Three-dimensional tracking of GLUT4 vesicles in TIRF microscopy

TIRF microscopy has provided a means to view mobile granules within 100 nm in size in two dimensions. However quantitative analysis of the position and motion of those granules requires an appropriate tracking method. In this paper, we present a new tracking algorithm combined with the unique features of TIRF. Firstly a fluorescence correction procedure was processed to solve the problem of fluorescence bleaching over time. Mobile granules were then segmented from a time-lapse image stack by an adaptive background subtraction method. Kalman filter was introduced to estimate and track the granules that allowed reducing searching range and hence greater reliability in tracking process. After the tracked granules were located in x-y plane, the z-position was indirectly inferred from the changes in their intensities. In the experiments the algorithm was applied in tracking GLUT4 vesicles in living adipose cells. The results indicate that the algorithm has achieved robust estimation and tracking of the vesicles in three dimensions.     

Wernicke encephalopathy following splenectomy in a patient with liver cirrhosis: a case report and review of the literature

Objective  

To report a case of Wernicke encephalopathy in the early stage after surgery.     

间歇性低氧训练对大鼠骨骼肌相关代谢及c-fos表达的影响

采用间歇性低氧复合常氧训练的方法,下高原调整后以25m/min的速度一次性力竭,紫外分光光度法测定大鼠骨骼肌匀浆液中SOD、MDA、SDH、CCO指标变化,免疫组织化学ABC法测定骨骼肌c-fos基因表达.结果表明：IHT组能明显提高大鼠抗氧化和清除自由基以及有氧代谢的能力,降低了c-fos表达,有效改善了大鼠对中等强度耐力运动的适应能力,旨在为运动员间歇性低氧训练后平原耐力参赛提供参考.     

Increased expression of aquaporin-4 in human traumatic brain injury and brain tumors

Objective:To characterize the expression of aquaporin-4(AQP4),one of the aquaporins(AQPs),in human brainspecimens from patients with traumatic brain injury or brain tumors.Methods:Nineteen hnman brain specimens were obtahledfrom the patients with traumatic brain injury,brain tumors,benign meningioma or early stage hemorrhagic stroke.MRI or CTimaging was used to assess brain edema.Hematoxylin and eosm staining were used to evaluate cell damage,Immunohistochem-istry was used to detect the AQP4 expression.Results:AQP4 expression was increased from 15 h to at least 8 d after injury.AQP4immunoreactivity was strong around astrocytomas,ganglioglioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma.However,AQP4 immunore-activity was only found in the centers of astrocytomas and ganglioglioma,but not in metastatic adenocarcinoma derived from lung.Conclusion:AQP4 expression increases in human brains alter traumatic brain injury,within brain-derived tumors,and aroundbrain tumors.     

二氢吡啶对尼罗罗非鱼生长作用及血清T3、T4水平的影响

二氢吡啶以三个不同水平(0、50、100mg/kg)添加饲喂雄性尼罗罗非鱼33d,探讨二氢吡啶的适宜添加水平及其对血清T3、T4水平的影响.结果表明,添加二氢吡啶(50、100ng/kg)可使日增重分别提高11.9%(p=0.063)、6.8%,体重特定生长率提高12.6%(p＜0.05)、8.7%,饵料系数分别较对照组降低9.0%、6.9%,但对试验鱼平均存活率及背侧肌组成无影响;试验末,50mg/kg组血清T3水平极显著高于对照组(2.449±1.119,1.757±0.555 p＜0.01),T4均处于不可测水平.     

Abnormalities of masseter inhibitory reflex in patients with episodic tension-type headache

Objective: To investigate the masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR) and its eventual changes in patients with episodic tension-type headache (TTH). Methods: MIR was studied in 21 patients with episodic TTH and 30 healthy subjects, with age and sex matched to the study cohort. Median age of patients was 17,0 years (ranged 16～49 years), median duration of disease 12 months (1～5 years), and median frequency of headache 7.5 d per month. Results: The second period of suppression (S2) of MIR was reduced in intensity and duration in 10% of controls and 66.7% (confidence interval (CI)=45.3%～85%; P<0.05) of patients with episodic TTH (χ2=74.9; P<0.001). In 3 (14.3%) of patients with episodic TTH, S2 was completely absent. No significant correlation between the duration of disease and headache frequency was found. Conclusion: Our results confirm the link between episodic TTH and reduction or absence of S2. Teenage patients with episodic TTH may exhibit marked pathological changes in S2 in contrast to older individuals.     

低氧运动对骨骼肌自由基代谢的影响

在运动过程中,机体内可出现负荷性低氧.低氧训练能有效增强人体运动机能,骨骼肌在短期或长期低氧应激作用下会产生一系列代偿性反应,从而改善自身代谢状况,提高低氧适应能力,促进低氧习服.自由基对机体作用具有双面性,在不适当的低氧运动负荷作用下,自由基代谢失平衡将造成骨骼肌细胞损伤和凋亡,而合理的低氧运动刺激能增强机体和骨骼肌的抗氧化能力和自由基清除能力.关于运动性内源自由基生成可能涉及线粒体机制、黄嘌呤氧化酶机制、中性粒细胞机制和钙机制等多个途径.     

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on the properties of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Objective  

To explore the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on migration, proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).     

视黄醇结合蛋白4在胰岛素抵抗形成中的作用及其与运动关系的研究进展

对视黄醇结合蛋白4在胰岛素抵抗形成中的作用及其与运动关系的研究进展进行了综述研究。视黄醇结合蛋白4是将肥胖、2型糖尿病胰岛素抵抗联系起来的脂肪因子,视黄醇结合蛋白4遗传多态性亦与胰岛素抵抗的发生关系密切。视黄醇结合蛋白4能够通过抑制胰岛素信号蛋白诱导胰岛素抵抗。运动能够降低正常体重、肥胖、2型糖尿病对象的视黄醇结合蛋白4,改善胰岛素抵抗。     

Anti-angiogenesis effect of generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on breast cancer in vitro

Objective: To study the effects of the generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (G4PAMAMNEGFASODN) compound on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its mRNA of breast cancer cells and on the inhibition of vascular endothelial cells. Methods: We examined the morphology of G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN compound and its pH stability, in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity, and the expressions of VEGF and its mRNA. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect the inhibitory function of the compound on vascular endothelial cells. Results: The compound was about 10 nm in diameter and was homogeneously netlike. From pH 5 to 10, it showed quite a buffered ability. The 48-h transfection rate in the charge ratio of 1:40 was 98.76%, significantly higher than that of the liposome group (P<0.05). None of the transfection products showed obvious toxicity on the cells. The expressions of both VEGF protein and its mRNA after G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN transfection decreased markedly. Conclusion: With a low toxicity, high safety, and high transfection rate, G4PAMAMNEGFASODN could be a promising gene vector. Specifically, it inhibits VEGF gene expression efficiently, laying a basis for further in vivo animal studies.     

Prognostic value of serum soluble Fas in patients with locally advanced unresectable rectal cancer receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Objective: This study was designed to detect the changes of serum soluble Fas (sFas) levels in patients with locally advanced unresectable rectal cancer (LAURC),and to explore its prognostic value of response.Methods: Soluble samples were obtained from LAURC subjects,treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy,before treatment and one month after treatment.Healthy donor serum samples were used as controls.sFas concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The sFas levels before treatment and one month after treatment were both significantly higher in LAURC subjects than in healthy controls [(8.79±1.39) and (7.74±1.32) vs.(5.53±1.13) ng/L,P0.01].The sFas levels before treatment and one month after treatment were significantly lower in the response group (complete and partial responses) than in the non-response group (stable and progressive diseases) [(8.50±1.25) vs.(10.17±1.26) ng/L,P0.01 and (7.50±1.24) vs.(8.90±1.13) ng/L,P0.01,respectively].The one-year survival rate was 54.2% and 82.6% in those with sFas levels 8.79 ng/L and 8.79 ng/L before treatment (P0.02),respectively,50.0% and 87.0% in those with sFas levels 7.74 ng/L and 7.74 ng/L one month after treatment (P0.01),respectively.Conclusions: The sFas level is higher in LAURC subjects than in healthy controls.Concurrent chemoradiotherapy can reduce sFas levels in LAURC patients.The monitoring of sFas may provide prognostic information for LAURC patients.     

RRM1 gene expression in peripheral blood is predictive of shorter survival in Chinese patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated by gemcitabine and platinum

Objective  

To evaluate the predictive values of gene expressions of ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) in peripheral blood from Chinese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with gemcitabine plus platinum.     

Effect of perioperative autologous versus allogeneic blood transfusion on the immune system in gastric cancer patients

Background: Allogeneic blood transfusion-induced immunomodulation (TRIM) and its adverse effect on the prognosis of patients treated surgically for cancer remain complex and controversial. However, the potential risk associated with allogeneic blood transfusion has heightened interest in the use of autologous blood transfusion. In the present study, the serum concentrations of neopterin, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), T lymphocyte subsets (CD3 , CD4 , CD8 , CD4 /CD8 ) and a possible association between these variables were investigated. The purpose was to further evaluate the effect of autologous versus allogeneic blood transfusion on immunological status in patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer. Methods: Sixty ASA I～II (American Society of Anesthesiologists) patients undergoing elective radical resection for stomach cancer were randomly allocated to receive either allogeneic blood transfusion (n=30) or autologous blood transfusion (n=30). Serum concentrations of the neopterin, IFN-γ and T lymphocyte subsets in the recipients were measured before induction of anesthesia, after operation, and on the 5th postoperative day. Results: Both two groups, serum neopterin, IFN-γ, percentages of T-cell subsets (CD3 , CD4 ), and CD4 /CD8 ratio had significantly decreased after operation, but decreased more significantly in group H (receiving allogeneic blood transfusion) than those in group A (receiving autologous whole blood transfusion) (P<0.05). On the 5th postoperative day, serum neopterin, IFN-γ, CD3 , CD4 T-cells, and CD4 /CD8 ratio returned to the baseline values in group A. In contrast, the above remain decreasing in group H, where there were no significant relations between serum neopterin and IFN-γ. Conclusion: Perioperative surgical trauma and stress have an immunosuppressive impact on gastric cancer patients. Allogeneic blood transfusion exacerbates the impaired immune response. Autologous blood transfusion might be significantly beneficial for immune-compromised patients in the perioperative period, clearly showing its superiority over allogeneic blood transfusion.     

藻酸双脂钠对急性脑梗死患者纤维蛋白原、脂蛋白(a)的影响及疗效观察

目的：探讨藻酸双脂钠（PSS）治疗急性脑梗死患者血液成分变化及疗效。方法：急性脑梗死患者158例，随机分为两组。对照组：78例，常规治疗；治疗组：80例，在常规治疗基础上，应用藻酸双脂钠注射液100mg加入0．9％氯化钠静脉滴注，每日一次，连续观察14d。对比分析二组治疗前后脂蛋白（a）、血脂、纤维蛋白原等血液流变学指标．并动态观察治疗前后临床神经功能缺损评分。结果：藻酸双脂钠可降低全血粘度、血浆粘度、血小板聚集率、纤维蛋白原及血清TC、TG、LDL，与治疗前比较有显著性改变（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）；与对照组比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）．但对脂蛋白（a）无影响；近期预后较常规治疗组好（P〈0．05）．结论：藻酸双脂钠可改善血液高粘滞状态，起到降低纤维蛋白原、抗血小板聚集作用，可改善近期临床神经功能缺损程度。     

Effect of intensive multifactorial treatment on the intima-media thickness of large arteries in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective  

To quantify the changes in blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of large arteries in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus who received either intensive multifactorial treatment or conventional treatment.     

Influence of HbA1c on short-term blood pressure variability in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy

The aim of this study was to understand the characteristics of blood pressure(BP)variability in subjects with diabetic nephropathy(DN),and identify the probable predictors affecting BP variability.Fifty-one chronic kidney disease(CKD)-hypertensive patients without diabetes(NDN group)and sixty type 2 diabetic patients with overt DN(DN group)were enrolled in this study.The values of short-term BP variability were obtained from 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring(ABPM).Variance analysis or nonparametric analysis revealed that 24-h systolic BP variability and nighttime systolic BP variability of the DN group were significantly higher than those of the NDN group[(12.23±3.66)vs.(10.74±3.83)mmHg,P<0.05;(11.23±4.82)vs.(9.48±3.69)mmHg,P<0.05].Then the patients of the DN group were divided into two groups according to glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)level:Group A(HbA1c<7%)and Group B(HbA1c≥7%),and the t-test showed that patients in Group B had larger 24-h diastolic,daytime diastolic,and nighttime systolic/diastolic BP variability compared with Group A.In the DN group,partial correlation analysis revealed that HbA1c exhibited a strong association with 24-h diastolic,daytime diastolic,nighttime systolic and diastolic BP variability(P<0.001,P<0.001,P<0.05,and P<0.001,respectively).Taken together,larger short-term BP variability was detected in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy and renal insufficiency.It may imply that the optimal BP variability level could benefit from a better glycaemic control.