Objective To observe the changes of zymophagy during experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) induced by caerulein.Methods Pancreatic acinar cell line AR42J cells were cultured in 6-well plates till 90％ confluent and then divided into AP group and control group.Caerulein (1 × 10-8 mol/L) was added into AP group to establish AP cell model,and 1640 cell culture medium was added into control group.After caerulein treated for one,four,six,eight,12 and 24 hours,cells and cell culture supernatant were collected.The levels of cytokine interleukin (IL)-1,tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α,trypsinogen activation (TAP) and amylase were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.The expression of LC3 and Beclin1 at mRNA of each group were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The LC3B protein level of each group were detected by Western blotting.The changes of autophagosome and zymophagosome were observed by transmission electron microscopy.The difference between AP group and control group was analyzed by analysis of variance.Results The level of IL-1,TNFα,amylase and TAP in cell culture supernatant of control group was (18.83±7.10) pg/mL,(14.20±3.79) pg/mL,(10.03±2.85) U/L and (39.48±8.62) pg/mL,respectively.Those of AP group significantly increased at first hour ((62.13±11.25) pg/mL,F=3.32,P＜0.01 ; (30.98±7.11) pg/mL,F=3.05,P＜0.05; (25.06±6.82) U/L,F=2.90,P＜0.05 and (128.51± 18.30) pg/mL),F=2.62,P＜0.01,at fourth or sixth hour reached peak (IL-1 at fourth hour:(71.96± 15.82) pg/mL,F=7.25,P＜0.01;TNFα at sixth hour:(39.92±8.94) pg/mL,F=4.93,P＜0.05; amylase at fourth hour:(28.83 ± 8.31) U/L,F=2.06,P＜0.05; TAP at fourth hour:(146.29± 29.36) pg/mL,F=0.14,P＜0.01) and then gradually decreased.At fourth and sixth hour,the expression of LC3 at mRNA level in AP group was 3.18±0.82,1.71±0.14,respectively,while the expression of Beclin-1 rnRNA at first,fourth hour was 2.44±0.34 and 4.13±0.30,all of them were significantly increased compared with those of control group (0.21±0.04 and 0.30±0.08,LC3 mRNA F=0.79、0.06; Beclin mRNA F=2.31、0.36,all P＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences at other time points.The numbers of autophagosome and zymophagosome of AP group were significantly higher than those of control group under transmission electron microscopy.Conclusion Zymophagy occurred during AP cell model induced by caerulein,which suggested that zymophagy might involve in the mechanism of AP.

Background:Damage of intestinal mucosal barrier is a key factor in the development and progress of acute pancreatitis(AP),and is closely related with the prognosis of the disease. Aims:To investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of mucoprotective agent teprenone on intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with experimental AP. Methods:Forty-five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n = 5),AP model group(n = 20)and teprenone treated group(n = 20). AP model was established by subcutaneous injection of cerulein at abdominal wall. Rats in treated group were intervened with teprenone intragastrically before and after model establishment. ELISA was used for measurement of serum interleukin-1(IL-1),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and amylase;histopathological and ultrastructural changes of small intestinal mucosa were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope;Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of tight junction protein occludin and ZO-1. Results:Serum levels of IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α and amylase in AP model group were significantly higher than those in normal control group(P < 0. 05),accompanied by necrosis and exfoliation of small intestinal villus,widening of intercellular tight junctions and downregulation of occludin and ZO-1 expression. While in teprenone treated group,serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and amylase were significantly decreased as compared with AP model group(P < 0. 05),the villus of small intestine remained intact,and dense tight junctions were observed. Expressions of occludin and ZO-1 in teprenone treated group were upregulated. Conclusions:Teprenone may protect against intestinal mucosal barrier injury in AP model rats by upregulating tight junction protein expression.

Objective To assess the effect of altitude hypoxia on the elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Three subject groups were surveyed during their train trip on the highest railroad--the Qinghai-Tibet Railway: 22 elderly individuals with documented CAD, 20 healthy elderly controls, and 20 healthy young controls, all of whom from Beijing near the sea level (76 m). Survey questions addressed clinical features of their healthy conditions and aspects of their coronary disease. The baseline study was performed at Xining at an altitude of 2261 m, and then during acute exposure to altitudes of 2808 m, 4768m, 5072 m and 4257 m by train for 24 hours. Resting pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, electrocardiograph (ECG), and cardiac work estimated by the heart rate-blood pressure double product were obtained five times in each subject at different altitudes. Results On arrival to altitudes between 4768 m and 5072 m, the older passengers, especially those with preexisting coronary disease, had higher HR, higher BP, and lower SaO2, as well as more frequent abnormalities on ECG, as compared to the younger healthy subjects. As compared with the healthy elderly controls, incomplete right bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ST segment depression were more frequently seen in the elderly coronary patients (P<0.01). Cardiac work in group 1 was increased by 13% 12 hours after arrival to altitudes between 2808 m and 5072 m. Oxygen saturation decreased significantly with the altitude increasing by train ascent but improved after inhalation of oxygen. Most of the older subjects tolerated their sojourn at high altitude well except one who developed angina repeatedly with a significant ST segment depression. Conclusions Coronary events and ECG signs of myocardial ischemia are rare in elderly individuals with CAD who travel from sea level to moderate altitudes of 1500m to 2800 m. Patients with CAD who are well compensated at sea level generally tolerate this moderate altitude well. However, it would be prudent for patients with CAD going to altitude above 3000 m. The patients should consult their physician before undertaking a trip to such altitude.

Objective To establish a stable AR42J cell line expressing EGFP LC3.Methods The EGFP LC3 overexpressed Lentivirus was constructed and transfected into pancreatic acinar cells (AR42J) of rats.The rats with Lentiviral EGFP transfection were treated as negative control.The transfection efficiency was detected by inverted fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry.The EGFP LC3 protein expression in the stable cell lines were analyzed by Western blot.The cells were treated with thapsigargin to establish endoplasmic reticulum stress model,and the LC3,PERK protein expressions were detected by Western blot.Results The transfection efficiency of Lentiviral EGFP LC3 of AR42J cell was ＞ 85％,which could achieve stable passage.The expression of LC3 mRNA of AR42J cells transfected with Lentiviral EGFP LC3 was 9.14 ±0.32 folds higher than that of negative control,which had no expression of LC3 protein,only EGFP expression.However,compared with non-transfection group,the LC3 mRNA expression in EGFP group was not significantly different.Conclusions A pancreatic acinar cell line (AR42J) of rat stably expressing EGFP LC3 protein is successfully constructed.And it may provide a new model for further research of the relationship between acute pancreatitis and autophagy.

Objective To investigate the changes and significance of autophagy in rats with experimental acute necrosis pancreatitis (ANP).Methods According to method of random number,18 rats were randomly divided into control group,ANP group,ANP+rapamycin (RAP) group.The ANP rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 20％ L-arginine.The rats of ANP+RAP group were intraperitoneal injected with RAP 1.2 mg/kg at 30 minutes before modeling.The rats of control group were intraperitoneal injected with 0.9％ NaCl solution.The blood was drawed from the hearts nine hours after modeling for subsequent experiments.Serum levels of trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP),interleukin (IL-1),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The pancreatic tissues were pathologically scored.Autophagy-related structures in rat pancreatic acinar cells were observed by transmition electron microscopy.The expression of autophagy marker microtuble assciated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 at mRNA and protein level were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR),Western bloting and immunohistochemistry.The single factor analysis of variance was used for mean comparison among groups.Results A rat model of ANP was successfully established.Histopathological score of pancreas acinar cell necrosis of ANP+RAP group (2.19±1.38) was higher than that of ANP group (0.97±0.68),and the difference was statistically significant(F=33.75,P＜0.05).The results of Western blotting indicated that the protein expression of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 in ANP group (35.25±2.68 and 49.40±5.28)were higher than those in control group (1.54±0.16 and 0.78±0.06),furthermore the expressions in ANP+RAP group(123.53±3.21 and 76.41±3.80) were higher than those in ANP group,and the differences were statistically significant(F=2 045.54,326.87,both P＜0.01).Immunohistochemistry results also indicated that the LC3Ⅱ and Beclin-1 expression at protein level of ANP+RAP group (7 570.63±4 357.67 and 3 418.09±2 035.78) were higher than those of ANP group (1 926.53±1 414.44 and 536.11±403.10),and the differences were statistically significant (F=39.83,41.58,both P＜0.01).The expression of Beclin-1 at mRNA level of ANP group (107.12±29.10) was statistically higher than that of control group(7.01 ±3.39),and the difference was statistically significant (F=3.61,P＜0.05),but the expression of ANP+RAP group (97.63 ± 65.38)was no significant difference compared with ANP group.However,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ at mRNA level of ANP+ RAP group (4.37 ± 1.67) was statistically higher than that of ANP group (1.76 ± 1.59),and the difference was statistically significant(F=16.10,P＜0.05),but the expression of ANP group was no significant difference compared with control group (1.51 ±0.95).The result of electron microscopy showed that autophagy related structures increased in ANP group compared with that of control group,which of ANP+RAP group was more.The serum levels of TAP,IL-1 and IL-6 of ANP + RAP group were (36.47 ± 1.71) pmol/L,(122.88± 26.67) pg/mL and (107.39±13.95) pg/mL,which were all higher than those of ANP group ((25.63 ± 6.05) pmol/L,(98.06 ±9.29) pg/mL and (86.16± 7.20) pg/mL),and the differences were statistically significant (F=116.71,50.45,79.67; all P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in TNFα between ANP+ RAP group ((140.80±60.82) pg/mL) and ANP group ((105.23±6.95) pg/mL,F=14.76,P＞0.05).Conclusions Autophagy increased in rats with ANP.Promoting autophagy could significantly activate trypsinogen,aggravate pancreatic injury and increase inflammation reaction,which indicated that autophagy might involve in the pathogenesis of ANP through trypsinogen activation.

Objective To study the effects of urinary kallidinogenase (kallikrein) on focal cerebral blood flow (CBF) following cerebral infarction in rats by laser speckle imaging.Methods Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by the intraluminal filament technique.Laser speckle imaging was used to measure CBF in the ischemic cortical area and middle cerebral artery territory.The brain was stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) to determine the infarct size.Neurological deficit score was measured.Results CBF increased in both hemispheric cortical area and MCA territory on the first and second days following urinary kallikrein administration at high dose but not at low dose.Larger blood vessel diameter and increased blood flow velocity were noticed in the high dose group in some arteries when compared to the low dose group and normal saline control group.At 36 h after cerebral ischemia,the brain infarct size was 10.14% ±3.02% ,25.99% ±3.90% and 27.10% ±3.32% in high, low dose and normal saline control groups,respectively.The infarct size was significantly smaller in the high ( F = 61.14, P<0.01 ) but not low dose group when compared to the normal saline control group.The neurological deficit was milder in the high dose group but not the other two groups at 4 h after cerebral ischemia; however, there were no differences among the groups at 36 h after MCAO.Conclusions Urinary kallidinogenase can reduce cerebral infarction volume and neurological deficit in rats following focal cerebral ischemia.These effects may be attributed to enhanced collateral circulation and improved CBF in the hemispheric cortical area and MCA territory.

Objective To explore CT manifestion of multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC)and to improve the recognization of MPLC.Methods The CT manifestions of 12 cases with MPLC proved by pathology were retrospectively reviewed.Results All the 12 cases were double primary lung cancer.There were 24 lesions with 21 peripheral and 3 central,the average diameter was (2.2 ± 0.6)cm.Lesions located in contralateral lobes were in 2 patients,and located in ipsilateral lobes were in 10 patients,with 3 located in the same lobe and 7 in the different lobes.There were 7 cases of adenocarcinoma-adenocarcinoma,3 cases of squamous cell carci-noma-adenocarcinoma,1 case of squamous cell carcinoma-squamous cell carcinoma and 1 case of squamous cell carcinoma-carcinoid. 1 1 cases were metachronous and 1 case was synchronous.3 lesions were lump located at hilus of the lung,21 lesions were intrapul-monary nodules,showing masses with lobulated shape,spicules of margin,vascular convergence,vacuole and pleural indentation sign.Most foci displayed moderate intensity enhancement and homogeneous density in triphase enhanced scans,the CT value of le-sions on enhanced images ranged from 20-60 HU.Conclusion MPLC are synchronous and peripheral adenocarcinoma type,all of the lesions have typical CT features of primary lung cancer.

Objective To silence the beclin1 gene expression by using RNA interference technology in AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cells,and build a stable AR42J line silencing beclin1.Methods Three kinds of shRNA targeting rat beclin1 mRNA and negative control shRNA were designed and synthesized,and were inserted into the plasmids GV112,respectively.The recombinant plasmids were named as p-sh-Beclin1-1,psh-Beclin1-2,p-sh-Beclin1-3 and p-shRNA-NC.Lipo3000 was used to transfect the recombinant plasmid into AR42J cells,the expression of beclin1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR to screen for the most efficient silencing plasmid,and then it was packaged into lentiviral (LV).AR42J cells were infected with LV and screened by puromycin.Beclin1 mRNA and protein expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results The recombinant plasmid was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing showed that shRNA sequences were in line with expectations.The beclin1 mRNA inhibition rates of AR42J cells after p-sh-Beclin1-1,p-sh-Beclin1-2,p-sh-Beclin1-3 and p-shRNA-NC transfection were (17.8 ± 4.0) ％,(30.6 ± 2.8) ％,(45.8 ± 7.7) ％,(7.0 ± 11.8) ％,respectively.The inhibition rates of three p-sh-Beclin1 transfection cells were significantly higher than that in non-transfection cells,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).While the inhibition rate of p-shRNA-NC transfection cells was not significantly different from that of non-transfection cells,p-sh-Beclin 1-3 with highest rate of inhibition was packaged by LV,and infected AR42J cells,then puromycin was applied to screen,inhibition rate of beclin mRNA expression in LV infection cells was (86.1 ± 1.2) ％,and the protein expression inhibition rate was (87.9 ± 2.8) ％,and the difference between infection and non-infection groups was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The stable AR42J line silencing beclin1 is successfully established,which can provide a new cell model for future research of the role of beclin1 in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.

This study was aimed to establish an identification method for Spatholobus suberectus and its adulterants by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Near-infrared diffuse reflection spectroscopy (NIRDRS) spectra of different S. suberectus and its adulterants were acquired by using OPUS INDENT analysis software. NIRDRS spectra clustering analysis model and identification model were established and verified. The results showed that S. suberectus from dif-ferent regions and its adulterants were identified successfully by clustering analysis model and identification model. It was concluded that Spatholobus suberectus and its adulterants can be identified rapidly and non-destructively by NIRS.

OBJECTIVETo study the gene copy number, mRNA transcription and protien expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) gene in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) patients and normal control individuals (NC) who are anti-HBs positive, and to investigate the variations in PD-1 gene copy numbers and its relationship with PHC.

METHODSReal-time PCR was adopted to detect the PD-1 gene copy numbers and their mRNA expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 24 samples of PHC patients and 26 of NC. Protein expression level of PD-1 on CD8+ T was analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSIn terms of number of PD-1 gene copy numbers, the percentage of cases of haploid (single) was 34.62% and 4.17% in PHC group and control group respectively while the percentage of cases of diploid (double) was 61.54% and 95.83% respectively. The difference between the two was statistically significant (chi2 = 7.639, P = 0.006). The rate of cases with double PD-1 gene copy numbers was found to be higher in patients with PHC than in control group. It was also found that the average expression of PD-1 mRNA was 2.35E-03 in control group and 1.23E-03 in PHC group. The expression level was significant lower in PHC group than that in control group when compared by using Mann-whitey technic (U = 153, P = 0.009). Furthermore, the frequency of PD-1 protein expression on CD8+ T cells was 3.72 +/- 0.32 in control group and 16.13 +/- 1.68 in PHC group. The level of PD-1 mRNA expression was higher in PHC and significant differences was shown between two groups (t = -7.073, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSOur study suggests that the variation in PD-1 gene copy number may trigger primary hepatocellular carcinoma to HBV carriers. The relationship between the variation of PD-1 gene copy numbers and its association with primary hepatocellular carcinoma is worth further focus.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Dosage ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic