The macroscopic characteristics, tissue, caterpillar body wall and powder of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis in different batch numbers were observed and researched by the macroscopic and microscopic identification methods. The result shows that the morphology, size, abdominal annulations of caterpillar, etc. of 0. xuefengensis are the macroscopic identification characteristics, the caterpillar body surface mycelium, body wall sculpture and crochets on abdominal legs are the microscopic identification characteristics. These characters are stable and regular discriminant features, which are proved to be the identification basis of O. xuefengensis. In addition, The characters such as crochets on abdominal legs arrange in two parallel ellipse rings, the inner crochets are long strip, and the external toes are unciform, are specific.
Animals ; Hypocreales ; cytology ; Moths ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of learning and memory dysfuction in the transgenic mouse expressing human tau 40 isoform with P301L mutation (F10).

METHODSThe human tau protein expression and phosphor-tau protein levels were detected with Western blot method. The neurofibrillary tangles were observed with Bielshowsky silver stain. The behavior changes of learning and memory were observed by open field test and passive avoidance test. Acetyleholine level, activities of acetycholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase of whole brain was detected by colorimetry method. The nitric oxide level of whole brain was detected by nitrate enzyme reduction method.

RESULTSExogenous human tau gene was expressed and an elevation of phosphor-tau protein level in 7 and 3-month transgenic mice's hippocampus andcerebrocortex was observed. The neurofibrillary tangles were observed in cerebrocortex of 7-month transgenic mice; the 7-month transgenic mice also presented an evident reduction of learning and memory ability and nitric oxide level of the whole brain, but not changes in acetylcholine level, acetycholinesterase activity, choline acetyltransferase activity and expression in whole brain.

CONCLUSIONTau transgenic mice (F10) can still inherit their parents' biologiccal characters, and develop learning and memory dysfunction awnodh san obvious decrease in nitric oxide level of whole brain in the 7-month old mice, suggesting a decrease of nitric oxide level of whole brain would be involved in the mechanism of learning and memory dysfunction in these transgenic mice.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Memory Disorders ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mutation ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish the triple-transgenic mouse model and study their biological characteristics by molecular biology, behavior and pathology.

METHODSHybrid the Tau and amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilins (PS1) transgenic mouse, the genotype of offspring mice were identified by PCR. Transcribed target genes were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression of exogenous genes was detected by Western-blot. The pathological change of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaque were observed by Bielschowsky silver staining and ABC immunohistochemical method. The changes time of learning and memory were observed by Morris water maze.

RESULTSAPP, PS1 and Tau genes were transcript in Tau/APP/PS1 mice. In 6 to 8 months old Tau/APP/PS1 mice, the neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaque could be found in cortex and hippocampus. In 6 months old Tau/APP/PS1 mice, the learning and memory abilities were worse.

CONCLUSIONWith the behavior change and pathological changes in Tau and beta-amyloid protein (AP), the Tau/APP/PS1 triple-transgenic mice can be used as a further study animal model of AD's pathogenesis and the target of drug treatment.

Alzheimer Disease ; pathology ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; genetics ; Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neurofibrillary Tangles ; pathology ; Plaque, Amyloid ; pathology ; Presenilin-1 ; genetics ; tau Proteins ; genetics

With the increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the incidence of its complications, such as ischemic stroke and thromboembolism is also increasing. According to the two-way referral system proposed by health authorities, AF management should be carried out mainly in primary care settings;and studies show that general practitioners play an indispensable role in AF management. At present,however,the inappropriate anticoagulation,AF complications and risk awareness are three major problems in the primary care of AF management in China. This article reviews the status quo and future prospect of AF management in primary care to provide suggestions for better management of AF in primary care level.

BACKGROUNDPancreatic beta-cell apoptosis induced by lipotoxicity, to a large extent, contributes to the progression of type 2 diabetes. To investigate the mechanism of free fatty acid induced apoptosis, we aimed to study the effects of palmitic acid (PA) on the apoptosis and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression in βTC3 cells as well as the possible role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in this process.

METHODSHoechst 33258 was used to detect βTC3 cell apoptosis, which was induced by PA stimulation for 12 hours. PGC-1α expression was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, IκB kinase β (IKKβ), IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and Rel-B expressions were analyzed by Western blotting. MG132 was employed to block the endogenous IκBα degradation before PA administration, and then its effect on PA-inducing cell apoptosis and PGC-1α mRNA expression was analyzed.

RESULTSSignificant increased cell apoptosis was found at the concentration of 0.5 mmol/L and 1.0 mmol/L PA administration. PA (0.5 mmol/L) could extensively reduced the expression of PGC-1α mRNA. After exposing βTC3 cells to 0.5 mmol/L PA for different time periods (0, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours), IKKβ protein expression increased while IκBα, NIK and Rel-B protein expression declined in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment with MG132 to inhibit the degradation of IκBα, partially prevented the down-regulation of PGC-1α mRNA expression after 12-hour PA treatment in accordance with the decrease of PA induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSNF-κB canonical pathway was activated in PA-mediated βTC3 cell apoptosis, whereas non-canonical pathway was inhibited. Reduced PGC-1α expression by PA in βTC3 cells could involve the activation of canonical NF-κB pathway, so as to deteriorate the PA induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Leupeptins ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Palmitic Acid ; pharmacology ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

Nicotine enhances the function of learning and memory, but the underlying mechanism still remains unclear. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is assumed to be a cellular mechanism of learning and memory. Our previous experiments showed that with the single pulses evoking 80% of the maximal population spike (PS) amplitude, nicotine (10 μmol/L) induced LTP-like response in the hippocampal CA1 region. In the present study, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes and relevant neurotransmitter releases involved in LTP-like response induced by nicotine were investigated by extracellularly recording the PS in the pyramidal cell layer in the hippocampal CA1 region in vitro. LTP-like response induced by nicotine was blocked by mecamylamine (1 μmol/L) or κ-bungarotoxin (0.1 μmol/L), but not by dihydro-β-erythtroidine (DHβE, 10 μmol/L). Moreover, it was inhibited by propranolol (10 μmol/L), but not by phentolamine (10 μmol/L) or atropine (10 μmol/L). The results suggest that noradrenaline release secondary to the activation of κ-bungarotoxin-sensitive nAChRs participates in LTP-like response induced by nicotine in the hippocampal CA1 region.
Animals ; Bungarotoxins ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; physiology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; Nicotine ; pharmacology ; Norepinephrine ; secretion ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; metabolism

OBJECTIVECastrated rats exhibit significant shrinkage of the ventral prostate and apoptosis of prostatic cells, which can be attributed to the reduced blood supply to the prostate. But what causes the blood decrease in the prostate remains unknown. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism of the changes in the microcirculation of the ventral prostate of rats following castration.

METHODSWe randomized 24 male adult rats into 6 groups of equal number, and collected their ventral prostates at 0, 1/2, 1, 2, 3 and 7 d, respectively, after castration. Then we observed the changes of the microvessels under the transmission electron microscope, detected the apoptosis of endothelial cells by TUNEL, and determined the expressions of VEGF, endostatin, angiostatin and angiopoietin-2 by Western blot.

RESULTSThe castrated rats showed dramatic changes in the microvessels of the ventral prostate, obvious apoptosis of the endothelial cells, down-regulated expression of VEGF, and up-regulated expressions of endostatin and angiostatin, while angiopoietin-2 remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONThe decreased level of VEGF and increased levels of endostatin and angiostatin might underlie the mechanism of the changes in the microcirculation of the ventral prostate of rats following castration.

Angiopoietin-2 ; metabolism ; Angiostatins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Endostatins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; blood supply ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the microcirculation changes in the ventral prostates of rats after castration and the role of microcirculation during the apoptosis of prostatic cells.

METHODSThirty-six male adult rats were randomized to 6 groups: one was taken as the control, while the other 5 underwent measurement of the microcirculation in vivo by a D95 physiological signal acquisition system 12 h, 24 h, 72 h, 7 d and 14 d respectively after castration, and then were perfused with Chinese ink to trace the microvessels of the prostates.

RESULTSThe microcirculation of the rats'prostates changed dramatically following castration. The diameter and density of the microvessels, especially in the distant and mediate ducts of the prostates, decreased dramatically, and so did the bloodflow velocity.

CONCLUSIONThe microcirculation plays a role during the process of apoptosis of prostatic cells, and might be the mechanism of " apoptosis shift".

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; blood supply ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo assess the influence of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) on the erectile function of the patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSUsing IIEF-5, we conducted a questionnaire investigation among 210 BPH patients before and after treated by PVP (n = 80) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP, n = 130). We also reviewed the clinical data and compared the pre- and post-operative penile erectile function between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSFollow-up was completed in 76 cases of PVP and 123 of TURP. The baseline data showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, prostate volume, IPSS, QOL, Qmax, post void urine residual volume and IIEF-5 scores (P>0.05). Compared with the IEFF-5 score at the baseline (21.88 +/- 2.46), those at 3, 6 and 12 months after PVP were 16.72 +/- 3.17, 19.34 +/- 2.46 and 19.29 +/- 2. 18, respectively, significantly decreased at 3 months (P = 0.042), but with no remarkable difference at 6 and 12 months (P >0.05). Nor were there significant differences in the IIEF-5 score between the PVP and TURP groups at any time points (P>0.05). At 6 months after surgery, the incidence rates of erectile dysfunction were 11.7% and 13.7% in the TURP and PVP groups, respectively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPVP may reduce erectile function in some cases in the early stage after surgery, but this adverse effect does not last long and is basically similar to that of TURP.

Humans ; Laser Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of testosterone on the proliferation of penile corpus cavernosal cells in male SD rats.

METHODSSmooth muscle cells (SMCs) and fibroblasts collected from the corpus cavernosal tissues of male SD rats were cultured by the enzymatic dispersion method and detected for the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) by immunohistochemistry. The effects of testosterone on the SMCs and fibroblasts were observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay in different concentration groups (10(-8) mol/L, 10(-7) mol/L, 10(-6) mol/L, 10(-5) mol/L, 10(-4) mol/L and 10(-3) mol/L) in comparison with the control.

RESULTSThe AR expression was found in the penile corpus cavernosal tissues. MTT assay showed that, at the concentration of 10(-5) mol/L, testosterone induced the proliferation of SMCs (68100 +/- 2200) and fibroblasts (70200 +/- 1300), with significant differences from the control ( P < 0.05), while at 10(-4) mol/L, it inhibited their proliferation (55000 +/- 1400 and 59100 +/- 1500, respectively), (P < 0.01). No significant effects were noted in the other concentration groups.

CONCLUSIONAR exists in the penile corpus cavernosal tissues of male rats. Testosterone modulates the proliferation of corpus cavernosum tissue cells through AR, and different concentrations of testosterone may be positively or negatively correlated with the proliferation of SMCs and fibroblasts.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Penis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; pharmacology