Objective To investigate the effects of lithium chloride pretreatnent on cognitive function after laparotomy in aged rats. Methods Forty-eight male SD rats aged 18 months, weighing 550-700 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 16 each): group Ⅰ control (group C); group Ⅱ operation (group O) and group Ⅲ lithium chloride preconditioning (group L). In group L lithium chloride 2 mmol/kg was injected intraperitoneally (IP) once a day for 7 consecutive days before exploratory laparotomy. In group C and group O equal volume of normal saline was injected instead of lithium chloride. The animals were anesthetized with IP 2 % pentobarbital 0.25 ml/100 g. Morris water-maze (MWM) test was performed at day 4-6 after operation in 8 animals in each group. Another 8 animals were killed at 24 h after operation and their brains were immediately removed for determination of IL-1β content and expression of total glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and p-GSK-3β in hippocampus by ELISA and Western blot respectively. Results Compared with group C the escape latency and swimming distance were both significantly prolonged at day 4-6 after operation in group O, while in group L only swimming distance was prolonged at day 4 after operation. The IL-1β content in hippocampus was significantly higher and the expression of p-GSK-3β was significantly lower in group O than in group C and L. There was no significant difference in total GSK-3β among the 3 groups. Conclusion Lithium chloride pretreatment can improve the cognitive function after laparotomy in aged rats by inhibiting GSK-3β activity and attenuating inflammatory response in hippocampus.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of abnormal Tbx3 expression in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

METHODThe total RNA of 4 breast cancer cell lines and 5 normal breast samples was extracted by routine Trizol method. After reverse transcription of the total RNA into cDNA, Tbx3 mRNA expression was detected in these samples by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the differences in Tbx3 protein expression between 60 breast cancer samples and 34 normal breast tissue samples.

RESULTSCompared to normal breast tissue samples, the breast cancer cell lines showed markedly increased Tbx3 mRNA expression. The results of immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significant upregulation of Tbx3 protein expression in the 60 breast cancer tissues in comparison with the normal breast tissues, as was consistent with Tbx3 mRNA expressions in these tissue samples.

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA and protein expressions of Tbx3 are markedly upregulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissue samples, suggesting that Tbx3 may serve as one of the malignant biomarkers in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Breast ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

Up till 2000 when Edmonton group introduced islet transplant procedure in conjunction with a novel glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen rendering 100% (n=7) of patients with type 1 diabetes insulin-independent for at least 1 year, islet transplant was taken into the clinic. Although significant progress in clinical islet transplant has occurred during recent years, challenges remain, including shortage of available donor organs, technical aspects of islet preparation and transplantation, immunological rejection post-transplant, unclear long-term outcomes of islet transplantation. Special attention is given to current limitation in islet transplantation together with new possible strategies that raise expectations for the widespread use of islet transplantation in the future.
Diabetes Mellitus ; surgery ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation ; immunology ; methods ; trends

Lactate dehydrogenase-C4 isozyme has been widely studied as the sperm-specific antigen in the research of the contraceptive vaccine. Developmental and testis-specific expression of the LDH-C gene requires mechanisms for activation in germ cells and repression in somatic cells. LDH-C promoter, several transcription factors and methylation of CpG dinucleotides have been proved of governing action on LDH-C gene transcription. The strategy is to induce antibodies in the female reproductive tract against LDH-C antigens at a sufficient level to block fertilization. Chemically modified LDH-C4 offers a potential application in the induction of infertility of homologous species in marked contrast to native LDH-C4. In addition, advances are being made in researches on the male contraceptive vaccine and synthetic peptide immunocontraceptive.
Animals ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; genetics ; immunology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Papio ; Rabbits ; Spermatozoa ; enzymology ; Transcription, Genetic ; Vaccines, Contraceptive ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of Danzhi Xiaoyao Pill (DXP) in anovulation infertility patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) of pathogenic fire derived from stagnation of Gan-qi (PFDSG) complicated insulin resistance (IR).

METHODSSixty PCOS patients were randomly assigned to two group, the integrative medical treatment group (Group A) and the Western medical treatment group (Group B), 30 cases in each group. All patients took Metformin and Diane-35. Those in Group A took DXP additionally. The therapeutic course for all was 3 menstrual cycles. After treatment the ovulation was induced by oral administration of letrozole or injection of menotropins (HMG). The therapeutic efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe levels of insulin, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone were obviously lower after treatment than before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups after treatment. There was no statistical difference in body mass index (BMI) between the two groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Better effects were obtained in Group A in improving symptoms such as agitation and irritability, fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, swollen pain in the breast before menstruation, bitter and dry mouth, oligomenorrhea, abnormal color and amount of menstruation, and pulse and tongue (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The ovulation rate was 86.1% (93/108 cases) in Group A, obviously higher than that in Group B (65.5%, 74/113 cases). The clinical pregnancy rate was 60.0% (18/30 cases) in Group A, obviously higher than that in Group B (36.7%, 11/30 cases), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDXP could improve the ovulation rate and the pregnancy rate in anovulation infertility patients with PCOS complicated IR. It also could significantly improve Chinese medical syndromes, showing obvious advantages over using Western medicine alone.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ovulation Induction ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of TBX3 gene in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

METHODSThe total RNA of 51 fresh breast cancer tissues and the corresponding adjacent tissues were extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA to detect the expression of TBX3 mRNA by real-time PCR. The correlation between TBX3 mRNA expression and the clinicopathologic parameters in relation to breast cancer metastasis was analyzed.

RESULTCompared to that in the adjacent tissues, the expression of TBX3 mRNA was markedly increased in breast cancer tissues. TBX3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in metastatic breast cancer than in non-metastatic tumors.

CONCLUSIONIncreased expression of TBX3 mRNA suggests the involvement of TBX3 in the pathogenesis and metastasis of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ionization on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells under anoxic condition, and search for an effective method for improving the radiosensitivity of the tumor cells.

METHODSHepG2 cells were divided into 4 groups, namely the control group, hypoxia group, ionization radiation group, and hypoxia and radiation group, with corresponding treatments. The cell apoptosis was detected by fluorescence microscope, and the cell viability analyzed by MTT assay. The expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSA few apoptotic cells were found in hypoxia group, but significant apoptosis occurred in the radiation group; fewer apoptotic cells were observed in the hypoxia and radiation group than in the hypoxia group. The viable cell fraction increased in the order of the control group>hypoxia group> hypoxia plus radiation group> radiation group (P<0.05), and the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA increased in the order of hypoxia plus radiation group>hypoxia group>radiation group (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found in the radiation group and control group. The expression of VEGF mRNA increased in the order of hypoxia plus radiation group> hypoxia group>radiation group>control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of HIF-1alpha may protect the hepatocellular carcinoma cells from damages by radiation in hypoxic condition, and HIF-1alpha decreases the radiosensitivity of the cells possibly by inducing VEGF expression.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; radiotherapy ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Survival ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; radiation effects

AIM: To study glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)analogues(liraglutide)in patients with mild to moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)and the clinical efficacy of retinal neuroprotection.

METHODS: Sixty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild or moderate NPDR were treated in our department of endocrinology. They were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the experimental group used metformin, insulin combined with liraglutide to regulate blood glucose, while the control group used metformin, insulin for hypoglycemia. Comparing the two groups of patients before and after the treatment, including HbA1c and pattern visual evoked potential(P-VEP)P100 amplitude and P100 latency, full field electroretinogram(F-ERG)oscillatory potentials(Ops)total amplitude, and light and dark adaptation 3.0 the amplitude of the a-, b-wave varies.

RESULTS: After 6mo treatment, the total amplitude of Ops in the experimental and control groups increased compared with that before treatment. The difference was statistically significant(all P<0.01). And the total amplitude of Ops in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P=0.049). Meanwhile the b-wave amplitudes of the light and dark adaptation 3.0 in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group(P=0.001, P=0.014); however, there was no statistical significance in a-wave amplitude between the light and dark adaptation 3.0 in both groups after treatment(P=0.505, 0.441, 0.193, respectively). the b-wave amplitudes of the experimental group with dark and light adaptation 3.0 increased compared with that before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01, P=0.019). The a-wave amplitude of light and dark adaptation in the experimental group increased compared with that before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.130, 0.147).

CONCLUSION: GLP-1 analogues can improve the function of retinal neurons in patients with mild to moderate NPDR to a certain extent, and have a positive effect on the prognosis of DR.

Objective:To investigate the influence of meniscus injury on the function of muscles around knee in patients with meniscus injury. Methods:From February, 2017 to February, 2018, the suface electromyography of vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM) and biceps femoris (BF) were recorded and analyzed in 22 patiens with unilateral meniscus injury, during squatting down-standing up test and maximal isometric voluntary contraction at knee flexing 70°. Results:During squatting down-standing up test, the average electromyography (AEMG) of VL and BF was less in affected knee than in unaffected knee (t > 3.945, Z > 3.847, P < 0.001), and the coactivity ratio of hamstrings in affected knee was higher (t > 3.650, P < 0.01). The AEMG of VL, RF, VM and BF was less in affected knee than in unaffected knee (t > 2.907, Z = 4.107, P < 0.01) during maximal isometric voluntary contraction at knee flexing 70°. Conclusion:sEMG can be used to quantitatively evaluate the muscle function around knee for patients with meniscus injury in different motion states. Patients with meniscus injury demonstrate impaired muscular function and altered muscle balance around knee, which need to be corrected during rehabilitation.

To determine the relationship between the effect of wuzhi capsules on the blood concentration of tacrolimus as compared to diltiazem and with regard to cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A5 gene polymorphisms, 170 patients who underwent renal transplantation from November 2014 to March 2018 and used tacrolimus combined with diltiazem 30 mg bid were selected in this study retrospectively. Patients were divided into an observation group (105 patients) and a control group (65 patients) according to whether they used wuzhi capsules after the operation. The polymorphisms of CYP3A5*3 were determined and the effect of wuzhi capsules on the blood concentration of tacrolimus, as compared with that of diltiazem was determined in patients with different CYP3A5*3 genotypes. This study complies with relevant ethical norms. The results show that compared with diltiazem, an increase of tacrolimus C₀/D was significantly correlated with the patient's CYP3A5*3 genotype in both the self-control and the control group. CYP3A5 expressers in the observation group were able to increase the tacrolimus C₀/D by about 76.8% by replacing the wuzhi capsules with diltiazem, but this effect was not observed in CYP3A5 non-expressers. In CYP3A5 expressers wuzhi capsules had a greater ability relative to diltiazem to increase the blood concentration of tacrolimus.