Objectiye To optimize the depth of the microchannel and the time point for sperm collection,and improve the efficiency of sperm screening on a microfluidic device. Methods Microchannels with four different depths of 25, 50, 100 and 200 μm were tested. Mice sperm were added to the inlet of the microchannel. The relative quantity and motility of sperm in the outlet were recorded at different collection times, i.e. ,5, 15, 30 and 60 min. Statistical method one-way ANOVA and appropriate post-hoc testing were applied to analyze differences between different groups, and further to select the best-fit depth of the microchannel and the time point for collection. Results In microchannels with depths of 25, 50, 100 and 200 μm, the sperm motilities measured in each outlet were (85.4 ± 2.3)%, (85.8 ± 5.8)%,( 87. 2 ± 2. 8 ) %, (76. 5 ± 2. 8 ) % respectively with statistical significance ( F = 5.8, P ＜ 0. 05 ). No obvious differences were found among 25-100 μm channels, however the motility dramatically decreased in the 200 μm group. The relative sperm quantities were (5.2 ±2.0)%, (7.2 ±2.5)%,(12.3 ±2.0)%,(7. 7 ± 1.1 ) % respectively with statistical significance ( F = 6. 9, P ＜ 0. 05), which increased with channel depth from 25 to 100 μm,while it decreased in the 200 μm channel Taking 2 indexes into account, 100 μmwas the most fit channel depth for sperm motility screening. The sperm motility in the outlet gradually decreased with time. At the time points of 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after adding sperm, the sperm motilities were (99. 6 ±0. 7)%, (87.2 ±2. 8)%, (79. 3 ±2. 2)% and (62. 6 ±8.0)% respectively with statistical significance ( F = 37. 3, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Yet the relative quantities of sperm in the outlet increased almost three times in this process. At the time points mentioned above, the relative quantities of sperm were (5.8±1.1)%, (10.6 ± 0.9)%, (12.1 ± 1.7)%, (17.9 ± 3.4)% respectively with statistical significance ( F = 17.8, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Thus 15-30 min was the ideal screening time. Conclusion An effective microdevice for sperm screening with optimized depth and collection time period is developed,which may contribute significantly for the screening of healthy sperm on microfluidic chips.

0.05). Two fasting blood samples of 3 mL were taken in both groups and were sealed in tubes.Serum was separated by centrifugation at 3 000 r/min for 10 min. The serum IGF-Ⅰ, IgG, IgA and IgM were detected with the method of ELISA. The body height, wieght were measured at the same time. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 11.0 software. Means and standard deviation were calculated.t-test was used to compare the differences between menas.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the significance of correlation.Results The serum IGF-Ⅰ,IgG,IgA,IgM and weight,height in RRI group were (21.8?4.5) ?g/L,(8.85?1.94) g/L,(0.78?0.22) g/L,(1.01?0.55) g/L,(17.7?4.92) kg and (95.2?3.22) cm.The serum IGF-Ⅰ,IgG,IgA,IgM and weight,height in control group were (32.7?4.7) ?g/L,(12.05?2.09) g/L,(1.95?0.90) g/L,(1.60?0.60) g/L,(25.3?9.6) kg,(104.7?8.32) cm,respectively.There were significant differences between 2 groups(Pa

Objective To explore the possible mechanism and protective effect of Xuebijing injection (血必净注射液)and dexamethasone on rats with paraquat-induced chronic pulmonary injury.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal group(n=5),model group(n=5), treatment groups(n=20).In the normal group,normal saline was used,while in the other groups,20% paraquat 80 mg/kg was injected peritoneally for poisoning.After 2 hours of intoxication,low dose Xuebijing injection(1.25 g/kg),high dose Xuebijing injection(2.50 g/kg),dexamethasone(25 mg/kg),high dose Xuebijing injection combined with dexamethasone(combined group)respectively were administered into the four different treatment groups,equal amount of normal saline was given to the normal and model groups,and the treatment continued for 4 days.At 28 days after paraquat injection,5 rats in each group were killed respectively,serum transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1)and hydroxyproline(HYP)level in the lung homogenate were measured,and pulmonary coefficient and histological changes were observed.Results In the treatment groups,the levels of serum TGF-?1 and lung tissue HYP,pulmonary coefficient were leas than those of model group,and among the treatment groups,combined group had the best results(all P

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sweat Glands

Objective To establish a method for studying molecular mechanism of Rhubarb inhibiting anti-Yersinia pesti based on DNA microarray.Methods A whole genome DN A microarray containing 4005 annotated genes of Yersiniapesti Was used.The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC)of Rhubarb to Yersiniapestiwas determined by liquid dilution method.The gene expression profile of Yersinia pesti was performed after the exposure to Rhubarb at a concentration of 10×MIC for 30 minutes.The total RNA extracted and purified from Yersinia pesti Was reversely transfected to cDNA and labeled by Cy3-Cy5 dye.The labeled probes were hybridized to the microarray anti the results were obtained by a laser scanner and the microarray data was confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.Results The platform of the DNA microarray-based bacteria transcriptional profile was established.A total of 498 genes of Yersinia pesti changed significantly in response to Rhubarb.Among them.358 genes were up-regulated,140 down-reguated.Conclusions The whole genome DNA microarray can be used in the studying of molecular anti-Yersinia pesti mechanism of Rhubarb.

This study aimed to explore Semaphrin4D (Sema4D) expression and clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to define the roles and mechanisms of Sema4D in regulating the malignant behaviors of A549 cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Firstly, immunohistochemistry revealed that Sema4D was more frequently expressed in NSCLC than in lung benign lesion (P<0.05) and its overexprssion was associated with low differentiation (P<0.05), poor pTNM staging (P<0.05) and occurrence of lymph node (LN) metastasis (P<0.05). Endogenous Sema4D expression was suppressed by Sema4D siRNA in A549 cells overexpressing Sema4D. Protein levels of Sema4D, total Akt and p-Akt were examined by Western blotting. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were measured by MTT assay and Transwell assay respectively. Results showed that Sema4D siRNA significantly suppressed phosphorylation of AKT in A549 cells, but it did not alter total AKT expression. In addition, efficient down-regulation of SemaD significantly inhibit cell proliferation (P<0.05), migration (P<0.05) and invasion (P<0.05) in A549 cells. These findings suggest that Sema4D might serve as a reliable tool for early prediction of NSCLC poor prognosis. Sema4D could play an important role in promoting tumor proliferation, migration and metastasis in the NSCLC, by influencing the Akt protein phosphorylation. Inhibition of Sema4D may be a useful approach for the treatment of NSCLC.

We reviewed the modern development of clinical application and experimental reseach on the prescription Biejiajian Wan (BJ), which are the basement that we will study its anti-renal fibrosis. At present, the prescription BJ is mainly applied to the treatment of chronic heptic desease. Its experimental reseach is mainly confined to the studing of anti-heptic fibrosi. Refering the scientific and technological result of anti-heptic fibrosis, we think the prescription BJ would have the effection of anti-renal fibrosis on the basis of theory of planning treatment according to diagnosis. But it has not been reported to the prescription BJ on the clinical and experimental reseach on anti-renal fibrosis. Therefore, it is very important to take on clinical reseach of the prescription BJ and discuss the effecting mechanism of anti-renal fibrosis from the level of integration, cell and molecule, which will help to enlarge the clinical application of the prescription Biejiajianwan and explained the essence of "persistent diseases injuring collateral branch of large channel" in traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Clinical Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Laboratories ; Prescription Drugs ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary stretch reflex plays an important role in regulation of respiratory movement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pulmonary stretch reflex on lung injury in rabbits with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: ARDS rabbits were given intratracheal infusion of hydrochloric acid and ventilated with neurally adjusted ventilatory assistance (NAVA) with a tidal volume (VT) of 6 mL/kg and the electrical activity of diaphragm (EAdi)-determined positive end expiratory pressure. After isolation of the bilateral vagusnerve trunk, the rabbits were randomized into two groups: sham operation (SHAM) group (n=5) and bilateral vagotomy (VAG) group (n=5). Gas exchange and respiratory mechanics were detected at baseline, after lung injury and 1, 2, and 3 hours after ventilation respectively. Pulmonary permeability index, pathological changes and inflammatory response were also measured. RESULTS: Compared with the SHAM group, PaO2/FiO2 in the VAG group decreased significantly 2 and 3 hours after ventilation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in PaCO2 between the SHAM and VAG groups (P>0.05), and the VAG group had a high VT, peak pressure (Ppeak), and mean pressure (Pm) compared with the SHAM group 1, 2, 3 hours after ventilation (P<0.05). Compared to the SHAM group, dead space fraction (VD/VT) and respiratory system elastance (Ers) in the VAG group increased (P<0.05) and static pulmonary compliance (Cst) decreased markedly (P<0.05) after ventilation for 3 hours. Lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) (8.4±1.2 vs. 6.6±1.0), lung injury score (6.3±1.8 vs. 3.8±1.3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (779±372 pg/mL vs. 355±130 pg/mL) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) (169±21 pg/mL vs. 118±17 pg/mL) increased significantly in the VAG group compared with the SHAM group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Lung injury is aggravated after bilateral vagotomy, demonstrating that pulmonary stretch reflex may have protective effect on the lung.

Objective To investigate the antibacterial molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Coptis rhizome against Yersinia pestis(Y.pestis).Methods The method based on whole genome DNA micrnarray of Y.pestis was used.The minimal inhibition concentration(MIC)of berberine to Y.pestis was determined with liquid dilution method.Then gene expression profile of Y.pestis was performed after exposed to berberine at the concentration of 10×MIC for 30 minutes.Total RNA extracted and purified from Y.pestis and reverse-transcribed to cDNA,then labeled by Cy-dye.Finally,the labeled probes were hybridized to the microarray and the results were obtained by a laser scanner and analyzed by the SAM software.Results The gene expression profile data revealed that the response of Y.pestis to berberine was a global phenomenon.A total of 360 genes changed significantly.Among them,333 genes were up-regulated,27 down-regulated.These differentially expressed genes were further classified into 24 different functional categories based on the genomie annotation of Y.pestis CO92,in which the number of mainly related genes were 83,75 and 48,including cell envelop,unkown,transport/binding proteins functions.The 40 genes related to the metabolism were upregulated,which was a remarkable change.Conclusion Our results have revealed the general gene expression changes of Y.pestis in response to berberine and demonstrated the antibacterial molecular mechanism of the Coptis rhizome.The major mechanism of Y.pestis in response to berberine is the upregulation of genes related to the metabolism.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of human urinary kallidinogenase in patients with acute cerebral infarction and explore the mechanism by blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI). Methods twenty-three patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomized into control group (n=11) and treatment group (n=12) to receive conventional treatment and additional human urinary kallidinogenase treatment for 12 to 14 days, respectively. BOLD-fMRI was performed, and the affected forefinger muscle strength and NIHSS score were recorded before and after the treatment. Results In the treatment group, the activated frequency and volume in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) ipsilateral to the infarct increased significantly after the treatment (11/12 vs 4/12; 99.58±169.41 vs 105.17±197.23, P<0.05). The inerernent in the activated volume in the SMC was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group (94.42±51.57 vs 16.09±106.61, P<0.05). The forefinger muscle strength and NIHSS score in the treatment group improved significantly after treatment (2.67±1.44 vs 1.25±1.48; 4.92±2.94 vs 10.42±3.80, P<0.05), and the improvement in NIHSS score was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group (5.50±1.31 vs 3.18±2.48, P<0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of human urinary kallidinogenase on acute cerebral infarction is mediated essentially by promoting the activation in the SMC in the functional area of the brain.