Objective To characterize the localization and expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) in thoracic spinal cord before and after acute contusion. Methods 48 Sprague Dawley rats, 250 to 300 g in weight, were used for the study. The injuries of spinal cord were induced at the T8,9 level by dropping a weight of 10.24 g form a height of 50 mm (Allen’ s model). All the animals with spinal cord injury were sacrificed at time points ranging from 2 to 48 hours (2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours) after management. Expressions of COX- 1 and COX- 2 in the thoracic spinal cords, normal and injured, were studied with immunohistochemistry. Results COX- 1 immunoreactivity was found to constitutively express in cytoplasmof glial cells and neuropils in white matter. Tiny COX- 1 immunoreactivity was found in glial cells, neuropils and neurons in the gray substance. It was found that COX- 2 immuno- labeling expressed constitutively in cytoplasm and closely surrounding the nucleus of neurons in both ventral and dorsal horns. Contusion to the spinal cord did not result in changes of COX- 1 protein localization and expression according to evaluation of immunohistochemistry. COX- 2 immunoreactivity improved only in neurons 4 hours following contusion. The positive COX- 2 protein reactivity reached the peak 24 hours after contusion. Conclusions In contrast to their expression in the majority of peripheral tissues, both COX isoforms express constitutively in the normal rat thoracic spinal cord. The major isoform of COX involved in the secondary spinal cord injury is COX- 2 after the spinal cord is mechanically injured.

Purpose To investigate the clinical utility of DAB2IP (DOC-2/DAB2 interactive protein)and β-catenin expression in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC).Methods The expression of DAB2IP and β-catenin was detected in 104 BUC cases and 40 peritumorial tissues using EnVision two-step immunohistochemical method,and the association with BUC clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.Results The expression of DAB2IP in BUC was significantly less than that of peritumorial normal tissues,and the expression of β-catenin in BUS was significantly higher than that of peritumorial normal tissues (P ＜ 0.05).DAB2IP expression and histologic grading,clinical pathologic staging and 5 years survival rate had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).No statistical significance with gender,age,tumor diameter and in patients with incipient/recurrence.β-catenin expression and age,histologic grading,clinical pathologic staging,tumor diameter and 5 years survival rate have statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).No statistical significance correlated with gender and in patients with incipient/ recurrence,DAB2IP and β-catenin expression in BUC are negatively correlated (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion In bladder urothelial carcinoma,down-regulation of DAB2IP and up-regulation of β-catenin,are in a negative correlation.Abnormal expression of DAB2IP and β-catenin is correlated with histologic grading,clinical pathologic staging and prognosis.

On the basis of extensive study of literature,we summed up the medicinal value and pharmacological functions of gold and silver,and put forward our views on the further research and development of these metals.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at points Xiaohai and Xiajuxu on the expressions of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in serum and nicotinic acetylcholine receptorα 7 (α 7 nAchR) in duodenal tissues in a rat model of duodenal ulcer (DU) and preliminarily explore the relative specificity of He-Sea point in “treating visceral diseases with He-Sea point”.Methods Forty healthy SD rats were randomized into blank (A), model (B), Xiaohai (C) and Xiajuxu (D) groups, 10 rats each. A rat model of DU was made by subcutaneous injection of 10% cysteamine hydrochloride at the right buttock. After successful model making, group C was given electroacupuncture at point Xiaohai and group D, at point Xiajuxu. Duodenal tissue ulcer was macroscopically observed and scored in every group of rats. Rat serum expression of TNF-α was determined by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); rat serum expression of ChAT, by ultraviolet spectrophotometry & colorimetry; rat duodenal expression ofα7 nAchR, by Western blot.Results After model making, the duodenal ulcer score was significantly higher in groups B, C and D than in group A (allP<0.01) and significantly lower in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01) and in group D than in group C (P<0.01). TNF-α expression was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P<0.01) and significantly lower in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01) and in group D than in group C (P<0.01). ChAT expression tended to increase in group C compared with group B but there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) and was significantly higher in group D than in group B (P<0.01) or C (P<0.05).α7 nAchR expression was significantly higher in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01). There was a positive correlation between ChAT andα7 nAchR expressions in every group (r=0.444,P=0.007).Conclusions Electroacupuncture at both points Xiaohai and Xiajuxu can reduce the duodenal ulcer score and serum TNF-α expression and increase serum ChAT and duodenalα7 nAchR expressions in DU rats. The results show that the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on duodenal ulcer may be produced by regulating TNF-α. Its mechanism may be activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway to produce an anti-inflammatory effect. The effect being better in group D than in group C suggests that Xiajuxu has the relative specificity.

The retrieval of the existing literature on the types of fungi polysaccharides, chemical structure and anti-canceractivity, anti-cancer mechanism was outlined, providing scientific information for further study on anti-cancer action of polysaccharides of fungi.

Objective To analyze the effect of a high salt diet on ovarian mitochondrial function.Methods Twenty female ICR mice were randomly divided into a normal salt diet(NSD)group and a high salt diet(HSD)group(n = 10 each).The NSD group was given a normal salt diet and the HSD group was given an 8%NaCl diet for 4 weeks.A high salt-treated cell model was established by inducing COV-434 cells cultured in vitro with NaCl.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and ComplexesⅠ-Ⅴ.The activity of SOD and succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)was detected kinetically.A chemiluminescence assay was used to detect adenosine triphosphate(ATP)levels.Results Compared with the NSD,the HSD significantly reduced the expression level of ComplexⅠin ovarian mitochondria(P＜0.01),significantly increased the expression level of ComplexⅤ(P＜0.05),and significantly reduced the activity of SDH and content of ATP(P＜0.01).The expression level of ComplexesⅠandⅡdecreased significantly(P＜0.05),expression level of ComplexⅤ increased significantly(P＜0.05),activity of SDH decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and content of ATP was insufficient(P＜0.01)in COV-434 cells cultured under high salt conditions.Conclusion High salt can lead to mitochondrial dys-function in the mouse ovary,such as imbalanced oxidative homeostasis,changed expression level of electron transport chain complexes,blocked tricarboxylic acid cycle,and insufficient ATP level.