It has been suggested that melatonin is involved in learning and memory. In the present study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on spatial learning and memory in rats, using Morris water maze and electrophysiological methods. The results are as follows. (1) During a six-day water maze training, the mean escape latency of melatonin group in the last 4 days was 30.02+/-3.6 s, and that of control group was 18.44+/-2.7 s (P<0.01). The crossing annulus coefficient of melatonin group was 25.68+/-2.32%, and that of control group was 43.33+/-2.85% (P<0.01). (2) Microinjection of melatonin into CA1 area inhibited long-term potentiation (LTP). Sixty minutes after tetanus, the field excitory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) slope of group C (n=7 0.5 microliter saline) was 169.71+/-6.48 % of the baseline, and that of group M2 (n=6, 2 microgram melatonin) was 114.28+/-1.80% of the baseline. The difference is significant (P<0.01). (3) We also investigated the effects of melatonin on LTP after administration of scopolamine. Sixty minutes after tetanus, the fEPSP slope of group SM (n=6, 2 microgram scopolamine before 2 microgram melatonin) was 113.70+/-5.55% of the baseline. It showed a significant decrease compared with group C (P<0.01). However, there was no difference between groups SM and M2 (P>0.05, i.v.). The results obtained by applying melatonin after bicuculline were different from those after scopolamine. Sixty minutes after tetanus, the fEPSP slope of group BM (n=7, 1 microgram bicuculline before 2 microgram melatonin) was 162.29+/>10.52% of the baseline. Compared with group C, there is no significant difference (P>0.05); but compared with group M2, the difference is significant (P<0.01). Our results showed that application of melatonin in rats significantly inhibited not only spatial learning and memory, but also LTP in CA1 area. Furthermore, the results indicate that the inhibition of LTP by melatonin may not be mediated by cholinergic system, but may be through the modulation of GABAergic system.
Animals ; Bicuculline ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; pharmacology ; Space Perception ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the endothelial dysfunction in pre-hypertension and its influencing factors.Methods A total of 373 youth were divided as the subjects into hypertension group (HBP group),prehypertension group (PHT group) and normal blood pressure group (NBP group).Endothelial function was assessed based on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT),brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).Results IMT and baPWV in PHT group were higher than those in NBP group (P＜0.05),but did not reach the significant difference when compared with HBP group (P＞0.05).Compared with HBP,the levels of FMD in PHT group significantly increased (P＜ 0.05);however,no difference was observed in comparison with NBP group (P＞0.05).In the early stage of hypertension,diastolic BP (β=-0.120,P＜0.05) and body mass index (β=-0.115,P＜0.05) were negatively correlated with FMD;diastolic BP (β=0.146,P＜0.05),2-hour glucose (β=0.147,P＜0.05),high-density lipoprotein cholestrol (β=0.150,P＜0.05),and waist-hip ratio (β=0.126,P＜0.05) showed a positive correlation with IMT.baPWV was correlated with systolicBP (β=0.358,P＜0.01),waist circumference (β=0.254,P＜0.05),fasting glucose (β=0.155,P＜0.05),postprandial 2 h blood glucose (β =0.152,P ＜0.05),uric acid (β =0.206,P ＜ 0.05),and C-reactive protein (β=0.099,P＜0.05).Corclusion Our study shows that endothelial dysfunction may exist in the prehypertensive young,and several cardiovascular risks contribute to its development in the early stage of hypertension.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of transcription profiles of mouse thymus gene expression in different times after 6 Gy γ-irradiation.Methods High-flux cDNA microarray technique was used irradiation,the numbers and types of differentially expressed genes were gradually decreased,for instance,the induced differential expression genes were involved in cell cycle,immunity and stress,apeptosis,signal transduction,transcription regulation,DNA synthesis and recombination,cystoskeleton,ion channel and transportation,metabolism,protein translation and synthesis,development and cell differentiation,etc.correlated cell cycle(3 up-regulating:Cyclin G,Anxal,Fgf1 and 2 down-regulating:Cdc2a,Cdc25b),5 genes correlated immune stress(4 up-regulating:IL-18,Casp1,IL-15,IL-7 and 1 down-regulating:Cd28),7 genes correlated apoptosis(4 up-regulating:Caspl,Anxal,Perp,IL-7 and 3 down-regulating:Pten,Api5 and Fas).Conclusions After 6 Gy irradiation,differentially expressed genes in mouse thymus is not only involved in many targets,levels and pathways,but also displayed an obvious difference in times.This reveals the regular pattern of differential expression genes in the process of injury and reconstitution in moderate dose irradiated mouse thymus.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of childhood hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) with human parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) infection, and to analyze the clinical features of this disease.

METHODSELISA and quantitative real-time PCR were used to detect HPVB19-IgM, HPVB19-IgG and HPVB19-DNA in 65 children with HPS (HPS group) and 65 healthy children (control group). The HPS group was divided into HPVB19-infected (n=14) and non-infected (n=51) groups according to the detection results of HPVB19-DNA. The clinical data of two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe positive rate of HPVB19-IgM in the HPS group (26%, 17/65) was significantly higher than that in the control group (9%, 6/65) (P=0.011), and there was no significant difference in the positive rate of HPVB19-IgG between the HPS (38%, 25/65) and control groups (29%, 19/65) (P=0.266). The infection rate of HPVB19 in the HPS group (22%, 14/65) was significantly higher than that in the control group (3%, 2/65) (P=0.001). Compared with the non-infected group, the HPVB19-infected group had significantly lower platelet count and hemoglobin level on admission, significantly more severe liver function damage, a significantly earlier onset time, and a significantly longer course of disease (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe pathogenesis of HPS may be associated with HPVBl9 infection. HPVBl9-infected children with HPS have more acute onset, more severe clinical manifestations, and a longer disease duration.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; etiology ; Male ; Parvoviridae Infections ; complications ; Parvovirus B19, Human

Objective To study the therapeutic value of Mongolian drug hatagaqi-7 for wound healing of diabetic ulcers in rats and preliminarily explore its molecular mechanism in regulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α).Methods Adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control,diabetes,Mongolian drug,and cytokine groups.Except in the control group,the other three groups were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish the diabetes model.Ulcer wounds were prepared in the mouse back of the four groups.One week later,the Mongolian drug group was treated with hatagaqi-7,and the cytokine group was treated with recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor for 2 consecutive weeks.Fasting blood glucose(FBG),wound area,wound pathology,expression levels of advanced glycation end products(AGEs),receptor of AGE(RAGE),HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),secreted levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),and malondialdehyde(MDA),and the total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)were assessed.Results FBG of diabetes,Mongolian drug and cytokine groups was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),and no significant difference was observed among the three groups(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the ulcer wound area,scope of unrepaired tissue,expression levels of AGEs and RAGE,and secreted levels of IL-1β,IFN-γ,and MDA in wound tissue of the diabetes group were increased,and T-AOC and expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF of the diabetes group were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the diabetes group,the ulcer wound area,scope of unrepaired tissue,expression levels of AGEs and RAGE,and secreted levels of IL-1β,IFN-γ,and MDA in wound tissue of Mongolian drug and cytokine groups were decreased,T-AOC and expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF in Mongolian drug and cytokine groups were increased(P<0.05),and indexes of the Mongolian drug group were better than those of the cytokine group.Conclusions Mongolian drug hatagaqi-7 promotes ulcer wound healing in diabetic rats,the inhibiton of AGE and RAGE expression and induction of HIF-1 α are the possible molecular mechanism.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the geographical distribution and risk factors of HIV-1 subtypes in Yunnan province.

METHODSBlood samples from 1319 HIV positives were collected in Yunnan Province from 2001 to 2006. The nested polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the gag (p24)-protease fragments from RNA extracted from plasma or sera. The sequences were used for subtype determination by phylogenetic tree analysis.

RESULTSAmong 1319 samples studied, the subtypes has been successfully obtained from 644 samples that were constituted of seven subtypes: CRF08_BC, CRF07_BC, CRF07/08_BC, CRF01_AE, C, B' and URFB/C. C/CRF07_BC/CRF08_BC were distributed in the whole province, but CRF01_AE were mainly distributed in the boarding areas with Myanmar such as Dehong, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna and Puer. Moreover, injecting drugs users accounted for 61.6% (270/438) among C/CRF07_BC/CRF08_BC infections, while only 8.5% (15/177) among CRF01_AE infections.

CONCLUSIONOur data indicated that at least seven subtypes were identified in Yunnan province, the relationship between subtypes and transmission routes were analyzed, and the geographic difference of subtypes was also observed.

China ; DNA, Viral ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; transmission ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVEThis study is aimed at evaluating the utility of the portable CD4 analyzers (PIMA).

METHODSThe paired finger prick blood (25 µl) and 5 ml venous blood samples were collected from 196 HIV infected patients, who came to Yunnan CDC voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinic for CD4 test services, from May to August, 2012. The absolute CD4 cell counts were measured by PIMA (using venous and finger-prick blood) and by Calibur (using venous blood) as the reference. The PIMA and Calibur CD4 results were compared using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were estimated. The Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the consistency of the two methods.

RESULTSThe median absolute CD4 counts of 196 venous blood samples obtained by PIMA and by Calibur were 268 (range:169-403) cells/µl and 302 (range:181-474) cells/µl respectively, which showed significant difference (Z = -7.31, P < 0.01). The median absolute CD4 counts measured by PIMA and by Calibur (using 188 finger-prick and venous blood samples respectively) were 271 (range: 165-450) cells/µl and 304 (range:188-476) cells/µl, which also showed significant difference (Z = -7.60, P < 0.01). The CD4 counts obtained by PIMA CD4 analyzer (using venous and finger-prick blood) showed strong positive correlation with the CD4 counts obtained by the reference method (using venous blood), and the r values were 0.94 and 0.92 respectively (P < 0.01) . The mean biases (limit of agreement) were -38.7 (-210.9-133.5)cells/µl and -45.4 (-221.8-131.0) cells/µl, respectively.Using 350 CD4 counts as the threshold for ART treatment initiation, the sensitivity and specificity of PIMA were 99.1% and 79.3% for venous blood samples, and 97.2%and 78.5% for finger-prick blood samples, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe CD4 counts obtained by PIMA are lower than that obtained by Calibur, while the sensitivity is high.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; instrumentation ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; instrumentation ; methods ; HIV Infections ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the fact that the east border of Heilongjiang had been a lyme disease natural focus,we investigated the species and distribution of ticks and isolated bacteria from ticks and identified genomic species of Borrelia burdorferi sensu lato. This study provided evidence for prevention and control of lyme disease.

METHODSTicks were caught by flagging method and Direct immunofluorescence method was used to detect the rate of bacteria borne by the tick. BSK UI culture medium was used to isolate the agent and Specific McAbs were used to identify the bacteria. SDS-PAGE protein profile and PCR-RFLP method were also used to identify the species of Spirochetes.

RESULTSTicks, collected from China-Russia border of east Heilongiiang province were classified including Ixodes persulcatus Schulze, Dermacentor sivarum Olener, Haemaphysalis concinna Kock,and Haemaphysalis japonica Kock. We found that the distributon of ticks was different under different circumstances and the predominant species were also different in different ports. The rate of bacteria borne by Iodes persulaatus Schulze was 31.4% ,by Dermacentor sivarum Olener and Haemaphysalis concinna Kock were 2.2% and 3.8%, respectively. However,it was negative for Haenaphysalis japonica Kock. Spirochetes isolated from Ixodes persulcatus Schulze were collected from Dongning and Tongjiang while Genomic species of Spirochetes, isolated from ticks of the border belonged to B. garinii.

CONCLUSIONAll the results showed that the east border of Heilongjiang province was the natural focus of lyme disease.

Animals ; Arachnid Vectors ; classification ; microbiology ; Borrelia burgdorferi ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; China ; Humans ; Lyme Disease ; microbiology ; Russia ; Ticks ; classification ; microbiology

Based on rDNA ITS sequences of Dendrobium officinale and the other 69 species of Dendrobium, a pair of dismatched allele-specific diagnostic primers, TPSH-AS1F and TPSH-AS1R were designed to authenticate D. officinale from the other species. Thebidirectional PCR amplification were performed using the diagnostic primers with the total DNAs of the original plants or processing products as a template. When the annealing temperature was raised to 60 ℃, only the template DNA of D. officinale could be amplified whereas the diagnostic PCRs of the other Dendrobium species were all negative. Compared with the other authentification methods, the bidirectional PCR amplifications is not only simpler and time-saving but practical and effective.

In order to evaluate the performance of a molecular Hain line probe assay (Hain LPA) for rapid detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in China, 1612 smear positive patients were consecutively enrolled in this study. Smear positive sputum specimens were collected for Hain LPA and conventional drug susceptibility testing (DST). The sensitivity and specificity of Hain LPA were analyzed by using conventional DST as golden reference. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for rifampicin resistance detection were 88.33%, 97.66%, 81.54%, and 98.62%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for isoniazid resistance detection were 80.25%, 98.07%, 87.25%, and 96.78%, respectively. These findings suggested that Hain LPA can be an effective method worthy of broader use in China.
China ; Genotyping Techniques ; methods ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; pharmacology ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Rifampin ; pharmacology ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; diagnosis ; microbiology