AIM: To investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on the immunological function in colon of rats immunological colitis. METHODS: The rats colitis was produced by enema with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and ethanol. The experiment groups included normal group, model group, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) group (100 mg?kg~(-1)), MT groups (2.5,5.0,10.0 mg?kg~(-1)), and treated intracolon with saline, saline, 5-ASA and MT respectively (once per day, from the d7 after the establishment of colitis model to the end of the experiment). The content of interleukin (IL-1, IL-2) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-? in rats colon were detected; The inflammatory colon were homogenatized and incubated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and designed as control group, model group, 5-ASA group (100?mol/L), MT groups(0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mmol/L). The content of IL-1, IL-2, TNF-?, nitric oxide (NO), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondiadehyde (MDA) in the supernant were detected. RESULTS: In model group, the contents of IL-1, IL-2 and TNF-? in colon elevated remarkably and MT depressed this effectively. In the inflammatory colon homogenates of rats colitis, the content of IL-1, IL-2, TNF-?, NO, LDH, MPO and MDA elevated remarkably, Pretreation with MT depressed the content of IL-1, TNF-?, LDH, MPO and MDA effectively. MT (1.0mmol/L) also reduced the production of NO obviously. CONCLUSION: The abnormal immunological function is shown obviously in rats colitis. MT normalizes this change in vivo and in vitro and attenuates the mucosal damage.

Hydroxyethyl starches(HES) are modified natural polymer of amylopectin with volume expansion properties. It has been widely used in the treatment for prevention of hypovolemia and acute normovolemic hemodilution(ANH). However, the potential threats to kidney and coagulation have attracted much attention and controversy in recent years. This review will focus on the specification development and quality study of HES. The article will mainly talk about some quality control items: molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution, degree of hydroxyethyl (molar substitution, MS), the specific sites of hydroxyethylation (C2/C6 ratio) and assay, all of those are based on the domestic enterprise standards and Europe Pharmacopoeia(EP), and we will combine with the experimental data to give some suggestions on these items quality control. Hopefully to provide some ideas for improving and unifying the quality standard of hydroxyethyl starches.

Objective To investigate the effects of heart displacement on hemodynamics during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OP-CABG) while the sites for anastomosis were being exposed. Methods Forty-seven patients of both sexes (36 male, 11 female) aged 50-82 years undergoing OP-CABG were enrolled in the study. Preoperative cardiac function was assessed : class Ⅱ in 22 patients; Ⅲ in 23 and Ⅳ in 2 according to NYHA classification.The mean ejection fraction was 0.55?0.14 before surgery.They received on average 3.2 grafts. Premedication consisted of intramuscular morphine 10 mg, midazolam 3-5 mg and scopolamine 0.3 mg.Before induction of anesthesia ECG and SpO2 were monitored and radial artery was cannulated for continuous direct BP monitoring. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.1 nig?kg-1 , fentanyl 4?g?kg-1 and pancuronium 0.1 mg?g-1 iv.The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation and PETCO2 was maintained at about 40 mm Hg. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and 50%-60% N2O in O2 and intermittent intravenous boluses of fentanyl and pancuronium. Swan-Ganz catheter which can continuously monitor mixed venous blood O2 saturation (SvO2) was placed in pulmonary artery via right internal jugular vein. SvO2, cardiac output (CO), BP, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and HR were continuously monitored. Right atrial pressure (RAP) and PAWP were measured intermittently. Cardiac index (CI),stroke index (SI),systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI),PVRI, left and right ventricular work index (LVWI,RVWI) and left and right ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI,RVSWI) were calculated. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded after induction of anesthesia before surgery (T1,baseline),before heart displacement (T2), while anastomosis to anterior descending branch was being made (T3), while anastonosis to right coronary artery or posterior descending branch (T4) and to left circumflex artery or diagonal branch (T5) was being made, after normal heart position was resumed (T6) and at the end of operation (T7). Results While anastomosis to the anterior descending branch was being made (T3) SI and LVSWI significantly decreased as compared with the baseline (P

Objective To know the current conditions of institution set-up,personnels allocated and equipment supplied in county-,city-and country-level in endemic disease prevention and control.Methods Questionnaires,regarding institution set-up,personnels allocated and equipment supplied,was performed among staffs from administrative apartment and professional apartment.Results There were 31 institutions for endemic disease prevention and control in province level of our country(except Hainan Province),with one institution in each province.There were 308 institutions for endemic disease prevention and control in city level,and 23 cities did not have one.There were 2340 institutions for endemic disease prevention and control in county level,none in 502 counties.There were 20 provinces which had the professional crew of the endemic disease administration,but other provinces did not.The proportion of high-grade professional staff of province,city,county level was 24.84% (310/1248),17.05%(481/2821),5.31%(598/11 256)respectively.The averaged size of wdrking place at province-,city-and county-level was 2603.9,324.6,1227 m2.The averaged area of laboratory of province,city,county level was 1093.8,147.4 and 46.6 m2 respectively.The average quantity of equipments valued over ten thousand yuan at province-,city-and county-level is 15.5,2.2,0.6 respectively.Conclusions After the innovation of organizations for endemic disease prevention and control,the number of personnels devoting to this work has been curtailed,working place and equipment is insufficient,which hinders the prevention and control.

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of iodine on mRNA expression of iodide transporter (NIS),insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ (IGF- Ⅰ ) and transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β) in thyroid and mammary glands of lactating rats and to explore the role of NIS,IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β mRNA in iodine uptake in thyroid and mammary glands of lactating rats.MethodsOne hundred and one Wistar rats(80 female and 21 male),weighting 8 - 100 g were selected.These female rats were randomly divided into five groups according to their body weight:control group(NI,normal feed,drank deionized water containing iodine 50 μg/L) ; low iodine group 1 and 2(LI-1,LI-2,low iodine feed,drank deionized water containing iodine 0 and 5 μg/L,respectively); high iodine group 1 and 2(HI-1,HI-2,normal feed,drank deionized water containing iodine 3000 and 10 000 μg/L,respectively),16 rats in each group.After feeding for 3 months,the female and male rates were mated 3:1.The female rats in each group were sacrificed at the fifth and tenth day after postpartum.Thyroid and mammary glands were taken.The mRNA levels of NIS,IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β in thyroid and mammary glands of lactating rats were determined by real time quantitative PCR.ResultsThe fifth days after postartum,NIS,IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β mRNA expression levels of thyroid and lactating mammary glands were different between groups,and the differences were statistically significant ( NIS:F =631.46,64.91,all P ＜ 0.01 ; IGF- Ⅰ:F =11.45,6.56,all P ＜ 0.01 ; TGF-β:F =291.83,304.53,all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with control group [NIS:0.0066 ± 0.0023, (0.1481 ± 0.0711 ) × 10-2; IGF- Ⅰ:0.0419 ± 0.0062,0.0542 ± 0.0044; TGF-β:0.1416 ± 0.0277,0.1670 ± 0.0499],regardless of thyroid or mammary gland,the NIS,IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β mRNA expression of LI-1 [NIS:0.0447 ± 0.0110,(0.3030 ± 0.1831) × 10-2;IGF- Ⅰ:0.0662 ± 0.0078,0.0902 ± 0.008; IGF- Ⅰ:0.5514 ± 0.0508,0.6942 ± 0.0367],LI-2[NIS:0.0317 ±0.0081,(0.3017 ± 0.1601) × 10-2; IGF-I:0.0645 ± 0.0054,0.0894 ± 0.0093; TGF-β:0.5292 ± 0.0332,0.6704 ± 0.0277 ] was significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.01 ); the NIS mRNA expression of HI-1 [0.0043 ± 0.0011,(0.1233 ± 0.0954) × 10-2],HI-2[0.0037 ± 0.0017,(0.1058 ± 0.0854) × 10-2] was decreased(all P ＜ 0.05),while the expression of IGF-Ⅰ mRNA [0.0521 ± 0.0910,0.0715 ± 0.0026; 0.0516 ± 0.0078,0.0697 ± 0.0038] and TGF-β mRNA [0.2087 ± 0.0425,0.2361 ± 0.0425; 0.1971 ± 0.0237,0.2257 ± 0.0752 ] was increased (all P ＜ 0.05 ).The tenth days after postpartum,the mRNA expression levels of NIS,IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β of thyroid and lactating mammary gland in rats were different between groups,and the differences were statistically significant (NIS:F =103.55,116.32,all P ＜ 0.01; IGF-Ⅰ:F =67.67,11.98,all P ＜ 0.01; TGF-β:F =74.30,381.30,all P ＜0.01 ).Compared with the control group[NIS:0.0069 ± 0.0011,(0.1337 ± 0.0599) × 10-2; IGF-Ⅰ:0.0390 ±0.0071,0.0534 ± 0.0056; TGF-β:0.1351 ± 0.0336,0.1534 ± 0.0320],the mRNA expression levels of NIS,IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β of LI-1 [ NIS:0.0432 ± 0.0165,(0.2962 ± 0.0985 ) × 10-2; IGF- Ⅰ:0.0643 ± 0.0088,0.0873 ± 0.0055 ; TGF-β:0.5042 ± 0.0912,0.6408 ± 0.0420],LI-2[NIS:0.0287 ± 0.0111,(0.2873 ± 0.0862) × 10-2; IGF- Ⅰ:0.0621 ± 0.0094,0.0862 ± 0.0038; TGF-β:0.4893 ± 0.0504,0.6372 ± 0.0389] were significantly increased(all P ＜ 0.01 ); the NIS mRNA levels of HI-1 [ 0.0042 ± 0.0029,(0.1006 ± 0.0909) × 10-2],HI-2[0.0035 ± 0.0020,(0.0890 ± 0.0119) × 10-2] were decreased(all P＜ 0.05),while the expression of IGF-Ⅰ mRNA[0.0516 ± 0.0078,0.0668 ± 0.0071; 0.0508 ± 0.0089,0.0621 ± 0.0064] and TGF-β mRNA[0.2007 ± 0.0546,0.2175 ± 0.0370;0.1959 ± 0.0393,0.2097 ± 0.0425] were increased(all P ＜ 0.05 ).In thyroid and mammary glands,the comparisons of NIS,IGF,TGF-β mRNA expression of the fifth and tenth day after postartum,between each group were not statistically significant(all P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsThere are regulatory mechanisms of thyroid and mammary glands of lactating rats in response to low or high iodine conditions.In low iodine,the expressions of NIS,IGF- Ⅰ and TGF-β mRNA in thyroid and mammary glands increase and iodide uptake ability is enhanced to meet the body needs.In high iodine,the expression of NIS mRNA decreases in thyroid and mammary glands.Due to the reduced ability of iodine uptake,iodine intake is reduced,thereby reducing the hazards of high iodine in filial rats.

Murine norovirus (MNV) was first discovered in mice in 2003. MNV is a member of the genus Norovirus in the family Caliciviridae. It is one of the most important and prevalent pathogens of laboratory mice, and almost all mouse strains are susceptible to MNV infection. In this study, a MNV strain was isolated from the cecal contents of infected mice and identified by the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, virus plaque assay, 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) assay, electron microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and nucleotide sequencing. On infection, the RAW264.7 cell line showed obvious cytopathic effects within 24 to 48 hours post-inoculation, as infected cells became rounded, bright and shrunken, with ultimate disintegration of the cell sheet. After the isolation of the MNV virus, the virus was plaque-purified in RAW264.7 cells. The TCID50 of the virus was 10(5.25/0.1 mL. Electron microscopic observations of the purified virus showed the presence of spherical and non-enveloped viral particles that were 30 to 35 nm in diameter. According to the identification results, the isolate was named as MNV Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN. Thereafter, five overlapping gene fragments that covered the entire open reading frame (ORF) were amplified by RT-PCR, and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) and 5'-UTR were amplified using the 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and the 5'-RACE method, respectively. Each of the gene fragments were cloned and sequenced, and whole genome sequences of the strain were obtained by assembling the cDNA fragment sequences. The results showed that the length of the complete genome was 7 380 nucleotides (GenBank accession number: HQ317203). The comparison of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the isolate was performed against other MNV strains in the GenBank database. A phylogenetic tree based on VP1 nucleotide sequences was constructed using MEGA5.0 software. The homology of nucleotides between the MNV Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN strain and other MNV isolates ranged from 87.4% to 89.7%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there was a close genetic relationship between the Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN strain and MNV strains isolated from Japan (S7-P2 and S7-PP3 isolates), Korea (K4 isolate), and Germany (Berlin/04/06/DE and Berlin/05/06/DE isolates). This is the first report of the isolation and identification of MNV in China, and the first report of the genetic analysis of its complete genome.
Animals ; Caliciviridae Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Norovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Rodent Diseases ; virology ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

Medicinal values and their chemical bases of Paris (Trilliaceae) are reviewed. Paris plants include 40 species and varieties. Among them, 18 ones are medicinal plants with similarity in traditional uses. Fourteen species have been studied phytochemically, which led to isolation of 207 compounds including 121 steroidal saponins. These saponins are major active constituents from Paris plants, which can explain the traditional uses of the plants to treat cancer, malignant boil, bleeding, gastritis, and so on. The similarity in medicinal uses and chemical constituents of Paris plants implies the possibility of resource substitution among these species. It is worth to further investigate Paris plants in chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, biological property, and toxicology.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

The roles of voltage-dependent K(+) channels during activation and damage in alveolar macrophages (AMs) exposed to different silica particles were examined. Rat AMs were collected by means of bronchoalveolar lavage, and were adjusted to 5x10(5)/mL. After AMs were exposed to different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 mug/mL) of quartz particles and 100 mug/mL amorphous silica particles for 24 h, the voltage-depended K(+) current in AMs was measured by using patch clamp technique. Meanwhile the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the viability of AMs were detected respectively. Patch clamp studies demonstrated that AMs possessed outward delayed and inward rectifying K(+) current. Exposure to quartz particles increased the outward delayed K(+) current but it had no effect on inward rectifier K(+) current in AMs. Neither of the two K(+) channels in AMs was affected by amorphous silica particles. Cytotoxicity test showed that both silica particles could damage AM membrane and result in significant leakage of LDH (P<0.05). MTT studies, however, showed that only quartz particles reduced viability of AMs (P<0.05). It is concluded that quartz particles can activate the outward delayed K(+) channel in AMs, which may act as an activating signal in AMs to initiate an inflammatory response during damage and necrosis in AMs induced by exposure to quartz particle. K(+) channels do not contribute to the membrane damage of AMs.

Objective To establish normal reference ranges of Z-score of coronary sinus CS diameter in normal fetuses and to explore the diagnostic value of CS Z-score in fetuses with persistent left superior vena cava PLSVC Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study of 227 singleton normal fetuses and 30 fetuses with PLSVC were involved Non-cardiac biometrical parameters included biparietal diameter BPD femoral length FL heart area HA and an assessment of gestation age GA based on menstrual age GA Systolic diameter of CS CSDs and diastolic diameter of CS CSDd were measured at the end of systole and diastole CSDs and CSDd Z-score models were constructed by linear regression analysis with GA FL HA and BPD as independent variables Subsequently Z-scores between normal fetuses and fetuses with PLSVC were compared Results Correlations between fetal CSDs and CSDd and four independent variables BPD FL HA and GA were excellent GA had close correlation with CSDs and CSDd CSDd Z-score= the actual measurement of CSDd- prediction of CSDd based on GA BPD FL or HA SD forecast CSDd CSDs Z-score= actual measurement CSDs-prediction CSDs based on GA BPD FL or HA SD forecast CSDs Normal reference value of CSDd and CSDs in 227 normal fetuses could be predicted as followings with GA as independent variable CSDd and CSDs were 0 139 ~ 0 3 19 cm and 0 046~0 166 cm respectively For BPD CSDd and CSDs were 0 128 ~0 303 cm and 0 040~0 1 59 cm respectively For FL CSDd and CSDs were 0 135~0 307 cm and 0 046~0 164 cm respectively For HA CSDd 0 1 57~ 0 323 cm and CSDs 0 059 ~ 0 1 75 cm respectively With GA as independent variable CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -0 906~1 256 and -0 920~0 895 respectively For BPD CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -1 168~1 196 and -0 864~0 899 respectively For FL CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -1 478~ 1 546 and -1 297~ 1 3 10 respectively For HA CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -0 832 ~ 0 610 and -0 619 ~ 0 688 respectively CSD Z-scores of 30 PLSVC fetuses as followings with GA as independent variable CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 5 263 ~ 1 1 659 and 2 846~9 923 respectively For BPD CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 4 469 ~ 1 1 000 and 2 3 10 ~9 1 14 respectively For FL CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 5 473 ~ 13 056 and 3 234 ~ 13 135 respectively For HA CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 1 922~5 701 and 1 359~5 723 respectively Z-scores of PLSVC fetuses were far away from the normals Conclusions Development of normal fetal CSDs and CSDd Z-score reference ranges is realized The CSDs and CSDd Z-scores can provide quantitative evidence in prenatal diagnosis of PLSV.

Objective To investigate the antitumor immunity induced by tumor derived mixed heat shock protein/peptide(mHSPs),interleukin-12(IL-12)and Cyclophosphamide(Cy).MethodsPurified mixed HSP was prepared from tumor by S180 protein extraction and purification,SDS-PAGE,Western blot and animal experiment were applied for mixed HSPs analysis.ResultsThe proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte(CTL)cocultured in the mHSPs+Cy+IL-12 group was significantly remarkable and the content of CD8+ CTLs was significantly more in comparison with the other groups(P<0.01).To the tumor bearing mice,mHSPs+Cy+IL-12 group showed partial therapeutic efficacy,the averaged survival period was over 60 d,and 90% of the mice in this group got long period tumor free survival(>90d),obvious difference(P<0.05)from the other groups.ConclusionTumor derived mixed HSPs can induce powerful antitumor immune efficacy and show favorable therapeutic efficacy.