Adenosine receptors (AR) play an important role in the regulation processes for body temperature and vigilance states. During our previous studies, we noticed that aminophylline (a non-selective, blood-brain-barrier penetrably AR antagonist) could attenuate the effects of YZG-330 [(2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl-5-(6-(((R)-1-phenylpropyl)amino)-9H-purin-9-yl)tetrahydrofuran-3, 4-diol] on lowering the body temperature. Hereby, we focused ourselves on the character of thermal regulation effect of YZG-330 in mice and tried to specify the receptor subtype via giving typical adenosine receptor antagonists. The results showed that both of the magnitude and lasting time of the effect that YZG-330 played on decreasing body temperature are in a dose-dependent manner: within the next 3 hour after intragastric administration (ig) of 0.25, 1 or 4 mg . kg-1 YZG-330, the extreme values on body temperature decreasing were (1.2 ± 0.3) °C, (3.6 ± 0.4) °C (P<0.001) and (7.4±0.5) °C (P<0.001), separately; whereas the duration that body temperature below 34 °C were 0, (10±5) and (153±4) min, separately. Adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) antagonist (DPCPX) could effectively reverse YZG-330's effect on decreasing body temperature, with intraperitoneal administration of DPCPX (5 mg . kg-1) 20 min prior than YZG-330 (4 mg.kg-1, ig), the extreme value on body temperature decreasing was (3.5 ± 0.7) °C (P<0.001), the duration that body temperature below 34 °C was (8±6) min (P<0.001). However, adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, SCH-58261, did not show any influence on the effects of YZG-330 at all. Combined with the fact that 8-SPT (a non-selective, blood-brain-barrier impenetrably AR antagonist) did not reverse the effect of YZG-330, we come to the conclusion that central-adenosine A, receptor plays a significant role on the thermal regulation effect of YZG-330.
Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Body Temperature Regulation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Adenosine A1 ; physiology ; Triazoles ; pharmacology ; Xanthines ; pharmacology

Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangiopericytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hemangiosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leiomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rhabdoid Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Urinary Bladder ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the role of cerebral state index(CSI),burst suppression (BS)and electromyograph(EMG)in monitoring coma/consciousness depth and damage degree of brain. Methods CSM was done in 50 cases with brain injury and coma to analyze its relation with physical reflection,auditory evoked potential(AEP),Glasgow coma score(GCS)and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS).Results As scale range meaning from consciousness to deep coma and to brain death,CSI 0- 100 was positively correlated with coma depth,coma score of GCS and physical reflection.CSI changes under invariable ache stimulation in combination with BS and EMG can accurately estimate prognosis and quantify changes of brain function.Conclusions The quantifiable digit of coma/consciousness depth and damage degree in brain function by CSM can attain real time judgment of dynamic evolvement course of coma and objective guide clinical therapy and assure prognosis,as will change absolutely scoring coma/ consciousness depth and prognosis under current state of artificial diversity and lacking objective evi- dences.

BACKGROUNDAlthough clinical treatment for heart failure and sudden death has been improved over the last few decades, the morbidity and mortality of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have increased. So a better understanding of the underlying molecular events leading to DCM is urgent. Persistent viral infection (especially coxsackievirus group B3) of the myocardium in viral myocarditis and DCM has never been neglected by experts. Recent data indicate that the up-regulation of coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) in viral cardiomyopathy contributes to viral infection as a key factor in the pathogenesis of this disease. This study aimed to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of CAR in DCM by the bioinformatic method.

METHODSWe identified the clusters of genes co-expressed with CAR by clustering algorithm based on the public available microarray dataset of DCM (Kittleson, et al. 2005), and mapped these genes into the protein-protein interaction networks to investigate the interaction relationship to each other at the protein level after confirming that the samples are characterized by the cluster of genes in correctly partitioning.

RESULTSThe gene cluster GENESET 11 containing 33 genes including CAR with similar expression pattern was identified by cluster algorithm, of which 19 genes were found to have interaction information of the protein encoded by them in the current human protein interaction database. Especially, 12 genes present as critical nodes (called HUB node) at the protein level are involved in energy metabolism, signal transduction, viral infection, immuno-response, cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, tissue repair, etc.

CONCLUSIONSThe genes in GENESET 11 together with CAR may play a pathogenic role in the development of DCM, mainly involved in the mechanism of energy metabolism, signal transduction, viral infection, immuno-response, cell apoptosis and tissue repair.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; etiology ; Computational Biology ; Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein ; Humans ; Multigene Family ; Receptors, Virus ; genetics ; physiology

Biomarkers ; analysis ; Child ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Wilms Tumor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo use a new kind of fixing material, i.e. Sol-Gel organic-inorganic hybridized material to immobilize bacterium to detect Biochemical oxygen demand quickly.

METHODSThe biosensor was fabricated using a thin film in which Hansenula anomala was immobilized by sol-gel and an oxygen electrode. The optimum measurement for biochemical oxygen demand was at pH 7.0; 28 degrees C; response time 3 - 12 min. Pure organic compound, sewage and rate of recovery were detected with the biosensor.

RESULTSIt shows that the BOD biosensor can be used to detect many organic compounds such as amino acid, glucide. It is suitable to monitor sewage and industrial waste water which has low level alcohols and phenols. The microbial membrane can work 3 months and remain its 70% activity. It is measured that the rate of recovery of BOD is between 90% to 105% in sewage.

CONCLUSIONThe study confirmed the effectiveness and usefulness of BOD sensor, which is quick, convenient, low cost and reliable with little interference.

Bacteria ; Biosensing Techniques ; instrumentation ; Cells, Immobilized ; Gels ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nylons ; Oxygen ; analysis ; Sewage ; analysis ; microbiology

Objective To design and manufacture a Shenmen point electronic stimulator and determine its therapeutic effects for insomnia and anxiety.Methods The stimulator was composed of a single point electrode unit and an electronic stimulation generator.The single point electrode unit consisted of a circular transdermal patch and two circular electrodes which was used for precision stimulation on Shenmen point.The electronic stimulation generator released low-frequency square-wave pulse current based on specific parameters to treat the examinees with insomnia and anxiety.The curative effect of the stimulator was tested by Hamilton rating scale for anxiety and evaluation on improved sleeping.Results The stimulator executed precision stimulation based on specific requirements on the point.30-min treatment with the stimulator before sleeping in 10 d contributed to significantly decreasing Hamilton rating scores for anxiety and improving sleeping quality.Conclusion The stimulator markedly attenuates anxiety and insomnia,and can be a convenient,effective and safe choice for adjunctive therapy of insomnia and anxiety.

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of TCR V alpha gene repertoire and clonal expansion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 9 donors and 16 workers exposed to benzene.

METHODSComplementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of TCR V alpha subfamily genes were amplified using RT-PCR. The PCR products were further analyzed by genescan to evaluate clonality of T cells.

RESULTSAlmost all of 29 V alpha subfamily could be detected in 9 donors. 1 approximately 11 V alpha subfamilies were identified in all but one of the workers studied. The most frequently expressed V alpha subfamily were V alpha 3, V alpha 12 and V alpha 19 (68.8%), V alpha 14 (56.3%), with a lower expression rate found in V alpha 5, V alpha 15, V alpha 16, V alpha 22, V alpha 23 and V alpha 24 (6.3%). Clonal expansion T cells in one or more V alpha subfamily were found in 12 out of all workers studied, including oligoclonal, oligoclonal trend and biclonal patterns. The frequency of clonal expansion T cells in V alpha 12, V alpha 14 and V alpha 19 subfamilies were higher than others.

CONCLUSIONSkewed distribution and clonal expansion of TCR V alpha subfamily T cells could be found in workers exposed to benzene. V alpha 12, V alpha 14 and V alpha 19 subfamilies may be highly sensitive to benzene exposed. This is the first report of clonal expansion TCR V alpha T cells in the benzene-exposed group. The bias pattern of TCR V alpha T cells may be due to the immune cytotoxicity from benzene. However, whether the oligoclonality in some V alpha subfamilies reflect the phenomenon of clone absence or may be a response clone to benzene-related impairment during exposed to benzene, remains an open question.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Complementarity Determining Regions ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the T cell subsets and blood cells in the peripheral blood of workers exposed to low levels of benzene for one year, and to investigate the relationship between T cell function impairment and benzene-induced hematopoietic injury after benzene exposure.

METHODSEighty-eight workers (58 males and 30 females, aged 18 ∼ 22 years) who just began to work in the workshop of a paint factory with exposure to benzene in Guangzhou, China were assigned to experimental group, and 88 workers (58 males and 30 females, aged 18 ∼ 25 years) who worked in the workshop without exposure to benzene were selected as controls. The blood samples of the workers were examined once every 4 months to measure the percentages of peripheral T cell subsets and peripheral blood cell counts in the one-year study. The benzene concentrations at operation points were also measured.

RESULTSThe peripheral blood cell counts in the benzene-exposed workers had no significant changes in the first and second examinations; the white blood cell (WBC) counts in the experimental group in the third and fourth examinations were significantly lower than that in the control group [(6.4 ± 3.0)×10(9)/L and (6.3 ± 2.7)×10(9)/L vs (7.3 ± 3.0)×10(9)/L, P < 0.05], and the platelet (PLT) count in the experimental group in the fourth examination was also significantly lower than that in the control group[(179 ± 74)×10(9)/L vs (189 ± 70)×10(9)/L, P < 0.05]. Compared with those in the control group (CD4+: 54.29 ± 12.78%, CD8+: 37.25 ± 12.30%), the percentage of CD3+ T cells in the experimental group increased in the third examination; the percentage of CD4+ T cells in the experimental group decreased continuously in the second, third, and fourth examinations (50.77 ± 11.05%, 45.40 ± 9.41%, and 41.27 ± 10.62%), while the percentage of CD8+ T cells in the experimental group kept increasing (46.07 ± 10.18%, 50.36 ± 10.62%, and 56.40 ± 9.41%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe change in T cell subsets precedes that in the blood system in the workers exposed to low levels of benzene.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Benzene ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Yijingfang on CatSper1 in the mouse model of cyclophosphamide-induced oligoasthenospermia.

METHODSForty Kunming male mice were randomly divided into a control group (CG), a model group (MG), a small-dose Yijingfang group (SG), and a large-dose Yijingfang group (LG). The mice of CG were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline at 60 mg/kg once a day, while those of MG, SG and LG with cyclophosphamide, all for 5 days. During the next 34 days, the mice of SG and LG received intragastric administration of Yijingfang once a day, the former at a dose 2 times and the latter 5 times that of human routine usage, those of MG given the same volume of normal saline, and CG normally fed. At 35 days, we measured the sperm count, percentages of grades a + b and a + b + c sperm, and the expression of CatSper1 in the epididymal sperm of the mice.

RESULTSThe sperm counts of CG, MG, SG and LG were (5.20 +/- 1.34), (1.73 +/- 0.03), (2.08 +/- 0.01) and (3.31 +/- 0.56) x 10(6)/ml, respectively, significantly lower in MG than in CG (P < 0.05), but higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05). The grade a + b sperm constituted (14.49 +/- 0.30), (6.64 +/- 1.88), (11.99 +/- 1.01) and (19.40 +/- 3.13)% in CG, MG, SG and LG, respectively, remarkably lower in MG than in CG (P < 0.05) but higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05); the grade a + b + c sperm accounted for (68.39 +/- 15.13), (39.96 +/- 4.89), (62.28 +/- 4.43) and (73.61 +/- 5.05)%, respectively, obviously lower in MG than in CG (P < 0.05) but higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05); the CatSper1 expressions were 0.76 +/- 0.05, 0.73 +/- 0.03, 0.75 +/- 0.12 and 0.85 +/- 0.04, respectively, markedly higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide decreases the sperm count, percentages of grades a + b and a + b + c sperm, and the expression of CatSper1 in mice, while large-dose Yijingfang can increase the above parameters, and hence contributes to the treatment of oligoasthenospermia.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Sperm Motility ; Sperm Tail ; drug effects ; metabolism