Background Oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization is the main pathological basis for many retinal vascular diseases.Research showed that light exposure at night can suppress retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR),but there were few reports discussing its effect on ROP.Objective This study aimed to observe the effect of light exposure at night on retinal neovascularization in an OIR mouse model.Methods Sixty-four newborn C57 BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups,with 16 mice for each group.OIR models were established by rearing the newborn C57BL/6J mice with their mothers in a(75±2)％ oxygen environment from postnatal day 7(P7)to Pl2,and then transferred to room air.In the OIR model group,the environmental illumination level was the same as the normal control group,and the model mice were exposed to 100 lx light at night in the OIR+ light exposure group.In the simple light exposure group,normal mice were reared in room air and were exposed to light at night from P12 to P17.All the mice were sacrificed on P17,and retinal flat mounts were prepared to assess the oxygen-induced changes of retinal vessels using the adenosine diphosphatase(ADPase)histochemical technique.The amount of proliferative neovascularization was quantified by counting the number of endotheliocyte nuclei in new vessels extending from the retinal inner limiting membrane into the vitreous in ocular cross-sections.The expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein was detected by immunohistochemistry.Real-time PCR analysis was performed to examine the expression of VEGF mRNA.The rearing and usage of the animals complied with the Statement of ARVO.Results Less free-vascular areas and new blood vessels were seen in the OIR+light exposure group compared with the OIR model group.On day 17 of the mouse life,the number of the endotheliocyte nuclei in new vessels extending from retinal inner limiting membrane were 0.97±0.83,1.00±0.72,38.57±5.01 and 16.92±3.39 in the normal group,simple light exposure group,OIR model group and OIR+light exposure group,respectively,showing significant differences among them(F =78.767,P =0.000).The number of nuclei in the OIR+light exposure group were less than that of the OIR model group(t=20.446,P＜0.01).Immunochemistry showed that the expression of VEGF in retina was weaker in the OIR+light exposure group than the OIR model group.The relative expression values of VEGF mRNA were 1.00±0.00,0.94±0.07,2.08±0.50 and 1.43±0.21 in the normal group,simple light exposure group,OIR model group and OIR+light exposure group,respectively,showing a significant difference (F=11.268,P =0.003),where the VEGF mRNA level in the OIR+light exposure group was lower than that of the OIR model group(t =20.163,P＜0.05).Conclusions Light exposure at night can weaken retinal neovascularization in OIR mice

Objective To understand the status of resistance to multiple insecticides and the frequencies of kdr mutations in Culex pipiens pallens from north?central Anhui Province. Methods From July to September,2014,the C. pipiens pallens mosquito larvae were collected in Huaibei,Bengbu and Chuzhou cities of the north?central Anhui Province and reared to adults. The female adult mosquitoes at 3-5 days post emergence were tested for susceptibility to the four insecticides,namely 0.05%deltamethrin,5%malathion,0.1%bendiocarb and 4%DDT,by using the standard WHO resistance tube bioassay. The detec?tion of the point mutations of the kdr gene at codon 1014 was conducted by PCR and DNA sequencing in the deltamethrin?resis?tant and?susceptible mosquitoes. Results High levels of resistance to all the four insecticides were found in all the three tested populations,although mosquito mortality varied among populations and test insecticides. Among the test insecticides,DDT showed lowest mortality with no significant difference(F=1.027,P>0.05)in all test populations,whereas significantly differ?ent mortalities were observed among populations for the remained three insecticides tested(deltamethrin,malathion,and ben?diocarb)(F = 23.823,33.955,128.841;all P < 0.01). Two types of non?synonymous kdr mutation at codon position 1014 (L1014F and L1014S)were observed. A positive correlation between L1014F mutation frequencies and deltamethrin resistance levels were detected in the three mosquito populations(r2=0.718,P<0.01). Conclusions The observed high levels of resis?tance to multiple?insecticides coupled with the occurrence of medium to high kdr frequencies in populations of C. pipiens pallens could profoundly affect the mosquito vector control programme in China. The local health departments need to strengthen vector dynamic monitoring and implement rational resistance management strategies.

The present study investigated the cellular mechanism underlying the effect of ligustrazine on the ion transport in rat distal colon using the short-circuit current (I(SC)) technique. In freshly isolated colonic strips, basolateral addition of ligustrazine stimulated a rise in I(SC), which was resistant to basolateral application of neuronal sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX), but inhibited by 55.2% by basolateral pretreatment with prostaglandin inhibitor indomethacin. The ligustrazine-induced I(SC) increase was inhibited by apical application of Cl(-) channel blockers diphenylamine-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid (DPC) and glibenclamide. Basolaterally administered bumetanide, an inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-2 Cl(-) cotransporter, inhibited ligustrazine-evoked current increases by 85.2% and basolateral exposure to Ba(2+), a non-specific potassium channels blocker, and blocked the current by more than 90%, indicating that basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-2 Cl(-) cotransporter and K(+) channels played an important role in the effect of ligustrazine. The results suggested that ligustrazine could stimulate rat distal colon (-) secretion that is mediated by basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-2 Cl(-) cotransporter and K(+) channel.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Colon ; metabolism ; physiology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Evoked Potentials ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intestinal Mucosa ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ion Transport ; drug effects ; Male ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis or bone loss in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients by Bugu capsules.Methods Sixty-six patients with SLE were randomly divided into A and B groups:34 patients in Group A were treated by glucocorticoid and Bugu capsules,and 32 patients in Group B by glucocorticoid alone.All patients were measured for bone mineral density (BMD) in Wards triangle,and for related biochemical parameters such as serum calcium, phosphonium,alkaline phosphatase,parathyroid hormone (PTH) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) before and after the treatment.As the control group,thirty healthy subjects were measured for the above parameters.Results There was significant difference in the serum level of IL-6,calcium and PTH between the Group B and con- trol group (P＜0.01).The occurrence rate of osteoporosis or bone loss in group A was significant lower than that in group B [2/34 (5.88%) vs 9/32 (28.13%),P=0.0364].Conclusion Bugu capsules can prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis or bone loss in SLE patients,possibly by restoring the balance among serum IL-6,calcium and PTH.

Objective To study the association between grip strength and nutritional status in bed-ridden patients aged more than 80 years old. Methods The venous blood among twenty-two older than 80 years patients who were bed-ridden for more than 1 year were collected and the serum albumin and hemoglobin were analyzed. The left and right hand grip strength were tested with JAMAR Hand Dynamometer. Results Hand-grip strength was positively correlated with serum albumin (r=0.439 and 0.424, P<0.05). Pearson correlation showed that age and hemoglobin were significant independent predictors of hand-grip strength. Conclusions Hand-grip strength was positively correlated with nutritional status in bed-ridden elderly patients, as a result the hand-grip strength can evaluate the nutritional status.

OBJECTIVETo improve the mini-modified semi solid rappaport vassiliadis most probable number (mini-MSRV MPN) method for Salmonella detection.

METHODSBased on the mini-MSRV MPN method,Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) was modified as one step enrichment medium and Modified Semi Solid Rappaport Vassiliadis (MSRV) medium was ameliorated as modified MSRV for Salmonella detection under standard Salmonella addition recovery. A total of 154 raw chicken samples, 48 swabs of pheasantry and 48 poultry dung samples were collected to compare the detection results of Salmonella by using improved mini-MSRV MPN, mini-MSRV MPN and regular most probable number (MPN) method.

RESULTSSalmonella recovery was < 2.7 MPN/g when the standard Salmonella addition was at the concentration of 0.9 CFU/g when the mini-MSRV MPN method was employed. If the standard Salmonella addition were at 9.0 and 90.0 CFU/g, the recoveries of bacteria were 10.1 and 94.0 MPN/g, and the average recovery rate was 112% and 104%, respectively. Salmonella detection rate of modified mini-MSRV MPN, mini-MSRV MPN and regular MPN method was 18.4% (46/250), 5.2% (13/250) and 6.0% (15/250), respectively. The detection rate was higher for modified mini-MSRV MPN method than of the other two methods (χ(2) values were 19.68 and 17.82, respectively, all P values < 0.05). The detection quantity of Salmonella (medians were 21.0, < 2.7 and < 3.0 MPN/g, respectively). The quantity detected by modified mini-MSRV MPN method was higher than that of the other two methods (both Z values were 5.71, both P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONModified mini-MSRV MPN method is an accurate method for foodborne Salmonella detection.

Animals ; Chickens ; microbiology ; Culture Media ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Food Inspection ; methods ; Salmonella ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the polymorphism of TNF-α gene 308, 238 locus and the susceptibility to pneumoconiosis.

METHODSEighteen published case-control studies about TNF-α gene 308, 238 locus polymorphism and pneumoconiosis susceptibility were searched out from sino-foreign databases from January 1994 to December 2010. Meta-analysis was applied on the published research to calculate the pooled OR value (95%CI) and stratified analyze the types and species of pneumoconiosis.

RESULTSEleven of the published research articles were selected into the analysis, including 10 research focusing on TNF-α gene 308 locus, with 1408 cases and 1639 controls in total. The meta-analysis showed that comparing with Gln/Gln carriers, Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were 1.89-fold (95%CI: 1.10 - 3.24), 1.53-fold (95%CI: 1.25 - 1.87), and 1.56-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 1.90) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis, respectively. The stratified analysis showed that among coal workers, the TNF-α gene 308 locus Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were separately 2.29-fold (95%CI: 1.22 - 4.29), 1.56-fold (95%CI: 1.20 - 2.03), 1.64-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 2.11) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis than Gln/Gln carriers; and among Asian people, the TNF-α gene 308 locus Gln/Arg, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were separately 1.58-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 1.95) and 1.57-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 1.94) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis than the Gln/Gln carriers. Four case-control research focus on the study of TNF-α gene 238 locus, including 391 cases and 391 controls in total. The analysis showed that comparing with the non-carriers, TNF-α gene 238 locus Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were 6.03-fold (95%CI: 1.35 - 26.97), 1.87-fold (95%CI: 1.07 - 3.30) and 2.36-fold (95%CI: 1.37 - 4.07) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis.

CONCLUSIONTNF-α gene 308, 238 locus Arg/Arg, Gln/Arg, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers are more susceptible to pneumoconiosis.

Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Pneumoconiosis ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by ammonium dinitramide(ADN).

METHODSAccording to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay (Ames assay), in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, sperm malformation test and teratogenesis test were used to detect the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by AND.

RESULTSWhen the exposure doses of AND were 8-5000 pg/plate, the result of Ames assay was negative. As compared with control group, the micronucleus rate of mice exposed to 113.8 mg/kg AND significantly increased(P<0.05), the sperm malformation rates of mice exposed to 54.4-272.0 mg/kg AND did not increased significantly. The survival rate of fetuses decreased, the rate of assimilated fetuses increased, the rate of fetus sternum agenesis enhanced in mice exposed to 319 mg/kg AND, as compared with controls. The rates of in the 4th-6th fetus sternum agenesis in groups exposed to 21.3, 79.7 and 319 mg/kg AND were higher than that in control group. The malformation rate of fetus bowels in groups exposed to 319 mg/kg AND was higher than that in control group. The teratogenic index of ADN was 30.

CONCLUSIONAND may be a mutagen and induce the teratogenic effect.

Animals ; Embryo, Mammalian ; drug effects ; pathology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Micronucleus Tests ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Nitrites ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; toxicity ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sternum ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by ammonium dinitramide (ADN), and to ascertain the gradation and target organs of acute toxicity induced by AND.

METHODSAccording to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, the oral tests for acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by AND were performed for 90 days.

RESULTSThe oral LDx for mouse and rat was 568.9 mg/kg and 616.6 mg/kg ADN respectively. The gradation of acute toxicity induced by AND was low level. The results of oral subacute and subchronic toxicity tests (for 28 and 90 days) showed that a gain in weight in group exposed to 123 mg/kg AND was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05), the TBIL and ALT in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND significantly increased and the ratio of liver weight to body weight obviously decreased, as compared with control group, the number of animals with hepatic pathological changes in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe gradation of acute toxicity induced by ADN was low level. When the exposure dose of AND was 30.8 mg/kg, the adverse effect was not observed, and the target organ was liver.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nitrites ; toxicity ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toxicity Tests, Acute ; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic

0.05)in the former part of the surgery that was before the beginning of the surgery via anterior route.But in group B,only propofol for sedation was used for the patients during the latter part of the surgery via the anterior route or while the nerve plexus was blocked; during this time in group A,the addition of fentanyl and vecuronium were still intermittently necessary to maintain the general anesthesia.The duration between the completion of surgery and the recovery of spontaneous breathing,times for initial conscious reaction such as opening the eyes following an order, extubation and from extubation to complete recovery were significantly shorter in group B than those in group A(all P