Objective To investigate the influence of recombinant neuregulin-1 beta (rhNRG-1β) on neural stem cell proliferation through extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathway in oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) environment.Methods Neural stem cells were obtained from embryonic brain of mice pregnant for 14-17 d,cultured and identified by immunochemical staining through detection of the indicator nestin using the SABC-FITC (POD)double standard kit.Neural stem cells were divided into three experiment groups (OGD group,control group and OGD + rhNRG-1β group).Control group:identified neural stem cells,2 × 107,were cultured for 3 h in the 24-hole culture plate with DMEM/F12 complete culture medium;OGD group:neural stem cells,2 × 107,were cultured in the 24-hole culture plate deprived glucose DMEM/F12 in a wet airtight container (37 ℃ constant temperature),cells were cultured with mixed gas of nitrogen (950 ml/L) and oxygen (50 ml/L) for 1 h,and then the culture medium was replaced with complete culture medium and cultured for 3 h;OGD + rhNRG-1β group:before OGD intervention,100 μg/L rhNRG-1β was given for 3 h.Neurospheres formation:the three groups of stem cells were dispersed into single cells,1 × 106/ml cells were inoculated to culture plates containing cover slips coated with poly lysine,and cultivated for 7 d,and neurospheres formation of the 3 groups of neural stem cells was observed under microscope,which was aimed to record neural stem cells proliferation changes.Colony formation:the three groups of stem cells,vaccinated in 60 mm in a petri dish,2 × 107 in number,were cultivated in complete culture medium for 24 h.The colony formation of the three groups of cells was observed under microscope,and neural stem cells proliferation changes were observed.Western blotting:the change of phosphorylation ERK (pERK) protein of the three groups of stem cells was determined,and the effect of pERK protein expression regulated by rhNRG-1β in mice neural stem cells proliferation through ERK signaling pathway was observed.Results Microscopically the primary cultured stem cells grew in single or in pairs,in a round shape;neural stem cell proliferated in clumps or colony;neural stem cells expressed the specificity of nestin protein markers with fluorescent yellow-green color.The differences in the aspects of the average diameter of neurospheres and neurospheres quantity in the neural stem cells between groups were statistically significant (F =693.66,1 002.09,all P ＜ 0.01),and among them the neuropheres formation of OGD group was significantly suppressed.Formation quantity and average diameter in OGD group [(88.78 ± 7.14) numbers,(62.12 ± 2.52) μm] were significantly lower than those in the control group [(246.34 ± 8.67) numbers,(128.45 ± 2.33) μm] and those in OGD + rhNRG-1β group [(237.87 ± 6.61) numbers,(118.37 ± 2.71) μm,all P ＜ 0.01].The difference of colony formation rate of neural stem cell was statistically significant (F =132.03,P ＜ 0.01),and among them colony formation of OGD group significantly suppressed.Formation rate in OGD group [(11.65 ± 0.94)％] was significantly lower than that in the control group [(33.23 ± 2.93)％] and that in OGD + rhNRG-1β group [(31.42 ± 2.61)％,all P ＜ 0.01].Western blotting showed that the difference of pERK protein expression of neural stem cells between groups was statistically significant (F =63.76,P ＜ 0.01).Relative expression of the pERK protein in OGD group (0.487 ± 0.072) was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.013 ± 0.112) and that in OGD + rh-NRG-1β group (1.752 ± 0.278,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion rhNRG-1β preserves neural stem cell proliferation with phosphorylation ERK protein expression up-regulated in oxygen and glucose deprivation environment.

Objective To explore factors associated with emergency room(ER)length of stay and provide basis for the emergency managers about the development of relevant measures.Methods Data of critically ill patients from the emergency room in a tertiary teaching hospital from January 2010 to June 2011 were retrospectively studied.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to determine possible factors and further compare the clinical characteristics of the patients.Results(1)From January 2010 to June 2011 a total of 11 468 patients were seen in the emergency department,the median ER length of stay was 11 h,a number of 6 525 patients(56.9％)stayed in ER more than 6 h.(2)Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the main factors contributing to length of stay more than 6 hours were types of wards,green channel,treatment time,followed by admitted to ICU,traffic,sent by 120,the number of initial diagnosis,destinations of disposition,sex,holiday visit,visit month.While age,occupation,residence were not factors.Conclusions The patients in this hospital has a prolonged length of stay.The associated factors included types of wards,green channel,treatment time deserves a further study.

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of 3 month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice after six-month intervention with curcumin, in order to discuss the neuroprotective effect of curcumin.

METHODAPPswe/PS1dE9dtg mice were randomly divided into the model group, the Rosiglitazone group (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and curcumin high (400 mg x kg9-1) x d(-1)), medium (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and low (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) dosage groups, with C57/BL6J mice of the same age and the same background in the normal control group. After 6 months, the immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and the Western blot method were used to observe the changes in positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area, their distribution and protein expressions.

RESULTBoth of the immunohistochemical staining and the Western blot method showed more positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area and higher protein expressions in the model group than the normal group (P < 0.01). IHC showed a lower result in the Rosiglitazone group than the model group (P < 0.05), while Western blot showed a much lower result (P < 0.01). The number of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs positive cells and the protein expressions decreased in the curcumin high group, the medium group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01), and the low dose group also showed reductions in the protein expressions of Aβ40 and Aβ42.

CONCLUSIONThe six-month intervention with curcumin can significantly reduce the expressions of hippocampal Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice. Whether curcumin can impact Aβ cascade reaction by down-regulating expressions of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs and show the neuroprotective effect needs further studies.

Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVEIn order to get the method for improving the salt resistance of Hedysarum polybotrys seeds and seedlings under different salt-alkaline stress, the seed germination and physiological characteristics of H. polybotrys seedlings were studied.

METHODSeveral physiological indexes of H. polybotrys seeds under different salt-alkaline stress, such as the germination vigor, germination rate, relative germination rate, relative salt damage rate were measured. And others indexes of the seedlings like chlorophyll contents, soluble protein contents, the permeability of plasmalemma, the activities of POD and SOD were also measured.

RESULTDifferent salt-alkaline stress decreased the germination rate, vigor of germinate, germination index, while relative salt damage rate increased. With the increased salt-alkaline concentration, the adverse effects became more obvious. The strength of the salts: Na2CO3 > Na2SO4 > NaCl. With the increase of the salt-alkaline concentration, the chlorophyll contents and the soluble protein contents decreased, but the permeability of plasmalemma increased. The change trend of SOD and POD activity was similar, it is increased firstly, and then decreased as the stress intensity extended, the most significant increase of Na2SO4 and Na2CO3 in the concentration of salt-alkaline was 25 mmol x L(-1), but NaCl was 50 mmol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe seeds and seedlings inhibition of the salts was Na2CO3 > Na2SO4 > NaCl.

Alkalies ; metabolism ; Fabaceae ; growth & development ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seeds ; growth & development ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Chloride ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

Background Epidemiological surveys showed that the types of bacteria are different in the conjunvical sac from different nationalities,which possibly is associated with living environment.To characterize the types of conjunctival bacteria involved is important for the prevention and treatment of infectious eye diseases.Objective The present survey was to obtain data about bacterial species in the conjunctival sac in the Tibetan minority population aged over 40 years old and compared with the matched Han nationality population.Methods The standardized training and protocol were performed before this survey.A total of 290 eyes of 145 individuals from the Tibetan minority and 346 eyes of 173 subjects from the Han nationality were enrolled in this study in Ganzi Autonomous Prefecture,who had received questionnaire surveys and ophthalmological examinations.The secretion of the inferior palpebral conjunctival sac was embrocated and inoculated and grown on blood plates for 48-72 hours.The bacteria were isolated and identified.This study was approved by the Medical Ethic Committee of the Sichuan People Hospital.Oral informed consent was obtained from the subjects.Results No significant differences were seen in the constituent ratio of the gender as well as the age between the Tibetan minority and Han nationality in this study (x2 =0.987,P=0.3202;t=1.142,P=0.254).There was a significant difference in the proportions of farmers and herdsmen between the two groups(x2 =8.557,P =0.000).The positive rate of bacterial cultivation in Tibetan individuals was 50.74％,showing a statistically significant decrease in comparison with the Han people(60.4％)(x2=6.042,P=0.014).There was no statistical difference in the multiple bacterial species between the two groups (11.0％ in Tibetan,11.6％ in Han people)(x2 =0.0271,P =0.869).The rate of staphylococcus epidemics was 26.6％ in the Tibetan minority and that of Han population was 33.2％,without a significant difference between them (x2 =3.350,P=0.060).No significant difference was seen in the ratio of corynbacterium infection between the two population(15.9％ vs.17.3％)(x2 =0.248,P =0.618).Conclusions The ratio of bacterial cultivation in Tibetans is statistically lower than that of the Han people.The types and distribution of bacteria are similar in the Tibetan and Han nationality.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of the small interfering RNA targeting mdm2 gene on the growth of osteosarcoma cells.

METHODSPGCsilencerTM-mdm2 siRNA was constructed and transfected into the osteosarcoma cell line U2OS cells. The inhibitory effects on mdm2 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The cell growth activity was determined by MTT assay, and the cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. The therapeutic effects of simdm2 was assessed on the nude mouse model of transplanted tumor.

RESULTSThe simdm2 plasmid was successfully constructed. After simdm2 being transfected into the U2OS cells, the expressions of mdm2 gene and protein were significantly inhibited. The ability of cell growth activity decreased greatly and cell apoptosis occurred apparently. There was no significant difference between the negative control group and non-transfected group. The growth of xenograft tumor in simdm2 transfected nude mice was inhibited and the expressions of mdm2 gene and protein were down-regulated remarkably.

CONCLUSIONsiRNA targeting mdm2 gene inhibits the mdm2 expression in osteosarcoma U2OS cells and the growth of osteosarcoma in nude mice.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo understand the pollution rates of vibrio cholera (V. cholera) in different seafood, aquatic products and their circulatory processes, so as to help making measures for cholera control and prevention.

METHODSDifferent seafood, aquatic products and breed water specimen collected from 12 provinces of China were tested from July to September in 2005.

RESULTA total of 12 104 samples of seafood and aquatic products were tested and the average pollution rate of vibrio cholera was 0.52%. The positive isolate rate of turtle sample (1.72%) was the highest among all samples. The second higher isolated rate was 1.14% in water specimen of turtle breed pool. The positive rate of bullfrog was 0.50%. The percentage of toxin strains was 47.54% and 79.31% of them were isolated from turtle and water samples of turtle breed pool. The important sector of the pollution of vibrio cholera was in turtle breed pool (2.38%).

CONCLUSIONThe average pollution rate of vibrio cholera in seafood and aquatic products in 12 provinces of China was low. It should be very necessary to supervise the sanitation in turtle breed for controlling and preventing the vibrio cholera.

Animals ; China ; Female ; Fishes ; microbiology ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Seafood ; microbiology ; Seawater ; analysis ; Turtles ; microbiology ; Vibrio cholerae ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) from human host on degradation of dentin organic matrix of root dentin.

METHODSThe freshly extracted caries-free impacted teeth were selected. Teeth were cut transversely under the enamel-cementum junction into dentin sections with a thickness of about 5 mm. Then all sections with removal of cementum, pulp and predentin were randomly divided into four groups. In the first group, dentin sections were demineralized with acid solution for 21 days, and then incubated with MMP-1 solution for 7 days; the second group were only treated with acid solution for 21 days; the third group were only attacked by MMP-1 solution for 7 days; and the fourth group were untreated as a control. Then all sections were dehydrated in ascending strength of alcohol, critically dried, coated with platinum, and then observed under scanning electron microscope(SEM).

RESULTSThe dentin sections of root surface attacked by acid and MMP-1 showed that demineralization of dentin mineral and degradation of dentin matrix fibrae synchronously happened. The dentin matrix fibrae wasn't degradated in the groups treated with acid or MMP-1.

CONCLUSIONThe proteinases from human host may play an important role in the development of root surface caries. MMP-1 may distinctly degradate the organic matrix of demineralized dentin.

Dental Cementum ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; enzymology ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; physiology ; Microscopy, Electrochemical, Scanning ; Root Caries ; enzymology ; Tooth Root ; enzymology

The complete nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone encoding weever ribosomal protein L8, WeevL8, is described here. The WeevL8 cDNA has 848 nucleotides in full length and encodes a 257 amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 28.02 kDa. Two conserved domains have been identified in WEEVL8. It was concluded fromsequence alignment that WeevL8 gene was quite conservative, consistent with its role as a house-keeping gene. A phylogenetic analysis made by L8 protein showed the similar phylogenetic relationship to that with 18s rDNA. The high similarity supports the notion that ribosomal protein L8 can also be used as phylogenetic criterion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the serologic type, phage-biotype and toxic factor of Vibrio cholerae isolated from different sea products, analyze the relation between the Vibrio cholerae in sea products and cholera epidemiology, and provide references for forecasting cholera epidemic situation and drawing out a preventing plan.

METHODThe biotype of strains isolated was analyzed by using type and phage-biotype serological methods. The toxic gene was detected by PCR.

RESULTSThe constituent ratio of V. cholerae O139, Ogawa and Inaba were, respectively, 48.44%, 20.31% and 31.25% in 64 strains of V. cholerae. The result of phage-biotype showed that the 26 strains of V. cholerae O1 were all non-epidemic strains. The result of toxic gene detecting showed that positive rate of V. cholerae O139 was higher than those of Ogawa and Inaba.

CONCLUSIONThe positive rate of toxic gene in V. cholerae O139 was high and the V. cholerae O139 was mainly in turtle, breed aquatics water and crustacean, so these sea products were the important sectors in cholera prevention and control.

Animals ; Bacteriophage Typing ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Seafood ; microbiology ; Serotyping ; Vibrio cholerae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Vibrio cholerae O1 ; isolation & purification ; Vibrio cholerae O139 ; isolation & purification