Inflammasome, which is a large multiprotein complex in the cytosol regulating IL-1β production, plays an important role in atherosclerosis ( AS ) . To date, NLRP3 ( nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3) inflammasome is the most widely studied type of inflammasome. This article aims to review the effects of NLRP3 inflammasome on AS-related cells ( endothelial cells, macrophages and vascular smooth mus-cle cells) to further explore the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the progression of AS.

0.05) in tail flick test.MPE% in group MK was always higher than group M and descended more slowly than group M,especially from the d4 to d8(P0.05). Conclusion Ketamine could block the development of morphine tolerance partly due to its inhibition effect on pCREB protein.

Oxidative stress induces apoptosis of many cells and arrest of their differentiation.Both Danshensu(DSS)and hydrogen sulfide(H2S)produce significant antioxidant effect in various systems. In this study,we synthesized SDSS,a new H2S-releasing compound derived from DSS,and studied its antioxidant effect in an H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell injury model. We first characterized the H2S releasing property of SDSS in both in vivo and in vitro models. HPLC chromatogram showed that intravenous injection of SDSS in adult rats released ADT-OH,a well proved H2S sustained-release moiety, within several minutes in the rat plasma. Using an H2S selective fluorescent probe, we further confirmed that SDSS released H2S in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Biological studies revealed that SDSS had no significant toxic effect but produced protective effects against H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1cell apoptosis. SDSS also reversed the arrest of cell differentiation caused by H2O2treatment. This was caused by the stimulatory effect of SDSS on bone sialo protein,runt-related transcription factor-2, collagen expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and bone nodule formation. Further studies revealed that SDSS reversed the reduced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content,and the increased ROS production in H2O2treated cells. In addition, SDSS significantly attenuated H2O2-induced activation of p38-, ERK1/2-, and JNK-MAPKs. SDSS also stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway.Blockade of this pathway attenuated the cytoprotective effect of SDSS.We also observed the effect of SDSS on aspirin-induced gastric injury and found that SDSS protected against aspirin-induced gastric damage. In conclusion, SDSS protects cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress.

Objective: To prepare a simple, practical fiberoptic bronchoscope (FB) training simulator, and to evaluate its training efficacy. Methods: A box apparatus was designed for basic and advanced FB training; the box consisted of five boards with holes in it. The holes were aligned according to the entries of bronchus to pass the FB. Assistant materials could be placed in the box to simulate foreign bodies due to diseases, which was aimed to help the training of sophisticated skills including tracheal tube intubation, biopsy, brushing and bronchoalveolar lavage. To testify the training efficacy, forty volunteer residents who had never manipulated a FB were randomly assigned into two groups: one group was trained using the prepared training box (Group TB, n = 20) and the other group was trained using video-based technique (Group C, n = 20). The trainees of the two groups received an intubation examination using an advanced patient simulator, and the periods of intubation was compared between the two groups. Results: Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope could smoothly pass through the holes in the box; the photos of the holes under bronchoscopy well simulated the normal images. All residents completed the training and examination. The mean duration of intubation was (55. 7 ± 10. 2) s in Group TB and (69. 3 ± 8. 9) s in Group C (P<0. 001). Conclusion: The present training box is simple and practical, and it can be used for advanced training of FB, with obvious training efficacy.

Objective: To screen for an optimized siRNA sequence targeting rat Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in vitro. Methods: The full length gene of rat TLR4 was cloned and inserted into pEGFP-C1 plasmid to construct pEGFP-rTLR4. Three pairs of siRNAs targeting rTLR4 were chemically synthesized and were co-transfected with pEGFP-rTLR4 into HEK-293 cells via Lipofectamine2000. Cells were also co-transfected with siRNA targeting EGFP and negative control siRNA. The expression of EGFP was observed under inverted fluorescene microscope and flow cytometry. Results: Compared with the negative control group, 3 pairs of siRNAs targeting TLR4 and one pair of siRNA targeting EGFP significantly suppressed the EGFP expression (P<0.05); the inhibitory effect of siRNA2 (gene sequence: 5′-GTC TCA GAT ATC TAG ATC T-3′, 19 bp, 1 352-1 370) was the strongest one, with an interference efficiency over 75%. Conclusion: We have successfully obtained the siRNA sequence targeting TLR4 mRNA, which can efficiently suppress the expression of rat TLR4 mRNA in vitro.

Aim To analyze the expression of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein(PEBP) and ERK in critical brain regions of psychological dependence rats.Methods Morphine-induced rats conditioned place preference(CPP) model was established to mimic different stages of morphine psychological dependence, during which PEBP expression and ERK activity were assayed in different brain regions.Results PEBP expression in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens showed no change at three stages of psychological dependence.However, ERK activity increased notably in prefrontal cortex on CPP formation, and decreased remarkably in hippocampus on CPP reinstatement.Conclusions The formation and retrieval of associated memory between morphine effects and environment involve different neural circuits, in which ERK activity is critical, and PEBP might not be involved in such a memory-related ERK regulation.

Objective:To observe the anti inflammatory action of Yangfeihuoxue Decoction and its effects on inflammatory mediums. Methods: The mouse and rat inflammatory models were established by dimethylbenzene, carrageenin and paper strip investing method, and the rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by bleomycin. The inhibition of Yangfeihuoxue Decoction on various inflammatory reactions (with swelling rate, swelling degree and height of granuloma as markers) and its effects on levels of histamine (H) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in blood were studied. Results: Yanfeihuoxue Decoction can obviously inhibit acute, subacute and chronic inflammatory disease ( P

Objective To study the pathogenetic role of HPV infection and vascular endothelial growth factor-C in the development of cervical carcinomas. Methods HPV16 DNA was tested in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN) 11I, cervical carcinomas and norma1 cervical tissue by PCR.and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C protein was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results The expression of VEGF-C became stronger and stronger with the progression of cervical diseases from chronical inflammation to CIN and to invasive carcinoma of cervix uteri, but no expression in normal cervical tissue. There was significant correlation between HR-HPV and VEGF-C expression in CIN and cervical carcinomas(odds ratio are 19.12 and 20.49; 95 % confidence interval are 2.31-157.8 and 3.28-226.09). Conclusions The expression of VEGF-C, maybe a sensitive maker, is closely related to HR-HPV infection.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Comet Assay ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Micronucleus Tests ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Vincristine

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is an important liver-specific uptake transporter, which mediates transport of numerous endogenous substances and drugs from blood into hepatocytes. To identify and investigate potential modulators of OATP1B1 from natural products, the effect of 21 frequently used natural compounds and extracts on OATP1B1-mediated fluorescein methotrexate transport was studied by using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing OATP1B1 (CHO-OATP1B1) in 96-well plates. This method could be used for the screening of large compound libraries. Our studies showed that some flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, chrysanthemum flavonoids and mulberrin) and triterpenoids (e.g., glycyrrhetinic acid and glycyrrhizic acid) were inhibitors of OATP1B1 with IC50 values less than 16 µmol · L(-1). The IC50 value of glycyrrhetinic acid on OATP1B1 was comparable to its blood concentration in clinics, indicating an OATPlB1-mediated drug-drug interaction could occur. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that flavonoids had much higher inhibitory activity than their glycosides. Furthermore, the type and length of saccharides had a significant effect on their activity. In addition, we used OATP1B1 substrates fluvastatin and rosuvastatin as probe drugs to investigate the substrate-dependent effect of several natural compounds on the function of OATP1B1 in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the effect of these natural products on the function of OATPlB1 was substrate-dependent. In summary, this study would be conducive to predicting and avoiding potential OATP1B1-mediated drug-drug and drug-food interactions and thus provide the experimental basis and guidance for rational drug use.