HSC-specific knockdown of GGPPS alleviated CCl-induced chronic liver fibrosis through mediating RhoA/Rock pathway.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a critical role in the pathogenesis and reversal of liver fibrosis. Targeting HSCs is of great significance in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis, and has attracted wide attention of scholars. Here we demonstrated that expression of geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase (GGPPS) predominantly increased in HSCs in murine fibrotic liver.

Rapamycin inhibits peritoneal fibrosis by modifying lipid homeostasis in the peritoneum.

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is characterized by progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the peritoneum under high glucose conditions. Rapamycin has previously been shown to inhibit ECM accumulation of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) and prevent PF. Here we explored the undefined mechanisms by which rapamycin inhibits ECM accumulation of PMCs.

Biomechanical analysis of the effect of medial meniscus degenerative and traumatic lesions on the knee joint.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the degenerative medial meniscus and traumatic lesions on the biomechanical behavior of the knee. An elaborate three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of the total knee joint containing bones, articular cartilages, main ligaments, and menisci was developed from a combination of magnetic resonance images and computed tomography. Three types of meniscus tears were employed to represent the degenerative and traumatic lesions.

Effects of mammalian target of rapamycin on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of myoblasts undergoing mechanical stress.

Myoblasts characterize by the potential to transform into skeletal muscle, and involve in processes of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an important protein of PI3K signaling pathway in muscle metabolism and physiology. This study aimed to investigate effects of mTOR on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of myoblasts undergoing mechanical stress.

Mechanical characterization of 3D printed multi-morphology porous Ti6Al4V scaffolds based on triply periodic minimal surface architectures.

Heterogeneous biomaterials that simultaneously mimic the topological and mechanical properties of nature bone tissues are of great interest in recent years. In this study, multi-morphology porous scaffolds based on the triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) were designed and 3D printed with spatially changing pore patterns. Experiments and numerical analyses were carried out to assess the mechanical properties of the multi-morphology graded porous scaffold.

Photosensitizer-loaded biomimetic platform for multimodal imaging-guided synergistic phototherapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted much attention as a strategy for tumor therapy. However, the insolubility and poor tumor-targeting ability of most photosensitizers (PSs) hinder PDT from further development. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new carriers with good water solubility and biocompatibility to deliver PSs to tumors.

An iRGD peptide conjugated heparin nanocarrier for gastric cancer therapy.

The -diamminedichloroplatinum(ii) (DDP, cisplatin) is an important antitumor drug for the therapy of gastric cancer in clinics, but it is limited by its nonspecific tissue distribution and severe side effects. Here, an integrin targeted drug delivery system iRGD-heparin nanocarrier (iHP) was successfully synthesized. The iHP has several unique properties.

The role of CaMKII in neuropathic pain and fear memory in chronic constriction injury in rats.

Purpose/Aim of the study In this study, we sought to observe the effects of Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) on neuropathic pain and fear memory in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI). Materials and methods Rats were randomly divided into the Sham, Control, CCI and m-AIP groups. In the m-AIP group, an intrathecal injection of m-AIP, the specific antagonist of CaMKII, was given either pretreatment or posttreatment in rats.

Research progress of the relationship between pyroptosis and disease.

Pyroptosis, characterized by proinflammation, has been defined as a new type of programmed cell death in recent years. Inflammasomes are activated by the corresponding pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS), followed up by the cleavage of pro-interleukin-1β (pro-IL-1β), pro-interleukin-18 (pro-IL-18) and gasdermin D. The N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D gives rise to the destruction of cell membrane, leading to cell rupture as well as the efflux of proinflammatory cytokines.

Nitroxide radical-modified CuS nanoparticles for CT/MRI imaging-guided NIR-II laser responsive photothermal cancer therapy.

Herein, we reported nitroxide radical-modified CuS nanoparticles (CuS-NO˙ NPs), and they exhibited a typical absorption peak at 1182 nm. Due to such a long wavelength absorbance, CuS-NO˙ NPs exhibited excellent therapeutic outcome and low damage to normal tissues. Besides, we simultaneously achieved CuS-NO˙ NPs for MRI and CT dual-modal imaging, which successfully provided a new strategy for imaging-guided tumor treatment, thus increasing potential clinical applications for cancer treatment.

Egr1 deficiency disrupts dynamic equilibrium of chondrocyte extracellular matrix through PPARγ/RUNX2 signaling pathways.

Background: This study is to investigate the effect of Egr1 on the mineralization and accumulation of chondrocyte extracellular matrix.

Methods: The femoral heads of patients of various heights were collected. Egr1 knockout mice were used.

[Assessment of mental health status and plasma catecholamine levels in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer].

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between mental health and recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU), and to explore the change of plasma catecholamine level in RAU patients.

Methods: Thirty RAU patients treated in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University from February 2016 to August 2016 were selected as the experimental group, and 30 healthy people with matched age and gender were selected as the control group. Patients in both groups were asked to fill in the psychological scales for researchers to analyze their mental state, including Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS).

Glyoxalase 1, regulated by LncRNA MALAT1, promotes malignant development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

In previous study we found that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and that the following microarray chip screening of MALAT1 target genes showed that Glyoxalase I (GLO1) was a potential downstream effector of MALAT1. In this study, we further confirmed that GLO1 was regulated by MALAT1. GLO1 belongs to the glyoxalase system, which encodes a ubiquitous detoxification pathway being implicated in the progression of multiple malignancies.

Atrophic nodular cutaneous amyloidosis.

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis is limited to the skin without involving any other tissue. Nodular amyloidosis is rare, and atrophic nodular cutaneous amyloidosis is even rarer. We describe the fourth case of atrophic nodular cutaneous amyloidosis by searching PubMed databases.

High and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid-coated gold nanobipyramids for photothermal therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer. It is known that hyaluronic acid (HA) binds CD44 receptors, which are overexpressed on the surface of TNBC cells. To optimize the targeting ability of HA, in this study we coated gold nanobipyramids (GBPs) with high and low molecular weight HA (380 kDa and 102 kDa), named GBPs@h-HA and GBPs@l-HA, respectively.

[Evaluation of upper airway dimension among adolescent patients with different sagittal skeletal patterns by cone-beam CT].

Purpose: To analyze whether upper airway dimensions were influenced by different sagittal skeletal pattern among adolescent patients.

Methods: Seventy-five adolescent patients were divided into 3 groups based on their ANB angles．The three groups were matched for age and sex． All subjects had a normodivergent skeletal pattern．Airway lengths, cross-sectional measurements and volumes were measured by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) volume scans, and two-dimensional lateral cephalograms were created and analyzed. Airway lengths, cross-sectional measurements and volumes were compared among 3 groups.

[Alteration of Th17 cells, immunoglobins and complements levels in peripheral blood of patients with refractory recurrent aphthous ulcer].

Purpose: To observe the levels of Th17 cells, immunoglobins and complements in peripheral blood of patients with refractory recurrent aphthous ulcer (refractory RAU) patients.

Methods: Totally, 30 patients with refractory RAU and 21 healthy controls were enrolled into this study. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the frequency of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood.

[Study on the sealing ability of biological root canal sealer iRoot SP in root canal filling].

Purpose: To investigate the sealing ability of biological root canal sealer iRoot SP in over-root canal filling. METHODS：After completion of root canal preparation, 48 extracted human single-canal teeth were used. The ratio of mesio-distal root canal diameter to bucco-lingual diameter was less than 0.

[An exploration on computerized examination system of dental objective structured clinical examination].

Unlabelled: PURPOSE：In view of the present problems of clinical skill examination, in order to evaluate the candidate's clinical ability comprehensively and objectively, we constructed and implemented dental objective structured clinical examination system mainly based on computer. METHODS：This system was a multi-station examination which had 3 parts and 8 sites. The stations were composed of a variety of testing methods, including choice questions, auxiliary examinations, case analysis and basic operation skill.

Histological classification of microvascular invasion to predict prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Similar to hepatocellular carcinoma, microvascular invasion (MVI) is also one of the most significant prognostic factors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, there has not been any literature that had mentioned the histologic classification of microvascular invasion in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We evaluated the significance of MVI classification in this study and analyzed the prognosis based on MVI classification.

[Role of cannabinoid receptor 1-mediated synaptic plasticity in neuropathic pain and associated depression].

Neuropathic pain is a class of pain caused by an injury or diseases of the somatosensory system and characterized by spontaneous pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. It is well established that central sensitization is one of the key mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) of endocannabinoid system modulates synaptic transmission, regulates synaptic plasticity, inhibits central sensitization, and thus attenuates neuropathic pain.

[Establishment and assessment of tibial osteoradionecrosis in rats].

Purpose: To establish a rat tibial osteoradionecrosis model and assess the model by observing clinical manifestation and histopathological examinations.

Methods: The right tibia of 6 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (weighing 200-250 g) was irradiated by a linear accelerator (single fraction 15 Gy, total dose 60 Gy) every second week for four times. Hair and cutaneous changes of the irradiated region were observed one, two, three and four weeks after irradiation, respectively.

Disturbed Interhemispheric Functional Connectivity Rather than Structural Connectivity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-a relapsing functional bowel disorder-presents with disrupted brain connections. However, little is known about the alterations of interhemispheric functional connectivity and underlying structural connectivity in IBS. This study combined resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate changes in interhemispheric coordination in IBS patients.

Bmi1 plays an important role in dentin and mandible homeostasis by maintaining redox balance.

To explore whether polycomb repressor Bmi1 plays an important role in dentin and mandible development homeostasis by maintaining redox balance, 3-week-old Bmi1 gene knockout (Bmi1) mice were treated with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for 2 weeks in their drinking water and phenotypes of the tooth and mandibles were compared with vehicle-treated Bmi1 mice and wild-type mice by radiograph, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Alterations of oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell proliferation and cell cycle-related parameters were also examined in mandibles. Results showed that the tooth volume and the dentin sialoprotein immunopositive areas, the cortical thickness, alveolar bone volume, osteoblast number and activity, and mRNA expression levels of Runx2, alkaline phosphatase and type I collagen were all reduced significantly in Bmi1 mice compared with their wild-type littermates, whereas these parameters were increased significantly in NAC-treated Bmi1 mice compared with vehicle-Bmi1 mice, although they were not normalized.

Three-dimensional stress In vitro promotes the proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells implanted by bioactive glass.

To analyze the biological and mechanical microenvironment on the directional differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) In vitro. PDLSCs were cultured in three-dimensional stress system In vitro for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Methods like immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were adopted and the proliferation and differentiation situation of PDLSCs were determined.