OBJECTIVETo study the influence of inorganic elements in soil on the geolism of Atractylodes lancea.

METHODThe concentrations of 15 kinds of inorganic elements of regional A. lancea and their correspondingly soils were determined, and the data were analysed with the SPSS10.0 software.

RESULTThe mean concentration of Ni in geoherbs of A. lancea was 3 times higher than that in the non-geoherbs. The accumulation of Ca is high in geoberbs. There is no relationship between the concentrations of inorganic elements in A. lancea and those in their corresponding soil.

CONCLUSIONA. lancea adjusts the concentration of inorganic elements mainly by active absorption, and there are good relationship between the accumulation of Fe and Cr, Fe and Hg, Hg and Cr, As and Pb, Co and Sr.

Atractylodes ; chemistry ; Calcium ; analysis ; Chromium ; analysis ; Fluorocarbons ; analysis ; Geologic Sediments ; analysis ; Iron ; analysis ; Nickel ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Soil ; analysis

This study was aimed to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to provide theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the development of LVH. The abdominal aorta of male Wistar rats (80-100 g) was constricted to a diameter of 0.55 mm between the branches of the celiac and anterior mesenteric arteries. Echocardiography using a linear phased array probe was performed as well as pathological examination and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement at 3, 4 and 6 weeks after abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). The results showed that the acute mortality rate (within 24 h) of this modified rat model was 8%. Animals who underwent AAC demonstrated significantly increased interventricular septal (IVS), LV posterior wall (LVPWd), LV mass index (LVMI), cross-sectional area (CSA) of myocytes, and perivascular fibrosis; the ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and cardiac output (CO) were consistently lower at each time point after AAC. Notably, differences in these parameters between AAC group and sham group were significant by 3 weeks and reached peaks at 4th week. Following AAC, the plasma BNP was gradually elevated compared with the sham group at 3rd and 6th week. It was concluded that this modified AAC model can develop LVH, both stably and safely, by week four post-surgery; echocardiography is able to assess changes in chamber dimensions and systolic properties accurately in rats with LVH.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the phosphorylation of KCNE2 protein in heart of old SHR rats.

METHODSThe membrane proteins from ventricular myocardium of old SHR were extracted, treated with or without alkaline phosphatase and tested binding with Ab2 (an anti-KCNE2 polyclonal antibody) by Western blot. A KCNE2 fusion protein with c-myc was obtained from in vitro translation system and treated with or without alkaline phosphatase. A series of mono- and double-point mutated fusion KCNE2 proteins with c-myc were obtained from an in vitro translation system, and Western blots with Ab2 or anti-myc antibody were performed.

RESULTSAfter alkaline phosphatase treatment, Ab2 significantly attenuated its binding with KCNE2. In vitro translation system confirmed that after alkaline phosphatase treatment, Ab2 weakened binding ability to KCNE2 while binding to c-myc was not changed. Point mutation experiments showed that serine residue in position 98 of KCNE2 proteins might be phosphorylated.

CONCLUSIONKCNE2 protein in heart of old SHR rats is phosphorylated and this phosphorylation takes place in serine residue of position 98.

Aging ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Hypertension ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Point Mutation ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and glycyrrhizin has activities of anti-inflammation, immunoregulation and anti-viral infections. To enhance antiviral efficacy and weaken side-effects of ribavirin, antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin were studied in the present study. Firstly, a mouse model of viral pneumonia was established by inoculation of influenza H1N1 virus. Protective effects of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin used alone or in combination against H1N1 virus infection in mice were evaluated based on the survival rate, lung index and virus titer in lungs of mice. Results showed that the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin significantly inhibited the lung consolidation with a 36% inhibition ratio on the lung swell of infected mice. The combination of the two drugs exhibited synergetic effects on survival of infected mice. The combination of 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) glycyrrhizin and 40 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) ribavirin resulted a 100% protection for infected mice with a synergetic value of 36, which was significantly higher than the control group and each drug alone. This combination also resulted a significant drop of lung virus titer (P < 0.01), as well as inhibition on the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) induced by virus infection compared to the control. The treatment of ribavirin plus glycyrrhizin was more effective in influenza A infection in mice than either compound used alone, which suggested a potential clinical value of the combination of the two agents.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Synergism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Lung ; immunology ; virology ; Mice ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Ribavirin ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of ghrelin and its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore their relationship with the disorder of gastrointestinal tract motility.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (n=8) and CRF group (n=16), and in the latter group, the rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy to induce CRF. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the distribution of mRNA and protein of ghrelin and GHS-R in the gastric fundus, duodenum, and hypothalamus.

RESULTSThe rats in the CRF group showed a significantly higher expression of ghrelin mRNA and protein in the gastric fundus but a lower expression in the hypothalamus than those in the sham-operated group (P<0.01), but the expression in the duodenum was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The expression of GHS-R mRNA and protein in the gastric fundus was significantly higher in the CRF group than in the sham-operated group (P<0.01), while in the hypothalamus and duodenum, the expression was significantly lower in the CRF group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe different distribution patterns of ghrelin and GHS-R in the tissues may be an important pathological basis of gastrointestinal motility disorder in CRF.

Animals ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; metabolism ; Ghrelin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Ghrelin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between G894T (Glu298Asp) mutation in exon 7 of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and premature coronary heart disease (P-CHD).

METHODSHospital-based case-control study was conducted. Newly-diagnosed CHD patients were recruited as study subjects. 132 CHD patients diagnosed at/before age 55 for males and 65 for females were assigned to P-CHD case group with other 172 CHD patients as the control group. Polymerase chain reaction with Ban II restriction enzyme digestion was performed to detect the G894T mutation.

RESULTSG894T mutant genotypes in P-CHD group (TT, GT and GG frequencies were 6.06%, 20.45% and 73.48%, respectively) were significant higher than those in control group (TT, GT and GG frequencies were 1.74%, 11.63% and 86.63%, respectively) (P = 0.01). Mutant T allele frequency in P-CHD group was also significantly higher than that in control group (16.29% versus 7.56%, P = 0.001, OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.38 - 4.16). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis at 0.05 significant level with sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, and overweight covariates indicated that G894T mutation also having significant effect on P-CHD (P = 0.01, OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.19 - 4.26).

CONCLUSIONThis study suggested that G894T mutation in endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene might serve as a major risk factor to the pathogenesis of P-CHD in this study population.

Age Factors ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Disease ; enzymology ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Risk Factors

Objective To study the therapeutic effects of Ag85A plasmid DNA vaccines in a mouse model of multi-drug resistant-(MDR-) Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Methods BALB/c mice were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical strain HB361 with isoniazid and rifampin resist-ance by intratail-vein injection and were subsequently divided into 6 groups. At the third day after infection, the mice were treated with saline (group A), vector pVAX1 (greup B), rifampin (group C), vaccae (group D), Ag85A plasmid DNA vaccines (group E),rifampin and Ag85A plasmid DNA vaccines (group F) for 60 d. The lungs and spleens from the mice were taken and their pathological changes, weight and number of myeobacterial colony were examined at the third week after the end of treatment. Results At third week af-ter the end of treatment, the gross pathological observation and histopathological examination in lung showed that the lung lesions were limited, the profile of the alveoli was relatively clear, and normal structure could be seen in 2/3 areas of the lung sections in group D, E and F. The extent of lung lesion was 50% in group D,20% in group E and F. The pathological changes in group A, B, and C were more severer than those in group D, E and F. Compared with group A, the colony-forming units (CFU) in the lungs from mice in group D,E and F decreased 52%, 68%, 78%, respectively. The CFU in the spleens from mice in group D,E and F decreased 48%, 65%, 79%, respectively. Conclusion Ag85A plasmid DNA vaccines alone or Ag85A plasmid DNA vaccines along with chemotherapy have significant therapeutic effects on the mouse model of MDR-Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Objective To establish a quick,economical and reproducible method for high-quality RNA extraction from pancreas.Methods We utilized TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen to isolate total RNA from the rat pancreas.The RNA quality was determined by detection of its content and optic density(A) at 260/280nm,and electrophoresis in 1% non-denatured agarose gel.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to detect expression of the pancreas-specific genes.Results The content of the total RNA extracted from the rat pancreas reached 3-6?g/mg pancreatic tissues,and A260/280 ratio was 1.75-1.89.Electrophoresis of the total RNA showed 28S and 18S rRNA bands with clear smear between them.The RT-PCR products of pancreas-specific genes including insulin 1,glucagon,?-amylase and housekeeping gene ?-actin all exhibited clear bands on 1% agarose gel,which were located in the expected positions,respectively.Conclusion These results suggest that we have successfully isolated the high-quality and intact RNA from the rat pancreas with TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen.The extracted total RNA can be used in RT-PCR for pancreatic gene expression.

OBJECTIVESTo observe the effects of chlorotriptolide (T4) and triptonide (T7) on the chromosome aberration and micronuclei rates of bone marrow cell in male SD rats.

METHODSAntifertility doses of T4[80 micrograms/(kg.d)] or T7[317 micrograms/(kg.d)] were given to male rats per OS for 10 weeks. Bone marrow slides were then prepared and compared with the controls.

RESULTSThe chromosome aberration and micronuclei rates were not significantly different from those of the controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results were in accordance with our previous reports about the effects of T4 and T7 on the chromosome aberration and micronuclei rates of rat spermatogenic cells. At the antifertility doses, T4 and T7 did not show a mutagenic effect.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Chromosome Aberrations ; chemically induced ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; genetics ; Male ; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective ; drug effects ; Phenanthrenes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe awareness, treatment and prevention of chronic diseases are generally poor among the elderly population of China, whereas the prevention and control of chronic diseases in elderly veteran communities have been ongoing for more than 30 years. Therefore, investigating the awareness status of chronic disabling neurological diseases (CDND) and common chronic diseases (CCD) among elderly veterans may provide references for related programs among the elderly in the general population.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted among veterans ≥60 years old in veteran communities in Beijing. The awareness of preventive strategies against dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), sleep disorders, cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and CCD such as hypertension, and the approaches used to access this information, including media, word of mouth (verbal communication among the elderly) and health care professionals, were investigated via face-to-face interviews.

RESULTSThe awareness rates for CCD and CVD were approximately 100%, but that for AD was the lowest at <10%. The awareness rates for sleep disorders, PD and dementia, were 51.0-89.4%. Media was the most commonly selected mode of communication by which veterans acquired knowledge about CCD and CVD. Media was used by approximately 80% of veterans. Both health care professionals and word of mouth were used by approximately 50% of veterans. With respect to the source of information about CDND excluding AD, the rates of the use of health care professionals, word of mouth and media were 10.6-28.2%, 56.5-76.5%, and approximately 50%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe awareness of CDND among elderly veterans was significantly lower than that of CCD. More information about CDND should be disseminated by health care professionals. Appropriate guidance will promote the rapid and extensive dissemination of information about the prevention of CDND by media and word-of-mouth peer education.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Awareness ; physiology ; Chronic Disease ; prevention & control ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Nervous System Diseases ; prevention & control ; Veterans ; statistics & numerical data