AIM: To investigate the role of p38 protein kinase in the activation of rat alveolar macrophages(AMs) induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). METHODS: Nuclear protein was extracted, p38 protein kinase in nuclear extracts was analyzed by Western blot. The concentrations of TNF-? and IL-8 in supernatant were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The concentrations of TNF-?, IL-8 in supernatant and p38 protein kinase in nuclear extracts were increased significantly induced by LPS and blocked by SB203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 protein kinase. CONCLUSION: The inductoin of TNF-? and IL-8 in alveolar macrophages by LPS may be mediated through the activation of p38 protein kinase.

Objective To investigate the changes of visual evoked potentials (VEP) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods Pattern reversal checkerboard VEP and the unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS) were evaluated in 69 patients with PD and 61 healthy controls. The 69 patients and 61 healthy controls were divided into an aged group (≥60 years old) and a non aged group (0.05). Conclusions VEP reflected objectively the patients’ electrophysical changes of the visual pathway due to dopamine changes and it may be helpful in PD diagnosis.

Objective: To investigate the rate of post-stroke depression and psychosocial factors related to it, and to provide the direction and the basis for clinical nursing. Methods: 69 patients with stroke were assessed by Zung Self-rating Depression Scale and Type A Behavior Pattern Scale. Their sex, age, behavior type, marital condition, level of education, supportor of medical expenses were collected and analysed statistically. Results: The rate of post-stroke depression was 59.42%, and the rate in type A behavior group was higher than that in the other behavior groups(P

Objective To establish a fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction method for quantifying the ICP4 gene expression of herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV2).Methods According to the HSV2 ICP4 gene sequence,we designed and synthesized PCR primer.The purified PCR product was sequenced after connecting with pMD-18 T plasmid.According to the sequence assay results,the primer and probe of fluorescent quantitative PCR was designed and synthesized.Standard recombinant plasmid extracted from the positive bacteriumclone was used as standard substance.The plasmid as standard substance was diluted for 10 times,then PCR reaction proceeded.The sensitivity and dependability of the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR were analyzed.Results The sequence result indicated that there was non-sense mutation of A-G and T-C.And the detection sensitivity was 101 copy.The Ct value were 14.275土0.137,17.988?0.162,22.081土0.259,25.957土0.345,29.565?0.203,33.269土0.287,37.737?0.698,respectively with 107~ 101 copies/?l.The coefficient of variability were 0.965%,0.902%,1.174%,1.329%,0.686%,0.862% and1.851%,respectively.There was a good linear function in statistics between the Ct value and the concentration gradient of standard plasmid DNA specimen.The coefficient of regression was 0.998.Conclusion The method of quantification of ICP4 gene of HSV2 with real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR is successfully established,and the method has good sensitivity and dependability,which can be used to quantitative detecting HSV2 ICP4.

Aim To study the effect of Lacidophilus exopolysaccharides(LAEPS) on immunity. Methods Effects of LAEPS on immunity were investigated by delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, haemolytic plaque assay and macrophage function assay in mice. Results LAEPS ip 7～8 day promoted delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, increased haemolytic plaque and enhanced macrophage function in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion LAEPS is able to enhances immunity.

AIM: To evaluate effects of Pinaverium Bromide on different segments and layers of colonic smooth muscle in wrap restraint stress (WRS) rats and explore its possible therapeutic mechanism on different types of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: Adult SD rats were randomly divided into model group (wrap restraint stress group) and control group. Colonic smooth muscle strips were made from different segments and layers in two groups. The spontaneous contraction activities of colonic longitudinal/circular muscle (LM/CM) strips of rats were observed with organ bath system before and after addition of series concentrations of pinaverium. RESULTS: Pinaverium Bromide caused concentration-dependent inhibition of colonic smooth muscle, the inhibitory effect of pinaverium in model group was significantly stronger than that in control group(proximal colon: 28.54±4.82 vs 7.48±1.65,21.75±1.00 vs 12.56±3.15; distal colon: 15.71±5.27 vs 3.89±1.16, 20.16±3.16 vs 7.56±1.96 )(P<0.05). Compared with that of distal colon, inhibitory effect of pinaverium was significantly higher of proximal colon (P<0.05). For the inhibition of pinaverium, there was no significant difference between LM and CM strips in the same intestinal segments (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Effects of Pinaverium Bromide on different colonic muscle layers and segments in WRS rats is probably related with its therapeutic mechanism on different types of IBS.

Objective To investigate quercetin's protective effect against oxidative stress in and impact on the biological activity of mouse B10BR melanocytes. Methods B10BR cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of quercetin followed by additional culture. Then, cell viability was measured by using MTT assay, hydrogen peroxide-induced cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, and cell morphological changes by microscopy. The tyrosinase activity in and melanin synthesis by B10BR cells were measured by dopa oxidation assay and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-lysis method, respectively. Results After treatment with quercetin of 33.33 μmol/L for 24 hours, the survival rate of B10BR cells reached (94.22 ± 3.36)%, tyrosinase activity (107.15 ± 10.96)%, and melanin content (111.85 ± 9.49)%. A significant difference was observed in tyrosinase activity and melanin content between hydrogen peroxide-induced and 33.33 μmol/L quercetin-treated B10BR cells and those only induced by hydrogen peroxide (both P < 0.01). Flow cytometry revealed that quercetin inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in melanocytes. Conclusion The protective effect of quercetin against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in melanocytes may provide a new idea for the treatment of vitiligo.

Objective To analyse the possible risk factors associated with the progression of vitiligo.Methods A questionnaire survey was carried out to collect the clinical data on 1088 patients with vitiligo.The relationship between possible inducements to the progression of vitiligo and lesion area was statistically analyzed in patients with the same clinical course of vitiligo. Paired t test was performed to compare the mean area index of involvement between patients with inducements and those without Results A significant difference was observed in the mean area index of involvement between patients with isomorphic response and those without (t = 6.770, P ＜ 0.01 ) as well as between patients negatively affected by psychiatric factors and those unaffected (t = 6.704, P ＜ 0.01 ), but not between patients with family history and those without (t = 1.499,P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion A rapid progression of vitiligo is more likely to be observed in patients negatively affected by psychiatric factors and patients with isomorphic response.

Objective To investigate the role of activation of Akt/mTOR pathway in denfense against UVB-induced apoptosis in cultured human skin keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Methods HaCaT cells were irradiated with UVB at different doses for various durations. Western blotting was performed to detect dynamic changes of Akt/mTOR pathway-related signaling molecule, such as phosphorylated-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), -Akt, -4EBP1, etc; apoptosis was estimated by staining with DNA dye Hoechst 33342. To evaluate the role of signaling molecules in defense against UVB-induced apoptosis, HaCaT cells were pretreated before irradiation with EGFR inhibitor (PD153035), PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) followed by the detection of expressions of signaling molecule and apoptosis. Results UVB could activate Akt/mTOR pathway in a dose- (5 ～ 30 mJ/cm2) and time- (5 ～ 30 min) dependent manner. PD153035,LY 294002 and rapamycin could inhibit UVB-induced activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway. The apoptosis rate in HaCaT cells was upregulated by pretreatment with rapamycin and LY294002. Conclusion The activation of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway could inhibit the UVB-induced apoptosis in cultured HaCaT cells.

Objective To study the effects of Fructus ligustri lucidi and its monomers, tyrosol and oleanotic acid, on the migration of mouse melanoblast cell line (NCCmelb4M5). Methods Cultured NCCmelb4M5 cells were treated with Fructus ligustri lucidi (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 2 mg/mL), tyrosol (0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, 0.8 mg/mL) and oleanolic acid (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 2.5 mg/mL), respectively,for 48 hours followed by the detection of cell proliferation with MTT assay. The working concentration of the three drugs was determined according to the results of MTT assay. Scratch and transwell assays were performed to observe the effect of Fructus ligustri lucidi and its monomers at working concentration on the migration of NCCmelb4M5 cells. Results Based on the results of MTT assay, the working concentration of Fructus ligustri lucidi, tyrosol and oleanolic acid was determined at 0.125 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mL and 0.0625 mg/mL respectively, and at these concentrations, these drugs exhibited a cytotoxity lower than that of absolute alcohol with no obvious stimulation of cell proliferation. Scratch and transwell assay revealed a promoting effect of both Fructus ligustri lucidi and tyrosol on melanoblast migration (P<0.05), while oleanolic acid had little effect on melanoblast migration. Conclusions The extract of Fructus ligustri lucidi has a significant stimulatory effect on the migration of mouse melanoblasts, and tyrosol may be an active component of Fructus ligustri lucidi associated with confirmative effect on migration of mouse melanoblasts.