to stress, the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitarium-adrenal gland) is activated and the levels of glucocorticoid (GC) and catecholamine (CA) are increased to enhance neuroendocrine reactions. Chronic stress activates HPA axis and sustaining increase of GC, reduces the expression amount of GR and inhibits the mechanism of negative feedback on HPA. The lower negative feedback on HPA could lead to ketonemia. Several active ingredients of Xiaoyao San can raise the expression of GR and recover the negative feedback of HPA axis to relieve depression and illness state. In spite of the poor understanding of the current effective components in Xiaoyao San, this will be the focus of our further research. The study of Xiaoyao San could help us better understand its anti-depression mechanism and cure the patients.

Identification of a 62-kDa major allergen from Artemisia pollen as a putative galactose oxidase

BACKGROUND

Around 20 years ago, a 60- to 70-kDa protein was reported as a major allergen of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen. This study was to identify and characterize its molecular properties.

METHODS

Sera from 113 Chinese and 20 Dutch Artemisia-allergic/sensitized subjects (and pools thereof) were used to identify the 60- to 70-kDa allergen. Pollen extracts of seven Artemisia species were compared by immunoblotting. Transcriptomics and proteomics (mass spectrometry) of A. annua pollen were used to identify the putative 60- to 70-kDa Artemisia allergen. Both the natural purified and recombinant allergens were evaluated for IgE reactivity by ImmunoCAP. Fourteen Chinese Artemisia-allergic patients were tested intradermally with purified natural allergen.

RESULTS

Immunoblots revealed two major bands at 12 and 25 kDa, and a weak band at 70 kDa for all seven Artemisia species. Using a combined transcriptomic and proteomic approach, the high molecular mass allergen in A. annua pollen was shown to be a 62-kDa putative galactose oxidase, with a putative N-glycosylation site. More than 94% of Artemisia pollen-allergic patients had IgE response to this allergen. Although recognition of a nonglycosylated recombinant version was only confirmed in a minority (16%) and at much lower IgE levels, this discrepancy cannot be explained simply by reactivity to the carbohydrate moiety on the natural allergen. Intradermal testing with the natural allergen was positive in five of nine sensitized patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The previously reported 60- to 70-kDa allergen of Artemisia pollen is most likely a 62-kDa putative galactose oxidase here designated Art an 7.

Abdominal pain as a result of intermittent hydronephrosis

OBJECTIVE

We report a minority of cases presented with abdominal pain due to intermittent hydronephrosis, to improve the recognition of this condition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 1152 children complained of abdominal pain in our center from January 2010 to December 2015. Also, we analyzed the clinical presentation, treatment experience, examination results, and image features in detail.

RESULTS

14 patients received a diagnosis of intermittent hydronephrosis including 11 boys and 3 girls. 9 patients were affected on the left kidney and other 5 on the right side. All children presented recurrent abdominal pain, and the ultrasound images varied during different stages. All patients had been misdiagnosed and delayed treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal pain caused by intermittent hydronephrosis is easily misdiagnosed; all preschool children with a history of recurrent abdominal pain should be suspected of this condition.

Association between polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor genes and asthma: A meta-analysis

Recent studies have evaluated the associations between polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor genes and asthma. However, the conclusions of these studies are conflicting. The objective of this meta-analysis was to clarify the association between all known polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor genetic loci and susceptibility to asthma, based on existing reports. We conducted a meta-analysis of the association between glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms (NR3C1) and asthma risk. A systematical literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Cochrane Library until January 15, 2018. The odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and P value were calculated using Mantel-Haenszel statistics under the allele, homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, or recessive models. P values of less than 0.05 were considered to represent statistically significant associations between glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms and asthma. All statistical analyses were done using the "meta” package (version 4.9–0) of R version 3.4.3 and RStudio version 1.0.44. A total of fourteen studies, reported via ten articles from online databases were included in our meta-analysis. For BclI (from eight studies), a significant association was detected in the allele model, homozygote model, and recessive model (C versus G: OR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.40–0.97), CC versus GG: OR (95% CI) = 0.41(0.17–0.97), CC versus GC + GG: OR (95% CI) = 0.54(0.34–0.88)), but not in the heterozygote model or the dominant model. For ER22/23EK (from four studies), TthIII1 (from two studies), no significant association was found for any genetic model. After subgroup analyses by age, significant associations were observed for the allele model, homozygote model, dominant model and recessive model for BclI in adults. The ER22/23EK and TthIII1 polymorphisms were not found to be associated with susceptibility to ASTHMA; however, the BclI polymorphisms were significantly associated with ASTHMA in adults.

Association between polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor genes and asthma: A meta-analysis

Recent studies have evaluated the associations between polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor genes and asthma. However, the conclusions of these studies are conflicting. The objective of this meta-analysis was to clarify the association between all known polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor genetic loci and susceptibility to asthma, based on existing reports. We conducted a meta-analysis of the association between glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms (NR3C1) and asthma risk. A systematical literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Cochrane Library until January 15, 2018. The odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and P value were calculated using Mantel-Haenszel statistics under the allele, homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, or recessive models. P values of less than 0.05 were considered to represent statistically significant associations between glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms and asthma. All statistical analyses were done using the "meta" package (version 4.9-0) of R version 3.4.3 and RStudio version 1.0.44. A total of fourteen studies, reported via ten articles from online databases were included in our meta-analysis. For BclI (from eight studies), a significant association was detected in the allele model, homozygote model, and recessive model (C versus G: OR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.40-0.97), CC versus GG: OR (95% CI) = 0.41(0.17-0.97), CC versus GC + GG: OR (95% CI) = 0.54(0.34-0.88)), but not in the heterozygote model or the dominant model. For ER22/23EK (from four studies), TthIII1 (from two studies), no significant association was found for any genetic model. After subgroup analyses by age, significant associations were observed for the allele model, homozygote model, dominant model and recessive model for BclI in adults. The ER22/23EK and TthIII1 polymorphisms were not found to be associated with susceptibility to ASTHMA; however, the BclI polymorphisms were significantly associated with ASTHMA in adults.

Astraglaus polysaccharide protects diabetic cardiomyopathy by activating NRG1/ErbB pathway

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the main cardiac complications among diabetic patients. According to previous studies, the pathogenesis of DCM is associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis and proliferation of local cardiac cells. It showed, NRG1 can improve the function of mitochondria, and thereby, increasing proliferation and decreasing apoptosis of cardiac muscle cell via ErbB/AKT signaling, also, exert antioxidative function. Besides, NRG1/ErbB pathway was impaired in the DCM model which suggested this signaling played key role in DCM. Astraglaus polysaccharide (APS), one of the active components of Astragalus mongholicus, showed striking antioxidative effect. Here, in this study, our data showed that APS can promote proliferation and decrease apoptosis in AGE-induced DCM cell model, besides, APS can decrease intracellular ROS level, increase activity of SOD, GSH-Px and lower level of MDA and NO in DCM cell model, indicating APS exerted antioxidative function in DCM model cells. Besides, western blot results revealed APS induced NRG1 expressing and the phosphorylation level of ErbB2/4. In addition, the elevated NRG1 promoted AKT and PI3k phosphorylation which indicated APS may exert its function by NRG1/ErbB and the downstream AKT/PI3K signaling. Canertinib is ErbB inhibitor. The effect of APS on proliferation, apoptosis, antioxidation and NRG1/ErbB pathway was partly abolished after the cells were co-treated with APS and canertinib. Taken together, these results suggested APS may display its protective function in DCM cells by activating NGR1/ErbB signaling pathway. And our study increased potential for prevention and therapy to DCM.

Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablet reverses memory deficit and reduces plaque load in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. Amyloid-β (Aβ)-induced neurodegeneration is hypothesized to be the primary pathological mechanism of AD. Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets (TXET), based on the traditional Chinese formula Qionggui Tang, have been used to treat AD and other types of dementia in China for decades. In the present study, the effects of TXET on cognition deficit, amyloid-β production, amyloid precursor protein procession and β-secretase expression were investigated in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD. As expected, APPswe/PS1dE9 mice exhibited cognitive decline and higher levels of Aβ and plaques in the brain compared with normal mice; however, these changes were attenuated following TXET treatment. Levels of C-terminal fragment (CTF)-β protein were decreased following treatment with TXET; however, CTF-α levels were unaffected. Furthermore, TXET treatment did not decrease γ-secretase activity or levels of presenilin-1 (PS1), neprilysin or insulin-degrading enzyme. These results indicate that TXET may regulate Aβ metabolism by downregulating the expression of β-secretase. The results of the present study have laid the foundation for the development of a Chinese medicinal compound with a β-secretase inhibitor as the target for the treatment of AD.

Abstract P6-08-15: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the symposium.

Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Suggests Limited Drug-Drug Interaction Between Clopidogrel and Dasabuvir

Dasabuvir, a nonnucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitor, is a sensitive substrate of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 with a potential for drug-drug interaction (DDI) with clopidogrel. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed for dasabuvir to evaluate the DDI potential with clopidogrel, the acyl-β-D glucuronide metabolite of which has been reported as a strong mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP2C8 based on an interaction with repaglinide. In addition, the PBPK model for clopidogrel and its metabolite were updated with additional in vitro data. Sensitivity analyses using these PBPK models suggested that CYP2C8 inhibition by clopidogrel acyl-β-D glucuronide may not be as potent as previously suggested. The dasabuvir and updated clopidogrel PBPK models predict a moderate increase of 1.5-1.9-fold for Cmax and 1.9-2.8-fold for AUC of dasabuvir when coadministered with clopidogrel. While the PBPK results suggest there is a potential for DDI between dasabuvir and clopidogrel, the magnitude is not expected to be clinically relevant.