Objective To investigate the influence of human chorionic gonadotropin on testicular germ cell apoptosis of bilateral cryptorchidism in rats.Methods Immature male rats (22 day-old Sprague Dawley) were subjected to bilateral cryptorchidism and injected with 20 U human chorionic gonadotropin from the 22th day to the 34th day every other day. Sham operation rats were as control group. At age 35 days and 60 days, rats were sacrificed for detection germ cell apoptosis by terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results There were significant difference of apoptosis index (AI) between bilateral cryptorchidism and sham operation groups(P0.05).Conclusion AI of cryptorchidism increases and HCG addes the number of apoptotic germ cells.

Withanolide A is a biologically active secondary metabolite occuring in roots and leaves of Withania somnifera. In the present study, adventitious roots from leaf explants of W. somnifera were induced for the production of withanolide-A by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 to obtain hair roots. Hair roots induction rate reached 30%. The withanolide A was determined by HPLC in different hair roots lines and different parts of W. somnifera. The average content of withanolide A in all hair roots lines were 1.96 times as high as that in wild-plant, the concentration of withanolide A in hair roots (1.783 mg x g(-1) dry weight) were 1.51 times as high as the roots of wild W. somnifera (1.180 mg x g(-1) dry weight), respectively. It is possible to obtain withanolide A from hair roots culture of W. somnifera.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withania ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withanolides ; analysis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of ambroxol on paraquat poisoning induced acute lung tissue injury and the change of pulmonary surfactant associated protein A in the experimental rats.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomizedly assigned into normal saline (NS) group (n = 24), paraquat poisoning induced lung tissue injury model (PQ) group (n = 48) and ambroxol treatment (AT) group (n = 48). The indexes were observed among the three groups comprising the mortality rate, the change of arterial blood PaCO(2) and PaO(2), the ratio of wet to dry lung tissue (W/D), the change of the lung tissue under light and electric microscope respectively, and the expression of pulmonary surfactant associated protein A.

RESULTSThe mortality rate of rats in the PQ group was 50.0% on the seventh day while the mortality rate in the AT group was 25.0%. The level of arterial blood PaCO(2) in the PQ group (6.94 +/- 0.8) kPa was significantly higher than that in the AT group (6.12 +/- 0.5) kPa and the NS group (4.6 +/- 0.4) kPa. The level of arterial blood PaO(2) in the PQ group (6.98 +/- 1.1) kPa was significantly lower than that in the AT group (8.25 +/- 0.7) kPa and the NS group (12.7 +/- 0.8) kPa. There were significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05). The degree of lung tissue injury was severe in PQ group and relieved in AT group. The expression of pulmonary surfactant associated protein A was significantly decreased in PQ group 13.22% +/- 2.21% on the seventh day, compared with that in the AT group (21.82% +/- 3.67%) (P < 0.05). The expression of pulmonary surfactant associated protein A in AT group was significantly higher in the AT group (18.97% +/- 0.91%) than that in the PQ group on the seventh day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAmbroxol plays a role in facilitating synthesis and secretion of pulmonary surfactant protein A and relieves the lung tissue injury induced by paraquat poisoning.

Ambroxol ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effect of high dose ambroxol, a mucoactive drug, on acute lung injury caused by paraquat in rats.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 24) injected with normal saline intraperitoneally, PQ group (n = 56) [(2% paraquat (25 mg/kg) injected into peritoneal cavity on the first day)] and AT group (n = 56) ambroxol 35 mg/kg was injected into peritoneum daily after paraquat intoxication once daily for 7 consecutive days. The arterial gas was determined and the extent of lung injury was assessed by measuring the ratio of wet to dry weight (W/D) and protein content in BALF, the WBC count, the percentage of PMN, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood and BALF respectively. Left lung tissue was observed through both light microscope and electron microscope (TEM).

RESULTSThe white cell count and the content of protein in the blood and the BALF of PQ group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). On the 7th day, the content of MDA 9 [(8.12 +/- 1.12) nmol/ml] in the serum of PQ group was significantly higher than the control group and the GSH-Px activity [(1256.8 +/- 133.2) U/ml] was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.01). The white cell count and the content of protein in the blood and the BALF of AT group were significantly lower than the PQ group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). On the 7th day, the content of MDA in the serum of the AT group [(4.86 +/- 0.75) nmol/ml] was significantly lower than the PQ group and the GSH-Px activity [(1509.5 +/- 183.0) U/ml] and the SOD activity [(3903.2 +/- 374.7) U/ml] were significantly higher than the PQ group (P < 0.01). Under optical and electronic microscopes, the injury of lung tissue was reduced after large dose of ambroxol was administered.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with ambroxol (35 mg/kg) could influence the status of oxidative stress in lung and alleviate lung injury induced by paraquat. Ambroxol has obviously therapeutic effect on paraquat poisoning.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ambroxol ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalin (Bai) on lung injury, the level of TNF-alpha in cultured liquid of pulmonary interstitial macrophage and the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in lung injury associated with paraquat poisoning.

METHODSRats were randomizedly divided into four groups: control group, PQ group, Bai group (Bai, 300 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) and simple Bai group (Bai, 300 mg. kg(-1).d(-1)) (n = 10 in each group). The 2% PQ was injected (25 mg/kg) in PQ group. Bai was injected in the rats (300 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) x 3 d) through caudal vein after paraquat poisoning in Bai group. In simple Bai group, Bai was injected in the healthy rats (300 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) x 3 d). The samples were obtained three days after intraperitoneal administration of 2% paraquat (25 mg/kg). The injury of lung was estimated with HE dyeing and electron microscope. Pulmonary interstitial macrophage (PIM) were obtained, and then cultured for 24 hours. The content of TNF-alpha was evaluated. The expression of HO-1 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of HO-1 protein was evaluated by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSThe lung tissue was normal in control group and simple Bai group. The degree of lung injury in PQ group was higher than that in control group by HE dyeing and electron microscope observation. The level of TNF-alpha expression in cultured PIM in Bai group [(484.2 +/- 39.5) microg/L] was lower than that in PQ group [(790.2 +/- 35.0) microg/L], but higher than that in the control group [(121.6 +/- 19.2) microg/L] (P < 0.05). The expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein [(59.8 +/- 5.40) and (122.0 +/- 31.98)] in Bai group were higher than those in PQ group [(45.9 +/- 5.82) and (77.92 +/- 10.23)] (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lung injury associated with paraquat poisoning was alleviated by baicalin, which was possibly related to the decrease of level of TNF-alpha in cultured PIM and the increase of the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein.

Animals ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; metabolism ; Male ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis

Insulin-like growth factor binding-protein-7 (IGFBP7) was obtained from our previous colonic adenocarcinoma (CRC) and normal mucosa suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) cDNA libraries. By RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, we found that IGFBP7 was overexpressed in CRC tissue compared to normal tissue. However, our in vitro experiments performed in 10 CRC cell lines showed that IGFBP7 expressed only in SW480 and Caco2 cell lines, which implied an underlying reversible regulatory mechanism. Using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sodium PCR (BSP), we found that its expression was associated with DNA hypomethylation of exon1. This was further supported by the in vitro study which showed restored IGFBP7 expression after demethylation agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. Correlation analysis between IGFBP7 expression and prognosis indicated that overexpression of IGFBP7 in CRC tissue correlated with favourable survival. Investigation of the functional role of IGFBP7 through transfection studies showed that IGFBP7 protein could inhibit growth rate, decrease colony formation activity, and induce apoptosis in RKO and SW620 cells, suggesting it a potential tumor suppressor protein in colorectal carcinogenesis. In conclusion, our study clearly demonstrated that IGFBP7 plays a potential tumor suppressor role against colorectal carcinogenesis and its expression is associated with DNA hypomethylation of exon 1.
Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Exons ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of TCM foot bath in adjuvant treatment for early diabetic lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease (LEPAD). Methods Totally 90 cases with early diabetic LEPAD were divided into treatment group and control group by random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. Control group was given routine treatment, including health education, diet control, proper exercise, control of blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipids, nutritional nerves, dilation of blood vessels. On the basis of control group, the treatment group was given TCM foot bath, soaking the lower limbs for 30 minutes each time, once a day, for 12 weeks. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. The TCM syndrome score, maximum painless walking distance, temperature of the toe skin, diameter of the lower extremity arterial blood vessels, lower extremity arterial blood flow, ankle brachial index (ABI), blood pressure (BP), FBG, HbA1c, serum adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected. The blood routine, liver and kidney function were detected and adverse reactions were recorded. Results The total effective rate was 82.22% (37/45) in the treatment group and 68.89% (31/45) in the control group. The treatment group was significantly better than the control group (Z=-2.099, P=0.036). Compared with before treatment, the levels of TCM syndromes, BP, FBG, HbA1c, serum IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly lower in both groups after treatment (P<0.05); serum adiponectin level increased after treatment (P<0.05); the maximum painless walking distance, the temperature of the toe skin, the diameter of the lower extremity arterial blood vessels, the lower extremity arterial blood flow and ABI were significantly improved. Compared with the control group, the scores of TCM syndromes in the treatment group were significantly lower (P<0.05); the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); the maximum painless walking distance, the temperature of the toe skin, the diameter of the lower extremity arterial vessels, the lower extremity arterial blood flow and ABI, serum adiponectin level in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion TCM foot bath in adjuvant treatment for early diabetic LEPAD is with obvious efficacy, and the mechanism may be related to improving the level of serum inflammatory cytokines to inhibit the inflammatory injury of blood vessels.

Objectives: This study aimed to observe the change of arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation rate (AA-Ag) and short-term adverse reactions after taking 50 or 100 mg/d aspirin(enteric-coated sustained-release formulation) or 100 mg/d aspirin (enteric-coated aspirin tablet)in the elderly Chinese population (aged 60 years or older). Methods: A total of 1 194 participants aged 60 or older, who should be recommended to take aspirin therapy due to medical reasons, were recruited and randomly assigned into three groups to receive enteric-coated sustained-release aspirin tablet (50 mg, once daily, group A), or 100 mg, once daily (group B) or enteric-coated aspirin tablet 100 mg once daily (group C), respectively. AA-Ag was measured after (14±3)days of aspirin treatment. Adverse events and bleeding events were recorded during the (28±3)days of follow-up. Results: The AA-Ag in group A (n=347), B (n=338) and C (n=332) post 14-day aspirin therapy were 6.65 (4.03,10.84)%, 5.89(3.22,10.03) % and 6.00(3.68,10.09) %, respectively (P>0.05). During the 28 days follow-up, the adverse events rate of group A (n=388), B (n=387) and C (n=385) was 3.87%,3.36%, and 7.95%, and the mild bleeding events rate was 3.09%, 2.33%, and 6.23%, respectively. Adverse events rate and mild bleeding events rate were significantly higher in group C than in group A and B (P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with 100 mg-dose aspirin, 50 mg-dose aspirin achieves similar anti-platelet aggregation effect in this elderly Chinese population. The short-term adverse events and mild bleeding risk of aspirin with enteric-coated sustained-release formulation were fewer than that of enteric-coated formulation.

Objective: To investigate the situation where pneumoconiosis patients who should be in hospital are not hospitalized, to analyze the main reasons and influencing factors for their restricted use of hospitalization medical services, and to provide a reference for relevant policy making. Methods: Subjects were sampled in nine provinces, including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Hebei, using a method that combined stratified sampling and typical sampling, from March 2017 to January 2018. These subjects were patients occupationally diagnosed with pneumoconiosis and patients clinically diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. The questionnaire The health seeking behaviors of pneumoconiosis patients and their influencing factors was used as the survey tool to investigate their health seeking behaviors such as going to the outpatient clinic and being hospitalized. Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use was used as the analysis model; The χ2 test was used for univariate analysis, and the multivariate logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 1 037 patients with pneumoconiosis were surveyed, with a mean age of 55.9±11.2 years and 67.5% (700/1 037) living in rural areas for a long time. Occupational injury insurance and medical insurance for urban and rural residents were the main insurances used, accounting for 40.9% (424/1 037) and 59.4% (616/1 037) of the cases, respectively. A total of 177 (17.1%) patients were once advised by the doctors to be hospitalized because of pneumoconiosis, while they did not. The proportion of patients who should be in hospital but did not do so among rural patients was significantly higher than that in urban patients (20.1% (141/700) vs 10.7% (36/337) , P<0.05) . Financial difficulties (12.0%, 124/1 037) and self-rated mild symptoms (3.2%, 33/1 037) were the main reasons for not being hospitalized. Model analysis showed that the propensity factor, ability factor, health needs, health seeking behaviors, and self-rated health factor in the Anderson model were all statistically significant (P<0.05) . The main features of high proportion of patients who should be in hospital but did not do so were as follows: personal monthly income below 1 000 RMB (odds ratio[OR]of no income=2.92, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 1.14-7.48; OR of less than 1 000 RMB=3.55, 95%CI: 1.35-9.35) , no occupational injury insurance (OR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.16-3.43) , and concurrent emphysema (OR= 1.98, 95%CI: 1.12-3.50) . Conclusion Low income, no occupational injury insurance, and concurrent emphy-sema are the main constraining factors for hospitalization services use in pneumoconiosis patients.

OBJECTIVEIn mid-July 2005, five patients presented with septic shock to a hospital in Ziyang city in Sichuan, China, to identify the etiology of the unknown reason disease, an epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory study were conducted.

METHODSAn enhanced surveillance program were established in Sichuan, the following activities were introduced: active case finding in Sichuan of (a) laboratory diagnosed Streptococcus suis infection and (b) clinically diagnosed probable cases with exposure history; supplemented by (c) monitoring reports on meningococcal meningitis. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection was confirmed by culture and biochemical reactions, followed by sequencing for specific genes for serotype and virulence factors.

RESULTSFrom June 10 to August 21, 2005, 68 laboratory confirmed cases of human Streptococcus suis infections were reported. All were villagers who gave a history of direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in their backyards where slaughtering was performed. Twenty six (38%) presented with toxic shock syndrome of which 15 (58%) died. Other presentations were septicaemia or meningitis. All isolates were tested positive for genes for tuf, species-specific 16S rRNA, cps2J, mrp, ef and sly. There were 136 clinically diagnosed probable cases with similar exposure history but incomplete laboratory investigations.

CONCLUSIONAn outbreak of human Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections occurred in villagers after direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in Sichuan. Prohibition of slaughtering in backyards brought the outbreak to a halt. A virulent strain of the bacteria is speculated to be in circulation, and is responsible for the unusual presentation of toxic shock syndrome with high case fatality.

Animals ; Bacteremia ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Shock, Septic ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; veterinary ; Streptococcus suis ; isolation & purification ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; microbiology