Objective To investigate the effect of magnesium sulfate on NF-κB p65,inflammatory cyto-kines in brain and serum of preeclampsia model rats by magnesium sulfate. Methods The healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,normal pregnancy group(n = 10),magnesium sulfate control group(n = 10), preeclampsia(PE)model group(n = 10)and magnesium sulfate intervention group(n = 10). Blood pressure, urinary protein,blood urea nitrogen and alanine aminotransferase levels were detected in rats in each group. RT-qP-CR and ELISA were used to detect the expression of IL-1β,TNF-αand IL-6 in the brain and serum. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of the NF-κB p65 in brain. Results The level of proteinuria,blood urea nitrogen and blood pressure in PE model rats were significantly higher than those in the normal pregnancy group and those in the magnesium sulfate intervention group at 20 days of gestation(P<0.05). Results of RT-qPCR and ELISA assay showed that IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 level in magnesium sulfate intervention group were sig-nificantly lower than those in PE model group(P<0.05),but still higher than those in the normal pregnancy group (P < 0.05). Western blot result showed that NF-κB p65 in the magnesium sulfate intervention group was lower than that in the PE group(P<0.05),but still higher than that in the normal pregnancy group(P<0.05). Con-clusion The prevention and treatment preeclampsia mechanism of magnesium sulfate may inhibit inflammatory cyto-kines through NF-κB p65 pathway in the preeclampsia model rats.

Objective To explore the teaching effects of physiology lectures and students' attitude to lectures,their suggestions for contents,forms and other aspects of lectures.Methods Random sampling questionnaire survey was conducted among 500 students of 2008 grade and 2009 grade in Xiangya medical school of central south university.The percentage of the option in the questionnaire was calculated and the findings were directly described.Results All students thought that physiology lectures were necessary.Teachers should arrange lectures which students were interested in,pay attention to inspire thinking and enhance teacher-student interaction.67.6％ of students thought that the knowledge learned from lectures can be used in expanding scientific thinking.Conclusions The lectures are popular among most students,playing an important role in cultivating students' ability of strict scientific thinking.

Objective To study the relationship between a CAG repeat polymorphism of the androgen receptor (AR) gene and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). Methods Genotypes for the AR polymorphisrn were determined by gene scan and DNA sequence methods in a case-control study,including 78 cases of PMO at femoral neck and 73 cases as controls, and 108 cases of PMO at lumbar spine (L2-4) and 60 cases as controls. Bone mineral density for the proximal femur and L2-4 was measured by NORLAND XR-46 dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The relationship between the CAG repeat polymorphism and PMO was investigated. Results Eleven different allelic variants,containing 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 CAG repeats were detected, 16 genotypes were present in the subjects. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele distributions of (CAG) n polymorphism between PMO group (SS : 25.6 %, SL : 39.7%, LL : 34.6 % ;S:45.5%,L:54.5%) and control group (SS: 23.3%,SL=45.2% ,LL:31.5%;S:45.9%,L:54.1%) at the femoral neck site (all P＞0.05). The risk of PMO at femoral neck in females with the genotypes of SL (0R:0.798,95%CI:0.335～1.797), the LL (0R:0.998,95%CI:0.425～2.341), and the combined SL and LL (OR:0.880, 95% CI: 0.419～1.852) were not significantly increased in comparison with those of females with the SS genotype (all P＞0.05). There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele distributions of (CAG)n polymorphism between PMO group(SS: 18.5%, SL: 49.1%, LL: 32.4%;S:43.1%, L: 56.9%) and control group (SS: 21.7%, SL:45.0% ,LL:33.3% ;S:44.2% ,L:55.8%) at the L2-4 site (P＞0. 05). The risk of PMO at L2-4 in females with the genotypes of SL (OR:1. 276,95%CI:0. 552～2. 950), the LL (OR:1. 137,95%CI:0.468～2.766), and the combined SL and LL (OR: 1. 217,95% CI: 0. 556 ～2. 663 ) were not significantly increased in comparison with those of females with the SS genotype (all P＞0.05). After adjustments for age, postmenopausal period, menopausal age, and body mass index, the logistic regression analyses revealed the (CAG)n polymorphism was not significantly associated with PMO at the femoral neck and L2-4 site (all P＞0.05). Conclusions The CAG repeat polymorphism in the AR gene may not be associated with PMO at the femoral neck and L2-4 site.

Objective To assess the damage of limbic system pathways in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography.Methods DTI tractography was used to acquire fiber numbers,fractional anisotropy (FA),mean diffusivity (MD) of cingulum,fornix,and uncinate fasciculus (UF) in 20 RRMS patients (MS group) and 20 healthy volunteers (control group),and statistical analysis was performed.Results Compared with control group,lower FA value (P＜0.01) and higher MD value (P＜0.05) were found in cingulum,fornix and UF of MS group,and the fiber numbers of fornix decreased in MS group (P＜0.001).There were significant differences between the left and the right UF in fiber numbers and FA value of control group and the fiber numbers of MS group.Negative correlations were found between FA value of cingulum and UF and EDSS scores in MS group (r=-0.572,-0.665,both P＜0.05),and positive correlations were found between MD value and EDSS scores (r=0.627,0.603,both P＜0.05).Conclusion DTI tractography is valuable in assessing MS associated limbic system damage and in monitoring the clinical progression of the disease.

Purpose Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MR is a method developed in recent years which can quantitatively evaluate the diffusion and perfusion characteristics of microenvironment.The aim of this study was to investigate the application value of IVIM in assessing relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 27 patients with RRMS confirmed clinically at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from Jun.2015 to Jan.2016 was carried out in the study.All the patients underwent the conventional MRI and IVIM MRI based on multi-b-factor (b values of 10,20,30,40,50,100,150,200,350,500,650,800,1000 s/mm2) with 3.0T MR scanner.The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC),ADCslow,ADCfast and f values were evaluated since they could reflect the diffusion and perfusion status of RRMS lesions and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) regions.Results The ADC,ADCslow,ADCfast and f values of the non-enhancing (NE) lesions were significantly higher than those in the NAWM regions both near and far from NE lesions (P＜0.05).However,the ADC,ADCslow,ADCfast and f values in the NAWM regions close to the NE lesions had no significant differences with those in the NAWM regions far from the lesions (P＞0.05).Conclusion The IVIM MRI can measure the diffusion and perfusion status of the lesions and NAWM in RRMS patients,which,therefore,is helpful in speculation of the pathological changes of RRMS lesions and in its injury classification and identification.

Objective To observe the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced acute epilepsy and the dynamic expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in hippocampus. To explore the role of IL-1β in the pathogenesis of epilepsy by regulating AQP4. Methods All rats were randomly divided into control group, IL-1β group, PTZ group, IL-1ra + PTZ group and dexamethasone + PTZ group. Observe the behavior of the rats within 60 minutes after injection and record seizure score in each group. Then immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of AQP4 at at 6 , 12, 24 and 36 h. Results Almost of rats in IL-1β group and PTZ group showed severe degree seizure. The rats in control group and dexamethasone + PTZ group showed no obvious seizure. The seizure of rats were more remarkable serious in PTZ group than that in the IL-1ra + pentylenetetrazole group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR Show: the expression of AQP4 in hippocampus in PTZ group increased gradually after 12 h (P < 0.05), then reached in the peak after 24 h (P < 0.001). The expression of AQP4 in IL-1ra + PTZ group was lower compare with PTZ group in each time (P < 0.05). Although the expression of AQP4 in dexamethasone + PTZ group higher than the control group, it was not significantly different (P < 0.05). Conclusion The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β break the balance of water in brain and increasing the concentration of extracellular excitatory amino acids or ions by upregulate the expression of AQP4 in order to promote the excitatory of neurons.

A method for quantitative detection of florfenicol by colloidal gold lateral flow immunoassay was developed.The experimental conditions including pH value, concentrations of antibody in the process of conjugation between the colloidal gold and antibody, amount of gold-labeled antibody, concentration of the antigen sprayed on test lines (T line), and detection time were optimized.With a colloidal gold strip reader, the signal intensity of T lines and control lines (C line) on lateral flow strips was recorded.The T/C ratio of negative control and positive samples was defined as B0 and Bx, and the standard curve was established by plotting the Bx/B0 ratio against the concentration of florfenicol.This assay showed a good linear range from 0.1 to 1.5 ng/mL with the limit of detection of 0.08 ng/mL, while the result could be obtained within 15 min.The result showed that this quantitative method was convenient and rapid, and could be used in screening a large amount of samples on site.

Variant pulmonary vein anatomy (PVA) has been reported to influence the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation.However,the effects of PVA on AF in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation (CBA) remain unknown.The present study aimed to examine the impact of PVA on the long-term outcome of CBA for AF.A total of 78 patients (mean age 60.7±10.9 years,64.1％ males) with symptomatic and drug-refractory paroxysmal AF were enrolled in the study.Left atrium (LA) and PVA acquired at computed tomography angiography (CTA) were reconstructed with CARTO(R) 3 SYSTEM.Patients were routinely evaluated by 24-hour Holter monitoring following CBA.Cox regression was used to detect the predictors of AF recurrence after CBA.The results showed abnormal PVA in 30 patients (38.5％) and 18 patients (23.1％) had left common PV (LCPV).Electrical pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all patients.After a mean follow-up of 689.5±103.8 days,it was found that patients with abnormal PVA had similar AF recurrence rate to those with normal PVA (26.7％ vs.25.0％,P=0.54),and there was no significant difference in AF recurrence rate between LCPV patients and non-LCPV patients (33.7％ vs.23.3％,P=0.29).Cox regression analysis showed that AF duration (72.9±9.0 vs.42.3±43.2 months,HR 1.001;95％CI 1.003-1.014;P＜0.001) and cryo-applications of right-side PVs (3.0±1.6 vs.4.7±1.7,HR 0.661;95％ CI 0.473-0.925;P=0.016) were independent predictors of freedom from AF,but PVA was not identified as a predictor of long-term success.In conclusion,the variant PVA cannot significantly influence the long-term outcome of AF patients undergoing CBA;longer AF duration and less cryo-applications of right-side PVs are associated with higher AF recurrent rate.

OBJECTIVETo explore the response of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs and calvarial osteoblasts to mechanical strain and the consequent changes of cytoskeleton F-actin.

METHODSBone marrow MSCs and calvarial osteoblasts were isolated from SD rats and cultured in vitro. Mechanical stretch was performed on passage 3 cells at 2 000 microepsilon for 0, 2, 6 and 12 hours using four-point bending system. The response of cells and the distribution of F-actin were observed using fluorescent staining under laser scanning confocal microscope and the morphological parameters were quantified using image analysis software Laserpix.

RESULTSUnder mechanical stretch, the fluorescent staining decreased obviously at both MSCs and osteoblasts, and F-actin filaments were rearranged and became tenuous, thinner, and abnormally distributed. The outline of nucleus became unclear and apoptotic changes were observed at some of both cells. Cellular size decreased more significantly in MSCs than in osteoblasts. Quantity analysis showed that total area of cells, total fluorescent density and green fluorescent density (F-actin) were all significantly decreased in MSCs (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and total fluorescent density, green fluorescent density and red fluorescent density (nuclei) did also in osteoblasts (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMechanical stretch caused extensive response on both MSCs and osteoblasts which led to the rearrangement of F-actin filament and apoptosis in some of these cells. MSCs were more sensitive to mechanical strain than osteoblasts.

Actin Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeleton ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Microtubules ; Osteoblasts ; Rats ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of Poly I:C in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells.

METHODSSMMC-7721 cells were treated with different doses of Poly I:C for 24, 48, and 72 h, and the cell growth inhibition rate was analyzed with CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle and the apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry with Annexin-V and PI staining, and quantitative RT-PCR analysis were used to detect the expression of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta mRNA in cells.

RESULTSIn the cells exposed to Poly I:C at low, moderate, and high doses, the inhibitory rates was the highest in high-dose Poly I:C group, and at a given Poly I:C dose, prolonged exposure resulted in significantly increased cell growth inhibition rate (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that Poly I:C induced cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner and significantly increased the percentage of G1-phase cells as compared with that in the control group. The mRNA level of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta were also increased following Poly I:C treatment in comparison with the control group.

CONCLUSIONPoly I:C can induce significant growth inhibition and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner possibly by causing cell cycle arrest and TLR3 signaling pathway activation that leads to IFN-beta production and cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Poly I-C ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cholecystokinin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; genetics ; metabolism