Aim To explore the expression and role of ERK and JNK in cerebral ischemic preconditioning in gerbil.Methods Forebrain ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries.Gerbils were randomly divided into sham group(SH),ischemic-preconditioning control group(IC),ischemic-preconditioning group(IP),ischemia-reperfusion group(IR).The gerbils were killed in 15 min,2,4,6 h,1,3,5 and 7 d in each group following reperfusion.Open field test was used to examine the behavioral deficit in the due time.The number of surviving and apoptosis neurons in hippocampal CA1/3 region was counted,and the activity of p-ERK and p-JNK in hippocampus was detected using SP immunocytochemical technique.Results The behavioral mark and the number of apoptosis neurons in hippocampal CA1 region in group IP were much less than that in group IR(P

Objective To evaluate the effects of sevoflurane preconditioning on lung injury induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Forty adult male Wistar rats,aged 3 months,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =8 each):sham operation group (group S); renal I/R group (group I/R); 1.1％ sevoflurane preconditioning group (group SP1); 2.2％ sevoflurane preconditioning group (group SP2); and 3.3％ sevoflurane preconditioning group (group SP3).Renal I/R was induced by clamping bilateral renal pedicles for 45 min followed by 6 h reperfusion.In SP1-SP3 groups,1.1％,2.2％ and 3.3％ sevoflurane were inhaled for 1 h,respectively,before ischemia,followed by 10 min washout.The rats were sacrificed by exsanguination at 6 h of reperfusion,and lungs were removed for determination of wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio,myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and expression of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) mRNA,and for microscope examination of pathologic changes which were scored.Results Compared with group S,the pathological score,W/D ratio,MPO activity and expression of ACE mRNA were significantly increased in I/R and SP1-SP3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the pathological score,W/D ratio,MPO activity and expression of ACE mRNA were significantly decreased in SP1-SP3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with SP1 and SP3 groups,the pathological score,W/D ratio,MPO activity and expression of ACE mRNA were significantly decreased in group SP2 (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group SP1,the W/D ratio was significantly decreased (P ＜0.05),and no significant changes were found in the other parameters in group SP3 (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane preconditioning can attenuate lung injury induced by renal I/R and inhibition of ACE synthesis is involved in the mechanism.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on mitochondrial dynamics in hippocampus of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:A total of 224 clean-grade healthy male C57 mice, weighing 20-25g, aged 6-8 weeks, were divided into 4 groups ( n=56 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation + hydrogen group (group Sham+ H 2), SAE group and SAE + hydrogen group (group SAE+ H 2). Sepsis was produced by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). Sham+ H 2and SAE+ H 2 groups inhaled 2% hydrogen for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after CLP, respectively.The postoperative 7-day survival rate was recorded.Brain tissues were obtained at 24 h after operation for examination of the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region (with a light microscope) and for determination of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (by fluorescence spectrophotometry) and ATP content (by a bioluminescence assay) in hippocampal tissues.At 6, 12 and 24 h after operation, hippocampal mitochondria were isolated for determination of the expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and the mitochondrial fusion proteins mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group Sham, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased, the contents of MMP and ATP were decreased, the expression of Drp1 was up-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was down-regulated( P<0.05), the pathological changes were aggravated in hippocampal CA1 region in SAE and SAE+ H 2 groups, and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group Sham+ H 2 ( P>0.05). Compared with group SAE, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly increased, the contents of MMP and ATP were increased, the expression of Drp1 was down-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was up-regulated( P<0.05), the pathological changes were attenuated in hippocampal CA1 region in group SAE+ H 2. Conclusion:The mechanism by which hydrogen improves mitochondrial function is probably associated with promoting mitochondrial fusion and inhibiting mitochondrial fission in hippocampus of mice with SAE.

Objective To investigate the expression of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2 and Bax after cerebral ischemic reperfusion in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas and the effect of curcumin on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in gerbils.Methods Gerbils were randomly divided into sham group(SH),ischemia-reperfusion group(IR),curcumin group(CU) and solvent control group(SC).Forebrain ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries.Observations were made in each group 1d,3d,5d and 7d after ischemia.Open field test was used to examine the behavioral change.The apoptotic neurons in hippocampal CA1 region was counted,and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas was detected by SABC immunocytochemical technique.Results The behavioral mark and the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas were much smaller in CU group than in IR group(P

The zinc finger protein A20 exists in many kinds of ceils in the body and plays multiple roles in physiological and pathological processes such as regulation of immune response,inflammatory diseases and cancers by inhibiting cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and restricting NFKB signaling pathway.Recently,the role of A20 in generation and development of tumors draws wide attention,hence,we summarized recent research progress of the relation between A20 and cancer in this review.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats,weighing 280-300 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =8 each):sham operation group (group S),group I/R and dexmedetomidine group (group Dex).Renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral renal arteries for 45 min followed by reperfusion in I/R and Dex groups.At 20 min before ischemia,dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally in group Dex,and the rest procedures were similar to those previously described in group I/R.The rats were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion and myocardial specimens were obtained for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.The apoptosis in cardiomyocytes was examined by flow cytometry.Apoptosis index was calculated.The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by immunohistochemistry,and Bcl-2/Bax ratio was calculated.Results Compared with group S,apoptosis index and MDA content were significantly increased in I/R and Dex groups,Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased in group I/R,and Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased in group Dex.Compared with group I/R,apoptosis index and MDA content were significantly decreased,and SOD activity and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were increased in group Dex.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can attenuate myocardial injury induced by renal I/R in rats,and the mechanism may be related to inhibited apoptosis in cardiomyocytes and reduced lipid peroxidation.

Objective T o observe the changes of cystathionine β-synthase (C B S ) expression in the cere-bral cortex after brain contusion at different tim es. Methods A n experim ental m odel of traum atic brain injury (T B I) in m ice w as established by an im proved w eight-drop device. T hen W estern blotting and im m unohistochem ical exam ination w ere used to detect the C B S expression in cerebral cortex around in-jury at different tim e points (1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d). Results T he results of W estern blotting revealed that the expression level of C B S w as dow n-regulated and reached its low est level at the 3rd days after injury, and then restored to norm al level after 7 days. T he results of im m unohistochem istry show ed that C B S w as present in the norm al brain cortex. C B S expression gradually decreased at the 3rd days after injury, and then restored to norm al level after 7 days. Conclusion C B S has the potential to be a reference index for tim e estim ation after brain contusion in forensic practice.

Objective The goal of this report was to evaluate the applicability of the da Vinci S surgical system in thoracic surgery.Methods The da Vinci S surgical system consists of a console, a patient cart, and a vision system.The patient cart loading with 3 robot arms and 1 central endoscope arm connects the console which commands the movements of the arm tips.The robot arm tips are introduced via small chest wall ports and attached to the arms of the robot.The surgeon, sitting at the console, manipulates highly sensitive sensors that transfer the surgeon's movements to the arm tips.The so called EndoWrist'technology offers up , down, left, right, and twist, seven degrees of movements, thus exceeding the capacity of a surgeon's hand in open surgery.17 intrathoracic lesion cases, including 12 Myasthenia Gravis, 1 diaphragm hernia, 2 esophageal cancer, 1 pulmonary cancer , 1 pneumothorax, were evaluated for clinical application of the da Vinci S surgical system.Results Out of 17 surgical procedures, 14 procedures were done using the robot from beginning to the end, including 12 thymectomies, 1 diaphragm hernia repair, 1 pulmonary bleb dissection.Only gastric mobilizations, the abdominal part procedures were done using the da Vinci S system, and the thoracic part procedures were done through small incision thoracotomy in 2 cases with esophageal cancer.One resection of left upper lobectomy had to be converted due to surgical problem.The postoperative courses were uneventful.Conclusion The da Vinci operating robot can do nearly all kinds of thoracic operations.Advanced general thoracic procedures can be performed safely and effectively with the da Vinci S robot allowing precise dissection.This benefit becomes evident most elegantly in thymectomies.The robot operation procedures can be done by the doctors with open and assisted thoracopic surgery experiences and other personnels getting trained in a short period of time, but case selection and preparing emergency thoracotomy at any time is needed to ensure the patient safety.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics in hippocampus of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:One hundred and twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), sham operation plus HRS group (Sham+ HRS group), SAE group and SAE plus HRS group.Sepsis was developed by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in anesthetized mice.HRS 10 ml/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 and 6 h after CLP in Sham+ HRS and SAE+ HRS groups.Twenty mice were randomly selected from each group to record the 7-day survival after operation.The working memory of the mice was observed by Y-maze test on days 3, 5 and 7 after CLP.The hippocampal tissues were obtained at 24 h after CLP for determination of the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (by spectrophotometry), and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF2), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group Sham, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased, the time spent in novel arm was shortened, the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 were increased, the activities of SOD and CAT were decreased, the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and Tfam was up-regulated, the expression of Drp1 was up-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was down-regulated in group SAE ( P<0.05). Compared with group SAE, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly increased, the time spent in novel arm was prolonged, the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 were decreased, the activities of SOD and CAT were increased, the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and Tfam was up-regulated, the expression of Drp1 was down-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was up-regulated in group SAE+ HRS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which HRS alleviates SAE may be related to promotion of mitochondrial biogenesis, regulation of dynamics, and reduction of oxidative stress in hippocampus of mice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inherent characteristics of Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) and other vibrios and their relationship.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequence analysis, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and average linkage cluster analysis were used to study 3 isolates of V. cholerae strains O139, three isolates O1 biotype El Tor, four isolates O1 biotype classical and 3 other vibrios.

RESULTSV. cholerae O139 contained the genomic sequences of ctx A2-B as well as V. cholerae O1. V. cholerae and others vibrios were divided into 4 groups by fingerprint patterns of RAPD, that is (1) V. cholerae O139 and V. cholerae O1 El Tor; (2) V. cholerae O1 classical; (3) V. paraheamolyticus and V. vulnificus and (4) V. flluvialis. V. cholerae O139 DNA fingerprint of RAPD was consistent with the El Tor biotype: average linkage cluster distance was 0, and slightly different from the classical biotype, with a distance of 2.07. It was much more different from vibrio paraheamolyticus and others, with a distance of 6.76 - 8.54.

CONCLUSIONV. cholerae and other vibrios are polymorphic in inherent characteristics. The inherent characteristics of V. cholerae O139 are the same as El Tor biotype. O139 may have evolved from the El Tor biotype. The inherent characteristics of vibrio paraheamolyticus are the same as vibrio vulnificus.

DNA, Bacterial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity ; Vibrio ; genetics ; Vibrio cholerae ; genetics