The effects of selective breeding for infant ultrasonic vocalizations on play behavior in juvenile rats

For over 25 generations, two lines of rats (High and Low USV lines) have been selectively bred for extreme rates of infantile (45 kHz) ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in response to maternal separation at postnatal day (P)10. High and low line juveniles (P30-P40) were socially isolated and allowed to play in same-sex sibling pairs for 10 min per day over three days. Measures of play were nape contacts and pinning. Other social and nonsocial behaviors were also scored during the three sessions; two of these, 55 kHz USV and walk-overs, were statistically associated with play. Compared to the Random control line, both High and Low line juveniles showed deficits in play behavior. In the High line, play initiatory behavior (nape contacts) was reduced, but pinning, USV and walk-overs were relatively unchanged. In contrast, nape contacts, pinning, USV and walk-overs were all reduced in Low line juveniles compared to Random line controls. The results suggest that selection for extremes of infant USV rates has produced temperamental differences that are expressed in juvenile play in the High and Low USV lines.     

Auditory outcomes following implantation and electrical stimulation of the semicircular canals

We measured auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in eight Rhesus monkeys after implantation of electrodes in the semicircular canals of one ear, using a multi-channel vestibular prosthesis based on cochlear implant technology. In five animals, click-evoked ABR thresholds in the implanted ear were within 10 dB of thresholds in the non-implanted control ear. Threshold differences in the remaining three animals varied from 18 to 69 dB, indicating mild to severe hearing losses. Click- and tone-evoked ABRs measured in a subset of animals before and after implantation revealed a comparable pattern of threshold changes. Thresholds obtained five months or more after implantation--a period in which the prosthesis regularly delivered electrical stimulation to achieve functional activation of the vestibular system--improved in three animals with no or mild initial hearing loss and increased in a fourth with a moderate hearing loss. These results suggest that, although there is a risk of hearing loss with unilateral vestibular implantation to treat balance disorders, the surgery can be performed in a manner that preserves hearing over an extended period of functional stimulation.     

银丹心脑通软胶囊对老年高血压患者血管内皮依赖性舒张功能及肱-踝脉搏波速的影响

目的观察银丹心脑通软胶囊对老年高血压患者血管内皮依赖性舒张功能及肱-踝脉搏波速(baPWV)的影响。方法采取随机分组、平行对照的方法将118例老年原发性高血压患者分为观察组57例和对照组61例。2组均给予正规降压治疗,观察组在降压治疗基础上加服银丹心脑通软胶囊4粒/次,3次/d,2组疗程均为6个月。结果 2组治疗后血压、血脂、体质量指数、血尿酸和高敏C反应蛋白均较治疗前明显下降;治疗后肱动脉静息时基础内径、反应性充血后内径及FMD、baPWV均较治疗前改善。治疗后观察组与对照组相比血脂、高敏C反应蛋白下降更显著;观察组反应性充血后内径及FMD、baPWV均较对照组改善更明显。结论银丹心脑通软胶囊具有保护血管内皮、改善内皮舒张功能、抗动脉粥样硬化作用,机制与其降低血脂、抗炎、防治脂质过氧化损伤等有关。     

祛风定痛方对大鼠脑血流量和血小板聚集的影响

目的:观察祛风定痛方对脑血流量、脑微循环和血小板聚集的影响,探讨其治疗偏头痛的作用机制。方法:采用激光多普勒微循环血流仪观察祛风定痛方对大鼠脑血流量的影响,微循环检测仪观察对NA所致小鼠软脑膜微循环障碍的影响,血小板凝聚仪观察对ADP诱导的大鼠血小板聚集的影响。结果:祛风定痛方在2.25～9g生药/kg剂量范围内,可以显著提高大鼠脑血流量、改善NA所致的小鼠软脑膜微循环障碍、抑制ADP诱导的大鼠血小板聚集。结论:改善脑血流量、改善脑部微循环、抑制血小板聚集是祛风定痛方防治偏头痛的部分作用机制。     

藏药叶蒙(短尾铁线莲)有效部位的研究

目的:研究、确定短尾铁线莲抗炎的有效部位。方法在SD大鼠体内致成炎性病症,用短尾铁线莲提取物、齐墩果酸粗提物对抗实验性足踝肿胀。结果对三组实验组、对照组的数据进行分析,结果具有统计学差异(P<0.01)。结论短尾铁线莲具有明显的抗炎镇痛作用,其有效部位是齐墩果酸。     

MicroRNA expression profiling identifies miR-328 regulates cancer stem cell-like SP cells in colorectal cancer

Background:

Side population (SP) cells and their relationship to stem cell-like properties have been insufficiently studied in colorectal cancer (CRC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted much attention but their roles in the maintenance of SP phenotype remain unclear.

Methods:

The SPs from CRC cell lines and primary cell cultures were analysed for stem cell-like properties. MiRNA microarray analysis identified miR-328 as a potential stemness miRNA of SP phenotype. The level of miR-328 expression in clinical samples and its correlation with SP fraction were determined. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies were performed to examine its roles in cancer stem-like SP cells. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation were used to identify miR-328 target genes.

Results:

The SP cells sorted from CRC possess cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties, including self-renewal, differentiation, resistance to chemotherapy, invasive and strong tumour formation ability. MiR-328 expression was significantly reduced in SP cells compared with Non-SP cells (P<0.05). Moreover, miR-328 expression was downregulated in CRC (n=33, P<0.05) and low miR-328 expression tend to correlate with high SP fraction (n=15, r=0.6559, P<0.05, Pearson''s correlation). Functional studies indicated that miR-328 expression affects the number of SP cells. In addition, miR-328 overexpression reversed drug resistance and inhibited cell invasion of SP cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-328 directly targets ABCG2 and MMP16 and affects the levels of mRNA and protein expression in SP cells.

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that CRC contain cancer stem-like SP cells. MiR-328 has an important role in maintaining cancer stem-like SP phenotype that may be a potential target for effective CRC therapy.     

p73 4G14C-4A14T基因多态性与结直肠癌发病风险相关性的系统评价

 目的
系统评价细胞周期调控基因p73 4G14C-4A14T基因多态性与结直肠癌易感性的关系。方法 检索2000-2010年Cochran
图书馆、中国期刊网、中国生物医学文献数据库、维普科技期刊全文数据库、PubMed、Web of science、BIOSIS
Preview、Journal Citation Reports、FMJS、EMMC等数据库,语种不限,获取有关p73 4G14C-4A14T基因多态性与
结直肠癌发病风险相关性的研究结果,分别以病例组和对照组的p73 4G14C-4A14T基因型分布以及比值比(OR)为效
应指标,确定纳入标准,对文献进行评价筛选,异质性检验,然后利用RevMan5.0软件对各研究原始结果进行统计
处理,并计算合并的OR值及其95%可信区间。结果按照纳入标准,最终入选5篇文献,累计病例919例,对照1 234例
。Meta分析p73 4G14C-4A14T基因型GC/GC vs.GC/AT+AT/AT合并OR值为0.84(95%CI:0.71~1.00),Z值为1.95,GC/GC
vs.AT/AT合并OR值为0.50(95%CI:0.35~0.70),Z值为4.00,AT/AT vs.GC/GC+GC/AT 合并OR值为1.94(95%
CI:1.39~2.70),Z值为3.91。结论 我们发现AT/AT基因纯合子可以明显提高结直肠癌的发病风险,差异有统计学意
义,Meta分析结果说明p73 4G14C-4A14T基因多态性与结直肠癌发病风险之间有明显相关性。结果 表明携带p73
4G14C-4A14T多态性是结直肠癌重要的发病因素。     

MicroRNA-409-3p regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting PHF10 in gastric cancer

Recently, we have identified GSK-3 as a new therapeutic target in renal cell cancer (RCC). miR-199a could potentially downregulate GSK-3β expression. Here, we found a decreased miR-199a expression in 59% (32 of 54) of RCCs and it was correlated with higher tumor stage (p < 0.05) and nuclear overexpression of GSK-3β (p < 0.05). We show that re-expression of miR-199a downregulates GSK-3β and suppresses cancer cell growth. Our results demonstrate low miR-199a expression as a feature of advanced RCCs, identify miR-199a as a negative regulator of GSK-3β, and suggest re-expression of pre-miR-199a as a new potential treatment of RCC.     

Activation of androgen receptor induces ID1 and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion

Androgen receptor (AR) activity is associated with cancer development and progression. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), AR contributes to HCC incidence, but the role of AR in HCC cell migration and invasion remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that AR was expressed at high levels in a subgroup of HCC cell lines with high metastatic potential. Experiments using lentiviral overexpression or small hairpin RNA knockdown of AR as well as activation of AR by its ligand indicated that AR activation promoted HCC cell migration and invasion. We also found that AR activation enhanced the expression of a metastasis-promoting gene, ID1, which led to increased HCC cell migration and invasion. An AR antagonist was able to block this process, suggesting that AR activation in AR-positive HCC may be therapeutically inhibited as a potential intervention strategy.