OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.

METHODSWe randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).

CONCLUSIONNicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; chemically induced ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Nicotine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tars ; Tobacco ; adverse effects

Objective To explore the clinical value of renal dynamic imaging and urinary N-acetyl-?-D-glucosaminidase(NAG),apoptosis DNA fragment(ADF) in evaluating the damage degree of hydronephrotic kidneys(HnK) in children with hydronephrosis.Methods Level of glomerular filtration rate(GFR) was detected in 41 children with congenital hydronephrosis by renal dynamic imaging,and urine NAG,ADF in pelvis in HnK and healthy kidneys (as controls) were detected by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay(ELISA).Patholo-gic changes of HnK in 41 children were graded intoⅠ~Ⅴ according to Elder standard. And GFR,urinary NAG and ADF of HnK were divi-ded into subgroup according to pathologic changes ,at the same time statistical analysis was performed within each groups. And the correlations of pathologic grades with GFR,urinary NAG and ADF of HnK were analyzed.Results 1.Kindneys GFR in healthy kidneys and Hnk were (174.33?20.43)?10-3 L/min,(143.86?17.51)?10-3 L/min respectinely,and there was significant difference between healthy kidneys and Hnk (P0.05).3.There was significant negative correlation between GFR levels of HnK and pathologic grades(r=-0.814 P0.05).Conclusions For hydronephrotic kidneys,urinary NAG can eva-luate impaired nephric tubule whereas renal dynamic imaging may evaluate the damage level of glomeruli;urine ADF may not indicate the damage level of diseased kidneys in children with congenital hydronephrosis.

Background:X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a vital factor in the anti-apoptosis mechanism of tumors and is highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).However,the mechanism through which XIAP regulates DNA damage repair is unknown.This study investigated the regulatory mechanism of XIAP in etoposide-induced apoptosis in two Caki-1 cell lines with high or low XIAP expression.Methods:The two cell lines were established using RNA interference technology.The differentially expressed proteins in the two cell lines were globally analyzed through an isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation-based quantitative proteomics approach.Proteomic analysis revealed 255,375,362,and 5 differentially expressed proteins after 0,0.5,3,and 12 h of drug stimulation,respectively,between the two cell lines.The identified differentially expressed proteins were involved in numerous biological processes.In addition,the expression of histone proteins (H1.4,H2AX,H3.1,H3.2,and H3.3) was drastically altered,and the effects of XIAP silencing were accompanied by the marked downregulation of H2AX.Protein-protein interactions were assessed and confirmed through immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses.Results:The results suggested that XIAP may act as a vital cell signal regulator that regulates the expression of DNA repair-related proteins,such as H2AX,and influences the DNA repair process.Conclusions:Given these functions,XIAP may be the decisive factor in determining the sensitivity of RCC cell apoptosis induction in response to chemotherapeutic agents.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury can lead to extensive changes in central nervous system, and exercise training can promote the recovery of locomotor function following central nervous system injury. OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of locomotor function and the expression levels of vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT1 in the spinal cord in a rat model of dorsal root ganglion resection after treadmill exercise and to explore the effect of treadmill training on the locomotor function after peripheral nerve injury. METHODS: Thirty-nine 10-week-old male Wistar rats were randomized into experimental (n=15), control (n=15) and sham operation (n=9) groups. The rats in the experimental and control groups received the dorsal root ganglion resection at L3and L4segments to establish the model of peripheral nerve injury under local anesthesia, while the rats in the sham operation group were only subjected to dorsal root ganglion exposure. The rats in the experimental group underwent 15 m/minute treadmill training at postoperative 7 days, while rats in the other two groups were in free movement. Gait analysis was performed at preoperative 3 days, postoperative 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, respectively, and the behavioral changes of rats were observed. The tissue sections were obtained from L3segment at postoperative 7, 14, and 28 days to detect the expression levels of VGLUT1 in the spinal cord by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The peroneal nerve function index in the experimental and control groups was lower than that before surgery and that in the sham operation group at postoperative different time points (all P ＜ 0.05). The index in the experimental and control groups was the lowest on day 7 postoperatively (P ＜ 0.05), then the index gradually increased, but was still lower than the preoperative level (P ＜ 0.05). The index in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at postoperative 21 and 28 days (P ＜ 0.05). The expression levels of VGLUT1 in the lamina IX in the experimental and control groups were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group at different time points after surgery (P ＜ 0.01). The levels in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at postoperative 14 and 28 days (P ＜ 0.05). The levels in both groups on a decline after surgery, especially the control group (P ＜ 0.05). These results suggest that treadmill can promote the recovery of locomotor function post peripheral nerve injury.

Objective To summarize the value of clinical features, CSF, imaging and EEG in diagnosing viral encephalitis accompanying generalized tonic clonic seizure( GTCS) . Methods The clinical, imaging and EEG characteristic of 30 patients with viral encephalitis accompanying GTCS were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 30 cases with viral encephalitis,21 cases GTCS attacked(70% ) within 14 days,9 cases had GTCS (30% ) in 15-28 days.27 cases CSF were abnormal with the pressure,cell number,protein. The incidence of positive pathogenicity was 12/16; 19 cases MRI had abnormal signal. All the patients had abnormal EEG during the disease. Conclusion The clinical features, CSF, imaging and EEG were all important in diagnosing and estimate of viral encephalitis accompanying GTCS.

The prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs in Henan Province, Central China was investigated. A total of 125 blood samples were collected from pet dogs during April to June 2013, and all samples were examined by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA) and nested PCR. The overall T. gondii prevalence in pet dogs was 24.0% (30/125), with 20.8% (26/125) in IHA and 10.4% (13/125) in PCR, respectively. No statistical associations were found between animal gender and age and the prevalence of T. gondii infection. Thirteen positive DNA samples were genotyped using 11 PCR-RFLP markers, including SAG1, (3'+5') SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. Of these, only 2 samples were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and a novel genotype (type III at SAG3 and GRA6 loci, and type I at other loci) was identified. This is the first report of genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in dogs in China.
Animals ; China/epidemiology ; Dog Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology ; Dogs ; Genotype ; Hemagglutination Tests ; Pets ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence ; Toxoplasma/*classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*epidemiology/*parasitology

The prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs in Henan Province, Central China was investigated. A total of 125 blood samples were collected from pet dogs during April to June 2013, and all samples were examined by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA) and nested PCR. The overall T. gondii prevalence in pet dogs was 24.0% (30/125), with 20.8% (26/125) in IHA and 10.4% (13/125) in PCR, respectively. No statistical associations were found between animal gender and age and the prevalence of T. gondii infection. Thirteen positive DNA samples were genotyped using 11 PCR-RFLP markers, including SAG1, (3'+5') SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. Of these, only 2 samples were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and a novel genotype (type III at SAG3 and GRA6 loci, and type I at other loci) was identified. This is the first report of genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in dogs in China.
Animals ; China/epidemiology ; Dog Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology ; Dogs ; Genotype ; Hemagglutination Tests ; Pets ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence ; Toxoplasma/*classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*epidemiology/*parasitology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect platelet antigen modification by mPEG-SPA with different molecular masses.

METHODSPlatelet CD42a was modified by 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA, respectively, and the fluorescence intensity of CD42a was detect by flow cytometry and the three-dimensional structure of CD42a simulated to analyze the distribution of lysine in CD42a molecule.

RESULTSAfter platelet CD42a modification by 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA, the fluorescence intensity of CD42a decreased sharply by 85.54% and 88.65%, respectively, and multiple lysine regions were identified on the surface of CD42a molecule.

CONCLUSIONBoth 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA allow useful modification of platelet CD42a, but 20 kD mPEG-SPA is more advantageous than 5 kD mPEG-SPA.

Blood Platelets ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Weight ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Succinimides ; chemistry

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Liver Regeneration ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of wt1 gene and the changes of gene expression in minimal residual disease (MRD) models (K562, HL-60 cell lines) and acute leukemia (AL) patients through inhibiting the expression of wt1 gene by antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). The bone marrow (BM) of 56 AL patients with complete remission (CR) was collected, then the BM samples with positive expression of wt1 gene were screened by RT-PCR. The cells of MRD model and screened wt1 gene positive samples were cultured and treated by ASO, then the changes of wt1 gene expression were detected. The results indicated that the sensitivity of wt1 gene was 10(-3)-10(-4), and the positive rate of BM wt1 gene expression in 56 AL patients with CR was 16%. After BM of 9 AL CR patients with MRD and MRD model (K562, HL-60 cells) expressing wt1 gene were treated by ASO, it was found that the wt1 expression in ASO group was blocked, while wt1 gene could be still detected in both sense oligonucleotides (SO) and control groups. It is concluded that ASO can obstruct the expression of wt1 gene on the residual leukemia cells in vitro.
Gene Expression ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Neoplasm, Residual ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; WT1 Proteins ; genetics