Pulmonary hypertension is a cardiovascular disease characterized by persistent elevation of pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, causing pulmonary vascular remodeling. Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway involved in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular, neurological and tumor diseases mainly by regu-lating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. TTiis paper mainly reviews the molecular mechanism of Notch signaling path way involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling, contributing to provide a new strategy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUNDTumor necrosis factor a receptor 1 (TNFalphaR1) plays an important role in the signal pathway of apoptosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of TNFalphaR1 knockout on the up-regulation of erythropoietin receptor (Epo-R) and the coordinated anti-apoptosis functions during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

METHODSThe ischemia-reperfusion injury model for cardiomyocytes was performed by ligating the left circumflex branch artery of TNFalphaR1 knockout (P55(-/-)) C17 B6 mice, as well as wild-type (P55(+/+)) C17 B6 mice. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed to observe the damaged area of the heart. TUNEL staining and DNA fragmentation were used to identify apoptosis. Mitochondrial Bcl-2 and Bax as well as expression of Epo-R and its downstream genes (Jak-2, stat-5, Akt, IkB-alpha, HIF-1alpha) were measured by Western blotting. The gene knockout mice were assigned into those undergoing the apoptosis surgical model group (KO group), and those subjected to sham operation (KOs group). Similarly, wild-type mice were either exposed to the surgical model (WT group) or subject to a sham operation (WTs group).

RESULTSThe myocardial damage ratio of the wild-type group after the operation was significantly higher than that of the knockout group, (50.5 +/- 6.4)% vs (36.9 +/- 6.9)%, P < 0.01. Similarly, TUNEL positive ratio of the wild-type group was significantly higher than that of the knockout group, (63.1 +/- 5.6)% vs (42.1 +/- 4.7)%, P < 0.01. The gray value ratios of Epo-R, Jak-2, stat-5, Akt, IkB-alpha, HIF-1 and mitochondrial Bcl-2 in the KO group were significantly higher than those of the WT group, P < 0.05; however, mitochondrial Bax was significantly lower than that of the WT group significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUsing the ischemia-reperfusion injury model in mice, cardiomyocytes of TNFalphaR1 knockouts exhibited anti-apoptotic characteristics. This information could be used to coordinate the prevention of myocardial apoptosis by up-regulating and activating the Epo-R pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Disease Models, Animal ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; In Vitro Techniques ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Oncogene Protein v-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Erythropoietin ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the sonographic features of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) and to evaluate the clinical significance of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) in PTL. Methods: A total of 24 patients with suspected PTL in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from January 2013 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. All cases were confirmed by pathology, of them 23 patients received US-CNB and 1 patient chose operation without US-CNB, including 5 males and 19 females, aged from 39 to 75 years old. The effectiveness and safety of 23 patients with US-CNB were evaluated, and the sonographic features of 20 patients with PTL diagnosed by pathology were analyzed. Descriptive statistical methods were used in the study. Results: In the 23 patients with suspected PTL underwent US-CNB, 18 patients were diagnosed as PTL, 4 patients were respectively diagnosed as subacute thyroiditis, anaplastic carcinoma, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and fibro thyroiditis, and the another patient was hard to diagnose by US-CNB and then was diagnosed as PTL by surgical biopsy. The success rate of US-CNB for diagnosis of PTL was 18/19, and no severe complications occurred in the patients with US-CNB. The other case was diagnosed as PTL by surgical biopsy without US-CNB. Sonographic features of 20 cases with PTL (18 cases diagnosed by US-CNB and 2 cases by surgery or surgery biopsy) were as follows: (1) Most nodules had irregular shapes and unsmooth margins; (2) Hypoechoic or markedly hypoechoic nodules with honeycombed or cord structures were observed in most cases; (3) Calcification was rare; (4) Multiple lesions were common; (5) Abundant intralesional vascularization was commonly observed; (6) Most cases had intensification of posterior acoustic enhancement; (7) Thyroid gland enlargement or with irregular shape; and (8) PTL often accompanied with lymph nodes enlargement in lateral neck or central region. Conclusion: PTL has certain sonographic features, with assistance of US-CNB, more accurate diagnosis of PTL can be obtained.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle ; Female ; Humans ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Lymphoma/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Thyroid Nodule ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

The viability and life span of pollen were evaluated by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazlium chloride) and the peroxidase solution, the stigma receptivity were estimated by benzidine-H2O2 method and the fruiting characteristics were investigated. The results showed that (1) Anoectochilus roxburghii and A. formosanus appeared the same up-and-down trend of the pollen viability, increased and then decreased. The storage temperature and storage time had significant impact on the pollen viability. With the extension of storage time, the pollen activity decreased. 4 degrees C refrigerator storage may be extended the pollen vitality. (2) The stigma had receptivity in 1st day and reached the highest level in the 4th day after blooming. A. roxburghii lost receptivity in the 8th day while A. formosanus lost receptivity in the 10th day after blooming. (3) The different pollination had significant impact on seed setting rate. The seed setting rate of artificial cross-pollination was higher than that of the artificial self-pollination. Collecting pollen in the 3rd day and carrying out artificial cross-pollination in the 4th day after blooming can significantly improve seed setting rate. The results provided technical assurance for A. roxburghii and A. formosanus breeding of new varieties and seed breeding.
Cell Survival ; China ; Flowers ; physiology ; Fruit ; growth & development ; Orchidaceae ; growth & development ; physiology ; Pollen ; growth & development ; Reproduction ; Temperature

Objective To study the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields(PEMFs)of 15Hz and lmT on osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Methods The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro,the third passage cells were harvested and half of them was exposed to PEMFs,another half exposed to sham PEMFs served as the control.The activity of ALP was measured.And the ex- pression of osteoblast and adipogenesis was measured with the semi-quantitative RT-PCR,adipogenic differentiation was observed with the Oil Red O Staining.Results When compared with the control,PEMFs of 15 Hz and 1 mT significantly increased the activity of ALP(P

In this study, the processes of pollination ecology of Fritillaria delavayi were investigated to document its reproductive characteristics. Some individuals of F. delavayi could produce seeds under bagging without emasculation (11%), but the rate was significantly lower than that of the natural control (87%). It is suggesting that pollination of F. delavayi largely depends on pollen vectors. Bombus sushikini was the only effective pollinator of F. delavayi and the visitation frequency was 0.003 time xXflower(-1) x min(-1). Flowering of F. delavayi in whole population lasted for 35 d and single flower for 11 d. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity lasted for 9 d and were relatively long compared with other Fritillaria genus plants. Consequently, bumblebee pollination and long floral longevity seem to be important for reproductive assurance of F. delavayi in harsh alpine environments.
Animals ; Bees ; physiology ; Fritillaria ; physiology ; Pollen ; physiology ; Pollination

Compared with living spray method, it focused on the investigation of different inoculation methods, various inoculation concentration and the influence of different seeding age on soft rot-resistance in Jinxianlian. The results showed that (1) Inoculated with dropping connection, the difference of disease index between A. roxburghii and A. formosanus was grate, so that the disease-resistance could be obviously distinguished. (2) When the inoculation concentration was 1.0 x 10(7) cfu x mL(-1), the difference of disease index was relatively obvious and the disease-resistance could be differentiated well. (3) At the moment of 4-month seeding inoculation, a certain difference of the disease index between A. roxburghii and A. formosanus was existed, so, relatively, it could accurately reflect the resistance difference between various species. With the inoculation of dropping connection, A. roxburghii and A. formosanus of 4-month seeding age was put in the bacteria suspension of inoculation concentration of 1.0 x 10(7) cfu x mL(-1). The identification was taken up after 5 days in the incubator under the condition of 14 h daylight and 28 degrees C. The identification result was conformed with that of the living spray method. To investigate the identification method of in vitro evaluation of soft rot-resistance of Jinxianlian so as to provide the foundation for germplasm utilization and excellent cultivars breeding.
Plant Diseases ; microbiology

The mycelium growth and sporulation in different temperature, pH value and light conditions were detected by using the crossing and haemocytometer method. The toxicity of five fungicides to Fusarium oxysporum was tested by mycelia growth method, so as to provide the reference for prevention and control against F. oxysporum. The optimum temperature and pH value of F. oxysporum to grow and spore were 28 degrees C and 6-7. Alternating light and darkness promoted growth and sporulation of bacterial colony. As for five fungicides, the EC50 of tebuconazole was 10.02 mg x L(-1), 92.50 times as much as carbendazim. The EC50 of myclobutanil and Fuxing was 91.23, 96.68 mg x L(-1), respectively. Tebuconazole showed the most tremendous inhibitory effect and control efficiency on F. oxysporum.
Fungicides, Industrial ; pharmacology ; Fusarium ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Mycelium ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Orchidaceae ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Spores, Fungal ; drug effects ; growth & development

BACKGROUND: Whether ceramic alloy can be reused after casting depends on its chemical composition, microstructure, castability, as well as mechanical property. However, the effects of recasting on the composition and microstructure of Ni-Cr ceramic alloys are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of recasting on the composition and microstructure of Ni-Cr ceramic alloys. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: In vitro materials observation. The experiment was performed at the Department of Prosthodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Instrumentation Analysis and Measurement Center, Fuzhou University, from June to August 2007. MATERIALS: The Ni-Cr ceramic alloys were recast 6 times in argon protection to obtain testing sample with diameter of 30.0 mm, thickness of 1.0 mm and side length of 10.0 mm, thickness of 1.0 mm, namely generation I VI. Simultaneously, the sample produced by initial alloy was called generation 0. METHODS: The original alloy and each generation square plates were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis. The microstructure and the phase structure of original alloy and each generation castings which had been polished by buffing machine were observed and analyzed by metallographic microscope and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Contents of chemical composition, shrinkage cavity, porosity and inclusion, and distribution of XRD patterns. RESULTS: The results of XRF indicated that there were no significant difference on the main composition (Ni, Cr, Mo, Al, Be) among the Ni-Cr ceramic alloys multiple recast 0-6 times in argon protection and accorded with the demands. The metallographic structure of Ni-Cr ceramic alloys were dendritic eutectic structure, but the size of dendritic crystal grain in the casting coarsening, shrinkage cavity, porosity and inclusion gradually increased, with the increase of multiple recast times. The phase structure of Ni-Cr ceramic alloys were Ni-base solid solution (face-centered cubic lattice structure) and the chromium was widely distributed in the nickel base. There were neither significant difference of phase structure nor the new phase structure appeared among the Ni-Cr ceramic alloys multiple recast 0-6 times. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference of main composition and phase structure between original alloy and each generation castings in argon protection. With the increase of recast times, the size of dendritic crystal coarsening, shrinkage cavity, porosity and inclusion gradually increased.

Nine morphologic traits, plant height, ground diameter, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area of plant, leaf fresh weight, blades, length/width ratio, plant fresh weight of Anoectochilus roxburghii from 13 different areas were determined for correlation analysis, path analysis and principal components analysis. Different source of morphological trait variation coefficient of A. roxburghii was 2.96% -12.59%, plant fresh weight was significant positively correlated with ground diameter, plant height and leaf number, and positively correlated with leaf fresh weight. Path analysis showed that plant height had the largest positive direct effect on plant fresh weight, the leaf fresh weight and blades number had indirect effects on the plant fresh weight. Through principal component analysis, morphological traits of A. roxburghii can be divided into "Determinants of high-yielding morphology" and "Determinants of leaf production". In the actual process of production and breeding of A. roxburghii, we should pay attention to plant height, leaf fresh weight, blades numbers and other traits.
China ; Orchidaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; Phenotype ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development