Adolescent ; Fetus ; parasitology ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Teratoma ; parasitology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) and the different combinations of its ingredients on neurogenesis following ischemic stroke in rats.

METHODSThe model rats of ischemic stroke was established by blocking cerebral media artery with electrocoagulation through craniectomy, and electric stimulation, given from 24 h after blocking, 2 h daily for 15 successive days. They were divided into four groups, Group A treated with saline, Group B treated with BYHWD, Group C treated with BYHWD but earthworm subtracted, and Group D treated with Danggui Buxue Decoction (DGBXD). The expression of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in cerebral tissue was determined by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSLarge amount of BrdU immunoreactive cells presented in the hippocampal region of rats in Group B and C, densely arranged, partial in cluster, with the figure significantly different to that in Group A (P < 0.01), and the amount in the ischemic side was significantly more than that in the opposite side (P < 0.05). While comparing between Group A and D, the amount of BrdU immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal region showed insignificant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBYHWD has a effect in promoting neurogenesis better than DGBXD.

Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; drug therapy ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

INTRODUCTION: Effectiveness of COVID-19 control interventions relies significantly on behavioural modifications of its population. Differing adoption rates impacts subsequent COVID-19 control. Hence, positive and sustained behavioural modification is essential for disease control. We describe the adoption rates of behavioural modifications for Singapore's "circuit-breaker" (CB), the national public health response to the COVID-19 crisis, among the general population in the community. METHODS: We conducted an interrupted-time series study using retrospective secondary data. We compared the proportion of Singaporeans who reported adopting specific behaviour modifications before, during and after CB. Behaviours of interest were working from home, performing hand hygiene, using face mask in public, and avoiding crowded areas. We compared change in incidence rates for community COVID-19 cases among the general population across the same time periods. RESULTS: There was an increase in face mask usage (+46.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 34.9-58.8, CONCLUSION Community incidence of COVID-19 in Singapore decreased during CB and remained low after CB. Use of face masks and social-distancing compliance through working from home increased during CB. However, it is unlikely to influence other sources of COVID-19 such as imported cases or within foreign worker dormitories.
Adoption ; COVID-19 ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Singapore/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of compound qingqin liquid (CQL) on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in rats with urate nephropathy, and to explore its renal protection mechanism.

METHODSTotally 55 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group (n =5), the model group (n =10), the positive drug group (n=10), and the high-, medium-, low-dose CQL groups (n=10) respectively. The urate nephropathy model was induced by intragastrically administering adenine and feeding yeast. Distilled water was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 10 mL/kg to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Allopurinol was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 9.33 mg/kg to rats in the positive control group. CQL was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 3.77, 1.89, 0.94 g/kg to rats in the high-, medium-, and low-dose CQL groups. Rats of each group were executed in batches at the 4th and 6th week respectively. Their kidney tissues were taken out to determine the mRNA transcription level of TLR2 and TLR4 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by Western blot. The protein expression level of TLR4 was also detected by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSAt week 4 and 6, the protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 as well as the mRNA transcription of TLR4 increased in the model group, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in the transcription level of TLR2 mRNA or TLR4 mRNA among the 3 CQL groups (P > 0.05) at week 4 and 6. Additionally, at week 6, the protein expression of TLR4 and TLR2 could be reduced by CQL (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCQL might protect kidney tissue against inflammatory injury by inhibiting the protein expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uric Acid

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of microelement including Cu and Zn on the accumulation of three danshinones in Salviae miltiorrhizae root and build a theory basis for its good quality and high yield.

METHODSand culture experiments were conducted to study the effect of Cu and Zn on the accumulation of three danshinones and oxidase including peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in the plant root. The correlation between available Cu and Zn contents in matrix and oxidase activity in the plant root and, the correlation between available Cu and Zn contents in matrix and contents of tanshinones in the root were discussed.

RESULTContents of danshinones in the root increased with the increasing of Cu and Zn concentration. Dynamic monitoring on contents of dan-shinones of the plant roots growing in the pots with different Cu and Zn concentration in the whole growing season showed that the contents of danshinones for 60 days were the lowest, for 120 days the highest and then dropped for 150 days. In addition, among available Cu and Zn contents of matrix, oxidase including peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity and contents of tanshinones in the root,the correlation between two factors were significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of Cu and Zn on the accumulation of danshinones may be that Cu and Zn improve the activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, which promote transformation of phenolic compounds to terpenes and therefore to increase contents of danshinones.

Catechol Oxidase ; metabolism ; Copper ; metabolism ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Zinc ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of computer simulation in maxillofacial firearm injury.

METHODSThe three-dimensional finite element models and simulations of 7.62 mm, 5.56 mm standard bullets projectile injuries to pig mandibular angle were established by using MIMICS, ANSA, LS-DYNA and LS-POST software. Based on the simulation results, the bullet hole diameters, energy loss values, energy loss rates, von Mises stress, effective strain, effective strain rate dynamic contours at different time points were used for biomechanical analysis.

RESULTSThe damage processe of 7.62 mm, 5.56 mm standard bullets projectile injury to pig mandibular angle were simulated successfully. The injury rate of 7.62 mm standard bullet and injury severity of the mandible were higher than that of 5.56 mm standard bullet.

CONCLUSIONSComputer simulation can simulate maxillofacial firearm injuries effectively and may become an important method for oral and maxillofacial firearm injuries analysis.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Computer Simulation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Mandibular Injuries ; physiopathology ; Models, Biological ; Software ; Stress, Mechanical ; Swine ; Wounds, Gunshot ; physiopathology

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients are high. We examined the incidence and predictors of death and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in ESRF patients on different modalities of dialysis. METHOD: Data were obtained from a population-based database (National Registry Disease Offices) in Singapore. The study cohort comprised all adult patients initiated on dialysis between 2007 and 2012 who were closely followed for the development of death and AMI until September 2014. Cox regression methods were used to identify predictors of death and AMI. RESULTS: Of 5,309 patients, 4,449 were on haemodialysis and 860 on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Mean age of the cohort was 61 (±13) years (44% women), of Chinese (67%), Malay (25%) and Indian (7%) ethnicities. By September 2014, the incidence of all-cause death was 34%; close to a third of the patients died from a cardiovascular cause. Age >60 years and the presence of ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and PD were identified as independent predictors of all-cause death. PD patients had lower odds of survival compared to patients on haemodialysis (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.35-1.70, P<0.0001). Predictors of AMI in this cohort were older age (>60 years) and the presence of ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and current/ex-smokers. There were no significant differences in the incidence of AMI between patients on PD and haemodialysis. CONCLUSION The short-term incidence of death and AMI remains high in Singapore. Future studies should investigate the benefits of a tighter control of cardiovascular risk factors among ESRF patients on dialysis.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology* ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Renal Dialysis

Objective To assess the prevalence rates of intra-and extraeranial large-artery stenosis in the rural community population and its related risk to the development of stroke.Methods The study subjects included 1337 residents in the rural community of Beijing.Transcranial Doppler Was carried our to examine the relation between intra-and extracranial large-artery stenosis and subsequent cerebrovascular events, with a meall follow-up period of 16.7 months.Results The incidence densities of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage in persons without cerebral large-artery stenosis were 410.6 and 351.9/100-thousand person-years,respectively.In the group wlth large-artery stenosis,the incidence density of cerebral infarction was 3303.7/100-thousand person-years.Data from The Fisher's Exact test showed a significant difference in the two groups (P=0.004).Cerebral large-artery stenosis(OR=6.593,95%CI:1.712-25.390)and smoking (OR=8.437,95% CI:2.327-30.598)appeared to be independent risk factors to cerebral infarction.Conclusion Cerebral large-artery stenosis and smoking were independent risk factors to cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of Buyanghuanwu decoction (BYHWD) in inducing nerve proliferation in rats with sequelae of ischemic stroke.

METHODSA rat model of ischemic stroke sequelae was established by means of craniectomy in which the right common carotid artery was ligated with 4-0 silk thread followed by cauterization of the right middle cerebral artery. Programmed electric shock was administered 24 h after the onset of ischemic stroke for 2 h daily for 20 consecutive days. The rats in sham operation group were not subjected to ligation of the right common carotid artery or right middle cerebral artery occlusion. The rats in the treatment groups were given oral BYHWD for 15 consecutive days. All the rats received repeated intraperitoneal injections of the cell proliferation-specific marker 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and the intake of BrdU in the cerebral tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe number of BrdU-immunoreactive cells in the cerebral tissues of BYHWD-treated rats was significantly greater than that in the untreated model group.

CONCLUSIONBYHWD can promote nerve proliferation in rats with ischemic stroke sequelae.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo construct a luciferase reporter gene vector of p-selectin gene promoter and determine its transcriptional activity for screening the effect of drugs on the transcriptional activity of p-selectin promoter.

METHODSPrimers were designed based on human p-selectin promoter sequence from UCSC software. The p-selectin promoter from human genome DNA was then amplified. After digestion of pGL3-Basic vector and p-selectin promoter with Kpn I and Xho I, p-selectin promoter was inserted into pGL3-basic vector. The recombinant plasmid, namely pGL3-p-selectin-promoter, was transiently cotransfected into 293F cells with pRL-SV40 as the control vector, and the activity of the dual luciferase was detected. The transcription activity of serially truncated segments of the p-selectin promoter reporter gene was quantified by luciferase expression. 293F cells transfected with pGL3-p-selectin-promoter reporter gene and dual luciferase were stimulated with LPS, TNF-α and As2O3, and the transcriptional activity of p-selectin promoter were assessed.

RESULTSpGL3-p-selectin-promoter was constructed successfully as verified by restriction digestion and sequence analysis. The luciferase activity was higher in pGL3-p-selectin-promoter/pRL-SV40 group than in pGL3-basic/pRL-SV40 group (0.8573±0.4703 vs 0.03955±0.05894). pGL3- 1826 bp was actively transcribed compared with pGL3-1092 bp and pGL3-3738 bp. LPS, TNF-α and As2O3 significantly enhanced the transcriptional activity of p-selectin promoter.

CONCLUSIONpGL3-p-selectin-promoter can be transcribed and activated in 293F cells. This study provided an important basis for acquiring transcriptional factors and screening inflammatory factors and drugs.

Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Luciferases ; P-Selectin ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection