Background Oxidative damage may cause the functional dysfunction and death of retinal vascular endothelial cells(RVECs),and further leads to the development of retinal vascular diseases.Fufang xueshuantong has a therapeutic effect on retinal vascular diseases,but little is known about its molecular mechanism.Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanism of fufang xueshuantong on injury of human RVECs induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP).Methods Human RVECs were isolated from healthy donor eyes and primarily cultured and then identified by flow cytometry.The third to fifth generations of cells were used in this experiments.The fufang xueshuantong solution of 0.0625,0.1250,0.2500,0.5000 and 1.0000 g/L were added in the cuhure plate with 5 × 104/L cells respectively in the experimental groups,and t-BHP of 75,100,200 and 300 μ.mol/L were added in the model control groups.MTT was used to detect the A490and survival rate of RVECs.The apoptotic rate and death rate of the cells were evaluated by double staining of Annexin V-FITC/PI.Morphology of human RVECs were examined using invert microscopy and Hoechst33258 staining.The expressions of nitro tyrosine (a marker of oxidative damage of protein)and 8-OHdG(a marker of oxidative damage of DNA)in human RVECs were assessed by the immunofluorescence staining.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factorkappa B(NF-KB),p53,bcl-2 and bax after 6,12,24 hours t-BHP action.This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.Results No significant difference was found in A490value among the normal control group,0.0625,0.1250,0.2500,0.5000 and 1.0000 g/L fufang xueshuantong groups(F =1.989,P＞0.05).The survival rates of the cells were lower in 75,100,200 and 300 μmol/L t-BHP groups compared with corresponding fufang xueshuantong groups(t =14.57,13.82,21.51,32.64,P＜ 0.01).The percentages of normal cells were evidently lower in 75,100,200 and 300 μmol/L t-BHP compared with corresponding fufang xueshuantong groups(t=14.908,5.495,17.165,26.330,P＜0.01).The numbers of deformation and death of the human RVECs increased as the elevated concentration of t-BHP,but those in fufang xueshuantong groups were less than the t-BHP groups under the invert microscopy.Compared with t-BHP groups,the expressions of nitro tyrosine,8-OHdG,NF-KB,p53 and bax were lower but the expression of bcl-2 was higher in human RVECs with the statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Fufang xueshuantong at the concentration of 0.2500 g/L showed maximally protective effect on human RVECs.Conclusions Fufang xueshuantong protects human RVECs against the t-BHP-induced injury through downregulating the expression of NF-kB,p53,bax and up-regulating the express of the bcl-2 protein.

Objective To investigate the effects of liver X receptor (LXR) agonist on the proliferation of mouse pancreatic β cell line MIN6 cells.Methods The viability,changes of cell cycle,mRNA levels of S phase kinase associated protein 2 (Skp2) and p27,and protein levels of Skp2 and p27 in MIN6 cells treated with LXR agonist T0901317 were determined by the CCK-8 method,flow cytometry,real-time RT-PCR and western blot,respectively.Results The viability of MIN6 cells treated with 1 μmol/L,5 μmol/L and 10 μnol/L of T0901317 were (98.54 ±0.94)％,(87.03 ±0.93)％ and (75.57 ± 1.85)％ of the controls,respectively,and there was significant difference among them (F =301.90,P ＜ 0.01).The percentages of G1 phase cells in the MIN6 cells treated with 0 μmol/L,1 μmol/L,5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L of T0901317 were (35.93 ±2.25)％,(38.45 ±0.91)％,(45.46±1.34)％ and (53.28 ± 1.14) ％,respectively,and there was significant difference among them (F =80.83,P ＜ 0.01).Similarly,the percentages of S phase cells in the MIN6 cells treated with 0 μmol/L,1 μmol/L,5 μmol/L and 10 μmoi/L of T0901317 were (52.87 ± 1.19) ％,(48.65 ± 0.85) ％,(36.31 ± 1.37) ％ and (31.45 ± 1.22) ％,respectively,and there was also significant difference among them (F =221.30,P ＜ 0.01).The protein levels of p27 in the MIN6 cells treated with 10 μmol/L of T0901317 (2.84 ± 0.14) were significantly higher than that in the controls (2.28 ± 0.10) (t =4.54,P ＜ 0.05),while there was no significant difference in the mRNA levels of p27 between them (t =0.28,P ＞ 0.05).However,10 μmol/L of T0901317 significantly decreased mRNA (0.52 ± 0.02,t =29.22,P ＜ 0.01) and protein levels (0.98 ± 0.12 vs 1.89 ± 0.01,t =10.98,P ＜ 0.01) of Skp2 in MIN6 cells.Based on the control siRNA transfection group as a reference (100％),the cell survival rates of the p27 siRNA transfection group,10 μmol/L of T0901317 treatment group and the intervention group (p27 siRNA transfection + T0901317 treatment) were (100.97 ± 1.08) ％,(75.03 ± 1.83) ％ and (86.67 ± 2.45) ％,respectively.There was no significant difference between the control siRNA and p27 siR-NA transfection groups (t =1.542,P ＞ 0.05).Compared with the control siRNA transfection group,the cell survival rates of the T0901317 treatment group decreased (t =23.58,P ＜ 0.01).There was also significant difference in the cell survival rates between the T0901317 treatment group and the intervention group (t =7.77,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The activation of LXR may induce pancreatic β cell cycle arrest by up-regulating the expression of p27 and down-regulating the expression of Skp2.

This study examined endogenous cannabinoid (ECB)-anandamide (AEA) and its cannabinoid receptors (CBR) in mice liver with the development of schistosoma japonicum. Mice were infected with schistosoma by means of pasting the cercaria onto their abdomens. Liver fibrosis was pathologically confirmed nine weeks after the infection. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the concentration of AEA in the plasma of mice. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of CBR1 and CBR2 in liver tissue. Morphological examination showed typical pathological changes, with worm tubercles of schistosoma deposited in the liver tissue, fibrosis around the worm tubercles and infiltration or soakage of inflammatory cells. Also, CBR1 and CBR2 were present in hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoids of the two groups, but they were obviously enhanced in the schistosoma-infected mice. However, the average optical density of CBR1 in the negative control and fibrosis group was 13.28+/-7.32 and 30.55+/-7.78, and CBR2 were 28.13+/-6.42 and 52.29+/-4.24 (P<0.05). The levels of AEA in the fibrosis group were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group. The concentrations of AEA were (0.37+/-0.07) and (5.67+/-1.34) ng/mL (P<0.05). It is concluded that the expression of endocannabinoids AEA and its cannabinoid receptor CBR were significantly increased in schistosoma-infected mice. Endogenous endocannabinoids may be involved in the development of schistosoma-induced liver fibrosis.
Arachidonic Acids/*metabolism ; Endocannabinoids/*metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides/*metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/*metabolism ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/*metabolism ; Schistosomiasis japonica/*complications ; Schistosomiasis japonica/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of two different circumcision procedures with the Shang Ring and compare their advantages and disadvantages.

METHODSA total of 527 adult males with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent Shang Ring circumcision by conventional outward replacement (n = 254) and inward placement (n = 273), respectively. We observed the in-ring nocturnal pain, complications, ring-removal pain, degree of edema, recovery time, and patients' satisfaction after surgery, and compared them between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with the conventional outward placement (5.9%) of the Shang Ring, the inward placement method showed the advantages of mild in-ring nocturnal pain, a low complication rate, significantly reduced ring-removal pain, and mild edema, but exhibited longer healing time.

CONCLUSIONIn Shang Ring circumcision for phimosis and redundant prepuce in adult males, each of the outward and inward placement methods has advantages and disadvantages of its own, but the latter is more advantageous and feasible.

Adult ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Edema ; etiology ; Foreskin ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Pain, Postoperative ; Patient Satisfaction ; Penile Diseases ; etiology ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Prostheses and Implants ; Wound Healing

The coding sequence for the mature peptide of porcine lactoferrin (Plf) was synthesized according to the codon usage of lactobacillus, to establish optimized porcine lactoferrin Lactobacillus expression system. The gene was ligated into the Xho I/BamH I site of Lactobacillus expression vector pPG612.1 and the recombinant plasmid pPG612.1-plf was transformed individually into Lactobacillus casei ATCC393, Lactobacillus pentosus KLDS1.0413, Lactobacillus plantarum KLDS1.0344 or Lactobacillus paracasei KLDS1.0652 by electroporation. After induction with xylose, expression of the recombinant proteins was detected by Western blotting and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Secretion of recombinant Plf proteins from four recombinant species was determined quantitatively by ELISA. The antibacterial activities of recombinant proteins were measured by agar diffusion method. The result shows that Plf was correctly expressed in four species of recombinant lactobacillus, with molecular weight of about 73 kDa. The expression levels in recombinant Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei were 9.6 μg/mL, 10.8 μg/mL, 12.5 μg/mL and 9.9 μg/mL, respectively. Antimicrobial activity experiment shows that the recombinant proteins were active against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria, Pasteurella. The recombinant Plf expressed by recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum showed the best antibacterial activity among all recombinant lactobacillus species. These data represent a basis for the development and application of porcine lactoferrin from recombinant lactobacillus.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; biosynthesis ; Lactobacillus ; metabolism ; Lactoferrin ; biosynthesis ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the absorption of breviscapine can be enhanced by using breviscapine photosomes.

METHODTesting the uptake and intestinal permeability of breviscapine powder and breviscapine photosomes by using intestine perfusion technique and reverted gut sac method.

RESULTThe uptake and permeability coefficient of breviscapine were increased in photosomes. The absorption process obeyed the Fick's law in the range of 0-100 microg x mL(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe absorption breviscapine photosomes is enhanced by increasing the permeability through a passive mechanism.

Animals ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; Phospholipids ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of the water extract from Codonopsis thalictrifolia Wall (CTW) on the reproductive

METHODSWe divided 32 male SD infant rats into four groups of equal number to be treated intragastrical-system of male infant rats. ly with distilled water (control) and CTW at 10 g/kg (low dose) , 20 g/kg (medium dose), and 40 g/kg (high dose), respectively, twice a day for 2 weeks. Then we killed the rats, measured the levels of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the serum, obtained the testis weight, body weight, testis visceral coefficient and sperm concentration, and detected sperm viability, sperm motility and the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the Leydig cells, followed by

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the low-dose, me-analysis of differences among different groups using the SPSS software. Medium-dose and high-dose CTW groups showed significant decreases in the serum T level ([3.09 +/-0.42] vs [1.22 +/-0. 32] , [1.06 +/- 0.29] and [0.57 +/-0.18] nmol/L, P<0.01), testis weight ([1.40 +/-0.16] vs [0.96 +/-0.09], [0.92 +/-0.11] and [0.91 +/- 0.08] g, P <0.01), and sperm concentration ([1.03 +/-0.16] vs [0.19 +/-0.07], [0.17 +/-0.08] and [0.16 +/-0.07] x 10(6)/ml, P <0.01), but a dramatic elevation in the testis visceral coefficient ([42.22 +/- 3.02] vs [51.39 +/- 3.09], [52.28 +/- 4.86] and [54.13 +/-6.06] mg/10 g, P <0.01); the medium- and high-dose CTW groups exhibited remarkable increases in the levels of serum LH ([13.62+/-0.89] vs [14.69 +/-0.12] and [14.93 +/-0.28] ng/L, P<0.01) and FSH ([4.32 +/-0.18] vs [4.77 +/-0.23] and [4.89 +/-0. 38] IU/L, P <0.05); all the three CTW groups showed markedly inhibited serum T secretion ([1.85 +/- 0.18] vs [1.42 +/-0.15], [1.12+/-0.18] and [0.88 +/-0.21] nmol/L, P<0.01) and intracellular cAMP ([5.51 +/-0.12] vs [4.39+/-0.06], [4.28 +/-0.07] and [4.11 +/- 0.10] nmol/L, P <0.01) in the Leydig cells.

CONCLUSIONThe water extract from CTW may reduce the synthesis of testosterone in the serum of male infant rats through the PKA pathway and consequently inhibit their testicular development and sperm production and affect the development of their reproductive system.

Animals ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urogenital System ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (11, 12-EET) on the degree of hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs), and reveal the possible pathway of EET on protection.

METHODSPrimary cultured HUVECs were randomly divided into control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation group, 11, 12-EET control group, 11, 12- EET hypoxia/reoxygenation group, inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERKI/2) group, and inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) group. Hypoxia/reoxygenation injury model in HUVECs was established by exposure to hypoxia (2% O2, 5% CO2 and 93% N2) for 3 hours, followed by reoxygenation (95% air and 5% CO2) for 1 hour. The evaluation of the endothelial cells were made by immunohistochemistry. The cell viability was monitored by MTT assay. Colorimetry method was used to assay the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) , malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in culture medium. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 in HUVECs.

RESULTS11, 12-EET caused minor injury in normal oxygen incubated HUVECs; however, in hypoxia/reoxygenation HUVECs, it raised the cell viability markedly, decreased the LDH release and MDA content, and increased the activity of SOD and the expressions of eNOS and phosphorylated ERK1/2.

CONCLUSIONS11, 12-EET may prevent against endothelial cell hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. The mechanism may be related to the increased activity of SOD, elimination of oxygen-derived free radicals, and reduction of eNOS and phosphorylated ERK1/2 lesion caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

Objective To analyze the registration of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB)among students in Hunan Province,understand the epidemiological characteristics,provide evidence for improving tuberculosis control strate-gy in schools in Hunan Province.Methods Registration rate and epidemiological characteristics of students with tu-berculosis in Hunan Province were analyzed through data registered in China Tuberculosis Information Management System between 2012 and 2017.Results From 2012 to 2017,7 940 students with PTB were found in Hunan Prov-ince,the registered incidence was 13.23/1 00 000,2 203 cases were smear positive for PTB,registered incidence was 3.67/1 00 000.Registered incidence of active PTB students in 2012－2017 was significantly different (χ2＝80.079,P＜0.001);registered incidence of smear positive PTB students in 2012－2017 was significantly different (χ2＝112.213,P＜0.001).The number of registered PTB students in the second quarter was the largest (32.2%), mainly male (60.8%)and students aged 15－19 years (61.8%).There was a significant difference in the registra-tion of PTB students in different cities from 2012 to 2017 (χ2＝320.432,P＜0.001).The top three regions of the total number of registrations were Changsha,Xiangxi and Hengyang.From 2012 to 2017,the registered PTB students were mainly referral (38.8%),99.8% of the patients received anti-tuberculosis treatment,diagnosis and treatment were mainly for smear-negative,non-severe,non-drug-resistant,and newly treated patients,accounting for 67.9%,95.2%,99.5%,and 99.3% respectively.Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of tuberculosis in schools,screen tuberculosis among freshmen in high schools and universities,publicize tu-berculosis knowledge,and improve awareness of tuberculosis prevention and control in schools.

The risk factors of high trait anger of juvenile offenders were explored through question naire study in a youth correctional facility of Hubei province,China.A total of 1090 juvenile offenders in Hubei province were investigated by self-compiled social-demographic questionnaire,Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ),and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Ⅱ (STAXI-Ⅱ).The risk factors were analyzed by chi-square tests,correlation analysis,and binary logistic regression analysis with SPSS 19.0.A total of 1082 copies of valid questionnaires were collected.High trait anger group (n=316) was defined as those who scored in the upper 27th percentile of STAXI-Ⅱ trait anger scale (TAS),and the rest were defined as low trait anger group (n=766).The risk factors associated with high level of trait anger included:childhood emotional abuse,childhood sexual abuse,step family,frequent drug abuse,and frequent internet using (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Birth sequence,number of sibling,ranking in the family,identity of the main care-taker,the education level of care-taker,educational style of care-taker,family income,relationship between parents,social atmosphere of local area,frequent drinking,and frequent smoking did not predict to high level of trait anger (P＞0.05).It was suggested that traumatic experience in childhood and unhealthy life style may significantly increase the level of trait anger in adulthood.The risk factors of high trait anger and their effects should be taken into consideration seriously.