[Comparison of 5-year follow-up outcomes between"one-stop"procedure and long-term oral anticoagulants after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To compare the 5-year follow-up outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) combined with left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and long-term oral anticoagulant (OAC) after RFCA in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent"one-stop"procedure in the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University from September 2015 to December 2017 (RFCA+LAAC group). Baseline data of patients were collected. Propensity score matching at the ratio of 1∶1 was used to select patients with atrial fibrillation who took long-term OAC after RFCA (RFCA+OAC group). The maintenance rate of sinus rhythm and the incidence of adverse events during follow-up were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 110 patients were enrolled in the RFCA+LAAC group and RFCA+OAC group, respectively. Age of patients was (67.4±8.8) years in RFCA+LAAC group, and there were 42 (38.2%) female patients. Age of patients was (67.3±7.9) years in RFCA+OAC group, and there were 47 (42.7%) female patients. The patients were followed up for mean of (5.3±1.1) years. There was no significant difference in the maintenance rate of sinus rhythm (log-rank: χ2=0.277, P=0.602) and incidence of ischemic stroke events (2.7% (3/110) vs. 4.5% (5/110), P=0.719) during follow-up between the two groups. The incidence of bleeding events (6.4% (7/110) vs. 18.2% (20/110), P=0.008) and major bleeding events (1.8% (2/110) vs. 8.2% (9/110), P=0.030) was significantly higher in the RFCA+OAC group than in the RFCA+LAAC group. Conclusion: There is no significant difference between RFCA+LAAC group and RFCA+OAC group in maintenance rate of sinus rhythm and incidence of ischemic stroke events. Patients in the RFCA+LAAC group have a lower risk of bleeding events compared to the RFCA+OAC group.

[Effects of hnRNP E1 on expression of early genes E2, E6 of HPV16 and biological function in cervical cancer cells]

Objective: To explore the effects of hnRNP E1 on the expression of early genes E2, E6 of HPV16 and the biological function in cervical cancer SiHa cell lines. Methods: The cell experiments in vitro were carried out in cervical cancer cell lines SiHa. The expression levels of E2, E6 mRNA and protein of HPV16 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, before and after up-regulating hnRNP E1. Meanwhile, the cell proliferation, cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Data analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 and Graphpad Prism 7.0 software. Results: Compared with the blank and the blank plasmid group, the cells activity and proliferation decreased at 24, 48 and 72 h after up-regulating hnRNP E1 (P<0.05), while the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase increased and the percentage in S and G2/M phase and proliferation index decreased (P<0.05). Moreover, the late apoptotic rate and the total apoptotic rate increased (P<0.05). The expression levels of E6 mRNA and protein of HPV16 in hnRNP E1 up-regulated group were significantly lower than that in both blank group and blank plasmid group, the differences were significant (P<0.05), showing the tendency of cells proliferation index decrease and total apoptotic rate increase with decreased HPV16 E6 expression. There were no significant differences in the expression of E2 mRNA of HPV16 among the three groups (P=0.427), and no E2 protein of HPV16 was detected. Conclusions: hnRNP E1 could inhibit the transcription and translation of E6 oncogene of HPV16 and further inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of cervical cancer cells, suggesting that hnRNP E1 might be a potential target marker to prevent cervical lesions. But no association between hnRNP E1 and HPV16 E2 was found in SiHa cells.

Advances in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: Perspectives for combination of stem cells with neurotrophic factors

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are a group of incurable neurological disorders, characterized by the chronic progressive loss of different neuronal subtypes. However, despite its increasing prevalence among the ever-increasing aging population, little progress has been made in the coincident immense efforts towards development of therapeutic agents. Research interest has recently turned towards stem cells including stem cells-derived exosomes, neurotrophic factors, and their combination as potential therapeutic agents in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize the progress in therapeutic strategies based on stem cells combined with neurotrophic factors and mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes for neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on the combination therapy.

[The role of human papillomavirus 16 early genes E2 and E6 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein E2 in cervical carcinogenesis and their interaction effect]

Objective: To investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 early genes E2 and E6 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) E2 and their interaction effects in the progression of the cervical cancer. Methods: Women with normal cervix (NC), low cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN Ⅰ) and high cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ) from the cervical lesions cohort in Jiexiu County of Shanxi Province from June 2014 to September 2014, and patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University in the same period were enrolled in this study. There were 257 participants, about 67 NC cases (26.07%), 69 CIN Ⅰ cases (26.85%), 68 CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ cases (26.46%), and 53 SCC cases (20.62%), respectively. The information of demographic characteristics, life health habits and cervical lesions were collected by using the structured questionnaire. Cervical exfoliated cells and cervical biopsy tissues were collected to detect the infection of HPV16 and the protein expression levels of hnRNP E2, HPV16 E2 and E6. According to the median-value of the protein expression levels of hnRNP E2, HPV16 E2 and E6 and E2/E6 ratio in the NC group, the study participants were divided into the high and low expression groups/ratio groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between HPV16 early gene E2 and E6, hnRNP E2 and cervical cancer. The interaction effect was analyzed by using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model. Results: The ages of NC, CIN Ⅰ, CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ and SCC groups were (47.00±9.07), (47.64±7.35), (46.37±8.67) and (51.26±8.03) years old, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that the HPV16 E2 low expression, E6 high expression and E2/E6 low ratio could increase the risk of CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ, about OR (95%CI) values 11.11 (1.63-75.56), 8.00 (1.28-50.04), and 9.75 (1.22-77.72), respectively and SCC, about OR (95%CI) values 14.22 (2.11-95.88), 10.33 (1.67-64.00), and 12.38 (1.56-97.91), respectively. The hnRNP E2 low expression could increase the risk of CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ and SCC, about OR (95%CI) values 3.35 (1.39-8.10) and 5.53 (1.54-19.88). The result of GMDR showed that there were interaction effects of the hnRNP E2 low expression, HPV16 E2 low expression and HPV16 E6 high expression in both CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ and SCC groups. Conclusion: The HPV16 E2 low expression, HPV16 E6 high expression and hnRNP E2 low expression could increase the risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer, and they might have an important interaction effect in the progression of the cervical cancer.

[Effects of Src on cervical cancer cells proliferation and apoptosis through ERK signal transduction pathway]

Objective: To explore the effect of Src on cervical cancer cells through ERK signal transduction pathway. Methods: Experimental study was carried out in vitro. Cervical cancer cell lines Hela (HPV-positive) and C33A (HPV-negative) were treated with Src kinase inhibitor PP2. Then, the cell cycle and apoptosis of each group were evaluated by using flow cytometry (FCM). Western blotting and Real-time PCR were used to detect the levels of the expression of ERK 1/2, c-Fos and c-Jun mRNA and protein respectively. The database was established and analyzed with SPSS statistical software (version 20.0). Results: After down-regulating Src, the cell proliferation was inhibited and cell apoptosis was induced. The proportions of G0/G1 stage of Hela and C33A cell in cell cycle increased while G2/M and S stages decreased. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of ERK 1, ERK 2, c-Fos and c-Jun increased. And the expression levels of ERK 1/2, phosphorylated ERK 1/2 (p-ERK 1/2) and phosphorylated c-Fos (p-c-Fos) protein decreased, while c-Jun and phosphorylated c-Jun (p-c-Jun) protein expression increased. In addtion, the change level of Hela cell, p-ERK 1/2 and c-Fos protein were lower than that of C33A cell before and after the Src inhibition. Conclusions: Src, involved in regulating the expression of key factors of the ERK signal transduction pathway including p-ERK 1/2 and p-c-Fos, might be capable of promoting the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and inhibiting their apoptosis. The infection with HPV might have adjustable effect on this process.

[Effect of hnRNP K and its interaction with HPV16 on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia]

Objective: To investigate the effect of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) and its interaction with human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods: The participants included 67 women with normal cervix (NC), 69 women with CINⅠ and 68 women with CINⅡ/Ⅲ in a community cohort of pathologically diagnosed women established in Jiexiu of Shanxi province, from June 2014 to June 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the demographic data of the subjects and the related factors of cervical lesions. Cervical exfoliated cells and cervical tissues from biopsy or surgery were selected. The infection status of HPV16 was detected by flow-through hybridization. The protein expression levels of hnRNP K were evaluated by Western blot. SPSS 23.0 software was used to collate and analyze the data. To study the differences in demographic characteristics, related factors, hnRNP K protein and HPV16 infection among NC, CINⅠand CINⅡ/Ⅲgroups, χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test were conducted. Multiple comparisons of hnRNP K protein in three groups were completed by using the Bonferroni method. The OR and its 95%CI of hnRNP K, HPV16 and CIN were calculated by using the unconditional logistic regression models. Two-way interactions between hnRNP K protein and HPV16 infection on CIN were analyzed by using additive model and related indicators. Results: HPV16 infection rates were 10.4% in women with normal cervix, 14.5% in women with CINⅠ and 41.2% in women with CINⅡ/Ⅲ, respectively. The differences among three groups were significant (P<0.001). Moreover, the infection rates of HPV16 gradually increased with the increasing severity of CIN (trend χ(2)=18.512, P<0.001). The differences in protein expression of hnRNP K among three groups were significant (H=48.138, P<0.001) and the expressionincreased with the development of cervical lesionss (trend χ(2)=21.765, P<0.001). Results from the interaction analysis indicated that there were additive effects between high expression of hnRNP K protein and HPV16 in CINⅡ/Ⅲ group compared with normal group (API=0.639, 95%CI: 0.083-1.196). In contrast, no such additive effect was found in CINⅠ group. Conclusions: HPV16 infection and over-expression of hnRNP K protein were associated with the increased risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. There might be interaction between hnRNP K protein overexpression and HPV16 infection existed on the progress of CINⅡ/Ⅲ.

[Interaction between abnormal expression of fragile histidine triad and methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 on cervical cancerization]

Objective: To explore the relationship between abnormal expression of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene and methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) as well as their interaction on cervical cancerization. Methods: A total of 73 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 113 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN Ⅰ, n=45; CINⅡ/Ⅲ, n=68) and 60 women with normal cervix (NC) were included in the study. Real time PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression levels of mRNA and protein about FHIT and MeCP2, respectively. The methylation status of FHIT gene CpG island was tested by methylation-specifc PCR (MSP). Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test and Spearman correlation analysis were conducted with software SPSS 20.0. The interaction was evaluated by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model. Results: With the deterioration of cervical lesion, the methylation rates of FHIT gene CpG island (χ(2)=18.64, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=18.08, P<0.001) increased gradually, while the expression levels of FHIT mRNA (H=27.32, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=12.65, P<0.001) and protein (H=47.10, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=29.79, P<0.001) decreased gradually. There was a negative correlation between the methylation rates of FHIT gene CpG island and the expression level of FHIT protein (r=-0.226, P<0.001). The levels of MeCP2 mRNA (H=26.19, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=11.81, P=0.001) and protein (H=69.02, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=47.44, P<0.001) increased gradually with the aggravation of cervical lesions. There was a positive correlation between the expression level of MeCP2 protein and the FHIT mRNA Ct ratio (r=0.254, P<0.001). Expression of proteins were negatively correlated between MeCP2 and FHIT (r=-0.213, P=0.001). The results analyzed by GMDR model showed that there were interactions among high MeCP2 protein expression, the CpG island methylation of FHIT and mRNA and protein expression in CINⅡ/Ⅲ group, and among high MeCP2 mRNA and protein expression, the CpG island methylation of FHIT and low mRNA and protein expression in SCC group. Conclusion: High expression of MeCP2 mRNA and protein, the CpG island methylation and low mRNA and protein expression of FHIT could increase the risk of cervical carcinogenesis, and there might be a synergistic effect on cervical carcinogenesis.

[Interaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and p16, FHIT gene CpG island methylation in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias]

Objective: To explore the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and p16, FHIT gene CpG island methylation, as well as their interaction in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. Methods: Objects of this study were from a cohort of cervical lesions study in Yangqu county of Shanxi province. All the patients were diagnosed pathologically, that including 83 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅡ/Ⅲ), 86 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅠ) and another 91 women under normal cervical (NC) condition. 1-hydroxy pyrene in the urine was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) while CpG island methylation status of tumor suppressor gene p16 and FHIT were measured by methylation-specifc polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test, chi-square test and trend of chi-square test. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between influencing factors and the cervical disease by using the SPSS statistical software (version 20.0). The interaction under study was evaluated by using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model. Results: Level of 1-hydroxy pyrene (H=50.743, P<0.001) and the high exposure rate of 1-hydroxy pyrene (trend χ(2)=20.146, P<0.001) were gradually increasing along with the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The CpG island methylation rates of p16, FHIT in CINⅠand CINⅡ/Ⅲ group were higher than that in NC group, and gradually increasing along with the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (trend χ(2)=9.75, P=0.002; trend χ(2)=10.39, P=0.001). Results from the GMDR model showed that interaction existed among the high exposure of 1-hydroxy pyrene and the CpG island methylation of p16, FHIT in CINⅠ and CINⅡ/Ⅲ group. Conclusion: Under the high exposure of 1-hydroxy pyrene and the CpG island methylation of p16, FHIT appeared to have increased the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and causing synergistic effect in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Cocaine exposure at a sublethal concentration downregulates CREB functions in cultured neuroblastoma cells

Previous studies showed that prenatal cocaine in an animal model decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activity in offspring's brain. Since BDNF is one of target genes of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), this study examined effects of cocaine on CREB activities in a human neuroblastoma (SK-N-AS) cell line. The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazodium bromide) assay indicated that cocaine exposure at 5 microM for 24 h had no significant influences on cell viability. However, a 24-h exposure to cocaine at the same concentration significantly decreased the level of phosphorylated CREB, although no significant changes in total CREB proteins were observed. Consistent with reduced CREB phosphorylation, the electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that exposure to 5 microM of cocaine for 24 h also inhibited CREB binding activity and significantly decreased BDNF mRNA expression. In addition, exposure to 5 microM cocaine for 24 h attenuated the glutamic acid-evoked increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Taken together, these findings suggest that cocaine exposure at the sublethal concentration downregulates CREB functions in the cultured SK-N-AS cell line, and that diminished intracellular Ca2+ responses may be associated in part with cocaine-induced downregulation of CREB activity.

Involvement of 5-HT1B receptors within the ventral tegmental area in ethanol-induced increases in mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission

Evidence suggests that 5-hydroxytriptamine-1B (5-HT1B) receptors play a role in modifying ethanol's reinforcing effects and voluntary intake, and that 5-HT1B receptors within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are involved in regulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity. Since increased mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in ethanol's reinforcing properties, this study was designed to assess the involvement of VTA 5-HT1B receptors in mediating the stimulatory effects of ethanol on VTA dopaminergic neurons. Dual-probe microdialysis was performed in freely moving adult Sprague-Dawley rats with one probe within the VTA and the other within the ipsilateral nucleus accumbens (NACC). Dopamine (DA) levels in dialysates from both areas, as the index of the activity of mesolimbic DA neurons, were measured simultaneously. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of ethanol at the doses of 1 and 2 g/kg increased extracellular DA concentrations in both the VTA and the NACC, suggesting increased DA neuronal activity. These ethanol-induced increases of the DA release in the VTA and the NACC were significantly attenuated by intra-tegmental infusion of SB 216641 (a 5-HT(1B) receptor antagonist), but not BRL 15572 (a 5-HT(1D/1A) receptor antagonist) or WAY 100635 (a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist). Administration of ethanol at the same doses did not significantly alter extracellular levels of GABA in the VTA. The results also showed that intra-tegmental infusion of CP 94253, a 5-HT1B receptor agonist, significantly prolonged the effects of ethanol on NACC DA. The results suggest that blockade and activation of VTA 5-HT1B receptors attenuates and potentiates the neurochemical effects of ethanol, respectively, and support the suggestion that VTA 5-HT(1B) receptors may be involved in part in mediating the activating effects of ethanol on mesolimbic DA neurons.

Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor tyrosine kinase B in offspring

Prenatal alcohol exposure produces many developmental defects in the central nervous system. The underlying molecular mechanism, however, has not been fully understood. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in offspring. The pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received 1 or 3 g/kg of alcohol or an isocaloric solution by intragastric intubation once a day from gestational day (GD) 5 to GD 20. On postnatal day 7-8, pups were killed and the hippocampus, striatum, cortex, and cerebellum dissected out. Levels of BDNF mRNA and proteins, total TrkB proteins and receptor phosphorylation were measured. The results showed that prenatal alcohol exposure at the dose of 1 g/kg/day did not significantly affect BDNF protein levels in any region examined. However, administration of alcohol at the dose of 3 g/kg/day markedly reduced levels of BDNF protein and mRNA in the cortex and hippocampus of offspring. Western blotting showed that prenatal alcohol exposure at the dose of 3 g/kg/day also inhibited TrkB phosphorylation in the hippocampus although no changes in total TrkB protein levels were observed in any region examined. Our data suggest that prenatal alcohol exposure alters both presynaptic and postsynaptic BDNF function in certain brain areas of offspring. These alterations in BDNF function may contribute to the development of alcohol-related birth defects.

Different expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rats

Recent studies suggest that the gene that encodes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be linked with vulnerability to alcohol abuse. We have now compared BDNF protein levels in several brain regions between alcohol-naive alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rats using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. The results showed that BDNF levels in the nucleus accumbens of the P rats were significantly lower than those of the NP rats, suggesting that this innate difference may contribute to the disparate alcohol drinking behavior of the P and NP rats.