OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of combined therapy of Neiyi pill (NP) and Neiyi enema (NE) on endometriosis and its effect on serum levels of endometrial antibody (EMAB) and carcinoembryonic antigen 125 (CA125).

METHODSFifty-eight cases with endometriosis were divided into 3 groups randomly, group A (n = 16) treated by NP, group B (n = 24) treated by NP and NE, and group C (n = 18) treated by danazol, all for 3 menstrual cycle with single blind method. The effect was observed and the serum levels of EMAB and CA125 were detected before and after treatment.

RESULTSComparison of the efficacy between the 3 groups showed: there was no remarkable difference between group A and B (P >0.05), both of group A and group B were superior to that of group C (P<0.05). The levels of EMAB and CA125 had no significant changes in all the three groups after treatment.

CONCLUSIONCombined therapy of NP and NE could improve the curative effect on endometriosis, and without obvious effects on serum levels of EMAB and CA125.

Administration, Rectal ; Adult ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Endometriosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Endometrium ; immunology ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Single-Blind Method ; Tablets

China ; epidemiology ; Congenital Hypothyroidism ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening

Objective To analyze the A TP7A gene mutations in 2 related Chinese patients with Menkes disease (MD) and other members of the family and their hereditary features. Methods Two patients were clinically diagnosed as having MD. All 23 exons and exon-intron boundaries of ATP7A gene were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified and directly sequenced for genomic DNA extracted from the peripheral blood of both 2 patients and other members of the family; healthy controls were employed too. The mutations were proved by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results Gross deletions from exon 2-12 were found in these 2 patients,respectively; their mothers,grandmother and aunt with normal phenotype carried those heterozygous mutations in the same site of A TP7A gene.Conclusions The 2 patients with MD are identified by gene and gross deletions from exon 2-12 are reported.

Rsm (repressor of secondary metabolite) A is an mRNA binding protein which functions as a global repressor to control multiple genes at the posttranscriptional level. Using homologous recombination technique a chromosomal rsmA inactivated mutant strain M-18R was constructed in Pseudomonas sp. M-18, a strain of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria, which could inhibit several soilborn phytopathogens by producing secondary metabolites including phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (Plt) in one single strain. To further study the effect of RsmA on the synthesis of Plt and PCA in the wild type strain M-18, the dynamic curves of Plt and PCA produced respectively by M-18 and M-18R were measured in KMB medium under different temperature conditions such as 37 degrees C constant, 28 degrees C constant and nonconstant (37 degrees C 4 hours at first and then 28 degrees C constant) cultivation. The synthesis of both Plt and PCA were almost inhibited in the cultures under the condition of 37 degrees C. At 28 degrees C, however, compared with the wild type strain M-18, the mutant strain produced tenfold amount of Plt, while the production of PCA decreased only about 50%. When cultivated under the nonconstant condition, the amount of Plt produced by M-18R could reach 400 microg/mL while the PCA production was not significantly affected, but in the wild type strain M-18, the amount of Plt production decreased obviously while the PCA production was not affected in comparison with the results at 28 degrees C constant. These results suggest that a temperature sensitive factor exists to function as an activator independent of RsmA to promote the synthesis of Plt in the rsmA mutant strain M-18R while it may bind with RsmA to repress the synthesis of Plt in the wild type strain M-18. But this factor did not exert any affect on the synthesis of PCA.
Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Phenazines ; metabolism ; Phenols ; metabolism ; Pseudomonas ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo study long-term behavioral and ultrastructural alterations in a hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) model of neonatal rats.

METHODSSixty seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly subjected to unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxic exposure (HIBD group) or sham operation (n=30 each). A battery of behavioral tests, including Morris water maze test and sensorimotor tests, were performed at a postnatal age of 5 weeks. Nissl staining was used for counting neurons. Transmission electron microscopy was used for observing synapse structures and measuring the thickness of the postsynaptic density area and the length of the postsynaptic active area. The correlations of histological changes with the results of behavioral tests were evaluated.

RESULTSThe HIBD group showed a significantly longer escape latency (P<0.05) and a lower frequency of original platform crossing (P<0.05) in the Morris water maze test compared with the sham operation group. The sensorimotor function test showed that the sensorimotor function in the HIBD group was worse than in the sham operation group. Nissl staining showed that the number of neurons in the HIBD group was significantly reduced (P<0.01) compared with the sham operation group. Transmission electron microscopy showed that synapses were significantly reduced in number, and that the thickness of the postsynaptic density area and the length of the postsynaptic active area were reduced in the HIBD group. The thickness of the postsynaptic density area was negatively correlated with escape latency in the Morris water maze test (r=-0.861, P<0.01), and also negatively correlated with the total score of sensorimotor function tests (r=-0.758, P<0.05) in the HIBD group.

CONCLUSIONSHypoxia ischemia can lead to neuron loss and ultrastructure damage, resulting in long-term deficit of behavioral functions in neonatal rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; pathology ; psychology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reaction Time

OBJECTIVETo explore the myelo-protection effect of mdr1 transfected cord blood cells (CBMNCs) graft against high-dose homoharringtonine leukemia-bearing severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice model.

METHODSMultidrug resistant (mdr1)gene was transferred into CBMNCs by a retrovirus vector, containing full-length cDNA of human mdr1 gene. CBMNCs and high-titer retrovirus supernatant were cocultured with cytokine combinations for 5 - 6 days. The SCID mouse models bearing human HL-60 cell leukemia were divided into three groups. Group A received tail vein injection of 2 x 10(6) mdr1 gene transduced CBMNCs at day 1 and 3, groups B and C 2 x 10(6) un-transduced CBMNCs and same volume of normal saline, respectively. The 3 groups of the mouse model were treated with weekly escalated doses of homoharringtonine. The peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts, the human leukemia cells percentage in peripheral blood, the histological findings of main organs were assayed. The CD33 positive HL-60 cells in bone marrow were determined by flow cytometry. The function and expression of mdr1 gene were examined by PCR, immunochemistry (IC) and DNR extrusion test in vivo.

RESULTS(1) mdr1 gene was transferred into CBMNCs successfully and the transfection frequency was 30%. (2) Leukemia SCID mice were xenotransplanted with mdr1-transfected BMMNCs by a programmed procedure and could be used as a valuable model for in vivo evaluating myelo-protection effects. (3) The transfected mice could tolerate homoharringtonine 5 approximately 6 folds higher than conventional dose and kept peripheral WBC count at a mean of 3 x 10(9)/L, with the peripheral human myeloid leukemia cells percentage decreasing to less than 5%. Histological examination showed that there was no leukemia infiltration in the main organs, the CD33 positive HL-60 cells in bone marrow were less than 5%. (4) The repopulation frequency of the transfected CBMNs in marrow were 9.13%. DNR extrusion test confirmed that the P-gp product maintained its biological function in the marrow.

CONCLUSIONmdr1 transferred-human CBMNC can xenotransplanted and repopulated in leukemia-bearing SCID mouse and are protected from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Genetic Vectors ; HL-60 Cells ; Harringtonines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Random Allocation ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection ; Treatment Outcome ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of rat red blood cells on T, B lymphocytes proliferation in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).

METHODSThirty Wistar rats were averagely divided into control group and the CUMS group. The relevant behavioral performance and red blood cells on lymphocytes proliferation Changes by MTT colorimetric were observed.

RESULTSAfter fourteen days, the growth of weight and organic coefficient of brain decreased in model group (P < 0.05), with a significantly reduced consumption and preference of sucrose solutions, and increased pure water consumption as compared with control group (P < 0.05). Plasma corticosterone levels peaked at seven days but on a declining trend after fourteen days. The rate of red blood cells on T, B lymphocyte proliferation in depression group was lower than non-stress in 7, 14, 21 days (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe repeated chronic mild stress stimulation can induce long-time changes in acts and activities and decrease the rate of red blood cells on T, B lymphocytes proliferation, which can provide a new experimental method to observe the red blood cell immune function under the stress.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Depression ; blood ; etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Psychological ; physiopathology

Objective The present study was conducted to investigate the infection of Lyme disease, Spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis (anaplasmosisin) in wild animals and ticks in the mountain areas of Zhejiang province. Methods Nested polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify specific DNA sequences of Lyme spirochetes, Spotted fever group rickettsiae, Ehrlichia (anaplasma) from samples of mice and ticks. Results 14 positive samples were identified from 121 mice and 105 groups of ticks. Among mice samples, one positive 5S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer of Borreia burgdorferi and two 5' fragments of Ehrlichia (anaplasma) 16S rDNA were obtained. 11 positive results were detected from tick samples including three 5S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer regions of Borreia burgdorferi and eight 5' fragments of Spotted fever group rickettsiae outer member protein A gene. One group of adult ticks, Haemaphysalis longicornis, which had been collected from eastern mountain area were detected to have co-infected with Lyme spirochetes and Spotted fever group rickettsiae. The positive sequences of 5S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer and ompA gene were tested and analyzed as Lyme spirochetes while rickettsia which was closely related to Borrelia valaisiana and R. massilliae. Conclusion This was the first report about co-infection of Lyme spirochetes and Spotted fever group rickettsiae found in the same group of adult Haemaphysalis longicornis. It is very important to strengthen the surveillance program on tick-borne infectious disease and their pathogenic in vectors, wild animals and targeted high risk groups and to differentiate the clinical manifestation and diagnosis to extend the knowledge of tick-borne infectious diseases in Zhejiang.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of pentoxifylline on rats and mice with learning and memory dysfunctions.

METHODSMorris water maze test was used to observe the effects of pentoxifylline on learning and memory of naturally aging rats, and jumping stand test was performed to examine its effects in promoting the learning and memory functions in mice with scopolamine- and ethanol-induced memory dysfunctions.

RESULTSIn aging rats, pentoxifylline at high, moderate and low doses all significantly reduced the latency of platform finding in the place navigation test (P<0.01 or P<0.05 ), and increased the quadrant searching frequency in the spatial probe test (P<0.05). Pentoxifylline at the 3 doses significantly increased the latency of electrification (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and decreased the times of error (P<0.05) of the mice as compared with scopolamine- treated group. Pentoxifylline also improved ethanol-induced memory dysfunction in the mice, but the changes in the performance of the mice were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONPentoxifylline can improve the learning and memory abilities of rats and mice.

Aging ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Ethanol ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; Mice ; Pentoxifylline ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide

Objective To investigate the effect of early physical training on long-lasting neurological function,pathology changes,spatial learning and memory abilities,sensorimotor function and ultrastructure changes in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods Ninety 7-day-old sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:a group that was subjected to left carotid ligation followed by 2 hours hypoxic stress (vehicle group),a group that received physical trainings (grabbing,rotation,walking and balance) 1 weeks after HIBD event (trained group) and a sham-operated group that was subjected to a sham-operation without ligation and hypoxic stress (n=30).Following four weeks of physical trainings,neurological scale was performed on all the rats; the number of neurons in the CA1 region of hippocampus and cortex forehead was measured by Nissl count; the expression levels of synaptophysin and c-fos were examined; Morris water maze tests and cortex sensorimotor tests were performed to detect the spatial learning and memory abilities and sensory functions; transmission electron microscope was employed to observe the synapses and neuronal ultrastructure.Results As compared with those in the vehicle group,the neurological scale scores were significantly increased in the trained group and the sham-operated group 14,21 and 28 days after trainings (P＜0.05).As compared with those in the vehicle group,the number of neurons in the left hippocampal CA1 area and cortex increased in the trained group and sham-operated group (P＜0.05).The expressions of synaptophysin and c-los in the trained group increased significantly as compared with those in the vehicle group (P＜0.05).As compared with those in the vehicle group,the spatial learning and memory abilities and sensorimotor functions in the trained group were significantly increased (P＜0.05).The ultrastructure of the left hippocampus and cortex was remarkably abnormal in the vehicle group by the transmission electron microscopy,while no obvious abnormality was observed in the trained group.Conclusion Early physical training can restrain neuron damage in the hippocampus and cortex and enhance synaptic plasticity to ameliorate the long-term neurological function after HIBD; the strong expression of synaptophysin and c-fos in the hippocampus and cortex caused by early physical training may be one of the improvement mechanisms.