The effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle exposure on gene expression patterns in the neural stem cells under magnetic field

Background: Due to the excellent reliable traceability and superparamagnetic properties, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) are widely used for the applications in the field of biomedicine, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, the regulation of SPIOs on the gene expressions in the stem cells is not clear. Methods: In this study, by RNA-Seq analysis, we analyzed the gene expression pattern in the neural stem cells (NSCs) treated with SPIOs in the presence or absence of static magnetic field (SMF). Results: It was found that SPIOs with SMF regulated more gene expression in NSCs, while most of these genes have been previously reported to play a crucial role in NSCs fate decision. Conclusions: Our findings reveal the ability of SPIOs and SMF in the regulation of gene expression in NSCs, which may provide an experimental basis for its applications.

LncRNA DLX6-AS1 regulates osteosarcoma progression via the miR-200a-3p/GPM6P axis

LncRNA DLX6-AS1 takes part in the progression of various cancers. However, it is not elaborated clearly in osteosarcoma (OS) development. Therefore, we aimed to explore the impacts and specific mechanisms of DLX6-AS1 on the progression of OS. We estimated the pattern of DLX6-AS1 expression in Ost tissues and cells via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A number of biochemical assays were carried out to assess the effects of DLX6-AS1. Target genes were predicted by bioinformatics methods. Then we used the transfection of si-RNA, miRNA inhibitor, and miRNA mimics to explore the underlying mechanisms and built tumor xenograft models for the in vivo experiments. A higher expression of DLX6-AS1 was found in OS tissues and cell lines, while knockdown of DXL6-AS1 suppressed OS cell metastasis and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, it was revealed that DXL6-AS1 sponged miR-200a-3p, thus positively regulating the downstream GPM6B. In summary, DLX6-AS1 knockdown would inhibit OS cell migration, cell invasion, and cell proliferation, in which the DXL6-AS1/ miR-200a-3p/ GPM6B axis played a critical role.

DL-3-n-butylphthalide enhances synaptic plasticity in mouse model of brain impairments

Synaptic impairment results in cognitive dysfunction of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As a plant extract, it is found that DL-3-n-butylphthalide (L-NBP) rescues abnormal cognitive behaviors in AD animals. However, the regulatory effects of L-NBP on synaptic plasticity remains unclear. APP/PS1 mice at 12 months old received oral L-NBP treatment for 12 weeks. A water maze test assessed cognitive performances. In vitro patch-clamp recordings and in vivo field potential recordings were performed to evaluate synaptic plasticity. The protein expression of AMPA receptor subunits (GluR1 and GluR2) and NMDA receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) was examined by Western blot. In addition, glutaminase activity and glutamate level in the hippocampus were measured by colorimetry to evaluate presynaptic glutamate release. L-NBP treatment could significantly improve learning and memory ability, upregulate NR2A and NR2B protein expressions, increase glutaminase activity and glutamate level in the hippocampus, and attenuate synaptic impairment transmission in the AD mice. L-NPB plays a beneficial role in AD mice by regulating NMDA receptor subunits’ expression and regulating presynaptic glutamate release.

Microapical surgery management of root resorption in anterior teeth caused by dental trauma: case report

Root resorption (RR) is a common complication of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs), which could result in tooth loss and affect life in severe cases. The management of a traumatized tooth with RR remains a challenge for clinicians. In our presented cases, the impacted teeth had a history of trauma and underwent thorough non-surgical endodontic treatment; however, RR still occurred months later and could be observed through a periapical radiograph. Therefore, root canal therapy was performed under a dental microscope with a quick-setting calcium silicate cement to repair the RR site. After a long follow-up, the affected teeth showed almost complete healing of the periradicular tissues without sign of RR. This report demonstrates that external root absorption is typically a consequence of traumatized teeth. However, to date, there is still no effective method for its treatment. Here, we successfully applied microscopical surgery to the traumatized teeth experiencing root absorption and provided them with a new healing opportunity.

Heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cells: characterization and application in cell therapy

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potentials in regenerative medicine for their low immunogenicity, multilineage differentiation potential, and extensive sources. However, the heterogeneity of MSCs limits their clinical application and industrial prospects. In this review, we introduced the heterogeneity of MSCs in terms of their applications, sources, functions, and surface markers; discussed the major factors leading to the heterogeneity in MSCs; summarized the main approaches to study the MSC heterogeneity, and addressed the clinical challenges resulting from heterogeneity. Finally, we proposed the strategies that might be used to purify the MSCs and to eliminate the heterogeneity of MSCs for their standardized production and reliable clinical application.

MicroRNA-155 inhibitor ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis by modulating the phenotype of pro-inflammatory macrophages in a mouse model

Background: The present study aims to investigate the roles of microRNA-155 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: CIA mouse model was established and miR155 inhibitor was intravenously injected. In in vitro studies, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were induced into M1 macrophages followed by the treatment of miR155 inhibitor. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to determine the mRNA expressions. Flow cytometry was applied to determine the frequency of M1 or M2 macrophages. Western blotting was determined to detect protein expressions. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to determine the levels of inflammatory cytokines and anti-collagen antibody. Results: The levels of miR155 were increased in macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and M1 macrophages. The treatment of miR155 inhibitor decreased inflammatory cytokines in M1 macrophages. Besides, treatment of miR155 inhibitors promoted the differentiation of M0 macrophages into M2 macrophages. In vivo studies demonstrated that the treatment of miR155 inhibitors ameliorated the RA symptoms by decreasing inflammatory cytokines in the CIA mouse model. Treatment of miR155 also resulted in a decrease of M1 macrophage biomarker and an increase of M2 macrophage biomarker. Conclusion: microRNA-155 inhibitor ameliorates RA symptoms in part by regulating macrophage phenotypes.

Multiple Sclerosis Detection via 6-layer Stochastic Pooling Convolutional Neural Network and Multiple-way Data Augmentation

Multiple sclerosis is one of most widespread autoimmune neuroinflammatory diseases which mainly damages body function such as movement, sensation, and vision. Despite of conventional clinical presentation, brain magnetic resonance imaging of white matter lesions is often applied to diagnose multiple sclerosis at the early stage. In this article, we proposed a 6-layer stochastic pooling convolutional neural network with multiple-way data augmentation for multiple sclerosis detection in brain MRI images. Our approach does not demand hand-crafted features unlike those traditional machine learning methods. Via application of stochastic pooling and multiple-way data augmentation, our 6-layer CNN achieved equivalent performance against those deep learning methods which consist of so many layers and parameters that ordinarily bring difficulty to training. The results showed that this 6-layer CNN obtained a sensitivity of 95.98±0.46%, a specificity of 95.67±0.92%, and an accuracy of 95.82±0.58%. According to comparison experiments, our results are better than state-of-the-art approaches. Further, we also conducted ablation experiments to examine the contribution of stochastic pooling and multiple-way data augmentation to the original CNN model. The contrast experiments revealed that our scheme of stochastic pooling and multiple-way data augmentation enhanced the original 6-layer CNN model compared to those using maximum pooling or average pooling and inadequate data augmentation.

Alcoholic brain injury via 8-layer customized deep convolution neural network

Alcohol can act quickly in the human body and alter mood and behavior. If alcohol is consumed in excess, it will accumulate in the organs of the body, especially in the liver and brain. To a certain extent, the symptoms of alcoholism will appear. So far, the main method of diagnosis of alcoholic brain injury is through MRI images by radiologists. However, this is a very subjective diagnosis. Radiologists may be affected by external factors, such as physical discomfort, lack of rest, inattention, etc., resulting in diagnostic errors. In this paper, we proposed a novel 8-layer customized deep convolution neural network for alcoholic brain injury detection, which contains five convolution layers, five pooling layers, and three fully connected layers. There are three improvements in this paper, (i) Based on deep learning, we proposed a method for automatic diagnosis of alcoholic brain injury; (ii) We introduced Dropout to the proposed structure to improve robustness; (iii) Compared with other state-of-the-art approaches, the proposed structure is more efficient. The experimental results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, F1, MCC and FMI were 96.14±1.99, 96.20±1.47, 95.98±1.54, 96.17±1.55, 96.05±1.62, 93.34±3.11, 96.06±1.62 respectively. According to comparison results, our method performed the best. The proposed model is effective in detecting alcoholic brain injury based on MRI images.

Dual coronary embolization associated with atrial fibrillation: a case report

Background: Thrombotic occlusion of the coronary artery, which succeeds the atherosclerotic plaquerupture or erosion, gives rise to a major portion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidences.Nevertheless, coronary embolism is gaining increasing recognition as another important factor contributingto AMI. Case presentation: A 72-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus histories,presented with chest pain radiating to the left arm and shoulder that began 6 hours prior to admission.Electrocardiogram revealed AF plus ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads.Intervention: Patient was first treated with anti-platelet agents (aspirin plus ticagrelor) and atorvastatin.Emergency coronary angiography depicted multi-site coronary embolization of the left circumflex artery(LCX) and the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Blood flow was not restored after intracoronaryinjection of 600 ug tirofiban. 40 mg recombinant human prourokinase was then administered via aspirationthrombectomy catheter. Outcome: Two weeks later, coronary angiography showed no residual obstructive lesion in the LCX andLAD with TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) 3 flow. Conclusion: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the most effective measure. In the case offailed blood flow restoration, thrombolytic treatment in both intravenous and intracoronary route should beconsidered.

Mechanisms linking hyperglycemia in pregnancy to the offspring cardiovascular system dysfunction

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is a high-glycemic state that occurs during pregnancy, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the major cause of it. Studies reveal that GDM has long-term adverse impacts on mothers and offspring, such as maternal type 2 diabetes, premature birth and stillbirth in newborns, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders in adult offspring. In recent years, studies on the transcription level of GDM and metabonomics have provided new insights into the pathophysiological mechanism of GDM. This article reviews the transcriptional levels and metabolomics studies involving GDM and cardiovascular dysfunction in the offspring, which may provide insight to the long-term health of pregnant women and offspring.