Altitude ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Oxygen Consumption

Aim To investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on renal TGF-β1/Smads signa-ling pathway in rats with diabetes mellitus(DM). Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into nor-mal group,DM group,APS low dose (APS-low) group and APS high dose (APS-high) group. Rats in APS-low group and APS-high group respectively received 200 and 400 mg·kg-1·d-1APS for 8 weeks. Con-centrations of fasting blood-glucose(FBG),blood urea nitrogen and creatinine,as well as urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and osteopontin (OPN) were measured. Levels of TGF-β1,Smad2,phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2),Smad3,phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3),Smad7,matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2,MMP-9,tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 were investigated. Results Compared to control group,DM group had higher levels of FBG,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine KIM-1,OPN, TGF-β1,Smad2,p-Smad2,Smad3,p-Smad3,TIMP-1 and TIMP-2,but lower levels of Smad7,MMP-2 and MMP-9. APS significantly decreased the levels of FBG,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine KIM-1 and OPN, as well as inhibited the activity of TGF-β1/Smads sig-naling pathway. Conclusion The renoprotective effects of APS might be associated with the inhibition of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulative mechanism of the diterpene phenol extract of Rosmarinus Officinalis (DERO) on the imbalance of collagen metabolism of the lung tissue in pulmonary fibrosis rats.

METHODSFifty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal saline group (NS), the bleomycin-induced lung injury group (BLM), the low dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 50 mg/kg), the moderate dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg), and the high dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 200 mg/kg), 10 in each group (abbreviated as DERO 1, 2, 3, respectively). The pulmonary fibrosis rat model was prepared by disposable intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. DERO was administered by gastrogavage as intervention during the repairing process of lung injury. On the morning of the 29th day, the rats' lung tissue was extracted. The karyocyte number, collagen protein, type I collagen (collagen I) and transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGFbetaR II), Smad4 mRNA expressions were semi-quantitatively determined using tissue microarray, HE staining, collagen fiber dyeing, immunohistochemical assay, and in situ hybridization. Using real-time fluorescent quantification RT-PCR, the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the NS group, the collagen deposition of the lung tissue was obvious and the inflammatory infiltration was more severe in the BLM group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the aforesaid 4 indices between the DERO1 group and the BLM group (P > 0.05). The collagen deposition and the inflammatory infiltration were obviously alleviated in the DERO2 and DERO3 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the NS group, the mRNA expressions of collagen-I, TGF-beta1 R II, Smad4, and TGF-beta1 were obviously up-regulated in the BLM group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the BLM group, the aforesaid four indices were not statistically changed in the DERO1 group (P > 0.05). But the mRNA expressions of collagen-I, TGF-beta1 R II, Smad4, and TGF-beta1 were obviously downregulated in the DERO2 and DERO3 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). But the down-regulation of Smad4 expression was not obvious in the DERO2 and the DERO3 groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the DERO1 group, the mRNA expressions of collagen-I, TGF-beta1, R II, TGFbeta1 were all obviously lower in the DERO2 and the DERO3 groups (P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in the aforesaid 4 indices between the DERO2 group and the DERO3 group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDERO could regulate imbalanced collagen metabolism of pulmonary fibrosis. It could inhibit excessive deposition of collagen fibers, especially excessive deposition of collagen- I. Its mechanisms might be realized by inhibiting up-regulation of TGF-beta1 and TGFbetaR II mRNA expressions, thus interfering the activation of TGF-beta-Smad signaling pathway on target genes, especially on type I procollagen target gene.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Rosmarinus ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To compare the magnitude of inequities in health-related behaviors among males in Guangdong province, and to investigate the extent of the disparities. Methods Data sets available from the Guangdong Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Survey 2007 are used.Concentration index (C) and concentration curve are employed to measure the differential of males'health-related behaviors across urban and rural areas in Guangdong. Odds ratios of 6 health-related behaviors among different areas are derived from 4 logistic models, after adjusting for age, married state, educational status, occupation and income. Results Results from Cs reveal that the inequality gradients disadvantageous to men in rural areas are: smoking(C=-0.075, P=0.000), alcohol intake (C=-0.023, P=0.002), blood pressure (C=0.106, P=0.000), blood sugar(C=0.114, P=0.000)and weight (C= 0.107, P= 0.000 ), while lack of physical activity (C= 0.044, P= 0.000) concentrates in the more affluent areas. The magnitudes of these inequalities appear to be higher on health-seeking behaviors than on health-risk behaviors. After adjusting for age and marital status, there is still strong evidence showing the rural-urban differences in the health related behaviors among males in Guangdong province. When educational status, occupation and income are added to the logistic model as control factors, the results have led to a loss of statistical significance on such rural-urban inequalities, indicating that socioeconomic factors play an important role on these health-related behaviors which leads to the inequalities among males in Guangdong province. Conclusion To reduce the gaps in health-related behaviors seen in the rural and urban areas, effective policies should be developed to change the social determinants of rural-urban differences in health and to strengthen the implementation of health-related programs on those vulnerable groups.

Objective To investigate the metastatic risk factors of pelvic lymph nodes in patients with cervical carcinoma of stage Ia2 and IIa2.Methods The clinic opathologicparameters in 337 patients with stage Ia2 -IIa2 cervical carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed,and were studied the related factors of pelvic lymph node metastasis.Results The lymph nodes metastasis rate was 11.87%,with the obturator and internal iliaclymph nodes mostly involved.Multivariate analysis showed that the myometrial invasion,size of tumor,lymph -vascular space involvement and utero -tissue infiltration were major risk factors.The OR value and 95%CI were 3.464(1.502 -7.985)、4.316 (1.164 -7.833)、6.167 (2.592 -14.674)和 8.507(1.966 -36.808)respectively.Conclusion The myometrial invasion≥ 2 /3,size of tumor≥ 4 cm, lymph -vascular space involvement and utero -tissue infiltration positive lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer are easy to occur.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of IgD multiple myeloma (MM) and the effect and prognosis of daratumumab-based combination therapy.Methods:The clinicopathological data of a IgD MM patient with disease progression and extramedullary infiltration treated with daratumumab in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University in December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The 74-year-old woman was diagnosed as IgD MM by bone marrow aspiration and immunofixation electrophoresis. The patient was given VD (bortezomib, dexamethasone), RD (lenalidomide, dexamethasone) and ID (ixazomib, dexamethasone) regimens. In June 2020, the patient developed multiple subcutaneous nodules, and she was assessed as progressive disease with extensive extramedullary infiltration. After treated with daratumumab-PAD (liposomal doxorubicin, bortezomib, dexamethasone) regimen, the patient's subcutaneous nodules were significantly reduced and partially disappeared, and the general condition was significantly improved. But the patient was in a cachexia state and finally died of the irregular treatment and disease progression.Conclusions:IgD MM has a low incidence and a short survival period, and there is no uniform standard treatment. The early application of daratumumab combined with proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, cytotoxic drugs and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve the overall survival of patients.

Objective To understand the prevalence of suicide attempts and its related risk factors in Guangdong province to provide scientific basis information for suicide intervention.Methods Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select the sample.42 sweets or towns were selected from 21 counties or districts through randomly sampling.4 communities were then chosen from every selected town or district,followed by 40 families chosen from every village or community.Questionnaire was used to collect data on suicide attempts and its related risk factors.SPSS 16.0 was used for data analysis.Results 6625 peoples were participated in the study.The 12-month incidence of suicidal attempts was 0.8%.It was higher for females ( 1.1% ) than that for males(0.5%) ,and the 25-35 years(1.6%) age group was among the highest.There was no significant difference between the prevalence rates in urban or rural residents.Results from multivariate analysis showed that factors as:being female (OR=2.1),experienced negative events of life (OR= 15.5),in poor sleeping condition ( OR = 1.6),feeling lonely (OR=1.5 ) and anxiety (OR = 1.8 ) were high risk for suicide attempts.Conclusion Suicide attempts in Guangdong province exhibited a high prevalence with complicated influencing factors.Comprehensive countermeasures are needed to prevent and reduce suicidal behaviors.

BACKGROUNDThe properties of subchondral bone influence the integrity of articular cartilage in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the characteristics of subchondral bone alterations remain unresolved. The present study aimed to observe the dynamic alterations in the microarchitecture, mineralization, and mechanical properties of subchondral bone during the progression of OA.

METHODSA medial meniscal tear (MMT) operation was performed in 128 adult Sprague Dawley rats to induce OA. At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks following the MMT operation, cartilage degeneration was evaluated using toluidine blue O staining, whereas changes in the microarchitecture indices and tissue mineral density (TMD), mineral-to-collagen ratio, and intrinsic mechanical properties of subchondral bone plates (BPs) and trabecular bones (Tbs) were measured using micro-computed tomography scanning, confocal Raman microspectroscopy and nanoindentation testing, respectively.

RESULTSCartilage degeneration occurred and worsened progressively from 2 to 12 weeks after OA induction. Microarchitecture analysis revealed that the subchondral bone shifted from bone resorption early (reduced trabecular BV/TV, trabecular number, connectivity density and trabecular thickness [Tb.Th], and increased trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp) at 2 and 4 weeks) to bone accretion late (increased BV/TV, Tb.Th and thickness of subchondral bone plate, and reduced Tb.Sp at 8 and 12 weeks). The TMD of both the BP and Tb displayed no significant changes at 2 and 4 weeks but decreased at 8 and 12 weeks. The mineral-to-collagen ratio showed a significant decrease from 4 weeks for the Tb and from 8 weeks for the BP after OA induction. Both the elastic modulus and hardness of the Tb showed a significant decrease from 4 weeks after OA induction. The BP showed a significant decrease in its elastic modulus from 8 weeks and its hardness from 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONThe microarchitecture, mineralization and mechanical properties of subchondral bone changed in a time-dependent manner as OA progressed.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; X-Ray Microtomography

BACKGROUNDIn vivo quantification of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) based on noninvasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination and in vitro choroidal flatmount immunohistochemistry stained of CNV currently were used to evaluate the process and severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) both in human and animal studies. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between these two methods in murine CNV models induced by subretinal injection.

METHODSCNV was developed in 20 C57BL6/j mice by subretinal injection of adeno-associated viral delivery of a short hairpin RNA targeting sFLT-1 (AAV.shRNA.sFLT-1), as reported previously. After 4 weeks, CNV was imaged by OCT and fluorescence angiography. The scaling factors for each dimension, x, y, and z (μm/pixel) were recorded, and the corneal curvature standard was adjusted from human (7.7) to mice (1.4). The volume of each OCT image stack was calculated and then normalized by multiplying the number of voxels by the scaling factors for each dimension in Seg3D software (University of Utah Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, available at http://www.sci.utah.edu/cibc-software/seg3d.html). Eighteen mice were prepared for choroidal flatmounts and stained by CD31. The CNV volumes were calculated using scanning laser confocal microscopy after immunohistochemistry staining. Two mice were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin for observing the CNV morphology.

RESULTSThe CNV volume calculated using OCT was, on average, 2.6 times larger than the volume calculated using the laser confocal microscopy. The correlation statistical analysis showed OCT measuring of CNV correlated significantly with the in vitro method (R 2 =0.448, P = 0.001, n = 18). The correlation coefficient for CNV quantification using OCT and confocal microscopy was 0.693 (n = 18, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a fair linear correlation on CNV volumes between in vivo and in vitro methods in CNV models induced by subretinal injection. The result might provide a useful evaluation of CNV both for the studies using CNV models induced by subretinal injection and human AMD studies.

Animals ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

In this study, seven bibenzyl compounds were isolated from the stem of Dendrobium nobile by silica gel, MCI column chromatographic and preparative HPLC technology. By using spectroscopic techniques including NMR and MS, these compounds were identified as 4, α-dihydroxy-3, 5, 3'-trimethoxybibenzyl (1), 4, 5-dihydroxy-3, 3', α-trimethoxybibenzyl (2), 4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 5, 3'-trimethoxybibenzyl (3), 4, 5-dihydroxy-3, 3'-dimethoxybibenzyl (4), 4, 3'-dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybibenzyl (5), 5, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 3'-dimethoxybibenzyl (6) and 5, 3'-dihydroxy-3-methoxybibenzyl (7). Compound 1 is a new compound and compound 4 was isolated from this plant for the first time.