Objective To find out the potential risk factor of plague in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of plague. Methods Rodents were captured by rat traps/cages at night and identified into species in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area from 2001 to 2009. Flea was counted and serum antibodies against plague F1 of rats, cats and dogs were detected by indirect hemagglutination (IHA). Plague surveillances were performed in human beings and rats. Results The rodents captured belonged to 9 species, 2 families, 2 orders and 1 classes. The average indoor rodent density was 1.16% (961/82 558), and was 1.12% (1345/119 671) outdoors. Rattus norvegicus was the dominant species,accounting for 50.37%. The proportion of R. Flavipectus was 3.80% in 2004, 4.50% in 2008 and 10.12% in 2009,showing an increasing trend year by year. There were three kinds of mice infected fleas in Wanzhou, which including Xenopsylla cheopis, Leptopsylla segnis and Ctenocephalides felis. The average rate of flea infected mice was 1.18%(82/6959) and the total flea index was 0.036. No F1 antibody against plague was detected in 6959 dogs and 160 cats serum samples. Conclusions No plague is found in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. But R.Flavipectus, Xenopsylla cheopis and Leptopsylla segnis are dominant species in Wanzhou section, and the proportion of which shows an increasing trends year by year. There is a potential risk of plague outbreaks in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; POEMS Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Syphilis ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides (ROS) on the proliferation of HepG2 and insulin resistance.

METHODThe HepG2 cells were divided into control group, rosiglitazone (3.4 mg x L(-1)) treated group and ROS (0.1-30 mg x L(-1)) treated group. The proliferation of HepG2 was detected by MTT method. Insulin resistant HepG2 cells model was induced by high concentration of insulin, then the effects of ROS on glucose consumption in insulin resistant HepG2 cells were investigated.

RESULTIn the middle glucose culture medium, the absorbance at 570 nm of HepG2 was increased by high concentration of ROS, and decreased by low concentration of ROS by using MTT method, a concentration-dependent manner. ROS increased glucose consumption in HepG2 cells, and showed a better effect at the dose of 10 mg x L(-1). ROS promoted the glucose consumption in insulin resistance of HepG2 cells, improved the sensitivity of insulin resistance of HepG2 cells to insulin.

CONCLUSIONHigh concentration of ROS can promote the proliferation of HepG2, and however low concentration of ROS inhibits the proliferation of HepG2. ROS can significantly improve insulin resistance of HepG2 cells induced by high insulin.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Glucose ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligosaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

The study is aimed to ensure the quality and safety of medicinal plants by using ITS2 DNA barcode technology to identify Corydalis boweri, Meconopsis horridula and their close related species. The DNA of 13 herb samples including C. boweri and M. horridula from Lhasa of Tibet was extracted, ITS PCR were amplified and sequenced. Both assembled and web downloaded 71 ITS2 sequences were removed of 5. 8S and 28S. Multiple sequence alignment was completed and the intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances were calculated by MEGA 5.0, while the neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees were constructed. We also predicted the ITS2 secondary structure of C. boweri, M. horridula and their close related species. The results showed that ITS2 as DNA barcode was able to identify C. boweri, M. horridula as well as well as their close related species effectively. The established based on ITS2 barcode method provides the regular and safe detection technology for identification of C. boweri, M. horridula and their close related species, adulterants and counterfeits, in order to ensure their quality control, safe medication, reasonable development and utilization.
Base Sequence ; China ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics

ObjectiveTo study the mRNA expression of rat Insulin-like growth factors- Ⅰ (IGF- Ⅰ ) and Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in thyroid and placenta with different iodine intakes during pregnancy.MethodsOne hundred and fifty female Wistar rats,weighting 80 - 100 g,were randomly divided into five groups according to body weight,30 rats in each group.Each group was given deionized water containing different concentrations of iodine,50 μg/L(control group,NI),0 μg/L(iodine deficiency 1 group,LI1 ),5 μg/L(iodine deficiency 2 group,LI2),3000 μg/L(iodine excess 1 group,HI1 ),and 10 000 μg/L(iodine excess 2 group,HI2),respectively.After feeding for 12 weeks,the female rats were mated with male rats.The female rats were sacrificed at first(6,7 days),trimester( 12,13 days),and third trimesters( 19,20 days),respectively,then their thyroid and placenta were collected.The mRNA expressions of IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-1 in thyroid and placenta were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Results①The actual thyroid weights of LI1 and LI2 groups[ (12.17 ± 5.41 ) × 10-2 g,(3.54 ± 1.21) × 10-2 g] were significantly higher than that of NI group[ (2.05 ± 0.50) × 10-2 g,all P ＜ 0.05] ;actual weights of HI1 and HI 2 groups[ (1.64 ± 0.27) × 10-2 g,(1.66 ± 0.29) × 10-2 g] were compared with that of NI group,the difference was not statistically significant(all P ＞ 0.05).②The mRNA expression of IGF- Ⅰ: at the first trimester,LI1 and LI2 groups(l.98 ± 0.35,1.47 ± 0.22) were all higher than that of NI group(1.01 ± 0.18,all P＜ 0.01 ),HI1 and HI2 groups(0.68 ± 0.16,0.75 ± 0.09) were lower than that of NI group(all P ＜ 0.01 );at the second trimester,HI2 group( 1.14 ± 0.17) was lower than that of NI group( 1.58 ± 0.33,P ＜ 0.01 ) ; at the third trimester,LI2 and HI2 groups(1.47 ± 0.20,1.45 ± 0.35) were lower than that of NI group(2.20 ± 0.37,all P＜0.01).The mRNA expression of IGF- I level in NI group at the first,second,and third trimesters(1.01 ±0.18,1.58 ±0.33,2.20 ± 0.37) was up regulated gradually,pairwise comparisons were statistically significant(all P ＜ 0,01 ).③The mRNA expression of TGF-β1: at the first trimester,LI1 group (1.37 ± 0.13) was higher than NI group (1.05 ±0.18,P ＜ 0.01 ),HI1 and HI2 groups(0.50 ± 0.09,0.44 ± 0.11) were lower than NI group(all P＜ 0.01); at the second trimester,LI1 and HI2 groups(1.39 ± 0.28,1.17 ± 0.12) were higher than NI group(0.63 ± 0.22,all P ＜0.01 ) ; at the third trimester,LI1 and LI2 groups ( 1.57 ± 0.30,1.23 ± 0.20) were higher than NI group ( 0.68 ± 0.17,all P＜ 0.01).TGF-β1 mRNA expressions of NI group at the second (0.63 ± 0.22) and third trimesters(0.68 ± 0.17) were lower than that of the first trimester (1.05 ± 0.18,all P ＜ 0.01).④ Rats' IGF-Ⅰ mRNA expression in placental: at the second trimester HI1 group,HI2 group( 1.48 ± 0.16,1.45 ± 0.25) were all higher than the NI group ( 1.00 ± 0.10,all P ＜ 0.01 ) ; at third trimester,HI1 group ( 1.75 ± 0.15 ) were higher than the NI group ( 1.54 ± 0.29,P＜ 0.05),HI2 group(l.94 ± 0.31) were higher than the NI group(P ＜ 0.01 ).IGF- Ⅰ mRNA expression in placental of NI group at the third trimester was higher than the second trimester(P＜ 0.01).⑤ Rats' TGF-β1 mRNA expression in the placenta: at the second trimester and the third trimester of pregnancy there were no significant difference between the five groups(all P ＞ 0.05) ; NI group at the third trimester(0.83 ± 0.16) was lower than the second trimester(0.98 ± 0.20,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions During pregnancy,IGF- I mRNA expression increases in thyroid under the conditions of iodine deficiency,and this effect is particularly significant in the first trimester; at the same time,TGF-β1 mRNA expression is increased,and this inhibition becomes clear with the deepening of iodine deficiency.Under the condition of iodine excess,the functions of IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β1 in thyroid above-mentioned were relatively weak.With the development of gestational period,promoting tissues growth and differentiation effect of placenta's IGF- Ⅰ was more significant gradually,but,inhibited effect of TGF-β1 was weaken.

Objective To observe the effect of different levels of iodine nutrition on rat maternal thyroid function during pregnancy.Methods A total of 225 Wistar rats one month after weaning were involved in the study(female 165,male 60,body mass 80 to 100 g).Female rats were randomly divided into six groups by body mass:control group(NI group),iodine deficiency 1 and 2 groups(LI1,LI2 groups),iodine excess 1 and 2 groups (HI1,HI2 groups),and the control of not pregnant group(NNI group).There were 30 rats in 1-5 groups and 15 rats in group 6.LI1,LI2 groups:low iodine diet + deionized water of no iodine or iodine-containing 5 μg/L; HI1,HI2 groups:normal diet + deionized water of iodine 3000,10 000 μg/L; NI,NNI groups:normal diet + deionized water of iodine-containing 50 μg/L.After 12 weeks,the females(except group 6) mated the male by 2 ∶ 1,and then each pregnant female rat was fed in a single cage.The female mice were sacrificed in the first(5 ± 2)d,the second (12 ± 2)d and the third trimesters of pregnancy (17 ± 2)d,respectively,and there blood samples and thyroid were obtained.Serum total thyroxine(TT4),free thyroxine(FT4),total triiodothyronine (TT3),free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) were determined by radioimmunoassay and serum thyroglobulin(TG) and thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results ①Thyroid absolute quality and relative quality was compared among groups,and the differences were statistically significant (F =16.55,24.25,F ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).②At the first,the second and the third trimesters of pregnancy,the differences of maternal serum TT4 and FT4 between groups were statistically significant(F =5.02,13.41,17.39,41.89,23.72,48.64,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).Female rats in NI,HI1 and HI2 groups in different pregnant periods among inner groups were compared,and the differences of serum TT4 and FT4 were statistically significant(F=3.27,6.98,8.22,8.65,29.68,7.90,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).③ In the first and the third trimesters of pregnancy,maternal serum TT3 was compared among groups,and the differences were statistically significant(F=3.59,8.22,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01) ; in the second and the third trimesters of pregnancy,maternal serum FT3 was compared among groups,and the difference was statistically significant(F =3.86,4.26,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).Female rats in NI,LI1 and HI1 groups in different pregnant periods among inner groups were compared,and the differences of maternal serum TT3 were statistically significant(F =8.77,7.11,6.28,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).④At the first,the second and the third trimesters of pregnancy,the differences of maternal serum TG and TBG were compared in groups,and the differences were statistically significant(F =5.47,3.62,9.35,4.15,13.16,22.78,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).The differences of maternal serum TG of HI1 group and of serum TBG of NI group in different pregnant periods among inner groups were statistically significant (F =3.18,7.94,P ＜ 0.05).⑤At the first,the second and the third trimesters of pregnancy,the differences of maternal serum TSH in groups were statistically significant(F =4.83,7.08,6.52,P ＜ 0.01); the differences of maternal serum TSH of all the 5 groups in different pregnant periods among inner groups were statistically significant (F =3.26,8.89,11.45,4.04,3.78,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Different levels of iodine nutrition can cause changes in thyroid function in rats maternal thyroid function during pregnancy; serum TT4,FT4 level decreases when iodine deficiency,and increase with iodine excess.Serum TT3,FT3 level of does not changed significantly due to compensatory regulation of the body.

Objective To study the effect of different levels of iodine nutrition on secretion of placental hormone in pregnant rats.Methods Two hundred and twenty five Wistar rats (165 female,60 male),weighing about 80 - 100 g were used in the study.Female rats were randomly divided into five groups according to their body weights:low iodine group Ⅰ(LⅠ),low iodine group Ⅱ (LⅡ),adequate iodine(control) group(Al),high iodine group Ⅰ ( HⅠ ),and high iodine group Ⅱ (H Ⅱ ),and 33 rats in each group.Animals in the low iodine groups were fed low-iodine diet,the iodine content was 13.46 μg/kg,in addition,these rats drank deionized water which containing potassium iodated,the dose was 0 and 5 μg/L,respectively.The rats of adequate and the two high iodine groups were fed normal diet,the iodine content was 22.00 μg/kg,they also drank deionized water,containing potassium iodated 50,3000,and 10000 μg/L,respectively.The rats mated after 3 months of feeding,and were respectively sacrificed at early pregnancy(5 ± 2)d,second trimester( 12 ± 2)d,and third trimester of pregnancy(17 ± 2)d,and then their serum was taken.Serum human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG),human chorionic thyrotropin(HCT),and progesterone were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results In the third trimester,the serum levels of rat HCG were significantly different between groups(F =4.16,P ＜ 0.05).The means of rats serum HCG of the two low iodine groups [ (16.08 ± 4.45),(17.43 ± 2.70)U/L] were significantly higher compared with that of AI group[ (13.68 ± 3.52)U/L] in the third trimester(all P ＜ 0.01 ).In the second and third trimester,the levels of rats serum HCT were significantly different between groups(F =3.59,3.40,all P ＜ 0.05).The means of rats serum HCT of HI group [(70.11 ± 10.97)μU/L] in the second trimester and HII group[(74.93 ± 13.22)μU/L] in the third trimester were higher than those of AI group[ (57.14 ± 12.56),(58.17 ± 8.54)μU/L] significantly(all P ＜ 0.01 ).There were statistical differences of the means of serum progesterone among trimester of pregnancy(F =4.06,4.43,all P ＜ 0.05).The level of serum progesterone of the third trimester[ ( 1462.80 ± 286.48 )pmoL/L] compared to those of the first[ (1929.93 ± 158.37) pmol/L] and the second trimester[ (1856.44 ± 542.08)pmol/L] was decreased significantly(all P ＜ 0.05) in LI group.In the control group,the level of serum progesterone of the second trimester [ (2046.45 ± 475.67)pmol/L ] was significantly higher than the first trimester[ (1714.39 ± 461.71 )pmol/L,P ＜ 0.05 ].Conclusions During pregnancy,placenta could promote HCG secretion under iodine-deficient conditions.In addition,the placenta increases the secretion of HCT under conditions of excess iodine.In the condition of severe iodine deficiency,the secretion of serum progesterone decreases,and further decreases with prolongation of pregnancy,but it is opposite to the change of HCG during pregnancy.This phenomenon could lead to harmful pregnant outcomes easily.

Objective Transcription factor forkhead box L 2 (FOXL2) is a key regulator of granulosa cells (GCs) estrogen syn-thesis and function maintenance .However, the FOXL2 protein expres-sion and function regulation mechanism are unknown .We explored how DNAJB11 regulates estrogen synthesis of granulosa cells with immunoprecipitation , immunofluorescent staining and luciferase re-porter gene. Methods The expression and localization of DNAJB 11 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining in isolated mouse ovary tissues .we use immunoprecipitation , immunofluorescence staining and luciferase reporter gene assay to investigate the mechanism of DNAJB11, a member of the endoplasmic reticulum Hsp 40 /DnaJ family, regulating the estrogen synthesis in granulosa cells . Results DNAJB11 is expressed in the mouse ovary and granulosa cells .Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes DNAJB11 ex-pression in a time and concentration dependent manner and induces endogenous DNAJB 11 protein translocation from the ER to the nu-cleus in KGN cells.Moreover, Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of DNAJB11 did not affect the proliferation of granulosa cells .How-ever, the concentration of estrogen in granulosa cells was affected by concentration -dependent and subcellular localization-dependent manner (10749±801.7 pg/mL vs 14217±1218.0 pg/mL P<0.01).Immunoprecipitation assay confirmed that DNAJB11 binds to FOXL2 in granulosa cells .When overexpressed in the nucleus of granulosa cells , DNAJB11 could significantly enhance the stability of FOXL2 (P<0.05) and promote FOXL2-mediated activity of Cyp19A1 promoter (P<0.01), while the expression of DNAJB11 in the nucleus increased the expression of Cyp 19A1 protein by 1.5 times ( P<0.05) . Conclusion These results demonstrate that DNAJB 11 was a new binding molecule of transcription factor FOXL 2 and regulated FOXL 2 protein stability and transcription activity .

Objective To evaluate the role of late course accelerated fractions.ted irradiation(LCAF) combined with concurrent chemotherapy in the management of esophageal carcinoma.Methods From March 1998 to July 2000,111 eligible patients were randomized into LCAF alone group(LCAF,57 patients)or LCAF plus concurrent chemotherapy group(LACF-CT,54 patients).The radiotherapy regimen was identical in the two groups,consisting of conventional fractionation in the first 2/3 course and accelerated fractionation in the second 1/ 3 course to a total dose of 68.4 Gy/41 Fx/44 d.Chemotherapy regimen consisted of four eycles of cisplatin 25 mg/ (m~2?d)plus fluorouracil 600 mg/(m~2?d)on day 1 to 3 every 4 weeks and was delivered on the first day of radiotherapy.Results The median follow-up time was 67.1 months(range 47.6-76.4 months).The 1-,3-,5- year survival rate was 67%,44% ,40% and 77%,39% 28% in LACF-CF and LEAF group,respectively(P =0.310).Grade 3+4 acute side-effact was 42% and 25% in LCAF-CT and LCAF group,respectively(P＜0. 05),with 3 treatment-related deaths in the LCAF-CT group.Conclusions Late course accelerated fractionated irradiation combined with concurrent chemotherapy has a trend towards improving the survival,at the cost of increasing acute side-effect.Its role needs further confirmation by larger sample studied in randomization.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the DZAL gene in infertile Han Chinese males with astheno-teratozoospermia.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 173 infertile Han Chinese men with astheno-teratozoospermia (case group) and 175 age-matched normal male volunteers (control group) for semen routine and morphological analyses. We obtained genomic DNA, genotyped the polymorphisms of the DAZL gene A260G and A386G via the Sequenom MassARRAY system, and compared the frequencies of the genotypes between the case and control groups.

RESULTSThe AA nucleotide variant was found in the A260G and A386G polymorphisms of the DZAL gene in both the cases and controls, but the heterozygous AG variant in neither.

CONCLUSIONThe A260G and A386G polymorphisms of the DAZL gene are not correlated with astheno-teratozoospermia-induced male infertility in the Han Chinese population, and therefore could not be considered as molecular markers of male infertility.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics