Patterns of bilateral asymmetry and allometry in Late Devonian Polygnathus conodonts

Conodont animals were early jawless vertebrates equipped with a feeding apparatus composed of several tooth‐like elements. The P1 elements, at the rear of the apparatus, were characterized by a robust shape and rapid morphological evolution. Occlusion occurred between paired right and left P1 elements, occasioning some bilateral asymmetry, which, together with allometric growth, may partially obliterate the temporal differences. The present study aims to disentangle these different components of morphological variation in Late Devonian Polygnathus P1 conodont elements. An extensive 2D geometric morphometric analysis of the platform shape was performed through the Famennian record of two outcrops. This analysis was completed by a 3D study on a subset of conodont elements. The 2D and 3D morphometric quantifications provided highly congruent results, showing that the 2D shape constitutes a good approximation of the element geometry. The 3D analysis delivered further insights into the relationship between the geometry of the elements and the constraints related to occlusion. The 2D analysis allowed a quantitative assessment of the variation among species and through time. Allometry and bilateral asymmetry were differently expressed depending on the species considered, suggesting that constraints imposed on pairing by the morphology of the elements varied even among related species. The within‐species variation was so important that it largely obliterated temporal trends; a relationship of Polygnathus shape and conodont biofacies variations through the Famennian nevertheless suggested an evolution driven by ecological interactions between conodont genera.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention versus medical therapy for chronic total coronary occlusions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

Background

The results of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO-PCI) trials are inconclusive. Therefore, we studied whether CTO-PCI leads to improvement of clinical endpoints and patient symptoms when combining all available randomised data.

Methods and results

This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO prior to starting. We performed a literature search and identified all randomised trials comparing CTO-PCI to optimal medical therapy alone (OMT). A total of five trials were included, comprising 1790 CTO patients, of whom 964 were randomised to PCI and 826 to OMT. The all-cause mortality was comparable between groups at 1‑year [risk ratio (RR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50–5.80, p = 0.40] and at 4‑year follow-up (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.38–3.40, p = 0.81). There was no difference in the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between groups at 1 year (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.36–1.33, p = 0.27) and at 4 years (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.60–1.22, p = 0.38). Left ventricular function and volumes at follow-up were comparable between groups. However, the PCI group had fewer target lesion revascularisations (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15–0.52, p < 0.001) and was more frequently free of angina at 1‑year follow-up (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.50–0.84, p = 0.001), although the scores on the subscales of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire were comparable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, in this meta-analysis of 1790 CTO patients, CTO-PCI did not lead to an improvement in survival or in MACE as reported at long-term follow-up of up to 4 years, or to improvement of left ventricular function. However, CTO-PCI resulted in less angina and fewer target lesion revascularisations compared to OMT.

     

负重深蹲中施加不同动脉闭塞压和间歇方式对大腿肌肉激活特征的影响

目的: 通过探讨负重深蹲练习中施加不同动脉闭塞压和间歇方式对大腿肌群激活特征的影响,找出引起最大激活的个人适宜动脉加压相对值范围,为运动员科学进行加压训练提供一定的理论依据和实践参考。方法: 募集10名男子运动员,进行负重30%1RM(最大抗阻百分比)的深蹲练习,以间歇加压和持续加压两种模式,分别完成无加压、40%动脉闭塞压(AOP)、50%AOP和60%AOP四种加压形式。运用Wave plus无线表面肌电测试仪采集大腿肌群的表面肌电信号,计算出大腿前、后肌群的肌电振幅值。采用双因素方差分析考察通过施加不同动脉闭塞压和不同间歇休息模式对大腿肌肉群的激活效应及其差异。结果: ① 经过双因素方差分析,通过施加不同AOP对所测肌肉标准化均方根振幅值具有显著性影响(P＜0.05),而间歇方式则对所测大腿肌群%MVC值无显著性影响(P＞0.05),施加不同动脉闭塞压和间歇方式对所测肌肉肌电活动的交互作用均无显著性(P＞0.05);② 30%1RM负重深蹲练习时,在50%AOP压力条件下,间歇和持续加压都可以显著提高股直肌、股内侧肌、股外侧肌、股二头肌和半腱肌的%MVC值(P＜0.05);③ 40%AOP压力条件下,仅间歇深蹲练习可显著提高股直肌的%MVC值(P＜0.05);60%AOP压力条件下,也仅间歇练习可以显著提高股内侧肌和半腱肌%MVC值(P＜0.05)。结论: 本研究进一步验证了50%AOP施压对高水平手球运动员在轻负重蹲起练习可以同时显著提高股四头肌和股后肌群的最佳激活程度,产生最佳训练效果,间歇模式推荐采用除压间歇模式。     

Ginkgo biloba prevents transient global ischemia-induced delayed hippocampal neuronal death through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism

We have previously reported neuroprotective properties of Ginkgo biloba/EGb 761® (EGb 761) in transient and permanent mouse models of brain ischemia. In a quest to extend our studies on EGb 761 and its constituents further, we used a model of transient global ischemia induced delayed hippocampal neuronal death and inflammation. Mice pretreated with different test drugs for 7 days were subjected to 8-min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (tBCCAO) at day 8. After 7 days of reperfusion, mice brains were dissected out for TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry. In situ detection of fragmented DNA (TUNEL staining) showed that out of all test drugs, only EGb 761 (13.6% ± 3.2) pretreatment protected neurons in the hippocampus against global ischemia (vs. vehicle, 85.1% ± 9.9; p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence-based studies demonstrated that pretreatment with EGb 761 upregulated the expression levels of heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as compared to the vehicle group. In addition, increased number of activated astrocytes and microglia in the vehicle group was observed to be significantly lower in the EGb 761 pretreated group. Together, these results suggest that EGb 761 is a multifunctional neuroprotective agent, and the protection is in part associated with activation of the HO1/Nrf2 pathway, upregulation of VEGF and downregulation of inflammatory mediators such as astrocytes and microglia.     

MicroRNA‐130a regulates neurological deficit and angiogenesis in rats with ischaemic stroke by targeting XIAP

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have already been proposed to be implicated in the development of ischaemic stroke. We aim to investigate the role of miR‐130a in the neurological deficit and angiogenesis in rats with ischaemic stroke by regulating X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models were established by suture‐occluded method, and MCAO rats were then treated with miR‐130a mimics/inhibitors or/and altered XIAP for detection of changes of rats’ neurological function, nerve damage and angiogenesis in MCAO rats. The oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) cellular models were established and respectively treated to determine the roles of miR‐130a and XIAP in neuronal viability and apoptosis. The expression levels of miR‐130a and XIAP in brain tissues of MCAO rats and OGD‐treated neurons were detected. The binding site between miR‐130a and XIAP was verified by luciferase activity assay. MiR‐130a was overexpressed while XIAP was down‐regulated in MCAO rats and OGD‐treated neurons. In animal models, suppressed miR‐130a improved neurological function, alleviated nerve damage and increased new vessels in brain tissues of rats with MCAO. In cellular models, miR‐130a inhibition promoted neuronal viability and suppressed apoptosis. Inhibited XIAP reversed the effect of inhibited miR‐130a in both MCAO rats and OGD‐treated neurons. XIAP was identified as a target of miR‐130a. Our study reveals that miR‐130a regulates neurological deficit and angiogenesis in rats with MCAO by targeting XIAP.     

Endothelin-1 Induced Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model for Ischemic Stroke with Laser Doppler Flowmetry Guidance in Rat

Stroke is the number one cause of disability and third leading cause of death in the world, costing an estimated $70 billion in the United States in 2009^{1, 2}. Several models of cerebral ischemia have been developed to mimic the human condition of stroke. It has been suggested that up to 80% of all strokes result from ischemic damage in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) area³. In the early 1990s, endothelin-1 (ET-1) ⁴ was used to induce ischemia by applying it directly adjacent to the surface of the MCA after craniotomy. Later, this model was modified ⁵ by using a stereotaxic injection of ET-1 adjacent to the MCA to produce focal cerebral ischemia. The main advantages of this model include the ability to perform the procedure quickly, the ability to control artery constriction by altering the dose of ET-1 delivered, no need to manipulate the extracranial vessels supplying blood to the brain as well as gradual reperfusion rates that more closely mimics the reperfusion in humans^5-7. On the other hand, the ET-1 model has disadvantages that include the need for a craniotomy, as well as higher variability in stroke volume⁸. This variability can be reduced with the use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to verify cerebral ischemia during ET-1 infusion. Factors that affect stroke variability include precision of infusion and the batch of the ET-1 used⁶. Another important consideration is that although reperfusion is a common occurrence in human stroke, the duration of occlusion for ET-1 induced MCAO may not closely mimic that of human stroke where many patients have partial reperfusion over a period of hours to days following occlusion^{9, 10}. This protocol will describe in detail the ET-1 induced MCAO model for ischemic stroke in rats. It will also draw attention to special considerations and potential drawbacks throughout the procedure.     

Optimization of cyclic sulfamide derivatives as 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 inhibitors for the potential treatment of ischemic brain injury

The 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), a cortisol regenerating enzyme that amplifies tissue glucocorticoid levels, plays an important role in diabetes, obesity, and glaucoma and is recognized as a potential therapeutic target for various disease conditions. Moreover, a recent study demonstrated that selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor can attenuate ischemic brain injury. This prompted us to optimize cyclic sulfamide derivative for aiming to treat ischemic brain injury. Among the synthesized compounds, 6e has an excellent in vitro activivity with an IC₅₀ value of 1 nM toward human and mouse 11β-HSD1 and showed good 11β-HSD1 inhibition in ex vivo study using brain tissue isolated from mice. Furthermore, in the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model in mice, 6e treatment significantly attenuated infarct volume and neurological deficit following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Additionally, binding modes of 6e for human and mouse 11β-HSD1 were suggested.     

高强度间歇运动对脑梗死后大鼠的脑保护作用及HDAC6表达的影响

为了考察高强度间歇运动(HIIE)对脑梗死后大鼠的脑保护作用及组蛋白去乙酰化酶6 (HDAC6)表达的影响。本研究将60只SD大鼠随机分为3组,假手术组、大脑中动脉闭塞模型组和HIIE组,每组20只。HIIE组大鼠在建模48 h后进行4周的高强度间歇运动,其他组大鼠不进行运动。通过神经损伤评分来评价大鼠神经功能,TTC染色检测梗死面积,TUNEL染色测定脑组织的细胞凋亡,RT-PCR和Western blotting检测大鼠海马组织中HDAC6、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的m RNA和蛋白表达。研究发现,高强度间歇运动后,HIIE组的神经损伤评分显著低于模型组(p<0.05)。TTC染色显示,HIIE组的梗死面积比例显著低于模型组(p<0.05)。TUNEL染色显示,HIIE组的海马神经细胞凋亡数显著低于模型组(p<0.05)。RT-PCR和Western blotting结果显示,HIIE组的HDAC6、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6 m RNA和蛋白表达水平均显著低于模型组(p<0.05)。本研究表明,高强度间歇运动可显著改善脑梗死大鼠的神经功能,降低脑梗死面积,抑制海马神经细胞凋亡。高强度间歇运动的神经保护作用机制可能与抑制HDAC6有关。     

Substituted imidazole derivatives as novel cardiovascular agents

A series of novel substituted imidazole derivatives were synthesized and have been screened in vivo for their hypotensive and acute toxicity activities. Out of seventeen compounds eight compounds (2b, 2c, 3b, 3c, 3f, 4a, 4b and 4c) have shown good hypotensive and bradycardiac responses. Compounds 3b, 3c, 3f and 4c have shown better activity than reference drug clonidine. All the compounds have shown ALD50 >1000 mg/kg with maximum in 2e and 4c (>1200 mg/kg).