Objective: To investigate the influence of occupational aluminum exposure on cognitive function and glutamate receptor protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes in workers and the possibility of glutamate receptor being used as a biomarker for cognitive impairment in aluminum workers. Methods: From October to December, 2014, cluster sampling was performed to select 121 workers in aluminum electrolysis workshop as exposure group and 231 workers in thermoelectric workshop and logistics department as control group. Mini-Mental State Examination, clock drawing test, digit span test (DST) , verbal fluency test (VFT) , and Fuld Object-Memory (FOM) Evaluation were used to analyze cognitive function. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to measure plasma aluminum level as an exposure indicator. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the content of glutamate receptor proteins in peripheral blood lymphocytes, including the subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR1, NR2A, and NR2B and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) . The correlation between cognitive function indices and the content of glutamate receptor proteins was analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in plasma aluminum level between the control group and the exposure group (132.52±80.40 μg/L vs 182.88±72.32 μg/L, P>0.05) . According to the plasma aluminum level, the study subjects were divided into control group and low-, medium-, and high-level plasma aluminum groups, and there were significant differences in plasma aluminum level between these groups (all P<0.01) . The high-level plasma aluminum group had a significantly lower memory ability score than the control group and the low- and medium-level plasma aluminum groups (all P<0.05) . The high-level plasma aluminum group had lower DST and digital span forward (DSF) scores than the control group and the low-and medium-level plasma aluminum groups. The low-, medium-, and high-level plasma aluminum groups had lower digital span backward (DSB) scores than the control group. The medium-and high-level plasma aluminum groups had lower VFT scores than the control group and the low-level plasma aluminum group. The high-level plasma aluminum group had significantly lower expression of NR1 and NR2A proteins than the control group and the low-and medium-level plasma aluminum groups, and the medium- and high-level plasma aluminum groups had significantly higher expression of mGluR1 protein than the control group and the low-level plasma aluminum group (all P<0.05) . The expression of NR1 and NR2A proteins was negatively correlated with plasma aluminum level (r=-0.475 and -0.692, both P<0.05) , andthe expression of mGluR1 protein was positively correlated with plasma aluminum level (r=0.756, P<0.05) . The expression of NR1 protein was positively correlated with DSF, DSB, DST, and VFT scores (r_s=0.213, 0.249, 0.271, and 0.228, all P<0.05) , and the expression of NR2A protein was positively correlated with VFT score (r_s=0.206, P<0.05) . Conclusion Occupational aluminum exposure may affect workers’ memory function, and the expression of NR1 and NR2A in peripheral blood lymphocytes is correlated with cognitive function indices and can be used as biomarkers for cognitive impairment in aluminum workers.

BACKGROUND:It is generaly believed that the spine wil be extended, and vertebral muscle atrophy, bone loss of vertebral body, increased height and area of intervertebral disc, changes of composition of intervertebral disc wil occur in the condition of weightlessness. These are likely to be the cause of high incidence of low back pain. OBJECTIVE:To observe changes in lumbar spine bone microstructure analysis of simulated weightlessness on rhesus lumbar spine biomechanics. METHODS:Fourteen young rhesus monkeys were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n=7;free activities in the cage during the experiment), and experimental group (n=7; the use of head-down-10° on a special bed by bundle lying to simulate weightlessness). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The results of Micro-CT examination: in the experimental group, structure model index in trabecular bone of increased. Trabecular bone changed from plate-like to the rod-like change. The intersection number of bone tissue in unit length to non-bone tissue declined. The average width of the canal between the trabecular bone increased, suggesting that there have been signs of osteoporosis in the experimental group. (2) Under an optical microscope, in the experimental group, bone hyperplasia line was disordered and irregular. Thick endplate trabecularbone became smal, shalow, and arranged substantialy perpendicular to the direction of trabecular bone and cartilage endplate. The closer the endplate surface, the smaler trabecular bone was. Compared with the control group, these smal trabecular bones were thin and curved. Bone marrow cavity was oval. The degree of the connection between the trabecular bones is poor, reflecting the structural characteristics of significant osteoporosis. (3) It is indicated that weightlessness affected the biomechanical properties of rhesus lumbar motion unit.

OBJECTIVETo study the psychology of infertility patients from the perspective of economic sociology so as to prevent the patients from medical frauds in seeking medical treatment.

METHODWe investigated 902 infertility patients of the Third Hospital of Peking University from September 2005 to January 2006 using a randomized questionnaire.

RESULTSOf the total number, 84.4% had education below college level; the majority had a low monthly family income, 36.6% below Y1,000, 19.7% from Y1,000 to Y2,000, 16.5% from Y2,000 to Y3,000, 7.8% from Y3,000 to Y4,000 and 19.4% above Y4,000; 88.7% had a strong desire for a child; 60.3% were psychologically stressed. As for the advertisements for the treatment of infertility, 50.2% of the patients disbelieved them, 6.2% wanted to have a try and about 43.6% accepted them to be true. Regarding the treatment in individual hospitals, 55.2% disbelieved in it, 5.8% wanted to try it and about 39.0% believed in it.

CONCLUSIONInfertility patients of low economic status usually have a lower educational level but a higher desire for children, and therefore are more likely to be the victims of medical frauds and more psychologically stressed. It calls for our attention how to provide them with medical help.

Educational Status ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; economics ; psychology ; therapy ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of baicalin on proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells and its mechanism. Cell proliferation was assayed by using Cell Counting Kit-8. The morphological changes of HL-60 cells were examined by light microscopy and nucleolus morphological changes were observed by fluorescent microscopy after Hoechst 33342 staining. The early cell apoptosis was detected by using flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot assay was carried out to examine Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3 expression. The results showed that Baicalin inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. HL-60 cells exhibited typical morphological features (for example, cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies). Cell apoptosis in early stage could be detected, the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax mRNA was obviously up-regulated, while the Bcl-2 expression down-regulated, and accordingly Bcl-2/Bax ratio decreased. Such results were consistent with the expression of these proteins. In addition, the expression of cleaved caspase-8 protein was induced significantly after treated with baicalin. It is concluded that baicalin can significantly inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cells and induce the apoptosis of HL-60 cells, which may occur through decreasing Bcl-2/Bax ratio by intrinsic pathway and through extrinsic pathway. It suggests that baicalin may be a promising drug for the therapy of acute myeloid leukemia.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism and microsatellite instability (MSI) in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSMTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphism were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and MSI was examined with PCR.

RESULTSMTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were analyzed on 122 gastric cancers and 110 normal controls The genotype frequencies of MTHFR 677CC, 677CT and 677TT were 47.5%, 39.3% and 13.1% on patients with gastric cancer, and 48.5%, 42.6%, 8.9% in the controls respectively. There was no significant difference of genotype frequency between the two groups (P > 0.05). The individuals with 677CT genotype, 677TT genotype and 677CT + TT genotype exhibited significantly reduced risk (OR = 0.38,95% CI: 0.15-0.98; OR = 0.26,95% CI: 0.03-2.18 and OR = 0.36,95% CI: 0.07-0.98) of developing gastric cardia cancer compared with those harboring the wild-type(677CC). The individuals with 677TT genotype having a 3.03-fold (95% CI: 1.07-8.65) increased risk of developing gastric corpus cancer. The genotype frequency of MTHFR 1298AA, 1298AC and 1298CC were 59.8%, 36.1% and 4.1% in gastric cancer patients, and 57.4%, 7.6%, 5.0% in the controls, respectively. The distribution of MTHFR A1298C genotype was not significantly different between gastric cancer and controls (P > 0.05). The individuals with 1298CC genotype had a reduced risk of developing gastric antrum cancer (OR = 0.41- fold, 95% CI: 0.03-2.18, 0.05-3.72) when comparing with those having 1298AA genotype. Patients with MSI+ gastric cancer had an increased frequency of the MTHFR 677TT genotype when comparing with those suffering from MSI- gastric cancer (P = 0.009) and with controlled subjects (P = 0.008). There was no significant association found between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and MSI (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPolymorphism of MTHFR C677T was associated with increased risk on gastric corpus cancer and reduced risk on gastric cardia cancer. The polymorphism of MTHFR A1298C was associated with reduced risk for gastric antrum cancer while MSI pathway was possibly involved in the development of gastric cancer with MTHFR 677TT genotype.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Microsatellite Instability ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the potential protective effect of melatonin on the oxidative damage induced by deltamethrin in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of rats.

METHODS35 male wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups(seven rats per group): olive oil control, deltamethrin-treated (12.5 mg/kg), melatonin(25.0 mg/kg) and deltamethrin plus melatonin (25.0 mg/kg , 2.5 mg/kg respectively) group. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH) in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum were determined after 5 days of DM treatments.

RESULTSMDA content in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum tissue of the DM-treated rats were significantly higher than those in control group, and compared with DM-treated group, MDA content in those tissue of MT + DM-treated group have significantly decreased after 5 days of DM exposure (P < 0.05). Activities of GSH-Px in DM-treated group were significantly lower than those in control group, and those in the MT + DM group were significantly higher than DM group(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDM can induce the oxidative damage in rat brain and melatonin has protective effects on deltamethrin-induced oxidative damage in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and cerebellum of rats.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cerebellum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Nitriles ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo discuss the experience with three-dimensional reconstruction technique in initial clinical application in gastrocnemius muscle flap surgery.

METHODFrom 2007 to 2008, 7 patients received gastrocnemius muscle flap surgeries to repair the wounds. Preoperative CT angiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed after injection of the contrast media for individualized three-dimensional gastrocnemius muscle flap reconstruction using Amira4.1 software. According to the size of the defect in the wound, individualized three-dimensional gastrocnemius muscle flap was designed and harvested from the posterior leg.

RESULTSIndividualized three-dimensional reconstruction of the gastrocnemius flap was performed in 7 cases, and the reconstructed flaps clearly displayed the blood vessels, skin and the adjacent three-dimensional structures. In 6 cases the main perforating branched and trunk of the blood vessels in the designed flap were consistent with the surgical findings; in 1 case, the perforating branches failed to be clearly displayed in the designed flap, and surgical examination identified perforating branches with an average diameter of 0.5 mm (minimally 0.3 mm). The flaps survived in all the 7 cases.

CONCLUSIONSThree-dimensional reconstruction of the gastrocnemius flap based on the lower limb CT angiography or MRI allows three-dimensional observation of the anatomy of the flap and accurate marking of the extent of the flap to be harvested, therefore avoiding intraoperative injuries to the blood vessels to better survival of the flaps.

Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Preoperative Period ; Surgical Flaps ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) antagonist Z-guggulsterone in an in vivo high-fat fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).

METHODSMale ApoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into three groups: standard ApoE(-/-) group (fed with standard mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 18), high-fat ApoE(-/-) group (fed with high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 22), and high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group(fed with high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks and received FXR antagonist Z-Guggulsterone 30 minutes before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 17). The expression of FXR was detected by real-time quantitative-PCR. Myocardial infarct size was determined by Evans blue/TTC double staining methods. Myocardial apoptosis was determined by in situ TUNEL technique. Markers of the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX and BCL-2 levels), endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptotic pathway (caspase-12 activity and CHOP level), and death receptor apoptotic pathway (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL levels) were also measured.

RESULTFXR expression (3.7-fold higher, P < 0.01), myocardial infarct size [(62.1 ± 7.0)% vs. (33.8 ± 5.8)%, P < 0.01] and myocardial apoptosis index[ (36.8 ± 5.7)% vs. (17.2 ± 3.8)%, P < 0.01]were all significantly higher in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group than those in standard ApoE(-/-) group. Compared with high-fat ApoE(-/-) group, myocardial infarct size [(24.4 ± 4.7)% vs. (62.1 ± 7.0)%, P < 0.01] and myocardial apoptosis index [(13.8 ± 2.7)% vs. (36.8 ± 5.7)%, P < 0.01] were significantly reduced in high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group. Moreover, levels of mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway markers (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX/BCL-2 levels) and endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-12 activity and CHOP level) were significantly lower in high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group than those in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group (all P < 0.01). Levels of death receptor apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL levels) were similar between high-fat ApoE(-/-) group and high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group.

CONCLUSIONFXR antagonist alleviates myocardial reperfusion injury in cholesterol-fed ApoE(-/-) mice via inhibition of the mitochondrial-mediated and endoplasmic-reticulum stress pathway.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Pregnenediones ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of REMP2 derived from limulus anti-lipopolysaccharide factor in neutralizing endotoxin in vitro and its antibacterial activity.

METHODS(1) REMP2 and PMB in the concentrations of 100.00, 10.00, 1.00, 0.10, 0.01 micromol/L were respectively mixed with LPS (lEU/mL), with PMB as positive control. The LPS concentrations in different specimens were determined by routine method, and the neutralizing percentage was respectively calculated. (2) After adding isotonic saline (NS), the final concentrations of REMP2 and PMB were 10, 20, 40, 80 micromol/L, and the concentration of LPS was 100 microg/L. The murine monocytic macrophages were stimulated with LPS, then cultured with REMP2 and PMB, with NS in culture as negative control. The content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was determined by ELISA kit. (3) The morphologic changes of Escherichia coli. was observed under electron microscope at 10, 20 and 40 minutes after addition of REMP2 to Escherichia coli suspension (with terminal concentration of REMP2 at 40 micromol/L).

RESULTSThere were no significant difference in endotoxin-neutralizing percentages between PMB and REMP2 in concentrations of 0.10, 10.00, 100.00 micromol/L (P > 0.05). The contents of TNF-alpha were 1175 +/- 162, 859 +/- 122, 645 +/- 142, 489 +/- 102 ng/L, respectively,after treatment of 10, 20, 40, 80 micromol/L REMP2, which were obviously lower than that of NS (3463 +/- 218 ng/L, P < 0.01). Under transmission electron microscope, the outer and interior membranes of Escherichia coli were obscure and rough, bacterial bodies were swollen with vacuoles in cytoplasm after treatment with REMP2.

CONCLUSIONREMP2 has ability of neutralizing endotoxin and also antibacterial activity.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; Arthropod Proteins ; Cells, Cultured ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Invertebrate Hormones ; pharmacology ; Limulus Test ; Lipopolysaccharides ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Mice ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo reproduce a Kunming murine endotoxin shock model suitable for the anti-endotoxin pharmaceutical research.

METHODSKunming mice were challenged with an intraperitoneal (i. p.) injection of different doses of D-galactosamine (D-Gal) and endotoxin (LPS) and divided into 10 groups: i.e, group 1 [with injection of isotonic saline solution (NS) and LPS]; group 2 (with injection of NS and 90mg/kg LPS), group 3 (with injection of NS and 500mg/kg D-Gal), group 4 (with injection of 500mg/kgD-Gal and 25 microg /kg LPS), group 5 (with injection of 500mg/kg D-Gal and 50 microg/kg LPS), group 6(with injection of 500mg/kg D-Gal and 250 microg/kg LPS), group 7( with injection of NS and 600mg/ kg D-Gal), group 8 (with injection of 600mg/kg D-Gal and 10 microg/kg LPS), group 9( with injection of 600mg/kg D-Gal and 25 microg/kg LPS), group 10 (with injection of 600mg/kg D-Gal and 50 microg/kg LPS). The death of the mice were observed and the mortality rate was recorded at 48 post-injection hour (PIH). The dose of D-Gal and LPS which caused 100% lethality was chosen for the subsequent experiment to serve as control group (with injection of NS and 600mg/kg D-Gal), LPS group (with injection of 600mg/kg D-Gal and 580mg/kg LPS for later experiment). The venous blood of the mice were collected for the detection of serum content of TNF-alpha with ELISA method at 30, 75 and 120 post-injection minutes (PIM). The tissues of lung, liver, intestine were also harvested at 5 PIH for the pathological examination.

RESULTSThe lethality of mice was 100% in the groups 2, 6 and 10 (P < 0.01). The serum content of TNF-alpha was maintained in a low level in control group, but it increased remarkably in LPS group, and it reached peak at 75 PIM (6365 +/- 2087ng/L, P < 0.01). Obvious inflammatory reaction was observed in the lung, liver and intestine in LPS group, while only mild inflammatory reaction was observed in liver in control group.

CONCLUSIONThe Kunming mice showed signs of endotoxin shock after D-galactosamine presensitizing and endotoxin challenge, and it is suitable for anti-endotoxin pharmaceutical research.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Galactosamine ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Serum ; chemistry ; Shock, Septic ; chemically induced ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism