Deep-Learning Driven, High-Precision Plasmonic Scattering Interferometry for Single-Particle Identification

Label-free probing of the material composition of (bio)nano-objects directly in solution at the single-particle level is crucial in various fields, including colloid analysis and medical diagnostics. However, it remains challenging to decipher the constituents of heterogeneous mixtures of nano-objects with high sensitivity and resolution. Here, we present deep-learning plasmonic scattering interferometric microscopy, which is capable of identifying the composition of nanoparticles automatically with high throughput at the single-particle level. By employing deep learning to decode the quantitative relationship between the interferometric scattering patterns of nanoparticles and their intrinsic material properties, this technique is capable of high-throughput, label-free identification of diverse nanoparticle types. We demonstrate its versatility in analyzing dynamic surface chemical reactions on single nanoparticles, revealing its potential as a universal platform for nanoparticle imaging and reaction analysis. This technique not only streamlines the process of nanoparticle characterization, but also proposes a methodology for a deeper understanding of nanoscale dynamics, holding great potential for addressing extensive fundamental questions in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

[Study of appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism by seated saline suppression test based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry]

Objective: To investigate the appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) by seated saline suppression test (SSST) based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent SSST for suspected PA in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2018 to March 2022 were evaluated. Briefly, 300 patients with PA and 119 with essential hypertension (EH) were included. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) after SSST was determined by LC-MS/MS. Primary aldosteronism confirmatory testing (PACT) score was used as the reference standard for diagnosis of PA, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to explore the cut-off value. Results: The average age of the PA group was (50.8±10.5) years, and males accounted for 53.00% (n=159); the average age of the EH group was (49.4±11.2) years, and males accounted for 26.89% (n=32). The area under the ROC curve of PAC post-SSST was 0.819 (95%CI 0.775-0.862). When 40 pg/ml (110.8 pmol/L) was selected as the appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of PA, the sensitivity was 83.67% (95%CI 78.88%-87.56%) and specificity was 60.50% (95%CI 51.10%-69.21%). Thus, 95.09% (155/163) of patients with unilateral PA could be identified. Conclusion: PAC after SSST determined by LC-MS/MS has high efficacy for diagnosis of PA, and 40 pg/ml is recommended as the appropriate cut-off value.

DZ2002 alleviates corneal angiogenesis and inflammation in rodent models of dry eye disease via regulating STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular disorder with a multifactorial etiology. The pre-angiogenic and pre-inflammatory milieu of the ocular surface plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. DZ2002 is a reversible type III S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor, which has shown excellent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of DZ2002 in rodent models of DED. SCOP-induced dry eye models were established in female rats and mice, while BAC-induced dry eye model was established in female rats. DZ2002 was administered as eye drops (0.25%, 1%) four times daily (20 μL per eye) for 7 or 14 consecutive days. We showed that topical application of DZ2002 concentration-dependently reduced corneal neovascularization and corneal opacity, as well as alleviated conjunctival irritation in both DED models. Furthermore, we observed that DZ2002 treatment decreased the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis and the levels of inflammation in the cornea and conjunctiva. Moreover, DZ2002 treatment in the BAC-induced DED model abolished the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways in corneal tissues. We also found that DZ2002 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) while downregulating the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that DZ2002 exerts a therapeutic effect on corneal angiogenesis in DED, potentially by preventing the upregulation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways. Collectively, DZ2002 is a promising candidate for ophthalmic therapy, particularly in treating DED.

Targeting GPR65 alleviates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis by suppressing the JNK and NF-κB pathways

BACKGROUND

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are recognized as attractive targets for drug therapy. However, it remains poorly understood how GPCRs, except for a few chemokine receptors, regulate the progression of liver fibrosis. Here, we aimed to reveal the role of GPR65, a proton-sensing receptor, in liver fibrosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The expression level of GPR65 was evaluated in both human and mouse fibrotic livers. Furthermore, Gpr65-deficient mice were treated with either bile duct ligation (BDL) for 21 d or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 8 weeks to investigate the role of GPR65 in liver fibrosis. A combination of experimental approaches, including Western blotting, quantitative real-time reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), confocal microscopy and rescue studies, were used to explore the underlying mechanisms of GPR65's action in liver fibrosis. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of GPR65 inhibitor in the development of liver fibrosis was investigated.

RESULTS

We found that hepatic macrophages (HMs)-enriched GPR65 was upregulated in both human and mouse fibrotic livers. Moreover, knockout of Gpr65 significantly alleviated BDL- and CCl4-induced liver inflammation, injury and fibrosis in vivo, and mouse bone marrow transplantation (BMT) experiments further demonstrated that the protective effect of Gpr65 knockout is primarily mediated by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Additionally, in vitro data demonstrated that Gpr65 silencing and GPR65 antagonist inhibited, while GPR65 overexpression and application of GPR65 endogenous and exogenous agonists enhanced the expression and release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), all of which subsequently promoted the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the damage of hepatocytes (HCs). Mechanistically, GPR65 overexpression, the acidic pH and GPR65 exogenous agonist induced up-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 via the Gαq-Ca2+-JNK/NF-κB pathways, while promoted the expression of TGF-β through the Gαq-Ca2+-MLK3-MKK7-JNK pathway. Notably, pharmacological GPR65 inhibition retarded the development of inflammation, HCs injury and fibrosis in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

GPR65 is a major regulator that modulates the progression of liver fibrosis. Thus, targeting GPR65 could be an effective therapeutic strategy for the prevention of liver fibrosis.

[Analysis of time for diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and its associated factors in a tuberculosis-designated hospital in Shanghai]

Objective: To investigate the pathogenic characteristics, bacteriological diagnosis time and its associated factors among patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease in a large tuberculosis-designated hospital in Shanghai from 2020 to 2021, in order to improve diagnosis efficiency and formulate precision treatment. Methods: On the basis of the Tuberculosis Database in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, NTM patients diagnosed by the Department of Tuberculosis between January 2020 and December 2021 were screened. Demographic, clinical and bacterial information were retrospectively collected. Chi-square test, paired-sample nonparametric test and logistic regression model were used to analyze the factors associated with the diagnosis time of NTM lung disease. Results: A total of 294 patients with bacteriologically confirmed NTM lung disease were included in this study, 147 males and 147 females with a median age of 61(46, 69) years. Of them, 227 (77.2%) patients had comorbidity of bronchiectasis. Species identification results showed that Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare Complex was the main pathogen of NTM lung disease (56.1%), followed by Mycobacterium kansasii (19.0%) and Mycobacterium abscessus (15.3%). Species such as Mycobacterium xenopi and Mycobacterium malmoense were rarely identified, accounting for a total proportion of only 3.1%. Positive culture rates for sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and puncture fluid were 87.4%, 80.3% and 61.5%, respectively. Paired-sample analysis showed that the positive rate of sputum culture was significantly higher than that of smear microscopy (87.1% vs. 48.4%, P<0.01), while no statistical difference was observed between sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid on positive culture rate (78.7% vs. 77.3%, P>0.05). Patients with cough or expectoration were observed with 4.04-fold (95%CI 1.80-9.05) or 2.95-fold (95%CI 1.34-6.52) higher probability of positive sputum culture, compared to those without. Regarding bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, female or patients with bronchiectasis had a 2.82-fold (95%CI 1.16-6.88) or 2.38-fold (95%CI 1.01-5.63) higher probability to achieve a positive culture. The median time to diagnosis of NTM lung disease was 32 (interquartile range: 26-42) days. The results of multivariable analysis showed that patients with symptom of expectoration (aOR=0.48, 95%CI 0.29-0.80) needed a shorter diagnosis time in comparison with patients without expectoration. With Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare Complex as a reference, lung disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus needed shorter diagnosis time (aOR=0.43, 95%CI 0.21-0.88), whereas those caused by rare NTM species were observed to require a longer diagnosis time (aOR=8.31, 95%CI 1.01-68.6). Conclusion: The main pathogen causing NTM lung disease in Shanghai was Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare Complex. Sex, clinical symptoms and bronchiectasis had an impact on the positive rate of mycobacterial culture. The majority of patients in study hospital were timely diagnosed. Clinical symptoms and NTM species were associated with the bacteriological diagnosis time of NTM lung disease.

[Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution on the Structure of Microbial Communities in Different Habitats]

Heavy metal pollution seriously threatens the diversity and composition of microbial communities in various ecosystems. However, little is known about the effects of heavy metal pollution on the structure of microbial communities in the three habitats of "surface water-sediment-groundwater." Here, with help of 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology, the diversity and composition of microbial communities, as well as the underlying controlling factors, were investigated and compared among the surface water, sediment, and groundwater of the Tanghe sewage reservoir. The results showed significant differences in the diversity of microbial communities among different habitats, with the highest α diversity observed in groundwater rather than surface water or sediment. Meanwhile, microbial communities also displayed distinct compositions among the three different habitats. Specifically, Pedobacter, Hydrogenophaga, Flavobacterium, and Algoriphagus were dominant in surface water; metal-tolerant bacteria such as Ornatilinea, Longilinea, Thermomarinilinea, and Bellilinea prevailedin sediment; and Arthrobacter, Gallionella, and Thiothrix were abundant in groundwater. Furthermore, physicochemical factors and metal variables jointly determined the microbial community structure in the three habitats. Among the influencing factors,pH, NO₃^--N, and Li were the main factors affecting the microbial structure in surface water; TP, NH₄⁺-N, Cr, Fe, Cu, and Zn significantly impacted microorganisms in sediment; and only pH (not metal pollutants) was weakly associated with the microbial composition in groundwater. Overall, heavy metal pollution significantly shaped the microbial community structure in sediment, followed by that in surface water and groundwater. These results provide important scientific guidance for the ecological restoration and the sustainable development of heavy metal-polluted ecosystems.

The Association of Serum Adipokines, Insulin Resistance and Vitamin D Status in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

Background

The frequent coexistence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in patients with Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), may indicate a common pathogenetic pathway with adipokines being a possible implicating cytokine.

Objective

This study was conducted to investigate the changes in serum levels of adipokines, insulin resistance, vitamin D status and their relationship with AGA, and the relationship between serum levels of adipokines and insulin resistance.

Methods

80 male patients with AGA were selected as the experimental group and 60 healthy males served as the control group. Both the AGA group and healthy control group were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of insulin resistance (IR): the IR group and the NIR group. Serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, insulin and 25(OH)D were evaluated in all subjects.

Results

Compared with the control group, AGA patients showed higher serum levels of leptin and lower adiponectin/leptin (Adpn/Lep) ratio (P<0.05), and both were positively correlated with the severity of the disease. Compared with the AGA NIR group, serum leptin levels were increased in the AGA IR group (P<0.05). AGA IR group and AGA NIR group possessed lower Adpn/Lep ratio when compared with the healthy IR group and healthy NIR group respectively (P<0.05). The multi-factor logistic regression analysis results showed decreased Adpn/Lep level and increased leptin level as risk factors for AGA. AGA Patients had lower vitamin D levels than healthy controls (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with AGA show an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines, and probably be involved in AGA pathogenesis. Insulin resistance may influence levels of adipokines, but the present findings cannot indicate insulin resistance plays a role in the onset of AGA. The insufficiency and deficiency of vitamin D are common health concern in our subjects and may be involved in the dysfunction of adipocytes and the development of AGA.

Bibliometric Study of Adaptogens in Dermatology: Pharmacophylogeny, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Mechanisms

Background

Adaptogens are a class of medicinal plants that can nonspecifically enhance human resistance. Most of the plant adaptogens have relevant applications in dermatology, but there are still few studies related to their particular action and co-operative mechanisms in topical skin application.

Methods

Plant adaptogens related articles and reviews that published between 1999 and 2022 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Various bibliographic elements were collected, including the annual number of publications, countries/regions, and keywords. CiteSpace, a scientometric software, was used to conduct bibliometric analyses. Also, the patsnap global patent database was used to analyze the patent situation of plant adaptogens in the field of cosmetics up to 2021.

Results

We found that the effects of plant adaptogens on skin diseases mainly involve atopic dermatitis, acne, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and androgenetic alopecia, etc. And the effects on skin health mainly involve anti-aging and anti-photoaging, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, whitening, and anti-hair loss, etc. Also, based on the results of patent analysis, it is found that the effects of plant adaptogens on skin mainly focus on aging retardation. The dermatological effects of plant adaptogens are mainly from Fabaceae Lindl., Araliaceae Juss. and Lamiaceae Martinov., and their mainly efficacy phytochemical components are terpenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids.

Conclusion

The plant adaptogens can repair the skin barrier and maintain skin homeostasis by regulating the skin HPA-like axis, influencing the oxidative stress pathway to inhibit inflammation, and regulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) components to maintain a dynamic equilibrium, ultimately achieving the treatment of skin diseases and the maintenance of a healthy state.

Predictive value of left atrial strain analysis in adverse clinical events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a CMR study

BACKGROUND

A subset of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) will experience adverse clinical events such as heart failure (HF), cardiovascular death, and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Current risk stratification methods are imperfect and limit the identification of patients at high risk for HCM. This study aimed to evaluate the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived left atrial strain parameters in the occurrence of adverse clinical events in patients with HCM.

METHODS

Left atrial (LA) structural, functional, and strain parameters were evaluated in 99 patients with HCM and compared with 89 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched control subjects. LA strain parameters were derived from CMR two- and four-chamber cine images by a semiautomatic method. LA strain parameters include global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS). The LA GLS includes reservoir strain (GLS reservoir), conduit strain (GLS conduit), and booster strain (GLS booster). Three LA GLS strain rate (SR) parameters were derived: SR reservoir, SR conduit, and SR booster. The primary endpoint was set as a composite of adverse clinical events, including SCD, new-onset or worsening to hospitalized HF, new-onset AF, thromboembolic events, and fatal ventricular arrhythmias.

RESULTS

LA GLS, GLS SR and GCS were impaired in HCM patients compared to control subjects (all p < 0.001). After a mean follow-up of 37.94 ± 23.69 months, 18 HCM patients reached the primary endpoint. LA GLS, GLS SR, and GCS were significantly lower in HCM patients with adverse clinical events than in those without adverse clinical events (all p < 0.05). In stepwise multiple Cox regression analysis, LV SV, LA diameter, pre-contraction LAV (LAV pre-ac), passive LA ejection fraction (EF), and LA GLS booster were all independent determinants of adverse clinical events. LA GLS booster ≤ 8.9% was the strongest determinant (HR = 8.9 [95%CI (1.951, 40.933)], p = 0.005). Finally, LA GLS booster provided predictive adverse clinical events value (AUC = 0.86 [95%CI 0.77-0.98]) that exceeded traditional outcome predictors.

CONCLUSION

LA strain assessment, a measure of LA function, provides additional predictive information for established predictors of HCM patients. LA GLS booster was independently associated with adverse clinical events in patients with HCM.

[Effects of arsenic and its main metabolites on A549 cell apoptosis and the expression of pro-apoptotic genes Bad and Bik]

Objective: To investigate the effect of arsenic and its main metabolites on the apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and the expression of pro-apoptotic genes Bad and Bik. Methods: In October 2020, A549 cells were recovered and cultured, and the cell viability was detected by the cell counting reagent CCK-8 to determine the concentration and time of sodium arsenite exposure to A549. The study was divided into NaAsO(2) exposure groups and metobol: le expoure groups: the metabolite comparison groups were subdivided into the control group, the monomethylarsinic acid exposure group (60 μmol/L) , and the dimethylarsinic acid exposure group (60 μmol/L) ; sodium arsenite dose groups were subdivided into 4 groups: control group (0) , 20, 40, 60 μmol/L sodium arsenite NaAsO(2). Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide double staining (Ho/PI) was used to observe cell apoptosis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of Bad and Bik mRNA in cells after exposure. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Bad, P-Bad-S112, Bik, cleaved Bik and downstream proteins poly ADP-ribose polymerase PARP1 and cytochrome C (Cyt-C) , using spectrophotometry to detect the activity changes of caspase 3, 6, 8, 9. Results: Compared with the control group, the proportion of apoptotic cells in the 20, 40, and 60 μmol/L NaAsO(2) dose groups increased significantly (P<0.01) , and the expression levels of Bad, Bik mRNA, the protein expression levels of Bad, P-Bad-S112, Bik, cleaved Bik, PARP1, Cyt-C were increased (all P<0.05) , and the activities of Caspase 3, 6, 8, and 9 were significantly increased with significantly differences (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the expression level of Bad mRNA in the DMA exposure group (1.439±0.173) was increased with a significant difference (P=0.024) , but there was no significant difference in the expression level of Bik mRNA (P=0.788) . There was no significant differences in the expression levels of Bad and Bik mRNA in the poison groups (P=0.085, 0.063) . Compared with the control group, the gray values of proteins Bad, Bik, PARP1 and Cyt-C exposed to MMA were 0.696±0.023, 0.707±0.014, 0.907±0.031, 1.032±0.016, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.469, 0.669, 0.859, 0.771) ; the gray values of proteins Bad, Bik, PARP1 and Cyt-C exposed to DMA were 0.698±0.030, 0.705±0.022, 0.908±0.015, 1.029±0.010, and there was no difference between the two groups (P=0.479, 0.636, 0.803, 0.984) . Conclusion: Sodium arsenite induces the overexpression of Bad and Bik proteins, initiates the negative feedback regulation of phosphorylated Bad and the degradation of Bik, activates the downstream proteins PARP1, Cyt-C and Caspase pathways, and mediates the apoptosis of A549 cells.

Advanced Glycation End Products in the Skin: Molecular Mechanisms, Methods of Measurement, and Inhibitory Pathways

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a series of stable compounds produced under non-enzymatic conditions by the amino groups of biomacromolecules and the free carbonyl groups of glucose or other reducing sugars commonly produced by thermally processed foods. AGEs can cause various diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and chronic kidney disease, by triggering the receptors of AGE (RAGEs) in the human body. There is evidence that AGEs can also affect the different structures and physiological functions of the skin. However, the mechanism is complicated and cumbersome and causes various harms to the skin. This article aims to identify and summarise the formation and characteristics of AGEs, focussing on the molecular mechanisms by which AGEs affect the composition and structure of normal skin substances at different skin layers and induce skin issues. We also discuss prevention and inhibition pathways, provide a systematic and comprehensive method for measuring the content of AGEs in human skin, and summarise and analyse their advantages and disadvantages. This work can help researchers acquire a deeper understanding of the relationship between AGEs and the skin and provides a basis for the development of effective ingredients that inhibit glycation.

Facial Skin Aging Stages in Chinese Females

Background

Facial skin is exposed to the environment, which marks it with obvious signs of aging. Based on multi-dimensional non-invasive evaluation data, female facial skin can be characterized in detail. However, there are few studies on the general aging rules of facial skin. Most skin aging studies divide the ages into 5–10-year intervals, so they have lacked dynamic matching with facial skin aging.

Aim

To explore facial skin aging rules, discuss the main parameters of facial skin aging, propose an unequal-distance aging division method based on the main skin parameters, and study the skin characteristics of Chinese women of different aging stages.

Methods

We comprehensively described the skin status as 24 non-invasive skin parameters belonging to five dimensions: skin wrinkles, texture, stain, color and barrier function. We performed polynomial fitting on the 21 skin parameters that were significantly correlated with age and derived the rules of aging in the different dimensions. Based on the wrinkle dimension, the facial skin aging process was divided into four stages, and the skin characteristics of the different stages were compared.

Results

Skin wrinkles increased, texture deteriorated, acne decreased, pigment spots increased, skin tone darkened, and sebum secretion decreased with age, according to the polynomial fitting. The aging stage was divided into an incubation period (18–30 years old), an aging occurrence period (31–42 years old), a rapid aging period (43–47 years old), and a stable aging period (48–60 years old), according to the wrinkles. Different aging stages had different skin characteristics.

Conclusion

The incubation period is the critical period for the appearance of skin stains; the skin texture gradually deteriorates during the aging occurrence period; the rapid aging period is a critical period for the aging of skin parameters; skin status during the stable aging period is the worst.

[Re-evaluation of the diagnostic value and optimal cutoff point of captopril challenge test in diagnosis of primary aldosteronism]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate the diagnostic value and optimal cutoff point of captopril challenge test (CCT) in diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA). Methods: This is a retrospective study. All patients with a high risk for PA underwent screening test, and then proceeded to CCT and fludrocortisone suppression test (FST) on different days. The FST was used as a reference standard for PA. The plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were measured with an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay. Random number method was performed in the patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA), in order to make the proportion of the analyzed UPA in PA was 35%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to compare diagnostic accuracy. Results: A total of 543 patients with 400 PA patients and 143 essential hypertension (EH) patients were enrolled. The diagnostic value of post-CCT PAC was significantly higher than that of the post-CCT plasma aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR), and that of the PAC suppression percentage, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC_ROC) was 0.86 (0.83, 0.89) for PAC, 0.78 (0.74, 0.82) for ARR, and 0.62 (0.56, 0.67) for the PAC suppression percentage (all P<0.01), respectively. The optimal cutoff point of post-CCT PAC for PA was 110 ng/L, in which the sensitivity and specificity were 73.25% and 79.02%, respectively. The diagnostic efficiency of post-CCT PAC was not improved either in combination with PAC suppression percentage or in combination with post-CCT ARR. Conclusions: CCT is a useful test for the confirmation of PA. PAC level of 110 ng/L at 2 h after 50 mg of captopril is recommended as an optimal cutoff point for the diagnosis of PA.

Salvianolic acid B regulates collagen synthesis: Indirect influence on human dermal fibroblasts through the microvascular endothelial cell pathway

BACKGROUND

Salvianolic acid B (SAB) is one of the main active ingredients of Salvia Miltiorrhiza. It has significant skin anti-aging, whitening, and sun protection properties.

AIMS

The study aimed at studying the mechanism underlying the effect of salvianolic acid Bon collagen synthesis, which has good anti-aging efficacy and modulates microcirculation.

METHODS

This study employed available public databases, bioinformatics methodologies, and the inverse docking approach to explore the effectiveness of SAB in the regulating collagen synthesis, and then used an human dermal fibroblast (HDF)- Human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HDMEC) in vitro model to validate the predicted mechanism of SAB in influencing collagen synthesis.

RESULTS

The results showed that NO production in SAB-treated HDMEC-conditioned medium was increased compared to that in control media, and the same tendency was also observed for growth factor production. SAB also upregulated HDMEC cellular eNOS and VEGF. When SAB-treated HDMEC conditioned medium was transferred to HDFs, the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and elastin in HDFs was upregulated and MMP-1 was downregulated.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that SAB regulates collagen through the HDMEC-HDF pathway. Furthermore, the mechanisms might be closely related to the microcirculation factors NO and VEGF.

Bibliometric Analysis of Forensic Genetics Literatures in SCIE from 1989 to 2019

Abstract

Objective To conduct bibliometric analysis of forensic genetics literatures published by Chinese mainland scholars in SCIE journals from 1989 to 2019, to show the research achievements of the past three decades and predict future research fields and directions. Methods Microsoft Office Excel 2019 was utilized to analyze the general situation, research institutions, authors, funds, author keywords, etc. of the literatures. The status of research in forensic genetics in Chinese mainland was visualized by PlotDB, Gephi 0.9.2 software and literature interpretation. Results During the last three decades, 1 126 forensic genetics literatures were published by scholars from Chinese mainland on SCIE journals, mostly articles. The quantity and quality of the literatures were both on the increase. The number of literatures published in Forensic Science International-Genetics was the highest, and 60.83% of the literatures were funded, mainly by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （498 literatures）. The current research hotspots were STR, SNP, InDel polymorphisms, linkage genetic markers, mtDNA genetic markers, epigenetic markers, RNA genetic markers, chip technology and omics research method. Conclusion The forensic genetics in China has developed rapidly along with the promotion of forensic science in universities. The SCIE literatures on forensic genetics published by Chinese mainland scholars increased rapidly with the funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, which positively contributes to the development of basic research and the improvement of overall level in forensic genetics in China.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule promotes breast cancer resistance protein-mediated multidrug resistance in breast cancer by inducing partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Overexpression of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) plays a crucial role in the acquired multidrug resistance (MDR) in breast cancer. The elucidation of molecular events that confer BCRP-mediated MDR is of major therapeutic importance in breast cancer. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has been implicated in tumor progression and drug resistance in various types of cancers, including breast cancer. However, the role of EpCAM in BCRP-mediated MDR in breast cancer remains unknown. In the present study, we revealed that EpCAM expression was upregulated in BCRP-overexpressing breast cancer MCF-7/MX cells, and EpCAM knockdown using siRNA reduced BCRP expression and increased the sensitivity of MCF-7/MX cells to mitoxantrone (MX). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promoted BCRP-mediated MDR in breast cancer cells, and EpCAM knockdown partially suppressed EMT progression in MCF-7/MX cells. In addition, Wnt/β-catenin signaling was activated in MCF-7/MX cells, and the inhibition of this signaling attenuated EpCAM and BCRP expression and partially reversed EMT. Together, this study illustrates that EpCAM upregulation by Wnt/β-catenin signaling induces partial EMT to promote BCRP-mediated MDR resistance in breast cancer cells. EpCAM may be a potential therapeutic target for overcoming BCRP-mediated resistance in human breast cancer.

Skin inflammation induced by ambient particulate matter in China

Most published studies on particulate matter (PM) concerning PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ have focused on PM-induced effects on the respiratory system (particularly lung) and cardiovascular system effects. However, epidemiological and mechanistic studies suggest that PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ also affects the skin, which is a key health issue. In this study, we first reviewed the current status of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in China, including relevant regulations, concentration levels, chemical components, and emission sources. Next, we summarized the association between PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ or its representative components, in relation to skin inflammation as well as inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, acne, eczema, and skin aging. Finally, we determined the mechanism of oxidative stress or programmed cell death induced through PM, which can provide useful information for future research on PM-induced skin inflammation.

Mechanical-Resonance-Enhanced Thin-Film Magnetoelectric Heterostructures for Magnetometers, Mechanical Antennas, Tunable RF Inductors, and Filters

The strong strain-mediated magnetoelectric (ME) coupling found in thin-film ME heterostructures has attracted an ever-increasing interest and enables realization of a great number of integrated multiferroic devices, such as magnetometers, mechanical antennas, RF tunable inductors and filters. This paper first reviews the thin-film characterization techniques for both piezoelectric and magnetostrictive thin films, which are crucial in determining the strength of the ME coupling. After that, the most recent progress on various integrated multiferroic devices based on thin-film ME heterostructures are presented. In particular, rapid development of thin-film ME magnetometers has been seen over the past few years. These ultra-sensitive magnetometers exhibit extremely low limit of detection (sub-pT/Hz^1/2) for low-frequency AC magnetic fields, making them potential candidates for applications of medical diagnostics. Other devices reviewed in this paper include acoustically actuated nanomechanical ME antennas with miniaturized size by 1–2 orders compared to the conventional antenna; integrated RF tunable inductors with a wide operation frequency range; integrated RF tunable bandpass filter with dual H- and E-field tunability. All these integrated multiferroic devices are compact, lightweight, power-efficient, and potentially integrable with current complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, showing great promise for applications in future biomedical, wireless communication, and reconfigurable electronic systems.

[Genetic Polymorphisms of 30 InDel Loci in Ewenki Ethnic Group from Inner Mongolia]

OBJECTIVES

To study the genetic polymorphisms of 30 insertion/deletion （InDel） loci and evaluate their forensic application in Ewenki ethnic group from Inner Mongolia.

METHODS

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 87 unrelated healthy individuals in Ewenki ethnic group. Genomic DNA were extracted, and 30 InDel loci of the samples were multiplex amplified and genotyped. Hardy-Weinberg balance tests were preformed for all loci and genetic parameters were calculated by modified PowerStats v1.2 software. The linkage disequilibrium between loci were tested by SNPAnalyzer v2.0 software. Based on the allele frequencies of 30 InDel loci, the genetic relationships between Ewenki ethnic group and other populations were evaluated by analysis of molecular variance, principal component analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction.

RESULTS

After correction, 30 InDel loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. It was found that the pairwise InDel loci were in linkage equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. The results of population genetics indicated that Ewenki ethnic group had close genetic relationships with Henan Han and Beijing Han populations; whereas it was significantly different from several populations in Europe and Mexico.

CONCLUSIONS

There are relatively high genetic polymorphisms on 30 InDel loci of Ewenki ethnic group from Inner Mongolia, which can be used as a helpful supplement application for STR detection system.

Direct electrochemical measurement of metanephrines in spot urine samples for the diagnosis of phaeochromocytomas

Metanephrines (MNs) were suggested as a potential first-line biochemical index for the diagnosis of phaeochromocytomas (PHEO). In this study, we developed a simple electrochemical method for the quantitative measurement of MNs in spot urine samples. As MNs contain a hydroxyphenyl group, they could be oxidized at a certain potential to quinines, which could be further detected by the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method using unmodified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). Meanwhile, the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique was used to eliminate the matrix effect in the samples. Consequently, free MNs from the extracted urine sample were screened in a linear range from 0.25 mg/L to 12.5 mg/L. The lowest limit of quantification (LLOQ) for MNs was 0.25 mg/L and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.05 mg/L. Both the precisions and recoveries were sufficient for clinical applications. The urine samples from 22 patients with PHEO and 63 controls were analyzed by the proposed method. The area under the ROC curve was 0.981 (95% CI, 0.958–1.000) with the sensitivity of 95.5% and the specificity of 92.4% at the cut-off value of 0.404 mg/L in these urine samples. Overall, the proposed method provides a cost-effective, rapid and simple tool for clinical diagnosis of PHEO.

Significance of normal range urinary albumin to creatinine ratio in Chinese subjects with metabolic syndrome

This study was aimed to investigate clinical features of Chinese metabolic syndrome (MS) subjects with normal urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and to estimate independent correlation factor for UACR. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey in participants having MS. The patients with different grade of albuminuria were divided into 4 groups according to the value of UACR (<10, 10-20, 21-30, >30 mg/g). All underwent biochemical tests. Bioelectrical impedance body fat content, islet β-cell function and insulin sensitivity were measured. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to further determine association between UACR and clinical factors with adjustment. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), TG, fat mass, fat content and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly higher in the group with UACR at 10-20 mg/g than those in the group with UACA lower than 10 mg/g (P<0.05). Multivariable linear regression showed that TG, HbA1c, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and SBP were independently associated with UACR. The patients with normal UACR had abnormal levels of MS components. The factors independently associated with UACR were TG, HbA1c, WHR and SBP.

Assessment of various traditional Chinese medicine formulas on skin micro-circulatory perfusion

Laser Doppler imagery is a contemporary form biomedical science specializing in non-evasive micro-circulation investigation. This paper outlines the process and results of applying twelve different test samples to mouse skin to collect data variation of micro-circulation, then judge the effects of different formulas in skin health improvement. More specifically, it is said [15] that micro-circulation is associated with anti-aging (otherwise known as micro-circulation acceleration) by the way of improvement of nutrition supply and hazard substance elimination, has some effects of skin anti-aging. In this paper, compared with Group 0 (the blank group), Group 1, and Group 2 formulas have statistically significant differences in skin micro-circulation perfusion, which implies that those two groups are provided with better anti-aging formulas. So, Group 1's formula and Group 2's formula have the most significant positive effect on the skin health.

Inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) suppresses ovarian cancer growth, migration and invasion and enhances the effect of cisplatin in vitro

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-ovarian cancer effect of the inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), WP1066. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation of STAT3 in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP. MTT and colony-forming assays were performed to evaluate the viability and growth of ovarian cancer cells. The apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells was determined by flow cytometry. The wound healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to examine the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. WP1066 significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3 in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. WP1066 treatment inhibited the proliferation and clonogenicity of both SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. After WP1066 treatment for 24 h, the apoptosis rates of SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells were significantly increased compared with the control cells. After treatment with WP1066, the reduction of the wound gaps was significantly less in both SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. WP1066 also significantly inhibited the invasion capacity of SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells compared with the control group. Treatment with WP1066 combined with cisplatin significantly increased proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in SKOV3 and SKOV3/ DDP cells compared with treatment with cisplatin alone. A synergistic action between WP1066 and cisplatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells was determined. In conclusion, inhibition of STAT3 may suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion, induce apoptosis and enhance the chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer cells, indicating that STAT3 is a new therapeutic target of ovarian cancer.

Poly(acrylic acid) modifying bentonite with in-situ polymerization for removing lead ions

In this paper, a new kind of poly(acrylic acid) modified clay adsorbent, the poly(acrylic acid)/bentonite composite (PAA/HB) was prepared by in-situ polymerization, and utilized to remove lead(II) ions from solutions. The maximum adsorption of adsorbent is at pH 5 for metal ions, whereas the adsorption starts at pH 2. The effects of contact time (5-60 min), initial concentration of metal ions (200-1,000 mg/L) and adsorbent dosage (0.04-0.12 g/100 mL) have been reported in this article. The experimental data were investigated by means of kinetic and equilibrium adsorption isotherms. The kinetic data were analyzed by the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equation. The experimental data fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model very well. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were tried for the system to better understand the adsorption isotherm process. The maximal adsorption capacity of the lead(II) ions on the PAA/HB, as calculated from the Langmuir model, was 769.2 mg/g. The results in this study indicated that PAA/HB was an attractive candidate for removing lead(II) (99%).

Preparation of xanthated bentonite and its removal behavior for Pb(II) ions

Xanthate was successfully grafted onto bentonite by a relatively simple solution reaction. The obtained xanthated bentonite (XBent) was characterized by FT-IR spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), particle size analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XBent acting as a type of environmentally friendly adsorbent was applied to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions. The optimum conditions were as follows: [Pb(2+)] = 500 mg L(-1), [XBent] = 2 g L(-1), pH = 5.0; oscillating 60 min under 200 rpm at 25 degrees C. The removal rate of lead was up to 99.9%. It was found that the lead(II) ions-XBent adsorption isotherm model fitted well to the Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption mechanism was also investigated by SEM and XRD, which concluded that lead ions were complexed or chelated with XBent. XBent appears to have potential to be used later in water treatment as a type of inorganic polymer reagent.

Preparation of solid composite polyferric sulfate and its flocculation behavior for wastewater containing high concentration organic compounds

A new kind of inorganic polymer flocculant, the solid composite polyferric sulfate (SPFS) was prepared using ferrous sulfate and Na-Bentonite. The obtained SPFS was characterized by FT-IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). It showed that SPFS was a kind of composite inorganic polymer, which was the complex of PFS and Na-Bent, not only a simple mixture of raw materials. The synthetic mechanism and surface structure of SPFS were also discussed. Acting as a kind of environment-friendly flocculating agent, the solid composite polyferric sulfate (SPFS) was applied in pretreatment of potato starch industry wastewater, a typical wastewater containing high concentration organic compounds, which COD was above 6,000 mg/L. The results showed that the COD removal value reached 4,070 mg/L with COD removal rates being 46.6%. Based on these results, it is suggested that the SPFS can be attractive pretreatment agent for the starch industry wastewater.

The role of citric acid on the phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil

Adsorption and hydroponics experiments were conducted to study the role of citric acid on the phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil. The results show that addition of citric acid decreased the adsorption of both lead and cadmium, such an effect was bigger for cadmium than for lead. The decrease in the adsorption of Pb and Cd was mainly due to a decrease of pH in the presence of citric acid. The presence of citric acid could alleviate the toxicity of Pb and Cd to radish, and stimulate their transportation from root to shoot. The studies of heavy metal forms using sequential extraction demonstrated that lead was mainly existed as FHAC (a lower bioavailable form) in the root, while F(HCl) was the dominant form in the leaf. The addition of citric acid to the soil changed the concentration and relative abundance of all the forms. The detoxifying effect of citric acid to Pb in shoots might result from the transformation of higher toxic forms into lower toxic forms. Cadmium was mainly present as F(NaCl), therefore, it had higher toxicity than lead. The addition of citric acid increased the abundance of F(H2O) + F(NaCl), indicating that citric acid treatment could transform cadmium into more transportable forms.

Rapid degradation of butachlor in wheat rhizosphere soil

The degradative characteristics of butachlor in non-rhizosphere, wheat rhizosphere, and inoculated rhizosphere soils were measured. The rate constants for the degradation of butachlor in non-rhizosphere, rhizosphere, and inoculated rhizosphere soils were measured to be 0.0385, 0.0902, 0.1091 at 1 mg/kg, 0.0348, 0.0629, 0.2355 at 10 mg/kg, and 0.0299, 0.0386, 0.0642 at 100 mg/kg, respectively. The corresponding half-lives for butachlor in the soils were calculated to be 18.0, 7.7, 6.3 days at 1 mg/kg, 19.9, 11.0, 2.9 days at 10 mg/kg, and 23.2, 18.0, 10.8 days at 100 mg/kg, respectively. The experimental results show that the degradation of butachlor can be enhanced greatly in wheat rhizosphere, and especially in the rhizosphere inoculated with the bacterial community designated HD which is capable of degrading butachlor. It could be concluded that rhizosphere soil inoculated with microorganisms-degrading target herbicides is a useful pathway to achieve rapid degradation of the herbicides in soil.

Effect of cadmium on nodulation and N2-fixation of soybean in contaminated soils

The effects of cadmium stress on nodulation, N2-fixation capabilities of the root nodule, the change in ultrastructure of the root nodule, soybean growth, and the distribution of cadmium in plants were studied. The results obtained show that the nodulation of soybean roots was greatly inhibited by the addition of Cd, especially at the addition level of 10 and 20 mg kg(-1) soil. The inhibition of plant growth, especially the root growth, increased as the cadmium concentration increased, with deleterious effects observed for the roots. The weight ratio of soybean root/leaf decreased as the Cd concentration increased, which might explain the reason for nodulation decreases. The results also indicate that N2-fixation of root nodule was stimulated to some extent at the low levels of Cd addition, but decreased sharply with further increase of the Cd concentration. High Cd levels were also associated with changes in the ultrastructure of root nodule, in which the effective N2-fixing area was reduced and the N2-fixing cells in the area also reduced. In addition, the results also reveal that the content of Cd in different parts of the plants was as follows: roots >> stems > seeds, indicating that the accumulation of Cd by roots is much larger than that by any other part of the soybean plant, and might cause deleterious effects to root systems.

Physiological mechanism of plant roots exposed to cadmium

Physiological experiments on plant roots exposed to cadmium were conducted on carrot and radish using a liquid culture and a pot experiment with a series of cadmium applications. Activities of four enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase), and concentrations of free proline and malonaldehyde in the roots of both plants were investigated. Results showed that the germination rate and growth of roots of both plants were inhibited at the concentration of 20 mg Cd/l, and the inhibition was increased with the increasing concentrations of cadmium, both in the liquid culture and in the pot experiment; activities of the four enzymes declined similarly in both species. The concentration of proline in roots reached the maximum when the application of cadmium was at the level of 20 mg/l in the liquid culture (or 20 mg/kg in soil), and then it declined slowly with the increasing concentration of cadmium. However, the reverse trend was observed for the concentration of malonaldehyde. All of bio-indicators measured here was quite sensitive to the addition of cadmium.

Matrix interference in serum total thyroxin (T4) time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) and its elimination with the use of streptavidin-biotin separation technique

In our development of total serum thyroxin TRFIA using an immobilized second-antibody (S-Ab) as the separation agent, we observed a significant measurement bias caused by a matrix interference when the immobilized S-Ab had a relatively low binding capacity for the primary anti-T4 monoclonal antibody (McAb). Therefore, we employed a new separation system based on the highly active surface streptavidin and biotinylated anti-T4 McAb. Our results indicate that the matrix interference was removed and the assay performance was improved with the use of streptavidin-biotin separation technique. In our method, microwells were first coated with biotinylated BSA and then a streptavidin solution in the presence of 1% BSA was added to allow streptavidin to be immobilized via the pre-coated BSA-biotin. Surface streptavidin prepared in this protocol expressed a significantly increased binding capacity for the biotinylated anti-T4 McAb, compared to the passively adsorbed S-Ab for binding the original anti-T4 McAb. The immunoreactions between the biotinylated anti-T4 McAb and the T4 in the standard or sample or the europium-labeled T4-BSA conjugate mainly occurred in liquid solution, and then the immune complex was specifically trapped by the surface streptavidin and isolated from the free trace by washing. Serum TT4 TRFIA based on surface streptavidin was accurate, precise and economic, maintained all the merits of the directly immobilized surface antibodies.

The effect of neonatal capsaicin on the c-Fos-like immunoreactivity induced in subnucleus oralis neurons by noxious intraoral stimulation

The noxious stimulus-dependent induction of c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in neurons in the subnucleus oralis and the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) was significantly suppressed by the selective destruction of unmyelinated primary neurons. The induction of Fos-LI by topical capsaicin application to the lingual mucosal stimulation was almost completely suppressed by neonatal capsaicin treatment. Fos-LI induction by the tooth pulp stimulation and by formalin injection to the lingual mucosa were only partially reduced. These results provide an evidence that the noxious signals from the intraoral structures are transmitted by both unmyelinated and myelinated nociceptors to the subnucleus oralis as well as the MDH.

Noxious tooth pulp stimulation suppresses c-fos expression in the rat hippocampal formation

Changes in the expression of immediate early gene c-fos by noxious mechanical stimulation to the mandibular incisor pulp of rats were immunohistochemically examined in the hippocampus (Ammon's horn and dentate gyrus) and the retrohippocampus (subiculum, presubiculum, parasubiculum and entorhinal cortex). The highest control levels were found in subiculum, CA1, dentate and deep medial entorhinal cortex. Lower, but substantial levels were present in the other areas. Whereas weak dentinal stimulation caused increases in c-fos expression in some regions which were not statistically significant, strong tooth pulp stimulation caused a bilateral decrease in c-fos expression in every region except contralateral subiculum. These decreases reached statistical significance in superficial layer parasubiculum bilaterally (p<0.01), bilateral CA1 and ipsilateral side of superficial layer of medial entorhinal cortex (p<0.05). We suggest that inhibitory circuitry in hippocampal formation regions may be activated by peripheral noxious somatosensory inputs and this change in activity is accompanied by a change in the expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos.

Apoptotic cascade of neurons in the subcortical sensory relay nuclei following the neonatal infraorbital nerve transection

A terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was utilized for detection of neuronal death in the subcortical relay nuclei of the trigeminosensory system following the infraorbital nerve transection in newborn rats. At 18-24 h after injury, numerous TUNEL-positive profiles were found within the ventroposteromedial thalamic nucleus (VPM) contralateral to the injury, whereas the VPM on the ipsilateral side and of the age-matched normal control contained only a few profiles per section. Electron microscopy revealed that the TUNEL-positive profiles were apoptotic neurons. The ventral part of the ipsilateral brainstem sensory trigeminal nuclear complex (the nucleus principalis, and the subnuclei oralis and interpolaris) exhibited statistically significant 65-70% increase in number of apoptotic neurons compared to the contralateral side. Taken together with our previous study [T. Sugimoto, C. Xiao, H. Ichikawa, Neonatal primary neuronal death induced by capsaicin and axotomy involves an apoptotic mechanism, Brain Res. 807 (1998) 147-154], the present results demonstrated a cascade of apoptosis in the primary, secondary and tertiary order sensory neurons along the neuroaxis.

S100 protein-immunoreactive trigeminal neurons innervating the rat molar tooth pulp

S100-immunoreactivity (ir) was examined in tooth pulp primary neurons of the rat. An immunofluorescence method demonstrated that the molar tooth pulp contained S100-immunoreactive (ir) nerve fibers. In the root pulp, pulp horn and roof of the pulp chamber, S100-ir smooth and varicose fibers ramified and formed subodontoblastic nerve plexuses. All the fibers became varicose at the base of the odontoblastic layer and extended to the odontoblastic layer. Some varicose endings could be traced into the dentin. The trigeminal neurons retrogradely labeled with fluorogold (FG) from the first and second maxillary molar tooth pulps exhibited S100- and parvalbumin-ir. Approximately 60% and 24% of the labeled cells were ir for S100 and parvalbumin, respectively. Virtually all parvalbumin-ir FG-labeled cells showed S100-ir, while 40% of S100-ir ones coexpressed parvalbumin-ir. An immunoelectron microscopic method revealed that all myelinated axons and half of the unmyelinated axons in the root pulp contained S100-ir. In the odontoblastic layer, predentin and dentin, S100-ir neurites lost the Schwann cell ensheathment and made close contact with cell bodies and processes of odontoblasts. The odontoblastic layer also contained parvalbumin-ir neurites. These neurites were devoid of the Schwann cell ensheathment and in close apposition to cell bodies and processes of odontoblasts. S100-ir pulpal axons seemed to be insensitive to repeated neonatal capsaicin treatment. This study suggests that S100-ir tooth pulp primary neurons are mostly myelinated and that S100-ir unmyelinated axons in the root pulp are preterminal segments of myelinated stem axons.

Induction of immediate-early genes c-fos and zif268 in the subnucleus oralis by noxious tooth pulp stimulation

c-fos and zif268 expression were assessed by immunocytochemistry for c-Fos and Zif268 proteins in the sensory trigeminal nuclear complex following noxious mechanical stimulation of the mandibular incisor pulp of rats. Marked up-regulation of both immediate early genes was observed in the subnucleus oralis ipsilateral to the stimulation. Cavity preparation of the dentine without reaching the pulp did not cause significant up-regulation detectable by immunocytochemistry. These results provide evidence that noxious dental signals reach the ipsilateral subnucleus oralis and up-regulate the transcription of immediate early genes c-fos and zif268.

c-fos induction in the subnucleus oralis following trigeminal nerve stimulation

Neurons with c-Fos protein-like immunoreactivity (fos-neurons) were examined in the rostral parts of the brainstem sensory trigeminal nuclear complex following intense electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerves and noxious mechanical stimulation of the trigeminal receptive fields. Stimulation of all the examined nerves and receptive fields induced some fos-neurons at the medial edge of the subnucleus interpolaris but not in the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus. Stimulation of the primary neurons innervating the intraoral structures but not facial skin induced fos-neurons in the ipsilateral subnucleus oralis. These oralis fos-neurons were located in the dorsomedial nucleus that contained calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity. The oralis fos-neurons are considered to be involved in the processing of intraoral nociceptive signals.

Trigeminal primary projection to the rat brain stem sensory trigeminal nuclear complex and surrounding structures revealed by anterograde transport of cholera toxin B subunit-conjugated and Bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectin B4-conjugated horseradish peroxidase

Trigeminal primary afferent neurons were labeled by injecting the rat trigeminal ganglion with either wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP), cholera toxin B subunit (B)-HRP or Bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectin B4 (IB4)-HRP. B-HRP stained medium to large cells (> 600 microm2), while IB4-HRP mostly small cells (< 400 microm2). WGA-HRP labeled trigeminal ganglion neurons of all sizes. Cell bodies in the mesencephalic trigeminal tract nucleus were labeled with WGA-HRP and B-HRP but not IB4-HRP. B-HRP revealed dense projection to the entire brain stem sensory trigeminal nuclear complex (BSTC) except for lamina II of the medullary dorsal horn (MDH). Some contralateral projection was also seen in the caudal part of MDH. Non-trigeminal nuclei receiving B-HRP-labeled terminals included the paratrigeminal nucleus (paraV), solitary tract nucleus, supratrigeminal nucleus, Probst's nucleus and median accessory nucleus. Following IB4-HRP application, terminal label was found in more restricted regions within the BSTC. Modest terminal label was seen in the dorsal part of principal sensory nucleus and at the medial edge of subnucleus interpolaris, while relatively dense terminal fields were seen in the dorsal half of subnucleus oralis. The MDH laminae I and II contained dense terminal label. Non-trigeminal nuclei were almost devoid of the IB4-HRP-labeled terminals excepting the paraV that contained dense terminal label. The terminal areas revealed with WGA-HRP coincided with B-HRP-labeled and IB4-HRP-labeled areas combined.

Central projection of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- and substance P (SP)-immunoreactive trigeminal primary neurons in the rat

Substance P (SP) is implicated in transmission of primary afferent nociceptive signals. In primary neurons, SP is colocalized with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is another neuropeptide marker for small to medium primary neurons. CGRP coreleased with SP augments the postsynaptic effect of SP and thereby modulates the nociceptive transmission. This study demonstrates the distribution of CGRP-like immunoreactivity (-ir) and SP-ir in the lower brainstem of normal rats and after trigeminal rhizotomy or tractotomy at the level of subnucleus interpolaris (Vi). By comparing the results obtained from normal and deafferented rats, we analyzed the central projection of trigeminal primary nociceptors. The CGRP-immunoreactive (-ir) trigeminal primaries projected to the entire rostrocaudal extent of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the principal nucleus (PrV), the paratrigeminal nucleus (paraV), and the lateral subnucleus of solitary tract nucleus (STN) on the ipsilateral side. The trigeminal primaries projecting to the spinal trigeminal nucleus, paraV and STN also contained SP-ir. The ipsilateral trigeminal primaries were the exclusive source of CGRP-ir terminals in the PrV, the Vi and the dorsomedial nucleus within the subnucleus oralis (Vo). The medullary dorsal horn (MDH) and the lateral edge of Vo received convergent CGRP-ir projection from the ipsilateral trigeminal primaries and other neurons. The glossopharyngeal and vagal primaries are candidates for the source of CGRP-ir projection to the Vo and the MDH, while the dorsal root axons supply the MDH with CGRP-ir terminals. In addition, contralateral primary neurons crossing the midline appear to contain CGRP and to terminate in the MDH.

Parvalbumin-immunoreactive nerve endings in the periodontal ligaments of rat teeth

Parvalbumin-immunoreactive nerve fibres were most abundant in the lingual periodontal ligaments of incisor teeth. In the part of the ligament adjacent to the alveolar bone, thick and smooth parvalbumin-immunoreactive nerve fibres left main nerve bundles and passed towards the part of the ligament adjacent to the tooth. In the ligament, halfway between the bone and tooth surfaces, these nerve fibres repeatedly branched and extended one to four twigs to produce bush-like endings. Parvalbumin-immunoreactive fibres and terminals were infrequent in the periodontal ligaments of the molar teeth. It is possible that parvalbumin-immunoreactive endings are periodontal mechanoreceptors, but at present it is difficult to account for the different representations around rat molar and incisor teeth.

Bax protein-like immunoreactivity in primary sensory and hypothalamic neurons of adult rats

Bax protein-like immunoreactivity (Bax-ir) was examined in the perfusion-fixed, cryosectioned rat nervous system. In the central nervous system, hypothalamic neurons were the only neurons that exhibited Bax-ir in the cell body. Their axons traveled toward the median eminence, suggesting that the Bax-like immunoreactive (Bax-ir) hypothalamic neurons included neurosecretory ones. Bax-ir axons were observed in the solitary tract nucleus, and spinal and medullary dorsal horns. They appear to have been derived from Bax-ir primary sensory neurons in the viscerosensory nodose ganglion and somatosensory dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. In the somatosensory ganglia, smaller cells exhibited stronger Bax-ir. Accordingly, the ir axons in the dorsal horn were most concentrated in lamina II.

[Effect of (-) stepholidine on dopamine turnover in various brain regions]

It has been shown before that DA antagonist (-) stepholidine [(-) SPD] changes the function of feedback regulation in the striatum. In order to compare the effect of the drug on other brain DA systems, the DA content and DOPAC level in brain areas or nuclei of rat were measured by HPLC-ECD. It was found that (-) SPD (10 mg/kg, ip) did not significantly affect the DA contents in the striatum, olfactory bulb, N. accumbens, substantia nigra, ventral tegmentum area, N. amygdala, hypothalamus, pituitary, piriform cortex, but did markedly increase the DOPAC levels in these brain areas or nuclei, and thus increase the DA turnover (DOPAC/DA). However, (-) SPD (10 mg/kg, ip) did not significantly affect either the DA contents or DOPAC levels in the prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex, thus leaving the DA turnover in these areas unchanges. These results indicated that (-) SPD did affect the nigro-striatal, midbrain-limbic and hypothalamus-pituitary DA systems, but not the midbrain-cortex DA system. It is supposed that this difference may be due to the modulation by presynaptic DA autoreceptors in the major brain areas of DA nerve endings or neurosoma, but none in the cortex DA nerve endings.

A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial of chlorthalidone and bone loss in elderly women

Employing a double-masked, prospective design, bone loss at three skeletal sites has been monitored among 113 postmenopausal women participating in a placebo-controlled trial of the thiazide-like diuretic chlorthalidone for treatment of systolic hypertension. The mean duration of chlorthalidone use was 2.6 years, at doses of 12.5-25 mg/day. Compared with placebo use, chlorthalidone use was associated with significant reductions in annual bone loss rates. Non-use of chlorthalidone was associated with bone loss at the calcaneus (-0.56% per year) and the proximal radius (-0.91% per year); borderline bone gain was observed at the distal radius (+0.39%). In contrast, chlorthalidone use was associated with bone gain at the calcaneus (+0.44% per year) and the distal radius (+1.51% per year); proximal radius bone loss was significantly reduced to -0.32% per year. The average increment for three appendicular sites was +0.9% per year. These data support a causal relationship between chlorthalidone use and reduced bone loss.

When should bone density measurements be repeated?

We calculated how long to wait before repeating bone mineral density (BMD) measurements to reassess fracture risk. Correlation results from serial measurements of 495 postmenopausal Japanese-American women were used to estimate 95% confidence intervals (CI) for future BMD. After 7 years of follow-up, BMD correlations with the initial measurement ranged between 0.81 and 0.94, depending on age group and measurement site. In this analysis, the period between measurements was defined as the time required for the lower 95% CI to fall below the BMD value corresponding to doubling of fracture risk. Progressive bone loss causes fracture risk to double after 10 years, on average. However, the 95% CIs indicate that a second BMD measurement will detect risk doubling after only 2 or 3 years for some women. For untreated, early postmenopausal women, the period between measurements was approximately 2-5 years for the radius and 4-6 years for the calcaneus, depending on the initial BMD level. The period was approximately 1 year longer for women age 60 and older. Treatments that halve the bone loss rate would increase the period by 1-3 years. In the absence of a second measurement of BMD, the CI will continue to expand with time, corresponding to a wider range in risk between individuals, and a greater proportion of women will be at increased fracture risk. Obtaining a second BMD measurement pinpoints the patient's status within the precision of the measurement. We conclude that repeated BMD measurements will provide a more accurate estimate of fracture risk than a single, baseline measurement.

Normal ranges for bone loss rates

We reported previously that the variability in bone loss rates among postmenopausal women decreases dramatically during the first few years of followup. In this paper, we have examined the distributions of bone loss rates measured at the calcaneus, distal radius and proximal radius. The incidence of physical impairment was five times greater among women with bone loss rates faster than 2 S.D. below the mean. Because the rate of change in bone density was skewed at the lower end of the distribution (representing rapid bone loss), the influence of values at the extreme ends of the distribution were statistically removed in order to estimate the normal distribution of bone loss rates. For the convenience of clinicians, the upper and lower limits of the 90 and 70% normal ranges are presented. Because average bone loss rates vary with age, normal ranges are provided separately by age group. The width of each normal range decreased by at least half after 3 or 4 years of followup, compared to less than 1 year. Consequently, measured loss rates which were well within the normal range at 1 year were sometimes far outside the normal range for longer followup times. We conclude that followup duration has a profound effect on estimates of the normal range, and must be considered when interpreting the clinical significance of measured loss rates.

Declining bone loss rate variability with increasing follow-up time

Bone loss rates are believed to vary substantially among post-menopausal women. The belief, however, might be largely based upon comparisons of loss rates measured with considerable error. This issue arises because the precision of the bone mass instrumentation (1-2% errors in measuring bone mass) is similar in magnitude to the loss rate (typically 1-2% of bone mass per year). The 'true' variability in loss rates, however, can be estimated by adjusting for instrument errors. An equation is presented which estimates the true variability in loss rates from a study sample. The adjustment was examined using a cohort of post-menopausal, Japanese-American women living in Hawaii. The study examined the calcaneus, distal, and proximal radius sites. The results suggest that measurement errors did not markedly inflate the bone loss variability. Even after adjustment for measurement errors considerable variability in loss rates remained. The variability was examined for various follow-up durations. Both the observed and adjusted loss rates had smaller standard deviations over long intervals than over short intervals. This result suggests that the more extreme rates of change in bone mass over a year or two were often not sustained. The implications of this finding for sample size calculations in longitudinal studies are examined. The results also indicate that the length of follow-up and instrument precision should be taken into consideration when comparing the proportion of fast losers between populations.