Objective To investigate the effect of ambient temperature on body mass, thermogenic activity and un-coupling protein-1 ( UCP1) content of brown adipose tissue ( BAT) in tree shrews ( Tupaia belangeri) , and to provide the-oretical basis for establishing tree shrews model of obesity.Methods Forty healthy adult tree shrews with similar body mass were uesd in our experiment.The tree shrews were divided into five groups (n=8):control group (0 d), the ani-mals were maintained under 25 ±1℃ and 12L:12D ( light : dark, lights on 08:00) photoperiod; and the animals were maintained under 5 ±1℃and 12L:12D photoperiod for 7 d, 14 d, 21 d and 28 d groups, respectively.At the end of ex-periment, the changes of body mass, nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), BAT mass and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) con-tent were determined.Results Compared with the control group (0 d), the body mass, NST, BAT mass and UCP1 con-tent of the cold acclimation groups were improved significantly, the BAT color also obviously deepened, and after cold accli-mation for 28 d, the body mass, NST, BAT mass and UCP1 content were increased by 26.32%, 20.65, 53.85%and 43%, respectively.Apparently, the UCP1 content was significantly positively correlated with BAT mass and NST.Conclusions BAT proliferation may be induced and UCP1 expression upregulated by cold acclimation in Tupaia belangeri, therefore, en-hancing the thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure.We would speculate that BAT might be used as a target organ for treatment of obesity by energetic approach in the future.

Objective To know the microcystins pollution caused by cyanobactcria bloom in two drinking water sources in Ningbo city.Methods Water samples were collected at four sampling sites in Yaojiang River and three sampling sites in Miehu reservoir from 20 July,2007 to 31 August,2007.The algae in these water samples were classified and counted,and Microcystin-LR (MC-LR),MC-RR were determined by UPLC-MS-MS.Results The Cyanobacteria cell concentration in Yaojiang River and Meihu reservoir ranged from 0.8?10~6 to 6.7?10~7,and from 1.21?10~7 to 9.928?10~8 cells/L respectively.The MC-LR and MC-RR in Yaojiang River weren't detected,and neither was the MC-RR in MeiHu reservoir.However,the MC-LR was detected at sometimes,and the maximum concentration of MC-LR was 0.84?g/L.Conclusion There is no microcystins pollution in Yaojiang River,but there existed MC-LR pollution in MeiHu Reservoir,and the MC-LR concentration in it was below national standard limit of 1.0?g/L after the treatment of controlling alage and microsystins.

BACKGROUND:The high level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is thought to slow down the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Whether it can influence the biological behaviors of skin fibroblasts and affect wound healing is stillunclear. The present study aimed to observe changes in the biological behaviors of rat dermal fibroblasts induced by high expression of MMP9 and to clarify the possible mechanisms of wound healing for diabetic foot. METHODS:A cellmodel of skin fibroblast with high expression of MMP9 was established by co-culture of high glucose (22.0 mmol/L) and homocysteine (100 μmol/L). A control group was incubated with normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L). Realtime PCR, ELISA and gelatin zymography were used to detect the MMP9 mRNA, protein expression and activity of MMP9. Flow cytometry, CCK-8, ELISA assay, scratch test and transwellwere used to detect cellproliferation, viability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration and vertical migration of cells. The data were expressed as mean±SD. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:The expression of MMP9 mRNA, protein levels and the activity of MMP9 were much higher in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (7.05±1.02 vs. 1.00±0.00, 206.9±33.6 pg/mL vs. 40.4±5.9 pg/mL, and 1.47±0.13 vs. 0.57±0.12, respectively,P<0.01). The proportion of S-phase cells, proliferation index, cellviability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration rate and the number of vertical migration cells were lower in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Fibroblasts with a high expression of MMP9 decreased proliferation, activity, secretion and migration of collagens, suggesting that MMP9 may inhibit the biological behaviors of fibroblasts.

Adolescent ; Child ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrillin-1 ; Fibrillins ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism

The present study was aimed at investigating the expression of calbindin-D28k (CaBP-D28k) in human fallopian tube, which were collected from 33 childbearing age women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy with adnexectomy for benign disease in the pelvic cavity. These women had normal menstrual cycle and history of normal pregnancy. Isthmus, ampullary and umbrella segments of fallopian tubes were respectively collected. These specimens were divided into 6 groups based on their menstrual cycles: early-proliferative stage (n=6), mid-proliferative stage (n=5), late-proliferative stage (n=5), early-secretory stage (n=7), mid-secretory stage (n=5) and late-secretory stage (n=5). The expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA in fallopian tubes were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. Positive expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA were observed in human fallopian tubes. There was no significant difference in the expression of CaBP-D28k protein among the isthmus, ampulla and umbrella segments in the same phase of menstrual cycle (P>0.05). However, in the menstrual cycle, the expression level of CaBP-D28k protein in the epithelium was the lowest during the early- and mid-proliferative stages and increased in both the late-proliferative and early-secretory stages (P<0.05), and then decreased in the mid- and late-secretory stages (P<0.05). The expressed CaBP-D28k protein was disposed to gobbets or dispersed sheets in cytoplasm in the early- and mid- proliferative stages, and showed concentrated granules on the top of cells in the late-proliferative and early-, mid-secretory stages. Then in the late-secretory stage redistribution renewed as in the early- and mid-proliferative stages. The CaBP-D28k mRNA obviously increased in the late-proliferative and early-secretory stages (P<0.05). These findings indicate that the expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA exist in human fallopian tubes and exhibit a cyclic change.
Calbindin 1 ; metabolism ; Fallopian Tubes ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle

OBJECTIVE: To survey the etiology of sensorineural hearing loss with unknown reason and the incidence of the mutation of SLC26A4 2168A > G in Henan province. METHOD: The evaluation of hearing loss, etiologic survey, the molecular genetic analysis and temporal bone CT examination for genes common to hereditary hearing disorders were performed in 95 hearing-impaired patients in Henan province. RESULT: In the deafness group, the incidence of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) which correlates with SLC26A4 2168A > G is 6.32%. The incidence of the gene diagnosis conformed to the clinical one is 83.3%. CONCLUSION There is a high incidence of SLC26A4 2168 A > G mutation in sensorineural hearing loss with unknown reason. Molecular genetic screening for these mutations and genetic counseling are effective methods to prevent the occurrence of hereditary hearing loss.
Base Sequence ; China ; epidemiology ; Genetic Testing ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Vestibular Aqueduct

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) on ischemic preconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning.

METHODSCultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into 6 groups: (1) ischemia/reperfusion group (9 h ischemia followed by 1 h reperfusion, I/R), (2) ischemic preconditioning group (1.5 h ischemia/1 h reperfusion + I/R), (3) pharmacologic preconditioning group, adenosine (10 micromol/L) pretreated for 1 h + I/R, (4) calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor KN-93 (0.5 micromol/L for 0.5 h) + ischemic preconditioning group, (5) KN-93 + pharmacologic preconditioning group, (6) control group. The leakage of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in various groups was determined by biochemical autoanalyzer. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of sodium-calcium exchanger. Activity of sodium-calcium exchanger (Na(+)-dependent (45)Ca(2+) uptake) was measured by liquid scintillation counting.

RESULTS(1) Compared to the I/R group, the LDH leakages in both ischemic preconditioning group and pharmacologic preconditioning group were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) while significantly increased in the KN-93 + pharmacologic preconditioning group and the KN-93 + ischemic preconditioning group (P < 0.05). (2) The Na(+)-dependent (45)Ca(2+) uptake was significantly increased in the I/R group (P < 0.05) compared to control group and this increase could be significantly attenuated in ischemic preconditioning group and adenosine pretreatment group (P < 0.05). (3) The expression of NCX mRNA in I/R group was also significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the I/R group (P < 0.05) compared to control group and this increase could be significantly attenuated in ischemic preconditioning group and adenosine pretreatment group (P < 0.05), CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 significantly abolished these effects in preconditioning group (P < 0.05) and in adenosine pretreated group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNCX mediated the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning in the neonatal cardiomyocytes I/R model.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cells, Cultured ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger ; metabolism

Objective To detect the expression of matrix metallproteinases(MMPs) in aortic valve of children who suffered from rheumatic heart disease(RHD) and to explore the pathological role of MMPs in children′s rheumatic aortic valve disease.Methods RHD group composed of 18 aortic valves from children suffered from RHD.Controls were 8 children who were died accidentally without cardiovascular system diseases.Hematoxylin and eosin stain observing the histological characteristic of the 2 groups.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of MMP2 and MMP9 on aortic valves in 2 groups.Results Hematoxylin and eosin stain showed:in RHD the valves′ structure were destroyed along with fibrous tissue proliferation,mucinous degeneration,collagen and fiber hyalinization,blood vessel and blood capillary proliferation,lymphocyte,plasmocyte,monocyte infiltration.Immunohistochemistry showed that MMP2 and MMP9 expression were significantly higher than those in the aortic of RHD(68.85?13.08,64.35?9.59) compared with control group(107.31?23.39,116.28?6.99)(t=3.92,10.18 all P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the histopathological features of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and to explore the ways of its diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSThe clinical data and pathological features of 23 cases of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe tumors were mainly located at the middle third segment of the esophagus. The 1-,2- and 3-year survival rates were 60.9%, 21.7% and 0, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is highly malignant with poor prognosis. Radical resection combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is required.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Basosquamous ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Esophagus ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate