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Objective The dopamine and oxidative stress hypotheses are leading theories of the pathoetiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). Glutathione Peroxidase 1 (GPx-1), a major antioxidant enzyme, and the most abundantly expressed member of the GPx family, plays an important role in metabolic dopamine changes, which are closely related to neurological and psychiatric disorders. The impact of GPx-1 polymorphisms has rarely been explored in the field of SCZ. Here, we explored the possible relationship between GPx-1 gene polymorphisms and SCZ in Chinese Han subjects by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Methods DNA from 786 patients (360 patients with schizophrenia and 426 healthy controls) was genotyped for the single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs1800668 C/T and rs1050450 C/T in GPx-1 using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Analysis of the association between GPx-1 and SCZ was performed using SPSS 22.0, while Haploview 4.2 software and SHEsis software were used to perform linkage disequilibrium analysis and haplotype analysis. Results The results indicated that the GPx-1 polymorphisms rs1050450 and rs1800668 were associated with SCZ. We found that the C-allele of rs1800668 C/T may be a protection factor against SCZ in general, but in particular, for males. Furthermore, the CT and TC (GPx-1 rs1800668 C/T and rs1050450 C/T) haplotypes may be susceptible to SCZ in the population. Finally, no significant differences in allelic or genotypic frequencies of rs1050450 were detected between cases and controls from whole or stratification analyses by gender. Conclusion GPx-1 polymorphisms are related to SCZ in Chinese Han subjects. Our results suggested that GPx-1 may be a potential gene that influences SCZ.

Remodeling of the periodontal ligament (PDL) during orthodontic tooth movement is closely related to the vascularity of the PDL, which has not been thoroughly investigated in humans. This study aimed to measure the width and vascular parameters of human PDL using superb microvascular imaging for the first time.Patients aged 18-25 years were selected for participation. The intervention was randomly allocated from the maxillary canines to the first molars on both sides using 50 g or 150 g of force. The width and vascular parameters of the PDL were measured using superb microvascular imaging at different time intervals (baseline, 30 minutes, and 1, 3, 7, and 14 days).Before the intervention, the width of the PDL ranged from 0.14 to 0.25 mm, and the vascular index ranged from 9.40% to 13.54%. After applying orthodontic forces, the cervical and middle PDL widths increased. The vascular index decreased slightly in 30 minutes, decreased to a minimum value after 1 day, increased to the maximum in 3-7 days, and returned to baseline values in 14 days. The values of other vascular parameters showed similar trends.The width and vascular parameters of the PDL changed slightly after force application, underwent changes in the period of reconstruction for 3-7 days, and eventually returned to baseline in 14 days.

Two new mixed-ligand coordination polymers with the chemical formulae of {[Zn3(nbta)2(bpfp)2(H2O)2](H2O)2}n (1, H3nbta = 5-nitro-1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid, bpfp = bis(4-pyridylformyl)piperazi...

Background Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an important antioxidant enzyme in the body. The weakening of the antioxidant system causes damage to the cells and tissues that make up the organism, adversely affects the function of the nervous system, and ultimately leads to schizophrenia (SCZ). Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results across different ethnic populations. Purpose This case-control study was carried out to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in GST could be associated with SCZ in the Chinese Han population. Patients and methods A total of 794 participants, including 379 SCZ patients (case group) and 415 healthy individuals (control group), were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length for polymorphisms in GST genes. Results The study found that the frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype was higher in case group than control group (p=0.003). The frequency of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 double null genotype was also higher in case group than control group (p=0.008). Conclusion We conclude that the GSTM1 null genotype and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 double null genotype may be related to the onset of SCZ in Chinese Han population.

Objective: To analyze the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) plus loving-kindness mediation (LKM) in depressed patients. Methods: A total of 125 depressed patients diagnosed in the Department of Psychiatry of our hospital were selected as the research subjects and were randomly divided into a control group (n=62) and an observation group (n=63). The control group was treated with conventional psychological intervention, while the observation group was treated with MBCT plus LKM. The therapeutic outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: At 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after intervention, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores and the scores for introspection and deliberation, forced thinking, rumination of symptoms, treatment, ability and social relationships in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, while Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) scores and the scores for psychology, environment, physiology, social relations, self-acceptance, and self-evaluation in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: MBCT plus LKM can effectively improve depression, rumination, mindfulness level, quality of life, the sense of stigma and degree of self-acceptance in depressed patients.

The adult human posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) has poor functional healing response. The synovial tissue, which surrounds the PCL ligament, might be the major regulator of the microenvironment in the joint cavity after PCL injury, thus affecting the healing process. Here we establish a novel co-culture system for PCL fibroblasts and synovial cells (SC) in vitro to explore the direct influence of paracrine on PCL cells by characterizing the different expressions of the lysyl oxidase family (LOXs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, 2, 3), which respectively facilitate extracellular matrix (ECM) repair and degradation. Total RNA was harvested, reverse transcribed and assessed by semi-quantitative PCR and real-time PCR for the expression of LOXs and MMP-1, 2, 3 messenger RNAs. MMP-2 activity was assayed from the collected culture media samples by using zymography. We found co-culture could promote gene expressions of the LOXs and MMP-1, 2, 3 in normal PCL fibroblasts. But in injured PCL, we found that matrix crosstalk induced an increase of the MMP-1, 2, 3 expressions and a down-regulation of the LOXs. Based on these results, the crosstalk between PCL and SC strongly modified homeostatic balance of ECM and appeared to have a significant impact on PCL wound healing; decreased expression of cross-linking enzymes (LOXs) and increased expression of ECM-degrading proteinases (MMP-1, 2, 3) might be of great contribution to poor healing ability of PCL ligament.

This paper is aimed to investigate the effect of titanium (Ti) particles and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on the expressions of MMP-1, 2, 3 in human synovial cells, so as to explore the possible mechanism of osteolysis post-operation of metal-on-metal total joint arthroplasty in human synovial cells induced by Ti particles. In vitro cell cultures, human synovial cells were treated by Ti particles and/or TNF-alpha. The total RNA was isolated at 2 hours after the treatment. The gene expression of MMP-1, 2, 3 was analyzed by Semi-quantitative Reverse-transcriptional PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Cell supernatant was collected at 12, 24, 48 hours after the treatment and Gelatin zymography was performed to detect the activity of MMP-2. Compared to those in the control group (untreated), Ti particles and TNF-alpha increased the gene expression of MMP-1, 2, 3 respectively (P0.05), and the effect of combination of the two was even more significant (P0.01). The trend of activities of MMP-2 is similar with gene expression. Ti particles and TNF-alpha increased MMP-2 activities by 1.3 times and 1.5 times respectively (P0.05), and the combination of the two increased by 1.7 times (P0.01). Ti particles and TNF-alpha-induced the stimulation of MMP-1, 2, 3 expressions and MMP-2 activities in human knee joint synovial cells may be involved in aseptic loosening after metal-on-metal arthroplasty through increasing the degradation of bone matrix and declining of osseous support structure mechanics.

The progress of research on the the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) wound healing demonstrates that the synovial tissue in the knee joint plays a very important role in the healing process of injured ACL. Therefore, the molecular response mechanisms of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and matrix metalloproteina (MMP) in normal/injured ACL fibroblast cells could be considered to perform the major analysis function of injured ACL healing mechanism. The mRNA expressions of LOXs and MMPs and the activity expressions of MMP-2 in ACL fibroblasts co-cultured with synovial cells were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and zymography. The results showed that co-culture could regulate the mRNA expressions of LOXs and MMPs in the ACL fibroblasts cells. These results suggest that the differential expressions of LOXs and MMP-1, 2, 3 in co-cultured ACL indicate that interaction crosstalk do exist between ACL cells and synovial cells and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent exploration of the mechanisms and treatment of ACL injury and repair.

Wear debris particle-induced osteolysis and subsequent aseptic loosening is one of the major causes of failure of total joint replacement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of titanium implant material and inflammatory cytokines on human synovial cells and the development to osteolysis and aseptic loosening.This study investigated the effect of titanium implant material on the ECM-degraded MMP-2 in human synovial cells and analyzed the contribution of synovial cells in osteolysis and aseptic loosening.When human synovial cells are exposed to titanium materials, MMP-2 activity is induced by 1.72 ± 0.14-fold with Ti disc and 3.95 ± 0.10-fold with Ti particles, compared with that of the controls, respectively. Inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β are also shown to induce MMP-2 activity by 3.65 ± 0.28-fold and 6.76 ± 0.28-fold, respectively. A combination of Ti particles and cytokines induces MMP-2 activities to a higher level (10.54 ± 0.45-fold). Inhibitors of various signal pathways involved in MMP-2 reverse Ti particle-induced MMP-2 activities.Synovial cells surrounding the bone-prosthesis interface may contribute to production of MMP-2, and NFκB inhibitors may be explored as potential therapeutics to alleviate wear debris-induced osteolysis and aseptic loosening.