The mature seeds and excised embryos of Dalbergia odorifera were used as materials to study the effect of moisture content on their survival, as well as the effect of rapid freezing and vitrification freezing method on seeds and in vitro embryos cryopreservation. The results showed that the germination rate and vigor decreased from 82.67%, 85% to 18.35%, 25% respectively, when the seed moisture content decreased from 15.04% to 8.14%; and the germination rate decreased from 82.67% to 37.50%, 25.37% respectively by vitrification freezing method and rapid freezing method, when the seed moisture content decreased from 15.04% to 9.37%. Among all the moisture content gradient, 12.35% moisture reached the maximal germination rate, which were 63.58% and 50.45% respectively by vitrification freezing and rapid freezing; and when the embryo moisture content was 26.32%, the germination rate decreased from 95.67% to 58.31% and 33.82% respectively by vitrification freezing and rapid freezing. And when the moisture content was in the range of 14.17% -21.34%, the germination rate was a bit of decrease. The experiment results showed that the optimum conditions of seed cryopreservation were: moisture content 12.35%, vitrification freezing; and the optimum conditions of in vitro embryo cryopreservation were: moisture 15.04%, vitrification freezing. In conclusion, the effects of moisture content on germination rate after cryopreservation in D. odorifera seeds and embryo were significant, and vitrification freezing method is much better than rapid freezing method.
Cryopreservation ; methods ; Dalbergia ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Germination ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Water ; analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been detected in about 10% of gastric carcinomas. However, the pathogenetic role of EBV in gastric carcinoma is uncertain. This study was to explore the correlation of Fas/FasL expression to the apoptosis of tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC).

METHODSFas/FasL expression in 49 specimens of EBVaGC, 20 specimens of EBV-negative gastric carcinoma (EBVnGC) and 12 specimens of normal gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry. The apoptotic index (AI) of cells was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL).

RESULTSThe positive rates of Fas were 91.7% in normal gastric mucosa and 76.8% in gastric carcinoma (P < 0.05); those of FasL were 16.7% in normal gastric mucosa and 58% in gastric carcinoma (P < 0.05). The positive rate of Fas was significantly lower in EBVaGC than in EBVnGC (71.4% vs. 90.0%, P < 0.05). The positive rate of FasL in EBVaGC was significantly higher than that in EBVnGC (63.2% vs. 45%, P < 0.05). The AI of EBVaGC cells was significantly lower than that of EBVnGC cells (P = 0.002). The number and AI of TIL in EBVaGC were higher than those in EBVnGC (P < 0.05). The AI of TIL was positively correlated with the level of FasL expression in tumor cells (r=0.237, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONUp-regulation of FasL expression and decrease of TIL apoptosis in EBVaGC may facilitate the escape of tumor cells from the host immunosurveillance, and it might contribute to the development and progression of carcinoma.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunologic Surveillance ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Tumor Escape ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

Identification accuracy of traditional Chinese medicine is crucial for the traditional Chinese medicine research, production and application. DNA barcoding based on the mitochondrial gene coding for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), are more and more used for identification of traditional Chinese medicine. Using universal barcoding primers to sequence, we discussed the feasibility of DNA barcoding method for identification commonly-used medicinal snakes (a total of 109 samples belonging to 19 species 15 genera 6 families). The phylogenetic trees using Neighbor-joining were constructed. The results indicated that the mean content of G + C(46.5%) was lower than that of A + T (53.5%). As calculated by Kimera-2-parameter model, the mean intraspecies genetic distance of Trimeresurus albolabris, Ptyas dhumnades and Lycodon rufozonatus was greater than 2%. Further phylogenetic relationship results suggested that identification of one sample of T. albolabris was erroneous. The identification of some samples of P. dhumnades was also not correct, namely originally P. korros was identified as P. dhumnades. Factors influence on intraspecific genetic distance difference of L. rufozonatus need to be studied further. Therefore, DNA barcoding for identification of medicinal snakes is feasible, and greatly complements the morphological classification method. It is necessary to further study in identification of traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Reptilian Proteins ; genetics ; Snakes ; classification ; genetics

BCG Vaccine ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node ; etiology ; pathology

AIM:To study the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on brain edema, nerve function damage and autophagy related proteins in rats with head injury.METHODS:The rat model of craniocerebral injury (CI) was constructed.The rats were divided into control group, CI group, and low-, middle-and high-dose bFGF groups (n=10).The CI model was established in CI group, while the rats in control group were not given epidural impact.The rats in low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose bFGF groups were given bFGF at 2, 4 and 6μg, respectively, by intraperitoneal injection after 30 min.The neurological function in the rats was evaluated by improved neurological function scoring.The rat brain tissues were taken, and the water content was detected.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1βin the brain tissue were measured by ELISA.The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was analyzed by thiobarbituric acid method.The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was examined by WST-8 assay.The glutathine peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was detected by colorimetric method.The protein levels of autophagy related proteins LC3-II and beclin-1 in the brain tissues were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The neurological function score was increased significantly of the rats in CI group.The rat model of craniocerebral injury was successfully constructed.Neurological function scores in the rats in low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose bFGF groups were reduced, the water content of the brain tissue was also reduced (P<0.05).The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1βwere decreased in the brain tissues (P<0.05) , the content of MDA was declined (P<0.05) , the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased (P<0.05) , the protein levels of LC3-II and beclin-1 were decreased, compared with the untreated rats in CI group (P<0.05).CON-CLUSION:bFGF improves the nerve function of the rats with craniocerebral injury, reduces the water content of the brain tissue, reduces the expression of autophagic protein LC3-II and beclin-1.The mechanism is related to the inhibition of inflammatory reaction and oxidative damage.

Background and Objective:Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)has been detected in about 10% of gastric carcinomas.However.the pathogenetic role of EBV in gastric carcinoma is uncertain.This study was to explore the correlation of Fas/FasL expression with the apoptosis of tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TIL)in EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC).Methods:Fas/FasL expression in 49 specimens of EBVaGC,20 specimens of EBV-negative gastric carcinoma(EBVnGC)and 12 specimens of normal gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry.The apoptotic index(Al)of cells was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL).Results:The positive rates of Fas were 91.7%in normal gastric mucosa and 76.8%in gastric carcinoma(P＜0.05);those of FasL were 16.7%in normal gastric mucosa and 58%in gastric carcinoma(P＜0.05).The positive rate of Fas was lower in EBVaGC than in EBVnGC(71.4%vs.90.O%,P＞0.05).The positive rate of FasL in EBVaGC was significantly higher than that in EBVnGC(63.2%vs.45%.P＜0.05).The Al of EBVaGC cells was significantly lower than that of EBVnGC cells(P=0.002).The number and Al of TIL in EBVaGC were higher than those in EBVnGC(P＜0.05).The Al of TIL was positively correlated with the level of FasL expression in tumor cells(r=0.237,P=0.028).Conclusion:Up-regulation of FasL expression and decrease of TIL apoptosis in EBVaGC may facilitate the escape of tumor cells from the host immunosurveillance,and it might contribute to the development and progression of carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the change of nursing undergraduates ’ attitude towards patients with mental disorder between before and after their nursing practice in the psychiatric department .Methods One hundred and fifteen students were selected and provided an internship program delivered by the Nursing Department to practice in the Psychiatric Hospital .All of nursing undergraduates were investigate with stigma scale towards people with mental disorder and the change of their attitude towards patients with mental disorder were compared between before and after their nursing practice .Results After nursing practice, the total score of the stigma scale among nursing undergraduates was (40.90 ±14.84), the score of dangerous dimension was (13.56 ±5.44), and the score of social isolation dimension was (22.09 ±9.55), which were all lower than those before nursing practice , these differences were statistically significant (t =3.86, 4.02, 3.02, respectively;P<0.01).The score of contact scale among nursing undergraduates after nursing practice was (3.64 ±1.29) and higher than that before practice with (2.96 ±0.67), the difference was statistically significant (t=-3.68;P<0.01).The nursing undergraduates ’ willingness to work in the psychiatric hospital increased to 71.3%after nursing practice from 49.6%before nursing practice , the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =230.00, P<0.01).Conclusions The clinical nursing practice for nursing undergraduates in the psychiatric department can reduce their discrimination against patients with mental disorder .

Objective To observe the protein expression patterns of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the liver tissue of liver contusion rats at different time after impact. Methods Fifty healthy adult male SD rats were randomly and evenly divided into control group and experimental groups (1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, 24 h, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d after liver contusion). A rat liver contusion model was established by a free-falling device. The rats were killed at corresponding time, and the contused hepatic lobes were extracted. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in contused liver tissue of the rats in each group were observed by immunohistochemical staining (SP method) and Western blotting. Results After the liver contusion, the expression of positive cell and the protein semiquantitative result showed that the protein expression of MMP-2 enhanced at 6 h and peaked at 24 h, then decreased gradually at 3-5 d, and returned to normal levels at 7 d. The difference of expression between group and its previous adjacent group after 6 h (except 18 h) had statistical significance (P<0.05). The protein expression of MMP-9 rose obviously at 1 h after liver contusion and peaked at 18 h, then decreased gradually at 3-7 d which still higher than control group. The expression difference between group and its previous adjacent group (except 12 h and 24 h) had statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion The protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in contused liver tissue after impact show good time-dependent patterns, which may provide important reference indicators for the time estimation of liver contusion.

OBJECTIVETo reveal the clinical features of patients with acute arrest of hemopoiesis (AAH), and explore the dissimilarity between AAH, severe aplastic anemia (SAA) and very severe aplastic anemia (vSAA).

METHODSThe clinical and laboratory features of 23 AAH patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from May 1993 to May 2006 were analysed retrospectively and compared to the 111 cases of SAA and vSAA patients diagnosed at anaemia therapeutic centre of the hospital from Jul 2002 to May 2006.

RESULTSTwenty-three patients accorded with the criteria for AAH, and 16 of them with the criteria for severe acute arrest of hemopoiesis (SAAH). They could spontaneously reconstitute their bone marrow hematopoiesis at a median of 17 days (range, 8-50), and had remarkable older age (median age 35.5 vs 21), positive history of other disease and taking medication. Fever as one of presenting symptom were noticed in 10 of 16 STAA patients. The laboratory results were similar with SAA or vSAA, had more frequent decreased serum albumin level and total iron binding capacity and higher CFU-GM.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with AAH often had similar clinical symptoms with SAA or vSAA. Although they were diagnosed retrospectively, identification of the pathogenesis and laboratory examination may help for the early diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Anemia, Aplastic ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and management of pancreatic disease-associated portal hypertension.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was carried out in patients with portal hypertension and concurrent pancreatic diseases. The medical records of these patients were reviewed including the data of demographics, etiologies, venous involvement, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, imaging studies, therapeutic modalities and outcomes.

RESULTSFifty-two patients with portal hypertension resulting from pancreatic diseases were found in our hospital, accounting for 4% of all the patients with portal hypertension in 11 years. The underlying pancreatic diseases were chronic pancreatitis (21 cases, 35.6%), pancreatic carcinoma (20 cases, 33.9%), acute pancreatitis (8 cases, 13.6%), pancreatic pseudocyst (3 cases, 5.1%). Of the 40 patients whose venous involvement was identified, splenic vein obstruction occurred in 27 cases (67.5%) and portal vein obstruction in 16 cases (40.0%). Mild or moderate splenomegaly was present in 48 cases (81.4%), with leukocytopenia as the most common manifestation of the 31 cases (52.5%) with concomitant hypersplenism. Forty-five patients (76.3%) developed gastroesophageal varices (including 35 with isolated gastricvarices), and among them 22 experienced bleeding (42.3%). Conservative treatment was effective in controlling acute bleeding, but could not prevent re-bleeding. Splenectomy was performed in 18 patients mainly due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage. No postoperative bleeding occurred during the follow-up ranging from 8 months to 9 years.

CONCLUSIONPancreatic diseases may compromise portal vein and its tributaries, leading to generalized or regional portal hypertension. Pharmacological therapy can effectively control acute variceal bleeding, while surgical treatment is the appropriate procedure of choice in case of hemorrhagic recurrence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; complications ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult