Objective:To observe the effects of active immunization with a synthesized repetitive peptides in the extracellular loops of Na/Ca exchanger(NCX)?1 on cardiac structure and function in rats.Methods:A repetitive peptide of 124 HNFTAGDLGPSTIVGSAAFNMF145 was synthesized,which was in line with the extracellular loops of Na/Ca exchanger(NCX)?1.Healthly male Wistar rats of 2 month age were immunized actively with the synthesized peptide as antigen repeated for 12 weeks.The control group was given Freund's adjuvant only.Specific antibodies were detected by ELISA.The cardiac function was observed by Langendorff isolated heart-perfusing assay and the hearts were prepared for routine histological evaluation.Results:All rats immunized with the peptide developed highly positive autoimmunities,indicated by the antibody titers.After 12 weeks of peptide inoculation,the cardiac functioning indexes including LVSP-LVDP,+dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax increased much more significantly in immunized group than in control.Histological evaluation showed that the myofilaments of the control group arranged regularly and densely with better continuity,whereas the myofilaments of the immunized group were lined with disorder.Some of those were ruptured.The interstitial lymphocyte infiltration was observed.Conclusion:The results indicate that long term immunization with the synthesized repeatitive peptide in line with the extracellular parts of Na/Ca exchanger(NCX)?1 can enhance both systolic and diastolic function of rat heart,but it can also induce injury in the heart structure.This may relate with an increase of myocardial oxygen consumption owing to a long time and continued excitement of membrane ion transporters as well as their active effect in heart contraction to a larger extent.

Objective To explore the effects of intervention of rehabilitation at different opportunities on recovery of hand function andactivities of daily living (ADL) in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods A retrospective study was conducted. 108 patientswith ICH admitted to rehabilitation ward between June 2005 and June 2011 were divided into 4 groups according to the time of rehabilitationintervention. Demographic and clinical data were collected. The hand function and ADL were evaluated with Brunnstrom assessmentand modified Barthel Index (MBI) at admission and before discharge. Results The hand function of patients in early and intermediate stagessignificantly improved (P<0.01) while the patients in later and sequelae stages did not improve (P>0.05). The MBI of all groups increasedafter rehabilitation intervention (P<0.05). The earlier rehabilitation intervention was applied, the greater the improvement of Brunnstrom assessmentand MBI were. Conclusion Rehabilitation intervention can facilitate the recovery of hand function and ADL of patients with ICHin different stages. Early intervention is more effective.

During the dilute acid pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials such as corn stover, hemicellulose is hydrolyzed into monosaccharides, and meanwhile, toxic by-products are simultaneously generated, which may influence ethanol fermentation thereafter. Studies on the inhibitory effects of the by-products on ethanol fermentation are of practical use for further improvement of ethanol yield from lignocellulosic materials. Five by-products, including acetic acid, formic acid, vanillin, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, were identified to be the main components in the hydrolysate of dilute acid pretreatment of local corn stover, which were added into the medium at different concentrations to study their impacts on the growth and ethanol fermentation of a recombinant xylose-utilizing yeast strain, S. cerevisiae 6508-127. The ethanol production was inhibited by formic acid and acetic acid to a lesser extent than that to the growth, and formic acid was shown to be much more toxic than acetic acid, showing severe inhibitory effects at the concentration of 1g/L, half of the concentration for acetic acid which showed remarkably negative effects on ethanol fermentation. Vanillin caused a much longer lag-phase in growth when the concentration was 2g/L, and the lag-phase was not obvious at lower concentrations. At the concentration of 6g/L, vanillin completely inhibited the fermentation as well as the cell growth. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural was showed to remarkably inhibit ethanol production, but the biomass yield was higher by exogenous addition of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural than control. Furfural at 0.5~1.5g/L inhibited the cell growth, but the ethanol yield was higher than that of the control experiment. It was also found that vanillin, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural could be assimilated and metabolized by S. cerevisiae 6508-127 under the experimental conditions.

Objective To dynamically investigate the effects of aluminum on the concentration of free intracellular Ca2+([Ca2+]i) and the expression of calcium channels in the hippocampus of rats. Methods Healthy 64 Wistar rats were taken as the experimental objects. And these rats were randomly divided into 16 groups according to their weights, and were instilled with AlCl3 at 0(control),37.3,74.7 and 248.7 mg/kg respectively. The experimental time exposed to AlCl3 was 45,75,120 d, among which the rats were given AlCl3 for 120 d fed normally for 30 d. The hippoeampus were segregated on day 45,75,120 and 150 d and the[Ca2+]i of hippocampus of rats were detected by fluorospectrophotometer. The expression of Ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) mRNA and α1C ubunit of L-type calcium ehannels(L-Ca2+α1C) mRNA were detected by RT-PCR analysis. Results [Ca2+]i was increased by AlCl3 in a dose-and time-dependant manner(F=23.136 and 19.089, P<0.01). There was a synergistic effect between the dose and time in [Ca2+]i (F=2.270, P<0.05). In time of 120,150 days, the [Ca2+]i of rats hippocampus in 37.3[(299.3±48.7), (342.7±35.3)nmol/L], 74.7[(391.2±47.9), (408.1±42.8)nmol/L] and 248.7 mg/kg group[(397.9±55.8), (405.2±22.7)nmol/L] significantly increased compared with control group [(195.1±29.9), (209.1±30.6)nmol/L; P<0.01]. The expression of RyR2 mRNA and L-Ca2+α1C mRNA were increased by AlCl3(F=23.301 and 60.812, P<0.01). The experimental time could lower the expression of L-Ca2+ α1C mRNA (F=6.088, P<0.01), but had no influences on the expression of RyR2 mR NA (F=1.361, P>0.05). There was interaction between the dose of AlCl3 and the time in the expression of L-Ca2+α1C mRNA (F=5.876,P< 0.01). On day 75,120 and 150 of the experiment, the expression of L-Ca2+α1C mRNA in rat hippocampus of 74.7 (1.03±0.16,1.18±0.18,0.92±0.11) and 248.7 mg/kg group(1.89±0.26, 1.25±0.10, 1.07±0.14) also increased compared with control group(0.63±0.09,0.78±0.16,0.69±0.11; P<0.05 or <0.01). On day 45,75, 120 and 150 of the experiment, the expression of RyR2 mRNA in 74.7(0.49±0.06,0.51±0.07,0.57±0.11, 0.47±0.11), 248.7(0.47±0.03,0.52±0.09, 0.70±0.10, 0.78±0.09)mg/kg AlCl3 groups was highly increased compared with control group (0.24±0.07, 0.32±0.04, 0.30±0.06, 0.27±0.06; P<0.05 or<0.01). Conclusion Al increases [Ca2+]i by increasing the expression of the RyR2 mRNA and L-Ca2+α1C mRNA, thus exerts an irreversible neuronal toxicity.

Objectives To investigate the associations of the plasma homocysteine levels with the alterations in arterial stiffness in a commu-nity-based cohort. The gender differences in these associations were examined. Methods We evaluated the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels to three measures of vascular function [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV), carotid-ankle PWV (CA-PWV) and heart rate corrected augmentation index (AI)] in 1680 participants (mean age:61.5 years;709 men, 971 women) from communities of Beijing, China. Results In univariate analysis, plasma homocysteine levels was positively related to the CF-PWV (r=0.211, P<0.0001) and CA-PWV (r=0.148, P<0.0001), whereas inversely associated with AI (r=?0.052, P=0.016). In multiple linear regression models adjusting for covariants, plasma homocysteine remained positively related to the CF-PWV (standardizedβ=0.065, P=0.007) in total cases. When the groups of men and women were examined separately, plasma homocysteine remained positively associated with the CF-PWV (standardizedβ=0.082, P=0.023) in men, whereas the relations between homocysteine and any of the arterial stiffness indices were not further present in women. Conclusions In Chinese population, plasma homocysteine levels are independently associated with alterations of large artery stiffness in men but not in women.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To analyze the risk factors for failures of intramedullary and extramedullary internal fixation in surgery of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted of the 205 elderly patients with osteoporotic femoral intertrochanteric fracture who had accepted closed reduction together with intramedullary and extramedullary internal fixation between September 2005 and August 2014.They were 89 men and 116 women,from 65 to 98 year of age (average,78.8 years).By AO classification,137 cases were of types AI.1-A2.1 (stable fractures),and 68 of type A2.2-A3.3(unstable fractures).The incidence of internal fixation failure and Harris scores at the last follow-up were recorded.The factors possibly contributing to the failure were analyzed using the univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results Of the patients,192 obtained a mean follow-up of 39 months (from 14 to 60 months),but 13 were lost after a 10-month follow-up.Of the 205 patients,internal fixation failure occurred in 12 (incidence of 5.9％).Five failed cases received DHS fixation and 7 accepted PENA fixation.At the last follow-up when the 13 cases were lost after 10-month follow-up,the mean Harris hip score was 81.6 (from 57 to 92),and the excellent to good rate was 84.9％ (29 excellent cases,145 good ones,10 fair ones and 21 poor ones).The multivariate regression analysis revealed that tip-apex distance (TAD) ＞ 25 mm(OR ＝ 333.33),severe osteoporosis (OR =267.44),AO types A2.2-A3.3 (OR ＝ 22.24),functional reduction of fracture (OR =20.79),and concomitant medical diseases (OR =4.59) were independent risk factors for failures of internal fixation.Conclusions DHS and PFNA fixations are effective treatments for elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures.TAD＞ 25 mm,severe osteoporosis,unstable factures,functional reduction of fracture,and concomitant medical diseases may lead to internal fixation failure in surgery of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill on AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathways in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of depressive rats.

METHODSixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups according to the sugar consumption test (10 rats in each group), normal control group,model group,fluoxetine group (3.3 mg x kg(-1)) and low dose, medium dose and high dose group (0.25, 0.5, 1 g x kg(-1)) of Betel shisanwei ingredients pill. Except the normal control,the other groups were treated with the chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation combined with lonely raising for 28 days. 10 mL x kg(-1) of drugs were given to each rat once daily,continuously for 28 days. The AC activity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were determined by radiation immunity analysis (RIA), while cAMP and PKA quantity were determinated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA).

RESULTThe AC activity, cAMP and PKA quantity of hippocampus and prefrontal of mouse model of Chronic stress depression decreased significantly than those of control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, the AC activity, cAMP and PKA quantity of rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in the fluoxetine group and the Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill group indecreased significantly than those of model group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Especially for the high dose group of Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill.

CONCLUSIONThe AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathways in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of depression model of rats is down-regulated, whereas Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill could up-regulated it to resist depression.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Depression ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Prefrontal Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Yeast strains with improved ethanol yield are important for efficient bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass for fuel ethanol.Candida shehatae CICC1766 was adapted to 4%(v/v)ethanol,and then subjected to UV mutagenesis.One respiration deficient mutant Rd-5 with improved xylose fermentation capability was selected.Protoplasts of Rd-5 were inactivated by UV treatment,followed by the PEG-mediated protoplast fusion with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with good ethanol-fermenting capability.The xylose fermenting capability of the fusants was investigated,and the fusant F6 demonstrated good ethanol fermentation performance,producing 18.75g/L ethanol from 50g/L xylose with an ethanol yield of 0.375 or 73.4% of its theoretical value of 0.511.Comparing with its parent Candida shehatae strain,the ethanol yield of F6 was increased by 28%.

Aim To investigate the effect of hypercholesterolemia on L-type Ca2+(ICa-L) current and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single ventricular myocytes of hypercholesterolemic rats.Methods 12 male wistar rats were randomly divided into two dietary groups:a group fed a normal diet(n=6)and a group fed high-cholesterol diet(n=6) for 4 weeks,respectively. The level of serum lipid was examined.Zymolytic method was used to isolate single ventricular myocytes from hypercholesterolemic and normal rats,which were loaded with Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-3/AM.[Ca2+]i represented by fluorescent intensity(FI)was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope.Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record ICa-L.Results There was no significant influence exhibited on TG level.However, the serum total cholesterol(TC)level of hypercholesterolemic rats was much higher than that of model control group; at the test potential of 0 mV, ICa-L decreased from(-8.56?1.29)pA/pF(Control)to(-5.24?0.90) pA/pF(HC)(n=6 in each group,P