When watching someone performs an action, mirror neurons are activated in a way that is very similar to the activation that occurs when actually performing that action. Previous single-sample case studies indicate tha...When watching someone performs an action, mirror neurons are activated in a way that is very similar to the activation that occurs when actually performing that action. Previous single-sample case studies indicate that hand-action observation training may lead to activation and remodeling of mirror neuron systems, which include important language centers, and may improve language function in aphasia patients. In this randomized-block-design experiment, we recruited 24 aphasia patients from, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, China. The patients were divided into three groups where they underwent hand-action observation and repetition, dynamic-object observation and repetition, or conventional speech therapy. Training took place 5 days per week, 35 minutes per day, for 2 weeks. We assessed language function via picture naming tests for objects and actions and the Western Aphasia Battery. Among the participants, one patient, his wife and four healthy student volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze changes in brain activation during hand-action observation and dynamic-object observation. Results demonstrated that, compared with dynamic-object observation, hand-action observation led to greater performance with respect to the aphasia quotient and affiliated naming sub-tests and a greater Western Aphasia Battery test score. The overall effect was similar to that of conventional aphasia training, yet hand-action observation had advantages compared with conventional training in terms of vocabulary extraction and spontaneous speech. Thus, hand-action observation appears to more strongly activate the mirror neuron system compared with dynamic-object observation. The activated areas included Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and the supramarginal gyrus. These results suggest that hand-action observation combined with repetition might better improve language function in aphasia patients compared with dynamic-object observation combined with repetition. The therapeutic mechanism of this intervention may be associated with activation of additional mirror neuron systems, and may have implications for the possible repair and remodeling of damaged nerve networks. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of Nanjing Medical University, China(approval number: 2011-SRFA-086) on March 11, 2011. This trial has been registered in the ISRCTN Registry(ISRCTN84827527).展开更多
Insulin-like growth factor 1 （IGF-I） is a potential nutrient for nerve repair. However, it is impractical as a therapy because of its limited half- life, rapid clearance, and limited target specificity. To achieve t...Insulin-like growth factor 1 （IGF-I） is a potential nutrient for nerve repair. However, it is impractical as a therapy because of its limited half- life, rapid clearance, and limited target specificity. To achieve targeted and long-lasting treatment, we investigated the addition of a binding structure by fusing a collagen-binding domain to IGF- 1. After confirming its affinity for collagen, the biological activity of this construct was examined by measuring cell proliferation after transfection into PC12 and Schwann cells using a 3-（4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl）-2,5-di- phenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to detect neurofilament and microtubule-associated protein 2 expression, while real time-polymerase chain reaction was utilized to determine IGF-1 receptor and nerve growth/actor mRNA expression. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in collagen-binding activity of the recombinant protein compared with IGF-1. Moreover, the recombinant protein promoted proliferation of PC12 and Schwann cells, and increased the expression of neurofilament and microtubule-associated protein 2. Importantly, the recombinant protein also stimulated sustained expression of IGF-1 receptor and nerve growth factor mRNA for days. These results show that the recombinant protein achieved the goal of targeting and long-lasting treatment, and thus could become a clinically used factor for promoting nerve regeneration with a prolonged therapeutic effect.展开更多
Objective Previous studies showed that hypoxia preconditioning could protect cardiac function against subsequent myo-cardial infarction injury. However, the effect of hypoxia on left ventricular after myocardial infar...Objective Previous studies showed that hypoxia preconditioning could protect cardiac function against subsequent myo-cardial infarction injury. However, the effect of hypoxia on left ventricular after myocardial infarction is still unclear. This study therefore aims to investigate the effects of hypoxia training on left ventricular remodeling in rabbits post myocardial infarction. Methods Adult male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups： group SO （sham operated）, group MI （myocardial infarc-tion only） and group MI-HT （myocardial infarction plus hypoxia training）. Myocardial infarction was induced by left ventricular branch ligation. Hypoxia training was performed in a hypobaric chamber （having equivalent condition at an altitude of 4000 m, FiO214.9%） for 1 h/day, 5 days/week for four weeks. At the endpoints, vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the plasma was measured. Infarct size and capillary density were detected by histology. Left ventricular remodeling and function were as-sessed by echocardiography.Results After the 4-week experiment, compared with the group SO, plasma VEGF levels in groups MI （130.27 ± 18.58 pg/mL,P〈 0.01） and MI-HT （181.93 ± 20.29 pg/mL,P〈 0.01） were significantly increased. Infarct size in Group MI-HT （29.67% ± 7.73%） was deceased remarkably, while its capillary density （816.0 ± 122.2/mm2） was significantly increased. For both groups MI and MI-HT, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were increased whereas left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased. However, compared with group MI, group MI-HT diminished left ventricular end-diastolic （15.86 ± 1.09 mm,P〈 0.05） and end-systolic dimensions （12.10 ± 1.20 mm,P〈 0.01） significantly and im-proved left ventricular ejection fraction （54.39 ± 12.74 mm,P〈 0.05）.ConclusionHypoxia training may improve left ven-tricular function and reduce remodeling via angiogenesis in rabbits with MI.展开更多
Exosome-derived long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are extensively engaged in recovery and repair of the injured spinal cord,through different mechanisms.However,to date no study has systematically evaluated the differentia...Exosome-derived long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are extensively engaged in recovery and repair of the injured spinal cord,through different mechanisms.However,to date no study has systematically evaluated the differentially expressed lncRNAs involved in the development of spinal cord injury.Thus,the aim of this study was to identify key circulating exosome-derived lncRNAs in a rat model of spinal cord injury and investigate their potential actions.To this end,we established a rat model of spinal cord hemisection.Circulating exosomes were extracted from blood samples from spinal cord injury and control(sham)rats and further identified through Western blotting and electron microscopy.RNA was isolated from the exosomes and sequenced.The enrichment analysis demonstrated that there were distinctively different lncRNA and mRNA expression patterns between the two groups.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis and Gene Ontology(GO)functional analysis were performed to determine the possible involvements of upregulated and downregulated lncRNAs in various pathways and different biological processes,as well as their cellular locations and molecular functions.Furthermore,quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of five lncRNAs––ENSRN0T00000067908,XR_590093,XR_591455,XR_360081,and XR_346933––was increased,whereas the expression of XR_351404,XR_591426,XR_353833,XR_590076,and XR_590719 was decreased.Of note,these 10 lncRNAs were at the center of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA coexpression network,which also included 198 mRNAs and 41 miRNAs.Taken together,our findings show that several circulating exosomal lncRNAs are differentially expressed after spinal cord injury,suggesting that they may be involved in spinal cord injury pathology and pathogenesis.These lncRNAs could potentially serve as targets for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord injury.展开更多
Pesticides are agricultural inputs that can significantly reduce yield losses,regulate plant growth,effectively liberate agricultural productivity,and improve food security.The availability of pesticides in economies ...Pesticides are agricultural inputs that can significantly reduce yield losses,regulate plant growth,effectively liberate agricultural productivity,and improve food security.The availability of pesticides in economies worldwide is ensured by redistribution through international trade,with different economies playing different roles in this process.In this study,we measured and ranked the importance of economies using nine node metrics.We found that the clustering coefficient was negatively correlated with the other eight node metrics,whereas the other eight node metrics were positively correlated with each other and could be grouped into three communities(betweenness;in-degree,PageRank,authority,and in-closeness;out-degree,hub,and out-closeness).We further investigated the structural robustness of international pesticide trade networks proxied by large component size under three types of shocks to economies(node removal in descending,random,and ascending orders).The results showed that,except for the clustering coefficient,international pesticide trade networks are relatively robust under shocks to economies in ascending order but fragile under shocks to economies in descending order.By contrast,removing nodes with a clustering coefficient in ascending and descending order yielded similar robustness curves.Moreover,the structural robustness related to large component size evolved over time and exhibited an inverse U-shaped pattern.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81472163,81874035(to CLS)the General Project of University Philosophy and Social Science Research of China,No.2016SJB740015(to QY)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Plan Project of Zhangjiagang city of China in 2016,No.ZKS1615(to WLC)the Youth Science and Technology Project of Suzhou Health Development through Scientific Research and Education in 2018,No.KJXW2018059(to WLC)
文摘When watching someone performs an action, mirror neurons are activated in a way that is very similar to the activation that occurs when actually performing that action. Previous single-sample case studies indicate that hand-action observation training may lead to activation and remodeling of mirror neuron systems, which include important language centers, and may improve language function in aphasia patients. In this randomized-block-design experiment, we recruited 24 aphasia patients from, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, China. The patients were divided into three groups where they underwent hand-action observation and repetition, dynamic-object observation and repetition, or conventional speech therapy. Training took place 5 days per week, 35 minutes per day, for 2 weeks. We assessed language function via picture naming tests for objects and actions and the Western Aphasia Battery. Among the participants, one patient, his wife and four healthy student volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze changes in brain activation during hand-action observation and dynamic-object observation. Results demonstrated that, compared with dynamic-object observation, hand-action observation led to greater performance with respect to the aphasia quotient and affiliated naming sub-tests and a greater Western Aphasia Battery test score. The overall effect was similar to that of conventional aphasia training, yet hand-action observation had advantages compared with conventional training in terms of vocabulary extraction and spontaneous speech. Thus, hand-action observation appears to more strongly activate the mirror neuron system compared with dynamic-object observation. The activated areas included Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and the supramarginal gyrus. These results suggest that hand-action observation combined with repetition might better improve language function in aphasia patients compared with dynamic-object observation combined with repetition. The therapeutic mechanism of this intervention may be associated with activation of additional mirror neuron systems, and may have implications for the possible repair and remodeling of damaged nerve networks. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of Nanjing Medical University, China(approval number: 2011-SRFA-086) on March 11, 2011. This trial has been registered in the ISRCTN Registry(ISRCTN84827527).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81350013a grant from the Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Plan of China,No.20160101027JC&SC201502001the Graduate Innovation Fund of Jilin University in China,No.2017031&2017176
文摘Insulin-like growth factor 1 （IGF-I） is a potential nutrient for nerve repair. However, it is impractical as a therapy because of its limited half- life, rapid clearance, and limited target specificity. To achieve targeted and long-lasting treatment, we investigated the addition of a binding structure by fusing a collagen-binding domain to IGF- 1. After confirming its affinity for collagen, the biological activity of this construct was examined by measuring cell proliferation after transfection into PC12 and Schwann cells using a 3-（4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl）-2,5-di- phenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to detect neurofilament and microtubule-associated protein 2 expression, while real time-polymerase chain reaction was utilized to determine IGF-1 receptor and nerve growth/actor mRNA expression. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in collagen-binding activity of the recombinant protein compared with IGF-1. Moreover, the recombinant protein promoted proliferation of PC12 and Schwann cells, and increased the expression of neurofilament and microtubule-associated protein 2. Importantly, the recombinant protein also stimulated sustained expression of IGF-1 receptor and nerve growth factor mRNA for days. These results show that the recombinant protein achieved the goal of targeting and long-lasting treatment, and thus could become a clinically used factor for promoting nerve regeneration with a prolonged therapeutic effect.
基金We are grateful to the support of Dr. Lei Yuan and Shao-Shao Zhao for their technical assistance. This work was supported in part by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Province, China
文摘Objective Previous studies showed that hypoxia preconditioning could protect cardiac function against subsequent myo-cardial infarction injury. However, the effect of hypoxia on left ventricular after myocardial infarction is still unclear. This study therefore aims to investigate the effects of hypoxia training on left ventricular remodeling in rabbits post myocardial infarction. Methods Adult male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups： group SO （sham operated）, group MI （myocardial infarc-tion only） and group MI-HT （myocardial infarction plus hypoxia training）. Myocardial infarction was induced by left ventricular branch ligation. Hypoxia training was performed in a hypobaric chamber （having equivalent condition at an altitude of 4000 m, FiO214.9%） for 1 h/day, 5 days/week for four weeks. At the endpoints, vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the plasma was measured. Infarct size and capillary density were detected by histology. Left ventricular remodeling and function were as-sessed by echocardiography.Results After the 4-week experiment, compared with the group SO, plasma VEGF levels in groups MI （130.27 ± 18.58 pg/mL,P〈 0.01） and MI-HT （181.93 ± 20.29 pg/mL,P〈 0.01） were significantly increased. Infarct size in Group MI-HT （29.67% ± 7.73%） was deceased remarkably, while its capillary density （816.0 ± 122.2/mm2） was significantly increased. For both groups MI and MI-HT, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were increased whereas left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased. However, compared with group MI, group MI-HT diminished left ventricular end-diastolic （15.86 ± 1.09 mm,P〈 0.05） and end-systolic dimensions （12.10 ± 1.20 mm,P〈 0.01） significantly and im-proved left ventricular ejection fraction （54.39 ± 12.74 mm,P〈 0.05）.ConclusionHypoxia training may improve left ven-tricular function and reduce remodeling via angiogenesis in rabbits with MI.
文摘Exosome-derived long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are extensively engaged in recovery and repair of the injured spinal cord,through different mechanisms.However,to date no study has systematically evaluated the differentially expressed lncRNAs involved in the development of spinal cord injury.Thus,the aim of this study was to identify key circulating exosome-derived lncRNAs in a rat model of spinal cord injury and investigate their potential actions.To this end,we established a rat model of spinal cord hemisection.Circulating exosomes were extracted from blood samples from spinal cord injury and control(sham)rats and further identified through Western blotting and electron microscopy.RNA was isolated from the exosomes and sequenced.The enrichment analysis demonstrated that there were distinctively different lncRNA and mRNA expression patterns between the two groups.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis and Gene Ontology(GO)functional analysis were performed to determine the possible involvements of upregulated and downregulated lncRNAs in various pathways and different biological processes,as well as their cellular locations and molecular functions.Furthermore,quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of five lncRNAs––ENSRN0T00000067908,XR_590093,XR_591455,XR_360081,and XR_346933––was increased,whereas the expression of XR_351404,XR_591426,XR_353833,XR_590076,and XR_590719 was decreased.Of note,these 10 lncRNAs were at the center of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA coexpression network,which also included 198 mRNAs and 41 miRNAs.Taken together,our findings show that several circulating exosomal lncRNAs are differentially expressed after spinal cord injury,suggesting that they may be involved in spinal cord injury pathology and pathogenesis.These lncRNAs could potentially serve as targets for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord injury.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72171083)the Shanghai Outstanding Academic Leaders Plan,and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘Pesticides are agricultural inputs that can significantly reduce yield losses,regulate plant growth,effectively liberate agricultural productivity,and improve food security.The availability of pesticides in economies worldwide is ensured by redistribution through international trade,with different economies playing different roles in this process.In this study,we measured and ranked the importance of economies using nine node metrics.We found that the clustering coefficient was negatively correlated with the other eight node metrics,whereas the other eight node metrics were positively correlated with each other and could be grouped into three communities(betweenness;in-degree,PageRank,authority,and in-closeness;out-degree,hub,and out-closeness).We further investigated the structural robustness of international pesticide trade networks proxied by large component size under three types of shocks to economies(node removal in descending,random,and ascending orders).The results showed that,except for the clustering coefficient,international pesticide trade networks are relatively robust under shocks to economies in ascending order but fragile under shocks to economies in descending order.By contrast,removing nodes with a clustering coefficient in ascending and descending order yielded similar robustness curves.Moreover,the structural robustness related to large component size evolved over time and exhibited an inverse U-shaped pattern.
