Objective To explore the DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats exposed to sodium arsenite. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats, weighing 180 - 200 g, equal male and female, were randomly divided into 4 groups, 8 in each group. Sodium arsenite 0(control) ,0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L were given through drinking water for 30 days. Body weight and drinking water consumption were measured every day. Blood were collected and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined by single cell gel electrophoresis.Results The increase of body mass[( 121.00 ± 38.57), ( 120.62 ± 42.80), ( 125.38 ± 48.68)g]and water intake [(36.9 ± 6.2), (37.9 ± 5.8), (39.3 ± 4.2)ml/d]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were compared with the control group[( 119.25 ± 47.27)g, (38.4 ± 5.1 )ml/d], and the difference were not significant (F = 0.040,0.828, all P ＞ 0.05). The tail ratios[46.25%(185/400) ,57.00%(228/400),64.00%(256/400)], tail lengths [(32.89 ± 17.18), (58.74 ± 36.28), (77.55 ± 35.73 ) μm]and tail moments [(6.29 ± 3.74), ( 11.20 ± 9.64),(17.30 ± 12.60)μm]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were significantly higher than those of the control group[39.25%(157/400), (18.73 ± 15.83),(2.61 ± 1.05)μm, all P ＜ 0.01], and the tail ratios,tail lengths and tail moments in lymphocytes increased with increased doses of arsenic concentration. Conclusions Low doses of arsenic exposure can induce DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats.

Paeoniflorin is the main active ingredient of Chinese herbaceous peony. This study is to investigate the protective effect of paeoniflorin (Pae) on acute brain damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the normal control, model control (LPS), as well as groups of paeoniflorin and lipopolysaccharide (Pae + LPS). Then the mice were administered intraperitioneally with normal saline or Pae (10, 30 mg · kg(-1)) once daily for 6 d. One hour after intrapertioneally treatment on the seventh day, each group were injected LPS (5 mg · kg(-1)) to establish the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide inflammation model except the normal group. The mice were sacrificed after 6 h and the brain homogenates were prepared and measured. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), succinatedehydrogenase (SDH), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase were dectected by the colorimetric method. The levels of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in subcellular fractions of brain tissue were detected by Western blot. The results demonstrated that the administration with paeoniflorin reduced the levels of the MDA production; significantly increase the activities of antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX). In addition, paeoniflorin could enhance the total antioxidant capacity, decrease the level of H2O2, and increase the activities of SDH, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase. Furthermore, paeoniflorin can increase the expression of HO-1 and activate the nuclear transfer of Nrf2. Taking together, these findings suggest that paeoniflorin alleviate the acute inflammation in mice brain damage induced by LPS, which is related with its antioxidant effect and improvement of energy metabolism.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

Virtual experiment is the application of virtual reality technology in experiment sciences.In the physiology teaching, virtual reality modules are made up of experiment theory module,experiment process module,virtual reality module,review mod- ule and experiment report module.We set up a virtual physiology experiment system by author ware and other software.

ObjectiveTo observe the relationship between astrocytes and neurons in rat's medulla oblongata after exposed to 8Hz, 90dB/130dB infrasound for different times. MethodsRats were exposed to 8Hz, 90dB/130dB infrasound for 2 hours per day.At the 1st,7th,12th,21th and 28th day, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Fos in medulla oblongata were detected using double-labling immunohistochemical method.Results GFAP-positive astrocytes and Fos-positive neurons were increased after exposure for one time. They showed similar topographic localization and formed close relationship. Their number increased as the exposure times increasing, and decreased gradually after 14 days. The reaction of 130dB group was stronger than that of 90dB group.Conclusions 8Hz, 90dB/130dB infrasound can activate both astrocytes and neurons in rats' medulla oblongata which might participate and regulate the response to infrasound.

AIM: To detect unknown CD44 variants(CD44v) in nasopharyngeal cancer by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) to analyze the expression of cell adhesion protein CD44 gene in nasopharyngeal cancer tissue and cell lines.METHODS: Specific primers at up start code,down terminal code of CD44 and primers at the middle,splicing points of variable splicing exon v10 of CD44 were designed.cDNA of nasopharyngeal cancer tissues,5-8F and HNE1 cell lines were analyzed by RT-PCR.Products of RT-PCR were sequenced and further analyzed by bioinformatics.RESULTS: The new CD44v sequence possessed 1634 bp with a completed open reading frame.The start code was at 12 bp site and terminal code at 1301bp site.It was predicted to code 429 amino acids,and only variable splicing exon 10 existed in the flexible region.It was given an accessible number EF581837 by GenBank.CONCLUSION: A new CD44 variant predicted to code 429 amino acids exists in the studied nasopharyngeal cancer tissues and cell lines.

Objective To improve the level of early detection and treatment of pyonephrosis. Methods This study included 41 cases(17 men and 24 women;mean age,49 years)of pyonephrosis.A variety of examinations,including urinary analysis,blood analysis,kidney nuclear medicine scan,ultrasonog- raphy,intravenous urography(IVU),and CT were used for the early diagnosis of pyonephrosis.Pereutaneous nephrostomy(PCN)drainage was done for the interim management of pyonephrosis,then phase 2 operation was performed in 28 cases.The double-J tube was placed in ureter by ureteroscope for drainage,and then phase 2 operation was done in 2 cases.Emergency operation was done in 10 cases.The remaining 1 case un- derwent ESWL after anti-infective therapy.Results Definite diagnosis of pyonephrosis before operation was made by invasive examinations in 31 cases(75.6%),and by percutaneous drainage in 4 cases;the other 6 cases were detected during operation.Only 6 cases(14.6%)underwent nephrectomy;the other 35 cases (85.4%)underwent kidney-sparing operation.Follow-up of 3 months to 9 years was available in 37 cases. No nephrectomy was needed in 33 cases with spared kidney.Serum creatinine was normal in the 4 cases un- dergoing nephrectomy.Conclusions The key to the treatment of pyonephrosis by kidney-sparing surgery is early diagnosis,timely drainage and relief of obstruction.Ultrasonography plays an important role in the early diagnosis of pyonephrosis,and CT has a high sensibility in the diagnosis.Pereutaneons nephrolithotomy (PCNL)secondary to drainage through pereutaneous nephrostomy was beneficial to the patients with kidney stones or upper ureter stones.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of ghrelin gene polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in Han Nationality Chinese.

METHODSA total of 240 patients with metabolic syndrome and 427 adults aged above forty years were recruited. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTSThe allelic frequency of the Leu72Met polymorphism was 17.3% in the patient group and 11.9% in the control group (chi2 = 7.36, P = 0.007). Metabolic syndrome was more prevalent among carriers of the Met72 variant (43.8 vs 33.1%, age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio = 1.57, P = 0.01). No Arg51Gln variants were found in our study subjects.

CONCLUSIONRather than being associated with its individual components, Leu72Met polymorphism is associated with metabolic syndrome in the Han Nationality Chinese. Arg51Gln polymorphism is rare in the Han Nationality Chinese.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Ghrelin ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

This study examined the effect of Notch-1 signaling on malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells by regulating breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). BCSCs were enriched by using serum-free medium and knocked out of Notch-1 by using a lentiviral vector. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the Notch-1 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines and BCSCs, and flow cytometry to detect the proportion of BCSCs in BCSC spheres. The BCSC self-renewal, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity were examined by the tumor microsphere-forming assay and transwell assay and after xenotransplantation. The results showed that the Notch-1 silencing reduced the number of BCSC spheres, the proportion of BCSCs, and the number of cells penetrating through the transwell membrane. It also decreased the size of tumors that were implanted in the nude mice. These results suggest that Notch-1 signaling is intimately linked to the behaviors of BCSCs. Blocking Notch-1 signaling can inhibit the malignant behaviors of BCSCs, which may provide a promising therapeutical approach for breast cancer.

OBJECTIVETo study the application of intraoperative irrigation of the colon in primary resection and anastomosis of left colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction.

METHODSThe clinical data were analyzed in 58 patients with left colon rectal cancer and intestinal obstruction undergoing intraoperative irrigation of the colon for primary anastomosis, and the results were compared with 58 patients receiving conventional primary tumor resection.

RESULTSThe mean intraoperative blood loss or postoperative hospital stay was comparable between the two groups, but the patients undergoing colon irrigation had significantly delays in the recovery of bowel movement.

CONCLUSIONWith strict control of the surgery indication, intraoperative colon irrigation can be safe and feasible in primary resection and anastomosis of left colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; etiology ; surgery ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; methods

AIMTo study the mechanism of the therapeutic angiogenesis effect of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) implantation on rat acute myocardial infarction models.

METHODSThe rat acute myocardial infarction models were made by coronary artery ligation and divided into 2 groups at random. In the experiment group, twice passaged BMSCs were labeled with BrdU and then implanted into the infarction region of the recipients in 4 weeks. The control group was the model rats received only DMEM injection. In control group, the hearts were harvested on the day 3, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56. The infarction regions were examined to identify the angiogenesis and the expression of the VEGF and bFGF. In experiment group, the hearts were examined on the day 42 and 56 after AMI (the day 14 and 28 after cells implantation).

RESULTSViable cells labeled with BrdU could be identified in host hearts. Histologic examination found most donor cells within the infarction region expressed fibroblastic and endothelial phenotype. The transplantation regions had a greater capillary density than the control regions did (14 +/- 4.7/HPF vs 6 +/- 2.4/HPF, P < 0.05). In the control group, the expression of VEGF and bFGF within the infarction regions peaked on day 7, and then decreased over time. In the experiment groups, the expression of bFGF and VEGF on the day 42 and 56 had a higher level than the control group did.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of VEGF and bFGF is significantly increased after cells therapy during the late phase of AMI. It indicates that BMSCs implantation promoted the angiogenesis is mediated by its differentiation into endothelium and the increased release of VEGF and bFGF.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; surgery ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stromal Cells ; transplantation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism