Aim To investigate the role of SIRT3 in the molecular mechanism of melatonin protecting do-paminergic neurons in Parkinson' s disease ( PD). Methods Forty-eight mice were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group. The mice in treatment group received intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (10 mg • kg"1) and MPTP (30 mg • kg ~1). The mice in model group only received intraperitoneal injection of MPTP (30 mg • kg~1 ) , and the mice in control group received the same a-mount of normal saline. Melatonin was administered continuously for 14 days. The expressions of TH and lba-1 in substantia nigra were analyzed by immunohis-tochemistry. The levels of oxidative stress ( ROS, MDA, SOD) and inflammatory factors (TNF-a, IL-lp) in the midbrain were measured by ELISA. SIRT3 mRNA level was analyzed by qRT-PCR, and protein expression level was detected by immunocytochemistry assay and Western blot. Results Compared to control group, the TH expression decreased and Iba-1 expression increased in the substantia nigra, the oxidative stress and inflammatory injury in the midbrain were significantly enhanced, the SIRT3 mRNA and protein levels in the substantia nigra obviously declined, the SOD2 protein expression was also dramatically reduced, and the iNOS protein expression was elevated in model group; the differences between the groups were all statistically significant ( P < 0. 05 ). After treatment with melatonin, the TH expression increased, Iba-1 expression decreased, oxidative stress and inflammatory injury markedly decreased, SIRT3 mRNA and protein levels were elevated, SOD2 protein expression was up-regulated, and iNOS protein expression was down-regulated in treatment group. Compared to model group, the differences were all statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Melatonin can counteract the damage of dopaminergic neurons by up-regulating the expression of SIRT3 in PD animal model. Its mechanisms of action are related to inhibiting microglia activation, and alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation injury.

OBJECTIVE: To study the neuroprotective effects of gallic acid in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) and its related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Thirty-six mice were randomly divided into control group, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP) group and gallic acid group. Mice in MPTP group and gallic acid group were given an intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg•kg-1 MPTP daily for 7 d. The mice in control group were given the same amount of normal saline at the same time. The mice in gallic acid group received oral administration of 200 mg•kg-1 gallic acid daily from the first day, gallic acid was administered continuously for 14 d, and mice in MPTP group and control group received the same amount of normal saline. After 7 d of drug administration, the behavioral function was evaluated by rod climbing test and suspension test. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the substantia nigra and striatum were detected by immunohistochemistry. The number of apoptotic neurons in the substantia nigra were measured by TUNEL assay. SIRT3 mRNA levels were analyzed by qRT-PCR, and protein expression levels were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ability of motor coordination weakened, the TH expression levels decreased in the substantia nigra and striatum, the number of apoptotic neurons in the substantia nigra significantly increased, the SIRT3 mRNA and protein levels in the substantia nigra obviously declined, and the SOD2 protein expression also dramatically reduced in the MPTP group, the differences between the groups were all statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment with gallic acid, the ability of motor coordination enhanced, the TH expression level elevated, the number of apoptotic neurons markedly reduced, SIRT3 mRNA and protein levels increased, and SOD2 protein expression also up-regulated in the gallic acid group. Compared with the MPTP group, the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Gallic acid can improve the behavioral dysfunction and inhibit dopaminergic neurons damage in PD mice. The mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of SIRT3 gene expression.

In the process of acid hydrolysis of medical absorbent cotton, we have discovered that some of the domestic manufactured medical absorbent cotton is mixed with wasted non-cotton chemical fiber. If the cotton is used in medical treatments, the chemical fiber will cause irritation, allergy and inflammation, so it's very harmful. But the non-cotton fiber content is not stipulated in the standard of YY0330-2002, and no testing method for it is available. In this paper we discuss the existent quality problems, the control and the test method for non-cotton chemical fiber in medical absorbent cotton.
Bandages ; standards ; Cotton Fiber ; Quality Control

Objective To assesse the quality of life of patients after cardiac pacemaker implantation using the Chinese version of SF-36.Methods Ninety-eight patients with permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation were investigated before and after the operation in terms of quality of life by using the Chinese version SF-36.Results Successful surgery was performed on all the 98 patients.The previous symptoms of the patients were improved to vari- ous extend after the operation.The quality of life of the patients was significantly improved after operation as demon- strated by the significant difference of the scores in 9 domains of SF-36 when compared with those before the operation (P

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to optimize polysaccharides extraction from Urena lobata L.and investigate its antioxidant activity.METHODS The mathematical model was established by re-sponse surface method (RSM) based on the results of single factor experiments, using polysaccha-rides extraction rate as response value,and using the ratio of water to material,cellulase concentra-tion,extraction temperature and time as experimental factors,which was used to screen optimum poly-saccharide extraction conditions from Urena lobata L.. Antioxidant activity of polysaccharides was stud-ied by DPPH and ·OH free radical elimination method. RESULTS The optimum conditions obtained by RSM were as follows:the cellulase level was 10.8 g·L-1,extraction time duration was 72 min,the ra-tio of water to feedstock was 7 mL·g-1,extraction temperature was 43℃,the pH value was 5.0.Under the optimal conditions, there was a difference of less than 5％ between predicted extraction rate 13.37％ and experimental extraction rate 13.32％. The polysaccharide yield was most significantly af-fected by cellulase concentration,followed by extraction time,water to material ratio and extraction tem-perature.IC50of DPPH and·OH were 1.082 g·L-1and 3.202 mg·L-1,respectively.Antioxidant activity of sample polysaccharides was weaker than those of vitamin C. CONCLUSION The polysaccharide extraction process from Urena lobata L. by cellulase enzymolysis approach was obtained, which was convenient and feasible,and extracted polysaccharides had good free radical scavenging activity.

OBJECTIVETo observe the blood enriching function of Siwu Tang and its effect on Epo and G-CSF gene expressions in bone marrow of blood deficiency mice, and thus provide the basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of blood enriching function of Siwu Tang.

METHODThe animal model of blood deficiency were established in the mice by using 3.5 Gy60Co gamma-ray. Peripheral blood cells were analyzed and CFU-GM, BFU-E, CFU-E and CFU-mix were counted in bone marrow colony cultured. Both Epo and G-CSF gene expressions in bone marrow were measured with RT-PCR.

RESULTSiwu Tang significantly increased the number of peripheral blood cells and the amount of CFU-GM, BFU-E, CFU-E and CFU-mix in bone marrow and enhanced Epo and G-CSF gene expression in bone marrow in the mice with blood deficiency.

CONCLUSIONThe promotion of Epo and G-CSF gene expressions in bone marrow may be one of the mechanisms underlying the blood enriching function of Siwu Tang decoction.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Count ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; cytology ; Erythropoietin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Leukocyte Count ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Whole-Body Irradiation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of sulfated tyrosine in regulating the activity of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases (TPST) 1 and TPST2.

METHODSConstructs of TPST 1 and TPST2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then fused into immunoglobulin G1 Fc region. All the variants in which sulfated tyrosines were mutated to phenylalanine were made by the PCR-based Quick Change method and confirmed by sequencing the entire reading frame. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs-targeting nucleotides 259-275 of TPST1 and nucleotides 73-94 of TPST2 were generated and subcloned into pBluescript. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells were transfected with these plasmids. One day later, cells were split: one part was labeled with 35S-cysteine and methionine or 35S-Na2SO3 overnight, the second part was used for 125I labeled binding experiment, and the third part was retained for binding and flow cytometry.

RESULTSTyrosines at position 326 of TPST1 and position 325 of TPST2 were sulfated posttranslationally. Tyrosine sulfation of TPSTs was effectively inhibited by sulfation inhibitors, including specific shRNAs and non-specific NaCIO3. shRNAs reduced the sulfation of C3a receptor and C5a receptor, and partially blocked the binding of these two receptors to their respective ligands.

CONCLUSIONSThe activities of TPSTs were regulated by tyrosine sulfation. Inhibition of sulfotyrosine decreases the binding ability of C3a receptor and C5a receptor to their respective ligands.

Cell Line ; Complement C3a ; metabolism ; Complement C5a ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Binding ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement ; metabolism ; Sulfotransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore feasibility of applying evidence grading system in clinical decision-making analysis.

METHODSUsing grading system as well as a quantitative approach to generate the threshold NNT((T)), and conducting clinical decision-making analysis through one study on Asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.

RESULTSNNT((T)) was 12, comparing with no-intervention in the ACA study that NNT = 6. NNT < NNT((T)) indicated the benefits of intervention outweigh the risks and costs.

CONCLUSIONTo obtain the rate of adverse event and the specifying approximate cost were vital in the process of applying grading system in clinical decision-making.

Advance Care Planning ; Algorithms ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; economics ; therapy ; Decision Making, Organizational ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; methods ; Health Care Costs ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of magnetic resonance dynamic contrast-enhanced (MR-DCE) and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) in the differentiation of benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

METHODSSixty-three patients with pathologically confirmed musculoskeletal tumors were examined with MR-DCE and MR-DWI. Using single shot spin echo planar imaging sequence and different b values of 400, 600, 800 and 1000 s/mm(2), we obtained the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the lesions. ADC values were measured before and after MR-DCE, with a b value of 600 s/mm(2). The 3D fast acquired multiple phase enhanced fast spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence was obtained for multi-slice of the entire lesion. The time-signal intensity curve (TIC), dynamic contrast-enhanced parameters, maximum slope of increase (MSI), positive enhancement integral, signal enhancement ratio, and time to peak (T(peak)) were also recorded.

RESULTSADC showed no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors when the b value was 400, 600, 800, or 1000 s/mm(2), and it was not significantly different between benign and malignant tumors in both pre-MR-DCE and post-MR-DCE with b value of 600 s/mm(2). TIC were classified into four types type1 showed rapid progression and gradual drainage; type2 showed rapid progression but had no or slight progression; type 3 showed gradual progression; and type 4 had no or slight progression. Most lesions of type1 or type2 were malignant, whereas most lesions of type 3 or type 4 were benign. When using type1 and type 2 as the standards of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 87.23% and 50.00%, respectively. The types of TIC showed significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors(χ(2)=17.009,P=0.001). When using MSI 366.62 ± 174.84 as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 86.78% and 78.67%, respectively. When using T(peak)≤70s as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 82.89%and 85.78%, respectively. Positive enhancement integral and signal enhancement ratio showed no significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

CONCLUSIONSTIC, MSI and T(peak) of MR-DCE are valuable in differentiating benign from malignant musculoskeletal tumors. T(peak) has the highest diagnostic specificity, and TIC has the highest diagnostic sensitivity. The mean ADC value are no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the potential risk factors to Ymman endemic sudden cardiac death (YESCD) and provide evidence for prevention. Methods Twenty-two cases and 24 controls were randomly selected from YESCD areas and non-YESCD areas, respectively. Both cases and controls were interviewed with unified questionnaires. Univatiate X2 test and multivariate conditional logistic stepwise regression was conducted with SPSS 13.0. The optimal regression model was established and evaluated. Results The univariate X2 teat revealed that presence or absence of 5 potential factors might possibly be associated to YESCD: appropriate places for storing dining utensils, pens for livestock, consumption of mushrooms, exposure to any pesticides, and sudden climate changes before onset(X2=12.206,4.779,5.741,6.120,10.754, P<0.05). Multivariate conditional logistic stepwise regression demonstrated that consumption of mushrooms was a protective factor(OR=0.115, P<0.05) and sudden climate change was a risk factor(OR=36.592, P<0.01). Conclusions Sudden climate change might be a risk factor contributing to YESCD, and eating mushrooms before the prevalence seasons may provide some protection.