OBJECTIVETo investigate the diversity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in variety classes and strains of Culex pipiens pallens and provide a basis for the insecticide-resistance detection of mosquito by biochemical method.

METHODSAChE insensitivity of single mosquito was determined, using acetythiocholine iodide (ATch) as the substrate, 5,5'-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) as the developer, and propoxur as the inhibitor.

RESULTThere were significant differences in AChE activity among the four types of IV instar larvae and 3-day-old adult female of sensitive strain mosquito (P<0.01). The AChE activity of the 3-day-old adult female was higher than that of IV instar larvae of the four types of sensitive strain mosquito (P<0.01). The AChE activity of anti-DDVP (Rd) and anti-propoxur (Rp) strains of Culex pipiens pallens was significantly higher than that of sensitive (S) strain (P<0.01), while the AChE activity of anti-cypermethrin (Rc) strain of Culex pipiens pallens was similar to that of S strain (P>0.05). The individual frequency of insensitive AChE of Rd and Rp strains of Culex pipiens pallens was significantly higher than that of sensitive (S) strain (P<0.01), while the individual frequency of insensitive AChE of Rc strain of Culex pipiens pallens was similar to that of S strain(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe AChE activity determination can be used to examine the insecticide-resistance of mosquito.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Culex ; classification ; enzymology ; Dichlorvos ; pharmacology ; Female ; Insecticide Resistance ; Propoxur ; pharmacology ; Pyrethrins ; pharmacology ; Species Specificity

The brain-gut peptide ghrelin, a endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue hormone receptor, is mainly produced by gastric cells in the periphery, regulating energy metabolism via stimulating the appetite. Inside the brain, ghrelin is mainly expressed in the pituitary and in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, regulating the synthesis and secretion of neuropeptides that are correlated with feeding behavior, reproduction, and stress responses. Recently, more and more researches focused on the regulating roles of ghrelin on learning and memory, and mood regulation have indicated that ghrelin may inhibit neuronal apoptosis, improve cognitive function, and regulate the activities of neuroendocrine systems such as the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis thus get involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the main findings in this field, with the purpose of promoting further studies on the role of ghrelin in the brain.
Apoptosis ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiology ; Ghrelin ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Learning ; Memory ; Neurons ; pathology ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate T-bet mRNA expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its relations with allergen specific IgE (SIgE), eosinophile cationic protein (ECP) levels, and allergic symptom in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods The allergen, SIgE, and ECP in serum of patients with AR were detected by Unicap CAP system. Blood samples were taken from 15 healthy controls and 35 house dust mite allergic patients. PBMC was isolated by density gradient centrifugation and one part of them was cultured with mite allergen at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. PBMC was subjected to analysis of T-bet mRNA expression using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The ratio of T-bet to β-actin mRNA levels was 0.418 ± 0. 101 in patients of AR and 0.706 ± 0.091 in healthy controls and the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.01). The expression intensity of T-bet mRNA was not related to varying severity of allergic symptom and ECP levels ( r = - 0.227, - 0.033, P ＞ 0.05). However, there was an inverse correlation between expression intensity of T-bet mRNA and SIgE concentration (r = -0.375, P ＜ 0.05). There was a positive correlation between SIgE and allergic symptom scores ( r = 0.426, P ＜ 0.05). After that PBMC was stimulated by mite allergen, the expression intensity of T-bet mRNA, ECP, and SIgE changed very little ( P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Down-regulated expression of T-bet mRNA in mite-AR patients is not related to serum ECP and symptom scores but one of important links in the mechanism of imbalance of Th1/Th2 in the occurrence of AR. Specific allergen has no effect on T-bet mRNA, ECP, and SIgE of children and adults with AR in vitro. The level of SIgE objectively and directly indicates the severity of allergic symptom, but T-bet did not. T-bet may be one of indirect factors which affect the level of IgE.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.Methods One hundred and twenty patients who suffered from inguinal hernia were treated with laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.The operation time,wound pain,postoperative recovery of independent function,complications and recurrence rate were studied.Results One hundred and seventeen patients of inguinal hernia were performed the operation successfully,while 3 cases were converted to transabdominal preperitoneal prosthetic.Five cases of pneumoscrotum,were used in surgery to put the needle into the subcutaneous emphysema disappeared after the gas.The mean operative time 30-125 (46 ± 18) min,the postoperative stay was 2-7 (4.5 ± 1.2) d.The patients were postoperative follow-up for 1-22 months.All the patients without postoperative hydrocele,no postoperative recurrence.Conclusions Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair is safe with less complications,less invasive,low recurrence rate and excellent therapeutic effect and bilateral inguinal hemia repair at the same time.

Objective To investigate the expression of CD133 and CD44 proteins in gastric stromal tumors (GST) and their clinical significances. Methods The expression of CD44 and CD133 proteins in the GST tissues of 112 patients was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The relation between the expression of CD44 and CD133 proteins and the clinicopathological characters was analyzed. The survival and prognosis of GST were also analyzed. Results Both CD44 and CD133 were expressed on the cell membranes. The expression rates of CD44 and CD133 were 58.04 % (65/112) and 42.86 % (48/112) separately; the co-expression rate of CD44 and CD133 was 27.68 % (31/112). CD44 and CD133 were negative in normal peritumoral tissues. No correlation was found between CD44 and CD133 and the clinicopathological parameters including gender, age and lymphatic vessel invasion (all P>0.05), but the expression levels of CD44 and CD133 in patients with the mitotic count ≥ 5/50 high-power field, large diameter and vascular invasion were significantly higher (all P<0.05). No correlation was found between co-expression of CD44 and CD133 and the clinical clinicopathological parameters including gender, age, the mitotic count ≥ 5/50 high-power field and vascular invasion (all P>0.05), but the co-expression level of CD44 and CD133 in patients with tumor diameter ≥5 cm was significantly higher than that in patients with tumor diameter < 5 cm (χ2=5.040, P=0.025). The overall survival rate of the patients with co-expression of CD44 and CD133 was shorter than that in other groups (χ2 = 8.758, P= 0.001). No correlation was found between CD44 and CD133 expression (r=0.126, P=0.210). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression models showed that the tumor diameter ≥5 cm (P=0.042) and co-expression of CD44 and CD133 (P=0.003) were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Conclusion CD44 and CD133 as robust cancer stem cell markers in GST might be the prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVETo establish the fingerprint of the hydrophilic constituents of Valeriana medicinal plants.

METHODThe HPLC-UV assay was used to establish the fingerprint of the hydrophilic constituents of Valeriana medicinal plants.

RESULTThe HPLC fingerprint profiles of the hydrophilic constituents of Valeriana medicinal plants contains 12 common peaks. The relative retention time and the ranges of relative area of the common peaks were determined.

CONCLUSIONThe fingerprint profile can be used for the identification and quality control of Valeriana medicinal plants.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Valerian ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo estimate the related factors and prophylactic measures of endodontic interappointment emergencies (EIE).

METHODSThe clinical cases were divided into three groups. Cases in the routine group were treated according to the routine procedures of root canal therapy. Cases in the medicament group took dexamethasone tablets after the instrumentation. Root canals in the drainage group were prepared at the first visit and had been left open for two or three days. The related factors were recorded. The incidences and flare-up index (FUI) value of EIE were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe EIE incidence of the routine group was 19.1%. The EIE incidence and FUI value of the overinstrumented teeth were significantly higher than those of other teeth (P < 0.05). EIE were not significantly related to the age, gender, tooth location and pathosis of the pulpal and periapical tissue (P > 0.05). The FUI value of the medicament group was significantly lower than that of the routine group (P < 0.05). Less severe EIE occurred in the cases of the drainage group than those of the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence of EIE was significantly related to overinstrumentation. Taking dexamethasone may relieve EIE.

Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Drainage ; Emergency Treatment ; statistics & numerical data ; Endodontics ; methods ; Humans ; Root Canal Therapy

Five new megastigmanes (1-5) were isolated from a decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla by separation techniques of column chromatography using a combination of multiple stationary phases, including macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and Toyopearl HW-40F, and reversed phase HPLC. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic data analysis of HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD, in combination with Mosher's mothed as well as ECD and NMR calculations. The new compounds were named uncarphyllonone A (1), uncarphyllonols A (2) and B (3), and uncarphabscisic acids A (4) and B (5). Although the structures of 3 and 4 were previously reported, the reported NMR spectroscopic data were incorrect or do not support the assigned structures in literatures. This is also the first report of discovery of new megastigmane natural products from the Uncaria genus.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has advanced rapidly and has been widely applied in various fields such as medicine and pharmacy, accelerating the drug development process. Focusing on the application of AI in the discovery and optimization of lead compounds, this review provides a detailed introduction to AI-assisted virtual screening and molecular generation methods for discovering lead compounds, while particularly highlighting the cases of AI-drived drugs into clinical trials. Additionally, we briefly outline the application of AI basic algorithm models in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and drug repurposing, offering insights for AI-based drug discovery.

Objective To investigate the effect of sodium butyrate on apoptosis of rat mesangial cells and the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(PI3K/AKT/mTOR)signal pathway,and analyze the possible mechanism.Methods Primary cultured,isolated and purified rat mesangial cells.The cells were randomly divided into blank group,control group[10 μg·L-1 epidermal growth factor(EGF)],low dose experimental group(10μg·L-1 EGF+0.5 mmol·L-1 sodium butyrate),medium dose experimental group(10 μg·L-1 EGF+1.0 mmol·L-1 sodium butyrate)and high dose experimental group 10 μg·L-1 EGF+2.0 mmol·L-1sodium butyrate).Cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method,cell cycle was detected by propyl iodide(PI)staining,cell apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry,and the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR channel-related proteins was detected by Western blot.Results After 24 h of treatment,the optical density of blank group,control group and low,medium,high dose experimental group were 0.36±0.03,0.66 ±0.03,0.57±0.05,0.47±0.02,0.41±0.01;which at 48 h of treatment were 0.55±0.03,0.83±0.04,0.68 ±0.03,0.65±0.02,0.60±0.02,respectively.The results showed that 10 μg·L-1 EGF significantly stimulated the proliferation and activation of mesangial cells(P＜0.05),and the proliferation of mesangial cells was significantly inhibited after treatment with different concentrations of sodium butyrate for 24 and 48 h(P＜0.05).PI staining showed that the G1 phase blocking rates of blank group,control group and low,medium,high dose experimental groups were(53.37±0.43)％,(46.84±0.67)％,(57.81±0.48)％,(62.77±0.77)％,(67.57±0.71)％,respectively.The results showed that sodium butyrate could induce cell cycle arrest in G1 phase in a concentration-dependent manner(P＜0.01).The apoptosis rates of blank group,control group and low,medium,high dose experimental groups were(4.43±0.48)％,(2.45±0.31)％,(6.16±0.33)％,(8.25±0.40)％and(12.12±0.41)％,the differences were statistically significant between control group and low,medium,high dose experimental groups(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Sodium butyrate can effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of rat mesangial cells,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.