Aged ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male

OBJECTIVEIn order to get the method for improving the salt resistance of Lycium ruthenium seeds and seedlings under NaCl stress, the seed germination and physiological characteristics of L. ruthenium seedlings was studied.

METHODSeveral physiological indexes of L. ruthenium seeds under NaCl stress, such as the germination rate (Gr), germination vigor (Gv), germination index (Gi), vigor index (Vi), and relative salt damage rate were measured. Other indexes of the seedlings like relative water contents (RWC) , chlorophyll contents, soluble protein contents, electrolyte leakage, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD) were also measured.

RESULTNaCl at lower concentration could promote the seed germination but inhibit the seed germination at higher concentration. After the treatment by CaCl2 at the different concentrations, all germination indexes were increased. With the increase of salt concentration, the relative water contents and the contents of chlorophyll were decreased, the content of MDA and electrolyte leakage were increased. The change trend of POD activity showed the first increase and then decrease with the increase of salt concentration, which was similar to that of the soluble protein. After the treatment by CaCl2, relative water contents, chlorophyll and POD activities were decreased more slowly, and also electrolyte leakage and MDA contents increased slowly.

CONCLUSIONThe CaCl2 could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium under NaCl stress, and promote the salt resistance to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium.

Calcium ; pharmacology ; Germination ; drug effects ; Lycium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seedlings ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Chloride ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of normal saline (NS), 10% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and hypertonic-hyperoncotic solution (HHS,7.5% NaCl/10% HES) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), brain edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a rat model of traumatic head injury (THI) complicate with hemorrhagic shock. Methods60 SD rats were randomized into 5 groups: sham group (n=12), model group (n=12), NS group (n=12), HES group (n=12) and HHS group (n=12). rCBF and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were determined before and after THI, hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Cerebral water content and Evans Blue (EB) content were assessed 3 h after resuscitation.ResultsMAP and rCBF were restored to baseline values immediately after resuscitation in all resuscitated group and began to decrease 15 min, 30 min or 45 min later, respectively(P<0.05). 3 h after resuscitation, the brain water content was higher in NS group than those in sham or HHS group(P<0.05). EB contents of injured hemispheres were higher in model and NS group than those in HES or HHS group(P<0.05). ConclusionSmall-volume resuscitation with HHS can restore MAP and rCBF, decrease brain edema and improve BBB in a rat model of THI complicate with hemorrhagic shock.

Methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH, E.C.3.1.8.1) coding gene mph from Pseudomonas sp. WBC-3, isolated and identified by our lab, was successfully expressed in E. coli AD494 (DE3)/ pET32a(+) system as soluble fusion form at high level. The recombinant MPH showed nearly 4～5 fold higher specific activity to parathion than the enzyme from Pseudomonas sp. WBC-3. In addition, the thermal stability of the recombinant enzyme was improved comparing with the wild type enzyme.

Adolescent ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Translocation, Genetic ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the status and identify the influencing factors of smoking behaviors among residents in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City, so as to provide insights into tobacco control. Methods: Permanent residents at ages of more than 18 years were recruited from 17 communities in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City using the stratified multistage random sampling method from July to November, 2018. Participants' demographic features, smoking, smoking cessation and exposure to secondhand smoke were collected using the Individual Questionnaire for 2018 Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance. The factors affecting current smoking were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 1 700 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 625 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 95.59%. The respondents included 714 men and 911 women, with a male to female ratio of 1∶1.27, and had a mean age of ( 45.13±13.59 ) years. The prevalence of current smoking was 15.51%, with 28.15% prevalence in men and 5.60% in women. The mean age of starting daily smoke was ( 21.00±5.52 ) years, and the mean daily smoking frequency was (13.53±9.15) cigarettes/d. The prevalence of smoking cessation was 6.58%, with 10.64% in men and 3.40% in women, and the prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke was 41.42%, including 46.63% in men and 37.32% in women. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that an educational level of junior high school ( OR=1.683, 95%CI: 1.088-2.602 ), an educational level of high school/technical secondary school/vocational school (OR=1.687, 95%CI: 1.185-2.402), an occupation of farmers ( OR=2.514, 95%CI: 1.404-4.500 ), and an occupation of commercial and service personnel ( OR=1.939, 95%CI: 1.093-3.439 ) were associated with current smoking. Conclusion The prevalence of current smoking is low among residents in Nanshan District, but the prevalence of current smoking in women is higher than the national level. Educational level and occupation are main factors affecting current smoking.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical symptom and effect of arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) cysts of the knee.

METHODSClinical data from 12 symptomatic ACL cysts patients from January 2005 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed,including 8 males and 4 females,with an average age of (33.7±9.5) years old (ranged, 19 to 53 years old). The locations were the left knee in 5 cases and the right knee in 7 cases. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 48 months,with a mean of (15.8±13.2) months. All cysts were arthroscopically resected. Range of motion was measured preoperatively and postoperatively, and Lysholm scoring system was used to evaluate the knee function.

RESULTSAll the incisions healed by first intention, and no complications occurred. Twelve patients were followed up for an average of (32.3±6.6) months(ranged, 24 to 48 months). The symptoms of arthralgia,swelling and interlocking of the affected knees disappeared. There was no recurrence during the follow-up. There were significant differences in the range of motion and Lysholm score between pre-operation and post-operation.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic surgery, showing its advantages of minimal invasion and rapid recovery,is an effective measure in the treatment of ACL cysts.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Cysts ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on DNA of testicular cells and sperm chromatin structure in mice.

METHODSMice were exposed to 50 Hz, 0.2 mT or 6.4 mT electromagnetic fields for 4 weeks. DNA strand breakage in testicular cells was detected by single-cell gel electrophoresis assay. Sperm chromatin structure was analyzed by sperm chromatin structure assay with flow cytometry.

RESULTSAfter 50 Hz, 0.2 mT or 6.4 mT EMFs exposure, the percentage of cells with DNA migration in total testicular cells increased from the control level of 25.64% to 37.83% and 39.38% respectively. The relative length of comet tail and the percentage of DNA in comet tail respectively increased from the control levels of 13.06% +/- 12.38% and 1.52% +/- 3.25% to 17.86% +/- 14.60% and 2.32% +/- 4.26% after 0.2 mT exposure and to 17.88% +/- 13.71% and 2.35% +/- 3.87% after 6.4 mT exposure (P < 0.05). Exposure to EMFs had not induced significant changes in S.D.alphaT and XalphaT, but COMPalphaT (cells outside the main population of alpha t), the percentage of sperms with abnormal chromatin structure, increased in the two exposed groups.

CONCLUSION50 Hz EMFs may have the potential to induce DNA strand breakage in testicular cells and sperm chromatin condensation in mice.

Animals ; Chromatin ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Comet Assay ; DNA ; analysis ; radiation effects ; DNA Damage ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Flow Cytometry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spermatozoa ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Testis ; cytology ; radiation effects

AIMTo determine clonidine in rabbit plasma by LC-MS.

METHODSThe LC-MS system consisted of Waters Alliance 2790 HPLC and Micromass ZQ-4000 MS. The HPLC was performed by using XTerra C18 (150 mm x 2.1 mm ID, 5 microm). The mobile phase, consisting of acetonitrile/ammonium hydrogen carbonate solution, was maintained to a flow-rate of 0.2 mL x min(-1) and the linear gradient elution was adopted. Mass spectrum was obtained by using electrospray ionization interface and the m/z of SIM was 230.

RESULTSThe average recovery was high and the method was reproducible. The calibration curve showed good linearity in the range of 1 - 80 microg x L(-1), the lowest limit of detection was 0.05 microg x L(-1). The Cmax, AUC0-t, and Tmax value of the pharmacokinetics parameter were (27 +/- 9) microg x L(-1), (5,352 +/- 1,121) microg x L(-1), (79 +/- 17) h.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrated that the method had high sensitivity, good selectivity, accuracy and precision. It is used to determine the clonidine concentration in plasma. The transdermal patch can deliver clonidine to the surface of rabbit skin stably for periods of up to 1 week after a single application.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Clonidine ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Rabbits ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods

OBJECTIVETo isolate antifungal compound from Paeonia suffruticosa, and to find the antifungal mechanisms by observing the ultrastructural modifications of yeasts in growth phase produced by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG).

METHODSPeony (Paeonia suffruticosa) root bark (PRB) was separated by solvent extraction and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using analytical and preparative reversed phase C18 column on the basis of bio-assay method. In order to investigate the antifungal mechanism of PGG, Yeasts were submitted to different concentrations [3 × minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), 0.3 × MIC] for 1 h under constant stirring at 30 °C, and transmission electron microscopy was performed.

RESULTSBased on the antifungal activity of PRB on Candida glabrata CBS138, the antifungal compound were isolated in ethyl acetate layer of PRB and identified as PGG by mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, with molecular weight of 940 and molecular formular as C41H32O26. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PGG degraded the cell wall envelope.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that PGG may be responsible for the antifungal activity of PRB by disrupting the structure of cell wall directly.

Antifungal Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Candida ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Mass Spectrometry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy