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Two experiments examined the effect of risk on waiting preference and temporal preference reversal. Participants made binary choices between smaller-sooner (SS) and larger-later (LL) options following a 2 (time: immediate choices vs. non-immediate choices) x 4 (risk condition) within-subjects design. Risk conditions varied in whether the SS and/or the LL was risky or certain. Experiment 1 focused on choices with small magnitudes of payoffs and delays, whereas Experiment 2 focused on large magnitudes. Both experiments showed that making one option risky increased preference for the other option, whereas making both options risky had no impact on waiting preference. Pooling risk conditions together, participants in both experiments demonstrated temporal preference reversal. However, participants showed preference reversal in all 4 risk conditions in Experiment 2, but only in the risky (SS)-certain (LL) and risky-risky conditions in Experiment 1. This finding indicates for uncertain outcomes, people were at least equally (if not more) likely to reverse their choices, compared to certain outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Isolated complete dislocation of the hamate bone is a rare wrist injury. Only 22 cases have been reported in the literature. Four of them were associated with nerve injury, but it is a pity that the causes of ulnar nerve injury had never been deeply analyzed. In the case report, it was stated that the ulnar nerve injury was caused by both displacement of uncinate bone and change of position of transverse carpal ligament. The complete dislocation of the hamate bone is mostly caused by direct force, often accompanied by tears of the surrounding ligaments. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 30-year-old woman was treated because her left hand was crushed by a machine roller. Plain film X-ray showed isolated dislocation of the volar hamate and rotation of the hamate bone to the volar side. Clinical manifestations and computed tomography (CT) signs suggest ulnar nerve injury. The patient was quickly transported to the operating room for open reduction and internal fixation of the hamate bone and repair of the dorsal carpal ligament. The patient fully recovered after 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated complete dislocation of the hamate bone is a rare injury. The most common cause is direct compression force to the wrist. Diagnosis can be made through review of the patient’s medical history, physical examination and X-ray, however, CT can accurately evaluate the displacement and rotation of the hamate bone, hamate bone fracture and other concomitant wrist fractures, suggesting compression changes of the median nerve and ulnar nerve to provide a reliable basis for the formulation of a clinical care plan. The case report added the evidence-based practice, and discussed the anatomical mechanism and imaging manifestation of ulnar nerve injury associated with complete dislocation of hamate bone.

Drawing from life-history theory and the appraisal-tendency approach toward emotion, this study investigated the effect of anger on consumers’ variety-seeking (VS) behavior depending on childhood socioeconomic status (SES) and trait anger. Participants (N = 159) were randomly assigned to either the anger or the neutral condition. The results showed that childhood SES interacts with trait anger to influence VS when people are temporarily in an angry mood but not when people are in a neutral mood. More specifically, people from relatively resource-abundant environments generally tend to seek variety when they are temporarily in an angry mood, independent of trait anger; although those with a low trait anger tend to choose more variety compared to those with a high trait anger. For people growing up from relatively resource-scarce environments, those with a low trait anger tend to choose less variety when they feel angry than those with a high trait anger. The present study extends the current understanding of the effects of emotion on VS. The theoretical and marketing implications of these findings are discussed.

Despite community health centers (CHCs) having many potential benefits, their utilisation rate is still low in urban China. Using the health belief model, the study conducted cross-sectional survey to examine factors that affected individuals' intentions to use primary care services in China. This study on 942 participants from Shanghai revealed that low cost had insignificant effect on the choice of CHCs once other key factors were accounted for. Older age, greater perceived susceptibility to contracting common diseases and more benefits of individualised care greatly increased the likelihood of using primary care services. Perceived low competencies of medical personnel along with outdated medical facilities had significant negative relationships with the intention of choosing CHCs. Based on these findings, some policy recommendations are proposed such as promoting education on prevalence of common diseases, recruiting qualified medical personnel, increasing professional training and cooperation, updating medical facilities, and offering high-quality individualised care in order to improve efficiency of primary care utilisation.

Objective: To study the characteristics and risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis in populations at high risk of stroke in urban and rural areas of North China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate high stroke risk populations in representative urban and rural areas sampled from 12 regions of China. A pre-designed questionnaire, ultrasound, and laboratory examinations were performed to evaluate risk factors. Results: A total of 30,175 patients were included in the study. The overall prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was 54.53%, among which intimal thickening and plaque were 39.22 and 41.25%, respectively. The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in the urban group was higher than in the rural group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender, age, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, atrial fibrillation, systolic blood pressure, and levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were the common independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in both groups. Higher education, high salt consumption, passive smoking, family history of stroke, and transient ischemic attack were unique independent risk factors, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was a protective factor for carotid atherosclerosis in the urban population. Conclusion: This study suggests that risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis differ between urban and rural populations in North China.

Lin28a is a pluripotent factor that promotes somatic cell reprogramming. Unlike other pluripotent factors, Lin28a expression is transient and accumulated in primed embryonic stem (ES) cells, but its exact function and mechanism in the conversion of ES cells from naïve to primed state remain unclear. Here, we present evidence for Dppa3, a protein originally known for its role in germ cell development, as a downstream target of Lin28a in naïve–primed conversion. Using rescue experiment, we demonstrate that Dppa3 functions predominantly downstream of Lin28a during naïve–primed state conversion. Higher level of Lin28a prevents let-7 maturation and results in Dnmt3a/b (target of let-7) upregulation, which in turn induces hypermethylation of the Dppa3 promoter. Dppa3 demarcates naïve versus primed pluripotency states. These results emphasize that Lin28a plays an important role during the naïve–primed state conversion of ES cells, which is partially mediated by a Lin28a–let-7–Dnmt3a/b–Dppa3 axis.

The current research examined the effects of customer satisfaction and need for variety on brand-switching intention among Chinese consumers, as well as the moderating role of purchasing-de...

Background.Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and other acid-suppressing drugs are widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, gastritis, and gastric cancer (GC). About 80% of GC patients receive acid suppression treatment. PPI suppresses the production of gastric acid by inhibiting the function of H+/K+-ATPase in gastric parietal cells and raises the pH value to achieve therapeutic purposes. Some studies have found that PPI had a certain antitumor effect in the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells. But the effects of environmental pH on the growth of GC cells and its mechanism are unknown. Therefore, we hoped to find the effects of culture medium pH on the biological behavior of GC cells by in vitro experiments and provide guidance for the use of acid-suppressing drugs in GC patients.Aims.We aimed to observe the effects of pH changes in GC cell culture medium on the cell biological behavior of cancer cells and to analyze the potential mechanisms. We hoped to find out the effect of acid suppression on the growth of GC cells.Methods. The GC cell lines (SGC-7901 and MKN45) were used as the research object. We adjusted the pH value in the cell culture medium to observe the changes in cell viability (MTT), apoptosis (flow cytometry), and invasion (Transwell) at pH 6, pH 7, and pH 8. qRT-PCR and western blot (WB) assays were used to determine the expression changes of genes and proteins (mTOR, AKT, Wnt, Glut, and HIF-1α) at pH 6, pH 7, and pH 8.Results.The results of MTT showed that the viability of SGC-7901 and MKN45 in the pH 8.0 group was significantly weaker than that in the pH 6.0 or pH 7.0 group (P<0.001). Flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis of SGC-7901 and MKN45 in the pH 8.0 group was more obvious than that in the pH 6.0 or pH 7.0 group (P<0.001). The results of Transwell showed that the invasion ability of SGC-7901 and MKN45 in the pH 8.0 group was significantly weaker than that in the pH 6.0 or pH 7.0 group (P<0.001). As shown by PCR and WB results, with the increase of pH, the expression of mTOR, AKT, Wnt, Glut, and HIF-1αin SGC-7901 and MKN45 was downregulated (P<0.05).Conclusions. Compared with the microacid environment, the microalkaline environment inhibited the viability, invasion, and expression of genes and proteins (mTOR, AKT, Wnt, Glut, and HIF-1α) but promoted the apoptosis of GC cells and thus inhibited the growth of GC.

Three Cu(II) complexes of [Cu(L1)(Br)2]·CH3CN (1), [Cu(L2)2(OAc)](PF6)·2C2H5OH (2), and [Cu(L1)(L2)](PF6)2 (3) (L1 = 2-(6-(pyridine-2-yl)-4-p-tolylpyridin-2-yl)pyridine, L2 = 2-(4-(pyridine-2-yl)-6-p-tolylpyridin-2-yl)pyridine) were designed and synthesized as anti-cancer drugs. All complexes were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography showing that three complexes were the mononuclear compounds with the triclinic crystal system p 1 ¯ space group. The interaction between each of these three complexes and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated via spectroscopic techniques and viscosity measurement, which indicated that these complexes could bind to CT-DNA by intercalation. Moreover, DNA cleavage experiment showed that, in the natural light under an aerobic environment, all complexes could cleave DNA in the absence of exogenous oxidant agent, and that singlet oxygen (1O2) might serve as the major cleavage active species. Protein binding experiment indicated that 1–3 could bind to bovine serum albumin (BSA) with moderate bonding via the static quenching mechanism. In addition, the IC50 values of these three complexes were significantly lower which denoted highly anti-cancer activities in comparison to cisplatin. And each of these complexes could individually inhibit proliferation potential of cancer cells by promoting G1-phase cell cycle arrest (G1 arrest) and inducing apoptosis through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of caspase-3

// Dan Wang 1, 3, * , Hui Sang 1, 3, * , Kaiyue Zhang 2 , Yan Nie 2 , Shuang Zhao 1, 3 , Yan Zhang 2, 3 , Ningning He 2 , Yuebing Wang 2 , Yang Xu 2 , Xiaoyan Xie 4 , Zongjin Li 1, 2 , Na Liu 1, 2 1 Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China 2 School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China 3 College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China 4 Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Na Liu, email: liuna@nankai.edu.cn Zongjin Li, email: zongjinli@nankai.edu.cn Keywords: embryonic stem cell, ground state, Stat3 signal pathway, imaging Received: November 24, 2016 Accepted: March 01, 2017 Published: March 10, 2017 ABSTRACT Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) can be maintained its undifferentiated state with feeder cells or LIF, which can activate Jak/Stat3 pathway. Recently, it has been reported a new culture condition comprising serum-free medium with ERK and GSK3β inhibitors (2i) could drive ES cells into a state of pluripotency more like inner cell mass (ICM) in mouse blastocysts called ground state. However, although 2i could sustain ES cells self-renewal, LIF is routinely added. The roles of Stat3 activation are still unclear now. Here we investigated whether Jak/Stat3 might also contribute to the induction of ground state pluripotency. We introduced a lentiviral construct with 7-repeat Stat3-binding sequence to drive Renilla luciferase into ES cells, which can be used as a reporter to detect Stat3 activation by noninvasive bioluminescence imaging. Using this ES cells, we investigated the role of Stat3 activation in ground state maintenance. The results showed that Stat3 could be activated by 2i. Stattic, a chemical inhibitor of Stat3 phosphorylation, could effectively inhibit Stat3 activation in ES cells. When Stat3 activation was suppressed, ground state related genes were down regulated, and ES cells could not be maintained the ground state pluripotency even in 2i medium. All of these results indicate Stat3 activation is required in ground state maintenance.

Water-cement ratio is an important parameter of concrete quality. Rapid measurement of fresh concrete water-cement ratio can effectively monitor the on-site concrete quality management and play a great role in quality control. We study the variation of fresh concrete resistivity with the aid of electrodeless cement concrete resistivity meter, and discuss the impact of water-cement ratio under different varieties of cement, mineral admixture, chemical admixtures conditions on fresh concrete resistivity. We establish the relationships between fresh concrete resistivity and water-cement ratio based on the law of Portland cement initial hydration resistivity. The studies show that: fresh concrete resistivity is most vulnerable to the changes of water-cement ratio; there is a correlation between the law of fresh concrete resistivity and water-cement ratio; according to the fresh concrete resistivity variation, we can quickly identify water-cement ratio, cement and other parameters.

Background: The accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been particularly important in dentistry, which will affect the effectiveness of diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcome in clinical practice. The aims of this study were to assess the linear, volumetric, and geometric accuracy of 3D reconstructions from CBCT and to investigate the influence of voxel size and CBCT system on the reconstructions results. Methods: Fifty teeth from 18 orthodontic patients were assigned to three groups as NewTom VG 0.15 mm group (NewTom VG; voxel size: 0.15 mm; n = 17), NewTom VG 0.30 mm group (NewTom VG; voxel size: 0.30 mm; n = 16), and VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm group (VATECH DCTPRO; voxel size: 0.30 mm; n = 17). The 3D reconstruction models of the teeth were segmented from CBCT data manually using Mimics 18.0 (Materialise Dental, Leuven, Belgium), and the extracted teeth were scanned by 3Shape optical scanner (3Shape A/S, Denmark). Linear and volumetric deviations were separately assessed by comparing the length and volume of the 3D reconstruction model with physical measurement by paired t- test. Geometric deviations were assessed by the root mean square value of the imposed 3D reconstruction and optical models by one-sample t-test. To assess the influence of voxel size and CBCT system on 3D reconstruction, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used (μ = 0.05). Results: The linear, volumetric, and geometric deviations were −0.03 ± 0.48 mm, −5.4 ± 2.8%, and 0.117 ± 0.018 mm for NewTom VG 0.15 mm group; −0.45 ± 0.42 mm, −4.5 ± 3.4%, and 0.116 ± 0.014 mm for NewTom VG 0.30 mm group; and −0.93 ± 0.40 mm, −4.8 ± 5.1%, and 0.194 ± 0.117 mm for VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm group, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between groups in terms of linear measurement (P < 0.001), but no significant difference in terms of volumetric measurement (P = 0.774). No statistically significant difference were found on geometric measurement between NewTom VG 0.15 mm and NewTom VG 0.30 mm groups (P = 0.999) while a significant difference was found between VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm and NewTom VG 0.30 mm groups (P = 0.006). Conclusions: The 3D reconstruction from CBCT data can achieve a high linear, volumetric, and geometric accuracy. Increasing voxel resolution from 0.30 to 0.15 mm does not result in increased accuracy of 3D tooth reconstruction while different systems can affect the accuracy.

Malignant tumors are often multifactorial. Epidemiological studies have shown that hyperglycemia raises the prevalence and mortality of certain malignancies, like breast, liver, bladder, pancreatic, colorectal, endometrial cancers. Hyperglycemia can promote the proliferation, invasion and migration, induce the apoptotic resistance and enhance the chemoresistance of tumor cells. This review focuses on the new findings in the relationship between hyperglycemia and tumor development.

Previously, we found that Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (COT) decreases athero-susceptibility in lipoproteins and the aorta of guinea pigs fed a high-fat diet, and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In the present study, we investigated the effect of COT in reducing lipid accumulation and promoting reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in vivo and vitro. Healthy male mice were treated with high-fat diet alone, high-fat diet with COT (10.0 g/kg/d), or general fodder for 6 weeks. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-C, non-HDL-C, and (3)H-cholesterol in plasma, liver, bile, and feces were determined. Pathological changes and the levels of TC and TG in liver were examined. The expression of hepatic genes and protein associated with RCT were analyzed. COT administration reduced lipid accumulation in the liver, ameliorated the pathological changes, and lessened liver injury, the levels of TG, TC, and non-HDL-C in plasma were decreased significantly, and COT led to a significant increase in plasma HDL-C and apolipoprotein A (apoA1). (3)H-cholesterol in plasma, liver, bile, and feces was also significantly increased in COT-treated mice compared to controls. Both mRNA and protein expression of SRB1, CYP7A1, LDLR, ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCA1, ABCG5, and LXRα were improved in COT-treated mice. An in vitro isotope tracing experiment showed that COT and its bioactive ingredients, such as celastrol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and quercetin, significantly increased the efflux of (3)H-cholesterol. They also increased the expression of SRB1, ABCA1, and ABCG1 significantly in macrophages. Our findings provided a positive role of COT in reducing lipid accumulation by promoting RCT. These effects may be achieved by activating the SRB1 and ABC transporter pathway and promoting cholesterol metabolism via the CYP7A1 pathway in vivo. The effective ingredients in vitro are celastrol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and quercetin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene ApaⅠ polymorphism and the susceptibility to bone and joint tuberculosis in Chinese Han population. METHODS: Between May, 2015 and June, 2016, 100 patients with bone and joint tuberculosis and 100 healthy volunteers were recruited concomitantly in Heyuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Vitamin D receptor gene ApaⅠ polymorphisms in these subjects were analyzed using SNaPshot. RESULT: The genotype frequencies of ApaⅠ-AA, ApaⅠ-Aa and ApaⅠ-aa were 51%, 41%, and 8% in the case group and 33%, 55%, and 12% in the control group, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The genotype of ApaⅠ-AA was significantly higher in the case group with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.073 (95% CI: 1.142-3.763). CONCLUSION: The ApaⅠ polymorphisms of the VDR gene are associated with the susceptibility to bone and joint tuberculosis in Chinese Han population, and individuals with a ApaⅠ-AA genotype are at greater risks to develop bone and joint tuberculosis.

This study aims to investigate urban-rural differences in characteristics and risk factors of ischemic stroke in northern China. The present cross-sectional study was based on the High-risk Population Screening and Intervention Project for Stroke. The cluster sampling method was used to select urban and rural screening sites in northern China. By collecting information and screening the data, patients with ischemic stroke were obtained and a control group with similar gender, age, and regional distribution was selected among the nonischemic stroke patients. Then, the demographic and risk factors of patients with ischemic stroke were described and analyzed. The prevalence of ischemic stroke in northern China was 2.88%, with a greater prevalence in rural areas than in urban areas (3.32% vs 2.43%), and a greater prevalence in males than in females (3.06% vs 2.73%). Furthermore, rural stroke patients were younger than urban stroke patients. Hypertension, family history of stroke, and smoking were the top 3 independent risk factors for ischemic stroke. Overweight/obesity and low education were associated with increased ischemic stroke in urban areas, while low education was associated with less ischemic stroke in rural areas. In addition, the prevalence of alcoholism, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obvious overweight/obesity was greater in urban areas, while high-salt diet and low education and income were more prevalent in rural regions. Moreover, the smoking index was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The characteristics and risk factors of ischemic stroke differ between rural and urban areas, which could be used to design specific preventative measures.

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (COT), a traditional Chinese herb, has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we examined the protective effect of COT on the initiation of atherosclerosis induced by high fat diet and explored the underlying mechanisms. We established guinea pig models of hyperlipidemia and treated them with three dosages of COT or 20 mg/kg/d simvastatin (a positive control drug) for 8 weeks. Plasma lipid analysis indicated that COT decreased total cholesterol (TC), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) and apolipoprotein E (apoE) levels and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level. The analysis of the hepatic gene involving cholesterol metabolism by quantitative real-time PCR revealed that COT upregulated the mRNA abundance of LDL receptor (LDL-R), scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase A1 (CYP7A1) and the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR). Oil red O staining showed COT significantly reduced lipid deposition in the arterial wall. Moreover, ELISA assay revealed COT lowered the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma. Meanwhile, the level of Nitric oxide (NO) in plasma was increased by COT. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed the expression of CD68 and active NF-kB p65 proteins in the arterial wall was decreased by COT. The content of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma were determined and the data indicated COT suppressed oxidative stress reaction. These results reveal that administration of COT decreases athero-susceptibility through lowering plasma lipid, attenuating inflammation, and suppressing oxidative stress in guinea pig fed high fat diet.

Aim This study was to explore whether activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), an important sensor to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, would mediate oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)- induced cholesterol accumulation and apoptosis in cultured macrophages and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods Intracellular lipid droplets and total cholesterol levels were assayed by oil red O staining and enzymatic colorimetry, respectively. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined using MTT assay and AnnexinV-FITC apoptosis detection kit, respectively. The nuclear translocation of ATF6 in cells was detected by immunofluorescence analysis. Protein and mRNA levels were examined by Western blot analysis and real time-PCR, respectively. ATF6 siRNA was transfected to RAW264.7 cells by lipofectamin. Results Exposure of cells to ox-LDL induced glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78). C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), a key-signaling component of ER stress-induced apoptosis, was up-regulated in ox-LDL-treated cells. ATF6, a factor that positively regulates CHOP expression, was activated by ox-LDL in a concentration- and time- dependent manner. The role of the ATF6-mediated ER stress pathway was further confirmed through the siRNA-mediated knockdown of ATF6, which attenuated ox-LDL-induced upregulation of CHOP, cholesterol accumulation and apoptosis in macrophages. In addition, the phosphorylation of double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), another factor that positively regulates CHOP expression, was induced in the presence of ox-LDL, and PERK-specific siRNA also inhibited the ox-LDL-induced upregulation of CHOP and apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion These results demonstrate that ER stress-related proteins, particularly ATF6 and its downstream molecule CHOP, are involved in ox-LDL-induced cholesterol accumulation and apoptosis in macrophages.

To fabricate a new composite scaffold material as an implant for sustained delivery of rifampicin and evaluate its performance of sustained drug release and biocompatibility.The composite scaffold material was prepared by loading poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres that encapsulated rifampicin in a biphasic calcium composite material with a negative surface charge. The in vitro drug release characteristics of the microspheres and the composite scaffold material were evaluated; the in vivo drug release profile of the composite scaffold material implanted in a rat muscle pouch was evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography. The biochemical parameters of the serum and liver histopathologies of the rats receiving the transplantation were observed to assess the biocompatibility of the composite scaffold material.The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency of microspheres were (56.05±5.33)% and (29.80±2.88)%, respectively. The cumulative drug release rate of the microspheres in vitro was (94.19±5.4)% at 28 days, as compared with the rate of (82.23±6.28)% of composite scaffold material. The drug-loaded composite scaffold material showed a good performance of in vivo drug release in rats, and the local drug concentration still reached 16.18±0.35 µg/g at 28 days after implantation. Implantation of the composite scaffold material resulted in transient and reversible liver injury, which was fully reparred at 28 days after the implantation.The composite scaffold material possesses a good sustained drug release capacity and a good biocompatibility, and can serve as an alternative approach to conventional antituberculous chemotherapy.

The overall performace of a reconfigurable machine tool strcture is affected by its reconfigurable schemes. It is significant to predict a machine tool structure performance for choosing the reconfigurable scheme of reconfigurable machine tools. The boundary element model of a thick plate bending is built basing on the Hu Hai-chang theroy which is pulled in the foundation of Reissner theory. Then the boundary integral equation and its fundamental solutions are given out and calculations of singular integration on boundary are presented. Finally the analysis method of a reconfigurable machine tool structure is established based on the thick plate bundary element modal. Case study shown that the proposed analysis method of the reconfigural machine tool structure is effective.

Quercetin (QUE), a member of the bioflavonoid family, has been proposed to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of QUE on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages and specifically the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathway-mediated apoptosis. Our results showed that treatment with QUE (20, 40 and 80 μmol/L) significantly attenuated ox-LDL-induced cholesterol accumulation in macrophages and foam cell formation in a dose-dependent manner. Similar to tunicamycin (TM), a classical ER stress inducer, ox-LDL reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages. The cytotoxic effects of ox-LDL and TM were significantly inhibited by QUE treatment. Interestingly, we found that QUE also significantly suppressed the ox-LDL- and TM-induced activation of ER stress signaling events, including the phosphorylation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), translocation of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and upregulation of X-box-binding protein 1. In addition, exposure of RAW264.7 macrophages to ox-LDL or TM resulted in a significant increase in the expression of CHOP, a transcription factor regulated by IRE1 and ATF6 under conditions of ER stress, as well as a decrease in Bcl-2 transcript and protein concentrations. QUE blocked these effects in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicate that QUE can protect RAW264.7 cells from ox-LDL-induced apoptosis and that the mechanism at least partially involves its ability to inhibit the ER stress-CHOP signaling pathway.

Plates are widely used in the machine tool structure. Based on the differential equations of flexural free vibration of a thin plate on Winkler elastic foundation, its dynamic fundamental solutions and the dynamic boundary integral equations are established. The solving methods of the corner point problems are given out. The quadratic elements are used to discretize the boundary integral equations and the receptance mtrix equations of a thin plate on Winkler elastic foundation are established. The fequency scanning method is used to obtain the natural frequencies of the thin plate on Winkler elastic foundation. Case studies showed the effectiveness of the proposed BEM dynamical analysis, which can be also used in the dymical analysis of joints in a machine tool structure.

Objective It is to characterize the underlying molecular mechanisms of the anti-atherosclerotic effects of hydrogen (dihydrogen; H 2 ), a novel antioxidant. In particular, to examine the effects of hydrogen on athero-susceptibility in lipoproteins and aorta of apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE−/−) mice. Methods and results Plasma analysis by enzymatic method and spectrophotometric measurement showed that eight weeks intraperitoneally injection of hydrogen-saturated saline remarkably decreased plasma total and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, and malondialdehyde in apoE−/− mice fed either chow or high fat diet. Western blot analysis showed hydrogen treatment reduced the contents of apolipoprotein B (apoB), a major protein constituent of non-HDL in either plasma or hepatic tissues. Moreover, ELISA assay revealed that the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were significantly suppressed by hydrogen in RAW264.7 macrophages, after stimulation with the isolated non-HDL from treated or untreated mice. Immunohistochemistry of aortic valve sections revealed that hydrogen suppressed the expression of several proinflammatory factors and decreased vessel wall infiltration of macrophages. Besides, real-time PCR and Western blot analysis disclosed that hepatic scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCG8, ABCB4, ABCB11, and macrophage SR-BI, were all induced by hydrogen treatment. Finally arterial wall lipid disposition displayed by oil red O staining was reduced significantly in aortic root and whole aorta en face in hydrogen administrated mice. In addition, hydrogen significantly improved HDL functionality in C57BL/6J mice assessed in two independent ways, namely (i) stimulation of cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells by measuring HDL-induced [ 3 H]cholesterol efflux, and (ii) protection against LDL oxidation as a measure of Cu 2+ -induced TBARS formation. Conclusion These results reveal that administration of hydrogen-saturated saline decreases athero-susceptibility in apoB-containing lipoprotein and aortic atherosclerosis in apoE−/− mice and improves HDL functionality in C57BL/6J mice.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from bone marrow are known to be heterogeneous. In this study, we tried to find favorable conditions that induce the differentiation of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from bone marrow into EPCs. The differentiation capacity of MNCs from rat bone marrow was investigated in different conditions, such as different media, different induction times and different culture surfaces. The cell morphology and endothelial biomarkers associated with differentiated MNCs were studied. Our results indicated that MNCs cultured in EGM-2MV (Endothelial cell basal medium-2, plus SingleQuots of growth supplements) developed a bursiform shape, a late EPC-like morphology, while MNCs cultured in complete medium (CM, M199 with 10% FBS, 20 ng/mL VEGF and 10 ng/mL bFGF) showed a spindle shape, an early EPC-like morphology. Cells of both morphologies were able to incorporate DiI-ac-LDL and bind lectin in vitro. MNCs cultured in EGM-2MV exhibited a higher proliferation rate and higher eNOS expression than MNCs cultured in CM. MNCs cultured in EGM-2MV had the ability to form tubes on Matrigel. Flow cytometry results indicated that CD133 expression was highest at day 12 and that the greatest number of cells positive for both FLK-1 and CD133 appeared at day 20 from cells cultured in dishes without fibronectin coating. In addition, the expression levels of CD133, CD31 and FLK-1/CD133 were not significantly different between cells of different shapes. Our experiments suggest that MNCs from bone marrow can be differentiated into late EP-like cells in EGM-2MV, which have the ability to rapidly proliferate. These MNCs can also be differentiated into early EP-like cells in CM. Additionally, fibronectin may not be necessary for the differentiation of EPCs to mature ECs after three generations. Differentiated MNCs from bone marrow in EGM-2MV have the characteristics of EPCs, although the expression levels of EPC markers were lower than previously reported.

This study was designed to explore the protective effect of D4F, an apoA-I mimetic peptide, on oxidized LDL (ox-LDL)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) pathway-mediated apoptosis in macrophages. Our results showed that treating apoE knockout mice with D4F decreased the serum ox-LDL level and apoptosis in atherosclerotic lesions with concomitant downregulation of cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and inhibition of ER stress. In vitro, D4F inhibited macrophage-derived foam cell formation. Furthermore, like ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA), D4F inhibited ox-LDL- or tunicamycin (TM, an ER stress inducer)-induced reduction in cell viability and increase in lactate dehydrogenase leakage, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis. Additionally, like PBA, D4F inhibited ox-LDL- or TM-induced activation of ER stress response as assessed by the reduced nuclear translocation of activating transcription factor 6 and the decreased phosphorylation of protein kinase-like ER kinase and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α, as well as the downregulation of glucose-regulated protein 78 and CHOP. Moreover, D4F mitigated ox-LDL uptake by macrophages and CD36 upregulation induced by ox-LDL or TM. These data indicate that D4F can alleviate the formation and apoptosis of macrophage-derived foam cells by suppressing CD36-mediated ox-LDL uptake and subsequent activation of the ER stress-CHOP pathway.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was established to quantify sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA) from lipoproteins and human plasma. The method was used to investigate the different contents of NANA from lipoproteins between diabetic with an average age of 51.6 years and healthy participants with an average age of 50.7 years. The NANA from lipoprotein samples was hydrolyzed by acetic acid (pH = 2) at 80 °C for 2 h and analyzed by the optimized LC-MS/MS method after high speed centrifugation and filtration. The limits of detection and quantification of NANA were 7.4 and 24.5 pg, respectively. The linear range was 2.5-80 ng/mL for NANA and the correlation coefficient (R2) was more than 0.998. The levels of NANA in the plasma of type II diabetics and healthy participants were (548.3 ± 88.9) and (415.3 ± 55.5) mg/L, respectively; and the levels of NANA from very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL) of the type II diabetics and the healthy participants were (4.91 ± 0.19), (6.95 ± 0.28), (3.61 ± 0.22) μg/mg and (2.90 ± 0.27), (7.03 ± 0.04), (2.40 ± 0.09) μg/mg, respectively. The sialic acid levels of VLDL and HDL from the type II diabetics were markedly higher than those of the corresponding healthy participants with the similar ages (P < 0.01). The method can rapidly determine the sialic acid from lipoproteins, and is reproducible and time saving.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors, including central obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The anti-inflammatory properties of high density lipoprotein (HDL) can be compromised in MetS. Exercise is recognized as an important factor in the prevention and treatment of MetS.This study was designed to investigate whether walk/run training without any specific diet could enhance anti-inflammation capacity of HDL from MetS patients.This was a case control study.The study was conducted in a Zhoudian community, Taian.Thirty nine patients with MetS were recruited and divided into a control group (n = 12) remaining in an untrained state and exercise group (n = 27) performing a 10-week walk/run training program.The anti-inflammation capacities of HDL3 (HDL subfractions) from MetS patients with or without exercise were investigated by co-incubating with TNF- α-injured endothelial cells in vitro.The training did not influence serum lipoprotein level in MetS patients and cholesterol efflux capacity of circulating HDL. However, walk/run training increased paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde in either serum or isolated HDL from MetS patients prominently. More importantly, HDL3 isolated from MetS patients with 10 weeks training protected endothelial cells against tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) -induced injury, decreased monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels in media and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression markedly. Furthermore, HDL3 isolated from MetS patients with walk/run training inhibited the TNF-á-induced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and obviously increased nitric oxide production by activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase.Walk/run training leads to a significant improvement in HDL anti-inflammation capacity in subjects with MetS without restricted diet, the mechanism underlying which at least partially is due to increased PON1 activity in HDL, NO production, and eNOS expression in endothelial cells.

Objective: D-4F, an apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) mimetic peptide, exerts a variety of atheroprotective functions similar to apoA-I, the major protein component of high density lipoprotein (HDL), including acting as an antioxidant, mediating cholesterol efflux from foam cells and direct anti-inflammatory effects. Our previous studies have demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress promotes macrophage-derived foam cell formation by upregulating CD36 expression and mediates oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced macrophage apoptosis. The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effect of D-4F on ox-LDL-induced macrophage cytotoxicity and specifically the ER stress-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathway-mediated apoptosis. Methods and Results: Treatment with D-4F (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/L) attenuated ox-LDL (100 mg/L)-induced cholesterol accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophages and foam cell formation in a dose-dependent manner. Similar to tunicamycin (TM), a classical ER stress inducer, ox-LDL reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages. The cytotoxic effects of ox-LDL (100 mg/L) and TM (5 mg/L) were remarkably inhibited by D-4F treatment. Interestingly, we found that D-4F also significantly suppressed the ox-LDL- and TM-induced CD36 upregulation and activation of ER stress signaling events, including the phosphorylation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) and nuclear translocation of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). In addition, exposure of RAW264.7 macrophages to ox-LDL or TM resulted in a significant increase in the expression of CHOP, a proapoptotic transcription factor regulated by IRE1 and ATF6 under conditions of ER stress. D-4F blocked these effects in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, administration of apoE –/– mice with D-4F (1 mg/kg per day) suppressed apoptosis and the upregulation of CD36, phospho-IRE1, GRP78 and CHOP in macrophage-dense atherosclerotic lesions. Conclusion: These data indicate that D-4F can protect macrophages from ox-LDL-induced apoptosis and that the mechanism at least partially involves its ability to inhibit the ER stress-CHOP signaling pathway.