Platelet-activating factor (PAF), an endogenous bioactive lipid generated by phospholipase A2 and other pathways, displays a variety of biological activities in the nervous system. It has been suggested that PAF plays important roles in neuronal physiological functions including acting as a retrograde messenger to enhance synapse plasticity and memory formation, via activation of its specific membrane receptors.Therefore,the drugs that mimic the action of PAF or modulate the production and inactivation of PAF maybe promising in memory-enhancing. However, under certain pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, HIV-associated dementia or post-ischemic neuronal death, acting as a potent inflammatory mediator and neurotoxin, PAF has been implicated in the pathophysiology of brain injury. So, modulating the metabolism and effects of PAF (e.g., blocking the PAF receptor) may become important strategies of intervention of Alzheimer's disease, HIV-associated dementia or post-ischemic neuronal death.

Objectives To know the affecting degree of snail status by the flood in schistosomiasis epdemic areas.Methods The eight embankments suffered from disasterous floods and collapsed were selected in Dongting Lake; the changes of snail states and snail-killed etc.Before and after disasterous floods were surveyed by retrospectively. Results In the eight embankments, the snail areas inside embankment increased at different degree except two embankments where snail was not found after disaster, it was 10.8 times of that before disaster; Furthermore, after disaster the snail was found in the embankment enclosing village areas inside where it was not found before disaster; in most of embankments collapsed, the mean density of living snail inside embankment and mean density of infected snail and positive rates of snail outside embankment descended at different degree after disaster. Conclusions Inside embankment, the disastrous floods could lead to snails speading in most of embankments collapsed. Otherwise, outside embankment the flood led to reduce the mean density of infected snail and positive rates of snail in most of embankments collapsed, and the degree of snails spreading was affected by the factors such as the snail states at the collapsed place, mean density of living snail,immersed area by water, mud and sand ect.

Objective: To investigate the blood lead level (BLL) in painters and the inlfuential factors, and to provide the theory foundation for the prevention and control of lead poisoning in painters. Methods: A total of 535 painters from Sany Heavy Industry Company Limited and Xiangjiang Kansai Paint Corporation, who participated in the health examination during October 2012 and December 2012, were recruited and divided into a positive blood lead group and a negative blood lead group according to the level of blood lead. Questionnaires survey and physical/biochemical examinations were performed. Chi-square Test and multivariate logistic regression were used to estimate the factors that contributed to the elevated blood lead. Results: hTe results from 525 questionnaires and physical/ biochemical examination were collected. There were 55 workers (10.4%) whose BLL were 0.04 mg/L. The maximum value of BLLs was 0.35mg/L. hTe multivariate logistic regression showed that smoking (OR=2.424), smoking or eating in the workplace (OR=2.139), not washing hands before smoking or eating (OR=1.624), and the cycle of changing masks longer than two weeks (OR=2.158) were positively associated with BLL. Conclusion: Smoking, smoking or eating in the workplace, not washing hands before smoking or eating, and the cycle of changing masks longer than two weeks are risk factors for higher BLL.

AIM: To investigate the effect of Chinese propolis on the activity of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in LPS-treated vascular endothelial cells (VECs). METHODS: Confluent VECs were stimulated with LPS at the concentration of 100 μg/L in the presence of 0.5% fetal bovine serum. The cells were treated with Chinese propolis at the concentration of 12.5 mg/L for 12 h and 24 h. The viability of VECs and the level of nitric oxide (NO) were detected by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and chemical method, respectively. The activity of PC-PLC was measured using L-α-phosphatidylcholine as substrate. The protein levels of TLR4, nuclear factor-Κb p65 (NF-Κb p65) and p53 were determined by Western blotting. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined using a fluorescent probe, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin (DCHF). For the measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, the fluorescent dye JC-1 was used. RESULTS: Treatment with Chinese propolis for 24 h had no effect on the viability of VECs. However, the levels of NO and ROS were significantly decreased by Chinese propolis. PC-PLC activity and NF-Κb p65 expression were significantly depressed by Chinese propolis treated for 12 h, and the expression of TLR4 and p53 were dramatically decreased by Chinese propolis treated for 12 and 24 h. No effect of Chinese propolis on mitochondrial membrane potential was observed. CONCLUSION: Chinese propolis depresses the activity of PC-PLC and the expression of TLR4, and then inhibits the downstream signal molecules such as NF-Κb p65, p53, ROS and NO in VECs.

BACKGROUND:Aconitum carmichaeli Debx (ACD) is the tuberous root of Aconium carmicgaekum, used as cardiotonic to restore yang for the treatment of colapse and shock, to warm the kidney and reinforceyang, and to expel cold and promote the flow ofyang-qi. Studies have found that ACD has obviously cardiotonic, antihypertensive, vasodilatory, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and toxic effects. OBJESTIVE: To observe the vasodilatory effects of a water decoction of ACD on rabbit’s aorta rings and its mechanism. METHODS:Rabbits aorta arteries were isolated, pre-contracted with noradrenaline (10-6 mol/L) and their responses to different concentrations of ACD (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 g/L) were investigated. The effects of removal of vascular endothelium and different signaling pathway inhibitors (Nω-nitro-L-arginine: 1×10-4 mol/L, methylene blue: 1×10-5 mol/L, indomethacin: 1×10-5 mol/L, propranolol: 1×10-5 mol/L) on ACD-induced vasodilation were also assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:ACD could not change the resting tension of rabbit aortic rings, but ACD treatment resulted in an obvious relaxation in narodrenaline-precontracted aortic rings and the relaxant effect was dose-dependent. The vasodilatory effect of ACD was significantly reduced by removal of endothelium, 1×10-4 mol/L Nω-nitro-L-arginine and 1×10-5 mol/L methylene blue but not reduced by indomethacin and propranolol. In addition, 4 g/L water decoction of ACD did not decrease the dose-response curves of artery rings to narodrenaline or KCl in the absence of endothelial cels. ACD can relax isolated rabbit’s aorta, which may be related to endothelium-released nitric oxide, but has no significant relevance with receptor-operated and voltage-dependent calcium channels.

Objective:To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA MALAT1, interleukin 6(IL-6) and apoptosis induced factor(AIF) in peripheral venous blood of premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and its clinical significance.Methods:Preterm infants admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children′s Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016 were enrolled.The selection criteria included gestational age (GA) ≥28 weeks and ≤32 weeks, and birth weight (BW) < 1 500 g. According to the diagnosis, they were divided into BPD group (20 cases) and control group (20 cases). The clinical data of the two groups of premature infants were collected and analyzed, and the levels of MALAT1, IL-6 and AIF in the blood of 40 premature infants were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). T test was used to compare gestational age, birth weight, MALAT1, IL-6 and AIF between the two groups. Results:(1)There was no significant differences in sex ( χ2=1.76), gestational age ( t= 0.17) and birth weight ( t=1.25) of premature infants in BPD group, compared with the control group (all P >0.05). (2)Compared with the control group, the expression of MALAT1 in the peripheral blood of premature infants in BPD group were significantly increased (0.273 4±0.067 3 vs. 0.375 5±0.081 9, P<0.05). (3)Compared with the control group, the expression of IL-6 in the peripheral blood of premature infants in BPD group were obviously decreased (1.448 8±0.191 8 vs.4.444 6±0.165 7, P<0.05). (4)Compared with the control group, the expression of AIF in the peripheral blood of premature infants in BPD group were remarkably decreased(0.006 8±0.002 0 vs.0.004 5±0.001 9, P<0.05). Conclusions:MALAT1 and IL-6 levels of long non-coding RNA in BPD and non-BPD preterm infants are different, which may be related to the incidence of BPD.IL-6 may be a predictor of BPD, and MALAT1 may protect premature infants with BPD.

Objective To explore the association between serum vaspin levels and the severity of the lower extremity vascular lesions in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Methods According to the lower extremity artery plaque,stenosis and intima-media membrane thickening severity score,92 cases of T2DM patients were divided into three groups:simple diabetes group (DM1 group) (32 cases),mild diabetic lower limb vascular lesion group (DM2 group) (33 cases),and moderately severe diabetic lower limb vascular lesion group (DM3 group) (27 cases).Twenty-six age-and gender-matched apparently healthy controls (control group) were recruited as well.Systolic blood pressure (SBP),ankle-brachial index (ABI),insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR),and other indicators were determined,serum vaspin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results After adjustment for age and gender,the DM1 group had a significantly higher serum vaspin level than control group (P ＜0.01),while for the DM2 and DM3 groups,serum vaspin levels were significantly lower than the DM1 group (P ＜ 0.01).Partial correlation analysis showed that serum vaspin was inversely associated with HOMA-IR (r =-0.461,P =0.001)and positively correlated with ABI (r =0.462,P =0.001).Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that SBP,ABI and fasting serum vaspin levels were significantly associated with the presence of the lower extremity vascular lesions in type 2 diabetes.Conclusions Serum vaspin levels were significantly elevated in simple type 2 diabetic patients while the reduction of its level might be associated with the formation of lower extremity vascular lesions in type 2 diabetic patients.

Objective To understand the infection of ureaplasma urealyticum in genitourinary of secondary infertility of male and ex-plore the relationship between the genotype of individual ureaplasma species and genitourinary infection of them . Methods Based on the multiple-banded antigen genes (MBA) of ureaplasma urealyticum, 10 pairs of oligonueleotide primers targeting the 5'ends of the MBA genes were designed to identify the MBA genes of U. parvum and U. ureaplasma by PCR-based genotyping system. The 10 pairs of oligonucleotide primers could distinguish the two biovars and 14 serovars of U. ureaplasma. Results A total of 278 (48.6%) positive ureaplasma culture were obtained from 572 patients attending our clinic of reproductive medical eenter. These methods were used to identify and genotype U. ureaplasma in 311 (54.4%) of 572 patients with genitourinary infection among them U. parvum (biovar 1) was detected in 37.1% and U. ureaplasma (biovar 2) in 17.8%. serovar 1 was in 12.4%, serovars3/14 in 17.1% serovar 6 in 7.5%; subtype 1 of biovar 2 was in 5.6%, subtype 2 in 8.9% and subtype 3 in 2.8%, respectively. Conclusion The PCR-based genotyping system will facilitate future stud-ies of relationship between individual Ureaplasma species or subtypes in genitourinary of secondary infertility of male. The methods described here are relatively rapid, practicable, and specific for the detection species identification and subtyping of Ureaplasma species.

Objective To understand the current distribution and characteristics of advanced schistosomiasis patients who accepted medical assistance in Hunan Province in 2015,so as to provide the evidence for perfecting the policy and measures of the medical assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients. Methods The patients who had been diagnosed as advanced schis-tosomiasis were verified and confirmed according to the standard of the medical assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province in 2015. The epidemiological survey was conducted to investigate the demographic characteristics,history of diagnosis and treatment,and medical assistance to these persons. Results There were 3850 advanced schistosomiasis patients who accepted the medical assistance in Hunan Province in 2015,and among them,2664 patients were male(69.19%),and 1186 were female(30.81%). Most of them(92.82%)came from the main schistosomiasis endemic areas,such as Yueyang, Changde and Yiyang. There were 2369 cases of ascites(61.53%),1466 cases of splenomegaly(38.08%),15 cases of colon proliferation and dwarf(0.39%). The mean age of advanced schistosomiasis patients who accepted the medical assistance was (62.94 ± 11.67)years old,with 64.31% of them being more than 60 years old. The age of initial diagnosis of advanced schistoso-miasis was(53.85 ± 21.32)years old,and it was concentrated in 40-60 years old(68.57%). The mean duration of advanced schistosomiasis was(9.58 ± 10.06)years,and it was mainly distributed in 10 years(75.95%). The mean duration from initial diagnosis of schistosomiasis to advanced schistosomiasis was(22.33 ± 14.20)years. The priority of the medical assistance to ad-vanced schistosomiasis patients was given to the county hospitals(76.57%);and the effective rate of assistance was 94.46%. To-tally 86.57% of the patients with advanced schistosomiasis got the medical insurance(rural cooperative medical care,urban medical care,etc.). Conclusions The burden of the medical assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients is still heavy be-cause of many patients and low cure rate in Hunan Province. The ascites patients and high age patients should be the important objects of the medical assistance.

OBJECTIVEDynamic changes of quality and growth of Whitmania pigra were investigated to provide theoretical basis for quality control and determination of optimal harvest time.

METHODThe contents of moisture, ethanol-soluble extractive, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash, as well as antithrombin activity were determined according to Chinese pharmacopoeia (2005 edition).

RESULTQualities of W. pigra collected from different growth stages met the standards of Chinese pharmacopoeia (2005 edition). The highest amount of ethanol-soluble extract was found in 9-month-old, W. pigra, followed by 6-month-aged ones. And there was significant difference between 9-month-old and 4-month-old, 7 month-old and 11 month-old (P < 0.05). The highest antithrombin activity was detected in 6 month-old W. pigra, followed by 10 month-old. Significant differences of antithrombin activity were found between 6-month-old and 4 month-old ones, and 5 month-old (P < 0.05), however, there were no significant difference between 6 month-old ones with other samples. Eleven-month-old W. pigra got the most dry weight, and there were significant difference between 11 month-old ones with other samples (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNovember, namely for 6 month old artificial cultivated W. pigra was the best harvest time in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

Animals ; Antithrombin III ; Antithrombins ; analysis ; China ; Leeches ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Peptide Fragments