Objective To investigate the effect of intermedin (IMD) on tubular cells apoptosis induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its associated mechanism.Methods A total of twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (control group, I/R group, empty plasmid group and IMD group). One week after the removal of right kidney, ultrasound plasmid was used to transfect empty or IMD plasmid into the left kidney. Renal I/R model was made by clasping the left renal artery for 45 minutes. Tubular cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL. Expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Fas was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Activity of caspase-8 and caspase-9 was evaluated with commercially available kits respectively.Protein level of caspase-3 was measured by Western blotting analysis. Results Compared with control group, apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells, expression of Bax and Fas, activities of caspase-8 and caspase-9, as well as protein level of caspase-3 were all significantly increased in I/R group (all P＜0.05). IMD pre-treatment significantly inhibited all these effects (all P＜0.05). There were no differences of above parameters between empty plasmid group and I/R group. Conclusion IMD pre-treatment protects against renal I/R injury by inhibion of tubular epithelial cell apoptosis.

Objective To explore the lymphcyte subsets distribution in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with HIV infection ,and to investigate the clinical significance of the lymphocyte subsets in cerebrospinal fluid in HIV central nervous system complication . Methods 34 patients with HIV infection ,including 20 patients without nervous system symptoms (simple HIV group) and 14 pa‐tients with nervous system symptoms (neurological HIV group) ,and 15 cases of healthy people (control group) were selected . Flow cytometry was used to detect lymphocyte subsets ,and immunoturbidimetry was used to detect the level of IgG in cerebrospinal fluid .Results The percentage of CD8+ T cells was higher and percentage of CD4+ T cells was lower in the simple HIV group and neurological HIV group than those in the healthy control ,with statistically significant differences (P<0 .01) .The level of IgG in pa‐tients with HIV infection was higher than that in the healthy control group (P<0 .01) .While no significant difference were found in the percentage of B cells and NK cells among the there group (P>0 .05) .There were also no significant differece between the sim‐ple HIV group and neurological HIV group in the ratio of each lymphcyte subset in cerebrospinal fluid (P>0 .05) .Conclusion The immune disorder in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with HIV infection may appear in the early time before the nervous system com‐plication .The changing trends of lymphocyte subsets are consistent with the peripheral blood ,which demonstrate that the T lym‐phocyte subsets may be correlated with the nervous system symptoms of HIV .

Objective To investigate the effect of adrenomedullin on rat renal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK-52E) apoptosis induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) injury and its mechanism.Methods NRK-52E cells were cultured and randomly allotted to the following 4 groups:control group,HR group,empty plasmid + HR group,ADM + HR group.NRK-52E cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-myc-his B empty vector or pcDNA3.1-ADM by transfection complex comprising optimal proportion of plasmid and Fugene HD reagents.Cells were counted by trypanblau and cell survival rate was computed.The concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected by spectrophotometric method to evaluate cell vitality.The apoptotic rate of NRK-52E cells was measured by flow cytometry.The transfer efficiency was detected by immunocytochemistry.The mRNA expressions of ADM,Bax,Bcl-2 and Fas were determined by Semi-quantitative RT-PCR,and active caspase-3,8,9 protein expression were examined by Western blotting.Results Compared with control group,the expression of ADM significantly increased in HR group (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of ADM significantly increased in ADM + HR group than that in empty plasmid + HR group.Compared with control group,in HR group,the living cell counts and cell survival rate significantly decreased; the LDH concentration in media,apoptotic rate and the levels of Bax,Bcl-2,Bax/Bcl-2,Fas,active Caspase -3,8,9 significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with HR group,in ADM + HR group,the living cell counts and cell survival rate significantly increased; the LDH concentration in media,the cell apoptotic rate and the levels of Bax,Bax/Bcl-2,Fas,active Caspase-3,8,9 significantly decreased,while Bcl-2 was promoted (all P ＜ 0.05).The above indexes had no differences between empty plasmid + HR group and HR group (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The increased expression of ADM can inhibit NRK-52E apoptosis induced by HR,and the mechanism might be achieved by inhibiting mitochondrial and death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathways.

Objective: To investigate the potential relationship between sensory characteristics and gray matter volumes in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), to provide a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of children with ASD. Methods: A total of 40 ASD children who were treated or recovered in Xi an medical institutions and 16 typically developing (TD) children who were from several kindergatens in Xi an were invited for participation. Sensory characteristics were evaluated by the sensory processing and self regulation checklist, 3D structural brain images were obtained with TIWI, and gray matter volumes were analyzed by voxel based morphometry. Sensory characteristics and gray matter volumes were compared between groups and the relationship between sensory characteristics and different gray matter volumes were analyzed. Results: The scores of auditory, visual, tactile, sensory processing ability and sensory under responsivity in the ASD group were lower than those in the TD group ( Z/t =-2.63, -2.57 , -3.11, -2.19, -3.83, P <0.05). Gray matter volumes in nine brain regions increased in the ASD group compared to the TD group, including the left and right posterior inferior lobe, right parahippocamal gyrus, left insula, left media frontal gyrus, left superion occipital gyrus, right superion occipital gyrus, right superion parietal lobe, and right posterion central gyrus ( t =3.53, 3.69 , 3.37, 3.86, 3.61, 3.37, 4.04, 3.38, 3.16, P <0.01). In the ASD group, the scores of visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, sensory processing ability, sensory seeking behavior and sensory over responsivity were negatively correlated with gray matter volumes of left superior occipital gyrus ( r =-0.36, -0.40, -0.39, -0.36, -0.40, -0.36), and the scores of visual, vestibular, and sensory over responsivity were negatively correlated with gray matter volumes of the right superior parietal lobule ( r =-0.36, -0.50, -0.42)( P <0.05). Conclusion The presence of paresthesia in children with ASD is associated with gray matter volumes of the left superior occipital gyrus and right superior parietal lobule.

Objective To investigate the effect of intermedin (IMD) on the expressions of angiogenesis-related genes induced by renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI).Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group,IRI group,empty plasmid group and IMD plasmid group.One week after removing the right kidney,eukaryotic expression vector encoding rat IMD gene was transfected into the left kidney using an ultrasound-microbubble mediated system.Renal IRI model was induced by clamping left renal arteries for 45 minutes followed by reperfusion for 1 d,2 d,3 d,4 d,7 d and 14 d.The expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1o),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin receptor Tie-2 were examined by RT-PCR and Western boltting.Results Compared with control group,an increase in HIF-1α,VEGF and Tie-2 was observed in the IRI group at d 1,d 2 and d 3 (allP＜0.05).The expression of HIF-1o peaked at d 1 d(P＜0.05),while VEGF and Tie-2 at d 2 (P＜0.05),followed by a decrease that was similar to the control levels at d 4(P＞0.05).Compared with the IRI group,the expressions of HIF-1α,VEGF and Tie-2 of IMD group were much higher and all reached the peak at d 1 (P＜0.05),maintained at d 2-4 (P＜0.05),followed by a decrease at d 7(P＞0.05).The above indexes had no differences between empty plasmid group and IRI group(P＞0.05).Conclusions IMD pretreatment may play an important role in the process of repair and regeneration after renal ischemia reperfusion injury byimproving the expressions of angiogenesis-related genes(HIF-1α,VEGF and Tie-2) induced by renal ischemia reperfusion injury.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of adrenomedullin (AM) on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell in rats induced by renal ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, IRI group, empty plasmid group and AM group. One week after removing the right kidney, eukaryotic expression vector encoding rat AM gene was transfected into the left kidney using an ultrasound-microbubble mediated system. After 1 week the transfer efficiency was detected by immunohistochemical method . Renal IRI model induced by clamping left renal arteries for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Tubular cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. Bcl-2, Bax and Fas expressions were examined by RT-PCR. The expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were determined by Western bolt analysis. Results The expression of AM in the AM group was significantly higher than the empty plasmid group (0.51±0.09 vs 0.23±0.05; P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rate of renal tubular cell in the IRI group was significantly higher [(38.79±7.52)% vs (2.89±0.52)%; P<0.05]. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Fas, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were also significantly increased (0.72±0.18 vs 0.23±0.04, 0.80±0.12 vs 0.38±0.06, 1.24±0.25 vs 0.39±0.09, 0.76±0.13 vs 0.38±0.08, 0.92±0.14 vs 0.32±0.06, 0.89±0.12 vs 0.42±0.09; P<0.05). Bax/Bcl-2 was also significantly increased (0.91±0.18 vs 0.61±0.08; P<0.05). Compared with the IRI group, AM pretreatment significantly decreased the apoptosis rate of renal tubular cells [(19.36±6.78)% vs (38.79±7.52)%; P<0.05]. AM inhibited the up-regulation of Bax, Fas, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, while promoting the up-regulation of Bcl-2 (0.48±0.11 vs 0.72±0.18, 0.62±0.07 vs 1.24±0.25, 0.53±0.08 vs 0.76±0.13, 0.46±0.08 vs 0.92±0.14, 0.51±0.12 vs 0.89±0.12, 1.23±0.25 vs 0.80±0.12; P<0.05). Bax/Bcl-2 significantly decreased (0.44±0.12 vs 0.91±0.18; P<0.05). The above parameters had no significant diffe-rence between the empty plasmid group and the IRI group (P>0.05). Conclusion AM can reduce apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell induced by renal IRI, the mechanism of which might be achieved by inhibiting caspase-dependent intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.

Objective To investigate the effects of intermedin (IMD) pretreatment on associated repairing genes of the rats with injured kidneys by ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI)during the repair and regeneration process.Methods A total of 144 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 gourps:sham opration group,IRI group,empty plasmid group (EP)and IMD group.After resection of right kidneys of the rats,plasmid was transfected into the left kidneys by using ultrasonic microbubble technology.After one week,the renal IRI models were programmed.The samples of renal tissues after 1 d,2 d,3 d,4 d,7 d and 14 d of reperfusion were harvested respectively,then the mRNA expressions of the Pax-2,ZO-1,Ncam,Wt-1 and vimentin in renal tissues were detected by RT-PCR; the protein expressions of Pax-2,Wt-1 and vimentin were analyzed by Western blotting and the protein expressions of ZO-1 and Ncam were measured by ELISIA.Results (1) Compared with the sham group,the mRNA and protein expression of Pax-2,ZO-1,Ncam,Wt-1 and vimentin of the rats in IRI group increased significantly from day 1 to day 3 (P＜0.05),which peaked at day 2.After day 4,the above expressions in IRI group returned to normal level.(2) In IMD group,the mRNA and protein expressions of Pax-2,Zo-1,Ncam,Wt-1 and vimentin were significantly higher than those in other 3 groups (P＜0.05) at the same time after IRI day 1 to day 4,with a maximum in day 2.(3) The above expressions in IRI group,EP group,IMD group had no significant differences compared with sham group after day 7 or day 14 respectively (P＞0.05),and either between IRI group and EP group,though the expressions of the genes in IRI group and EP group increased compared with sham group after day 4.(4) The above expressions between IRI group and EP group also had no significant difference (P＞0.05).(5) Changes of ZO-1 and Ncam protein expression detected by ELISA were similar to those abore mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Conclusion IMD pretreatment plays an important role in up-regulation of the expressions of associated repair genes during the process of repair and regeneration after renal ischemia reperfusion injury.

The effect of water temperature, stocking density and feeding cycle on the growth of Poecilobdella manillensis juvenile was conducted P. manillensis was conducted respectively under different conditions: water temperatures(18, 22, 26, 30,34, 38 degrees C and CT), stocking density (75, 125, 200, 275, 350 individual/L) and feeding cycle(2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 d). After 30 days, survival rate, weight gain rate, specific growth rate were measured. There was a significant correlation between water temperature and specific growth rate (γ = -0.066x2 + 3.543 1x -38.09, R2 = 0.837 9). Based on the regression equation, the specific growth rate of P. manillensis achieved the maximum (9.461 4) at 26.84 degrees C. And the most optimal water temperature was 26-30 degrees C. Meanwhile, the survival rates of P. manillensis was 0 at 38 degrees C in 3 d. There was significant negative correlation between density and specific growth rate (γ = -0.005 7x + 9.197 3, R2 = 0.998 3) and between feeding cycle and specific growth rate (γ = -0.468 2x + 10.574, R2 = 0.998 8).
Animals ; Annelida ; growth & development ; physiology ; Body Size ; Feeding Behavior ; Temperature ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe analgesic effect of electroacupuncture ( EA) on rats with chronic inflammatory pain and its regulatory mechanism on ispilateral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn (SDH) Mas-related G protein-coupled C receptor (MrgprC).

METHODSTotally 40 healthy male SD rats were divided into 4 groups according to random number table, i.e., the normal (N) group, the model (M) group, the acupuncture (Acu) group, the EA group, 10 rats in each group. The model of chronic inflammatory pain was established by subcutaneous injecting 0. 1 mL complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into right hind paw. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) were measured before modeling, at day 1, 3, 5, 7, and after CFA injection, respectively. Expression levels of MrgprC in ispilateral DRG and SDH were detected by Western blot. The content of bovine adrenal medulla 22 (BAM22) in SDH was detected by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSCompared with N group at each time point, PWTs significantly decreased in M group (P <0. 01). Compared with M group, PWTs significantly increased at day 5 of EA and after EA in EA group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with Acu group at each time point, post-EA PWTs significantly increased in the EA group (P < 0.05). Compared with N group, expression of MrgprC in ispilateral DRG and ratio of BAM22 positive cells in ispilateral SDH increased in M group (P < 0.01). Compared with M group, expression of MrgprC in ispilateral DRG and ratio of BAM22 positive cells in ispilateral SDH increased in the EA group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA had favorable analgesic effect on chronic inflammatory pain induced by CFA, and its mechanism might be possibly associated with up-regulating MrgprC expression in ispilateral DRG and BAM22 content in ispilateral SDH.

Analgesia ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Enkephalins ; metabolism ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Pain Management ; methods ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Posterior Horn Cells ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To study the effect of pioglitazone on the differentiation and function of rat osteoclast-like cells (OLC), and to probe the relationship between activated PPARγ2 and osteoclasts. Methods On day 1 of OLC formation from nonadherent bone marrow ceils (BMC) obtained from rats induced by M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-кB ligand (RANKL), 1, 5 and 10μmol/L pioglitazone hydrochloride was added. RT- PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expressions of PPARγ2 and receptor activator of NF-кB (RANK) on day 3, 5 and 7 during incubation, the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells,the number of bone resorption pits and the ratio of its area on dentin slice were counted, the activity of TRAP and the mean fluorescence intensity of integrin β3 (CD61) of OLC were also measured. Results (1) The effect on the differentiation of OLC: The addition of pioglitazone at the start of the culture period induced a dose-dependent decrease in TRAP-positive OLC and the activity of TRAP (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) ; the mRNA expression of PPARγ2 was up-regulated by 5 and 10 μmol/L pioglitazone in the early stage of incubation and attenuated with thematuration of OLC on the contrary, however, the expression of RANK was down-regulated by 5 and 10 μmol/L piolitazone in every stage of incubation (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), combined with decrease in TRAP-positive OLC from day 3 by 10 μmol/L pioglitazone. (2) The effect on the function of OLC: the number of bone resorption pits and the ratio of its area on dentin slice were decreased in groups of 5 and 10 μmol/L pioglitazone (P < 0.01 orP < 0.05), no obvious change was noted in the group with 1 μmol/L pioglitazone compared with the control group; the mean fluorescence intensity of CD61 were down-regulated in groups of 5 and 10 μmol/L pioglitazone (P < 0.05 or P <0.01). Conclusion Activation of PPARγ2 pathway by pioglitazone could partially inhibit differentiation and function of OLC derived from rat BMC.