0.05).Conclusion The results of pharmacokinetic study on salvianolate can guide the clinical trial design and reasonableuse of medicaments in clinic.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in rat cerebral cortex and the effects of β-sodium aescinate (SA) administration after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).METHODS: Sixty rats were divided into three groups: SA group, injected intraperitoneally with SA instantly after ROSC; control group, injected intraperitoneally with normal saline; and sham-operated group, without cardiac arrest or SA. The cardiac arrest model was established using asphyxiation and intravenous potassium chloride. Blood was sampled 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after ROSC. Protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO were detected in the cerebral cortex by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR; serum levels of NSE and S100β were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.RESULTS: Serum S100β and NSE were signifi cantly increased in the control group versus the sham-operated group 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours after ROSC (P<0.05). Protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO were signifi cantly increased in the control rats (P<0.05). Serum NSE and S100β were significantly decreased in the SA group versus the control group 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours after ROSC (P<0.05). Protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO were signifi cantly increased in the SA group (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The expression of HIF-1α is increased in rat cerebral cortex after ROSC, and SA up-regulates the expression of HIF-1α. The up-regulation of HIF-1α improves the resistance of the cortex to ischemia and hypoxia and contributes to neuroprotection, possibly because of up-regulation of EPO and VEGF expression.

Objective To evaluate the analytical performance of a novel HBV DNA assay based on automated DNA extraction and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR .Methods Analytic verification studies.Accuracy and lower limit of detection were assessed by determining a panel of HBV standard plasma of WHO.HBV standard plasma (genotype A, B, C and D) at 6 different concentrations were measured 18 times to evaluate precision and reproducibility .Pseudo-viral particles at high HBV DNA concentration were serially diluted to assess linear range .One hundred and forty-four clinical specimens were quantified for HBV DNA so as to evaluate the correlation between the new test and COBAS ? system. Results Quantification of HBV standard plasma showed acceptable accuracy , with each deviation between observed and expected values within ±0.35 lg IU/ml (-0.17-0.32 lg IU/ml).Intra-assay coefficients of variation ( CV) for genotype A , B, C and D were 3.87% -6.32%, 0.45% -14.68%, 0.16% -8.36% and 0.64%-13.01%respectively, and the inter-assay CV were 5.67%-9.69%, 1.28%-15.68%, 0.36%-9.05%and 1.69%-13.65%, separately.Linearity assessment exhibited an excellent dynamic range of linear quantification from 20 to 1.0 ×1010 IU/ml ( r =0.998, P <0.001 ) .And the satisfactory results obtained at 3 levels of HBV DNA concentration (10, 20, 50 IU/ml, respectively) confirmed the claimed lower limit of detection with 5/5 detectable rate at 20 IU/ml.Furthermore, good correspondence was observed between the new HBV DNA assay and the COBAS ? system with 100% ( 144/144 ) qualitative coincidence and significant correlation based on 104 positive data ( r=0.984, P<0.000 1).Conclusions The novel fully-automated real-time PCR assay displayed good analytical and clinical performance for highly sensitive detection of HBV DNA.It was well suited for monitoring antiviral responses as well as drug resistance according to current clinical practice guidelines for the management of chronic HBV infection .

OBJECTIVETo screen the genes related with leukocyte responses in mice early after burn injury by bioinformatic analysis of the gene expression profiling data.

METHODSGene expression profiles were obtained from GEO (GSE7404, Mouse musculus, 25% TBSA, full-thickness) database. After screening of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through paired-sample t-test and fold-change, DAVID online tools were used to select the DEGs related to leukocyte responses to burns by GO functional enrichment analysis; the interacting genes identified through KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were transferred to STRING to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Biological annotation of the sub-networks was executed using the software Cytoscape. Real-time PCR was used to verify the DEGs identified in mice.

RESULTSOf the 259 leukocyte response-related DEGs screened at 1 day post-burn, 118 were up-regulated and 141 were down-regulated. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the pathways were associated with the immune function, cell growth and cell death. PPI network and module analysis suggested that some of genes (such as Lck, Stat1, Myd88, Stat3, and Jun) play critical roles in the PPI network post-burn. RT-PCR results were consistent with those of bioinformatic analysis.

CONCLUSIONSLck, Stat1, Myd88, Stat3, and Jun might be critical players in the development of leukocyte response in mice early after burn injury. Our finding provides new insights into the pathogenesis of leukocyte response to burn injury and identifies several potential biomarkers for burn treatment.

Animals ; Burns ; genetics ; Computational Biology ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Leukocytes ; physiology ; Mice ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Software ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study the transmission route and epidemiological features of Clonorchis sinensis infection in Shenzhen area--the biggest immigration city of Southern China.

METHODSIn this study, we examined 1473 individuals (710 males and 763 females) to determine the current status of C. sinensis infection among the people in one village in Zhujiang river region, Guangdong province, China. Blood samples were detected on antibody of C. sinensis with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,and stool specimens from sera positive cases were examined by modified Kato-Katz thick smear to confirm the density of infection. People were interviewed on their life styles under the structured questionnaire which was administered by trained staff members. Major content of the questionnaire included eating raw fish, using the same utensils for both raw fish and cooked food, using feces of domestic animals and human feces to feed fish and so on.

RESULTSAmong 1473 people examined, 70 (4.75%) were found infected with C. sinensis. By counting eggs per gram feces (EPG), it was found that heavy intensities of infection in males was stronger than that of females,and the overall average EPG was 41.87. Of 1473 interviewees, 54% of them did not know about fluke disease or its transmission route, 12% of those who knew about the fluke but believed that the infection caused no harm or only slight harm to their health. 27% of the interviewees ate raw fish at least 1-2 times per months with 5% of the families using the same utensils for both raw fish and cooked food. 40% of the fish ponds owners fed their fish with the feces of domestic animals and human feces.

CONCLUSIONTogether with these results, unhealthy behaviors, poor knowledge, inappropriate farming/fishery practices, eating raw fish were important factors influencing the C. sinensis prevalence in humans.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Clonorchiasis ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; transmission ; Clonorchis sinensis ; pathogenicity ; Feces ; parasitology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parasite Egg Count ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo screen the genes related with leukocyte responses in mice early after burn injury by bioinformatic analysis of the gene expression profiling data.

METHODSThe gene expression profiles were obtained from GEO (GSE7404, Mouse musculus, 25% TBSA, full-thickness) database. T test, fold changes and GO functional enrichment analysis were used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to leukocyte responses to burns; the interacting genes were transferred to STRING to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Biological annotation of the sub-networks was executed using the software Cytoscape. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the DEGs in mice.

RESULTSIn mice at 1 day post-burn, a total of 658 genes were up-regulated and 1167 were down-regulated. PPI network and module analysis suggested that some of the genes (Stat1, Cdk1, Cd19, Lck and Jun) may play critical roles in the PPI network post-burn. Real-time PCR and Western blotting results in mice were consistent with those of bioinformatic analysis of Stat1, Cdk1 and Jun.

CONCLUSIONStat1, Cdk1 and Jun might be critical players in the development of leukocyte response in mice early after burn injury. Our finding provides new insights into the pathogenesis of leukocyte response to burn injury and identifies several biomarkers as potential targets for burn treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of simulated microgravity on erythroid differentiation of K562 cells and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSThe fourth generation rotating cell culture system was used to generate the simulated microgravity environment. Benzidine staining was used to evaluate the cell inhibition rate, and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect GATA-1, GATA-2, Ets-1, F-actin, β-Tubulin and vimentin mRNA expressions. The changes of cytoskeleton were observed by fluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting was employed to assay F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin protein expression levels.

RESULTSBenzidine staining showed that simulated microgravity inhibited erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. K562 cells treated with Hemin presented with increased mRNA expression of GATA-1 and reduced GATA-2 and Ets-1 mRNA expressions. Simulated microgravity treatment of the cells resulted in down-regulated GATA-1, F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin mRNA expressions and up-regulated mRNA expressions of GATA-2 and Ets-1, and reduced F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin protein expressions. Exposure to simulated microgravity caused decreased fluorescence intensities of cytoskeletal filament F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin in the cells.

CONCLUSIONSimulated microgravity inhibits erythroid differentiation of K562 cells possibly by causing cytoskeleton damages to result in down-regulation of GATA-1 and up-regulation of GATA-2 and Ets-1 expressions.

Actins ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Down-Regulation ; GATA1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; GATA2 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Hemin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 ; metabolism ; Tubulin ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Weightlessness Simulation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of temperament type and mother's emotional state with acute respiratory tract infections in children so as to provide evidence for comprehensive treatment of the infections. METHODS: A total of 200 children aged between 3 and 6 were enrolled in this study from two kindergartens of Guangzhou and Hengyang. The mothers were invited to complete a questionnaire of the children's general information followed by assessment using children's temperament scale and the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale. RESULTS: The total incidence of acute respiratory infection was significantly higher in children with a hard- to-raise temperament than the easy- to-raise children (P < 0.05); the incidences of acute rhinitis, acute pharyngitis, acute laryngitis and acute bronchitis were all significantly higher in the hard-to-raise children (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was identified between the total number of episodes of acute respiratory tract infection in children and their mothers' stress and anxiety levels (P < 0.01). Acute rhinitis and acute tracheitis in the children were both positively correlated with the mothers' stress scores (P < 0.05), while acute pharyngitis and acute laryngitis were positively correlated with the mothers' anxiety scores (P < 0.05), while acute bronchitis was positively correlated with the mothers' stress and anxiety scores (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis with the factors influencing the types of acute respiratory tract infections in children as the independent variables suggested that the easy-to-raise type of temperament was a protective factor against acute rhinitis in children (P < 0.05), while mothers' anxiety was a risk factor of acute laryngitis in children (P < 0.05); the mothers' stress was a risk factor for acute bronchitis in children (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Acute respiratory tract infection in children is closely related to the temperament type of the children and the emotional state of the mothers, which are important therapeutic targets in comprehensive interventions of acute respiratory tract infection in children.
Bronchitis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngitis ; Mothers/psychology* ; Pharyngitis ; Rhinitis ; Temperament

"TCM syndrome of plague attack lung" is a classification of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of the novel coronavirus pneumonia by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this study, a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with cold-dampness pestilence attacking the lung was established for the first time, and the therapeutic effect of matrine sodium chloride injection was evaluated based on immune regulation and inflammatory damage. Lung index, lung index inhibition rate and HE stain were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of matrine sodium chloride injection on the model mice; the viral load in lung tissue was measured by RT-PCR to evaluate its antiviral effect; the percentage of CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells and B cells were detected by flow cytometry to evaluate its immunomodulatory effect; the production of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured by ELISA to evaluate its anti-inflammatory effect. All interventions and operations in the experiment were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and conformed to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Beijing Experimental Animal Ethics Committee. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of the high-dose (36.67 mL·kg^-1·d^-1) and low-dose (18.33 mL·kg^-1·d^-1) of matrine sodium chloride injection significantly improved the pathological damage of lung tissue and reduced lung index. The lung index inhibition rates were 86.86% and 76.53%, respectively. The production of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, as well as the viral load in lung tissue were reduced significantly compared to the model; the percentage of CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells and B cells in peripheral blood were increased compared to the model. These results indicated that the matrine sodium chloride injection has an evident therapeutic effect on the model, and its mechanism was related to the inhibition virus replication, regulation of immunity function and inhibition of inflammatory factor release. This study provided laboratory data support for matrine sodium chloride injection which was used to treat the novel coronavirus pneumonia in clinical in Hubei province. These results indicated that the matrine sodium chloride injection has a good prospect for prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus pneumonia.