Oxymatrine relieves high-fructose/fat-induced obesity via reprogramming the activity of lipid metabolism-related enhancer

Introduction

Emerging evidence demonstrates that the high-fructose and high-fat diet (HFHF) induced obesity and fatty liver disease has become one of the most common metabolic disorders worldwide. Therefore, innovative investigations on compounds targeting obesity and fatty liver diseases are urgently needed.

Methods

The high-throughput natural compounds screen was performed to screen the important compounds. A rat HFHF model was constructed, the regulatory function of Oxymatrine in HFHF-induced obesity was further explored.

Results

We identified Oxymatrine, a natural compound extracted from Sophora flavescens, showed a potential compacity in high-fat diet-induced fatty liver disease. We found that oxymatrine significantly inhibited HFHF-induced obesity using a rat HFHF model. Additionally, we found that oxymatrine altered the enhancer landscape of subcutaneous adipose tissues by ChIP-seq analysis using antibodies against the H3K27ac histone modification. Motif enrichment analysis showed the Smad motif was significantly enriched in enhancers altered post-oxymatrine treatment. Further chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) analysis and luciferase reporter assays showed oxymatrine alters the binding of Smad3 on the enhancer regions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and the enhancer activity of Bcl2.

Discussion

Together, our study highlighted oxymatrine could suppress high-fructose and high-fat diet-induced obesity by inhibiting the suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3) binding on obesity-related enhancers.

Retinal Microvascular Diameters are Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective

To investigate the association between retinal microvascular diameters and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A total of 690 patients with T2DM were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into DKD and non-DKD groups according to urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Retinal microvascular diameters were measured by the automated retinal image analysis system. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationships between the retinal microvascular diameters and DKD in patients with T2DM.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression showed that widened diameters of retinal venules and narrowed diameters of retinal arterioles were associated with DKD after adjusting for potential confounding variables. There was a significant linear trend between the diameters of superior temporal retinal venula (P for trend < 0.001, P for non-linearity = 0.080), inferior temporal retinal venula (P for trend < 0.001, P for non-linearity = 0.111) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) (P for trend < 0.001, P for non-linearity = 0.392) and risk of DKD in patients with T2DM. The restricted cubic splines showed that narrowed retinal arteriolar diameters, superior and inferior nasal retinal venulas were associated with the risk of DKD in a non-linear fashion (all P for non-linearity < 0.001).

Conclusion

Wider retinal venular diameters and narrower retinal arteriolar diameters were associated with an increased risk of DKD in patients with T2DM. Widened retinal venular diameters, especially CRVE, superior and inferior temporal retinal venula, were positively associated with an increased risk of DKD in a linear fashion. In contrast, narrowed retinal arteriolar diameters were associated with the risk of DKD in a non-linear fashion.

Relationship between geriatric nutritional risk index and osteoporosis in type 2 diabetes in Northern China

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a very common bone disease in the elderly population and can lead to fractures and disability. Malnutrition can lead to osteoporosis. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a tool used to assess the risk of malnutrition and complications associated with nutritional status in older patients and is a crucial predictor of many diseases. Hence, this study investigated the association between the GNRI and the presence of osteoporosis and assessed the value of this index for predicting osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 610 elderly patients with T2DM. General and laboratory data of the patients were collected, along with their measurements of bone mineral density (BMD). The GNRI was calculated based on ideal body weight and serum albumin (ABL) levels. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the GNRI and BMD and bone metabolism indices. The GNRI predictive value for osteoporosis development was analyzed through logistic regression analysis and by creating a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calculating the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

All patients were divided into the no-nutritional risk and nutritional risk groups. Compared with the no-nutritional risk group, the nutritional risk group had a longer diabetes course, older age, higher HbA1c levels, higher prevalence of osteoporosis; lower BMI, ABL,triglyceride (TG),Calcium (Ca),25-hydroxy-vitamin-D(25(OH)D),and parathyroid hormone(PTH) and lower femoral neck BMD,total hip BMD (P < 0.05). All patients were also assigned to the non-osteoporosis and osteoporosis groups. The non-osteoporosis group had higher GNRI values than the osteoporosis group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between the GNRI and lumbar BMD, femoral neck BMD, and total hip BMD (P < 0.05). After the adjustment for confounding factors, Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the GNRI was positively correlated with Ca, 25(OH)D, and PTH and negatively correlated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and procollagen of type-1 N-propeptide (P1NP). Regression analysis exhibited that the GNRI was significantly associated with osteoporosis. The ROC curve analysis was performed using the GNRI as the test variable and the presence of osteoporosis as the status variable. This analysis yielded an AUC for the GNRI of 0.695 and was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A lower GNRI among T2DM patients in northern China is associated with a higher prevalence of osteoporosis.

[Consensus of experts on the oral health management and medical risk prevention for the patients with chronic airway diseases (2022 edition)]

Today, there is greater awareness on the association between oral diseases and respiration diseases after the outbreak of COVID-19. However, confusion regarding the oral health management and medical risk prevention for patients with chronic airway diseases has been remained among dental clinicians. Therefore, the dental experts of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association, combined with the experts of respiratory and critical care medicine, undertook the formation of consensus on the oral health management of patients with chronic airway diseases in order to help dental clinicians to evaluate medical risks and make better treatment decision in clinical practice. In the present consensus report, the relationship of oral diseases and chronic airway diseases, the oral health management and the treatment recommendations of patients with chronic airway diseases are provided.

[Consensus of experts on the medical risk prevention for the patients with cardiovascular diseases during dental treatment (2022 edition)]

With the aging process of population in the society, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in China is increasing continuously and the number of dental patients with CVD is increasing gradually too. Due to the lack of guidelines for dental patients with CVD in our country, how to implement standardized preoperative evaluation and perioperative risk prevention remains a problem to be solved for dentists at present. The present expert consensus was reached by combining the clinical experiences of the expert group of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association and respiratory and cardiology experts in diagnosis and treatment for CVD patients, and by systematically summarizing the relevant international guidelines and literature regarding the relationship between CVD and oral diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of dental patients with heart failure, hypertension and antithrombotic therapy. The consensus aims to provide, for the dental clinicians, the criteria on diagnosis and treatment of CVD in dental patients in China so as to reduce the risk and complications, and finally to improve the treatment levels of dental patients with CVD in China.

Quantitative proteomics analysis based on tandem mass tag labeling coupled with labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry discovers the effect of silibinin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

In recent years, the beneficial effects of silibinin (SIL) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have attracted widespread attention. We tried to study the intervention effect of SIL on NAFLD, and explore the potential mechanisms and targets of SIL on NAFLD improvement. Thirty-three male C57BL6/J mice were divided into three groups, and, respectively, fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD) or a HFD given SIL treatment (HFD+SIL). Biochemical indexes and histopathological changes of mice in each group were detected. In addition, quantitative proteomics analysis based on tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and bioinformatics analysis was performed on protein changes in the livers. SIL could reduce the weight of mice, reduce liver lipid deposition, and improve glucose metabolism. Through comparison among the three experimental groups, a total of 30 overlapping proteins were found. These identified proteins were closely linked to liver lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Moreover, some drug targets were found, namely perilipin-2, phosphatidate phosphatase LPIN1, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, and glutathione S-transferase A1. In conclusions, high-fat diet increases the expressions of proteins implicated in lipid synthesis and transport in the liver, which can result in disorders of liver lipid metabolism. SIL can decrease liver lipid deposition and increase insulin sensitivity by regulating the expressions of these proteins. It not only improves the disorder of lipid metabolism in vivo, but also improves the disorder of glucose metabolism.

Effect of computer-assisted design and manufacturing cutting and drilling guides accompanied with pre-bent titanium plates on the correction of skeletal class II malocclusion: a randomized controlled trial

This study was performed to assess the effect of correcting skeletal class II malocclusion based on the application of computer-assisted design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) cutting and drilling guides accompanied with pre-bent titanium plates. Fifty patients with skeletal class II malocclusion were recruited into this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial and assigned to two groups. Patients underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy directed by CAD/CAM cutting and drilling guides accompanied with pre-bent titanium plates (group A) or CAD/CAM splints (group B). Postoperative assessments were performed. Differences between the virtually simulated and postoperative models were measured. Patients in both groups had a satisfactory occlusion and appearance. More accurate repositioning of the proximal segment was found in group A than in group B when comparing linear and angular differences to reference planes; however, no significant difference was revealed for the distal segment. In conclusion, CAD/CAM cutting and drilling guides with pre-bent titanium plates can provide considerable surgical accuracy for the positional control of the proximal segments in bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for the correction of skeletal class II deformities.

Alteration of the fatty acid composition of Brassica napus L. via overexpression of phospholipid: Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 from Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb

Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine and is one of major woody oil tree in China. Phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (PDAT1), as an important catalytic enzyme for the formation of triacylglycerol (TAG), is mainly responsible for the transfer of an acyl group from the sn-2 position of phospholipids to the sn-3 position of sn-1, 2-diacylglycerol (DAG) to produce TAG and sn-1 lysophospholipids. The importance of PDAT1 in triacylglycerol biosynthesis has been illustrated in previous research, and at least 67 PDAT1 sequences have been identified from 31 organisms. However, little is known about the gene encoding PDAT1 in S. sebiferum (SsPDAT1), which is involved in seed oil biosynthesis. To explore the functional characteristics of SsPDAT1, we cloned and analyzed the full-length cDNA in the coding region of SsPDAT1, which consists of 2040 bp and encodes a putative protein of 680 amino acid (aa) residues. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis showed that recombinant SsPDAT1 could restore TAG accumulation in TAG-deficient mutant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) H1246, which revealed the enzyme activity of SsPDAT1. Moreover, transgenic Brassica napus L. W10 plants overexpressing SsPDAT1 showed significant increases of 19.6-28.9 % in linoleic acid levels but decreases of 27.3-37.1 % in linolenic acid. Furthermore, the total oil content increased by 8.1 %-10.8 % in SsPDAT1 transgenic seeds. These results confirmed the role of SsPDAT1 in stabilizing oil biosynthesis and suggested that SsPDAT1 could be exploitable to specifically regulate the oil composition of plants. These experimental results provide a new concept that may enable the industrial development of plants with high-linoleic-acid oil through overexpression of SsPDAT1 in S. sebiferum L.

0214 The Relationship Between Work Stress and Sleep Quality in Shift Working Nurses: The Intermediate Effect of Circadian Rhythm Amplitude and Stability

Introduction

Research suggests that work stress may be an important factor in poor sleep in shift working nurses. However, evidence is limited about the underlying mechanism. Circadian rhythm might be effective. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between work stress and sleep quality in shift working nurses and the mediation effect of circadian rhythm amplitude and stability respectively.

Methods

A total of 529 nurses working in shifts from seven hospitals were selected by convenient sampling in Shanghai, China. Participants were assessed with the Circadian Type Inventory (CTI), Chinese Nursing Stressor Scale (CNSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Amos24.0 software was applied to construct structural equation models with circadian rhythm amplitude (LV) and circadian rhythm stability (FR) as intermediate variables respectively.

Results

About 73.3% (388/529) of the nurses’ PSQI scores were above 5, indicating poor sleep quality. The correlations between work stress, circadian rhythm amplitude, circadian rhythm amplitude and sleep quality were all significant (all P&lt;0.01).Sleep quality total score was positively correlated with work stress(γ=0.348) and circadian rhythm amplitude (γ=0.330). Work stress was positively correlated with circadian rhythm amplitude (γ=0.297,P&lt;0.01). Sleep quality total score was negatively correlated circadian rhythm amplitude (γ=-0.204,P&lt;0.01);Work stress was negatively correlated with circadian rhythm amplitude (γ= -0.284,P&lt;0.01).Work stress showed significant indirect effects on sleep quality through the mediating effect of circadian rhythm amplitude (β=0.188,P&lt;0.01) and circadian rhythm amplitude (β= 0.082,P&lt;0.05).

Conclusion

It suggests that nurses working in shifts have poor sleep quality. Work stress and the amplitude and stability of circadian rhythm could affect sleep quality, and circadian rhythm amplitude and stability could mediate the relationship between work stress and sleep quality.

Support

The work was supported by Xinglin Young Talent Program of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(to Caiqin Wu) and The 12th Innovative activities of college students of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine(2019SHUTCM094).

Magneto-Capillary Particle Dynamics at Curved Interfaces: Time-Varying Fields and Drop Mixing

Spatially uniform magnetic fields induce nonzero forces on magnetic particles adsorbed at curved liquid interfaces thereby driving their motion. Such motions, prohibited in bulk fluids, arise due to interfacial constraints that couple magnetic torques to capillary forces at curved interfaces. Here, we show that time-varying (spatially uniform) magnetic fields can be used to drive a variety of steady particle motions on water drops in decane. Upon application of a precessing field, magnetic Janus particles with amphiphilic surface chemistry move either along circular orbits at the drop poles or along zigzag paths at the drop equator. The different magneto-capillary motions depend on the frequency and precession angle of the field as well as the initial position of the particle on the drop surface. Our experimental observations are reproduced and explained by a mathematical model that accounts for the relevant magnetic, capillary, and hydrodynamic forces and torques that contribute to particle motion. In addition to ferromagnetic Janus particles, we show that similar dynamics can be achieved using superparamagnetic carbonyl iron particles, which are manufactured on industrial scales and respond to even weaker magnetic fields. We demonstrate how the field-driven motion of such particles at the drop interface can induce fluid flows that effectively mix the drop interior. These results suggest that magneto-capillary particle motions could be used to enhance mass transfer within emulsions stabilized by magnetic particles.

Research advances of WRINKLED1 (WRI1) in plants

WRINKLED 1 (WRI1), a member of the AP2/EREBP class of transcription factors, regulates carbon allocation between the glycolytic and fatty acid biosynthetic pathways and plays important roles in other biological events. Previous studies have suggested that post-translational modifications and interacting partners modulate the activity of WRI1. We systematically summarised the structure of WRI1 as well as its molecular interactions during transcription and translation in plants. This work elucidates the genetic evolution and regulatory functions of WRI1 at the molecular level and describes a new pathway involving WRI1 that can be used to produce triacylglycerols (TAGs) in plants.

Magneto-capillary dynamics of amphiphilic Janus particles at curved liquid interfaces

A homogeneous magnetic field can exert no net force on a colloidal particle. However, by coupling the particle's orientation to its position on a curved interface, even static homogeneous fields can be used to drive rapid particle motions. Here, we demonstrate this effect using magnetic Janus particles with amphiphilic surface chemistry adsorbed at the spherical interface of a water drop in decane. Application of a static homogeneous field drives particle motion to the drop equator where the particle's magnetic moment can align parallel to the field. As explained quantitatively by a simple model, the effective magnetic force on the particle scales linearly with the curvature of the interface. For particles adsorbed on small droplets such as those found in emulsions, these magneto-capillary forces can far exceed those due to magnetic field gradients in both magnitude and range. This mechanism may be useful in creating highly responsive emulsions and foams stabilized by magnetic particles.

Fundamental supply of skin blood flow in the Chinese Han population: Measurements by a full-field laser perfusion imager

BACKGROUND

Skin blood flow is believed to link with many diseases, and shows a significant heterogeneity. There are several papers on basal cutaneous microcirculation perfusion in different races, while the data in Chinese is vacant.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to establish the database of absolute fundamental supply of skin blood flow in the Chinese Han population.

METHODS

With a full-field laser perfusion imager (FLPI), the skin blood flow can be quantified. Cutaneous perfusion values were determined in 17 selected skin areas in 406 healthy participants aged between 20 and 80 years (mean 35.05 ± 11.33). Essential parameters such as weight, height were also measured and values of BMI were calculated. The perfusion values were reported in Arbitrary Perfusion Units (APU).

RESULTS

The highest cutaneous perfusion value fell on eyelid (931.20 ± 242.59 in male and 967.83 ± 225.49 in female), and pretibial had the lowest value (89.09 ± 30.28 in male and 85.08 ± 33.59 in female). The values were higher in men than women on the bank of fingertips, nose, forehead, cheek, neck and earlobe (P < .05). Perfusion values on stretch and flexion side of forearm had negative correlation with age (P = .01 and P = 4.88 × 10^-3 , respectively) in male. Abdomen was negatively correlated with BMI in both gender (P = .02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Skin blood flow values vary with skin regions. There is a tendency to measure higher perfusion values in men than in women. And the values are irrelevant with age or BMI.

Directed Motion of Metallodielectric Particles by Contact Charge Electrophoresis

We investigate the dynamics of metallodielectric Janus particles moving via contact charge electrophoresis (CCEP) between two parallel electrodes. CCEP uses a constant voltage to repeatedly charge and actuate conductive particles within a dielectric fluid, resulting in rapid oscillatory motion between the electrodes. In addition to particle oscillations, we find that micrometer-scale Janus particles move perpendicular to the field at high speeds (up to 600 μm/s) and over large distances. We characterize particle motions and propose a mechanism based on the rotation-induced translation of the particle following charge transfer at the electrode surface. The propulsion mechanism is supported both by experiments with fluorescent particles that reveal their rotational motions and by simulations of CCEP dynamics that capture the relevant electrostatics and hydrodynamics. We also show that interactions among multiple particles can lead to repulsion, attraction, and/or cooperative motions depending on the position and phase of the respective particle oscillators. Our results demonstrate how particle asymmetries can be used to direct the motions of active colloids powered by CCEP.

Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: types of degradation, causes, and implications for management

Indicator-based approaches are often used to monitor land degradation and desertification from the global to the very local scale. However, there is still little agreement on which indicators may best reflect both status and trends of these phenomena. In this study, various processes of land degradation and desertification have been analyzed in 17 study sites around the world using a wide set of biophysical and socioeconomic indicators. The database described earlier in this issue by Kosmas and others (Environ Manage, 2013) for defining desertification risk was further analyzed to define the most important indicators related to the following degradation processes: water erosion in various land uses, tillage erosion, soil salinization, water stress, forest fires, and overgrazing. A correlation analysis was applied to the selected indicators in order to identify the most important variables contributing to each land degradation process. The analysis indicates that the most important indicators are: (i) rain seasonality affecting water erosion, water stress, and forest fires, (ii) slope gradient affecting water erosion, tillage erosion and water stress, and (iii) water scarcity soil salinization, water stress, and forest fires. Implementation of existing regulations or policies concerned with resources development and environmental sustainability was identified as the most important indicator of land protection.

Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: methodological approach

An approach to derive relationships for defining land degradation and desertification risk and developing appropriate tools for assessing the effectiveness of the various land management practices using indicators is presented in the present paper. In order to investigate which indicators are most effective in assessing the level of desertification risk, a total of 70 candidate indicators was selected providing information for the biophysical environment, socio-economic conditions, and land management characteristics. The indicators were defined in 1,672 field sites located in 17 study areas in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Based on an existing geo-referenced database, classes were designated for each indicator and a sensitivity score to desertification was assigned to each class based on existing research. The obtained data were analyzed for the various processes of land degradation at farm level. The derived methodology was assessed using independent indicators, such as the measured soil erosion rate, and the organic matter content of the soil. Based on regression analyses, the collected indicator set can be reduced to a number of effective indicators ranging from 8 to 17 in the various processes of land degradation. Among the most important indicators identified as affecting land degradation and desertification risk were rain seasonality, slope gradient, plant cover, rate of land abandonment, land-use intensity, and the level of policy implementation.

The fixed herbal drug composition "Saikokaryukotsuboreito" prevents bone loss with an association of serum IL-6 reductions in ovariectomized mice model

PURPOSE

Saikokaryukotsuboreito (SRB) is a traditional Japanese herbal medicine that has been used to treat hyperlipidemia. As some studies have shown that lipid-lowering drugs reduce osteoporosis, we investigated the effect of SRB on bone metabolism in the postmenopausal period using an ovariectomized (OVX) murine model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifteen aged 9 weeks female mice were divided into three groups (n=5 each). The OVX group and SRB group underwent bilateral ovariectomy, after which the OVX group was fed a normal diet and the SRB group fed a normal diet containing 2% SRB. The sham group underwent sham surgery and was then fed a normal diet. Eight weeks after surgery, all mice were sacrificed, and bone volume, bone histomorphometric parameters, and bone-associated phenotype were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the OVX group, the SRB group showed suppression of bone volume loss at the tibia (SRB group: 12.7+/-0.7%, OVX group: 9.8+/-0.4%; p=0.005, ANOVA) and lumbar spine (SRB group: 15.1+/-0.9%, OVX group: 11.3+/-0.1%; p=0.031, ANOVA). A significant decrease in eroded surface was also observed in SRB-treated ovariectomized mice compared with the OVX group (p=0.022, ANOVA). We also found that serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, a primary mediator of bone resorption, in the SRB group were significantly lower than in the OVX group (SRB: 52.5+/-6.8pg/ml; OVX: 138.0+/-23.1pg/ml; p=0.011, ANOVA). However, unexpectedly, SRB did not affect estradiol and total cholesterol in ovariectomized mice.

CONCLUSION

SRB can prevent loss of bone volume and suppress serum IL-6 levels in this postmenopausal model and is a promising candidate for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Natural killer and natural killer-T cells in psoriasis

Psoriasis is characterized by a dermal and epidermal infiltrate comprised predominantly of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, respectively. These cells behave in an antigen-dependent manner, which suggests that psoriasis may be a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Psoriasis shares certain immunological features with recognized autoimmune conditions such as type I diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis, in both of which a pathogenic role is postulated for natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer-like T (NK-T) cells. However, there are few studies assessing the role of NK and NK-T cells in psoriasis. We sought to determine whether NK and NK-T cells are present in psoriasis. Skin biopsies were taken from the active edge of a psoriasis plaque and from uninvolved skin at least 5 cm away from involved skin of ten patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. Skin from four normal subjects was used as controls. Using an immunoperoxidase technique, cryostat sections were stained using antibodies to T-cell markers CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD8; cutaneous leucocyte associated antigen; NK cell markers CD16, CD56, CD57, CD94 and CD158a; and the NK-T cell marker CD161. There were significantly more cells expressing T cell markers, NK cell markers CD16, CD57, CD94 and CD158a and NK-T cell marker CD161 in involved skin than in uninvolved or normal skin ( P<0.01). There was no difference in the number of cells expressing CD56. Cells expressing NK markers were found most commonly in the papillary dermis immediately subjacent to the dermoepidermal junction. Cells expressing CD57 were found in significantly higher numbers in the epidermis and reticular dermis of involved skin. This study demonstrates that cells expressing NK markers and NK-T cell markers are present in plaques of psoriasis. The exact roles of NK and NK-T cells in psoriasis are unclear, although they may modulate autoimmune inflammation and act as a source of Th(1) cytokines important in the psoriatic process.

[Effects of XW630 on mechanical properties and trabecular structure parameters of bone tissue in ovariectomized rats]

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed at investigating the effects of a new anti-osteoporotic drug, XW630 on promoting the osteogenic activity of bone tissue in ovariectomized rats.

METHODS

Thirty-six female SD rats, three months old, were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated group (sham), the ovariectomized group (OVX), the esterone-therapy group (OVX + CFT) and the XW630-therapy group (OVX + XW630). Three rats in each group were killed on the 30th, 60th, and 90th day after the operation. The femur of one side was taken for the three-point bending resistance test, and the bilateral tibias were taken for the HE stain and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) examination.

RESULTS

The HE and SEM results indicated that the bone loss appeared in the OVX group 30 days after the operation, which lasted for the whole observing period. While after application of ester-one and XW630, there were different degrees of bone repairing around the trabeculae, and the osteogenic activity was obviously active in the XW630 group than that in the esterone group. During the experimental period, the three-point bending resistance of the OVX group gradually decreased and there was a significant difference compared with that of the sham group (P < 0.01), while the three-point bending resistance of the two therapy group gradually increased and there was significant difference between the OVX group and the XW630 group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

XW630 can effectively promote osteogenic action and prevent osteoporostic fracture in ovariectomized rats.

[Regulation of XW630 on TGF-beta 1 and collagen I gene expression in osteoblasts]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this part of study was to investigate the mechanism of a new anti-osteoporotic drug, XW630 on promoting osteogenic activity.

METHODS

Total RNA were isolated from osteoblasts of the mice after the reaction with XW630 in 24 and 72 hours, that were hybridized with the extracted and digoxigenin-labeled TGF-beta 1 and the collagen I cDNA probes.

RESULTS

XW630 significantly promoted TGF-beta 1 and collagen I gene expression in osteoblasts, and this drug was superior than other two kinds of estrogen in promoting osteogenic activity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

XW630 promote osteogenic activity of osteoblasts, probably by enhancing the mRNA expression of TGF-beta 1 and collagen I.

[Tetracycline tracing of artificial bone composite with high biological induction in repairing bone defect]

The tetracycline tracing method was adopted to study the new bone formation at the early stage of two different composite artificial bones (HA-bBMP-Co and HA-Co)in repairing segmental bone defect in 8 rabbits. The results indicated that from the early stage even just one week after implantation, HA-bBMP-Co acted much faster than HA-Co did in inducing new bone formation, suggesting that HA-bBMP-Co be of good quality in ferms of histo-compatibility and osteoinduction.

[Ultramicrostructure study of artificial bone composite with high biological induction in repairing bone defect]

The scanning electric microscopy (SEM). X-ray energy graph and Ca, P contents analysis were adopted in studying the mechanism and superiority of two different composite artificial bones (HA-bBMP-Co and HA-Co) to repair segmental bone defect in rabbits. The results indicated that HA-bBMP-Co had a double effects of bone induction and bone conduction. No difference of P content in two weeks after reconstructive surgery was found, but in other periods, there was an obvious difference in Ca and P content between HA-bBMP-Co group and HA-Co group (P < 0.05).

[Experimental study of artificial bone composite with high biological induction in repairing bone defect]

On the basis of the animal model of segmental ultra defects in rabbits, two different composite artificial bones (HA-bBMP-Co and HA-Co) were first used to repair the segmental bone defect respectively in 12 rabbits. The results of X-ray, gross, stereomicroscopic and histological examination were found that HA-bBMP-Co was much faster and much better than HA-Co, involving induction of new bone formation in quality and quantity. It is suggested that there is a widespread prospect in use of HA-bBMP-Co as a bone substitute material.