OBJECTIVETo investigate the influences of ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation on protective effects of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri against rat's cerebral ischemia.

METHODSUsing dexamethasone (im.) and ligating common carotid artery, the rat stasis model combined transient cerebral ischemia was established to evaluate the effects of the ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation through detecting antioxidant system and other indexes in brain tissue.

RESULTSThe results showed that the 6 g/kg water extract(crude drug), ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri could upgrade adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and degrade malondialdehyde(MDA) and water content of brain tissue in rat stasis model combined transient cerebral ischemia, the water extract and ultrafiltration of them could degrade lactic acid (LD) of brain tissue, and the effects of alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri become weaker than water extract of them.

CONCLUSIONThe water extract, ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri have some protective effects on cerebral ischemia in rats, the effective differences of the extract through the same extraction method are not remarkable, and alcohol precipitation method has obvious influences effect on Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri.

Alcohols ; chemistry ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Brain ; drug effects ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Ultrafiltration

Objective To investigate the inhibition effect of Minocycline on hippocampal microglia in epileptic rats. Methods Forty male SD rats were equally randomized into normal saline control group (NS), penicillin inducement group, Minocycline post-treatment group and Minocycline pre-treatment group (n=10). Rat epilepsy models in the later 3 groups were induced by intraperitoneal injection of penicillin G at a dosage of 740 million to 7.6 million units/kg. The level of hippocampal microglia in rats of the 4 groups on the 1st and 3rd d of inducement was detected by immunofluorescence and the tumor growth factor-α (TNF-α) protein level was detected by Western blotting on the 1st and 3rd d of inducement. Results Seizure could activate microglia. As compared with those in rats of the penicillin inducement group, the activation and hyperplasia of microglia in the hippoeampus in rats of the minoeyeline post- and pre-treatment groups were obviously inhibited on the 1st and 3rd d of inducement (P≤0.05), and the effects were much obvious in the pretreatment group. The level of TNF-α protein in the penicillin inducement group, minoeycline post- and pre-treatment groups was significantly higher than that in the NS group on the 1st and 3rd d of inducement (P≤0.05); as compared with that in the penicillin inducement group, the level of TNF-α protein in the minocycline post- and pre-treatment groups decreased significantly on the 1st and 3rd of inducement (P≤0.05), especially that in the pretreatment group. Conclusion Minocycline can effectively inhibit the activation and hyperplasia of hippocampal microglia and the releasing of inflammatory factor TNF-αt in epileptic rats.

OBJECTIVETo appraise the effect of single- and two-layer Percoll density gradient centrifugation in sperm separation.

METHODSTwenty semen specimens underwent single-(50%) and two-layer (90% and 45%) density gradient centrifugation, respectively. The sperm class analyzer (SCA) was used to analyze sperm density, motility and dynamic parameters and round cell density before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter separation, the sperm recovery rate of the single-layer method was (65.5 +/- 12.8)%, significantly higher than that of the two-layer method (P < 0.01). The percentages of grade a sperm of the single- and two-layer method were significantly higher than pre-treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), that of the single-layer was significantly lower than that of the two-layer method (P < 0.05), but the percentage of grade c sperm of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter (P < 0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, the percentage of grade a + b sperm of the two-layer method was significantly higher (P < 0.05), while that of the single-layer method showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), and the round cell density of both the methods was significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), with no significant differences between the two methods (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe single-layer method yields a higher rate of sperm recovery and causes little change in the sperm motility, while the two-layer method effects a lower rate and significantly improves sperm motility. Both the methods can efficiently separate sperm from round cells, and each has its own advantages and its application value in in vitro treatment of sperm.

Cell Separation ; methods ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Povidone ; Silicon Dioxide ; Sperm Count ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atrial Appendage ; diagnostic imaging ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; physiopathology ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; physiopathology ; Thromboembolism ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Pinelliae Rhizoma with different matching proportions and doses on their analgic, anti-inflammatory, phlegm eliminating and cough relieving efficacies in mice.

METHODThe two-factor, seven-level uniform design method was adopted to observe the effect of the oral administration with the combined decoction on the analgic, anti-inflammatory, phlegm eliminating and cough relieving efficacies, with frequency of body torsions induced by acetum, ear swelling degree induced by dimethylbenzene, secretion of phenol red in tracheas and frequency of coughs induced by aqueous ammonia as indexes. Significant matching proportions and doses were collected for verification.

RESULT(1) The effect on the frequency of body torsions and ear swelling degree. The combined decoction could effectively reduce the frequency of body torsions and ear swelling degree. According to a regression analysis, Aconiti Radix Cocta and Pinelliae Rhizoma had the antagonism, which was maximized at the ratio of 10: 1, and minimized at the ratio of less than or equal to 1: 1. The frequency of body torsions and ear swelling degree increased first and then decreased along with the rise in the total dose; and a higher proportion of Aconiti Radix Cocta resulted in a faster speed in decrease or increase. (2) The effect on the secretion of phenol red in tracheas and frequency of coughs. The combined decoction could effectively increase the secretion of phenol red in tracheas and decrease the frequency of coughs. According to a regression analysis, Pinelliae Rhizoma and Aconiti Radix Cocta had the synergistic effect in the secretion of phenol red in tracheas, which was maximized with a total dose of more than 5 g x kg(-1) and a ratio of 1: 1.

CONCLUSIONThe compatible application of Pinelliae Rhizoma and Aconiti Radix Cocta can decrease the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Aconiti Radix Cocta and promote the cough-relieving effect of Pinelliae Rhizoma, which vary according to different matching ratio and dose. This study provides experimental basis for indepth studies on the combined effect of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Pinelliae Rhizoma--two of eighteen incompatible pairs.

Aconitum ; Animals ; Cough ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pinellia ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Research Design

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the roles of plasma mast cell carboxypeptidase and chymase in the diagnosis of allergic diseases by measuring the contents of both in children.

METHODSA total of 59 children with allergic diseases and 53 healthy children were recruited into the study. Plasma levels of mast cell carboxypeptidase and chymase were measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of mast cell carboxypeptidase and chymase in children with allergic children were 1.089 ± 0.752 ng/mL and 0.905(0.375-2.318) ng/mL, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in healthy children [0.593 ± 0.380 ng/mL and 0.454 (0.097-1.077) ng/mL respectively; P<0.05]. There was a significantly positive correlation between plasma mast cell carboxypeptidase and chymase levels in children with allergic diseases (r=0.684, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPlasma levels of mast cell carboxypeptidase and chymase increase in children with allergic diseases, suggesting that mast cell carboxypeptidase and chymase may serve as the indexes for the diagnosis of allergic diseases.

Adolescent ; Carboxypeptidases ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chymases ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mast Cells ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the trends in mortality of esophageal cancer and explore the effects of age, period and cohort on esophageal cancer mortality rate in Linzhou city in 1986 - 2010, and predict the mortality of esophageal cancer in 2016 - 2020.

METHODSAll of the esophageal cancer-attributed deaths in 1986 - 2010 were drawn from the database in Center of Cancer and Vita Statistics in Henan Province. The numbers of the death cases and population were tabulated into 5-year age groups and 5-year period groups for each sex and linked each other. The age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated by direct standardization to the Chinese population structure in 1982. Intrinsic estimator model (IE model)was used to perform the age-period-cohort analysis and estimate the corresponding parameters. Age effect, period effect and cohort effect on esophageal cancer mortality rate was plotted separately. The mortality of esophageal cancer during 2016 - 2020 was predicted according to the parameters by that model.

RESULTSA total of 15432 cases died from esophageal cancer in Linzhou city in1986 - 2010. The overall crude mortality rate was 63.89 per 100, 000. Among men, the age-adjusted mortality rate was 109.66 per 100, 000 during 1986-1990 and decreased to 60.59 per 100, 000 during 2006 - 2010. For women, the age-adjusted mortality rate decreased from 74.72 per 100, 000 to 39.05 per 100, 000 at the same two calendar periods. The IE model showed that age effect was remarkable, the period effect was stable and the cohort effect decreased greatly. The predicted mortality of over 30-years old population during 2016 - 2020 is 1501 for men and 1083 for women. Compared with 2006 - 2010 period the mortality will be decreased by 6.71% and 11.08%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe mortality rate of esophageal cancer in Linzhou city shows a decreasing trend during the period of 1986 - 2010. This trend is mainly attributed to the cohort effect. The predicted mortality in the future will decrease continually.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; trends

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of semen-derived enhancer of virus infection (SEVI) on the infection of transmitted/founder (TF) HIV-1 and its matched chronic control (CC) viruses and the antagonism of ADS-J1 on SEVI-mediated enhancement of TF and CC virus infection in vitro.

METHODSPAPself-assembling into SEVI amyloid fibrils was validated by ThT assay. We generated the virus stocks of TF and CC virus pair. TZM-bl cells were infected with the mixture of SEVI and TF or CC viruses for 72 h. Luciferase activity was used to observe the enhancement of SEVI. SEVI was treated with different concentrations of ADS-J1 and incubated with TF or CC viruses. TZM-bl cells were then infected with the mixture and luciferase activity was detected 72 h after infection to analyze the antagonism of ADS-J1 on the enhancing effect of SEVI. ADS-J1 was also incubated with TF and CC viruses directly and TZM-bl cells were infected for 72 h to evaluate the antiviral effect using luciferase assay. SEVI was treated with ADS-J1 and Zeta potential was determined to explore the antagonistic mechanism of ADS-J1.

RESULTSThT assay showed that PAPwas capable of self-assembly into SEVI amyloid fibrils. SEVI significantly accelerated TF and CC viruses infection (P<0.05), and ADS-J1 not only significantly antagonized the enhancement of SEVI (P<0.05) but also directly inhibited the infection of TF and CC viruses (P<0.05). ADS-J1 neutralized the positive charge of SEVI in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSSEVI promotes the infection of TF and CC strains, and ADS-J1 antagonizes SEVI-mediated enhancement of TF and CC viruses by neutralizing the positive charge of SEVI.

To discuss the application of complex networks models in preventing and controlling communicable disease, analyze and control the spread of infectious diseases by using the models and the software of complex networks based on its basic properties. Compared with conventional epidemiological approach, the complex networks theory, as a new theory, not only can describe the dynamic process of infections diseases spreading but also forecast the situation of infectious disease. The influence of the network's topology on the infections diseases transmission can be deeply understood through the research on disease spreading by its theory, so to control the spread of diseases. Complex networks theory approach can be used in epidemiological research for having much advantage compared with those conventional epidemiological approaches.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of metoprolol on the expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2 (GRK2) in lymphocyte of advanced elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODS32 elderly patients with chronic heart failure were divided into control group and metoprolol group, 16 each. Conventional therapy was used in the control group, conventional therapy plua metoprolol was used in metoprolol group. The treatment courses were 8 weeks in both groups.

RESULTSLeft ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction were not different between the two groups. Lymphocyte GRK2 mRNA level in metoprolol group was lower than that in control group.

CONCLUSIONMetoprolol can inhibit the expression of GRK2 in lymphocyte of advanced elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Metoprolol ; pharmacology