Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of ambroxol in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis of rats.Methods Sixty Wistar rats were divided into three groups:The normal control group(group N),the model group treated with bleomycinA5(group B)and the group treated with ambroxol(group A).Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin.Then the rats received daily ambroxol 35mg/kg(group A),or normal saline(group B).Five rats in each group were killed on 3.7.14 and 28 days after intratracheal instillation.Histological changes of the lungs were evaluated by HE stain and Masson's trichrome stain.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)in lung homogenates were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results Pulmonary fibrosis of Group A was significantly improved as compared with that of Group B(P

Objective: To observe the pharmacological actions of Shenbao mixture on sex function in mice. Methods: Accessory sex organ weight and sperm activity in normal and model mice with kidney-yang deficiency induced by hydrocortisone were observed. The number of keratocytes,wet weight of the uterus and serum estradiol level in ovariectomized rats were examined. Sexual behavior and immune function were also observed. Results: Shenbao mixture can increase the accessory sex organ weight in normal and model mice, enhance the sperm activity and sexual behavior in normal mice and increase the number of vaginal keratocytes, wet weight of the uterus and serum estradiol level in ovariectomized rats. Shenbao mixture could also increase the wet weight of the thymus and the spleen and promote the proliferation of lymphocytes in model mice. Conclusion: Shenbao mixture can improve the sex function of mice.

Objective To investigate the effect of nifedipine on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) in rats and the possible mechanism. Methods Forty-two male SD rats weighing 220-250 g were randomly divided into 3 groups with 14 animals in each group: sham operation group (group S); I/R group and I/R + nifedipine group (group N). The renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral renal arteries and veins for 45 min followed by reperfusion. In group S the renal arteries and veins were only exposed but not occluded. In group N, nifedipine 0.1 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein 15 min before ischemia and 15 min before reperfusion, while the equal volume of solvent was given in group I/R. The urine was collected to detect the N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminide (NAG) activities at 6 and 24 h of reperfusion. Arterial blood samples were taken at 6 and 24 h reperfusion for determination of concentrations of serum creatinine (Cr), malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO. The rats were then sacrificed and the kidney was removed to detect the apoptotic cells in renal cortex and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and endothelin- 1 (ET-1). Results The concentrations of serum Cr and MDA, NAG activity, expression of HSP70 and ET-1 and apoptosis rate were significantly increased in group I/R compared with group S (P ＜0.05). The concentrations of serum Cr and MDA, NAG activity, ET-1 expression and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased, while the serum NO concentration was significantly increased in group N compared with group I/R (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Nifedipine can attenuate renal I/R injury and the underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ET-1 expression.

Objective To evaluate the effect of multiplex polymerase chain reaction(Multiple-PCR) in identification of Brucella strains.Methods Six standard Brucella strains (Brucella abortus,Brucella melitensis,Brucella suis,Brucella canis,Brucella ovis,Brucella neotomae) were used as positive controls and Escherichia coli O∶157 and Yersinia enterocolitica O∶9 were used as negative controls.A total of 29 Brucella strains were tested.Brucella strains were amplified by BCSP31-PCR and the species of Brucella with positive results were identified with Multiple-PCR method.Results The results of all 29 amplified Brucella strains were positive with BCSP31-PCR.The identified results of all Brucella strains were positive with Multiple-PCR,including 20 strains of Brucella melitensis,5 isolates of Brucella suis,3 strains of Brucella abortus and 1 strain of Brucella canis.Conclusion Multiple-PCR method is a rapid,specific,simple and low risk method for identification of Brucella species.

Ammonium perchlorate (AP), mainly used as solid propellants, was reported to interfere with homeostasis via competitive inhibition of iodide uptake. However, detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, AP was administered at 0, 130, 260 and 520 mg/kg every day to 24 male SD rats for 13 weeks. The concentrations of iodine in urine, serum thyroid hormones levels, total iodine, relative iodine and total protein, and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in thyroid tissues were measured, respectively. Our results showed that high-dose perchlorate induced a significant increase in urinary iodine and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), with a decrease of total iodine and relative iodine content. Meanwhile, free thyroxine (FT4) was decreased and CAT activity was remarkably increased. Particularly, the CAT activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that CAT might be enhanced to promote the synthesis of iodine, resulting in elevated urinary iodine level. Furthermore, these findings suggested that iodine in the urine and CAT activity in the thyroid might be used as biomarkers for exposure to AP, associated with thyroid hormone indicators such as TSH, FT4.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and the possible pathogenesis of rhythmic movement disorder (RMD) by analyzing 2 patients with RMD and reviewing the literature. Methods By using overnight polysomnogram (PSG) and sleeping video monitoring, the movement patterns, sleep architecture, and sleep quality of 2 patients who met the RMD diagnostic criteria were examined. Results Two male patients were 15-years old. The onset age of patient 1 was 3-years old, and patient 2 was 10-years old. All abnormal movements occurred in sleep, which presented with repetitive, stereotyping and rhythmical movements. Multiple patterns of abnormal sleeping movement were observed in 2 patients: head hypsokinesis, thoracic and waist hyperextension, and pendular movement of bilateral upper extremities. In the sitting position, the patient exhibited kneeling position, and fore-and-aft or lateral rhythmical swing of the upper body accompanied with head-banging. In the prone position, the patient behaved head backward hyperextension, and horizontal and fluctuating pendular movement of the body, which was just like the auto-erotic situation. In the lateral sleep position, the patient supported their head by using the right hand accompanied with fore-and-aft pendular movement of the head and the upper body. These symptoms mentioned above emerged immediately when the patient fell asleep, and continuously existed in all sleep period including non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement. All of the symptoms disappeared once the patient woke. The abnormal movement frequency was 0.1-2.0 Hz. In addition, the sleep architecture and quality were severely influenced by RMD in patient 2. Clonazepam might markedly ameliorate the symptoms and sleep quality. Conclusions Multiple abnormal movement patterns may exist in the RMD patients, and these abnormal movements could last during the whole sleep period. PSG and sleeping video monitoring should be undertaken for the suspected RMD patients, which are very useful for the definite diagnosis of RMD.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Ulanqab of Inner Mongolia.Methods Three hundred and twenty patients with suspected brucellosis were selected,who had registered in the Ulanqab Center for Endemic Disease Control of Inner Mongolia from April to June 2011.The investigation covered general situation,such as gender,age,occupation and main clinical symptoms and so on.Blood samples were collected,and Rose Bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) was used for serum screening.Those who were tested positive in RBPT were confirmed with tube agglutination test (SAT).Brucellosis was diagnosed according to Diagnostic criteria for Brucellosis (WS 269-2007).Data were analyzed with statistical software(SPSS 17.0).Results One hundred and thirty-four cases were positive in RBPT of the 320 people surveyed,of which 93 cases were positive in SAT; antibody titers were higher than 1 ∶ 100(++),therefore they were diagnosed as brucellosis,and the ratio was 29.1％(93/320).The number of patients with suspected brucellosis who were negative in SAT test was 41,and the ratio was 12.8％ (41/320).Among the 93 people who were infected,the constituent ratio of farmers and herdsmen who engaged in livestock was the highest,accounted for 63.4％(59/93) and 24.7％ (23/93) of the total number of patients ; infection rate of male (30.9％,55/178) was higher than that of females (26.7％,38/142) ; the number(39) of brucellosis patients who were over the age of 51 was the highest,and the ratio is 42.0％.The onset season mainly in May and August; main route of exposure was bare hands lambing,midwifery and contact with infected sheep pollutants.Conclusions Sheep is the main source of human Brucella infection in Ulanqab.It is the key to control the spreading of brucellosis through improving awareness of disease prevention among farmers and herdsmen as well intensifying the prevention and control of Brucella infection between livestock.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrying preS sequences could be an ideal candidate for a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine with higher efficacy. Here we report the success in achieving efficient and stable expression of hepatitis B virus S antigen and preS1 epitope fusion protein (S/preS1) in CHO cells. The HMRCHEF53u/Neo-S/preS1 expression vector carrying S/preS1 gene was constructed and transfected into CHO-S cells. A stable and high-expression CHO cell line, named 10G6, was selected by ELISA and limiting dilution analysis. Western blotting analysis showed S/preS1 expressed from 10G6 cells possessed both S and preS1 antigenicity. 10G6 cells displayed characters of favorable growth and stable S/preS1 expression in repeated batch cultures as evaluated by viable cell density, viability and S/preS1 concentration. And cultivation of 10G6 cells in fed-batch mode resulted in S/preS1 production at 17-20 mg/L with viable cell density at 7 x 10(6)-10 x 10(6) cells/mL.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetulus ; Epitopes ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; Protein Precursors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

2', 3', 5'-Tri-O-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxylaniline)adenosine (WS070117) is a derivative compound of natural product cordycepin. It has significant lipids regulating activity and low toxicity which has been proved by in vitro and in vivo experiments. In this study, 1H NMR-based metabolomics was used to investigate the dose-related effects of WS070117 on hyperlipidemia of high-fat-fed hamsters. The hyperlipidemic hamsters were administrated with six different doses of WS070117, including 3, 12, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). 1H NMR spectra of hamster serum were visually and statistically analyzed using two multivariate analyses: principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). As a result, WS070117-treated groups showed dose-related regulation of metabolites associated with lipid metabolism, choline metabolism and glucose metabolism. The dose of 3 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of WS070117 only exhibited a little lipids regulating activity. However, the doses of 12 and 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of WS070117 both regulated the contents of metabolites to reverse significantly toward normal levels. When the dose of WS070117 reached 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), it was more effective than positive control drugs. The work suggested that NMR-based metabolomics might be a valuable approach to evaluate dose-related effects of lipids regulating compounds.
Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cricetinae ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Metabolomics ; Multivariate Analysis ; Principal Component Analysis

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Dexamethasone on the expression of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNG channels) mRNA of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). METHODS Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: 24-hours Dexamethasone treated group and its control group; 2-weeks Dexamethasone treated group and its control group. Dexamethasone was injected i.p. (1 mg/kg for 24-hours group, 0.2 mg/d for 2-weeks group). Control group rats were injected with the same volume of normal saline. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was performed to evaluate mRNA production of CNGA2 subunits. RESULTS In Dexamethasone-injected rats, the up-regulation of CNGA2 mRNA was observed in 2-weeks group(P