Objective To evaluate the effect of lithium chloride (LiCl) pretreatment on isoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction and inflammatory response in hippocampus in aged rats.Methods Eighty 20-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 350-400 g,were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n =20 each):control group (group C),1.4％ isoflurane group (group I),100 mg/kg LiCI + 1.4％ isoflurane group (group L+ I),and 100 mg/kg LiC1 group (group L).Group I was exposed to 1.4％ isoflurane in 30％ O2-70％ N2 for 6 h,while group C was exposed to 30％ O2-70％ N2 only.LiCl 100 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 3 consecutive days and isoflurane anesthesia was performed on 4th day in group L + I.LiCl 100 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 3 consecutive days and then the rats inhaled 30％ O2-70％ N2 for 6 h on 4th day in group L.Blood samples were taken immediately after the end of anesthesia for blood gas analysis.Hippocampi were isolated 24 h after the end of anesthesia for determination of the expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and acetyl-NF-κB (Lys310) (by Western blot) and TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA (by RT-PCR).The levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were determined by ELISA and the contents of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were calculated.The cognitive function was assessed on 2nd day after the end of anesthesia.Results Compared with group C,the expression of GSK-3β and acetyl-NF-κB (Lys310) was significantly up-regulated,the expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA and contents of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were increased,the escape latency was prolonged,and the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened in group I (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I,the expression of GSK-3β and acetyl-NF-κB (Lys310) was significantly down-regulated,the expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA and contents of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased,the escape latency was shortened,and the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was prolonged in group L + I (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion LiC1 pretreatment can improve isoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction and inhibition of inflammatory response in hippocampus is involved in the mechanism in aged rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of isoflurane anenthesia on myocyte enhancer factor 2(MEF2) signaling pathway in neonatal rat hippocampus. Methods Twenty-four 5-day-old SD rats of both sexes,weighing 10-13 g, were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 12 each): control group (group C) and isoflurane group (group I). In group I, 1.5% isoflurane in 100% O2 was inhaled for 6 h. Group C received no treatment.Three rata in each group were sacrificed at 2, 4, 6 h of isoflurane anenthesia and 24 h after isoflurane anenthesia (T1-4), and the hippocampi removed for determination of MEF2 mRNA, synGAP Ⅰ mRNA, Arc mRNA and synapsinⅠ mRNA expression (by PT-PCR) and synapsin Ⅰ protein expression (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C, the expression of MEF2 mRNA, synGAP Ⅰ mRNA, Arc mRNA and synapsin Ⅰ mRNA at T1-3 and synapsin Ⅰ protein at T2-4 was up-regulated in group I ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Inhalation of anaesthetic concentration of isoflurane may affect synapse formation during the development of central nervous system by actirating hippocampal MEF2 signaling pathways in neonatal rats.

This study examined the effects of clinically relevant concentrations of isoflurane on the amplitude of NMDA receptor current (I(NMDA)) and the expression of cytochrome C in cultured developing rat hippocampal neurons. The hippocampi were dissected from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats. Hippocampal neurons were primarily cultured for 5 days and then treated with different concentrations of isoflurane [(0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC))]. The peak of I(NMDA) was recorded by means of the whole cell patch clamp technique. The cytochrome C level was detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Our results showed that isoflurane (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 MAC) potentiated the amplitude of I(NMDA) by (116±8.8)%, (122±11.7)%, (135±14.3)% and (132±14.6)%, respectively, and isoflurane increased the mRNA expression of cytochrome C in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytochrome C mRNA expression reached a maximum after 0.5 MAC isoflurane stimulation for 6 h (P<0.05). It was concluded that isoflurane enhances the expression of cytochrome C in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, which may be mediated by facilitation of NMDA receptor.

Sepiolite--an inexpensive, resourceful, fibrous yet inoffensive mineral--made DNA transformation rapid, simple and efficient but the mechanism for DNA transformation was still unclear. Through RNA competition test, we proposed the different transforming mechanisms from the previous report. Meanwhile, we optimized the transforming method and could transfer a colony stored at 4 degrees C for a month with plasmid through sepiolite fibers. The cells could be transformed well without competent cells preparation or incubation process. In sum, this was a novel potential transforming method, which could be explored further if the chemical method and electroporation could not be used.
DNA, Bacterial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Electroporation ; methods ; Magnesium Silicates ; chemistry ; Mineral Fibers ; Nanofibers ; chemistry ; Transformation, Bacterial

To shorten the cultivation time and reduce the consumption of raw materials for microbial lipid production, oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides AS 2.1389 was cultivated using a two-stage culture mode, in which the cell propagation and lipid accumulation were separated. The yeast cells recovered from the propagation culture were re-suspended in glucose solution for lipid accumulation, through which lipid content over 55% of the dry cell weight was achieved, the longer the propagation stage was, the higher the lipid content. Analysis of the lipid indicated that the long-chain fatty acids with 16 and 18 carbon atoms were major components, suggesting that the lipid can be an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production.
Basidiomycota ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Biofuels ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; Lipids ; biosynthesis

Objective: To establish an accurate and selective UPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of afatinib in rat plas-ma. Methods: Protein precipitating by acetonitrile was used to prepare the samples. A CORTECS BEH C18column ( 50 mm × 2. 1 mm, 1. 6 μm) was used to separate the analytes at 40℃. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (0. 1% formic acid) with the flow rate of 0. 4 ml·min-1. The analytes were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring ( MRM) mode with positive electrospray ionization, while the target fragment ions were m/z 486. 19→112. 1 for afatinib and m/z 557. 3→112. 15 for neratinib (IS). Results: The calibration curve obtained good linearity for afatinib within the range of 1–200 ng·ml-1(r=0. 998 1), and the LLOQ in rat plasma was 1. 0 ng/ml. The intra-and inter-day precisions were both≤9. 51% . The recovery of afatinib from plasma was above 77. 1% . After intragastric administration and intravenous administration of afatinib in rats, the t1/2was 7. 19 h and 2. 69 h, Cmax was 97. 78 ng·ml-1and 123. 37 ng·ml-1,and AUC(0-∞)was 1 505. 4 ng·ml-1·h and 405. 55 ng·ml-1·h, respectively. Con-clusion: The validated method can be applied in the pharmacokinetic study of afatinib at the intragastric and intravenous dosage of 10 and 2 mg·kg-1, respectively.

This study examined the effects of clinically relevant concentrations of isoflurane on the amplitude of NMDA receptor current (INMDA) and the expression of cytochrome C in cultured developing rat hippocampal neurons.The hippocampi were dissected from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats.Hippocampal neurons were primarily cultured for 5 days and then treated with different concentrations of isoflurane [(0.25,0.5,0.75,1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC))].The peak of INMDA was recorded by means of the whole cell patch clamp technique.The cytochrome C level was detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR.Our results showed that isoflurane (0.25,0.5,0.75 and 1 MAC) potentiated the amplitude of INMDA by (116±8.8)％,(122±11.7)％,(135±14.3)％ and (132±14.6)％,respectively,and isoflurane increased the mRNA expression of cytochrome C in a concentration-dependent manner.The cytochrome C mRNA expression reached a maximum after 0.5 MAC isoflurane stimulation for 6 h (P＜0.05).It was concluded that isoflurane enhances the expression of cytochrome C in cultured rat hippocampal neurons,which may be mediated by facilitation of NMDA receptor.

Objective To investigate the relationship between neutrophil ratio/blood glucose and short outcome among patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to hospitals.Methods A total of 2 265 acute ischemic stroke patients in four hospitals in Shandong province were included in this study.Through access to patients' files,data on demographic,lifestyle,medical history,family history and laboratory findings were collected from all participants at admission.Endpoint of the study was defined as poor short-term prognosis of acute cerebral infarction (NIHSS≥5) at discharge or death during hospitalization.Subjects of this study were divided into four groups:normal neutrophil ratio with normal blood glucose (NN/NG) ;normal neutrophil ratio with high blood glucose (NN/IG) ;high neutrophil ratio with normal blood glucose (IN/NG) and high neutrophil ratio with high blood glucose (IN/IG).Non-conditional logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between blood glucose/neutrophil ratio and the short outcome of acute ischemic stroke.Results Neutrophil ratio and the level of blood glucose in patients with study endpoints were both higher than those without the study endpoints,and the difference was statistically significant (all P＜0.05). After multivariate adjustment,when compared to NN/NG group,the ORs (95％ CI) of NN/IG,IN/NG and IN/IG group were 1.356 (0.942-1.953),1.879 (1.113-3.171) and 2.210 (1.477-3.307),respectively.Conclusion Neutrophil ratio at admission was an independent risk factor of poor short outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.IN/IG group was considered at a highest risk in general population.Neutrophil ratio/glucose was valuable in predicting the incidence of poor short outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of different types of neonatal sepsis.Methods:From January 2012 to December 2019, neonates with confirmed sepsis from 5 neonatal centers of central-south China were reviewed. The neonates were assigned into early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) group, and the latter was further subgrouped into hospital-acquired LOS (hLOS) group and community-acquired LOS (cLOS) group. The etiological and clinical characteristics were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 580 neonates were enrolled, including 286 (49.3%) in the EOS group and 294 (50.7%) in the LOS group. In LOS group, 147 were in hLOS group and 147 were in cLOS group. The gestational age and birth weight of hLOS group were significantly lower than the other two groups [(32.7±3.6) weeks vs. (37.1±3.7) weeks and (37.7±3.0) weeks, (1 810±717) g vs. (2 837±865) g and (3 024±710) g] ( P<0.05). The common pathogens in EOS and cLOS groups were coagulase-negative staphylococci and Escherichia coli, while Klebsiella pneumoniae was common in hLOS group. Carbapenems usage in the hLOS group was significantly higher than the other two groups [62.6% vs. 28.7% and 16.2%] ( P<0.05). Antibiotics duration in the hLOS group was longer than the other two groups [19 (14, 27) d vs. 15 (12, 20) d and 14 (12, 19) d] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The clinical characteristics of neonatal sepsis vary among different types of infections, and it is necessary to establish appropriate prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment protocols.

Boiling is a common processing method of Chinese medicine. Based on the book of Summary of Processing Methods Data of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Past Dynasties， the authors consulted herbal books in all ages， combined with modern processing laws and regulations in various provinces and cities， the boiling methods and Chinese medicine varieties in ancient and modern times， judgment method of the endpoint of processing， as well as the study on boiling methods of representative Chinese medicines were compiled and analyzed. After sorting， it was found that the application of boiling methods began in the Han dynasty， enriched and developed in the Northern and Southern dynasties， Tang， Song and Yuan dynasties， and reached its heyday in the Ming and Qing dynasties. However， the number of modern boiling varieties decreased and mainly focused on toxic Chinese medicines or those that need to change or moderate their medicinal properties， indicating the development of boiling methods entered a stable period. The varieties of excipients used in the modern age mainly considered factors such as convenience of use and easy access， and the boiling degree， time and times were commonly used to judge the endpoint of boiling process. The main purposes of using boiling method for Chinese medicines were to remove impurities， remove non-medicinal parts， change or moderate the medicinal properties， and eliminate or reduce adverse reactions， which can provide a reference for carrying out the common research of boiling method for Chinese medicines.