Abstract This work aimed to investigate the process parameters of phytosterol esters (PE) synthesis catalyzed by copper oxide-nano hydroxyapatite (CuO-NHAP) and the crystallization purification technology. CuO-NHAP was prepared. The synthesis of PE catalyzed by CuO-NHAP was performed. After Response Surface Methodology optimization, the optimal process parameters were as follows: reaction temperature, 180 oC; reaction time, 6.3 h; acid-alcohol molar ratio, 1.9; catalyst amount, 1.05%. Under these conditions, the esterification rate of phytosterols was 99.8%. The crystallization purification technology of esterification product was explored. The optimal crystallization conditions were as follows: crystallization solvent, octanoic acid; crystallization temperature, 0 oC; solvent-product molar ratio, 4: 1; crystallization time, 10 h. Under these conditions, the unreacted fatty acids and other impurities were affectively removed, and the PE purity in purification product was 98.2%. These synthesis and crystallization purification technologies of PE are relatively green, safe, efficient and economic, and have the potential to be applied to the industrial preparation of PE product.

Abstract In this study, the total triterpenoids of raspberry fruit (TTRF) were prepared, and their effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells were investigated. SMMC-7721 cells were treated with TTRF with concentration of 0 (control), 50, 100, 200 and 400 μg/mL, respectively. The cell proliferation, cycle and apoptosis were detected. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells and the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X (Bax) in cells were determined. Results showed that, TTRF could obviously inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells, arrest most cells in S and G2/M phases, and promote their apoptosis. In addition, TTRF could increase the ROS level, down-regulate the Bcl-2 protein expression and up-regulate the Bax protein expression in cells. In conclusion, cucurbitacin I has inhibitory effect on growth of SMMC-7721cells. The action mechanism may be related to its increasing ROS level and regulating of Bcl-2 and Bax expression in cells.

Abstract Study on the effects and mechanisms of different oils on spatial learning and memory in developing rats. Fifty-six Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with primary weaning were randomly divided into the 7 groups, DHA, walnut oil, perilla oil, safflower seed oil, α-linoleic acid, and Essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient and negative control. Morris water maze behavioral test was performed after 8 weeks of continuous feeding. Real-time fluorescence quantification and immunoblotting were performed to evaluate changes in the expression of NR1, CREB and c-Fos in rat hippocampus, qPCR detected the expression in hippocampal cells. The results showed that the rats fed various oils significant improvement in the Morris water maze test. The mRNA expression of NR1, CREB and c-Fos in the hippocampus of rats fed with various oils were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05 and P<0.01), and CREB and c-Fos proteins expression were up-regulated (P<0.05). The expression of genes and proteins in hippocampus of EFA-deficient control was not significantly different from negative control. It is suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids could significantly improve the learning and memory ability of rats, which may be through regulating the mRNA expression of cfos, CREB and NR1 in rat hippocampus and the synthesis of CREB and c-Fos proteins.

RESUMO Objetivos Avaliar o potencial da aplicação da tecnologia de impressão 3D na medição da área de defeito ósseo acetabular em pacientes adultos diagnosticados com displasia do desenvolvimento do quadril (DDH). Métodos 23 casos de DDH que requereram cirurgia de substituição total do quadril foram incluídos neste estudo. O exame pré-operatório confirmou os filmes pélvicos padrão Crowe, incluindo 3 casos de Crowe I, 7 Crowe II, e 13 Crowe III. A tecnologia de impressão 3D foi utilizada para imprimir o modelo de quadril antes da operação. Com base no modelo pré-impresso, o planejamento pré-operatório e os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram estabelecidos. A área dos defeitos ósseos acetabulares foi medida, a prótese de tamanho selecionado foi registrada, e a cirurgia foi realizada (grupo A). A área do defeito ósseo acetabular real e o tamanho da prótese também foram registrados (grupo B). Resultados Os resultados comparativos indicaram que a área real do defeito acetabular medida intraoperativamente e a área medida usando a tecnologia de impressão 3D não diferiu significativamente para todos os participantes (todos P>0,05). Conclusão O modelo pré-operatório pode medir com precisão a área de defeito ósseo acetabular para DDH. É relevante desenvolver implantes individualizados para pacientes com DDH tratados com a técnica de impressão 3D. Nível de Evidência IV: Série de casos.

ABSTRACT Objectives Evaluate the application value of 3D printing technology in measuring acetabular bone defect area in adult patients diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods 23 cases of DDH requiring total hip replacement surgery were enrolled in this study. Preoperative examination confirmed the standard pelvic plain films Crowe, including 3 cases of Crowe I, 7 Crowe II, and 13 Crowe III. The 3D printing technology was used to print the hip model before the operation. Based on the pre-printed model, pre-operative planning and surgical procedures were established. The area of the acetabular bone defects was measured, the selected size prosthesis was recorded, and the surgery was performed (group A). The actual acetabular bone defect area and the prosthesis size were also recorded (group B). Results The comparative results indicated that the actual acetabular defect area measured intraoperatively and the area measured using the 3D printing technology did not significantly differ for all participants (all P>0.05). Conclusion Preoperative model can accurately measure the acetabular bone defect area for DDH. It is significant to develop individualized implants for DDH patients treated with the 3D printing technique. Level of Evidence IV: Case series.

Abstract Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are the two major subtypes of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to compare mRNA and circRNA expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Cancer tissues from 8 LUSC patients and 12 LUAD patients were collected to obtain mRNA and circRNA expression profiles. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) between LUSC and LUAD were screened. Afterwards, miRNA–DEcircRNA pairs and miRNA–DEmRNA pairs were predicted to construct a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network, followed by functional enrichment analysis and survival analysis. In total, 635 DEmRNAs and 245 DEcircRNAs were obtained. The ceRNA analysis revealed that genes, such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, CDK6, hsa_circ_027570, hsa_circ_006089, and hsa-circ_035997, had distinct expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Also, functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEmRNAs were mainly enriched in ERK1 and ERK2 cascade. Survival analyses suggested that STXBP1 and PMEPA1 were associated the prognosis of with both LUAD and LUSC, whereas EPHA2 and CDK6 might serve as prognostic factors for LUSC and LUAD, respectively. In conclusion, genes such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, and CDK6 had different patterns in the two major histological subtypes of NSCLC. Notably, EPHA2 and CDK6 might be considered as potential therapeutic targets for LUSC and LUAD, respectively.

The etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is complex and the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Some studies have shown that dysregulation of ovarian granulosa cells may be related to abnormal follicles and excessive androgen in women with PCOS. Our team has also confirmed the high expression status of H19 in PCOS patients in the early stage. However, the relationship between H19 and miR-19b in the development of PCOS is still unknown. Therefore, we used bioinformatics to predict the binding sites of human H19 and miR-19b, and of miR-19b and CTGF genes. After the silencing and overexpression of H19, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expressions of H19, miR-19b, and CTGF. Western blotting was used to detect CTGF protein. Proliferation of KGN cells after H19 silencing was detected by CCK8. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of KGN cells after H19 silencing. After the overexpression of H19, it was found that the expression of miR-19b gene decreased and the expression of CTGF increased, whereas silencing of H19 did the opposite. In addition, H19 could promote cell proliferation and decrease cell apoptosis. Finally, luciferase reporter assays showed that the 3′-end sequences of lncRNA H19 and CTGF contained the binding site of miR-19b. In conclusion, our study indicated that lncRNA H19 acted as a ceRNA to bind to miR-19b via a “sponge” to regulate the effect of CTGF on KGN cells, which may play a vital role in PCOS.