Forest musk deer is one of the large-scale farming musk deer animals with the largest population at the same time. The male musk deer can secrete valuable medicines, which has high medicinal and economic value. Due to the loss of habitat and indiscriminate hunting, the numbers of wild population specie and the distribution have been drastically reduced. Therefore, in-depth understanding of the molecular genetics progress of forest musk deer will pave a way for musk deer protection and breeding. In this review, the progress associated with the molecular marker, genetic classification, artificial breeding, musk secretion and disease in past decades were reviewed, in order to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent molecular genetic researches in forest musk deer.
Animals ; Breeding ; Deer ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Female ; Male

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) is an important metabolism regulator, however, whether FGF-21 has effects on cardiovascular remains unclear. In this study, H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 cells was used as a cell model, the anti-apoptosis potential and mechanism of FGF-21 against oxidative injury were evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry assay and real-time PCR. The results showed that FGF-21 could increase the cell survival of H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 cells and prevent H9c2 cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, FGF-21 can elevate SOD activity and regulate Bcl-2/Bax expression in H9c2 cells. The results suggest that FGF-21 have protective effect against the H2O2-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the root of Paeonia sinjiangensis.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by silica column chromatography, and their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and their physical-chemical constants.

RESULTFive compounds, paeoniflorin( I ), albiflorin (II), lactiflorin(III), daucosterol(IV), sucrose (V), were obtained.

CONCLUSIONAll of the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Benzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that delayed X-irradiation can enhance the functional and structural recovery of the injured spinal cord in rats.

METHODSSeventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, 35 rats in each. The control group sustained a one-minute clip compression (force of clip was 30 g) injury of the spinal cord at the T2 level, without X-irradiation. The experimental group received X-irradiation 14 days after injury. Neurological function was assessed by the modified Tarlov method, including hind limbs movement, inclined plane, and pain withdrawal. These tests were performed in a blinded fashion at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after injury. At 43 days after injury, histological examination of the injured spinal cord was performed following decapitation of the rats.

RESULTSSixty-two rats met the experimental requirements (spinal cord injury was similar), 32 rats in experimental group and 30 rats in control group. Statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in hind limbs movement and inclined plane (P < 0.01), but not in the pain withdrawal test. The edema and necrosis areas of injured spinal cords in experimental group were less than those in control group, and axons in experimental group were significantly more than those in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDelayed X-irradiation following spinal cord injury may enhance functional recovery by improving and restoring structural integrity of the injured spinal cord in rats.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Hindlimb ; Joints ; physiology ; Motor Activity ; Movement ; Radiotherapy ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; radiotherapy ; rehabilitation ; Weight-Bearing ; X-Rays

Objective To investigate the CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region,and to evaluate the value of CT in demonstrating the Madelung's disease in the head and neck region.Methods CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region in 7 cases were analyzed retrospectively.All were males,with the age from 36 to 60 years,mean 51 years.All patients were underwent CT native scan,and enhanced CT scan was performed on 3 of them.Results CT images in the neck of all patients showed accumulation of nonencapsulated fat within the subcutaneous tissue and(or) deep to the platysma,and(or)within the spaces between the muscles.The fat deposits were ill-defined and symmetrical.In most cases the fat deposits involved the anterior part of the neck(infrahyoid and suprahyoid),submandibular region,the subcutaneous tissue of the nape and deep to the stenomastoid muscles.Conclusions Madelung's disease in the head and neck region have characteristic CT findings,and CT has great value in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis in Madelung's disease.

Objective To study the mechanisms on drug susceptibility and resistance of clinically multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolates,to provide information on related treatment.Methods The susceptibility of E.coli strains that isolated from different kinds of samples in the last 3 years on drugs was analyzed by agar dilution test,with strains that exhibiting resistances to cefotuxime,ciprofloxacin and amikacin simultaneously collected for further analysis.Resistant genes which mediate resistance to β-lactamases,fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside as well as phylogenic type were detected by PCR amplification while genetic relation was analyzed by PFGE.Transferability of resistant plasmids was identified by conjugation test.Results In total,137 multidrug-resistant E.coli isolates were collected.Only 1％ of the isolates exhibited resistance to both imipenem and meropenem while 4％ of the strains were resistant to piperacillin/tazobactam.Most (85％) of the isolates were positive to ESBL and majority of them produced CTX-M.Target substitution and production of methylases were the main mechanisms causing resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides respectively.Conclusion The main source of clinical multidrug-resistance was collected from urine samples.Carbapenem and enzyme inhibitor-containing antibiotics seemed to be the available antibiotics that were sentitive to the clinically multidrug-resistant E.coli isolates.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between physical and biological effects of alternating magnetic field and study the influence of the magnetic field on the reproductive function of murine testes.

METHODSThirty ICR mice were randomized into 5 groups: normal control, X-ray radiation, weak magnetic field (1000 Hz), 1 h strong magnetic field and 2 h strong magnetic field (2000 Hz). The mice were sacrificed at 7 days after the exposure for the analysis of testicular sperm motility, observation of histopathological changes in the testis by HE staining and evaluation of the changes by modified Johnsen grade criteria.

RESULTSThe rates of sperm motility were (42.37 +/- 10.24)% in the normal control group, (39.00 +/- 12.35)% in the X-ray radiation group, (36.00 +/- 17.28)% in the weak magnetic field group, (10.72 +/- 5.67)% in the 1 h strong magnetic field group and (4.44 +/- 2.87)% in the 2 h strong magnetic field group, respectively. Johnsen's scores decreased and the testis damage increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONMagnetic field, either strong or weak, may damage the testis function by inducing injury to seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells, thickening of the basal membrane, derangement, exfoliation, massive apoptosis and necrosis of spermatogenic cells in the lumen, situation of the epididymis, and consequently the absence of sperm.

Animals ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Leydig Cells ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Sperm Motility ; Testis ; cytology ; pathology ; radiation effects

This study aims to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) on learning and memory abilities and antioxidant capacity of D-galactose-induced aging mice. Kunming mice (37.1 +/- 0.62) g were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and FGF-21 high, medium and low dose groups (n = 8). Each group was injected in cervical part subcutaneously with D-galactose 180 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) once a day for 8 weeks. At the same time, FGF-21-treated mice were administered with FGF-21 by giving subcutaneous injection in cervical part at the daily doses of 5, 2 and 1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). The normal control group was given with normal saline by subcutaneous injection in cervical part. At seventh week of the experiment, the learning and memory abilities of mice were determined by water maze and jumping stand tests. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed and the cells damage of hippocampus was observed by HE staining in each group. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the brain of mice were determined. The results showed that different doses of FGF-21 could reduce the time reaching the end (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the number of touching blind side (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the water maze comparing with the model group. It could also prolong the latency time (P < 0.05) and decrease the number of errors (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the step down test. The result of HE staining showed that FGF-21 could significantly reduce brain cell damage in the hippocampus. The ROS and MDA levels of three different doses FGF-21 treatment group reduced significantly than that of the model group [(5.58 +/- 1.07), (7.78 +/- 1.92), (9.03 +/- 1.77) vs (12.75 +/- 2.02) pmol (DCF) x min(-1) x mg(-1), P < 0.01 or P < 0.05], [(2.92 +/- 0.71), (4.21 +/- 0.81), (4.41 +/- 0.97) vs (5.62 +/- 0.63) nmol x mg(-1) (protein), P < 0.01]. Comparing with the model group, the activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and T-AOC of the three different doses FGF-21 treatment groups were also improved in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrates that FGF-21 can ameliorate learning and memory abilities of D-galactose induced aging mice, improve the antioxidant abilities in brain tissue and delay brain aging. This finding provides a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF-21 as a novel therapeutics for preventing aging.
Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Brain ; drug effects ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Galactose ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the role of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (hMGMT) in the development of human lung cancer.

METHODSReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was applied to measure hMGMT mRNA expression in 150 lung cancer specimens, 40 normal lung tissues, and in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 50 lung cancer cases and 50 normal controls. The protein expressions of p53, C-MYC and K-RAS were assessed by immuno-histochemistry. The effects of some exposure factors on the expression of hMGMT gene were analyzed. The relationships between hMGMT gene and cancer related genes p53, C-MYC and K-RAS were investigated.

RESULTSThe mRNA of hMGMT was low or absent in 49 of 150 (32.7%) lung cancer specimens, whereas 2 of 40 (5%) normal lung tissues had reduced the levels of hMGMT mRNA. The low expression of hMGMT seemed to be a risk factor of lung cancer, with a OR of 9.22 (2.05-57.65). Reduced expression levels of hMGMT mRNA were observed in 10 of 50 (20%) lung cancer patients' peripheral mononuclear blood cells, and 2 of 50 (4%) blood cells among normal controls. When investigating the exposure factors which affecting the expression of hMGMT gene, we noticed that smoking was suppressing the expression of hMGMT gene. Interestingly, over-expression of K-RAS oncogene was significantly correlated with low expression of hMGMT (P < 0.05). However, the expressions of p53 and C-myc were not correlated with the status of hMGMT gene.

CONCLUSIONhMGMT might play an important role in the development of human lung cancer. Low expression of hMGMT gene seemed to be a risk factor for lung cancer which could be used as a valuable biomarker on susceptibility of human lung cancers.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Repair ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, ras ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; ras Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical significance of serum CEA, SCC and Cyfra21-1 test in the diagnosis, prediction of prognosis and postoperative monitor of recurrence in esophageal cancer.

METHODSThe concentration of serum CEA and Cyfra21-1 was measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) using Elecsys 2010, CEA kit and Cyfra21-1 kit. Serum SCC was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) using IMx System and SCC kit. Serum of 206 patients with esophageal cancer (203 squamous cell carcinoma, 2 small cell carcinoma and 1 adenosquamous carcinoma) was measured preoperatively, 71 of whom also measued 8 to 12 days after resection.

RESULTSThe cut-off value of CEA and Cyfra21-1 was < or = 3.25 ng/ml and < or = 2.61 ng/ml, which were determined by the data of 45 healthy Chinese measured during the same period. The positive ratios of serum CEA and Cyfra21-1 in 206 cases were 29.1% and 45.1%. The combined positive ratio of CEA and Cyfra21-1 was 57.3%. The CEA positive ratios, according to the pathological stage of 165 resectable patients, were 16.6% (stage I), 26.8% (II) and 30.8% (III). For Cyfra21-1, they were 27.8%, 37.5% and 50.5%. For CEA combined with Cyfra21-1, they were 38.9%, 50.0% and 63.7%. The mean value of CEA, SCC and Cyfra21-1 (especially SCC and Cyfra21-1) was found to be well correlated with the tumor volume, TNM stage and depth of tumor invasion. Patient with bulky tumor or advanced tumor (T4) usually had much higher mean value than those with early stage tumors. One week after radical resection, the level of the three tumor markers fell to normal level in 92.9% of 71 patients. The level of serum CEA and Cyfra21-1 varied greatly in a small part of the patients. Extremely elevated serum CEA and Cyfra21-1 usually indicated advanced lesion or tumor metastasis.

CONCLUSIONPreoperative and postoperative measurement of serum CEA, SCC and Cyfra21-1 (especially Cyfra21-1) is helpful in the diagnosis, prediction of prognosis and monitor of postoperative recurrence in patients with esophageal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; blood ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; analysis ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; Keratins ; Male ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Serpins