OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Citalopram on the mRNA expression of bax and bel-2 in frontal cortical neurons and on cell apoptosis of rats after stress.

METHODSTwenty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8). The control group did no receive any treatment, the stress group was subject to stress and given normal saline and experimental group was given Citalopram irrigation stomach after stress. Rats were forced to swim to establish chronic stress model (15 min/d, 4 weeks), bax, bcl-2 mRNA expression were tested by in situ hybridization technique (ISH), TUNEL assay was used to determine cell apoptosis, Nikon image analysis software were used to measure the number of positive cells in each index.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the stress group showed a larger number of bax mRNA expressing cells( P < 0.01), a smaller number of bcl-2 mRNA expressing cells (P < 0.01), and the staining intensity of positive cells was significantly reduced( P < 0.01). Compared with the stress group, the experiment group showed more reduced number of bax mRNA positive cells( P < 0.01) and significantly increased bcl-2 mRNA positive cells( P < 0.05), a small amount of positive cells were found, compared with that in the stress group, nuclear condensation in the experimental group was reduced significantly and the staining was obviously weaker( P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCitalopram significantly antagonizes bax mRNA and potentiatesbcl-2 mRNA protein expression and inhibits apoptosis of rat prefrontal cortical neurons caused by chronic stress, which might be one possible mechanism of Citalopram for prevention and treatment of psychosis caused by chronic stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Citalopram ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Prefrontal Cortex ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Physiological ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment response and prognosis in children with Takayasu′s arteritis(TA) in order to improve the understanding of TA.Methods A retrospective study of 10 children with TA was performed.All of them were admitted and diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from Jan.1998 to Oct.2008.The clinical features,laboratory tests,imaging modalities,treatment response and prognosis were all collected and evaluated.Results There were 3 boys and 7 girls in the 10 patients with TA,and the ratio of male to female was 12.3.The onset was from 4 months to 9 years old,with average age at 5.5 years old.The average duration of diagnosis was 7.6 months.The incidences of hypertension,vascular bruits,albuminuria,convulsion were present in 100%,100%,70% and 40%,respectively.The clinical types included typeⅡ(60%),type Ⅲ(10%) and type Ⅳ(30%).The acute phase inflammatory indices of activity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP) and white blood cell(WBC) were not evidently increased.Tuberculosis infection was found in 6 out of 10 patients and anti-tuberculosis treatment was performed.Six patients were treated with steroids and 3 cases of them were also given immunosuppressives cyclophosphamide or methotrexate.Three of the 10 patients received anti-hypertensive and vasodilator.Two patients received percutaneous translurminal angioplasty and 1 patient received nephrectomy.One patient died of renal failure,heart failure and shock.Conclusions The patients with TA had high prevalence of tuberculosis infection,diagnosis as often late because of lack of specific clinical features at the acute inflammatory period.When organic ischaemia occurred,treatment response was usually unsatisfactory.Patients with multi-systemic and multi-viscera lesions should have comprehensive examination,especially for those with hypertension,pulseless and vascular bruits,in order to rule out TA.Early ultrasonography,computed tomography and magnetic resonnance image methods are valued in eariler diagnosis and they are the key factors to improve prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF)on liver regeneration after partial orthotopic liver transplantation.Methods Fourty SD rats were used to establish the model of partial orthotopic liver transplantation with ameliorated two-cuff technique.Then all the rats were divided into 2 groups:experiment group and control group.Twenty rats of experiment group were adminis- tered 500?g/kg HB-EGF via vena caudalis immediately after operation twice a day,while the same volume of saline was administered to the rats in control group.Five rats in each group were selected randomly and killed at the 6th hour,day 2,4 and 7 after operation,respectively.The serum levels of albumin(Alb)and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)in the blood sample were detected.Every liver was removed and weighed.The expression of Ki-67 was de- tected by using immunohistochemistry assay.The regeneration activity of hepatocytes was evaluated by flow cytom- etry.Results The wet weights of liver in experiment group were all significantly higher than that in control group at the 6th hour,day 2 and 4 after transplantation(P

Objective To investigate the status of the disease of the fluorosis and arsenism caused by coal-burning in Ankang city of Shaanxi. Methods Nine survey spots were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation of adult skeletal fluorosis and arsenism in the coal-polluted areas of Ankang, respectively using Determination of Fluorine in Coal (GB/T 4633-1997) to determine the coal fluorine and using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry(HCAFS) to determine coal arsenic. The diagnose of the adult skeletal fluorosis followed the Diagnosis of Clinical Classification for Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis Standard(GB 16396-1996), that of arsenism using Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsensim (WS/T 211-2001). Results Totally 569 adults were investigated over the age of 16, among which 121 cases were skeletal fluorosis, with a total detection rate of 21.27%. Four cases of II degree and higher skeletal fluorosis patients were identified, accounting for 0.70% of the number of subjects. One hundred and thirty-two cases of arsenic poisonin were detected, in a rate of 23.20%. Ninety-five patients were identified with moderate or severe arsenic poisoning, accounting for 16.69% of subjects. A positive correlation was found between the detection rates of the skeletal fluorosis and the arsenism(r = 0.816, P < 0.01), as well as between the detection rate of skeletal fluorosis and fluoride content of coal(r = 0.775, P < 0.05). The detection rate of arsenism and arsenic content of coal also had close relationship (r = 0.761, P < 0.05). The detection rate of skeletal fluorosis in the group aged 40 - ,50 - , and 60 - [27.20%(34/125) ,29.27%(36/123), 28.13%(36/128)] was increased, compared the group of less than 40 years age[7.77%( 15/193), X~2 = 21.969,25.648,23.856,P<0.01].For the detection rate of arsenism,male[33.67%(99/294)]was obviously higher than female[12.00%(33/275),)(X~2=37.162,P<0.01].Conclusions A high detection rate of fhorosis is correlated with arsenic poisoning,but the probability of the two diseases simultaneously occurred in a person is not high.In this polluted area.when fluoride accumulates to a certain level as in aduh,the detection rates no longer varies obviously;however,that of arsenism increases along with the age.

Objective To know the condition and feature of water-born endemic arsenism in Shaanxi province, and to provide scientific evidences for prevention and treatment of the disease. Methods In 2009, 8 villages of Duhe, Miaogou, Sanhe, Caiyuan in Shanyang county and Shuanglong, Guangming, Donghekou in Zhen'an county and Guojiawan in Mian county as monitoring sites from both the found water-born arsenic poisoning areas and potential ones of drinking water arsenic ＞ 0.15 mg/L were selected. The disease conditions of residents who lived for more than six months of continuous residence, were investigated according to "Endemic Arsenism Diagnostic Criteria" (WS/T 211-2001 ) and arsenic level in the drinking water were determined. Results Seven thousand six hundred and ninety-three individuals were investigated and 612 cases of arsenism were diagnosed in the 8 villages, the prevalence rate was 7.96%(612/7693). Mild patients accounted for 33.17%(203/612), moderate patients accounted for 50.16%(307/612), and severe patients accounted for 16.67%(102/612). The detection rate for male was 9.99%(408/4085), for female was 5.65%(204/3608), the former was higher than the latter(x2 = 49.138,P ＜ 0.01 ). The older the age was, the higher the rate was(x2 = 770.708, P ＜ 0.01 ). Main clinical manifestation of the patients was depigmentation and pigmentation in skin. Patients with one symptom accounted for 43.30% (265/612), with two symptoms accounted for 56.70% (347/612). Three hundred and seventy drinking water samples were detected, the median of arsenism content was 0.005 mg/L, ranged 0 - 1.660 mg/L. The over-limit rate of arsenic level in the drinking water were 11.62% (43/370). Conclusion Water-born endemic arsenism is mildly prevailing in Shaanxi province, however, great attention should be given to control and monitoring of the disease.

Objective To investigate the current situation of endemic fluorosis associated with drinking water in Shaanxi province in 2008, providing prevention and control work with scientific evidence. Methods According to data of drinking water endemic fluorosis in Shaanxi, 15 counties in Yulin, Weinan and Xianyang city were divided into mild, moderate and severe diseased areas according to fuoride level in the drinking water or the fluorosis severity, and 12,39,45 endemic fluorosis villages were selected respectively from each area. Dental fluorosis for all the children aged 8 - 12 years old and clinical skeletal fluorosis for the people over the age of 16 were examined. In mild, moderate and severe areas, 30% of the survey villages received X-ray to examine skeletal fuorosis. Five water samples were collected from villages with unimproved water respectively from the east, the west, the south, the north, the middle; if there was less than 5 that could be sampled, then all were collected, moreover 3 peripheral and 1 central water samples were collected from villages with improved water. Also in mild, moderate and severe illness areas, 50% of the surveyed villages were selected; in each village, 30 urine samples of the children aged 8 - 12 were collected, 6 portions in each age group. If Less than 30 children in all the age groups or less than 6 in each age group, all their urine samples were collected to determine fluoride. Results Totally 3652 children aged 8 - 12 years old were examined and 1930 cases of dental fluorosis were diagnosed, the rate was 52.85% and the index was 1.22. The rates in Dinghian, Jingbian and Pucheng village were higher, being 90.43% (170/188) ,82.89%(126/152),80.65% (325/403) respectively. A total of 40 543 adults over the age of 16 were examined and 5935 cases of skeletal fluorosis were diagnosed, in a rate of 14.64%. The rates of the mild, moderate, severe skeletal fluorosis were respectively 9.17%(3717/40 543),4.36%(1769/40 543),1.11%(449/40 543).All 706 adults were taken X-ray films.and 280 cases of positive change were diagnosed,the positive rate was 39.66%. The rates of the mild,moderate,severe change were respectively 17.28%(122/706),17.00%(120/706),5.38%(38/706).All 427 water samples were collected,the fluoride content waS(2.22±1.41)ms/L,and the abnormal rate was 85.01%(363/427).All 1393 portions of urine sample were collected in children and the median of fuoride was 2.37 mg/L Conclusions The endemic fluorosis associated with drinking water is still comparatively serious in Shaanxi.The preventive measures for improving water must be improved.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of different factors on induction of microtubers in Zingiber officinale. These factors included NAA, PP333, 6-BA and sucrose.

METHODOrthogonal design and plant tissue culture technique were used.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONSucrose was the most important factor on the induction of microtubers, followed by PP333 and NAA. 6-BA was the factor which restrained the formation of microtubers. The optimal media to induce microtubers was MS + NAA 1.0 mg x L(-1) + PP333 0.2 mg x L(-1) + sucrose 8%.

Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Ginger ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Rhizome ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Sucrose ; pharmacology ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods

OBJECTIVETo set up the optimums of tissue culture for Cornus officinalis.

METHODA section of stems of the fine varieties of Cornus officinalis were strictly sterilized, cultivated and geminated in medium with addition of different kinds of hormone.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe WPM medium with 6-BA 2.0 mg.L-1 + ZT 0.1 mg.L-1 + NAA 0.1 mg.L-1 was the optimum medium for the multiplication of adventitious buds. The WPM medium with 6-BA 1.0 mg.L-1 + ZT 0.1 mg.L-1 + GA3 0.5 mg.L-1 + NAA 0.1 mg.L-1 was the optimum medium for cultivation in strength. The plantlet could root well in 1/2 MS medium with IBA 1.0 mg.L-1 + 6-BA 0.1 mg.L-1.

Cornus ; growth & development ; Culture Media ; Culture Techniques ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of citalopram on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and proto-oncogene protein (C-fos) and cell apoptosis in frontal cortical neurons of rat after stress.

METHODSTwenty four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8): control group, stress group (treated with saline, ig) , experimental group (treated with Citalopram 4 mg/kg x d for 28 days, ig). Rats were forced to swim to establish chronic stress model. The protein expression levels of PCNA and C-fos were tested by immunohistochemistry assay. TUNEL assay was used to test cell apoptosis. Nikon image analysis software was used to determine the number of positive cells in each index.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the stress group showed a smaller amount of PCNA-positive cells, a larger number of C-fos positive cells, and the volume of positive cells was significantly reduced. Compared with the stress group, the PCNA positive cells were increased significantly, the C-fos positive cells and TUNEL positive cells were decreased significantly, nuclear condensation phenomenon in frontal cortical neurons and the staining was significantly lighter in experimental group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCitalopram significantly antagonize PCNA, C-fos protein expression and cell apoptosis of rat prefrontal cortical neurons caused by chronic stress, which might be the one of mechanisms of citalopram for prevention and treatment of psychosis caused by chronic stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Citalopram ; pharmacology ; Frontal Lobe ; cytology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo study the change of endogenous hormone (ABA, IAA, JA, GA3, ZR) in the leaves, petioles, tubers of Pinellia ternate around sprout tumble. It also provided some valuable information to prevent sprout tumble and increase production.

METHODTubers of P. ternata were cultured firstly at (23 +/- 1) degree C for certain days, and then they were coerced under (30 +/- 1 ) degree C stress in the same artificial climate boxes. The endogenous hormones in leaves, petioles and tubers during different stages of high temperature stress were determined with Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA).

RESULTAfter under high temperature stress, ABA content in leaves, petioles and tubers increased obviously. Similarly, JA content rose all in the leaves, petioles and tubers. But in the same conditions IAA content declined significantly in the leaves and petioles. In the tubers, IAA content also decreased, but not quickly. With the extension of high temperature coercion, the leaves, petioles, tubers, ZR content were gradually falling off. In the leaves of GA3 content rose markedly at the third day, fell down at the sixth day, but remained higher than before treatment. With the extension of the processing time, GA3 content fell off in the petioles and tubers.

CONCLUSIONABA, JA, ZT and GA3 played an important role in controlling sprout tumble of P. ternata.

Abscisic Acid ; metabolism ; Cyclopentanes ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gibberellins ; metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Indoleacetic Acids ; metabolism ; Isopentenyladenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Oxylipins ; metabolism ; Pinellia ; metabolism ; physiology ; Plant Growth Regulators ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Plant Tubers ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; metabolism ; physiology