Objective To study the toxic effects of rotenone on substantia nigra of rats. Methods Rotenone was given subcutaneously once a day during 28 days. Substantia nigra was dissected. Morphology of dopamine neuron, synapse and myelin sheath were observed. SOD and GSH-Px activity were assayed; MDA and GSH contents were measured. Results Autonomic activities of rats decreased, similar to Parkinson's Symptoms. Morphology of dopamine neuron changed, synapse structures were abnormal, synapse vesicals increased and myelin sheath degenerated. MDA content increased (P

BACKGROUND:Thyroid cancer stem cells are one of the reasons for tumor resistance that promotes tumor development. The research of thyroid cancer stem cells has provides a new clinic means for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. OBJECTIVE:To overview the discovery, identification, and correlation of thyroid cancer stem cells with thyroid cancer. METHODS:A computer-based online search of PubMed database and Wan Fang database between 1995-01/2014-01 was performed to search related articles with the key words of“thyroid cancer, cancer stem cell, stem cell, cancer suppressor gene”in English and Chinese, respectively. Literatures related to thyroid cancer stem cells were selected;in the same field, the articles published lately in authoritative journals were preferred. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 561 literatures were primarily selected, and 57 documents were involved for result analysis according to inclusion criteria. Cancer stem cells have become a focus in the study of carcinogenesis. Stem cells also exist in the thyroid gland and its tumor. At present, there are several ways to isolate and identify thyroid cancer stem cells. The tumor thyroid stem cells are closely related to the occurrence, transfer and treatment of tumors. But whether we can cure thyroid cancer through restraining or eliminating thyroid cancer stem cells is stil unknown that needs further studies.

Objective To investigate the toxic effects of rotenone on dopamine transporter in the substantia nigra of the rat. Methods Rats (male) were divided into normal control group, vehicle control group and rotenone experimental group(1.0mg/kg and 1.5mg/kg). The animals were subcutaneously administrated with the vehicle or rotenone in different dosage once a day for 28 days. One day after last injection, the brain was dissected and the substantia nigra was harvested. Protein expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter were determined with the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The mRNA expressions of dopamine transporter and dopamine receptor were detected with RT-PCR respectively. The activity of Na+-K+-ATPase was assayed biochemically. Results In the experimental groups, both the immune positive neurons of tyrosine hydroxylase and the expression of its protein were significantly decreased in the substantia nigra of the rats after rotenone treatment. The number of dopamine transporter antibody-immune positive neurons were significantly increased in the rats exposed to rotenone. Furthermore, protein and mRNA expressions of dopamine transporter in the experimental group were also obviously up-regulated compared with the normal control group. A decreased activity of Na+-K+-ATPase was observed in the substantia nigra of rats in the rotenone experimental group. In addition, the mRNA expression of D2R was also increased in contrast with that in the control group. Conclusions Rotenone is toxic to dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of rats. Dysfunction of dopamine transporter may be involved in the mechanism of rotenone toxicity to dopamine neurons.

Objective The aim of present study was to explore the effects of plateau hypoxia on the cyanide ion metabolism and correlative toxicant mechanism.Methods 12 adult rabbits and 72 male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups separately:plain control group with NaCN intoxication and plateau NaCN intoxicant group.2mg/kg NaCN was subcutaneously injected into the back of rabbits,the femoral vein blood was then collected at different designated time points for the measurement of cyanide,hemoglobin and ferrihemoglobin concentrations.Meanwhile 3.6 mg/kg NaCN was subcutaneously injected into the back of rats,the cardiac blood and the hepatic tissue were then collected at the different designated time points for the determination of cyanide ion,cytochrome oxidase activities and for the detection of pathologic changes of hepatic tissue.Results Under the condition of plain and plateau environments,the pharmacokinetics of rabbits induced by NaCN injection was characterized by one-compartment model.The blood cyanide concentration of rats in both plain and plateau groups reached peak value at 30min,and the activity of cytochrome oxidase decreased.Furthermore,the pathologic diagnosis of rats hepatic tissue suggested that liver injury induced by NaCN intoxication at high altitude was more serious than in plain intoxicant.Conclusion Hypoxia could markedly disturb the metabolic process of NaCN in vivo,aggravate the inhibition of cytochrome oxidase activity and lead to serious pathologic injury.

Objective To investigate the effects of sodium cyanide(NaCN) and /or acute hypobaric hypoxia on the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters in rats' brain.Methods 128 adult male SD rats were divided into normoxic group and acute hypoxia group with 64 animals for each group.An artificial hypobaric hypoxia chamber was used to simulate a 4 000m altitude situation.The acute hypoxic exposure models were established by exposing rats to the hypobaric chamber for 3 days.All the rats were then injected intra-peritoneally with NaCN in a dosage of 3.6mg/kg at sea level and at simulated high altitude at 0,0.5,2 and 6h time points.The rats were sacrificed and the brains were isolated.The brain tissues of hippocampus and striatum corpora were then dissected on ice.Proteins of the brain tissue were extracted by centrifugation.Contents of dopamine(DA),epinephrine(NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in the brain tissues were analyzed by HPLC.Results NaCN intoxication did not affect the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT at 0.5h,2h and 6h in the selected brain tissues of the normoxic group.Compared with non-intoxication group,however,NaCN intoxication for 2h or 6h significantly decreased the levels of NE and 5-HT in the hippocampus tissues and the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in striatum corpora in acute hypobaric hypoxia group.The contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in striatum corpora and the contents of NE and 5-HT in acute hypoxia group were significantly decreased compared with that in normoxic group(P

Objective To investigate the apoptotic effect induced by sulfur mustard on the lymphocytes of the rat spleen,and define the role of caspase-3 during the process.Methods Sulfur mustard was given by intraperitoneal injection in a dose of 3.5mg/kg.The animals were anesthetized and the spleens were harvested at different timepoints after intoxication.The histopathogy of spleen was studied with hematoxylin-eosin staining.Caspase-3 mRNA was detected with RT-PCR.Protein expression of caspase-3 was assayed with Western blotting,lymphocytes of rat spleen were isolated and cultured in vitro and they were challenged with sulfur mustard(100?mol/L).The effect of Ac-DEVD-CHO(a specific inhibitor of caspase-3)on sulfur mustard-induced apoptosis of the lymphocytes cultured in vitro was evaluated.Fluorescent probe labeled with Rhodamine 123 was used to study mitochondrial potential.Results The histology of rat spleen was affected after sulfur mustard intoxication,as evidenced by apoptosis of a part of lymphocytes.Protein and mRNA expressions of caspase-3 were increased significantly in the spleens of intoxicated rats as compared with that in control group.DNA ladder and 'sub-G1' peak of lymphocytes which were treated with sulfur mustard in vitro were partially improved by Ac-DEVD-CHO(the specific inhibitor of caspase-3).In addition,mitochondrial potential decreased in a time-dependent manner in the lymphocytes intoxicated by sulfur mustard in vitro compared with that in the control group.Conclusions The spleen is injured in the rat which is intoxicated by sulfur mustard.Lymphocyte apoptosis is one of the mechanisms splenic injury.Caspase-3 may be involved in the process of lymphocyte apoptosis induced by sulfur mustard.

This paper was aim to determine five phenolic acids, sodium danshensu (SD), protocatechuic aldehyde (PA), rosmarinic acid (RA), lithospermic acid (LA) and salvianolic acid B (SAB), in Guanxinning injection. In the test, Kromasil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm) was adopted, with acetonitrile-3% formic acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL · min, the column temperature was 30 °C and the detection wavelength was 280 nm. According to the results of the test, SD, PA, RA, LA and SAB showed good linear relations between peak areas and sample sizes in 0.006 06-4.04 (r = 0.999 3), 0.006 15-4.10 (r = 0.999 4), 0.005 94-3.96 (r = 0.999 3), 0.006 06-4.04(r = 0.999 1) and 0.006 09-4.06 (r = 0.999 2) µg, respectively. The average recoveries (n = 6) were 98.9% (RSD 0.75%), 98.1% (RSD 1.2%), 100% (RSD 0.77%), 98.7% (RSD 1.7%), 102% (RSD 0.68%), respectively. The above 5 components were determined in 13 batches of samples by using the established method. The method was simple, accurate and highly reproducible that it could be used for quality control of the components in Guanxinning injection.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis

BACKGROUND: The training task for aircrew of army airmen is very heavy, the evaluation of flight personnel on psychological diathesis is performed to early discover and deal with corresponding questions.OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference of mental health between aircrew and ground crew of army airmen and provide reference data for implementing corresponding norms.DESIGN: Chester sampling investigation and paired design were applied.SETTING: the 71687 Force of Chinese PLA, the 71521 Force of Chinese PLA, Department of Epidemiology, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLAPARTICIPANTS: By chester sampling, 122 aircrew and 122 ground crew of one army airmen in one stationed training troop were randomized in February 2001. The pairs were made at ratio of 1:1 according to age difference less than 3 years and same sex and nationality. The investigated persons were all male, of Han and aged varied from 23 to 52 years.METHODS: Cornell health questionnaire was adopted respectively in investigation of aircrew and ground crew of army airmen. The investigated persons finished and handed in questionnaire independently on the spot in manner of secretion and centralized filling-up. Cornell health questionnaire is composed of 18 sections, including 195 questions, involving 4 aspects,named somatic symptoms, medial and family history, general health and habit and mental symptoms. The total score of Cornell health questionnaire ≥ 30 indicates somatic and mental disturbance and the score of mental section ≥ 10 indicates mental disturbance, both of which are taken as the criteria in comparison of psychological health in receptors of two groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Every factor score and total score in somatic and mental sections in Cornell health questionnaire for aircrew and ground crew.RESULTS: The tested results of each 122 cases in either aircrew group or ground crew group entered result analysis. Evaluated results of somatic and mental symptoms in receptors of two groups: the total score was low in Cornell health questionnaire (0-14 scores), of which, the total score in aircrew group was higher than that in ground crew group (81.5% and 59.8%,P ＜ 0.05); the score in mental section was low (0-9 scores), of which, that in aircrew group was higher remarkably than that in ground crew group (99.2% and 91.8%, P ＜ 0.01); the score for the receptors with somatic and mental disturbance (total score≥30, score in mental section ≥ 10) in aircrew group was lower than those in ground crew group (4.1% and 12.3%, P ＜ 0.05); the score for the receptors with mental disturbance (score in mental section≥ 10) in aircrew group was lower remarkably than ground crew group (0.8% and 8.2%, P ＜ 0.01). For somatic section in aircrew group, except the factors of muscle, skeleton and skin, their scores were higher than those in ground crew group (P ＞ 0.05), the scores of the rest factors were all lower than those in ground crew group, of which, the difference was significant in evaluation of factors of eye, ear, nervous system, urinary reproductive system and fatigue in comparison of two groups (P ＜ 0.05). The score of every factor in mental section of aircrew group was lower than those in ground crew group. Except tension factor, in comparison of the rest factors in two groups, the significant difference was present (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Overall psychological health state in Cornell questionnaire of aircrew in army airmen was superior to ground crew. Aircrew still presents a part of psychological health questions, mainly in somatic section and inadaptability was the most positive response in mental section, suggesting that aircrew probably presents inadaptable phenomena.

Objective To study the major risk factors for female thyroid tumor in Hohhot of Inner Mongolia and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of the disease.Methods A case control study was carried out,190 female patients who had suffered thyroid tumor and had been operated on in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongoha Medical College and Inner Mongolia Hospital from March 2010 to September 2011 were selected.Meanwhile,190 female patients who were excluded from being suffering this disease were chosen as controls.A formal questionnaire was made,including the following contents:the general situation,the life style and behavior habit,women's physiological and reproductive situation,job and life factors,personal disease,and medicine and genetic factors.Then,trained investigators who had at least got the bachelor degree interviewed all the patients in the two groups and the doctors in the office of ultrasound and pathology made the check-up.All data made up a database;statistical description and analysis was done with software SPSS 17.0.Through Logistic regression analysis,the relationship between all factors and female thyroid tumor was analyzed in order to find major risk factors related to female thyroid tumor in Hohhot.Results The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the delay of the first pregnancy,the higher Body Mass Index,too much preserved food and seafood in the diet,higher level of education,negative live event were apparently related to female thyroid tumor (OR =1.527,22.729,2.271,4.303,1.117,1.489,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The female thyroid tumor in Hohhot is a result of comprehensive effect of multiple factors.This study found that the delay of the first pregnancy,the higher Body Mass Index,too much preserved food and seafood in the diet,higher level of education,and negative live event are apparently related to female thyroid tumor,and these factors may be major risk factors for thyroid tumor based on the current epidemiological study.

Objective To investigate the manner and molecular mechanism of lymphocyte cytotoxic action induced by sulfur mustard. Methods Lymphocytes were separated from the spleen of Wistar rats and were cultured. DNA strand breaks were detected by fluorospectrophotometry. RT PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the gene and protein expressions of caspase 3 and its activation. Results Sulfur mustard induced DNA strand breaks in the lymphocytes. Gene and protein expressions of caspase 3 were increased in a time dependent manner. Conclusion Sulfur mustard induces lymphocyte cytotoxic action by means of depending on the expression and activation of caspase 3.