Objective:To investigate the effect of liquiritin on the apoptosis of amygdala cell and the expression of apoptosis-related factors Bax and Bcl-2 protein in rats with post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:Sixty rats were randomly divided into normal control group, stroke group, PSD group, citalopram group, liquiritin group, and normal saline control group ( n=10 in each group). The middle cerebral artery was occluded with a suture method to induce focal cerebral ischemia, and the PSD model was established by chronic and unpredictable mild stress stimulation and orphanism. At the same time every week after the model was made, the weight of rats in each group was measured and the depression behavior was evaluated, including sucrose water test and open field test. At 6 weeks after the model was made, TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of amygdala cell, immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the amygdala, and Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the amygdala. Results:Compared with the liquiritin group, citalopram group and normal control group, the body weight and sucrose solution preference of rats in the stroke group, PSD group and normal saline control group were decreased, and the horizontal and vertical movements in open field test were decreased; the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). TUNEL staining results showed that compared with the liquiritin group, citalopram group and normal control group, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased in the stroke group, PSD group, and normal saline control group; the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the liquiritin group, citalopram group and normal control group, the number of bcl-2 immunoreactive cells in amygdala of the stroke group, PSD group and normal saline control group was significantly decreased, while the number of Bax immunoreactive cells was significantly increased; the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.01). Western blot analysis showed that compared with the liquiritin group and citalopram group, the expression of bcl 2 protein in amygdala of the stroke group, PSD group and normal saline control group was significantly decreased, while the expression of Bax protein was significantly increased; the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.01). Conclusion:Liquiritin can alleviate the symptoms of PSD, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the apoptosis of amygdala cells and regulating the expression of apoptosis-related factors.

Objective:To observe the changes of protein expression of apoptosis signal pathway in prefrontal cortex of rats with post-stroke depression(PSD) after lateral ventricle injected of brain-derived neurotrophic factor precursor(proBDNF).Methods:Among 55 healthy adult female SD rats, 25 rats were randomly selected as PSD group, and the other 30 rats were randomly divided into normal group ( n=10), depression group ( n=10) and stroke group ( n=10). The middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) model was established by thread occlusion in the stroke group, the chronic stress depression model in the depression group was established by the combination of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and the solitary feeding method.And the rats in the PSD group were established MCAO model first, then they were received CUMS stress and solitary rearing one week later so as to establish PSD model.Two weeks after the establishment of the model, 15 rats in PSD group were randomly divided into proBDNF group, rats in tPA group and NS control group.One week after buried tube of lateral ventricle, rats in tPA and proBDNF were injected into the lateral ventricle for one week.The protein expressions of c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), p-JNK, p53, p-p53 and Bax in prefrontal cortex of rats in each group were detected by Western blot at the 4th and 8th week after modeling.SPSS 17.0 software was used for data analysis, one-way ANOVA was used for comparison between groups, and SNK- q was used for pairwise comparison. Results:The expressions of p-p53, p53, p-JNK, JNK and Bax in prefrontal cortex of normal group, depression group, stroke group and PSD group were significantly different at the end of 4th and 8th week after MCAO modeling ( F=3.426-90.355, all P<0.05). Post-hoc analysis showed that, compared with the normal group, the expressions of p-JNK (0.378±0.042) and Bax (0.478±0.054) in the prefrontal cortex of PSD rats increased significantly at the end of the 4th week(both P<0.05), and the expressions of p-JNK(0.411±0.056), p-p53 (0.286±0.083) and Bax (0.471±0.008) in the prefrontal cortex of PSD group increased significantly at the end of the 8th week(all P<0.05). After lateral ventricle injection of proBDNF, there were significant differences in the expression of p-p53, p53, p-JNK, JNK and Bax among proBDNF group, tPA group and NS group ( F=16.915-287.039, all P<0.01). Post-hoc analysis showed that, compared with NS group, the expressions of p-JNK (0.35±0.01)and p-p53 (0.31±0.01)in prefrontal cortex of proBDNF group increased significantly(both P<0.05). After lateral ventricle injection of proBDNF, there were significant differences in body weight, sucrose preference rate, horizontal movement distance among proBDNF group, tPA group and NS group ( F=18.741-76.305, all P<0.01), and compared with tPA group and NS group, behavioral indexes of proBDNF group (body weight (224.36±3.23) g, sucrose preference rate (69.83±1.72)%, horizontal movement distance (57.93±2.09) blocks, vertical movement distance (19.79±1.81)) decreased significantly(all P<0.05). Conclusion:The proBDNF promotes the activation of apoptosis signal pathway in the rats with PSD.

Firstly, IHE technical framework is introduced in this paper, and the sub-framework of Schedule Workflow is also described. Secondly, the development of IHE in Japan and the formation of IHE-J are presented, and in combination with IDS system's practice in IHE-J, some ideas about developing IHE in China and the relative methods of implementation are discussed.
China ; Computer Communication Networks ; Hospital Information Systems ; Japan ; Radiology Information Systems ; organization & administration ; Software ; Systems Integration ; User-Computer Interface ; Workload

To investigate the upregulated genes associated with cold acclimation, a cold acclimation model was established based on Balb/C mouse. mRNA of muscle and liver were isolated, and the upregulated genes of these tissues were studied by representational differential analysis (RDA). The upregulated genes then were sequenced and searched by Blast software in GenBank database. The results showed that some genes were upregulated and possibly associated with cold acclimation. Three of these genes, transferrin, fibrinogen B-beta-chains and a new gene fragment (Genbank ID: AF454762), were confirmed to be upregulated by RNA slot-blot analysis. The finding of these genes might contribute to further understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cold acclimation.
Acclimatization ; genetics ; Animals ; Cold Temperature ; Gene Expression ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Transcriptome ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of delayed open reduction and internal fixation with minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate for the treatment of type II and III Pilon fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to September 2009, 32 patients with type II and III Pilon fractures were treated with open reduction and anatomic plate fixation (AP group) and minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate osteosynthesis (LCP group). There were 11 males and 6 females in AP group, with an average age of (37.4 +/- 13.3) years (ranged, 19 to 55 years). And there were 10 males and 5 females in LCP group, with an average age of (34.6 +/- 11.3) years(ranged, 21 to 56 years). The operating time, fracture healing time, aligned angulation and ankle function were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the during ranged from 12 to 25 months, with a mean of (15.0 +/- 1.7) months. The average operation time was (76.5 +/- 8.3) min for AP group and (58.3 +/- 3.4) min for LCP group; the average time of fracture healing was (20.5 +/- 0.4) weeks for AP group and (15.7 +/- 0.2) weeks for LCP group; the total angulation between anterior posterior film and lateral film was averaged (6.6 +/- 0.5) degrees for AP group and (3.6 +/- 0.2) degrees for LCP group. As to above index, the results of LCP group were better than those of AP group (P < 0.05). According to Kofoed criteria for ankle joint, the results of LCP group were better than those of AP group in ankle joint pain, wakling and ankle joint function (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe method of minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate internal fixation is effective in the treatment of Pilon fracture with less invasion, faster bone union, more stabilized fixation, quicker recovery of ankle function and fewer complications, which is more advantaged for type II and III Pilon fractures.

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods

Animals ; Breath Tests ; methods ; Carbon Isotopes ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; methods ; Male ; Phenylalanine ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDTo clarify the features of gene variation among epidemic strains of human rotavirus NSP4 in China.

METHODSSP4 genes from 27 epidemic strains of human rotavirus isolated in different area of China in recent years were amplified with RT-PCR, the resulted cDNAs were cloned and sequenced. The sequences of full length cDNAs were compared with 10 rotavirus NSP4 sequences available in the GenBank using the Clustal x 1.8 TreeView32 and DNA Star softwares. The G serotype of VP7 was analysed by PCR.

RESULTSThe homology of the amino acid among the 27 rotavirus strains isolated in China was 81.7%-99.4%. Based on the variation of amino acid sequence, the virus strains can be divided into two groups, represented by Wa and KUN with the homology of 92.0%-99.4% and 92.0%-98.9% within each group, respectively. The diversity between the two groups were 16.6%-21.0%. The Wa group could further be separated into three subgroups, according to the diversity between those strains and the characterization in the highly variable domain. The association between VP7 serotype and NSP4 genotype was not strong.

CONCLUSIONSThe NSP4 gene of human rotavirus epidemic strains in China can be divided into Wa and KUN two groups, Wa group is the main group and contains three subgroups possessing characteristic amino acid sites. Samples isolated in the same year but not in the same area shared higher homology.

Antigens, Viral ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; analysis ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Diarrhea ; virology ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rotavirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Toxins, Biological ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo mimic contact pattern between decorin and TGF-beta1, in vivo, and investigate the antagonistic effect of recombinant human decorin on TGF-beta1 stimulation of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in collagen lattices.

METHODSFibroblasts populated collagen lattices (FPCL) model was adopted in the study, and they were divided into control group, decorin group [2mg/L recombinant human decorin (rh-decorin) was administered to FPCL], TGF-beta1 group (5 microg/LTGF-beta1 was administered to the culture medium), and TGF-beta1 + decorin group (2mg/L rh-decorin was administered to FPCL, then culture medium containing 5 microg/L TGF-beta1 was added into FPCL). Changes in PAI-1 and alpha-SMA protein expression in scar fibroblasts in collagen lattices were detected with Western blotting at 12 post-administration hour (PAH), 24 PAH, 48 PAH, and 72 PAH, and expressions of PAI-1 and alpha-SMA mRNA were concomitantly examined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe contraction of FPCL at each time-point in control group was obviously attenuated compared with that in decorin group, but it was significantly intensified compared with that in TGF-beta1 group. The expression of PAI-1 and alpha-SMA mRNA and protein in TGF-beta1 group (3482 +/- 211, 4320 +/- 272, 0.89 +/- 0.15, 0.56 +/- 0. 11) were markedly increased than those in control group (1764 +/- 147, 1699 +/- 146, 0.29 +/- 0.06, 0.21 +/- 0.06, P < 0.01), while no obvious difference of them was found between control and other two groups.

CONCLUSIONStimulation of scar fibroblasts by TGF-beta1, can be suppressed when rh-decorin is blended into collagen lattices, indicating that decorin is effective in neutralizing TGF-beta1 in vitro. The pathogenesis of hypertrophic scar might be related to up-regulation of TGF-beta1 with the lack of decorin after cutaneous injury.

Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Decorin ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Proteoglycans ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-tumor effect of Biejiajianwan pills and explore its mechanism.

METHODSMice bearing neoplasm induced by H22 cell inoculation were randomized into 4 groups, namely the negative control group, positive control group (with cyclophosphamide treatment), and high- and low-dose Biejiajianwan pill group. The tumor-bearing mice received corresponding treatments for 15 consecutive days, after which their thymuses and spleens were isolated and weighed to calculate the thymus and spleen indices. The tumor mass was also weighed and the tumor inhibition rate calculated. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression intensity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the tumor tissue.

RESULTSThe pills significantly inhibited the growth of the implanted tumor and reduced the expression of PCNA in the tumor.

CONCLUSIONOne of the possible mechanisms of the anti-tumor effects of Biejiajian pills might be associated with the inhibition of PCNA expression in the tumor.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the proliferation, differentiation of rat hepatic stem like cell line WB-F344 and cytokines in vitro.

METHODS(3)H thymidine labelling of new synthesized DNA was used to examine the mitogenic responsiveness of WB-F344 cells to cytokines, western blot was used to study the expression of cytokines receptors on hepatic stem cells, and apoptotic cells were detected by Flow cytometry.

RESULTSWB-F344 cells showed a proliferative response to the cytokines of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Insulin at the dose of 80 ng/ml, and the relative cpm values are 982.95, 906.32, 863.98 and 968.67 respectively, while non response to interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at the same dose, and an inhibition or apoptosis response to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) at 80 ng/ml with a 26.89% apoptotic rate. Western blot showed that there were HGF, EGF, FGF, TGF-beta receptors expressed on WB-F344 cells. When WB-F344 cells were cultured in the differential system (DMEM, 10% Fcs, HGF 10 to approximately 50 ng/ml, EGF 20 ng/ml, Insulin 1 microg/ml, Dex 1 micromol/L), the cells could differentiated into hepatocytes. In addition, HGF could scattered WB-F344 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe proliferation and differentiation of liver stem cells are regulated by various cytokines which may play an important role when liver is damaged seriously.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology