BACKGROUND:Our previous study has already manifested that Chinese medicine Xiaokening can effectively prevent and treat the early diabetic nephropathy. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect of rhein and archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells of rats cultured with high glucose. METHODS:Mesangial cells were stimulated by different concentrations of rhein and archen (20, 40 and 80 μmol/L). Morphology of apoptotic cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Karyon apoptosis was examined by fluorescence staining of DAPI. cellapoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The outcome of hematoxylin-eosin staining and DAPI staining indicated that the effect of rhein was much stronger than that of archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells in the rats cultured with high glucose. Comparison of the apoptosis rate also indicated that the rhein had a stronger effect on the earlier and the later stage apoptotic rate of mesangial cells than archen. Both rhein and archen with different concentrations can induce apoptosis of mesangial cells, but the effect of rhein is much stronger.

Objective Sodium-bile acid cotransporter plays an important role in the development of Echinococcus.The present study aimed to clone sodium bile acid cotransporter gene in Echinococcus multilocularis (EmSBACT5) and to analyze the bioinformatics of its coding protein.Methods EmSBACT5 gene was amplified by reverse transcription RCR (RT-PCR) technology and its nucleotide sequence was sequenced.Bioinformatics softwares were used to predict and analyze the physical and chemical properties, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, transmembrane domain, post-translational modification sites, structural domain, secondary structure, tertiary structure, subcellular localization and biological functions of the coding protein.Results The complete open reading frame was amplified with 654 bp in length, encoding 217 amino acids.The homology of the nucleic acid sequence and amino acid sequence of EmSBACT5 gene were 98% and 96% with the published SBACT5 in Echinococcus granulosus (EgSBACT5) respectively.Protein analysis results showed that the molecular formula of EmSBACT5 protein was C1141H1797N273O284S11.Its relative molecular mass was 24240 and isoelectric point was 8.99.There were 9 post-translational modification sites and 4 typical domains.Alpha helical, β-sheet, β-turn and random coil accounted for 29.95%, 31.80%, 7.83% and 30.41%, respectively.This protein was a hydrophobic membrane protein and was mainly located in the cytoplasmic membrane, and it might play a role in the processes of material transport and signal transmission.Conclusion The EmSBACT5 gene was cloned successfully and the informatics characteristics of its coding protein were obtained, which provides basic information for prevention and control of echinococcosis.

Objective To screen the optimal dose of Tangtong Formula in vitro. Methods RSC96 Schwann Cells were cultivate by DMEM mediums which contains different concentrations of glucose (5–125 mmol/L). The prevention effects of Tangtong Formula at different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 mg/mL) on the proliferation of RSC96 Schwann Cells induced by high glucose were detected. After the RSC96 Schwann Cells were cultivated in 100 mmol/L and 125 mmol/L high glucose mediums for 72 h, the apoptosis of RSC96 Schwann Cells was detected by flow cytometry Annexin V/PI, and the apoptosis rate was calculate; the proliferation situation of RSC96 Schwann cells in different times was detected by CCK-8 method. Results RSC96 Schwann cells were in apoptosis after being intervened by 100 mmol/L and 125 mmol/L high glucose mediums. The apoptosis rates were respectively(7.46±0.96)％ and(16.53±1.01)％, with statistical significance compared with control group (P<0.01). Different concentrations of Tangtong Formula could alleviate the inhibitory effect of high glucose on the proliferation of RSC96 Schwann cells, and the threshold concentration of Tangtong Formula in 24 h was 0.25 mg/mL. The concentrations of Tangtong Formula in 0.5 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL, and 1.5 mg/mL could inhibit the apoptosis of RSC96 Schwann cells induced by high glucos, compared with 125 mmol/L high glucose group, the apoptosis rate of RSC96 Schwann cells decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Among three different doses, when the dose of Tangtong Formula is in 1.5 mg/mL, the effects on inhibiting apoptosis are the best.

Objective To investigate the effect of As_2O_3 on normal mouse bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs).Methods BMSCs and colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) were cultured in vitro to observe the quantitative changes of colony-forming unit-fibroblast(CFU-F) and CFU-GM after BMSCs were treated with different concentrations of As_2O_3 respectively;the quantitative changes of CFU-GM supported by BMSCs and granulocyte colony stimulating factor(G-CSF) and IL-11 secreted by BMSCs were also observed after the progenitor cells supported by BMSCs were treated with As_2O_3 for 3,5 and 7 d,respectively.Results The productions of CFU-F and CFU-GM supported by BMSCs were decreased obviously when treated with 7 ?mol?L~(-1) As_2O_3,also the levels of G-CSF and IL-11 secreted by BMSC(P

Aim To study the anticonvulsive and antiepileptic mechanism of ?-asarone.Methods ?-asarone was intraperitoneally injected (ip) in mice and acute epileptic mouse models were made after 30 min.Change of ATPase,index of antioxidation,and variation of amino acid (AA) contents in brain of epileptic mice were used to investigate ?-asarone′s anticonvulsive and antiepileptic mechanism.Results For ?-asarone treated epileptic mice,when compared with model group,glutamate/gamma-aminobutyric acid (Glu/GABA) was greatly decreased (P

At present,corresponding cell-free parasite DNA molecules (CFPD) has been detected in serum,plasma,urine,saliva and other bodily fluids of a variety of the patients with parasitic diseases.Due to its high specificity and sensitivity,the CFPD shows a strong advantage of noninvasive diagnosis and continuous monitoring,etc.in parasitic diseases.This article namely reviews the current research of CFPD in the patients with parasitic disease at home and abroad in recent years,so as to provide new ideas for the development direction of parasitic disease diagnosis in the future.The current related problems are discussed in the mean time.

Objective This study investigates the relationship of serum irfflammatory cytokine levels with intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) after surgery.Methods A total of 32 cases with severe TBI and placement of ICP monitor were prospectively enrolled.Serum was collected before surgery and every 12 h after surgery.Cytokines levels of interleukin (IL)-1β,IL-8,and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were analyzed and compared with outcome of patients.Hourly values of ICP were recorded.The degree of ICP above treatment threshold (20 mm Hg) were calculated every 12 h as pressure times time dose(PTD-ICP20),which was compared with serum cytokine levels before (Pre) and after (Post) the 12-hour time period using linear regression method.Results Serum IL-1β (P＜0.05),IL-8 (P＜0.01) and TNF-a (P＜0.01) levels elevated dramatically after severe TBI and were significantly associated with outcome of patients.Mean PTD-ICP20 was (42.9 ± 60.2)mm Hg/h and was correlated with increased Pre-IL-8 (r=0.554,P＜0.001),Pre-TNF-α (r=0.597,P＜0.001),Post-IL-8 (r=0.629,P＜0.001) and Post-TNF-α (r=0.538,P＜0.001) levels.Conclusion Serum IL-8 and TNF-α demonstrated the most promising candidate bio.rnarkers of impending ICP elevation in this study.These findings indicate a feasible way of monitoring patients with severe TBI.

Objective To investigate whether Ulinastatin (UTI) would minimize the systemic inflammatory response,lessen cardiac dysfunction and protect neurons against injury in hippocampus CA1area after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Methods Animal models of cardiac arrest were established in 24 New Zealand rabbits,and those animals were randomly (random number) divided into control group and UTI treated group after ROSC.Changes in the levels of plasma inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were assayed before cardiac arrest and 4,8,12 and 16 hours after ROSC.Cardiac function including FS,EF and E/A were observed with ultrasonography before cardiac arrest and 4,8,12 and 16hours after ROSC,and viable and apoptotic neurons in hippocampus CA1 area and infiltrations of MPO positive cells in myocardium,cerebrum,liver,kidney and intestine were counted 72 hours after ROSC.The t-test or Mann-Whitney rank sum test was used to verify the specified theoretical distribution functions of the biomarkers tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test,POST HOC test was used for the multiple comparisons,and Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between inflammatory cytokines and cardiac function. Results The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in UTI group were lower than those in control group as those data got 4,8,12 and 16 hours after ROSC (P ＜0.05).EF and E/A in UTI treated group were higher than those in the control group as those data got 4,8,12 hours after ROSC.FS values obtained 4 h and 8 hours after ROSC were higher in UTI group than those in control group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 significantly correlated with EF after ROSC.The number of viable neurons in CA1 area of control group was ( 13.22 ± 0.97) which was lower than that in UTI group ( 16.89 ± 1.45 ) ( P =0.003 ),while the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampus CA1 area was higher in control group than that in UTI group (15.67 ± 1.37) vs.(13.67 ± 1.03 ) (P =0.019).The numbers of MPO positive cells were significantly lower in liver,kidney and intestine in group UTI than those in control group. Conclusions UTI could inhibit the infiltration of MPO positive cells in liver,kidney and intestine,decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in plasma,in turn lessening cardiac dysfunction and protecting neurons from injury in hippocampus CA1 area after ROSC of New Zealand rabbits.

Objective To study the association between activity of hand,foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and the meteorological factors in Suzhou.Methods A total of 17 653 children diagnosed with HFMD in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University during 2008 to 2011 were enrolled.The meteorological factors in(c)luding mean temperature,relative humidity,rainfall amount,sum of sunshine and mean wind velocity during Jan 2008 to Dec 2011 were collected monthly.Numeration data were analyzed using chi square or Fisher exact test.Normal distribution data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and non-normal distribution data were analyzed using Spearman rank correlation.Results HFMD could be found all over the year and had obvious seasonality which peaked in Summer,followed by Spring and Autumn and HFMD decreased markedly in Winter.The activity of HFMD was positive correlated with mean temperature(r=0.716,P＜0.01),wind velocity (r=0.630,P＜0.01),rainfall(r=0.477,P＜0.01) and sum of sunshine(r=0.311,P＜0.05).No statistical significance was observed between relative humidity and HFMD(r =0.276,P＞0.05).Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that only mean temperature and rainfall were associated with HFMD and mean temperature had stronger influence on HFMD than rainfall (t =4.687,P ＜ 0.01 ; t =2.258,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HFMD has obvious seasonality.Mean temperature and rainfall are the main factors affecting this seasonality.

Objective To observe the protective effects of soluble Nogo-66 receptor (NgR1 )antagonist (sNgR1-Fc) on cortical axons after cortical infarction in rats,and to study the phenomenon and molecular mechanism of its protective effects on and regeneration of axons.Methods The cortical infarction was induced by photochemistry,termed photothrombotic cortical injury (PCI).Fifteen Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:Sham-operated group,PBS (phosphate buffered solution) group,and s-NgR1-Fc group.In PBS group,PBS was injected into the lateral ventricle of rats; and in sNgR1-Fc group,sNgR1-Fc was injected instead of PBS. The ipsilateral cortex with lesion was harvested for histomorphometry and transmission electron microscope observation 7 days after PCI. Proteins including GTP-RhoA,p-JNK,p-c-JUN and p-ATF-2 were detected by Western blot,as well as Total-J and Total-RhoA.Results The cortical infarction in rats was successfully induced by photochemistry.Compared with sham-operated group,the pathological changes in PBS groups were more serious,including extensive edema or disappearance of axoplasm of fiber without medulla sheath involved and extensive thickening or layer derangement in axoplasm of fiber with medulla sheath involved.These changes were improved significantly after sNgR1-Fc treatment.The levels of GTP-RhoA,p-JNK1,p-JNK2,p-c-JUN and p-ATF-2 in the PBS group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operation group ( P ＜ 0.05 ),whereas the levels of Total-RhoA,Total-JNKl and Total-JNK2 were not different significantly between these two groups (P ＞0.05 ).The sNgR1-Fc treatment up-regulated the levels of these proteins ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions There is pathological change in axon induced by cerebral hypoxia-ischemia for a long period after cortical infarction.The mechanisms may be associated with RhoA/ROCK/JNK/c-Jun signal way,which is activated by ischemia injury and related to the inhibition of regeneration in axon.Our study shows that NgR1-Fc may inhibit this pathway significantly,and then promote the regeneration of axon partially.