Intensive training accelerates the recovery of motor functions following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in MCAO rats

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion is the major pathophysiological process in stroke and can cause severe and lasting sequel. However, an intensive exercise training can potentially effect a quick and efficient recovery. We used swimming training on rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) and explore the underlying neuroprotective mechanism(s), including the effects of intensive training on the expression of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and its receptor Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established by inserting a thread into the middle cerebral artery of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and randomly dividing into the control group and training groups for different training intensities. The control group and the sham group received no training. All the rats in various groups were further randomly divided into three sub-groups for different postoperative time points (3, 7, and 14 days after operation). The apoptosis and the expression of Sema3A and NRP-1 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC), RT-PCR, and Western blotting methods respectively.

RESULTS

The intensive training resulted in significant neurological function improvements at all the time points after MCAO, compared to that in the control group (p<0.05), with training group 3 (highest training intensity) showing the most remarkable recovery. The Sema3A and NP-1 expressions were significantly lower than those of the control group at all the time points (p<0.05), with training group 3 having the lowest levels (best recovery).

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive training can reduce cerebral damage after ischemia and reperfusion in rats, inhibit the MCAO-induced Sema3A and NRP-1 expression, and accelerate the restoring process of motor nerve functions.

Change in serum TSH levels within the reference range was associated with variation of future blood pressure: a 5-year follow-up study

Controversy exists on the relationship between serum thyrotropin (TSH) and blood pressure, and only a few prospective studies are available up to now. The study aimed to investigate the association between serum TSH within the reference range and blood pressure through a 5-year follow-up study. A total of 623 subjects with normal TSH were followed up for 5 years, including the measurement of demographic data, blood pressure, height, weight and serum TSH. Finally, 531 subjects were included in this prospective study. Body mass index (BMI), prevalence of hypertension, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were all higher at follow-up than at baseline. Adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, BMI and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at baseline, multiple linear regression analyses found no relationship between serum TSH at baseline and levels of blood pressure at follow-up, but the changes in serum TSH levels during follow-up was positively associated with the changes in systolic blood pressure (B=2.134, P<0.05), which became more significant in women but not significant in men. The change of systolic blood pressure in group of TSH increase >0.5 mIU l^-1 was significantly higher than in group of TSH decrease >0.5 mIU l^-1 within reference, after adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, BMI and HOMA-IR at baseline. This result became more significant in women, but no statistical significance was observed in men. Co-variation with serum TSH levels and blood pressure was observed during 5-year follow-up among people with normal TSH.

[Comparison of the clinical efficacy of different treatments based on radical surgery in stage Ⅰ b2 and Ⅱa2 cervical cancer: a prospective randomized control study]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical efficacy of different treatments based on radical surgery in stage Ⅰ b2 and Ⅱ a2 cervical cancer through prospective randomized controlled study.

METHODS

A total of 133 patients with stage Ⅰ b2 and Ⅱ a2 cervical cancer treated at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Capital Medical University during January 2009 to December 2012 were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive one of the following three treatments: preoperative intracavitary irradiation(PII)group, radical hysterectomy(RH)group, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)group. Operation method included uterine extensive resection, pelvic lymph node excision, with or without para-aortic lymph node resection. The recent curative effect and side effect of preoperative treatment were observed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical complications, postoperative pathological risk factors and postoperative adjuvant therapy and side effect, the survival situation were evaluated among the 3 groups.

RESULTS

(1)The response rates were 88%(37/42)and 82%(37/45)respectively of the PII group and NACT group. The difference was insignificant(P=0.528). Side effects were less in the PII group. Only 5 patients(12% , 5/42)had slight gastrointestinal reaction. Myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reaction in NACT group were 76%(34/45)and 67%(30/45)respectively, which were more serious than that in group PII group(P<0.05).(2)Intraoperative blood loss and operation time in PII group [(678± 239)ml and(181±39)minutes]and NACT group [(625±137)ml and(168±25)minutes]had a decreasing trend compared with that in RH group [(711 ± 319)ml and(202 ± 64)minutes], but the differences were no significant(P >0.05). NACT group could shorten operation time compared with the RH group(P <0.05). The lymph node metastases rate were 30%(14/46), 29%(12/42)and 29%(13/45)and the deep stromal invasion rate were 22%(10/46), 31%(13/42)and 31%(14/45)in RH group, PII group and NACT group respectively(all P>0.05). The lymph-vascular space involvement(LVSI)in NACT group was significantly lower than that in RH group [31%(14/45)vs 57%(26/46), P=0.015]. The number of patients with histological risk factors in NACT group was higher thanthat in RH group [27%(12/45)vs 9%(4/46), P= 0.024]. All surgery were successfully completed and no treatment-related deaths occurred in three groups. The incidence of 3-4 grade adverse reactions evaluated by the common terminology criteria for adverse event(CTCAE)was 13%(6/46), 14%(6/42), 18%(8/45)in RH group, PII group and NACT group respectively(P=0.855). Three-year disease free survival(PFS)were 74.0%, 78.5% and 80.0%, and 3-year overall survival(OS)were 80.4%, 83.3% and 84.4% in RH group, PII group and NACT group respectively(all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The recent curative effect of PII and NACT were similar. They couldn't improve 3-year of PFS and OS of the patients with Ⅰb2 and Ⅱa2 stage cervical cancer. But NACT can reduce the operation difficulty and can reduce the incidence of postoperative pathological risk factors, which could reduce postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Balanced Dual Emissions from Tridentate Phosphine-Coordinate Copper(I) Complexes toward Highly Efficient Yellow OLEDs

Dual emissive copper(I) halide complexes TTPPCuX (X = Cl, Br, I) with a triphosphine ligand and stable tetrahedral geometries are constructed, in which TTPPCuI successfully achieves the balanced dual thermally activated delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence (PH) emissions with PH fraction of 39% at ambient temperature, supporting the equal triplet exciton reallocation for the state-of-the-art device performance.

Influence of non-thermal TiCl4/Ar+O2 plasma-assisted TiOx based coatings on the surface of polypropylene (PP) films for the tailoring of surface properties and cytocompatibility

The superior bulk properties (corrosion resistance, high strength to weight ratio, relatively low cost and easy processing) of hydrocarbon based polymers such as polypropylene (PP) have contributed significantly to the development of new biomedical applications such as artificial organs and cell scaffolds. However, low cell affinity is one of the main draw backs for PP due to its poor surface properties. In tissue engineering, physico-chemical surface properties such as hydrophilicity, polar functional groups, surface charge and morphology play a crucial role to enrich the cell proliferation and adhesion. In this present investigation TiOx based biocompatible coatings were developed on the surface of PP films via DC excited glow discharge plasma, using TiCl4/Ar+O2 gas mixture as a precursor. Various TiOx-based coatings are deposited on the surface of PP films as a function of discharge power. The changes in hydrophilicity of the TiOx/PP film surfaces were studied using contact angle analysis and surface energy calculations by Fowke's approximation. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to investigate the surface chemical composition of TiOx/PP films. The surface morphology of the obtained TiOx/PP films was investigated by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy (SEM &TEM). Moreover, the surface topography of the material was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cytocompatibility of the TiOx/PP films was investigated via in vitro analysis (cell viability, adhesion and cytotoxicity) using NIH3T3 (mouse embryonic fibroblast) cells. Furthermore the antibacterial activities of TiOx/PP films were also evaluated against two distinct bacterial models namely Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and Gram negative Escherichia coli DH5α. (E.coli) bacteria. XPS results clearly indicate the successful incorporation of TiOx and oxygen containing polar functional groups on the surface of plasma treated PP films. Moreover the surface of modified PP films exhibited nano structured morphology, as confirmed by SEM, TEM and AFM. The physico-chemical changes have improved the hydrophilicity of the PP films. The in-vitro analysis clearly confirms that the TiOx coated PP films performs as good as the standard tissue culture plates and also are unlikely to impact the bacterial cell viability.

Expression of CD27, CD28 and IL-17A in peripheral blood from patients with colorectal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To compare the different expressions of CD27, CD28, IL-17A, IFN-γ and TNF-α in the peripheral blood sampled from patients with colorectal carcinoma and healthy volunteers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Vδ2 T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with the colorectal carcinoma (CRC, n = 30) and healthy controls (HC, n = 21). The proportion of CD27, CD28, IL-17A, IFN-γ and TNF-α of Vδ2 T cells was detected by the flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found that the proportion of IL-17A of Vδ2 T cells in PBMCs was higher in the CRC vs. the HC group (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between the expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α of Vδ2 T cells. In the CRC patients, the proportions of IL-17A of CD27- Vδ2 T cells and CD28+ Vδ2 T cells were higher than those of CD27+ Vδ2 T cells and CD28- Vδ2 T cells, whereas the expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α of CD27-Vδ2 T cells was lower than that of CD27+ Vδ2 T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Vδ2 T cells from PBMCs had higher expression of IL-17A in CRC patients than that in the HC group. The expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α of Vδ2 T cells from PBMCs was positively correlated. The cytokine profiles of peripheral Vδ2 T cells were likely determined by a CD27 and CD28 involving mechanism.

Step-down vs. step-up noxious stimulation: differential effects on pain perception and patterns of brain activation

BACKGROUND

We hypothesize that pain and brain responses are affected by changes in the presentation sequence of noxious stimuli that are, overall, identical in intensity and duration.

METHODS

During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, 21 participants experienced three patterns of noxious stimulation: Up-type (step-up noxious stimulation, 15 s), Down-type (step-down noxious stimulation, 15 s), and Down-up-type (decreasing and increasing pattern of noxious stimulation, 15 s). The total intensity and duration of the three noxious stimulation patterns were identical, but the stimulation sequences were different.

RESULTS

Pain and unpleasantness ratings in the Down- and Down-up-type noxious stimulations were lower than in the Up-type noxious stimulation. The left prefrontal cortex [(PFC, BA (Brodmann area) 10, (-45, 50, 1)] was more highly activated in the Down- and Down-up-type noxious stimulations than in the Up-type noxious stimulation. The S1, S2, insula, bilateral PFC (BA 46), and midcingulate cortex were more highly activated in the Up-type noxious stimulation than in the Down-type noxious stimulation. PFC BA 10 was located at an inferior level compared to the bilateral PFC BA 46 (Z axis = 1 for BA 10, compared to 22 and 25 for the right and left BA 46, respectively). When cortisol level was increased, the left hippocampal cortex, along with the left parahippocampal cortex, was greatly activated for the Up-type noxious stimulation.

CONCLUSION

When pain cannot be avoided in clinical practice, noxious stimuli should be applied to patients in a step-down pattern that delivers the most intense pain first and the least intense pain last.

Mitochondria-Targeted Near-Infrared Fluorescent Off-On Probe for Selective Detection of Cysteine in Living Cells and in Vivo

Cysteine (Cys) plays crucial roles in biological systems and in mitochondrial processes. Highly selective probes for specific detection of mitochondrial Cys over other biological thiols are rare. Herein, we designed and synthesized a mitochondria-targetable near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent off-on probe, NFL1, based on a fluorescein derivative for Cys detection. Probe NFL1 has a lipophilic cation unit as the mitochondria biomarker and an acrylate group as the Cys-recognition unit as well as a fluorescence quencher. The probe itself is nonfluorescent due to the photoinduced electron transfer process. Upon addition of Cys, marked enhancement in the NIR emission (735 nm) can be monitored due to cleavage of the acrylate moiety. This probe had great sensitivity and selectivity for the rapid detection of Cys over homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) with an ultralow detection limit of 14.5 nM. More importantly, the probe successfully targeted mitochondria, detected endogenous Cys, and assessed mitochondrial oxidative stress in living cells. Probe NFL1 was also capable of detecting and imaging Cys in living nude mice, indicating its significant potential in biological applications.

Research progress of oncogene and tumor suppressor gene in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is amongst the most common malignant tumor of the urinary tract system and has the worst outcomes. The factors related to the occurrence and progression of this urological cancer has received considerable research attention. The discovery of marker genes enhances the sensitivity and specificity of early diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. Furthermore, these genes can be used as targets for antitumor drugs. Biomarkers that prospectively evaluate disease aggressiveness, progression risk, probability of recurrence and overall prognosis could improve patient care. Integration of molecular markers with conventional pathologic staging of bladder cancers may refine clinical decision making for the selection of adjuvant and salvage therapy. In the past decade, numerous bladder cancer biomarkers have been identified, including various tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, growth factors, growth factor receptors, hormone receptors, proliferation and apoptosis markers, cell adhesion molecules, stromal factors, and oncoproteins. Several studies on the biological characters and mechanism of the related proteins have provided a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. In this review article, we summarized the status of the current studies in this field.

Effects of different cryoprotectants on the cryopreservation of cattle testicular tissue

Abstract. Cryopreservation of testicular tissue is a new option in fertility preservation for prepubertal male animals. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of different cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) at various concentrations on testes after the cryopreservation of calf testicular tissue. These experiments selected dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, propylene glycol (PrOH), and sucrose as CPAs in varying doses (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20 %; v/v) in 8-month-old calf testicular tissue that was frozen and preserved. Then, cell viability, testosterone production, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level were detected and analyzed following cryopreservation. The results showed that the optimal concentrations of DMSO, PrOH, glycerol, and sucrose were 10, 10, 7.5, and 10 %, respectively. Compared to the optimal concentrations of CPAs, cell viability and testosterone production decreased significantly at a lower and higher CPA concentration (P < 0.05). At the optimal concentrations of CPAs, the DMSO group showed higher cell viability and testosterone production than other CPA groups (P < 0.05). Compared to the optimal concentration of CPAs, the MDA level increased and the SOD level decreased at a lower or higher concentration of CPAs, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). Cell viability was significantly positively correlated with testosterone production (P < 0.05). In conclusion, DMSO provided the most effective protection for calf testicular tissue cryopreservation and the optimal concentration was 10 %.

Sequence-based typing identification of a novel HLA-A*33:95 variant in a Chinese family

One nucleotide replacement in codon 17 (CGC>CAC) of HLA-A*33:03:01 results in a novel allele, HLA-A*33:95.

Differentiation of transforming growth factor β1-induced mesenchymal stem cells into nucleus pulposus-like cells under simulated microgravity conditions

This study aims to observe the differentiation effects of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) into the nucleus pulposus-like cells under simulated microgravity conditions. BMMSCs were isolated from the adult rabbits, then cultured and proliferated to the third generation. After transfected by TGF-β1, these MMSCs were incubated in the calcium alginate gel microspheres and rotary cell culture system. The content changes of TGF-β1 inside BMMSCs, as well as the proliferation abilities of BMMSCs, were detected. The immunohistochemistry and toluidine blue staining were performed to detect the type II collagen. The RT-PCR method was performed to detect the expressions of proteoglycan and type II collagen mRNA. Results found that, on the 14th day, the polygonal nucleus pulposus-like cells could be observed. The TGF-β1 content inside the supernatant and the DNA content inside BMMSCs were significantly increased (P<0.05). The immunohistochemistry staining exhibited the positive results about the type II collagen. RT-PCR showed the expressions of proteoglycan and type II collagen mRNA inside BMMSCs. The TGF-β1-transfected BMSCs exhibited the increased synthesizing abilities of proteoglycan and type II collagen under simulated microgravity conditions than the control group.

Ultrasensitive near-infrared fluorescence-enhanced probe for in vivo nitroreductase imaging

Nitroreductase (NTR) can be overexpressed in hypoxic tumors, thus the selective and efficient detection of NTR is of great importance. To date, although a few optical methods have been reported for the detection of NTR in solution, an effective optical probe for NTR monitoring in vivo is still lacking. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent detection probe for NTR. In this study, five NIR cyanine dyes with fluorescence reporting structure decorated with different nitro aromatic groups, Cy7-1-5, have been designed and explored for possible rapid detection of NTR. Our experimental results presented that only a para-nitro benzoate group modified cyanine probe (Cy7-1) could serve as a rapid NIR fluorescence-enhanced probe for monitoring and bioimaging of NTR. The structure-function relationship has been revealed by theoretical study. The linker connecting the detecting and fluorescence reporting groups and the nitro group position is a key factor for the formation of hydrogen bonds and spatial structure match, inducing the NTR catalytic ability enhancement. The in vitro response and mechanism of the enzyme-catalyzed reduction of Cy7-1 have been investigated through kinetic optical studies and other methods. The results have indicated that an electro-withdrawing group induced electron-transfer process becomes blocked when Cy7-1 is catalytically reduced to Cy7-NH2 by NTR, which is manifested in enhanced fluorescence intensity during the detection process. Confocal fluorescence imaging of hypoxic A549 cells has confirmed the NTR detection ability of Cy7-1 at the cellular level. Importantly, Cy7-1 can detect tumor hypoxia in a murine hypoxic tumor model, showing a rapid and significant enhancement of its NIR fluorescence characteristics suitable for fluorescence bioimaging. This method may potentially be used for tumor hypoxia diagnosis.

Three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene associated with egg-production in chicken

Different single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) patterns of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) gene amplified by six pairs of primers were sequenced. Comparisons among the six nucleotide sequences of three genotypes revealed three base substitutions (G-789-A, C-937-G, and A-2316-C) in the HMGCR gene. The genotypes of single nucleotide polymorphism 1 (SNP1) and SNP3 were significantly associated with the number of eggs (P < 0.01), and the different genotypes of SNP2 did not significantly influence the number of eggs. The genotypes of all three SNPs were not related to the hatching rate of fertilized eggs (P > 0.05). Of the three SNPs of the HMGCR gene, those genotypes with lower plasma very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations had higher egg production. The 300-day egg production of the six studied haplotypes showed three levels (P < 0.01). The ADE and ACE haplotypes showed lower egg production than the other haplotypes. The ADE haplotype had the highest plasma VLDL concentration, and the ACE haplotype had the lowest plasma VLDL concentration. We concluded that specific variants of the HMGCR gene are associated with chicken egg production, and haplotypes with higher and lower plasma VLDL concentrations showed lower egg production than other haplotypes.

Hydrothermal decomposition of potassium feldspar under alkaline conditions

For the first time, a transitional compound [Ca²⁺ ≡ 2AlSi₃O₈⁻ ≡ xOH⁻] was observed for K-feldspar hydrothermal alkaline decomposition, and a model was presented.

Correlation between gamma index passing rate and clinical dosimetric difference for pre-treatment 2D and 3D volumetric modulated arc therapy dosimetric verification

OBJECTIVE

To investigate comparatively the percentage gamma passing rate (%GP) of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) pre-treatment volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) dosimetric verification and their correlation and sensitivity with percentage dosimetric errors (%DE).

METHODS

%GP of 2D and 3D pre-treatment VMAT quality assurance (QA) with different acceptance criteria was obtained by ArcCHECK® (Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL) for 20 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and 20 patients with oesophageal cancer. %DE were calculated from planned dose-volume histogram (DVH) and patients' predicted DVH calculated by 3DVH® software (Sun Nuclear Corporation). Correlation and sensitivity between %GP and %DE were investigated using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and receiver operating characteristics (ROCs).

RESULTS

Relatively higher %DE on some DVH-based metrics were observed for both patients with NPC and oesophageal cancer. Except for 2%/2 mm criterion, the average %GPs for all patients undergoing VMAT were acceptable with average rates of 97.11% ± 1.54% and 97.39% ± 1.37% for 2D and 3D 3%/3 mm criteria, respectively. The number of correlations for 3D was higher than that for 2D (21 vs 8). However, the general correlation was still poor for all the analysed metrics (9 out of 26 for 3D 3%/3 mm criterion). The average area under the curve (AUC) of ROCs was 0.66 ± 0.12 and 0.71 ± 0.21 for 2D and 3D evaluations, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of correlation between %GP and %DE for both 2D and 3D pre-treatment VMAT dosimetric evaluation. DVH-based dose metrics evaluation obtained from 3DVH will provide more useful analysis.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Correlation and sensitivity of %GP with %DE for VMAT QA were studied for the first time.

Assessment of the suitability of retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy as a treatment for complex proximal ureteral calculi

AIM

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the suitability of retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (RPLU) in the treatment of complex proximal ureteral calculi.

METHODS

Included were 24 patients who underwent RPLU for complex proximal ureteral stones from November 2008 to June 2010.

RESULTS

A retroperitoneal approach was performed in 23 patients with a mean operative time of 79.6 min (range of 65-130 min) and mean intraoperative blood loss of 20.1 mL (10-50 mL). No postoperative complications were encountered within during the follow-up period of 9.1 months (3-22 months). Only one patient who underwent RPLU within one week of failed ESWL was converted to open surgery due to severe adhesions around ureter and the injury of aberrant renal artery at the lower pole of left kidney encountered during the RPLU.

CONCLUSION

RPLU is safe and effective in the treatment of complex upper ureteral stones and can become a first-line surgical management of the disease.

Highly efficient multifluorenyl host materials with unsymmetrical molecular configurations and localized triplet States for green and red phosphorescent devices

Highly efficient green and red electro-phosphorescence is achieved in devices with the host material DPESPODEF3. The multiple fluorenyl moieties of the host material are arranged such that it has an unsymmetrical molecular configuration, and its triplet-state location is tuned such that it has independent energy (ET) and charge transfer (CT) channels. As a result, DPESPODEF3 can suppress triplet-triplet annihilation and triplet-polaron quenching. In the resulting green and red phosphorescent devices, impressive external quantum efficiencies of ca. 20% and 16% and power efficiencies of ca. 75 and 20 lm W(-1) , respectively, are observed.