OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of chrysalis oil on learning, memory and oxidative stress in D-galactose-induced ageing model of mice.

METHODSMice were injected intraperitoneally with D-galactose daily and received chrysalis oil intragastrically simultaneously for 30 d. Then mice underwent space navigation test and spatial probe test, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in mouse brain were measured.

RESULTSCompared to model group, escape latency in mice treated with 6 ml/kg*d chrysalis oil was significantly shorter (P<0.05), crossing times in 12 ml/kg*d group and 6 ml/kg*d group treated with chrysalis oil were significantly increased (P<0.05). Chrysalis oil treatment (12ml/kg*d) significantly increased SOD and GSH-PX activity and reduced MDA contents in brain of D-galactose-induced aging mice.

CONCLUSIONChrysalis oil can improve the ability of learning and memory in D-galactose-induced aging mice, and inhibit peroxidation in brain tissue.

Aging ; Animals ; Bombyx ; chemistry ; Galactose ; toxicity ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects

Objective To analyze the ultrasonographic features of fetal palate in the second and third trimester. Methods Two-dimensional ultrasound was performed in 1 885 fetuses during 21 to 36 gestational weeks of pregnancy, including 1 023 cases in 2nd trimester and 862 cases in 3nd trimester. The normal fetal palate ultrasound images were conifrmed by postnatal examination. In the ultrasound examination, fetal palate coronary plane was scanned through submandibular region, oral ifssure and prootic region;longitudinal plane was scanned through oral ifssure. The detection rate of completely and continuously displayed fetal palate was calculated. Results In prenatal ultrasonography, the normal fetal hard palate was shown as a bright band and the normal soft palate as a hypoechoic band in coronary section through fetal submandibular region, oral ifssure and prootic region. The detection rate was 76%(777/1 023)in 2nd trimester group and 53%(458/862) in 3rd trimester group. The normal fetal palate was shown as continuous camber echogenic band in longitudinal plane through oral ifssure. The detection rate was 49%(501/1 023) in 2nd trimester group and 13%(113/862) in 3rd trimester group. The detection rate was 94%(961/1 023) in 2nd trimester group and 56%(483/862) in 3rd trimester group by the combination of two scanning approaches. Conclusions There is usually an obvious gap between mandible gristles in 2nd trimester fetus. Fetal palate is accessible regardless of fetal head position by coronary scanning through submandibular region, oral ifssure and prootic region and longitudinal scanning through oral ifssure. These planes could display fetal palate well, and might be useful in detecting isolated secondary cleft palate. But these scanning approaches and planes might not suitable for routine screening due to operator dependence.

Objective To observe the relationship between morphological and hemodynamic changes of female internal genital organs in the patients with hypomenorrhea with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound (TVCDS). Methods Thirty female patients with hypomenorrhea of unknown origin were studied, and 30 healthy women of eumenorrhea aged 20 to 40 years were selected as control group. The size and shape of uterus, ovaries, and the thickness of endometria of uterus were observed with TVCDS in follicular phase, ovulation phase, luteal phase and luteal atrophy phase, respectively. Hemodynamic parameters of ovarian artery, uterus artery and their branches were measured. At the same time, hormones of female were examined in 30 patients in follicular phase, ovulation phase and luteal atrophy phase, respectively. Results ①No difference of the size of uterus and ovaries, the thickness of endometria and the amount of egg follicles was found between two groups (P＞0.05). ②Compared with that in the control group, type C of endometria increased in hypomenorrhea group (P＜0.05). ③RI, PI and S/D of spiral arteries in hypomenorrhea group were higher than those in control group, but no significance in these parameters of uterine arteries, arcuate arteries and radiate arteries was found. RI of uterine arteries, arcuate arteries and radiate arteries decreased successively. ④RI, PI and S/D of ovarian arteries in hypomenorrhea group was higher than those in control group in ovulation phase (P＜0.05). Conclusion Reduction in blood supply of ovary and endometria may be the causes of hypomenorrhea with unknown origin. TVCDS can be used as a conventional examination method for these patients.

Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression vector harboring the fragment of Alia gene, and to investigate the effects of it on the signal of quorum sensing and virulence factors producted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa(Pa). Methods The plasmid pET-AiiA was cutted by Nhe Ⅰ and Xho Ⅰ , then the AiiA fragment was cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N2. After the plasmid was transfected into A549 cells, the protein was extracted and AiiA protein was found in it by Western blot. After the extrac- tion was admixed into the LB broth, from culture supernatant extracts of Pa, the N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) was detected by bioassay, and the expression of pyocyanin and elastase were assayed by RT-PCR and optical density. Results The fragment of AiiA gene was cutted and then cloned into pEGFP-N2. AiiA protein was found in the transfected cells. After admixed with the extract harboring AiiA protein, in Pa medium, the AHL was hydrolyzed, and the expression of pyocyanin and elastase were reduced. Conclusion The virulence factors synthesized by Pa were reduced by the AiiA protein expressed in eukaryotic cell.