Abstract Background Previous studies have suggested that systemic metabolic abnormalities are closely related to psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and indirect bilirubin (IBIL), two essential active substances in hepatic metabolism that have been demonstrated as an oxidative and anti-oxidative factor respectively, have been proved to be involved in oxidative stress damage and inflammation in several human diseases. However, their role in PsA remains unclear. Methods In this retrospective comparative cohort study, a case group of 68 PsA patients and a control group of 73 healthy volunteers from the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University were enrolled. Serum GGT, IBIL, GGT/IBIL ratio and C-reactive protein (CRP), a well applied bio-marker of systemic inflammatory in PsA, were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the relationship of GGT, IBIL and GGT/IBIL with CRP were explored in PsA patients. Finally, the patients were divided into high inflammation group and low inflammation group according to the median value of CRP. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for the association of systemic inflammation level with GGT, IBIL and GGT/IBIL. Results Compared with healthy controls, PsA patients exhibited significantly higher serum GGT, GGT/IBIL, and CRP levels and lower IBIL levels. Serum GGT and GGT/IBIL were positively correlated with CRP, whereas IBIL were negatively correlated with CRP. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that serum GGT was a risk factor for high CRP in PsA, whereas IBIL was a protective factor. Furthermore, GGT/IBIL was a better indicator of high CRP condition in PsA patients than either GGT or IBIL alone, as determined by the receiver operating characteristic curves. Conclusion GGT and IBIL may participate in the pathogenesis of PsA. Additionally, GGT, IBIL and the balance of the two may reflect systemic inflammation mediated by oxidative stress events related to metabolic abnormalities to a certain extent.

Abstract Baicalein has strong anti-inflammatory activity, but its efficacy and mechanism in pneumonia of mice is still unclear. Herein, RAW264.7 cells were infected with M. tuberculosis H37Rv (MOI 1:10) after pre-incubation with 50 μM baicalein, and the result found that baicalein incubation ameliorated the increase of bacterial load, and reduced the levels of ROS, IL-12p40, TLR2 protein, phosphorylated JNK protein and M1 polarization markers (iNOS and CD11c), and increased the levels of IL-10, M2 polarization markers (Arg1, Mrc1 and CD206) and NEDD4L protein in H37Rv infected-RAW264.7 cells. And lentivirus-mediated NEDD4L overexpression vector (LV-NEDD4L) transfection had the same effect as baicalein, while small interfering RNA target NEDD4L (si-NEDD4L) transfection or JNK pathway inhibitor IQ 3 treatment reversed the effects of baicalein, and ubiquitin inhibitor MG132 treatment reversed the effects of LV-NEDD4L. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and TLR2 ubiquitination assays found that the binding of NEDD4L and TLR2 promoted the ubiquitination of TLR2. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were nasal infected with H37Rv (1000 ± 150 CFU/mouse) to establish a mouse pneumonia model, and then administered with baicalein. The result found that baicalein improved H37Rv-induced pneumonia in mice. In conclusion, baicalein increased NEDD4L-mediated ubiquitination of TLR2, promoting macrophage M2 polarization and alleviating H37Rv-induced pneumonia.

Abstract Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide (SCP) is extracted from a well-known traditional Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis (SC). We purified a new compound and would like to analyze the effect of SCP on oxidative stress (OS) in vitro. SCP was identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and infrared spectrum (IR). The effect of SCP on cell proliferation, activity of oxidative and anti-oxidative index superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), protein expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its down-stream factors expression, stability of Nrf2, and binding activity of Nrf2 with DNA were tested using different methods in 293T cells. The result showed that SCP enhanced the cell proliferation of 293T cells, the contents of GSH and CAT, and the activity of SOD, while decreased the content of MDA. In addition, SCP promoted the transfer of Nrf2 from cytoplasm to nucleus, the binding activity of Nrf2 with DNA, the stability of Nrf2 protein, and prolonged the half-life of Nrf2. SCP showed a strong anti-oxidative activity and activation of the Nrf2 pathway, indicating that SCP had the potential to be developed into the natural anti-oxidant in the future.

The paper focuses on the lexicographical treatment of cultural objects. It argues that second-language learning requires second-culture learning and that digital technologies call for new solutions to both old and new challenges. As an example, it takes traditional Chinese musical instruments and starts with a critical analysis of their treatment in five Chinese-English dictionaries for both foreign learners and native speakers. It continues with some reflections on media convergence and its consequences for lexicography and reaches the conclusion that the one-size-fits-all dictionary must be replaced with a variety of lexicographical products on different platforms. Lexicographers' focus must therefore move from the dictionary to the database that supports these products. This leads to a discussion of equivalent and explanation types and the need to prepare four different database fields for equivalents and two for explanations. To exemplify this, the paper presents a lexicographical database with equivalents, explanations, and other types of culturally relevant items. It then uses a few examples to show how these lexicographical items stored in the database can be selectively employed on different platforms and adapted to specific user needs. The paper links directly to sound files and video clips with some of the discussed instruments. Finally, the paper provides some conclusions and perspectives for further improving the cultural dimension of learners' lexicography.

In hierdie artikel word daar op die leksikografiese hantering van kultuurobjekte gefokus. Daar word aangevoer dat die aanleer van 'n tweede taal die aanleer van 'n tweede kultuur vereis en dat digitale tegnologie nuwe oplossings vir beide ou en en nuwe uitdagings vra. As voorbeeld word tradisionele musiekinstrumente gebruik en daar word eerstens 'n kritiese analise van hul hantering in vyf Chinees-Engelse woordeboeke vir beide vreemdetaalleerders en moedertaalsprekers gedoen. Daarna word verslag gedoen oor mediakonvergensie en die gevolge daarvan vir die leksi-kografie, en die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die universeel-geskikte woordeboek met 'n ver-skeidenheid leksikografiese produkte op verskillende platforms vervang moet word. Daarom moet die fokus van die leksikograaf verskuif van die woordeboek na die databasis wat hierdie produkte ondersteun. Dit lei tot 'n bespreking van ekwivalente en verklarende tipes en die behoefte daaraan om vier verskillende databasisvelde vir ekwivalente en twee vir verklarings te skep. Ter illlustrasie word 'n leksikografiese databasis met ekwivalente, verklarings, en ander tipe kultuurrelevante items aangebied. Daarna word 'n paar voorbeelde gebruik om aan te toon hoe hierdie leksikogra-fiese items wat in die databasis gestoor word, selektief op verskillende platforms gebruik kan word en vir spesifieke gebruikersbehoeftes aangepas kan word. Hierdie artikel is direk gekoppel aan klanklêers en videogrepe van die bespreekte instrumente. Laastens verskaf die artikel 'n paar gevolgtrekkings en perspektiewe om die kulturele dimensie van aanleerdersleksikografie te ver-beter.

Abstract Anthocyanin plays an important role in wine color and quality. The anthocyanin concentration in grapes depends on the variety and is influenced by environmental factors, such as temperature, sunlight, soil, and grapevine practice. In this study, the anthocyanin profiles of two varieties, namely Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, from five regions (11 plots) in Xinjiang were examined. The climatic parameters performed noticeable difference between northern and southern of Xinjiang region. Result showed that northern of Xinjiang possessed the relatively lower humidity and higher average temperature in comparison with southern area. In addition, the total anthocyanin profiles of Cabernet sauvignon, which in Changji, Wushitala, Heshuo respectively, were higher than of other plots. This result might be caused by which those have relatively higher altitude than in other plots. For merlot, the higher anthocyanin concentrations performed in southern of Xinjiang, which could be contributed to the lower average temperature and higher relative humidity. Comparing Cabernet sauvignon and Merlot, the latter was easily affected by environment factors, and the anthocyanin composition and concentration of Merlot showed significant differences in different regions.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis and management of essential hypertension (EH) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by combining comprehensive treatment and classificatory diagnosis have been continuously improved. However, understanding the pathogenesis of EH patients with concomitant T2DM and subsequent treatment remain the major challenges owing to the lack of non-invasive biomarkers and information regarding the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Herein, we collected 200 serum samples from EH and/or T2DM patients and healthy donors (N). Gene-expression profiling was conducted to identify candidate microRNAs with clinical significance. Then, a larger cohort of the aforementioned patients and 50 N were used to identify the correlation between the tumor suppressor miR-195-5p and EH and/or T2DM. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to explore the target genes of miR-195-5p. The suppressive effects of miR-195-5p on the 3′-UTR of the dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) transcript in EH patients with concomitant T2DM were verified as well. RESULTS: Compared with that in other groups, serum miR-195-5p was highly downregulated in EH patients with concomitant T2DM. miR-195-5p overexpression efficiently suppressed DRD1 expression by binding to the two 3′-UTRs. Additionally, two single nucleotide polymorphisms, including 231T-A and 233C-G, in the miR-195-5p binding sites of the DRD1 3′-UTR were further identified. Collectively, we identified the potential clinical significance of DRD1 regulation by miR-195-5p in EH patients with concomitant T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that miR-195-5p circulating in the peripheral blood served as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for EH and T2DM, which could eventually help address major challenges during the diagnosis and treatment of EH and T2DM.

RESUMO OBJETIVO ADAMTS4 é um membro da família ADAMTS4, que secreta proteinases. O mecanismo da metástase do tumor pode ser correlacionado a sua promoção da angiogênese. Determinou-se se ADAMTS4 participa na progressão do câncer colorretal. Métodos A expressão em amostras clínicas e linhas de células CRC foi investigada. Usando a imuno-histoquímica (IHC), a hibridação fluorescente in situ (HFIS) e o RT-PCR, a expressão de ADAMTS4 foi determinada em tumores colorretais de diferentes estágios do câncer e locais anatômicos, e em três linhas de células de níveis de agressividade distintos. Resultados A superexpressão de ADAMTS4 foi observada em amostras de tecido por IHC, e esta foi localizada principalmente no citoplasma, como detectado pelo HFIS. O qRT-PCR e a análise de wester blot corroboraram os resultados clínicos da amostra. Conclusão Os dados atuais corroboram a noção de que a superexpressão de ADAMTS4 no CRC pode ser útil como um biomarcador não invasivo para a detecção de CRC em pacientes.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE ADAMTS4 is a member of the ADAMTS4 family, which secretes proteinases. The mechanism of tumor metastasis may be correlated to its promotion of angiogenesis. It was determined whether ADAMTS4 participates in colorectal cancer progression. Methods The expression in clinical samples and CRC cell lines was investigated. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and RT-PCR, the expression of ADAMTS4 was determined in colorectal tumors of different cancer stages and anatomic sites, and in three cell lines of different aggressiveness. Results The overexpression of ADAMTS4 was observed in tissue samples by IHC, and this was mainly located in the cytoplasm, as detected by FISH. The qRT-PCR and western blot analyses further supported the clinical sample findings. Conclusion The present data support the notion that the overexpression of ADAMTS4 in CRC might be useful as a non-invasive biomarker for detecting CRC in patients.

Abstract Background: Circulating RNA (circRNA) regulates various bioactivities in cells. A better understanding of the exosomal circRNA can provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of Graves' disease (GD). We aimed to profile the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcRs) in plasma exosomes of patients with GD and speculate and probe the functions of the DEcR by comprehensive bioinformatics analyses. Methods: Serum exosomes were isolated from five primary GD patients and five healthy controls via ultracentrifugation. After verification with transmission electron microscopy, exosome samples were subjected to microarray profiling using human circRNA microarrays. Two up-regulated and two down-regulated DEcRs were selected for validation in plasma exosomes from 20 GD and 20 healthy control participants using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The circRNA/microRNA/mRNA interaction network was then assembled and the analysis of the Gene Ontology and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways was utilized to predict the potential functions of the DEcR associated genes. Results: There were 15 DEcRs revealed in primary GD cases. The intronic circRNA hsa_circRNA_000102 was confirmed as an up-regulated component in plasma exosomes from patients with GD. The circRNA/microRNA/mRNA interaction network unveiled the most potential targeting microRNAs of hsa_circRNA_000102 and its associated genes. The functional analyses predicted involvement of hsa_circRNA_000102 associated genes in pathways of immune system activation, such as viral infection and interferon-beta signaling. Conclusions: hsa_circRNA_000102 is a differentially up-regulated plasma exosomal circRNA in patients with GD. Our study highlights multiple pathways, particularly virus infection and interferon-beta signaling, for mediating immune activation in Graves' disease.

ResumoIntrodução:O stent coronário intravascular tem sido utilizado no tratamento de doença arterial coronária, com uma maior limitação de restenose intra-stent (RIS). O aço inoxidável 316 tem sido amplamente utilizado para stents. Neste estudo, foi desenvolvido um novo método de revestimento para reduzir a RIS para revestir simultaneamente o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) e anti-CD34 em aço inoxidável 316L.Métodos:Placas de aço inoxidável 316L redondas no grupo DH foram polimerizadas com compostos gerados a partir da reacção de condensação de dopamina e heparina utilizando N- (3-dimetilaminopropil) -N'-etilcarbodiimida (EDC) e N-hidroxissuccinimida (NHS). Dezesseis folhas a partir do grupo DH foram ainda imersas em 1 ug/ml de VEGF 165 e 3 mg/ml de heparina sódica, um após outro por 10 vezes, sendo denominado como o grupo D-(HV)10. Oito folhas de D-(HV)10 foram revestidas com anticorpo anti-CD34 e denominado como grupo D-(HV)10-A. Testes de imunofluorescência e ELISA foram usados para avaliar se os discos de aço inoxidável 316L foram revestidos com sucesso com VEGF e anticorpo anti-CD34.Resultados:Os resultados dos testes de imunofluorescência e ELISA mostraram que o VEGF pôde ser detectado nos grupos D-(HV)10 e D-(HV)10-A, evidenciando que as chapas de aço foram cobertas com VEGF com sucesso. O anticorpo anti-CD34 podia apenas ser observado no grupo D-(HV)10-A, o único grupo revestido com anticorpo CD34. Ambos os resultados sugerem que as chapas de aço inoxidável 316L foram revestidas com sucesso com VEGF e anticorpo anti-CD34.Conclusão:Nosso estudo desenvolveu um método para revestir simultaneamente VEGF e anti-CD34 de aço inoxidável. Esta pesquisa tem um papel fundamental para a nova estratégia de revestimento.

AbstractIntroduction:Intravascular coronary stenting has been used in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), with a major limitation of in-stent restenosis (ISR). The 316 stainless steel has been widely used for coronary stents. In this study, we developed a novel coating method to reduce ISR by simultaneously coating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-CD34 antibody on 316L stainless steel.Methods:Round 316L stainless steel sheets in the D-H group were polymerized with compounds generated from condensation reaction of dopamine and heparin using N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Sixteen sheets from the D-H group were further immersed into 1ug/ml VEGF165 and 3mg/ml heparin sodium one after another for 10 times, and named as the D-(H-V)10 group. Eight sheets from the D-(H-V)10 group were coated with anti-CD34 antibody and termed as the D-(H-V)10-A group. Immunofluorescence assay and ELISA were used to evaluate whether the 316L stainless steel disks were successfully coated with VEGF and anti-CD34 antibody.Results:The results of immunofluorescence assay and ELISA showed that VEGF could be detected in the D-(H-V)10 and D-(H-V)10-A group, suggesting the steel sheets were successfully covered with VEGF. Anti-CD34 antibody could only be observed in the D-(H-V)10-A group, which was the only group coated with CD34 antibody. Both results suggested that the 316L stainless steel sheets were successfully coated with VEGF and anti-CD34 antibody.Conclusion:Our study developed a method to simultaneously coat VEGF and anti-CD34 antibody to stainless metal steel. This research serves as a fundamental role for a novel coating strategy.

FUNDAMENTO: O Imatinib é um inibidor do receptor tirosina-quinase que foi confirmada como exercendo um efeito inibidor sobre a atividade do receptor do PDGF, fator de crescimento plaquetário (PDGFRα e PDGFRβ). OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito protetor do Imatinib na fibrose miocárdica em acetato de deoxicorticosterona (DOCA)/ratos com hipertensão induzida por sal. MÉTODOS: Sessenta ratos Sprague-Dawley machos, uninefrectomizados foram distribuídos em três grupos: ratos controles (grupo CON): grupo deoxicorticosterona (grupo DOCA); grupo deoxicorticosterona e Imatinib (grupo DOCA IMA). A Pressão Arterial Sistólica (PAS) foi medida quinzenalmente. Foi estudada a porção apical do ventrículo esquerdo. Foram empregados: coloração vermelho sirius, coloração de hematoxilina-eosina, imuno-histoquímica e ensaio de western blot. RESULTADOS: A PAS nos grupos DOCA e IMA+DOCA foi maior que no grupo CON nos dias 14 e 28. Os animais do grupo DOCA apresentaram fibrose intersticial e perivascular grave no dia 28, e as expressões de PI, PIII, tenascina-C e fibronectina foram significativamente maiores que nos grupos DOCA+IMA e CON. Quando comparados com o grupo CON, os grupos DOCA e DOCA+IMA apresentaram resposta inflamatória de tecido miocárdico e infiltração de monócitos/macrófagos de diferentes graus. As expressões proteicas do PDGF-A, PDGF-C e PDGFRα foram significativamente maiores nos grupos DOCA e DOCA+IMA que no grupo CON, mas a expressão proteica do p-PDGFRα no grupo DOCA+IMA foi menor que no DOCA. CONCLUSÃO: O Imatinib pode exercer efeitos inibitórios sobre a fibrose miocárdica em ratos com hipertensão induzida por DOCA/sal, os quais podem ser atribuídos à inibição da atividade do PDGFR-α.

BACKGROUND: Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor that has been confirmed to exert inhibitory effect on the platelet derived growth factor PDGF receptor (PDGFRα and PDGFRβ) activity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of imatinib on the myocardial fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA)/salt induced hypertensive rats. METHODS: Sixty male uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups: control rats (CON group); deoxycorticosterone group (DOCA group); deoxycorticosterone and imatinib group (DOCA+IMA group). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured biweekly. The apical portion of the left ventricle was studied. Sirius-Red staining, Hematoxylin-Eosin staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay were employed. RESULTS: SBP in the DOCA group and DOCA+IMA group was higher than that in the CON group on day 14 and 28. Animals in the DOCA group showed severe interstitial and perivascular fibrosis on day 28, and the expressions of PI, PIII, tenascin-C and fibronectin were significantly higher than those in the DOCA+IMA group and CON group. When compared with the CON group, myocardial tissue inflammatory response and monocyte/macrophage infiltration of different degrees were observed in the DOCA group and DOCA+IMA group. Protein expressions of PDGF-A, PDGF-C and PDGFRα were signiflcantly higher in the DOCA and DOCA+IMA groups than those in the CON group, but the p-PDGFRα protein expression in the DOCA+IMA group was lower than that in the DOCA group. CONCLUSION: Imatinib can exert inhibitory effects on myocardial fibrosis in DOCA/salt induced hypertensive rats, which may be attributed to the inhibition of PDGFR-α activity.