ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of propofol and etomidate on apoptosis in hippocampal neurons in rats.MethodsOne hundred and forty male 4 weeks old SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (n =20 each):control group (group C) ; groups P1,2,3 received intraperitoneal (IP) propofol 50,100 and 200mg/kg and groups E1,2,3 received IP etomidate 10,30 and 60 mg/kg respectively.Arterial blood samples were obtained at 2 h after the animals were fully awake for blood gas analysis.The animals were then sacrificed and their brains removed for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area and detection of Survivin and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression in hippocampus by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.ResultsThere was no significant difference in PaO2,PaCO2,SaO2,HCO3-,BE and pH value among the 7 groups.The neurons in CA1 area were basically normal in groups C,P1 and E1 while condensation of the chromatin of the nucleus and apoptotic bodies were observed in groups P3 and E3.Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression was significantly up-regulated while Survivin mRNA and protein down-regulated in groups P3 and E3.Conclusion High dose of propofol and etomidate may induce apoptosis in hippocampal neurons in rats by up-regulation of Caspase-3 expression and down-regulation of Survivin expression.

Objective To investigate the effect of morphine on the expression of p53 mRNA and E2F-1 mRNA in human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC-803 .Methods The human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 was purchased from Cell Biology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and cultured in DMEM liquid culture mediun. The cells were seeded in 6-well plates (1 × 103/ml or 2 × 105/ml, 1 ml/well) and divided into 2 groups (n = 18 wells each):group Ⅰ normal control (group C); group Ⅱ was exposed to 10 μmol/L morphine (group M). The proliferation of the cells was determined by colony formation assay at 7 day of incubation with morphine. The expression of p53 mRNA and E2F-1 mRNA was detected and the ulrastructure of the cells examined with transmission electron microscope after being incubated with morphine for 24 h. Results The proliferation of the cells and E2F-1 mRNA expression were significantly lower and p53 mRNA expression was significantly higher in group M than in group C (P ＜ 0.05). The nuclear evelope was intact and the nucleolus and chromosomes were clearly visible in group C, while in group M fragmentation of nuclear envelope and nucleolus and apoptotic bodies were observed. Conclusion Morphine can inhibit the proliferation of the cells and accelerate the cell apoptosis through up-regulating the expression of p53 gene and down-regulating the expression of E2F-1gene in human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC-803.

This study was aimed to estimate the effect of different ProDisc-C arthroplasty designs after it was implanted to C5-C6 cervicalspine. Finite element (FE) model of intact C5-C6 segments including the vertebrae and disc was developed and validated. Ball-and-socket artificial disc prosthesis model (ProDisc-C, Synthes) was implanted into the validated FE model and the curvature of the ProDisc-C prosthesis was varied. All models were loaded with compressed force 74 N and the pure moment of 1.8 Nm along flexion-extension and bilateral bending and axial torsion separately. The results indicated that the variation in the curvature of ball and socket configuration would influence the range of motion in flexion/extension, while there were not apparently differences under other conditions of loads. The method increasing the curvature will solve the stress concentration of the polyethylene, but it will also bring adverse outcomes, such as facet joint force increasing and ligament tension increasing. Therefore, the design of artificial discs should be considered comprehensively to reserve the range of motion as well as to avoid the adverse problems, so as not to affect the long-term clinical results.
Arthroplasty ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Pressure ; Prostheses and Implants ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spine ; Zygapophyseal Joint

This study investigated the effect of prolonged walking with load carriage on body posture, muscle fatigue, heart rate and blood pressure of the tested subjects. Ten healthy volunteers performed 30 min walking trials on treadmill (speed = 1.1 m/s) with different backpack loads [0% body weight (BW), 10% BW, 15% BW and 20% BW]. The change of body posture, muscle fatigue, heart rate and blood pressure before and after walking and the recovery of muscle fatigue during the rest time (0, 5, 10 and 15 min) were collected using the Bortec AMT-8 and the NDI Optotrak Certus. Results showed that the forward trunk and head angle, muscle fatigue, heart rate and blood pressure increased with the increasing backpack loads and bearing time. With the 20% BW load, the forward angle, muscle fatigue and systolic pressure were significantly higher than with lighter weights. No significantly increased heart rate and diastolic pressure were found. Decreased muscle fatigue was found after removing the backpack in each load trial. But the recovery of the person with 20% BW load was slower than that of 0% BW, 10% BW and 15% BW. These findings indicated that the upper limit of backpack loads for college-aged students should be between 15% BW and 20% BW according to muscle fatigue and forward angle. It is suggested that backpack loads should be restricted to no more than 15% BW for walks of up to 30 min duration to avoid irreversible muscle fatigue.
Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Exercise Test ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Muscle Fatigue ; Posture ; Walking ; physiology ; Weight-Bearing

Objective To investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation on expression of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in rats with acute liver failure (ALF).Method SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group,ALF group and BMSCs transplantation group.Specimens were harvested in each group at 12 h,24 h and 72 h after ALF induction.Serum ALT and AST concentrations were determined,liver pathological changes were observed by HE staining,serum HMGB1 concentration detected by ELISA,and HMGB1 mRNA and protein in liver tissues examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively.Result The ALF models were successfully induced by D-GalN (900 rng/kg) and LPS (10 μg/kg) injection.Serum levels of ALT and AST in the ALF group were gradually increased with progression of the disease.As compared with the ALF group,significant improvement of liver function parameters and histological findings was observed in the transplantation group 72 h after transplantation (P＜0.01).The serum HMGB1 concentrations,the HMGB1 mRNA expression and the HMGB1 protein expression in liver tissue of control group were lowered at all time points,and they increased with time in the ALF group.After BMSCs transplantation,the serum HMGB1 concentrations,the HMGB1 mRNA and protein expression decreased with time.All the differences between ALF group and BMSCs transplantation group at 24 h and 72 h after transplantation were statistically significant (P＜0.01).At 24th h after transplantation,mortality rates of control group,ALF group,BMSC transplantation group were 0 (0/24),33.3％ (8/24) and 16.7％ (4/24) respectively with the difference being statistically significant (x2 =21.098,P＜ 0.01).Conclusion BMSCs transplantation can improve the liver function and pathological changes in rats with ALF,and decrease the expression of HMGB1.

Objective:To evaluate the protective immunity by vaccination of BALB/c mice with rLV-HA-GCN4,a recombinant lentivirus expressing the trimeric HA of swine H1N1 influenza virus. Methods:The female mice were randomly divided into rLV-HA-GCN4,rLV-HA,LV and PBS groups. Mice were primed with plasmid and boosted with lentivirus by the administration of intramuscular thigh injections at an interval of two weeks. At day 28 post-prime immunization,mice were inoculated intranasally with 100TCID50 of swine H1N1 influenza virus in a 50 μl volume. The immune levels were assessed by the T lymphocyte transformation test, flow cytometry,indirect ELISA and the indexes of spleen and lung. Results:The spleen lymphocyte transformation rate was 0. 3±0. 11 in the rLV-HA-GCN4 group at day 14 post-boost immunization, showing a statistical significance ( P<0. 01 ) compared to the PBS group. Meanwhile,rLV-HA-GCN4 could cause T lymphocyte response mainly based on the Th1-type CD4+ T cells. The IgG antibody titer reached to 1:8 000 at day 14 post-boost immunization and approximately 1:7 000 at day 14 post challenge. After challenge,the spleen and lung indexes of rLV-HA-GCN4 group were significantly lower than those of PBS group (P<0. 05). The body weight of rLV-HA-GCN4 group demonstrated a slight decrease before 3 days post challenge and then a gradual increase compared to the LV and PBS groups (P<0. 05). Conclusion:rLV-HA-GCN4 can effectively induce cellular and humoral immune response in BALB/c mice against swine H1N1 influenza virus.

In order to establish a method for measuring quantitatively turbulent shear stress (TSS) downstream of mitral stenosis in vivo based on Doppler echocardiography and computer-aided image analysis, we used doppler echocardiography to record the spectrum of flow velocity downstream of mitral valve at several locations in normal persons and in patients with mitral stenosis. With the computer-aided analysis of spectrum images, the magnitude of TSS was measured at the locations. The results demonstrate that no matter how severe the mitral stenosis is, the TSS and relative turbulent intensity(Irel) at the central locations of jet are lower than those at the marginal ones. A significant difference in the quantitative items of TSS, Irel and flow field uniformity between normal persons and patients with varying-degree of mitral stenosis was noticed (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between these items and effective orifice area (EOA), and we found that the smaller EOA is, the more severe the extent of stenosis is and the greater the magnitude of both TSS and Irel are, and that the highest magnitude of TSS is focused on the marginal area of jet. These results indicate that there is an obvious correlation between TSS(measured by Doppler echocardiography combined with computer-aided image analysis) and flow field uniformity. They can coincidently reveal the hemodynamic changes resulting from mitral stenosis of varied severeness, implying that our method could exactly depict the magnitude of TSS downstream of mitral stenosis in vivo and is non-invasive and good for anti-disturbance. The method can be used to analyze quantitatively TSS in the flow field of heart valve in patients with valvular diseases.
Adult ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Stress, Mechanical

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) mediates the post-translational modification and degradation of protein in eukaryotic cells. Recent studies have revealed that UPS plays an important role in HBV infection and hepatocarcinogenesis. Targeting HBx to intervene in the progression of HBV infection or HBV-related HCC has become a research hotspot both domestically and internationally in recent years. This article reviewed the progress in HBx promoting HBV infection and hepatocarcinogenesis through UPS.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of intramuscular injection of oryzanol for 5 and 10 days in the treatment of menopausal syndrome.Methods:This study adopts a case-control study method.Twenty patients with menopausal syndrome admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2021 to March 2022 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group using a random number table method, with 10 patients in each group. The control group was given intramuscular injection of oryzanol once a day for 5 consecutive days on the basis of routine health education; On the basis of routine health education, the observation group was given intramuscular injection of oryzanol once a day for 10 consecutive days. Two groups of patients completed a total of 6 visits before treatment and on days 5, 10, 30, 60, and 90 of treatment. Baseline survey was conducted to record the basic information of patients, including demography data, menstruation, past history, surgical history, drug allergy and the main symptoms of climacteric syndrome, and the baseline hormone level of patients was detected. Compare the menopausal symptoms by modified K-score, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score, menopausal specific quality of life (MENQOL) score, post treatment injection site pain by visual analog score (VAS), and observe adverse reactions during treatment between the two groups of patients at each visit time point.The measurement data conforming to the normal distribution is expressed in xˉ± s. The comparison between the two groups is performed by t test, and the change trend of the two groups at each time point is compared by repeated measurement analysis of variance; The measurement data that do not conform to the normal distribution are represented by M( Q1, Q3), and the Kruskal Wallis test is used for comparison between groups; Counting data is represented by examples(%), Fisher's exact probability method is used for inter group comparison, and Wilcoxon rank sum test is used for rank data comparison. Results:The body mass of the control group was higher than that of the observation group [(62.50±11.88) kg vs (52.90±4.28) kg, t=2.40, P=0.027]. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in other demography data and previous history, sex hormone levels, menopausal symptoms, and menstrual conditions (all P>0.05). Compared with the baseline, the modified K-score, PSQI score, and MENQOL vascular dilation and contraction, psychological state, physiological state, and sexual life scores of the two groups of patients on the 5th, 10th, 30th, 60th, and 90th day of treatment were significantly reduced, and showed a gradually decreasing trend with the extension of observation time (the values in Group F were 36.37, 12.40, 18.69, 24.73, 40.77, and 18.39, respectively, P<0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (all P>0.05). After treatment, the VAS score of the control group was 1 point in 2 cases, 2 points in 4 cases, and 3 points in 4 cases; The VAS score of the observation group was 1 in 4 cases, 2 in 3 cases, and 3, 5, and 6 in 1 case each. There was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups ( Z=0.43, P=0.664), and no adverse events or serious adverse events were observed during the treatment period. Conclusions:Intramuscular injection of oryzanol injection for 5 and 10 days can improve menopausal symptoms, improve sleep quality and overall quality of life in patients with menopausal syndrome, and the overall effect is similar.

Objective To investigate the potential of ginkgolide B(GB)in mitigating vascular endothelial injury by antagonizing endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods An injury model of human bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)induced by tunica-mycin(TM)was established.Cell proliferation was assessed using MTS assay,while cell viability was determined through Calcein-AM/EthD-I double staining.Transwell assay was employed to evaluate cell migration ability.DCFH-DA staining was utilized to measure intracellular ROS levels,and NADPH activity was quantified via ELISA.JC-1 and DiOC6 staining were performed for qualitative and quantitative assessment of mitochondrial membrane potential respectively.Qrt-pcr analysis was conducted to determine mRNA expression levels,whereas western blot analysis enabled detection of protein expression levels in the cells.Results GB dose-dependently attenuated tunicamycin-induced ERS-mediated endothelial injury in hEPCs,as evidenced by decreased cell viability,impaired cell migration,and angiogenesis inhibition(P<0.01).Furthermore,GB treatment significantly reduced ROS production and NADPH levels within the cells(P<0.01),while also inhibiting ERS-mediated decline in mitochondrial membrane potential concentration-dependently(P<0.01).Additionally,GB inhibited the expression of ERS-related proteins such as GRP78,ATF4,CHOP etc.,regulated apoptosis-related protein Bcl-xl,Bax cleaved caspase-4 cytochrome c;thereby effectively counteracting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cellular damage.Conclusions GB exerts a protective effect on vascular endothelium by antagonizing endoplasmic reticulum stress;this mechanism may be attributed to its ability to reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species levels.It also suppresses the expression of ERS-related proteins(CHOP78 and ATF4),and modulates apoptosis-associated proteins(Bcl-xl,Bax,cleaved caspase-4,and cytochrome c).