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The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of propofol on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats through the Janus kinase/signal transducers and the activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway.A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups, including: the sham-operation group (n=12), the model group (n=12), the propofol group (n=12) and the inhibitor group (n=12). The rats in the sham-operation group only received thoracotomy, without the modeling of the ischemia/reperfusion injury. The model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was established in the rats of the model group, and the rats were given normal saline for intervention. The rats in the propofol group were utilized to prepare the model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and were intervened with propofol. Meanwhile, the rats in the inhibitor group received intervention with AG490 after the establishment of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury model. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Western blotting was utilized to measure the relative protein expressions of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and p-STAT3. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 were determined via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Furthermore, cell apoptosis was examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.Immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with the sham-operation group, the positive expression of Bax remarkably increased (p0.05), while Bcl-2 notably decreased (p0.05) in the model group, propofol group, and inhibitor group. The propofol group and inhibitor group showed a significant lower positive expression of Bax (p0.05) and evident higher positive expression of Bcl-2 (p0.05) when compared with the model group. However, there were no significant differences in the positive expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 between the propofol group and inhibitor group (p0.05). According to the results of Western blotting, the relative protein expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were remarkably elevated in the model group, propofol group and inhibitor group in comparison with those in the sham-operation group (p0.05). Propofol group and inhibitor group exhibited remarkably lower protein expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 compared with the model group (p0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the protein expressions of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 between propofol group and inhibitor group (p0.05). The results of qPCR manifested that the mRNA expression of Bax was notably higher (p0.05), whereas Bcl-2 was significantly lower (p0.05) in the model group, propofol group and inhibitor group than those of the sham-operation group. Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of Bax was evidently declined (p0.05), while Bcl-2 was significantly elevated (p0.05) in the propofol group and inhibitor group. Meanwhile, there were no evident differences in the mRNA expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 between the propofol group and inhibitor group (p0.05). Subsequent TUNEL assay indicated that the model group, propofol group, and inhibitor group showed remarkably higher apoptosis rate than the sham-operation group (p0.05). Moreover, the apoptosis rate was remarkably reduced in the propofol group and inhibitor group in comparison with the model group (p0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the apoptosis rate between propofol group and inhibitor group (p0.05).Propofol inhibits myocardial cell apoptosis after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by repressing the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

We validated moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer MODIS Level 2 aerosol products with ground-based sun photometer CE-318 measurements over the Pearl River Delta PRD region. MODIS aerosol products are also used to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of aerosol optical thickness AOT. The results show that MODIS AOT is validated quantitatively with a higher correlation coefficient r = 0.88, 0.80 at Guangzhou and r = 0.95, 0.92 at Hong Kong and lower root mean square errors RMSE = 0.15, 0.16 at Guangzhou and RMSE = 0.07, 0.08 at Hong Kong, while the Angstrom exponent α is still in doubt r = 0.09. The MODIS AOT values are generally higher than those of the CE-318 values in Guangzhou and smaller than those in Hong Kong. The regional multi-year monthly July 2002–December 2012 mean AOT values are 0.66 ± 0.20 and 0.64 ± 0.18 for Terra-and Aqua-MODIS, respectively. From month to month, the values of Terra-MODIS AOT are larger than those of Aqua-MODIS during most of the month. This implies that AOT in the morning is generally larger than that in the afternoon. The largest monthly AOT occurred in April at 0.85 ± 0.16 and 0.88 ± 0.17 for Terra-MODIS and Aqua-MODIS, respectively, and the smallest occurred in November for both Terra-and Aqua-MODIS at 0.47 ± 0.13 and 0.47 ± 0.10, respectively. The spatial distribution of AOT in spring and summer shows more variation than in autumn and winter. This can be partially attributed to the cleansing effect of precipitation which clears aerosol particles over the whole region in spring and summer and results in a lower AOT outside urban areas, while AOT in urban areas is higher where anthropogenic aerosols build up quickly despite the cleansing effect of the rain.

This study aims to assess the effect and mechanism of genetically modified adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) with recombinant lentiviruses mediated knockdown of miR-140-5p in ASCs' osteogenesis in vitro and atrophic nonunion rat model.This study included 36 male adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 400 g to 450 g from the experimental animal facility of our university. Approval was obtained from the University Animal Care Committee before the study. Rats' ASCs were prepared and genetically modified with lentivirus (Lv)-empty (NC) or Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD (inhibitors). After that, the expressions of RUNX2 and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected in the ASCs. To confirm the mechanisms of miR-140-5p in ASCs, we predicted the target genes by bioinformatics analysis and then the target genes were verified by luciferase reporting assay. The artificial atrophic nonunion was created in the rat's femoral bone. Animals were randomly divided into three groups according to the material implanted into bone defects space: AT scaffolds (AT group, n=12), AT scaffold with Lv-NC modified (AT+ASCs+Lv-NC group, n=12), AT scaffold with the Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD modified ASCs (AT+ASCs+Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD group, n=12). After four weeks, the rats were euthanized for the following radiographic examination, histologic study and biomechanical testing.MiR-140-5p was down-regulated during osteogenic differentiation of ASCs, and inhibition of MiR-140-5p promoted osteogenesis of ASCs in vitro. Inhibition of MiR-140-5p promoted osteogenesis of ASCs and enhanced fracture in the atrophic nonunion rat model: AT+ASCs+Lv-NC group, AT+ASCs+Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD group resulted in a better bone formation and higher BMD and BMC than AT group, while excellent bone formation and the highest BMD and BMC were observed in AT+ASCs+Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD group. Both AT+ASCs+Lv-NC group and AT+ASCs+Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD group presented more mature characteristics in the micro-architecture than AT group, whereas AT+ASCs+Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD group presented the highest BV/TV, Tb.Th and Tb.N as well as the lowest Tb.Sp. The peak load of the operated femur increased by 94.43% AT+ASCs+Lv-miR-140-5p-TuD group, 50.68% in AT+ASCs+Lv-NC group compared to the control AT group, respectively. The result of luciferase reporting assay showed that miR-140-5p could directly target TLR4 and BMP2.This study demonstrates that lentiviruses-mediated knockdown of miR-140-5p can significantly promote osteogenesis of ACSs by directly regulating its' target genes, TLR4 and BMP2, and that combined adipose scaffold with genetically modified ASCs can significantly enhance fracture-healing and bone formation in the atrophic nonunion rat model.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide common and malignant tumor. It is discovered in recent years that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in many biological processes of HCC. However, their specific role in HCC has not been entirely clarified yet. In this research, we aimed to explore biological functions, clinical significance and the underlying molecular mechanisms of lncRNA NR027113 in HCC.qRT-PCR was performed to test the expression of NR027113 in HCC tissue samples and HCC cell lines. The association of NR027113 expression with overall survival, disease-free survival and clinicopathological factors was analyzed. MTT assays, Colony formation assay, flow cytometry and transwell invasion assays were performed to determine the effect of NR027113 in the regulation of biological behaviors of HCC cells. Western blot was performed to determine the activation of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.In the present study, we proved that is significantly up-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. HCC patients with higher NR027113 expression were associated with significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free survival. NR027113 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro. In addition, NR027113 knock-down was found to inhibit the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and restrain the EMT process. Furthermore, we found that PTEN silencing could reverse the inhibitory effect of NR027113 knockdown on Akt phosphorylation and HCC cells function.A brand new lncRNA NR027113 was found, which can promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HCC via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and may be a potential therapeutic target in the future treatment of HCC.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic joint diseases, caused by lesions in articular cartilage and synovial membranes. Synovitis is a major characteristic of OA, due to the proliferation of synoviocytes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have implicated to play an important role in many different diseases. The aim of this study was to verify the role of lncRNA gastric cancer-associated transcript 3 (GACAT3) in osteoarthritis.We utilized the qRT-PCR to detect the expression of lncRNA GACAT3 in osteoarthritis synoviocytes (OAS) and normal synoviocytes (NS). The cell proliferation in NS and OAS after transfection with lncRNA-NC or lncRNA-GACAT3 was detected. The cell cycle and apoptosis rate in NS and OAS were measured by the Flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was used to analyze the possible related mechanism that GACAT3 regulated the cells proliferation in osteoarthritis.We found that GACAT3 expression was significantly increased in OAS compared with NS. GACAT3 expression was decreased in OAS after transfection with siRNA and the cell proliferation in OAS after transfection with siRNA was significantly inhibited. The cell cycle was arrested in G0/G1 phase and the apoptosis rate was increased in OAS after transfection with siRNA. Moreover, GACAT3 could impact the proliferation of OAS by interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway.In this study, we found that lncRNA GACAT3 was closely related to the osteoarthritis. GACAT3 may be involved in the development and progression of osteoarthritis and become a potential target for treating.

Stroke patients are often elderly and afflicted with comorbidities that can make them more susceptible to surgical complications during anesthesia, such as respiratory depression. This study examined the clinical effects of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride combined with etomidate fat emulsion in patients undergoing interventional treatment of stroke during anesthesia.90 patients with stroke admitted at the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University between February 2015 and March 2016 were selected for interventional treatment in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three different treatment groups, with 30 patients in each group. Group A patients were treated with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, group B patients were treated with etomidate fat emulsion, and group C patients were treated with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride combined with etomidate fat emulsion. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), wake-up time, and extubation time were compared and analyzed for the patients of each group at different time points.MAP and HR of patients in group C were notably decreased after anesthesia, and were significantly lower than patients in groups A and B (p0.05). MAP and HR of the patients in groups A and B did not significantly change over the different time points. The three groups also did not show dramatic changes when patients were extubated after 3 min (p0.05). Further data on wake-up time, extubation, and spontaneous breathing recovery time among the patients did not show any significant differences in the three groups (p0.05). However, the prevalence of complications in group C was lower than in groups A and B (p0.05).Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride combined with etomidate fat emulsion in patients undergoing interventional treatment of stroke during anesthesia has potential value in clinical applications, through the maintenance of ideal hemodynamics and a reduction in complications.

It is known that defects strongly influence the properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials. The controlled creation and removal of defects can be utilized to tailor the optical and electronic responses of these 2D materials for optoelectronic and nanoelectronic applications. In this study, we developed an efficient approach to reversibly control the defect states in mechanically exfoliated graphene and molybdenum disulfide (MoS

To preliminarily explore the application value of two-dimensional image technology and three-dimensional visualization technology in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) treated by associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS).Clinical data of nineteen HCC patients treated by ALPPS were retrospectively analyzed in Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from August 2013 to May 2015.Preoperative assessment, surgical planning and intraoperative guidance were assisted by traditional two-dimensional imaging technology(group 2D) in 15 cases, and the rest 4 cases were assisted by three-dimensional visualization technology(group 3D).Three-dimensional visualization technology offered precise, visual, and distinct images, calculated the liver volume precisely, achieved virtual simulation operations, and assisted the formulation of intraoperative decisions.The mean operation time of the first stage were(331.3±61.7)minutes and (261.3±21.4)minutes in group 2D and group 3D, and the mean volume of intraoperative bleedings were (360.7±51.9)ml and (300.0±40.8)ml, respectively.The mean operation time of the second stage were (199.3±41.0)minutes and (170.0±29.4)minutes in group 2D and group 3D, and the mean volume of intraoperative bleedings were (285.3±132.6)ml and (257.5±99.5)ml, respectively.The mean interval time between two stages of operations were (15.3±6.5)d and (13.8±5.1)d in group 2D and group 3D, and the mean hospital stays were (39.3±5.8)d and (31.5±7.5)d, respectively.There were 4 cases and 12 cases who accepted the second stage operation in group 2D and group 3D respectively.There were 7 cases(4 with grade A, 2 with grade B, 1 with grade C) and 2 cases(1 with grade A, 1 with grade B) with post-hepatectomy liver failure and 9 cases(4 with grade Ⅰ, 2 with grade Ⅱ, 1 with grade Ⅲ, 2 with grade Ⅳ) and 3 cases (1 with grade Ⅰ, 1 with grade Ⅱ, 1 with grade Ⅲ)with postoperative complications in group 2D and group 3D respectively.There were 2 cases and 0 case died after operation in group 2D and group 3D respectively.There were 3 cases and 1 case who were recurrent and 4 cases and 1 case died 6 months after surgery in group 2D and group 3D respectively.Three-dimensional visualization technology assisted the formulation of preoperative assessments and surgical planning individually and precisely, which displayed potential application value in HCC treated by ALPPS.

ZnO nanoparticles capped with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) have been synthesized by the sol-gel process. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show a remarkable decrease in visible emission intensity after ZnO nanoparticles are capped with PVB, which indicates that dangling bonds and defect states at the surface of ZnO nanoparticles are markedly passivated. As a result, the process of surface-trapped hole tunneling back into the particles to form V**O recombination center is blocked. The PL spectra of thin films show a strong ultraviolet (UV) emission with very weak visible emission. The typical intensity ratio of the UV emission at 3.45 eV to the visible emission at about 2.41 eV is 43.3, which shows an obvious improvement in luminescence properties by the surface passivation with PVB. Low-temperature PL spectra of ZnO powder at 93.8 K are dominated by free exciton, bound exciton and the LO-phonon replica of the bound exciton.

The fabrication process, compressive strength and biocompatibility of porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) ceramic scaffolds reinforced with 45P(2)O(5)-22CaO-25Na(2)O-8MgO bioglass (beta-TCP/BG) were investigated for their suitability as bone engineering materials. Porous beta-TCP/BG scaffolds with macropore sizes of 200-500 muicrom were prepared by coating porous polyurethane template with beta-TCP/BG slurry. The beta-TCP/BG scaffolds showed interconnected porous structures and exhibited enhanced mechanical properties to those pure beta-TCP scaffolds. In order to assess the effects of chemical composition of this bioglass on the behavior of osteoblasts cultured in vitro, porous scaffolds were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 2 weeks, and original specimens (without soaked in SBF) seeded with MC3T3-E1 were cultured for the same period. The ability of inducing apatite crystals in simulated body fluid and the attachment of osteoblasts were examined. Results suggest that apatite agglomerates are formed on the surface of the beta-TCP/BG scaffolds and its Ca/P molar ratio is approximately 1.42. Controlling the crystallization from the beta-TCP/BG matrix could influence the releasing speed of inorganic ions and further adjust the microenvironment of the solution around the beta-TCP/BG, which could improve the interaction between osteoblasts and the scaffolds.

3 cases of seronegative synovitis syndrome were reported. Two elderly women and one man presented with symmetrical polysynovitis of acute onset involving most of their appendicular joints and flexor digitorum tendons associated with pitting edema of the dorsum of both hands and both feet. Rheumatoid factor was absent from serum samples in all and no radiologically evident erosions developed. All the three patients had a benign course and the disease resolved completely within 2-18 months after the onset. None had deformities, erosions and/or relapse after being followed for 22-34 months. Literatures on this syndrome were reviewed.

Four compounds isolated from the rhizomes of Drynaria propinqua collected in Sichuan have been identified. One of them was a new natural product, namely propinqualin, whose structure was established as (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-beta-D-allopyranoside. The other three were 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl caffeic acid, beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and sucrose.

A new highly oxygenated iridoid, lamiophlomiol C isolated from the alcohol soluble fraction of the roots of Lamiophlomis rotata (Labiatae), was shown to have the molecular formula C11H14O7. On the basis of UV, IR, MS and NMR spectroscopic data, particularly X-ray crystallographlic analysis, structure I has been assigned to this iridoid.

Two new highly oxygenated iridoids, named lamiophlomiol A and B, were isolated from an alcohol extract of the roots of Lamiophlomis rotata (Labiatea) by silica gel G column chromatography. Lamiophlomiol A and B are two epimers. Their structures were elucidated to be Ia and Ib with spectroscopic and chemical analysis.

Two new oleanane type triterpene glycosides, named yiyeliangwanoside I and yiyeliangwanoside II, were isolated from Nothopanax davidii (Franch) Harms (Araliaceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated by means of chemical and spectrometric analysis. Yiyeliangwanoside I: C57H88O25, a white powder, mp 203-205 degrees C (dec.), [alpha]D20-3.47(c 0.1, CH3OH). Its structure was determined as 3-O-alpha-(3',4'-O-dioic-acetyl)-L-arabinopyranosyl-3 beta-hydroxyolean-12-ene-28,29-dioic acid-28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D-glycopyranosyl- (1----4)-beta-D-glycopyranosyl] ester. Yiyeliangwanoside II: C37H56O10, a white powder, mp 240-244 degrees C (dec.), [alpha]D20+36.5(c 0.1, CH3OH). Its structure was determined as 3-O-alpha-(3'-O-acetyl)-L-arabinopyranosyl-3 beta-hydroxyolean-12-ene-28,29-dioic acid.

The arrhythmias induced by chloroform-epinephine, BaCl2, and aconitine were prevented and antagonized by Ophiopogon total saponins (OTS) which were extracted from the root of Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb) Ker-Gawl. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia produced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was effectively decreased without any changes in the hemodynamic indices of dogs. The electrophysiological effects of OTS in vivo and in vitro were studied by means of contact electrode and intracellular microelectrode techniques. The results showed that OTS shortened APD10, APD50, APD90; decreased APA and Vmax of both monophasic and transmembrane action potentials. OTS also increased the ERP/APD ratio and prevented or abolished the arrhythmikinesis provoked by ouabain and aconitine. The anti-arrhythmic properties of OTS lead us to draw an inference that the anti-arrhythmic mechanism may be related to the blocking of sodium and calcium channels.

Five compounds were isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia. This paper reports their structure determination by spectral (IR, UV, HNMR, CNMR, and MS) and chemical methods. The structures of I, II, III, IV and V were elucidated as vacine, mycose, 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-24 beta-ethyl-5 alpha-cholesta-7, trans-22E, 25 (27)-trien-3 beta-ol, momorcharaside A and momorcharaside B respectively. Mycose was the first time found in this plant and compound III was the first time found in the genus Momordica. IV and V were new compounds. IV exhibited obvious inhibition of DNA and RNA syntheses in S 180 tumor cells in preliminary pharmacological studies.