Objective: To study the effect of 4-6 weeks' treadmill training of male SD rats on the contractile function of their gastrocnemius myosin heavy chain (MHC). Methods: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and training group. The treadmill training of the training group rats was incessantly performed for 4-6 weeks at an intensity of about 75% VO 2max (18.5-24 m/min, gradient of 0°, each training session lasting 50 minutes, twice a day). The content of gastrocnemius MHC mRNA was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the changes of muscle fibre and its cross-section area (CSA) were measured using immunohistochemistry. Electric stimulation tests were used to determine the maximal tension of isometric contraction of the post-training gastrocnemius. Results: Circled digit one After continuous treadmill training for 4-6 weeks, we found that the content of the total MHC, MHC I, MHC II x, MHC II a mRNAs was 105%, 105%, 109% and 108% of that in the resting control group, respectively, and the MHC II b mRNA content did not change significantly. The percentage of MHC I mRNA in the total MHC mRNA increased while that of MHC II mRNA decreased after aerobic training. Circled digit two The slow type of fibre type I was the main part of the MHC after training and the CSA of the muscle fibres increased simultaneously. Circled digit three The maximal tension of isometric contraction by pulse stimulation of square wave in the training group increased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The findings indicate that aerobic exercise may promote an increase in the contractile function of MHC.

Objective: To study the effect of 4-6 weeks' treadmill training of male SD rats on the contractile function of their gastrocnemius myosin heavy chain (MHC). Methods: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and training group. The treadmill training of the training group rats was incessantly performed for 4-6 weeks at an intensity of about 75% VO 2max (18.5-24 m/min, gradient of 0°, each training session lasting 50 minutes, twice a day). The content of gastrocnemius MHC mRNA was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the changes of muscle fibre and its cross-section area (CSA) were measured using immunohistochemistry. Electric stimulation tests were used to determine the maximal tension of isometric contraction of the post-training gastrocnemius. Results: Circled digit one After continuous treadmill training for 4-6 weeks, we found that the content of the total MHC, MHC I, MHC II x, MHC II a mRNAs was 105%, 105%, 109% and 108% of that in the resting control group, respectively, and the MHC II b mRNA content did not change significantly. The percentage of MHC I mRNA in the total MHC mRNA increased while that of MHC II mRNA decreased after aerobic training. Circled digit two The slow type of fibre type I was the main part of the MHC after training and the CSA of the muscle fibres increased simultaneously. Circled digit three The maximal tension of isometric contraction by pulse stimulation of square wave in the training group increased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The findings indicate that aerobic exercise may promote an increase in the contractile function of MHC.

Objective To compare Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence method in Survivin expression. Methods By using Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence method, Survivin gene expressions of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 18 patients with leukemia and 10 healthy persons were analysed. Results Positive expression of Survivin gene was detected in 13 of 18 leukemic patients by Western blot analysis and in 11 of 18 leukemic patients by immunofluorescence method. Negative expression of Survivin gene was detected in 10 healthy persons. The results of Survivin expression were the same in 16 patients by Western blots analysis and immunofluorescence method (consistent rate is 88.89%), but the positive expression of Survivin by Western blot analysis was the negative expression by immunofluorescence method in another 2 patients. Conclusion Survivin gene expressed selectively in leukemic cells, but not in normal mononuclear cell in peripheral blood. It indicated that Survivin expression is effective monitoring index in diagnosis and prognosis of leukemia. Survivin expression by Western blot analysis was consistent with immunofluorescence method.

To clarify the present situation and the limiting factors of the development of the genuine Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata industry, which is important to fully explore the development potential of the genuine Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata industry and promote the adjustment and optimization of its industrial structure. Through SWOT model, the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and challenges in the development process of genuine Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata industry were analyzed, and some suggestions on how to speed up the development of genuine Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata industry were put forward.

Objective The complex morphological variation and sources of Tibetan medicinal plants from Aconitum genus make it difficult to identify the medicinal materials correctly. In addition, the toxicity of these materials could be a huge challenge for the safety of drug use. A rapid and accurate method for the identification and classification of Tibetan medicinal herbs of Aconitum genus was built by using ITS2 sequences as DNA barcodes. Methods A total of 50 samples of Aconitum chasmanthum, A. liangshanicum, A. kongboense, A. gymnandrum, A. pendulum, A. tanguticum, A. phyllostegium, A. campylorrhynchum, A. Polyschistum, and A. sessiliflorum were collected from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. PCR amplification and sequencing of ITS2 sequences were conducted after the extraction of DNA. Genetic distance, neighbor joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree and secondary structures of ITS2 sequences were analyzed using MEGA 6.0. Results The maximum distance between species was greater than the minimum distance within each species, NJ tree showed that the samples went to 12 separate branches, differences among the secondary structures of ITS2 sequences also made it clear to identify these species. Conclusion Using ITS2 sequence as DNA barcode can be an accurate and rapid method for identification and recognition for Tibetan medicinal plants of Aconitum genus, which provides a reliable technical means to ensure safety use of these Tibetan medicines.

Objective To establish an efficient tissue culture and rapid propagation system, and study the protocorm proliferation and regeneration conditions using seeds as explants in Dendrobium officinale. Methods Seeds of D. officinale were used as explants, protocorm was induced on inducement medium. After proliferation, the protocorm were transferred to the regeneration medium. Then the regenerated shoots were transferred into rooting medium to induce rooting of plantlets, and developing complete plant. Results The basic culture medium for D. officinale growth was 1/2 MS; The best culture medium formula for inducing protocorms was 1/2 MS +1.0 mg/L 6-BA + 0.2 mg/L NAA + 50 g/L mashed potato; The optimal proliferation medium for protocorm was 1/2 MS + 1.0 mg/L 6-BA + 0.5 mg/L NAA, and the maximum multiplication factor could reach 23. The optimal regeneration medium was 1/2 MS + 2.0 mg/L 6-BA + 0.2 mg/L NAA, regeneration rate can reach 95%; The best culture medium for seedling rooting was 1/2 MS + 0.3 mg/L NAA + 50 g/L potato juice, and rooting rate reached 100%. Conclusion This research provides an effective way for keeping good varieties of features and rapid propagation of D. officinale, at the same time helps to solve some theoretical problems in factory production of D. officinale.

Objective: To investigate the essential oil profile and terpenes accumulation in the roots of Gynura bicolor (Asteracese) treated by CO2 and LED lighting. Methods: G. bicolor herbs were treated by CO2 at the levels of 450 (control) and 1200 (elevated) μmol/mol and LED lighting with white light, RB20 (red/blue=8/2) and RB40 (red/blue=6/4). Headspace solid-phase micro-extraction-GC MS was employed to analyze terpenes from the essential oil of the roots. Results: In all treated-roots, the major components of terpenes were (E)-β-farnesene, α-, β-caryophyllene, δ-, β-, γ-elemene, and α-pinene. Increasing CO2 significantly decreased mono- and sesqui-terpenes in the roots under all light conditions, leading to the decreasing yields of the essential oils. Terpenes were at a higher level in RB20-treated roots than that in RB40-treated ones under both control and elevated CO2. Conclusion: CO2 (450 μmol/mol) and 20 % blue LED lights are more conducive to the accumulation of terpenes in the roots than 1200 μmol/mol CO2 and 40% blue LED lights. © 2014 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of sulforaphane (SFN) and its derivative 1-((4-isothiocyanatobutylsulfinyl) methyl) benzene(BSFN), a PI3K/Akt inhibitor, on the proliferation and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells and the possible action mechanism.

Objective To study the deformation and mechanical characteristics during expansion process of vascular stent in realistic stenosis model, so as to provide scientific references for interventional treatment and stent design. Methods The carotid vessel model and plaque model of patient were built by using 3D reconstruction method, and the stent model with I-shaped link was established by using Pro/E; ABAQUS/Standard was used to simulate the radial expansion (the first stage) and radial contraction (the second stage) of the stent in real stenosis model, and a realistic model of blood vessel with plaque was also established to make contrast test. Results In the first stage, radial expansion of the stent was formed. The maximum contact area was generated between the outer surface of the stent and the inner surface of the plaque/arterial wall, and the maximum stresses on the stent, plague and arterial wall were 515.000, 2.482, 1.053 MPa, respectively. In the second stage, the radial contraction of the stent resulted in “dog-bone” effect. Many gaps between the stent and vessel wall was formed, and the maximum stresses on the stent, plague and arterial wall were 464.500, 0.954, 0.316 MPa, respectively. In contrast test, the maximum stresses on stenotic vessel and stent were 0.9, 414.1 MPa in the second stage. Conclusions Compared with the model in contrast test, the stenosis model differentiating the component of vascular tissues is more consistent with the real situation of stenotic vessels, by more truly showing deformation and mechanical characteristics of the stent and blood vessel. The stent causes the maximum damage to plaque and inner wall of blood vessel in the first stage, while “dog-bone” effect of the stent is an important influencing factor that results in the gaps between the stent, plague and blood vessel. These research findings may provide significant guidance for selecting stent in interventional treatment and improving stent design.

The stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of shellfish includes 30 neurons and produces pyloric rhythms. It is the common model to study central pattern generator (CPG). Regulation of pyloric rhythms not only is related to the property of single neurons in STG but also depends on the connections and property of the whole neuronal network. It has been found that transient potassium current (I(A)) and hyperpolarization-activated cation current (I(h)) exist in certain types of neurons of STG. However, roles played by these two currents in maintaining and regulating the pyloric rhythms are unknown. In the present study, in vitro electrophysiological recordings were performed on crayfish STG to examine the role played by I(A) and I(h) in regulation of pyloric rhythm. 4AP (2 mmol/L), a specific inhibitor of I(A), caused a decrease in pyloric cycle (P < 0.01), an increase in PD (pyloric dilator) ratio, a decrease in PY (pyloric) ratio (P < 0.01) and delay of phases of LP and PY firing. ZD7288 (100 μmol/L), a specific inhibitor of I(h), caused a decrease in pyloric cycle (P < 0.01), an increase in PD ratio (P < 0.01), an increase in LP (lateral pyloric) ratio (P < 0.01), a decrease in PY ratio (P < 0.01) and delay of phases of LP and PY firing. These results indicate that I(A) and I(h) play important roles in regulating pyloric rhythms in crayfish STG.
Animals ; Astacoidea ; cytology ; Ganglia, Invertebrate ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pylorus ; innervation