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

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

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 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

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

BACKGROUNDPhosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS) has been successfully applied to study intracellular membrane compounds and high-energy phosphate metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the capability of dynamic (31)P-MRS for assessing energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle from type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODSDynamic (31)P-MRS was performed on 22 patients with type 2 diabetes and 26 healthy volunteers. Spectra were acquired from quadriceps muscle while subjects were in a state of rest, at exercise and during recovery. The peak areas of inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were measured. The concentration of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and the intracellular pH value were calculated from the biochemistry reaction equilibrium. The time constant and recovery rates of Pi, PCr, and ADP were analyzed using exponential curve fitting.

RESULTSAs compared to healthy controls, type 2 diabetes patients had significantly lower skeletal muscle concentrations of Pi, PCr and β-ATP, and higher levels of ADP and Pi/PCr. During exercise, diabetics experienced a significant Pi peak increase and PCr peak decrease, and once the exercise was completed both Pi and PCr peaks returned to resting levels. Quantitatively, the mean recovery rates of Pi and PCr in diabetes patients were (10.74 ± 1.26) mmol/s and (4.74 ± 2.36) mmol/s, respectively, which was significantly higher than in controls.

CONCLUSIONSNon-invasive quantitative (31)P-MRS is able to detect energy metabolism inefficiency and mitochondrial function impairment in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetics.

Adenosine Diphosphate ; analysis ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; analysis ; Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondria, Muscle ; metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Phosphates ; analysis ; Phosphocreatine ; analysis ; Phosphorus ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcome of mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) used for 3 months on non-allergic rhinitis (NAR).

METHODSIn this multicenter study, NAR patients were enrolled from eight hospitals and received MFNS 200 microgram once daily for 3 months. The patients were followed-up for three times (at baseline, month 1 and month 3) to record the symptom scores and nasal endoscopic appearances. At the same time, the adverse events frequency was recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 188 NAR cases were enrolled in the study. The total nasal symptom score assessment descended significantly at month 1 (1.70 ± 0.75) and month 3 (0.95 ± 0.79) visits versus at baseline (2.67 ± 0.68, Z value were from -11.603 to -10.491, all P < 0.01). The individual symptoms, including nasal stuffiness, nasal discharge, nasal stuffiness-related dizziness or headache, hyposmia, sleep quality, daily life activity, work or study efficiency, mental status, and whole body fatigue, also showed less scores at month 1 and month 3 visits versus at baseline (Z value were from -11.313 to -6.802, all P < 0.01). At the same time, nasal mucosal appearances assessed by endoscopy had lower scores at month 1 (1.40 ± 0.62) and month 3 (0.75 ± 0.71) visits versus at baseline (2.27 ± 0.73, Z value were from -11.484 to -10.002, all P < 0.01). Additionally, adverse events were only observed in 5.3% cases with light rhinorrhagia and nasal dryness. No other side effect was found.

CONCLUSIONSA 3-months administration of intranasal mometasone can effectively and safely improve NAR patients' clinical symptom and nasal mucosal appearances.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mometasone Furoate ; Nasal Sprays ; Pregnadienediols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rhinitis ; classification ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult