[Depletion of PRDM9 inhibited the osteogenic differentiation potential of periodontal ligament stem cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect of PR domain zinc finger protein 9 (PRDM9), one of the histone methylated transferases, on osteogenic differentiation ability of periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLSC). Methods: PDLSC with PRDM9 gene knocked down by PRDM9 shRNA using recombinant lentiviral vector were allocated into the PRDM9sh group, and the transfected shRNA was as the control group. The gene expression efficiency was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), alizarin red staining, mineralization and osteocalcin, which belongs to osteogenic differentiation markers detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting to detect the osteogenic differentiation ability of stem cells from periodontal ligaments in vitro. In vivo, PRDM9sh and control group cells was transplanted into the dorsal dermal to explore the osteogenesis. The area percentage of new osteogenic tissue was calculated by image pro software and statistically analyzed. Results: RT-PCR results showed that the relative expression of PRDM9 gene in PRDM9sh (0.460±0.017) was significantly lower than that in control group (1.000±0.107) (P<0.05). The results of ALP activity determined at 5 days postinduction in a significant decrease in PRDM9sh cells (0.762±0.063) compared with control group (1.225±0.058) (P<0.01). Alizarin red staining induced by osteogenesis at 2 weeks and 3 weeks showed that the staining of PRDM9sh was significantly lighter than that in control group. Quantitative calcium analysis results showed that the calcium ion concentration induced by osteogenesis at 2 weeks and 3 weeks [(0.071±0.004), (0.075±0.001)] in PRDM9sh was significantly lower than that in control group at 2 weeks and 3 weeks [(0.282±0.006), (0.485+0.004)] (P<0.01). RT-PCR results showed that the relative expression of osteocalcin mRNA in PRDM9sh (1.059±0.148) was significantly lower than that in control group at 2 weeks (2.542±0.190) (P<0.01). Western blotting results showed that osteocalcin expression in PRDM9sh was significantly lower than that in control group at 1 and 2 weeks after osteogenesis induction. Animal transplantation experiments results indicated that PRDM9 significantly inhibited the osteogenesis of PDLSC in vivo, and the proportion of osteogenic area calculated showed that the osteogenic capacity of PRDM9sh [(3.8±2.41)%] was significantly lower than that in control group [(24.54±7.06)%](P<0.05). Conclusions: Depletion of PRDM9 repressed the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from periodontal ligament in vitro and in vivo.

[Curative effect observation of application of the snare in epiglottic cystectomy by arc-shaped laryngoscopy]

Objective:To evaluate the effect of the epiglottic cystectomy by arc-shaped video laryngoscopy combined with snare. Method:The clinical data of 42 patients with epiglottic cysts were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-two patients with epiglottis cyst were treated by arc-shaped video laryngoscopy combined with snare. Result:All 42 cases were completely resected at one time without obvious complications and the cure rate was 100%. Moreover, the short operation time（5-20 min） and the minor hemorrhage（1-10 ml） were observe. There was no recurrence after 6 to 33 months follow-up. Conclusion:The epiglottic cystectomy by arc-shaped video laryngoscopy combined with snare has the advantages of broad vision, easy operation, minimal invasion, rapid recovery and good curative effect, it is worthy to be popularized in clinical application.

LncRNA PCAT-1 regulates the proliferation, metastasis and invasion of cervical cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PCAT-1 on the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of cervical cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LncRNA PCAT-1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and negative siRNA were transfected into cervical cancer cell lines and the expression of lncRNA PCAT-1 in cells was confirmed by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay were applied to detect the effect of lncRNA PCAT-1 on cell proliferation. The wound-healing assay was applied to test the effect of lncRNA PCAT-1 on cell metastasis. Matrigel cell invasion assay was performed to detect the impact of lncRNA PCAT-1 expression on invasion.

RESULTS

After transfected with the long non-coding PCAT-1 siRNA into cervical cancer cell lines for 48 h, the lncRNA PCAT-1 cells were significantly down-regulated. The results of CCK-8, clonogenic and wound-healing assay showed that the decreased expression of lncRNA PCAT-1 attenuated the proliferation and metastasis of cells. The results of matrigel cell invasion assay manifested that the decreased expression of lncRNA PCAT-1 could reduce the invasion ability. The up-regulation of lncRNA PCAT-1 was associated with poor prognosis of patients with cervical cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA PCAT-1 siRNA transfected into cervical cancer cell lines can effectively lower the expression of lncRNA PCAT-1, while lncRNA PCAT-1 expression can inhibit the proliferation, metastasis and invasion abilities of cervical cancer cells.

Electrophysiological effects of melatonin on rat trigeminal ganglion neurons that participate in nociception in vitro

OBJECTIVE

Melatonin (MT) is a hormone mainly produced by the pineal gland. It may be involved in the regulation of nociception, the mechanisms of which remain unclear. In the present study, electrophysiological effects of MT on neurons were studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cultured neurons were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats trigeminal ganglia (TG). The neuron was voltage clamped using the whole cell patch clamp technique. We recorded resting membrane potential, action potential threshold and number, action potential duration and GABA-activated inward currents in the presence of 0.01 μM, 10 μM MT, and in the absence of MT.

RESULTS

In the presence of high concentration of MT, the spontaneous action potential disappeared and action potential threshold was significantly increased. GABA-activated inward currents were recorded and blocked by GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, in the majority of TG neurons (91% 40/44). Continuous perfusion of MT could cause a decrease of GABA-activated currents. The inhibiting effect was dose-dependent and irreversible.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that MT has several electrophysiological effects on TG neurons, which may be involved in the peripheral mechanisms of orofacial pain.

Kaempferol attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriatic skin inflammation in a mouse model

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects the skin barrier. Treatment for psoriasis mainly includes conventional immunosuppressive drugs. However, long-term treatment with global immunosuppressive agents may cause a variety of side effects, including nephrotoxicity and infections. Kaempferol, a natural flavonol present in various plants, is known to possess potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancerous properties. However, it is unknown whether kaempferol is also anti-psoriatic. Here we established an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mouse model to explore the potential therapeutic effects of kaempferol on psoriatic skin lesions and inflammation. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment with kaempferol protected mice from developing psoriasis-like skin lesions induced by topical administration of IMQ. Kaempferol reduced CD3⁺ T cell infiltration and gene expression of major proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in the psoriatic skin lesion. It also down-regulated proinflammatory nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in the skin. The therapeutic effects were associated with a significant increase in CD4⁺ forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)⁺ regulatory T cell (T_reg ) frequency in the spleen and lymph nodes as well as FoxP3-positive staining in the skin lesion. Conversely, depletion of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T_regs reversed the therapeutic effects of kaempferol on the skin lesion. Kaempferol also lowered the percentage of IL-17A⁺ CD4⁺ T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes of IMQ-induced psoriatic mice. Finally, kaempferol suppressed the proliferation of T cells in vitro and their mTOR signaling. Thus, our findings suggest that kaempferol may be a therapeutic drug for treating human psoriasis in the near future.

[The establishment and influence of the Prescription Appraisal Committee of the Central National Physician Pavilion]

The Prescription Appraisal Committee of the Central National Physician Pavilion was established on November 8, 1935. It specializes in handling cases where the parties entrusted by the Court have applied for re-identification against the identification of the local Chinese Medicine branch or medical group.The statutes of the Prescription Appraisal Committee stipulate the entrusted appraisers, the scope of appraisal, the appraisers, the appraisal process, and the signing and service of the appraisal opinions for the re-identification of TCM cases. To a certain extent, it played a role in improving the medical service environment of Chinese medicine at that time, safeguarding the common interests of doctors and patients, and promoting the institutionalized development of appraisal of Chinese medicine lawsuits in the Republic of China. However, due to historical reasons and limitations, it also had inherent limitations such as the uneven geographical distribution of appraisal candidates, the lack of strict identification procedures, and the inconsistency of appraisal standards.

Bacillus licheniformis, a potential probiotic, inhibits obesity by modulating colonic microflora in C57BL/6J mice model

AIMS

This study evaluated the effects of a potential probiotic, Bacillus sp., on the growth, serum and hepatic triglyceride, histological features of liver tissues and colonic microflora in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: mice fed a low-fat diet (Cont), mice fed a high-fat diet (Hf), Hf and orally challenged with Bacillus subtilis (Bs), B. licheniformis (Bl) and a mixture of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (Bls). Gavage feeding was provided at week 9 and the experiment was continued for 8 weeks. Treatment with B. licheniformis and a mixture of Bacillus sp. attenuated body weight gain at the end of study and enhanced glucose tolerance by sensitizing insulin action in the Hf-fed mice. Lower serum and hepatic triglyceride and epididymal fat weight were observed in Bl and Bls groups than that of Hf group. Lesser hepatic fat deposition was observed in the Bl and Bls groups than in the Hf group. High-throughput sequencing showed that Bacillus sp. supplementation dramatically changed the colonic bacterial community in obese mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacillus licheniformis reduced body weight and improved glucose tolerance, obesity and insulin resistance in Hf-fed mice by changing colonic microbiota composition.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Orally administration of Bacillus licheniformis may reduce body weight and decrease fat deposition by modulating colonic bacterial community in Hf model.

[Application of U-shaped convolutional neural network in auto segmentation and reconstruction of 3D prostate model in laparoscopic prostatectomy navigation]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of intraoperative cognitive navigation on laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using 3D prostatic models created by U-shaped convolutional neural network (U-net) and reconstructed through Medical Image Interaction Tool Kit (MITK) platform.

METHODS

A total of 5 000 pieces of prostate cancer magnetic resonance (MR) imaging discovery sets with manual annotations were used to train a modified U-net, and a set of clinically demand-oriented, stable and efficient full convolutional neural network algorithm was constructed. The MR images were cropped and segmented automatically by using modified U-net, and the segmentation data were automatically reconstructed using MITK platform according to our own protocols. The modeling data were output as STL format, and the prostate models were simultaneously displayed on an android tablet during the operation to help achieving cognitive navigation.

RESULTS

Based on original U-net architecture, we established a modified U-net from a 201-case MR imaging training set. The network performance was tested and compared with human segmentations and other segmentation networks by using one certain testing data set. Auto segmentation of multi-structures (such as prostate, prostate tumors, seminal vesicles, rectus, neurovascular bundles and dorsal venous complex) were successfully achieved. Secondary automatic 3D reconstruction had been carried out through MITK platform. During the surgery, 3D models of prostatic area were simultaneously displayed on an android tablet, and the cognitive navigation was successfully achieved. Intra-operation organ visualization demonstrated the structural relationships among the key structures in great detail and the degree of tumor invasion was visualized directly.

CONCLUSION

The modified U-net was able to achieve automatic segmentations of important structures of prostate area. Secondary 3D model reconstruction and demonstration could provide intraoperative visualization of vital structures of prostate area, which could help achieve cognitive fusion navigation for surgeons. The application of these techniques could finally reduce positive surgical margin rates, and may improve the efficacy and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic prostatectomy.

[Spectrometric analyses of larotaxel and larotaxel liposomes quantification by high performance liquid chromatography]

OBJECTIVE

Larotaxel is a new chemical structure drug, which has not been marketed worldwide. Accordingly, the standard identification and quantification methods for larotaxel remain unclear. The spectrometric analyses were performed for verifying weight molecular formula, molecular weight and chemical structure of larotaxel. Besides, a quantification method was developed for measuring larotaxel in the liposomes.

METHODS

The molecular formula, molecular weight and chemical structure of larotaxel were studied by using mass spectrometry (MS), infra-red (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometric techniques. The absorption wavelength of larotaxel was investigated by UV-vis spectrophotometry full-wavelength scanning. Besides, a quantification method was developed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and then validated by measuring the encapsulation efficacy of larotaxel liposomes.

RESULTS

The four spectral characteristics of larotaxel were revealed and the corresponding standard spectra were defined. It was confirmed that larotaxel had the structure of tricyclic diterpenoids, with the molecular formula of C45H53NO14, the molecular weight of 831.900 1, and the maximum absorption wavelength of 230 nm. The quantitative method of larotaxel was established by using HPLC with a reversed phase C18 column (5 μm, 250 mm×4.6 mm), a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (75:25, volume/volume), and a detection wavelength of 230 nm. The validation study exhibited that the established HPLC method was stable, and had a high recovery and precision in the quantitative measurement of larotaxel in liposomes. In addition, a new kind of larotaxel liposomes was also successfully prepared. The particle size of the liposomes was about 105 nm, with an even size distribution. And the encapsulation efficiency of larotaxel in the liposomes was above 80%.

CONCLUSION

The present study offers reference standard spectra of larotaxel, including MS, IR, NMR, and UV-vis, and confirms the molecular formula, molecular weight and chemical structure of larotaxel. Besides, the study develops a rapid HPLC method for quality control of larotaxel liposomes.

[The role of body fat rate in the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea]

Objective: To investigate the role of body fat ratio in the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on 174 cases (between November, 2017 and April, 2018 showed that) of sleep monitoring in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Peking University Third Hospital. The data included the gender, age, body fat rate, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The above data were analyzed by non parametric correlation analysis, receiver operating characterristic (ROC) curve analysis and multiple factor Logistic regression analysis to study the relationship between the gender,age,body fat rate,BMI,neck circumference and other indexes of the patients with AHI. Results: Nonparametric correlation analysis showed that the correlation from strong to weak to AHI among women was BMI (r=0.621, P<0.001),body fat rate (r=0.602, P<0.001), age (r=0.570, P<0.001), neck circumference (r=0.402, P=0.014), respectively. BMI (r=0.599, P<0.001), neck circumference (r=0.493, P<0.001), body fat rate (r=0.318, P<0.001), and age (r=0.256, P=0.003) among men. ROC curve analysis showed that the strong to weak index (area under curve,AUC) of the AHI>15/h among women was the body fat rate (AUC=0.884, P=0.001), BMI(AUC=0.810, P=0.008), neck circumference (AUC=0.759, P=0.027), age (AUC=0.750, P=0.033), and the male was BMI (AUC=0.765,P<0.001), neck circumference (AUC=0.720, P<0.001), age (AUC=0.634, P=0.008), and body fat rate (AUC=0.632, P=0.010), respectively. Multifactor Logistic regression analysis showed that the body fat rate (OR=1.704,95%CI=1.012-2.870) in women was an independent risk factor for AHI greater than 15/h; the age of male (OR=1. 044, 95%CI=1.005-1.085) and BMI (OR=1.285, 95%CI=1.056-1.562) were independent risk factors for AHI greater than 15/h. Conclusion: Body fat rate can be used as a new indicator for predicting the severity of OSA,especially in adult female population. In adult female moderate to severe OSA patients (AHI>15/h), compared with BMI,neck circumference and age,the body fat rate has the greatest correlation with AHI. Compared with BMI,neck circumference and age,the body fat rate has a decisive role in predicting moderate to severe OSA (AHI>15/h).

Expression patterns and colocalization of two sensory neurone membrane proteins in Ectropis obliqua Prout, a geometrid moth pest that uses Type-II sex pheromones

Sensory neurone membrane proteins (SNMPs) function as essential cofactors for insect sex pheromone detection. In this study, we report two SNMPs in Ectropis obliqua Prout, a serious geometrid pest that produces typical Type-II sex pheromones. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses showed that EoblSNMP1 and EoblSNMP2 belong to two distinct SNMP subfamilies. Quantitative real-time PCR suggested that EoblSNMP1 was male antennae-biased, whereas EoblSNMP2 was highly expressed on male antennae but was also expressed on female antennae and other chemosensory tissues. Additionally, EoblSNMP1 and EoblSNMP2 differed in their developmental expression profiles. In situ hybridization revealed that EoblSNMP1 was sensilla trichodea I specific, whereas EoblSNMP2 was expressed in sensilla trichodea I and the sensilla basiconica; furthermore, EoblSNMP1 and EoblSNMP2 were co-expressed in sensilla trichodea I but in different cells. This study suggests that EoblSNMP1 is functionally distinct from EoblSNMP2 in E. obliqua; EoblSNMP1 may specifically contribute to the recognition of sex pheromones, whereas EoblSNMP2 exhibits multiple olfactory roles. Our findings comprehensively reveal the expression patterns of SNMPs in a lepidopteran species that uses Type-II sex pheromones, providing new insights into the functional evolution of SNMPs from lepidopteran moths with Type-I sex pheromones to those with Type-II sex pheromones.

Genomic targeting by recombinase-mediated cassette exchange in the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii

Drosophila suzukii is a significant pest of stone and small fruits. The genome of this species has been sequenced and manipulated by transposon-mediated transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. These technologies open a variety of possibilities for functional genomics and genetic modifications that might improve biologically based population control strategies. Both of these approaches, however, would benefit from genome targeting that would avoid position effects and insertional mutations associated with random transposon vector insertions, and the limited DNA fragment insertion size allowed by gene editing. Here, we describe an efficient recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) system for D. suzukii in which heterospecific lox recombination sites were integrated into the genome by transposon-mediated transformation and subsequently targeted for double recombination by a donor vector in the presence of Cre recombinase. Three loxN/lox2272 landing site lines have previously been created in D. suzukii, and quantitative PCR determined that polyubiquitin-regulated enhanced green fluorescent protein expression is least susceptible to position effect suppression in the 443_M26m1 line. We presume that RMCE target sites may also be inserted more specifically into the genome by homology-directed repair gene editing, thereby avoiding position effects and mutations, while eliminating restrictions on the size of donor constructs for subsequent insertion.

Uveal effusion and transient myopia as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension: case report

We reported uveal effusion and transient myopia as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Choroidal retinopathy is rare but extremely destructive to visual function. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and effective treatments will result in complete resolution of the uveal effusion and functional restoration of vision.