Objective: To examine the effect of SiO2 exposure on the airway surface microenvironment and NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in rats. Methods: Twenty-four specific pathogen-free male rats of the SD strain were randomly divided into the control group and the model group, of 12 rats in each group. Rats in the model group were given SiO2 suspensions through disposable tracheal intubation perfusion to model silicosis in rats, while rats in the control group was perfused with the same amount of physiological saline. The pH value and glucose level were measured in the rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 14 and 28 days after modeling. Lung tissues were stained with HE and Masson and the distribution of inflammatory cells and the deposition of pulmonary interstitial collagens were observed in lung tissues under a light microscope. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type Ⅰ(ColⅠ), collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), NLRP3, N-terminal domain of Gasdermin D (GSDMD-NT), caspase-1, and NEK7 was quantified in lung specimens using immunohistochemistry. Results: Lower pH values were measured in rat BALF in the model group than in the control group 14 [(6.38±0.05) vs. (6.68±0.08), P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(6.63±0.14) vs. (6.86±0.05), P<0.05], while higher glucose levels were seen in the model group than in the control group 14 [(0.39±0.06) vs. (0.31±0.04) mg/dL, P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(0.39±0.08) vs. (0.31±0.06) mg/dL, P<0.05]. HE and Masson staining showed mild to moderate alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in rats 14 days post-exposure to SiO2, and showed moderate to severe alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis 28 days post-exposure. Immunohistochemistry detected higher TGF-β1, ColⅠ, Col Ⅲ, IL-1β, NLRP3, GSDMD-NT, caspase-1 and NEK7 expression in rat lung tissues in the model group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusions SiO2 exposure may cause changes in rat airway surface microenvironment, including BALF acidification and elevated glucose. Pyroptosis induced by activation of NEK7-associated NLRP3 inflammasome may be an important mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis caused by silicosis.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; immunology ; ultrastructure ; Meningioma ; immunology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Paraganglioma ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate the relationship between Lys198Asn and Taq Ⅰ polymorphisms of endothelin-1 gene and essential hypertension in Chongqing residents.Methods Polymorphisms of Lys198Asn and TaqⅠ were detected in the blood samples from 86 patients with essential hypertension(HT) and 138 normotensive controls(NT) by sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction(SSP-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).Results In the BMI

0.05). There were significant differences among 3- or 6- or 9- or 12-hour groups and 24- or 36-hour groups in 6, 13 ℃ and 28 ℃ respectively (P

Objective To explore the rela ti onship between the environmental temperature and the oxygen demand of [WT5” BX]Oncomelania snails, and the relationship between the hiber nation or aestivation and the oxygen demand of snails.Me thods The oxygen demand of Oncomelaniasnails between 0 ℃ and 40 ℃ was determined by increasing the temperature gradually in lab, the relationship between the environmental tempera ture and the oxygen demand, and the correlative relationship between the oxygen demand and the percentage of snails in hibernation or aestivation were analysed. Results The oxygen demand increased as the tem perature rose between 1 ℃ and 36 ℃, and the regression equation between the oxygen demand and the variation of environmental temperature was [WT5”BX ]=6.6?10 -5-3?10 -6x+4.4?10 -6x2-8?10 -8x 3(R2=0.998,F=2775,P

OBJECTIVEIn order to find the new varieties with different horticultural characters, and investigate the mutation effects of seeds of Dioscorea zingerbrensis.

METHODThe seeds were carried by a satellite into space and recovered. The space mutation effect on the germination, seedling growth, chromosomes and rhizome diosgenin content of SP, populations of D. zingerbrensis were investigated.

RESULTStimulated by space environment, the seed possessed the fast germinating characteristics. Germination rate showed no change. It was also found that a few plants were aneuploid or tetraploid. Fresh rhizome weight and rhizome diosgenin content in the second year plant were remarkably higher than those of the control. However, the increasing of third year plant was slow down, and rhizome diosgenin content in the third year plant declined simultaneously.

CONCLUSIONThe space environment showed stimulating effects on seed germination, fresh rhizome weight and rhizome diosgenin content.

Dioscorea ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Extraterrestrial Environment ; Germination ; Mutation ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology

Objective To explore the relationship between the change in waist circumference (WC) and new onset diabetes (NOD) in a population of north China.Methods A total of 101510 subjects took part in the health examination from 2006 to 2007 for the employees of Kailuan Group.89364 subjects with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ＜7.0 mmol/L,no history of diabetes,with complete data of FPG and WC,and without taking hypoglycemic agents were sclected as the observation cohort.Subjects who did not participate in the health examination from 2010 to 2011 and had incomplete data were finally excluded and thus 58426 subjects were included for final analysis.According to the baseline WC measurement and its quartile in the health examination during 2006 to 2007,the observed population was divided into two groups (obese group and non-obese group) or four groups ( first,second,third,and forth quartile groups).Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to test the relation between the change in WC and NOD.Results ( 1 ) The incidence of NOD in obese group was higher than that in non-obese group (8.02％ vs 3.37％,P＜0.01 ).Along with increasing WC in the 4 quartile groups,the incidence of NOD was progressively increased,being 2.32％,3.62％,5.46％,and 8.89％ respectively in the total population ( 2.84％,3.65％,5.32％,and 8.95％ in male,and 1.50％,3.41％,6.22％,and 8.51％ in female).( 2 ) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the first quartile group,the second,third,and forth quartile groups had increased risks of NOD after adjusting age,gender,and other risk factors,the OR value being 1.17,1.47,and 1.95,respectively.After adjusting above factors in different genders,the influence of the second group on NOD in males and females was not significant,however,they still increased the risks of NOD,with the OR value being 1.08,1.36,and 1.90 in male,and 1.35,1.70,and 1.88 in female,respectively.Conclusion The incidence of NOD is increased with increasing WC.

To analyze features of the rabies epidemic in China between 2007 and 2011,identify factors influencing the epidemic and to provide a scientific basis for further control and prevention of rabies,Descriptive epidemiological methods and statistical analysis was used on data collected from the National Disease Reporting Information System between 2007 to 2011 and the National Active Surveillance System between 2007 and 2010.Our analysis shows that while the number of human rabies cases decreased year by year,the number of districts reporting cases did not show significant change.The situations in Guangdong,Guangxi,Guizhou and Hunan provinces clearly improved over the period but they remain provinces with high-incidence,and consequently influence the epidemic situation of surrounding provinces and possibly the whole country.Summer and autumn were high-incidence seasons.Farmers,students and pre-school children represent the high-risk populations,and rates of cases in farmers increased,those for students decreased,and pre-school children remained unchanged.Provinces with active surveillance programs reported a total of 2346 individual cases,of which 88.53％ were associated with canines.Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) of rabies cases was not significantly improved,whereas PEP in post-exposure population was good.In rural regions of China,canine density was reduced somewhat,and the immunization rate increased slightly.Finally we show that while the epidemic decreased 2007 to 2011 in China,cases continued to be diffused in certain regions.Lack of standardization of PEP on rabies cases was the main reason of morbidity.The high density and low immunization of dog in rural areas and the defective situation of PEP are still continuous occurrences in China and remain a cause for concern.

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-GalNAc : polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransfemse (ppGalNAcT) catalyzes the initial step in mucin type O-glycosylation in the Golgi apparatus. Here generation and characterization of a polyclonal antibody to human ppGalNAcT2 were described. The subcellular location of ppGalNAeT2 in SGC7901 cell line was investigated using Western blot analysis of fractionated cell extracts and confocal microscopy with this antibody and two Golgi markers: Golgi SNARE (soluble N-ethylmalemide-sensifive factor attachment protein receptor) of 28 ku (GS28) and trans-Golgi network (TGN) 38, markers for the c/s- and trans-Golgi apparatus, respectively. Morphometric analyses indicated that ～60% of the ppGalNAcT2 signal colocalized with the GS28, while～36% of the c/s-Golgi marker colocalized with the ppGalNAeT2. Approximately 34% of the ppGalNAcT2 signal colocalized with the TGN38, whereas 38% of the trans-Golgi marker colocalized with the ppGalNAcT2. The results provide unequivocal evidence for the location ofppGalNAcT2 within the Golgi apparatus, and further highlight the importance of this organelle in the initiation of O-linked glycosylation.

Objective To evaluate the expression of molecular markers in prostate cancer and to clarify the significance of these markers as prognostic indicators for androgen deprivation therapy. Methods A series of 116 prostate cancer patients under androgen deprivation therapy as a single treatment was reviewed. Expression levels of 7 proteins, including androgen receptor(AR),E-cadherin, Chromogranin A(CgA) , Ki-67, Survivin, EZH2 and hepsin, were measured by immunohistochemical staining. Results Of the 7 molecules. Ki67,EZH2 and Survivin expression were significantly associated with several conventional prognostic factors. Univariate analysis identified clinical stage, Glea-son scores,pretreatment serum PSA level, Ki-67 and Survivin expression as significant predictors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression after endocrine therapy. Of these significant factors, Survivin expression, clinical stage and Gleason scores appeared to be independently related to PSA progression after endocrine therapy by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, there were significant differences in PSA progression-free survival according to positive numbers of these three independent risk factors. Conclusion Survivin could be a useful independent prognostic factor in prostate cancer with endocrine therapy, besides clinical stage and Gleason score.