Animals ; Antitussive Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Mice

Background & Objective: Early life stresses, such as social isolation, have lasting effects on the development of emotion and behavior, in which vasopressin plays important roles. This study aimed to assess the possible association of central release of vasopressin with social isolation. Methods: The social isolation model was performed in male mice who endured 6-week social isolation after weaning. Vasopressin expression in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) was measured with immunohistochemistry. Released vasopressin from PVN was measured with radioimmunoassay. Results: Vasopressin immunoreactive cells number decreased in the PVN, medial parvocellular division in social isolation-reared mice, compared to the group-reared counterparts. Social isolation decreased short social exposure-induced vasopressin release from PVN. Isolation-reared mice exhibited anxiogenic profile and difficulty in social recognition. Conclusions: This study provides new evidence for the important role of vasopressin in the development of emotional and social behaviors.

Objective To investigate the effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on the expression of brainderived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) and remyelination in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ( EAE).Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into UTI group (U),normal saline treated group (S) and normal control group (N,n = 8,respectively).Demyelinations in the spinal cord were observed by solochrome cyanin staining.The expression of BDNF,myelin basic protein (MBP),and 2',3 '-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) in brain tissue of each group were evaluated by Western blot.Results Average clinical scores in group U at the 12,13,14,22,23,31,33,34 and 35 days were 0,0.25,0.38,0.63,0.63,0.40,0.40,0.40 and 0.40 respectively.They were significantly lower than group S at the same time ( U= 16.00,15.00,14.50,7.50,0.00,14.50,14.50,12.00 and 14.50,all P ＜0.05).Solochrome cyanin staining showed that demyelination of spinal cord in group U was also significantly improved than group S.Expressions of BDNF ( 1.96 ± 0.29),MBP (2.67 ± 0.48 ) and CNP ( 1.75 ± 0.20) in group U were all significantly higher than group S ( There were 0.80 ± 0.15,1.36 ± 0.38 and 1.06 ± 0.18 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions UTI has protective effect on EAE.The possible mechanism is that it could promote remyelination,and protect oligodendrocytes and neurons in EAE model by increasing BDNF expression in brain.

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of internal fixation with Herbert screws for the treatment of Pipkin type I and type II femoral head fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2012, 23 patients with Pipkin type I and type II femoral head fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation by Herbert screws through Kocher-Langenbeck approach. Twenty-three patients (aged 18 to 52 years with a mean of 35.5 years, including 18 males and 5 females patients, 8 left hips and 15 right hips) with femoral head fractures and posterior hip dislocation. The fracture was classified according to Pipkin classification based on the radiographic findings, 5 patients had type I and 18 had type II fractures. The duration time from admission to the operation ranged from 6 to 72 h (averaged 32 h). The clinical and radiographic outcomes of the patients were measured using Thompson-Epstein scoring scale. The Harris hip score(HHS) was used to evaluate and compare hip functions at the latest follow-up between affected and healthy sides.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 20 to 48 months (averaged 30 months). According to Thompson-Epstein system, 12 patients got an excellent result, 6 good, 4 fair and 1 poor. The average HHS at the finial follow-up was 87.80 ± 8.46 (ranged from 66 to 95), which is similar to that in the healthy side 90.10 ± 6.35 (ranged from 72 to 98) (t = 1.044, P = 0.302). The complications such as deep infection, and deep vein thrombosis were not found. At the 3rd year during follow-up,4 patients had avascular necrosis of femoral head. At the 1st year of follow-up, 1 patient had hip pain after walking,screws loosening and shift after trauma,and serious complications of traumatic arthritis. All the 5 patients were treated with total hip arthroplasties.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of internal fixation with Herbert screws through the Kocher-Langenbeck approach is effective for Pipkin type I and type II femoral head fracture. The method is reliable and valuable for recommendation. However, such fracture may have avascular necrosis of femoral head and complication of traumatic arthritis, which should be observed carefully in clinic with preparation of the prevention and treatment measures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of panax quinquefolius saponin(PQS) on blood glucose, blood lipid and insulin sensitivity in patients of coronary heart disease (CHD) with blood glucose abnormality (BGA).

METHODSEighty-four patients of CHD with BGA, namely CHD patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), were randomly assigned to the PQS group (43 cases) and the control group (41 cases), all were treated with routine Western medicine, but to patients in the PQS group PQS was given orally for 4 successive weeks in addition. Levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were detected both before and after treatment, and insulin sensitive index (ISI) as well as the insulin resistance index and function of beta cells of homostasis model (Homa-IR and Homa-beta) were calculated accordingly.

RESULTSAfter treatment, FPG decreased predominantly in both groups (P < 0.01), and the decrement in the PQS group showed a greater trend (25.80 +/- 12.72) % vs (20.89 +/- 12.17) %, but with no statistical significance; no obvious change in levels of FINS, ISI and Homa-IR was found in two groups (P > 0.05). Homa-beta value, which showed insignificantly difference before treatment, increased markedly in the PQS group after treatment from 3.48 +/- 0.76 to 4.19 +/- 0.79 (P < 0.01), which was higher obviously than the unchanged value of Homa-beta in the control group (3.82 +/- 0.77, P < 0.05). There was also decreasing of TC and LDL-C levels after treatment in the PQS group (P < 0.05), and the TC level in the PQS group (1.17 +/- 0.54) mmol/L was significantly lower than that in the control group [(1.42 +/- 0.49) mmol/L, P < 0.05) after treatment.

CONCLUSIONCompared with using it alone, routine Western medicine treatment, by combining with PQS showed superiority in lowering FPG, could significantly decrease the levels of TC and LDL-C, and might improve the beta-cell function in patients of CHD with BGA. It showed no effect on insulin sensitivity of patients, in spite of in combining or not with PQS.

Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Saponins ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To analyse incidence of the severe complications of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy and the influence on the outcome of pregnancy.Methods A retrospective study of 4107 cases among 71 020 cases who delivered in hospitals from 1995 to 2004 in Guangzhou was conducted. Results The morbidity of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy was 5.78%,in which the morbidity of severe pre-eclampsia was 27.78% (1141/4107),of mitis pre-eclampsia was 72.22% (2966/4107). Maternal mortality rate was 0.19% (8/4107),and the specific mortality rate was 11.26/100 000.The proportion of severe complications of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy from high to low was as follows:placental abruption 1.68% (69/4107),DIC 1.36% (56/4107),hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy induced cardiopathy(induced cardiopathy) 1.05% (43/4107),renal failure 0.97% (40/4107),cerebrovascular accident 0.58% (24/4107),and hemolysis,elevated liver enzymes and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome 0.51% (21/4107).Mortality caused by severe complications of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy were as follows:cerebrovascular accident 17% (4/24),HELLP syndrome 10% (2/21),DIC 5% (3/56) and induced cardiopathy 2% (1/43).The proportion of perinatal mortality from severe complications were as follows:placental abruption 43% (33/77),HELLP syndrome 42% (10/ 24),DIC 34% (22/64),renal failure 25% (11/44),cerebro vascular accident 24% (6/25)and induced cardiopathy 16% (8/49).Conclusions (1) The morbidity of severe complications from high to low are: placental abruption,DIC,induced eardiopathy,renal failure,eerebro vascular accident and HELLP syndrome.(2) The main causes of mortality for gravida and puerperant are:cerebro vascular accident, HELLP syndrome,DIC and induced cardiopathy.(3) The major complications harmful to perinatal newborns are in the order of:placental abruption,HELLP syndrome,DIC,renal failure,eerebro vascular accident and induced cardiopathy.

Objective To investigate the effects of maternal long-term exposure to low-dose trichlorfon on the serum paraoxonase (PON) activity of pregnant mice and development of embryos. Methods Female ICR mice (n=120) were randomly divided into control group and trichlorfon groups of different doses,and were managed by intragastric injection with trichlorfon of 0,2,10 and 50mg/kg,respectively. All the mice were managed once a day for a consecutive of 27 days,and were subjected to mating. The pregnant mice were continued to be managed with trichlorfon for 3 days,and were sacrificed on day 3 of gestation. The serum PON and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activities were detected,and the development of embryos was evaluated. Results The serum PON activity of 2,10 and 50mg/kg trichlorfon group were (14.15?1.22),(12.78?1.80) and (10.45?1.95)IU/mL,respectively,and that of 50mg/kg trichlorfon group was significantly lower than that of control group [(13.37?2.31)IU/mL] (P0.05),while the the percentage of abnormal embryos of 50mg/kg trichlorfon group had an increased tendency. Conclusion Long-term exposure to low-dose trichlorfon can inhibit serum PON and AchE activity in pregnant mice without obvious effect on the development of embryos.

Objective To explore the mechanisms by which hydrogen sulfide (H2S) regulates collagen metabolism during hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6), hypoxia group (n = 6) and hypoxia+NaHS group(n= 6) H2S content in plasma was measured with spectrophotometry. The expression of collagen I was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) mRNA was detected with situ hybridization Results Compared with hypoxia group, H2S content in plasma increased significantly and the expressions of collagen I and TIMP-1 mRNA in pulmonary arteries were down- regulated in hypoxia + NaHS group. The H2S content in plasma negatively correlated with TIMP-I mRNA expression. Conclusions H2S increases the degradation of collagen in small and media pulmonary arteries of rats under hypoxia by decreasing the synthesis of TIMP-1, and therefore, attenuats the collagen remodeling in pulmonary arteries of hypoxic rats.

JNK is a key protein in the third stages of MAPK pro-tein kinase activation cascade,and is located in the key node of multiple signal transduction network.It plays a pivotal role in the cell proliferation,differentiation,apoptosis and some other important cell biological processes.Therefore it acts as an im-portant factor in regulating the development of some major human diseases,such as cancer.But the functional diversity and com-plexity of three JNK isoforms in different cell types make it diffi-
cult to develop anticancer drugs with JNK as a treatment target. In this review,we summarized the apoptotic signaling network of JNK and the regulation functions of JNK in cell apoptosis and proliferation.We also discuss the different functions of 3 JNK isoforms in human cancer.

It is difficult for regeneration of central nervous system (CNS) in adult mammals, and myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs) are believed to be major contributors. Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB), as a co-receptor of MAIs, and expresses highly in CNS after injury, plays a vital role in the signal transduction of inhibition in the injured CNS. Knockout or block of PirB in vitro and in vivo may promote the neuro-regeneration after spinal cord injury or hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, release the damage induced byβ-amyloid in Al-zheimer's disease, recover the neural function in brain inflammation models, improve the reconstruction of vision after optic nerve injury, and so on. PirB may be a potential therapeutic target for neuro-regeneration and synaptic plasticity.