Objective The different distribution and clinical significance of mean platelet volume (MPV) in the healthy normoglycemic and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) individuals were discussed.Methods The 499 individuals including 184 male and 315 female,who had undergone health checks in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital during May and July 2012 were studied retrospectively.Average age is forty-five ( thirty-five to eighty).Subjects were categorized into four groups according to fasting plasma glucose ( FPG) levels:G1 (3.89 mmol/L≤FPG<5 mmol/L, n=125),G2(5 mmol/L≤FPG <5.5 mmol/L, n=121), G3(5.5 mmol/L≤FPG<6.1 mmol/L, n=142), and G4(6.1 mmol/L≤FPG<7 mmol/L, n=111).G1, G2, and G3 are defined as normal FPG groups and G 4 is defined as IFG group.Eighty-nine cases in the same age patients with type II diabetes mellitus group ( G5 ) were observed at the same time.Results The MPV increased with the increasing FPG levels in the following order:G1(8.62 ±0.77) fl, G2 (8.85 ±0.80) fl, G3(8.90 ±0.69) fl,G4(9.14 ±0.78) fl and G5(12.03 ±1.42) fl.MPV[(12.03 ±1.42) fl] of type Ⅱdiabetes mellitus group(G5) was higher than that in the IFG group (G4)[(9.14 ±0.78) fl] and normal FPG groups[G1(8.62 ±0.77) fl,G2(8.85 ±0.80) fl,G3(8.90 ±0.69) fl] (F=12.773,P<0.01);MPV of the IFG group [ ( 9.14 ±0.78 ) fl ] was significantly higher than that in normal FPG groups [ G1 (8.62 ±0.77) fl,G2(8.85 ±0.80) fl,G3(8.90 ±0.69) fl] (F=12.773,P<0.01 for G4 vs.G1 and G2, P<0.05 for G4 vs.G3) ;MPV in the high-normal glucose group (G3) [(8.90 ±0.69) fl] was obviously higher than that in the low-normal glucose group (G1) [(8.62 ±0.77) fl] (F=12.773,P<0.05);MPV was positively associated with FPG in normal FPG groups ,IFG group and type Ⅱ diabetes mellitus group (G1-3:r=0.22, P<0.05;G4:r=0.26, P<0.01;G5:r=0.29, P<0.01).Conclusions Significant difference of MPV was observed in population of different FPG levels.Especially, MPV in IFG group was evidently higher than that in normal FPG group and was positively associated with FPG levels.

Objective To investigate the effects of post-propofol anesthesia on cognitive function and hippocampus proteome expressions in aged rats.Methods Thirty healthy male Wistar rats aged 20 months were randomly divided into control group(n =15) and propofol group(n =15).The control group was injected with normal saline of 6 ml/kg intraperitoneally and propofol was injected intraperitoneally with propofol 60 mg/kg.The rats in both groups underwent Step-down Test to assess cognitive function at the first day and at the seventh day after the termination of drug administration.Five rats were decapitated randomly each time after the two step-down tests and their hippocampi were removed for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis.Results In the step-down test,aged rats in the propofol group showed significantly learning impairment and decreased memory abilities at the 1st day after propofol anesthesia as compared with those in the control group.In learning phase of the 1st day,the latency of the propofol group is (29.5 ± 7.6)s as compared with(19.7 ± 7.0)s of the control group,while the error time is 3.6±1.2 vs.1.6 ±0.8 in the propofol group vs the control group,and the total time of electric shock is(65.2 t 10.6)s vs.(42.7 ± 10.3)s in the propofol group vs the control group(all P＜0.01).The latency of the memory phase in the propofol group is also decreased as compared with that in the control group(31.4±14.3)s vs.(111.2± 23.7) s,(P＜0.01).On the 7th day after anesthesia,there was no significant difference between the two groups.There were 17 differentially expressed proteins on the 1st day after propofol anesthesia,6 of them were up-regulated and 11 proteins were down-regulated (P ＜ 0.05).On the 7th day,there were 10 differentially expressed proteins,and the expression of 5 proteins was down-regulated (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Aging rats receiving propofol anesthesia show cognitive function decline,but do not show a long-term decline.The mechanism may be related to the different expressions of hippocampal proteins.

Objective To investigate the effects of valproic acid ( VPA ) on SD rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ( EAE) and its possible immunomodulatory mechanism .Meth-ods Fifty female Sprague-Dawley ( SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups by random digit table , including control group (n=10), EAE group(n=10), low dose VPA treated group (100 mg/kg, n=10), median dose VPA treated group (300 mg/kg, n=10) and high dose VPA treated group (600 mg/kg, n=10).The SD rat model of EAE was induced by immunizing with a guinea pigs′spinal cord homogenate (GPSCH).Normal saline and various doses of VPA were given to rats in according groups twice a day from day 0 to day 19 ( close to the peak stage of EAE ) .The severity of EAE was scored according to the signs and symptoms.Pathological changes were observed through Hematoxylin-Eosin staining, and then the degrees of inflammatory infiltration were evaluated .The numbers of activated neuroglia that expressed Iba-1 in cerebral and lumber cords were counted by immunohistochemistry .The expression of IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-10 in cer-ebral and lumber cords were measured by ELISA .Results Compared with EAE group , rats in the low, me-dian and high dose VPA treated groups had lower incidence of EAE and prolonged latency , but only the me-dian dose treated group showed significant alleviation in clinical symptoms (P<0.05).Both the median and the high dose treated group showed decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in CNS (P<0.05).Immunohisto-chemistry results showed that the numbers of activated microglia were significantly inhibited in rats treated with median and high dose of VPA in comparison with those in EAE group (P<0.05).Results of ELISA demonstrated that the expression of IFN-γand IL-17 in both median and high dose VPA treated groups were significantly decreased compared with those in EAE group (P<0.05), but only the median dose treated group showed a remarkably increased expression of IL-10 (P<0.05).Conclusion VPA, especially medi-um dose of VPA ( 300 mg/kg ) , had neuroprotective effects on rats with EAE .The possible mechanism might be associated with the inhibited activation of microglia and the increased percentage of anti -inflammato-ry cytokines .

Objective To evaluate the effects of inhalation sevoflurane in the early ischemia and reperfusion on pulmonary inflammatory response in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Methods Forty patients with rheumatic heart disease scheduled for elective valve replacement were randomly assigned into 2 groups (20 patients in each group): control group and sevoflurane group. In sevoflurane group, 2% sevoflurane was inhaled for 15 min before and after the ascending aorta was blocked, and also before and after the ascending aorta was opened. Paitents in control group didn′t inhale sevoflurane. Time was defined as the followings: after anesthesia and before skin incision (T0), immediately before ECC (T1), immediately after ECC (T2), 2 h after ECC (T3), 6 h after ECC (T4) and 24 h after ECC (T5). At T0, T2, T3, T5, the radial artery blood was obtained to detect the levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-8(IL-8) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1). At T1, T2, the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein blood was obtained to detect the neutrophil count and calculate the differences between the vein and artery. At T0, T2, T3, T4, T5, the arterial blood gas was detected and differences of alveoli-arterial oxygen pres [P(A- a)O2], oxygenation index (OI), static compliance (Cst) were calculated. Results The levels of plasma TNF-α, IL-8 and sICAM-1 were higher at T2, T3, T5 than those at T0 in two groups (P<0.05). The levels of plasma TNF-α, IL-8 and sICAM-1 were decreased in sevoflurane group at T2 and T3, compared with those in control group (P<0.05). The neutrophil counts of pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein and the differences between the vein and artery were higher at T2 than those at T0 in two groups (P<0.05). The neutrophil counts of pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein and the differences between the vein and artery were decreased in sevoflurane group at T2 compared with those of control group (P<0.05). The level of P(A- a)O2 was higher at T2, T3, T4 and T5 than that at T0 in two groups (P<0.05). The level of OI was decreased at T2, T3, T4 and T5 compared with that at T0 in two groups (P<0.05). The level of Cst was decreased at T2, T3 and T4 compared with that at T0 in two groups (P<0.05). The level of P(A-a)O2 was decreased in sevoflurane group at T2, T3 and T4 compared with that in control group (P<0.05). The levels of OI and Cst were higher in sevoflurane group at T2, T3 and T4 compared with those in control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Severe pulmonary inflammation often occurs during cardiac surgery with ECC, and it can be relieved by inhalation of sevoflurane in the early ischemia and reperfusion.

Objective To apply DNA barcoding technology for exploring its taxonomic status and differences in the molecular biology of Cricetulus barabensis in Shaanxi Province.Methods Sixty-five samples of Cricetulus barabensis were collected from Dingbian,Jingbian Counties in northern of Shaanxi and Dali County in Guanzhong plain (Dingbian 58 samples,Jingbian 2 samples,and Dali 5 samples).According to the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene (CO I) sequence,the genetic distance was calculated and Neighbor-Joining tree was constructed.Results The genetic distance between two samples (13.16,13.21) and other 56 samples of Dingbian was 9.2％-10.0％.The genetic distance between the 56 samples of Dingbian and Jingbian was less than 1％ and Dali was 7.2％-8.3％;the average intraspecific genetic distance of Jingbian and Dali was less than 1％.The Neighbor-Joining tree showed that all the Cricetulus barabensis samples from the three counties were separated into two large branches.The samples of 13.16,13.21 from Dingbian together were classified into a class and the rest of the samples into another separate branch.At the same time,other samples from Dingbian except 13.16,13.21 and Jingbian were distributed in a small branch,and Dali samples were occupied another small branch.Conclusion Using the DNA barcoding technology,we have determined three subspecies of Cricetulus barabensis in Shaanxi Province,Dingbian has two kinds and Dali has a different subspecies.

Department of Regenerative Medicine of Tongji University School of Medicine intro-duced the standardized question library construction-based separation of teaching from testing system into integrated life science course. By establishing the question library, professional teachers in the assessment center are responsible for making and correcting test papers of final exam for students. In addition to the separation of teaching and testing, regular quiz during the semester is also involved in the final grades of students. The results show that high-quality question library effectively promotes implementation of separation of teaching from testing. The question library construction is a dynamic and long-term task that requires real-time updates along with knowledge updates. This preliminary practice of separation of teaching from testing system in the integrated life sciences curriculum has proved to be useful for improving teaching style and the style of study significantly.

To investigate the plasma thioredoxin-interacting protein ( TXNIP ) levels in different glucose tolerance groups and discuss the relationship between TXNIP and insulin resistance/β-cell dysfunction in diabetes and prediabetes, and to investigate the potential relationship between TXNIP and interleukin-1β( IL-1β) . According to oral glucose tolerance test, 93 participants were divided into 3 groups:diabetes mellitus group, prediabetes group, and normal glucose tolerance group. Plasma TXNIP, IL-1β, and other biochemical indices were measured. The relationship between TXNIP and glucose, IL-1β, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR) , and homeostasis model assessment forβcell function ( HOMA-β) were analyzed by using multiple linear regression techniques and Pearson’s linear correlation analysis. Plasma TXNIP level was higher in prediabetes group compared with normal glucose tolerance group, but lower in prediabetes group compared with diabetes mellitus group[(355. 35±31. 88 vs 274. 36±33. 86, 426. 16±63. 15)pg/ml, P<0. 01 or P<0. 05]. TXNIP was positively correlated with IL-1βand HOMA-IR, but negatively correlated with HOMA-β. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that IL-1βexerted significant influence on TXNIP ( P<0. 05 ). Plasma TXNIP level is affected by blood glucose concentration. There is a close relationship between TXNIP and IL-1β. In prediabetes patient, the TXNIP levels have already been raised.

Objective To apply the DNA barcoding technology for identification on host animal and to establish the host animal DNA bar code database on natural foci of plague in Shaanxi.Methods 139 host animals belonging to 3 orders,6 families and 12 genera and 62 residues belonging to 7 species from 8 different parts of the province,were detected.DNA barcoding technology was used to analyze the DNA CO Ⅰ gene sequence on the natural foci of plague in Dingbian county.Results The intra-specific genetic distance was less than 2％ while the inter-specific distance ranged from 8.9％ to 15.1％.Fourteen major clusters were apparently showed on a Neighbor-Joining tree.Residue samples could be detected regarding the objective gene.Alashan ground squirrel was previously noticed to carry 14 major clusters,which were previously mistakenly named as Citellus dauricus in Dingbian county.Conclusion DNA barcoding technology could overcome the shortcomings caused by the morphological identification so could be used to identify the host animal and residues in the natural focus of plague.

Objective To investigate the inhibiting effect of CGP77675 (CGP),a Src inhibitor,on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells induced by transformation growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1).Methods Human RPE cell line (ARPE19 cells) was cultured in vitro and divided into control group,TGF-β1 group and TGF-β1 +CGP group.Corresponding agent was added into culture medium based on grouping.The morphology of the cells were examined under the optical microscope 3 days after culture.The expressions of EMT-related genes and proteins in the cells were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot,respectively,including fibronectin 1 (FN 1),and plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI1),and the expressions of zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO1) and cytoskeleton protein filamentous actin (F-actin) were detected by immunofluorescence staining.MTT assay was employed to evaluate the cell proliferation rate.The migration distance of the cells was measured by scratch test.Results The ARPE19 cells in the control group showed an epithelial-like morphology and F-actin and ZO-1 were expressed along cell membrane.In the TGF-β1 group,the cells appeared to be fibrous-like,and the fluorescence staining of F-actin was disordered and ZO-1 was discontinuous on the cell membrane.The cells in the TGF-β1 +CGP group remained to be an epithelial-like in shape with clear and complete expressions of F-actin and ZO-1.The relative expressions of FN1 mRNA and PAI1 mRNA in the cells were 0.211 ± 0.080 and 0.116±0.073,1.000±0.001 and 1.000±0.001,0.368±0.097 and 0.362±0.048 in the control group,TGF-β1 group and TGF-β1 +CGP groups,showing significant differences among the groups (F=33.14,82.92;both at P＜0.01),with the highest expressions ofFN1 mRNA and PAI1 mRNA in the TGF-β1 group (all at P＜0.05).The relative expressions of FN1 and PAI1 proteins were 0.166±0.055 and 0.327±0.066,1.000±0.001 and 1.000± 0.001,0.143 ± 0.030 and 0.260 ± 0.077 in the control group,TGF-β1 group and TGF-β1 + CGP group,with significant differences among three groups (F=181.90,48.85;both at P＜0.01),and the expressions FN1 and PAI1 proteins were significantly higher in the TGF-β1 than those in the control group and TGF-β1 +CGP group (all at P＜0.05).The cell proliferative rate in the TGF-β1+CGP group was (79.30±3.44) ％ and (54.80±7.39) ％ at the third day and seventh day after culture,which were significantly reduced in comparison with (99.50 ± 1.00)％ and (99.10±0.50)％ in the control group as well as (95.10±4.20)％ and (92.10±4.50)％ in the TGF-β1 group (all at P＜0.05).The migration distance was disappeared in the TGF-β1 group,and the scratch width was not obviously changed in the TGF-β1 +CGP group.Conclusions Src inhibitor can inhibit EMT process of ARPE19 cells induced by TGF-β1,indicating that Src signaling pathway may play a critical role in EMT of RPE cells.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of microRNA-210 agonist (agomiR-210) on kidney in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) rats.Methods:Thirty-six 5-week-old male SD rats were divided into normal control (NC) group, agomiR-NC control group, agomiR-210 control group, DKD model group, DKD+agomiR-NC group and DKD+agomiR-210 group, with 6 rats in each group. Diabetic rats were established by a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), then were fed for 12 consecutive weeks to construct DKD model rats. During 2nd-4th week of continuous feeding, the rats in DKD+agomiR-210 group were injected with 20 nmol/kg agomiR-210 via tail vein twice a week. Blood glucose levels, 24 h urine albumin (Alb) and 24 h urine microalbumin (MAU) contents were measured regularly. At the end of the 12th week, the rats were sacrificed, and renal tissues were collected. The renal histopathological changes were assessed by HE, PAS and Masson staining methods. The mRNA and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in renal tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The distributions and expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), typeⅠ collagen (Col-Ⅰ), type Ⅳ collagen (Col-Ⅳ) and fibronectin (FN) in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method. The protein expression levels of phospho(p)-Smad3 and p-NF-κB p65 in renal tissues were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical methods.Results:Compared with DKD model group, the renal pathological damages in DKD+agomiR-210 group were improved, the blood glucose level, glycogen deposition and collagen accumulation were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), the urinary excretions of Alb and MAU were significantly reduced (all P<0.01), and the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, α-SMA, Col-Ⅰ, Col-Ⅳ, FN, p-Smad3 and p-NF-κB p65 in renal tissues were significantly decreased (all P<0.01). Conclusion:AgomiR-210 can alleviate renal pathological changes and urinary Alb and MAU excretion in rats with DKD, which may be related to its inhibition of Smad3 and NF-κB activity.