Transglutaminase 2 regulates endothelial cell calcification via IL-6-mediated autophagy.

Introduction: Endothelial cell (EC) calcification is an important marker of atherosclerotic calcification. ECs play a critical role not only in atherogenesis but also in intimal calcification, as they have been postulated to serve as a source of osteoprogenitor cells that initiate this process. While the role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in cellular differentiation, survival, apoptosis, autophagy, and cell adhesion is well established, the mechanism underlying the TG2-mediated regulation of EC calcification is yet to be fully elucidated.

[Comprehensive undergraduate experiment: determination of phenylurea herbicide in tea by magnetic solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography].

Against the backdrop of the Ministry of Education's promotion of new agricultural science construction and interdisciplinary integration, a comprehensive chemistry experiment to enhance the practical skills of students in preparing biomass functional materials and detecting pesticide residues was designed. Natural loofah was utilized as a precursor in synthesizing nitrogen-doped magnetic porous carbon materials, which were then applied in a magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) technique. Subsequently, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to analyze and detect the phenylurea herbicide monuron in tea.

[MicroRNA-204 Carried by Exosomes of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulates the Polarization of Macrophages in a Mouse Model of Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury].

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of microRNA-204(miR-204) carried by the exosomes of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hUC-MSC) in regulating the polarization of macrophages in a mouse model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury. Methods After the hUC-MSCs were isolated,cultured,and identified,their adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capabilities were determined.The exosomes of hUC-MSCs were separated by ultracentrifugation,and the expression of CD81,CD63,tumor susceptibility gene 101(Tsg101),and calnexin in the exosomes was determined by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis software,transmission electron microscopy,and Western blotting.

The Effects of Long-Term Tai-Chi Practice on Blood Pressure Under Normal Conditions.

Background: Tai-Chi is a popular form of mind-body activity that is suitable for people of all ages. Accumulating evidence have shown that Tai-Chi can help ameliorate cardiovascular diseases. However, the benefits of long-term practice of Tai-Chi on blood pressure control remains unclear.

Simultaneous determination of nine constituents by validated UFLC-MS/MS in the plasma of cough variant asthma rats and its application to pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Huanglong cough oral liquid.

Huanglong cough oral liquid (HL), an important traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating pediatric cough variant asthma (CVA) in Nanjing hospital of traditional Chinese medicine for many years. In this study, a selective, accurate and sensitive ultra fast liquid chromatography extreme resolution coupled with mass spectrometer (UFLC-MS/MS) method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of nine constituents including morusin, ephedrine, praeruptorin A, praeruptorin B, luteolin, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, amygdalin, caffeic acid in CVA rat plasma sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin and cinnamaldehyde. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with four-fold amount of methanol.

Lesions of mediodorsal thalamic nucleus reverse abnormal firing of the medial prefrontal cortex neurons in parkinsonian rats.

The dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex is associated with affective disorders and non-motor features in Parkinson's disease. However, the exact role of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus in the function of the prefrontal cortex remains unclear. To study the possible effects of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus on the neurological function of the medial prefrontal cortex, a model of Parkinson's disease was established by injecting 8 µg 6-hydroxydopamine into the substantia nigra compacta of rats.

The SNP Rs915014 in MTHFR Regulated by MiRNA Associates with Atherosclerosis.

Background/aims: The association between the genetic polymorphisms located in either the exon or untranslated region of MTHFR and the risk of human atherosclerosis has been well-documented. This study analyzed MTHFR polymorphisms at the 3'-untranslated region for association with risk and outcome of atherosclerosis in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: The hospital based case-control study was conducted with 500 patients and 600 healthy volunteers as control enrolled.

[Effect of 5-HT7 receptor agonist on pyramidal neurons in the medial frontal cortex in a rat model of Parkinson's disease].

Objective: To investigate the activity of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of normal and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats and the responses of the neurons to 5-hydroxytryptamine-7 (5-HT(7)) receptor stimulation.

Methods: The changes in spontaneous firing of the pyramidal neurons in the mPFC in response to 5-HT(7) receptor stimulation were observed by extracellular recording in normal and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.

Results: Both systemic and local administration of 5-HT(7) receptor agonist AS 19 resulted in 3 response patterns (excitation, inhibition and no change) of the pyramidal neurons in the mPFC of normal and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.

Reliability evaluation of auxiliary feedwater system by mapping GO-FLOW models into Bayesian networks.

Bayesian network (BN) is a widely used formalism for representing uncertainty in probabilistic systems and it has become a popular tool in reliability engineering. The GO-FLOW method is a success-oriented system analysis technique and capable of evaluating system reliability and risk. To overcome the limitations of GO-FLOW method and add new method for BN model development, this paper presents a novel approach on constructing a BN from GO-FLOW model.

Protective effects of quercetin and taraxasterol against HO-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury .

Due to the association between inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis, the blockage of the inflammatory process that occurs on the endothelial cells may be a useful way of preventing atherosclerosis. In the present study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to investigate the protective effects of quercetin and taraxasterol against HO-induced oxidative damage and inflammation. HUVECs were pretreated with quercetin or taraxasterol at concentrations ranging between 0 and 210 µM for 12 h, prior to being administered different concentrations of HO for 4 h.

Feasibility study of a partially hollow configuration for zirconia dental implants.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of a new shape configuration involving a partially hollow and porous lower part for dental implants.

Materials And Methods: Cylindrical zirconia dental implants coated with bioactive glass were fabricated in the laboratory. Each implant has a solid upper part and a partially hollow lower part.

Poly(brilliant cresyl blue)-carbonnanotube modified electrodes for determination of NADH and fabrication of ethanol dehydrogenase-based biosensor.

A single walled-carbon nanotube (SWNT) modified with poly brilliant cresyl blue (PBCB) glassy carbon electrode has been fabricated by a simple, method in order to facilitate electrocatalytic detection of NADH. At this chemically modified electrode, NADH was determined in neutral phosphate buffer solution at 0V (vs. SCE).

Changes of synaptic structure after long-lasting LTP induced by high and low frequency tetanus in slices of the rat visual cortex.

Synaptic ultrastructural changes after long-lasting long-term potentiation (L-LTP) induced by 2 and 100 Hz tetanus were investigated by electron microscopic and stereological approach in slices of the developing rat visual cortex (postnatal days 15~21). Both 2 and 100 Hz tetanus-induced L-LTP groups showed significant increases in synaptic interface curvature, synaptic numeric density and postsynaptic density thickness, as well as significant decreases in the cleft width, as compared with the control groups. In addition, the volume density of the active zone (AZ) was increased significantly in the 100 Hz tetanus-induced L-LTP group, but not in the 2 Hz group.

Changes in the paired-pulse ratio after long-term potentiation induced by 2- and 100-Hz tetanus in rat visual cortical slices.

The effects of 2- and 100-Hz tetanus on long-term potentiation (LTP) of field potentials recorded from layers II/III and induced in layer IV in rat visual cortical slices were examined. Paired-pulse stimulation was used to probe the different mechanisms of LTP induced by 2- and 100-Hz tetanus. The paired-pulse ratio (PPR) decreased after the LTP induced by 2-Hz tetanus, with the changes in PPR being correlated with LTP amplitude.

Different effects of 2 and 100 Hz tetanus on the expression of long-lasting long-term potentiation in rat visual cortical slices.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) can be induced by various tetanic parameters in the mammalian visual cortex. However, little researches have been done on the relationship between the expression of the long-lasting LTP (late phase LTP or L-LTP) lasting more than 3 h and the tetanic parameters. In the present study, the effects of 2 Hz and 100 Hz tetanic parameters on L-LTP of the field potentials were recorded from the layer II/III of the rat visual cortical slices in response to stimulation of the layer IV.

Sexual dimorphism in the induction of LTP: critical role of tetanizing stimulation.

Numerous studies have suggested that sexual dimorphism may exist in learning and memory, particularly in types involving the hippocampus. In the present study, we examined the effects of two different tetani on the induction of long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices from adult female and male rats to determine the sexual differences in their responses to tetanizing stimulation. We found that the induction of LTP is sex-dependent, and that there were clear sexual differences in the responses to different tetanus patterns, but not impulse number or stimulation frequency.

Morphological alteration of the hippocampal synapses in rats prenatally exposed to magnetic resonance imaging magnetic fields.

The present study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnetic fields on the synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal formation of rats at different postnatal development stages. Pregnant rats with gestation of 12-18 days were exposed to the magnetic fields used for MRI clinical applications. When the offspring were 1, 2, or 5-month-old, the synaptic morphologic parameters were measured in female offspring.