Regulation of cell proliferation and migration in gallbladder cancer by zinc finger X-chromosomal protein

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is one of the mostly aggressive and fatal malignancies. However, little is known about the oncogenic genes that contributed to the development of GBC. Zinc finger X-chromosomal protein (ZFX) was a novel member of the Krueppel C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family and its down-regulation led to impaired cell growth in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we aim to investigate the function of ZFX in GBC cell proliferation and migration. Loss of function analysis was performed on GBC cell line (GBC-SD) using lentivirus-mediated siRNA against ZFX. The proliferation, in vitro tumorigenesis (colony-formation) ability as well as cell migration was significantly suppressed after GBC-SD cells which were infected with ZFX-siRNA-expressing lentivirus (Lv-shZFX). Our finding suggested that ZFX promoted the growth and migration of GBC cells and could present a potential molecular target for gene therapy of GBC.     

Short-lived corpora lutea syndrome in anoestrous ewes following 17β-oestradiol or MAP treatments applied before an allogenic sexual stimulation with rams and oestrous ewes

When induced to ovulate during anoestrus, ewes, does and cows frequently develop a short-lived corpora lutea (SLCL) syndrome associated to lack of previous progesterone. Exogenous progesterone precludes SLCL by blocking oxytocin endometrial receptors, thus inducing normal life-span CL (NLCL). Paradoxically, circa 50% of unprimed ewes do not develop SLCL. We report results from 3 trials assessing follicular, oestrous, ovulatory, and luteal end-points after 17β-oestradiol or MAP treatments. Oestradiol benzoate (50 μg) induced follicular turnover, provoked ovulation in 40% (24/60) of ewes treated (93% of which developed SLCL), but did not affect the incidence of SLCL (26/53) after an allogenic sexual stimulation (ASS) by rams and oestrous ewes. By the onset of the ASS, most NLCL ewes (26/27) had already experienced turnover of their largest follicle, had smaller largest and second largest follicles, and ovulated their largest follicle more frequently than SLCL ewes did. Most SLCL ewes (19/25) did not ovulate their largest follicles, ovulating instead smaller follicles of identical size to those of NLCL ewes. Priming (40 mg of MAP for 12 days) was partially effective at preventing SLCL even when terminated 14 days in advance of an ASS, but failed at completely preventing SLCL when terminated 6 or more days in advance. The coupling of a timed acquisition of full steroidogenic capability before ovulation with a system of endometrial oestradiol–progesterone–oxytocin receptors linked in an unstable equilibrium controlling the amplification of the luteolytic feed-forward loop of oxytocin and prostaglandin F₂α explains occurrence and relative incidences of both NLCL and SLCL, and links proximate and ultimate causes of the SLCL syndrome.     

Unique monoclonal antibodies specifically bind surface structures on human fetal erythroid blood cells

Background

Continuing efforts in development of non-invasive prenatal genetic tests have focused on the isolation of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) from maternal blood for decades. Because no fetal cell-specific antibody has been described so far, the present study focused on the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to antigens that are expressed exclusively on fetal NRBCs.Methods: Mice were immunized with fetal erythroid cell membranes and hybridomas screened for Abs using a multi-parameter fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Selected mAbs were evaluated by comparative FACS analysis involving Abs known to bind erythroid cell surface markers (CD71, CD36, CD34), antigen-i, galactose, or glycophorin-A (GPA). Specificity was further confirmed by extensive immunohistological and immunocytological analyses of NRBCs from umbilical cord blood and fetal and adult cells from liver, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lymphoid tissues.Results: Screening of 690 hybridomas yielded three clones of which Abs from 4B8 and 4B9 clones demonstrated the desired specificity for a novel antigenic structure expressed on fetal erythroblast cell membranes. The antigenic structure identified is different from known surface markers (CD36, CD71, GPA, antigen-i, and galactose), and is not present on circulating adult erythroid cells, except for occasional detectability in adult bone marrow cells.Conclusions:The new mAbs specifically bind the same or highly overlapping epitopes of a surface antigen that is almost exclusively expressed on fetal erythroid cells. The high specificity of the mAbs should facilitate development of simple methods for reliable isolation of fetal NRBCs and their use in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic status.     

Non hemolytic short peptidomimetics as a new class of potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents

Since the bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing rapidly, numerous studies have contributed to the design and synthesis of potent synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In an attempt to find the pharmacophore of short antimicrobial peptidomimetics through systematic tuning of hydrophobic and hydrophilic patterns, we have identified a set of short histidine-derived antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) with potent and broad-spectrum activity. A combination of high antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), without hemolytic activity and proteolytic stability makes these molecules promising candidates for novel antimicrobial therapeutics.     

不同电针方法对慢性应激抑郁模型大鼠下丘脑TRH表达的影响

目的:研究分析两种不同电针方法对慢性应激抑郁模型大鼠(CUMS)下丘脑中促甲状腺激素释放激素(TRH)表达的影响。方法:选取60只健康雄性SPF级SD大鼠编号后采用随机数字表法分为对照组(正常喂养)、模型组(仅建立CUMS模型,不予治疗)、观察组A(建立CUMS模型后,脉冲电针治疗)、观察组B(建立CUMS模型后,音乐电针治疗)、氟西汀组(建立CUMS模型后,氟西汀治疗)各12只,对除对照组之外的其他各组大鼠进行1只/笼的孤养结合方式建造CUMS模型,利用开野实验观察各组大鼠行为学改变,采用实时荧光定量(PCR)法测定各组大鼠下丘脑组织中TRH m RNA的表达,采用免疫组化法测定TRH蛋白的表达。结果:在刺激21 d后,模型组大鼠的水平运动次数、垂直运动次数显著的低于对照组、实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05),实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的水平运动次数、垂直运动次数显著低于对照组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05),实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的水平运动次数、垂直运动次数差异无统计学意义(P0.05);模型组大鼠的下丘脑TRH m RNA、TRH蛋白水平低于对照组、实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05),实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的大鼠的下丘脑TRH m RNA、TRH蛋白水平显著低于对照组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的大鼠的下丘脑TRH m RNA、TRH蛋白水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:CUMS大鼠下丘脑中促甲状腺激素释放激素表达水平降低,脉冲电针与音乐电针能有效逆转这一现象,效果相当。     

火针联合外用5%米诺地尔酊对肝肾不足型斑秃患者外周血Th17细胞、Treg细胞和心理状态的影响

摘要 目的：观察火针联合外用5%米诺地尔酊对肝肾不足型斑秃患者外周血辅助性T细胞17（Th17）、调节性T细胞（Treg）和心理状态的影响。方法：选取2019年3月~2021年4月期间我院收治的102例肝肾不足型斑秃患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组和研究组,各为51例。对照组患者接受5%米诺地尔酊外用治疗,研究组患者接受火针联合外用5%米诺地尔酊治疗,治疗3个月后,观察两组疗效,对比两组外周血Th17细胞、Treg细胞占CD4⁺T淋巴细胞比例及相关细胞因子水平、心理状态、斑块面积的变化,记录两组毳毛长出时间、毳毛变黑时间以及治疗期间不良反应情况。结果：与对照组相比,研究组的临床总有效率明显更高（P<0.05）。两组治疗后Th17细胞比例、白介素-6（IL-6）、白介素-23（IL-23）水平较治疗前下降,Treg细胞比例较治疗前升高,且研究组变化程度大于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后斑块面积均缩小,且研究组小于对照组（P<0.05）;研究组的毳毛长出时间、毳毛变黑时间均短于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后焦虑自评量表（SAS）、抑郁自评量表（SDS）评分较治疗前下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率比较无统计学差异（P<0.05）。结论：火针联合外用5%米诺地尔酊治疗肝肾不足型斑秃,可有效改善患者临床症状,调节外周血Th17细胞、Treg细胞比例及相关细胞因子水平,有效改善患者焦虑抑郁情绪,安全可靠。     

龙虎交战针法联合悬吊训练对腰椎间盘突出症患者腰背伸肌群功能、神经传导速度和血清炎症因子的影响

摘要 目的：观察龙虎交战针法联合悬吊训练对腰椎间盘突出症（LDH）患者腰背伸肌群功能、神经传导速度和血清炎症因子的影响。方法：纳入我院2018年4月-2021年8月期间接收的LDH患者82例。按照随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（悬吊训练,n=41）和实验组（龙虎交战针法联合悬吊训练,n=41）。观察两组患者腰椎功能恢复情况、疼痛症状改善情况以及腰背伸肌群功能、神经传导速度和血清炎症因子的变化情况。结果：实验组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组日本骨科协会下腰痛评价表（JOA）评分升高,且实验组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）、视觉疼痛模拟评分法（VAS）评分下降,且实验组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组平均功率、腰背伸状态下峰力矩升高,且实验组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组腰背屈伸比下降,且实验组较对照组低（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组腓总神经和胫神经的传导速度均升高,且实验组较对照组高（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组血清白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、白介素-1（IL-1）、基质金属蛋白酶 3（MMP-3）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平均下降,且实验组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：龙虎交战针法联合悬吊训练可促进LDH患者腰椎功能改善,减轻疼痛症状,改善腰背伸肌群功能和腓总神经、胫神经的神经传导速度,降低机体血清炎症因子水平,具有较好的临床应用价值。     

Gait stride-to-stride variability and foot clearance pattern analysis in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease and Vascular Parkinsonism

The literature on gait analysis in Vascular Parkinsonism (VaP), addressing issues such as variability, foot clearance patterns, and the effect of levodopa, is scarce. This study investigates whether spatiotemporal, foot clearance and stride-to-stride variability analysis can discriminate VaP, and responsiveness to levodopa.Fifteen healthy subjects, 15 Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (IPD) patients and 15 VaP patients, were assessed in two phases: before (Off-state), and one hour after (On-state) the acute administration of a suprathreshold (1.5 times the usual) levodopa dose. Participants were asked to walk a 30-meter continuous course at a self-selected walking speed while wearing foot-worn inertial sensors. For each gait variable, mean, coefficient of variation (CV), and standard deviations SD1 and SD2 obtained by Poincaré analysis were calculated. General linear models (GLMs) were used to identify group differences. Patients were subject to neuropsychological evaluation (MoCA test) and Brain MRI.VaP patients presented lower mean stride velocity, stride length, lift-off and strike angle, and height of maximum toe (later swing) (p < .05), and higher %gait cycle in double support, with only the latter unresponsive to levodopa. VaP patients also presented higher CV, significantly reduced after levodopa. Yet, all VaP versus IPD differences lost significance when accounting for mean stride length as a covariate.In conclusion, VaP patients presented a unique gait with reduced degrees of foot clearance, probably correlated to vascular lesioning in dopaminergic/non-dopaminergic cortical and subcortical non-dopaminergic networks, still amenable to benefit from levodopa. The dependency of gait and foot clearance and variability deficits from stride length deserves future clarification.     

穴位激光照射的剂量和机理初探

穴位激光照射疗法是一种通过低强度激光束直接照射穴位的治疗方法,具有针灸作用。阐述了激光照射机体穴位在临床应用的本质,并对其使用的光剂量和作用机理做了初步讨论和分析。