Objective To investigate the roles of nitric oxide and caspase 3 in PC12 cell apoptosis induced by rotenone. Methods The acute injury effect of rotenone on PC12 cells and viability of the PC12 cells were detected by MTT assay. Nitrite (NO 2 -) was quantified by Greiss reaction. The activity of caspase 3 and the cell apoptosis were detected by fluoremetry and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. Results The MTT colorimetry indicated that PC12 cell viability reached a peak at 7 d after passage. L NAME at the concentration of 100 ?mol/L showed the strongest protective effect for PC12 cell in the four different doses. Rotenone also induced the formation of DNA ladder in PC12 cells. Additionally, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L NAME inhibited the activity of caspase 3 protease. L NAME also inhibited the production of nitric oxide induced by rotenone. Conclusion Nitric oxide and caspase 3 are involved in the process of PC12 cell apoptosis induced by rotenone.

Objective To explore the impact and change regularity of Oncomelania hupensis snails and vegetation in the marshlands of Poyang Lake caused by the impoundment of the Three Gorges Project. Methods By using the methods of stratified systematic sampling and pinpoint navigation,the succession of vegetation was observed and the distribution of O. hupensis snails was investigated in a period of 8 years on 4 typical marshlands in Poyang Lake. The regularity of changes in vegetation and O. hu-pensis snails was analyzed on the marshlands at high,medium and low elevations,respectively. Results After the impoundment of Three Gorges Project,the average flooding days of these 4 marshlands in 2004 and in 2008 were reduced of 74.8 and 65.8 days compared with those in 2002,the year just before the impoundment of the project,respectively. The change of spatial distribution pattern and the succession of dominant species of vegetation on the marshlands of Poyang Lake have taken place since 2005,and several vegetations showed a trend of moving toward the center of the lake. The hygrophilous vegetation has degenerated and gradu-ally been replaced by mesophily meadow in the marshland area above 14 m elevation. Carex,Phalaris arundinacea and Polygo-num appeared in large area and expanded slowly towards the center of the lake on the marshland below 14 m elevation. O. hupensis snails were mostly found under the Carex association. The tendency of decreasing in density of snails and of migration of snail habi-tats towards low terrain was observed. Conclusions The impoundment of Three Gorges Project has had a significant impact on hy-drological regimes,and a new succession of vegetation has taken place in the marshlands of Poyang Lake. O. hupensis snails and the mesophily vegetation show a trend of migrating slowly to the areas of low elevation in the marshlands.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with digital ulcer(DU) in China.MethodThe data of 166 consecutive SSc patients in EUSTAR DATABASE in Peking Union Medical Colloge Hospital from February 2009 to August 2010 were prospectively collected,and patients with DU were compared with those without DU.All patients fulfilled the ACR classification criteria for SSc in 1980.Results① Forty-nine patients (29.5％) had DU in 166 SSc patients.The disease onset age was(36±12) years(8.1-61.7 years) for those patients with DU.All had Raynaud's phenomenon(RP).② Demographic data:there were significant differences between patients with and without DU in sex (F/M 40/9 vs 112/5,P=0.005),age [(40±12) years old vs(46±12) years old,P=0.005],the onset age of RP [(33±12) years vs(39±13) years,P=0.005] and the duration from RP to the first non-RP presentaion[ (18±15) months vs(115±307) months,P=0.002 ].③ Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings:there were more diffuse SSc patients and more esophageal involvement in patients with DU (P＜0.05).ConclusionsDU in SSc patients is common,especially in man and patients with diffuse SSc.SSc patients with DU usually are younger when RP onsets and the non-RP manifestations usually present earlier when compared with those patients without DU.

Objective To explore the protective effects of GYY4137, a new hydrogen sulfide donor, on intestinal mucosa in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and its potential mechanism.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups: group A (control group), group B (NEC group), group C (NEC with GYY4137 treatment, H2S donor group), and group D (NEC with GYY4137 and Znpptreatment, HO-1 inhibitor group). The SD rat models of NEC were established using simulated milk feeding-hypoxia-cold stress-Lipopolysaccharides. The injury degree of intestinal mucosa was evaluated using HE-staining, and its mechanisms were investigated using biochemical indicators and Western blotting. Results Compared with control group, the pathology score and the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in the NEC group was significantly higher, the concentrations of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) and necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were lower(P<0.05). Compared with those in NEC group, the pathology score and the concentration of MDA and TNF-α in the H2S donor group were signiflcantly lower, the T-SOD, and the HO-1 expression was higher. The pathology score and the level of MDA and TNF-α were signiflcantly increased after treated with HO-1 inhibitor Znpp, and T-SOD was signiflcantly decreased.. Conclusions The GYY4137, as a new H2S donor, could attenuate the injury of intestinal mucosa in a neonatal rat model of NEC by upregulating the expression of HO-1.

Objective To investigate genetic polymorphisms of IRF7/KIAA1542 (rs4963128, rs2246614) and STAT4 (rs7574865) and their relationships with lupus nephritis and various autoantibodies present in Chinese Han population of SLE patients. Methods A total of 748 SLE patients and 750 healthy controls belonging to the Chinese population were enrolled into this study. They were genotyped using MALDI-TOF-MS method. Autoantibodies including anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-Sm, anti-RNP and anti-dsDNA were determined either by indirect immunofluorescence or double immunodiffusion methods. Results In the healthy group, rs7574865 (STAT4) T/T, T/G, G/G genotype frequency and T, G allele frequencies were as follows: 9.4% , 45. 6% , 45. 0% , 32. 2% , 67. 8% , the corresponding case group as follows: 17.0% , 48.1%, 34.9%, 41.0%, 59.0%, genotype and allele frequencies were significantly different (x2 = 26.30, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, in the case group, T/T genotype frequency and T allele frequency were significantly increased, and in three genetic models ( additive model, dominant model, recessive model), the genotype frequencies were significant difference (P <0. 01). Two polymorphic loci of rs4963128 and rs2246614 (IRF7/KIAA1542) were not statistically significant (x2 =4.49,5.32,P>0.05) in case group and control group, but the rs2246614 genotype frequencies had a statistically significant in recessive model (P <0. 05) , whereas rs4963128 genotype frequencies was no significant difference in the three genetic model (P=0.068, 0.958, 0.067, respectively). In the clinical subphenotype analysis, IRF7/KIAA1542 (rs4963128) in lupus nephritis group (OR = 2. 69, 95% CI = 1. 89-3. 82, P < 0.01) ,anti-SSA antibody group ( OR = 0. 61, 95% CI = 0. 43-0. 87, P < 0. 05 ) and anti-SSB antibody group ( OR =0. 36, 95% CI = 0. 23-0. 56, P < 0.01) of the analysis were statistically significant. At the same time, IRF7/KIAA1542 (rs2246614) in the joint comparison of positive and negative symptoms were also statistically significant (OR=1.34, 95% CI = 1. 06-1. 69, P < 0. 05). Conclusions This findings provide strong evidence suggesting that STAT4 ( rs7574865 ) is the susceptible factor of SLE in Chinese Han population. However, there is not a significant relationships between IRF7/KIAA1542 (rs4963128, rs2246614) polymorphisms and the risk of SLE, but the associations of IRF7/KIAA1542 (rs4963128, rs2246614) with the a variety of clinical subphenotypes, such as lupus nephritis, joint symptoms and production of anti-SSA antibody and anti-SSB antibody implicates IRF7/KIAA1542 as a putative candidate gene of SLE.

Objective To understand the current prevalence of clonorchiasis in Jiangxi Province. Methods A survey was performed according to the scheme of the 3rd Principal Human Parasites of Jiangxi Province. Based on the ecological regions,a stratified cluster sampling method was applied by the economic and geographic situation. In rural areas,the investigation of C. si?nensis was carried out together with the soil?transmitted helminths investigation,and in the urban areas,the random cluster sam?pling method was applied for the C. sinensis investigation. There were 92 survey sites from 32 counties. The eggs of C. sinensis in stool were examined by Kato?Katz technique,and health knowledge was also investigated by questionnaires in some people at the same time. Results A total of 23 606 sample residents were investigated,and 138 were found infected with C. sinensis, with the infection rate of 0.58%. Light infection was found in most of them. Totally 124 C. sinensis infected persons focused in Xinfeng County,and only a few of infected people scattered in the other counties. In Xinfeng County,851 residents were investi?gated. Among them,the infected people were found in all the age groups except the 0?year age group. The highest infection rate appeared in the 70? years group(24.00%). The male infection rate was 20.29%,which was higher than that of the female (6.25%),showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.01). The infection rate was highest in the population who received high school or technical secondary school education(31.48%). For the occupation distribution,the infection rate was highest in public officers(39.39%). The questionnaire survey showed that the infection rate in the populations in Xinfeng County who had the history of eating raw fish or raw shrimp was 33.15%. Conclusions The distribution of C. sinensis infection presents a region?al aggregation in Xinfeng County,but in other areas,the distribution is sporadic. It is necessary to continue to carry out the para?sitic disease screening,and in Xinfeng County,it is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control interven?tion.

This experimental study was aimed to find the effect of different package and storage conditions on the content of effective components of A stragalus pieces. A stragalus pieces were stored under different storage conditions by using different packaging materials and packaging methods. Every three months, the contents of Calycosin-7-glu-coside and astragaloside were determined according to the 2010 version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. With the extend-edstorage time, the contents of two effective components were significantly decreased. After six-monthstorage, the contents were not consistent with the standard of the pharmacopoeia standards. Room temperature had relatively big influence on the loss of content. The plastic and aluminum paperpackagingwere better than kraft paper packaging. The content ofastragaloside using non vacuum packaging method was relatively higher than the vacuum packaging. Contentunder the conditions of cool storehouse and nonvacuum plastic bags was higher than other packagingmethod. And the changes of both contents were relatively stable. It was concluded that the A stragaluspieces should be packed with non vacuum plastic bags, and stored in a cool and dry place.

Objective To explore the relationship between vegetation and the distribution of Oncomelania snails inside and outside the embankments of Poyang Lake region. Methods The plantation and Oncomelania snails were surveyed at 4 villages and their related marshlands in Yugan, Nanchang and Jinxian counties by the stratified systematic sampling method. The investigation was targeted to the vegetation species,height,coverage and frequency of plantation and synchronously to the distribution of snails and infection of snails in marshland of high, middle and low altitudes,adjacent beaches as well in cultivated and waste land inside embankment. The relationship between vegetation dominant association and the distribution of snails in those area was analyzed. Results The vegetation inside and outside the embankment were remarkably diverse. Inside the embankment, the species of vegetation varied greatly and distributed randomly,and no snail was found. While outside the embankment,the distribution of vegetation characterized an unregulated annulus or patch. Plant's association types were distinct on marshlands. The snails mainly distributed in areas at 15-17 m altitude,closely related to the species of vegetation. The coverage of dominant plants,Carex cinerascen and Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed a quadratic curve correlation with the density of snails. Conclusions In the Poyang Lake region,plants and snails are impacted by common environmental factors,which then lead to their close association in distribution. It might be attributed to integrated impacts of changes in ecological factors that Oncomelania snails disappear gradually in areas inside embankment after construction of embankment.

Objective To explore the relationship between the vegetation and space distribution of Oncomelania snails in Poyang Lake region,so as to get better understanding of the habitats of Oncomelania snails by using remote sensing technology.Methods The marshlands close to schistosomiasis endemic villages in Poyang Lake region were selected,and the traditional methods were used to investigate the situation of vegetation and Oncomelania snails.The longitude and latitude of investigation spots were recorded by GPS,and the field survey data were vectored by using ArcGIS software.The geometric calibration and unsupervised classification were made on TM satellite images of low-flow period of spring by using PCI 9.0.And then,the relationship between space distribution of snail habitats and vegetation was analyzed through superposing the filed data and satellite images.Results The vegetation in marshlands of Poyang Lake region can be differentiated as three types,in which the single dominant vegetation area was mainly breeding place of Oncomelania snails,and wet vegetation type and hybrid weed type were snail seldom breeding areas.Conclusions The distribution roles of vegetation in marshland are closely related to the habitats of snails,presenting a flaky and bandy distribution.The habitats of Oncomelania snails can be quickly understood by remote sensing technology.

Objective To investigate clinical relevance of U1-nuclear ribonucleoprotein antibody (anti-U1 RNP) in Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods In total, 131 Chinese patients with SSc were prospectively and consecutively recruited into Scleroderma Trials and Research Group sponsored by European League Against Rheumatism (EUSTAR) from clinical database of Peking Union Medical College Hospital ( PUMCH). Their clinical features, visceral lesions and laboratory findings including detection of anti- U1 RNP were recorded. Relevance between existing anti-U1 RNP and clinical characteristics and other laboratory indicators of SSc was analyzed statistically. Results Eighty-seven of the 131 patients presented as diffused SSc (dSSc) , 36 limited SSc ( lSSc) and eight SSc/systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome, with positive rate of anti-U, RNP of 28. 2 (37/131) percent in patients with SSc. Positive rate of anti-U1 RNP in dSSc was similar to that in lSSc groups [28. 7% (25/87) and 25. 0% ( 9/36 ) , respectively, P = 0. 673]. But significantly higher prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension and cardiac involvement, and less white blood cell and platelets counts were observed in the patients with positive anti-U1 RNP than in those with negative anti-U1 RNP (all P < 0. 05 ). There was no statistically significant difference in skin sclerosis score and prevalence of arthritis, myositis and interstitial lung disease was observed between those with positive and negative anti-U1 RNP ( P > 0. 05 ) . Detection rate of anti-DNA topoisomerase I ( Scl-70 antibody) was higher in SSc patients with negative anti-U, RNP. Conclusions U1 RNP antibody is a common antibody in Chinese patients with SSc, and detection for it combined with other autoantibodies will be helpful for diagnosing of SSc and predicting development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, cardiac and hematological involvements in them.