Aim To observe the effect of high salt stress on sympathetic nerve activity and brain Apelin and APJ system in pressure overload rats.Methods The suprarenal abdominal aorta was banded in male SD rats to create the pressure overload model.Four weeks later,the rats were fed a high-salt (8%NaCl)diet or a regular-salt (0.3% NaCl)diet for 1 week,and the hemodynamic changes of the rats were recorded.Sym-pathetic activity was evaluated by measuring 24 h uri-nary norepinephrine (NE)by ELISA.Real-time RCR and Western blot method were used to analyze the Ape-lin and APJ expression in the paraventricular nucleus of rats.In another protocol,ML22 1 or benzamil was intracerebroventricularly infused in the aorta banding rats fed with high-salt,and levels of 24 h urinary NE and cardiac index were recorded.In addition,normal SD rats were intracerebroventricularly infused with Na+-rich aCSF for 1 week,and the changes of blood pressure,24 h urine-NE and APJ expression levels were detected.Results In the pressure overload rats fed with high salt diet for 1 week,the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP),heart rate (HR),left ventric-ular end systolic pressure (LVESP),24 h urinary NE and APJ mRNA protein expression in paraventricular nuclear were significantly increased compared with those in control groups (P<0.05 ).However,the he-modynamics,24 h urinary NE and APJ expression showed no significant change in the sham rats fed a high salt diet.In addition,ICV infusion of APJ recep-tor antagonist ML221 or the ENaC antagonist benzamil significantly inhibited the 24 h urinary NE level and HW/BW ratio in the pressure overload rats fed high salt diet (P <0.01 ).Intracerebroventricular infusion of high Na+aCSF for 1 week in normotensive rats also significantly increased the MAP,HR,urinary-NE lev-els and brain APJ expression (P <0.0 1 ).Conclu-sions High salt increases the sympathetic nerve activ-ity in rats with pressure overload model, which is closely related to the brain APJ receptor expression and Na+sensitivity.Brain APJ receptor may be an impor-tant target in the development of salt sensitivity.

An exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) strain SDAU09C1 was isolated in DF-1 cells from one of 240 imported 1-day-old white meat-type grand parent breeder chicks. Inoculation of SDAU09C1 in ALV-free chickens induced antibody reactions specific to subgroup A or B. But gp85 amino acid sequence comparisons indicated that SDAU09C1 fell into subgroup A; it had homology of 88.8% - 90.3% to 6 reference strains of subgroup A, much higher compared to other subgroups including subgroup B. This is the first report for ALV of subgroup A isolated from imported breeders.

Objective To explore the effects of different methods of antigen retrieval on the results of immunohistochemical staining of nuclear receptors. Methods Antigens were retrieved by using microwave oven, autoclave, enzyme and autoclave plus enzyme, respectively, in liver sections from DA.1U rats, followed by immunohistochemical staining. Results After antigen retrieval with autoclave, the positive staining intensity of nuclear receptors LXR-α, LXR-β, PPAR-γ and FXR in the liver sections from DA.1U rats was enhanced obviously, and the location of nuclear receptors was better by using this method than the others. Conclusion In the immunohistochemical staining of nuclear receptors, using autoclave to retrieve antigens is the best method.

Objective To explor the ultrasonography methodology of the fetal ductus arteriosus.Methods Based on the fetal four-chamber sight, the characteristic ultrasound images were observed by moving probe,such as "V-shape" sign,"three-finger" sign,"Z-shape" sign and"hockey-handle" sign making up of the ductus arteriosus and the nearby structures were observed by moving probe. The inner diameter,the systole flow velocity,the diastole flow velocity and the resistance index of the ductus arteriosus via the "V-shape" sign section were measured. Results Among the 365 normal fetus cases,355 "V-shape" sign cases,237 "three-finger" sign cases,298 "Z-shape" sign cases and 331 "hockey-handle" sign cases were identified. The inner diameter of the fetal ductus arteriosus increases gradually with the growth of the gestational weeks and the flow velocity increases gradually too, while the resistance index had no obvious variation with the growth of the gestational weeks. Conclusions According to the characteristic ultrasound images, such as "V-shape" sign, "three-finger" sign, "Z-shape" sign and "hockey-handle" sign, the fetal ductus arteriosus can be identified promptly.

Objective To evaluate the suitability of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) positivity as a pre?dictor of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods Data of 115 diagnosed prostate cancer patients with RP from 2006 to 2013 were collected retrospectively. According to MRI results, patients were divided into MRI positive group (n=87) and MRI negative group (n=28). The preoperative clinical data were compared between two groups. Biochemi?cal recurrence was defined as increase or persistence of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels>0.2μg/L after surgery. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the risk factors associated with biochemical recurrence. Re?sults The survival time was shorter in MRI positive group than that of MRI negative group. The preoperative PSA level was higher in MRI positive group than that of MRI negative group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the age of pa?tients between two groups. In MRI positive group, the proportion of preoperative PSA>20μg/L , the proportion of patients at clinical stage T3, the proportion of patients with pathological Gleason score≥8, the proportion of patients with seminal vesi?cle invasion (SVI) and the proportion of patients with endocrine therapy were higher than those of negative group ( P<0.05). The univariate analysis showed that preoperative MRI positivity, PSA level, biopsy Gleason score, clinical stage, pathological Gleason score, SVI level and lymph node invasion (LNM) were associated with biochemical recurrence (P<0.05).However, the multivariate analysis showed that only preoperative MRI positivity, biopsy Gleason score and clinical stage were indepen?dent prognostic factors (P<0.05). Conclusion Preoperative MRI positivity can predict biochemical recurrence after RP successfully, and improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective Systemic chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer is still a difficult problem in clinical practice. The standard chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer has been gemcitabine, but the response rate is low. Therefore, it is in urgent need to explore an effective clinical therapy for this cancer. This paper, a case report, is aimed at discussing the effectiveness of vinorelbine and cisplatin combined with endostatin as the first-line therapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Methods A 52-year-old female patient was diagnosed with pancreas cancer with liver metastasis at the time of the first visit to our hospital. Systemic chemotherapy with vinorelbine and cisplatin combined with endostatin was conducted. Results Liver metastases almost disappeared after the first cycle of chemotherapy. The primary tumor decreased by one third in size after four cycles and disappeared after the sixth cycle according to the CT scan evaluation. Conclusion Vinorelbine and cisplatin combined with endostatin can be a promising regimen for metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To investigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention status among residents with intra-urban migration in Central China, so as to provide insights into targeted prevention and control of CVD. Methods: Basic data of residents aged 35 to 75 years who participated in Early Screening and Comprehensive Intervention Project for CVD high-risk populations in Central China from September 2015 to August 2020 were collected. According to birth place, type of registered residence and current residence, residents were divided into four groups: local residents in old urban area, local residents in new urban area, other urban migrants and other rural migrants. The status of CVD primary and secondary prevention, were analysed by using a robust Poisson regression model. Results: A total of 76 513 residents were recruited, including 29 420 males (38.45%) and 47 093 females (61.55%), and had a mean age of (56.36±9.84) years. There were 45 087 (58.93%) local residents in old urban area, 23 868 (31.19%) local residents in new urban area, 5 668 (7.41%) other urban migrants and 1 890 (2.47%) other rural migrants. After adjusting for variables such as age, gender and educational level, the results of robust Poisson regression analysis showed that compared with local residents in old urban area, local residents in new urban area had lower compliance rates of non- or moderate-drinking (RR=0.987, 95%CI: 0.975-1.000) and healthy diet (RR=0.535, 95%CI: 0.365-0.782), lower proportion of using aspirin as primary prevention in CVD high-risk population (RR=0.616, 95%CI: 0.511-0.741), lower awareness (RR=0.873, 95%CI: 0.782-0.974) and control rates (RR=0.730, 95%CI: 0.627-0.849) of hypertension; other urban migrants had higher compliance rate of non-smoking (RR=1.045, 95%CI: 1.017-1.075); other rural migrants had lower proportion of using aspirin as primary prevention in CVD high-risk population (RR=0.826, 95%CI: 0.707-0.966). Conclusion The CVD primaryprevention among local residents in new urban area is relatively poor among four groups of residents in Central China, and key interventions are needed.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gegen Qinliantang on glucose and lipid metabolism in the rat model of catch-up growth （CUG） induced by a high-fat diet and the underlying mechanism. MethodA total of 60 SD rats were randomized into a normal control group （n=18） and a modeling group （n=42）. The rat model of CUG was established with a restricted diet followed by a high-fat diet， and the changes of general status and body weight were observed. The levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， fasting insulin （FINS）， triglyceride （TG）， and total cholesterol （TC） were measured in 6 rats in each group at the end of the 4^th and 8^th week， respectively. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was calculated， and the insulin sensitivity and body composition changes of CUG rats were evaluated. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into 6 groups： normal control， model， high-， medium-， and low-dose Gegen Qinliantang （2.5， 5， 10 g·kg^-1）， and pioglitazone （3.125 mg·kg^-1）. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 6 weeks， and the normal control group and model group were administrated with the same amount of normal saline. During the experiment period， the changes of body weight were recorded， and the FBG， FINS， HOMA-IR， TG， and TC were determined at the end of the experiment. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of skeletal muscle in rats. The levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in the skeletal muscle were measured strictly according to the manuals of the reagent kits. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to measure the mRNA levels of silencing information regulator 1 （SIRT1）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator1α （PGC1α）， and nuclear respiratory factor 1 （Nrf1） in the skeletal muscle. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to assess the expression of SIRT1， PGC1α， and Nrf1 in the skeletal muscle. ResultCompared with the normal control group， the model group presented elevated levels of FBG， FINS， TG， and TC （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased HOMA-IR （P<0.01）， increased diameter of muscle fibers and adipocytes between muscle cells in the skeletal muscle， rising levels of ROS and MDA in the skeletal muscle （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1， PGC1α， and Nrf1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Gegen Qinliantang （especially the medium and high doses） and pioglitazone decreased the body weight， FINS， HOMA-IR， and TG （P<0.05， P<0.01） and reduced interstitial components such as intermuscular fat in the skeletal muscles and the diameter of muscle fibers. Furthermore， the drugs lowerd the levels of ROS and MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1， PGC1α， and Nrf1 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the skeletal muscle. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can ameliorate the glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in CUG rats by regulating the SIRT1/PGC1α/Nrf1 signaling pathway.

The prevalence of liver and intestinal fluke infections was determined by surveying inhabitants of Hengxuan, Fusui, and Shanglin villages which were known to be endemic for liver flukes in Guangxi, China in May 2010. A total of 718 people were examined for helminth eggs by the Kato-Katz thick smear technique, ultrasonography, immunoaffinity chromatography, and DNA sequencing. The overall egg positive rate was found to be 59.6% (28.0-70.6%) that included mixed infections with liver and intestinal flukes. Cases showing higher than 20,000 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were detected between 1.3% and 16.2%. Ultrasonographic findings exhibited overall 28.2% (72 of 255 cases) dilatation rate of the intrahepatic bile duct. Clonorchis sinensis infection was detected serologically in 88.3% (38 of 43 cases) among C. sinensis egg positive subjects by the immunoaffinity chromatography using a specific antigen for C. sinensis. For differential diagnosis of the liver and intestinal flukes, more precise PCR and nucleotide sequencing for copro-DNA were performed for 46 egg positive cases. Mixed infections with C. sinensis and Metagonimus yokogawai were detected in 8 of 46 egg positive cases, whereas 29 specimens were positive for Haplorchis taichui. Ultrasonographic findings and immunoaffinity chromatography results showed usefulness, even in a limited way, in figuring out of the liver fluke endemicity.
Animals ; China/epidemiology ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Clonorchiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology/ultrasonography ; Clonorchis sinensis/genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Coinfection ; DNA, Helminth/chemistry/genetics ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Heterophyidae/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intestines/*parasitology ; Liver/*parasitology ; Parasite Egg Count ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Trematode Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology/ultrasonography

Objective:To inhibit the Itch gene expression of T-lymphocytes and investigate the immune activity of T lymphocytes using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD).Methods:T lymphocytes were separated by magnetic bead, and to establish an Itch gene targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid. There were three groups in this study: ①experimental group, Itch-shRNA plasmid-SonoVue microbubbles combined with ultrasound irradiation; ②control group, negative control shRNA plasmid-SonoVue microbubbles combined with ultrasound irradiation; ③blank group, untreated. Forty-eight hours after UTMD transfection, transfection efficiency was detected and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, the expression of Itch protein was measured with Western blotting.Seventy-two hours after UTMD transfection, the secretion of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the cell supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences between groups, and LSD- t test was used to compare the differences between groups. Results:The UTMD mediated shRNA transfection rate was 52.3%, and the relative expression levels of Itch protein in the experimental group, control group and blank group were 0.301±0.080, 0.773±0.101 and 0.719±0.090, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( F=24.441, P<0.01). The Itch gene expression can be effectively suppressed in the experimental group. Seventy-two hours after transfection, the concentrations of IL-2 in the experimental group, control group and blank group were (417.3±37.1)ng/L, (158.7±17.3)ng/L and (147.0±10.2)ng/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( F=118.701, P<0.001) and the concentrations of IFN-γ were (168.3±12.1)ng/L, (74.3±3.7)ng/L and (74.6±7.1)ng/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=126.833, P<0.001). The expression levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group and the blank group. Conclusions:UTMD mediated shRNA transfection can significantly decrease the expression of Itch and promote immune activity of T lymphocyte.