Objective To observe the alterations of Sirt1 and mTOR activity in gastrocnemius muscles of mice with sarcopenia. Methods Aged (26 months old) and young (6 months old) male C57BL/6J mice (n=16,respective-ly) were randomly arranged into 2 groups respectively, i. e. middle-aged control ( MC) , middle-aged suspension ( MS) , aged control( AC) and aged suspension( AS) . Aged mice were hindlimb suspended for two weeks to estab-lish a sarcopenic model. Kits and Western blot were used to detecte related factors and protein expression of Sirt1 and mTOR pathway. Results 1) the content of NAD+and the ratio of NAD+/NADH: AC group was significantly lower than MC group ( P＜0.01 or P＜0.05) , HLS group was significantly less than the control group ( P＜0.01 or P＜0.05) . 2) Sirt1 expression: AC group was significantly higher than MC group ( P＜0.05) , and HLS group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05).3)Sirt1 downstream substrates (PGC-1α, FOXO1 and P53), NAMPT protein expression and Sirt1 activity: AC group was significantly lower than MC group ( P＜0.05 or P＜0.05 or P＜0.01) , HLS group was significantly less than the control group ( P＜0.05 or P＜0.05 or P＜0.05) . 4) phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K and 4E-BP1: AC group was significantly higher than MC group ( P＜0.05) , HLS group was significantly less than the control group ( P＜0.05) . Conclusions Sirt1 and mTOR are involved in the pathogenesis of mice with sarcopenia.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a computer-controlled periodontal ligament (PDL) injection system to the local soft tissues as the primary technique in endodontic access to mandibular posterior teeth in patients with irreversible pulpitis.
Methods A total of 162 Chinese patients who had been diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis in their mandibular posterior teeth without acute infection or inflammation in the periodontal tissues were enrolled in this clinical study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the position of the involved tooth:the premolar group (PM, n=38), first molar group (FM, n=66), and second molar group (SM, n=58). All the patients received computer-controlled PDL injection with 4%articaine and 1∶100 000 epinephrine. Immediately after the injection, endodontic access was performed, and the degree of pain during the treatment was evaluated by the patients using Visual Analogue Scale for pain. The success rates were compared among the 3 groups. The responses of local soft tissues were evaluated 3-8 days and 3 weeks after the procedure.
Results The overall success rate was 76.5%. There was a significant difference in success rates among the PM, FM, and SM groups (92.1%, 53.0%, 93.1%, respectively;χ2=34.3, P<0.01). Both the PM and SM groups showed higher success rates than that of the FM group (v=1, χ2=16.73, P<0.01; v=1, χ2=24.5, P<0.01). No irreversible adverse effects on the periodontal soft tissues at the injection sites were observed in the follow-up visits in any of the groups.
Conclusion The computer-controlled PDL injection system demonstrates both satisfactory anesthetic effects and safety in local soft tissues as primary anesthetic technique in endodontic access to the mandibular posterior teeth in patients with irreversible pulpitis.

Objective To investigate the three-dimensional structure of normal male canine prostat- ic duct and acinus system,and to study the mechanism of intraprostatic urinary reflux(IPUR)resulting from high pressure of the posterior urethra by experiment.Methods Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)and corrosion casting methods,high pressure of the prostatic urethra was produced based upon IPUR in normal male canines.Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS)casting solution was injected into 8 Beagle canines'normal prostates to induce intraprostatie resin solution reflux.Results Six casting molds of nor- real canine prostate specimens were obtained,and the casting failed in 2.By corrosion and casting treatment, the prostate appeared to consist of several glandular lobes.The columnar apophyses of glandular surface were observed.The most glandular ducts pointed outward from urethral peristome.Each glandular duct system was made up of many bifurcated branches from the bough as a duct tree.More than 90% of the bifurcations were Y-shaped,and 6 bifurcated branches were rarely seen.The tip of the duct was vesicular.The diameter and length of the bough were(0.37?0.14)mm and(1.14?0.04)mm,respectively.The intersectional angle of urethra and peripheral glandular duct was the biggest.Peripheral glandular duct was perpendicular or con- verse to urinary flow.Peripheral glandular aeinus appeared elliptic and velvet.The mesh-like and crater-like depressions were shown on the surface of central glandular aeinus.Ejaculatory ducts independently and branchlessly entered the urethra.Conclusions The resin corrosion casting methods combined with SEM can clearly show the three-dimensional structure of normal male canine prostatic duct and acinus system. IPUR may easily occur in the peripheral glands from the morphological view.It is suggested that prostatitis occurs more commonly in peripheral glands,confirming a fact that high pressure of the posterior urethra can induce IPUR.

Objective To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with routine rehabilitation therapy on cardiorespiratory exercise function and rehabilitation efficacy in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods Thirty consecutive stroke patients with the first-ever hemiplegia were enrolled prospectively.They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=13) or a control group (n=13) according to the random number table (n=15 in each group).Four patients withdrew,and finally 26 patients completed the study (n=13 in each group).The two groups of patients were given routine rehabilitation therapy.On the basis of routine rehabilitation therapy,the experimental group was also treated with aerobic exercise training,once a day,30 min each time for 4 weeks.The evaluations of cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed on both groups before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment (peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak]),anaerobic threshold [AT],peak minute ventilation [VEpeak]),and motor function (Fugl-Meyer assessment scale [FMA],activities of daily living (Barthel index [BI]) were performed.The differences between the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results (1)Cardiopulmonary exercise test results:Compared with before treatment,VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak were increased significantly (16±4 ml/[kg·min] vs.13±3 ml/[kg·min],12.9±2.5 kg·min vs.10.0±2.7 ml/[kg·min],41±12 L/min vs.34±9 L/min,t=9.668,4.328,and 3.662,respectively,all P<0.01).There were no significant differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak (14±4 ml/[kg·min] vs.14±4 ml/[kg·min],11.8±2.6 ml/[kg·min] vs.11.5±2.9 ml/[kg·min],29±8 L/min vs.28±6 L/min) in patients of the control group between before treatment and after treatment.There were no significant differences (t=0.863,0.583,and 0.314,respectively,all P>0.05).The differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak in the patients of the control group before and after treatment were 0.4 (0.2,0.6),0.1 (-0.5,0.7 ml/kg·min) and 0 (-2.5,5.0 L/min),respectively.The differences of VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak in patients of the experimental group before and after treatment were 3.0 (2.2,3.9 ml/[kg·min],2.7 (1.8,5.3 ml/[kg·min],and 7.0 (1.0,13.0 L/min),respectively.There were significant differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak before and after treatment between the two groups (Z=4.287,3.721,and 2.236,respectively,P<0.05).(2) FMA score and BI evaluation results:Compared with before treatment,the FMA score and Barthel index after treatment in patients of the experiment group were 70±24 vs.52±28 and 78±20 vs.60±28 respectively,t=4.076 and 4.239 respectively,P<0.01).Compared with before treatment,the FMA score and BI in the control group after treatment were improved significantly (68±25 vs.60±27 and 69±22 vs.59±26 respectively,t=3.168 and 5.436 respectively,all P<0.05).The FMA score and the difference of BI in the control group before and after treatment were 5.0 (2.0,12.0) and 10.0 (5.0,15.0) respectively,and those of the experimental group before and after treatment were 10.0 (4.5,32.0) and 11.0 (10.0,27.5) respectively,and there were no significant differences between the two groups (Z=1.393,1.352,all P>0.05).Conclusion On the basis of routine rehabilitation therapy,stroke patients with hemiplegia increasing aerobic exercise training may improve their cardiopulmonary exercise function.

OBJECTIVETo study a feasible method of measuring right ventricular pressure by catheterization in mice.

METHODSMeasuring the right ventricular pressure and the pulmonary artery pressure by homemade PE pipe through venous cannula in external jugular vein, using catheterization in mice with powerlab multimodal biometric signal recording system.

RESULTSForty-six out of 51 mice were experimented with this method smoothly and got a total success rate of 90.2%. Thirty of 33 normal mice and 16 of 18 mice with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were catheterized successfully. The right ventricular pressure were as follow: systolic blood pressure: (23.4 +/- 5.7) mmHg in normal group vs (32.2 +/- 2.8) mmHg in mice with PAH, diastolic blood pressure: (3.7 +/- 2.6) mmHg vs (3.8 +/- 2.0) mmHg, mean pressure: (12.0 +/- 3.7) mmHg vs (14.9 +/- 2.3) mmHg. After autopsy for those 5 failed cases, we found that 2 cases were into the inferior vena cava, another 2 cases pierced the right auricle and the last one punctured the axillary vein into the chest wall.

CONCLUSIONMeasuring the right ventricular pressure through venous cannula in external jugular vein with homemade PE pipe in mice gets not only a high success rate but also help to save time. Moreover, this method can be popularized easily. It is a good and feasible method for measuring right ventricular pressure in mice.

Animals ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Jugular Veins ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ventricular Pressure

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell line.

METHODSHeLa cells were treated with As2O3 and ATRA. The cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The expressions of NDRG-1 protein and mRNA were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTSMTT assay showed that As2O3 and ATRA inhibited the growth of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Western blot and RT-PCR techniques showed that As2O3 and ATRA down-regulated the expressions of NDRG-1 protein and mRNA (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs2O3 and ATRA can significantly inhibit the growth and proliferation of HeLa cells. The reason of these changes may be related with the down-regulation of expression of NDRG-1.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Arsenicals ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tretinoin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the release model of insoluble drug carbamazepine (CBM) based on HPMC matrix tablets.

METHODSCBM release profile from matrices and HPMC erosion rate were determined.

RESULTThe mathematical model by matrix erosion rate and drug release from HPMC K15M were established for the fractional HPMC and CBM released as M(P(t))/M(P(infinity))=-[0.8095ln((t))+1.2775]Meq((-0.0622t-0.305)) and M(d(t))/M(d(infinity))=-[0.1891t-0.1294]Meq(-0.9326). In comparison with the data of HPMC K4M matrix erosion and CBM release from HPMC K4M matrices, theoretical value agreed well with experimental data.

CONCLUSIONThe two mathematical models can be satisfactorily applied to insoluble drug release, which is governed by matrix erosion.

Carbamazepine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Hypromellose Derivatives ; Methylcellulose ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Models, Theoretical ; Solubility ; Tablets

Objective To study the effects of CpG oligodeoxyribonuclentide (ODN)as adjuvant on the immune responses in PBMC and CD4+ T cell with chronic hepatitis B virus. Methods The selected 20 infections were averagely divided two groups. The frequency of IFN-γ secreting PBMC and CD4+ T cell in immune tolerant phase and in the immune clearance phase that had stimulated by CpG ODN, HBsAg and Mixture[CpG ODN+HBsAg] were analyzed by enzyme linked immune spot(ELISOT). Results The PBMC and CD4+ T cell were differently incubated by CpG ODN+ HBsAg and M[CpG ODN + HBsAg]. The number of IFN-γ spot differently are 3±8, 339±429, 375±496, 1±4, 5±16 and 5±12;the results of immume tolerance are 3±8,361±153, 375±276, 0±2, 2±2 and 4±4; but the results of immune clearance are 3±21, 289±345, 405±656, 2±14, 8±40 and 7±30. The IFN-γ spots statistical analysis of PBMC were differently incubated by HBsAg and M,the total is P = 0.720, The IFN-γ spots statistical analysis of CD4+ T cell were differently incubated by HBsAg and M, the total is P = 0. 890, The IFN-γ spots statistical analysis of PBMC and CD4+ T cell were differently incubated by M, the total is P=0.000. Conclusions The ability that CpG ODN can not significantly increase the IFN-γsecreting of PBMC and CD4+ T cell that were incubated by HBsAg to the infection in immune tolerant phase and in the immune clearance phase, but the PBMC outweighed The CD4+ T cell.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of fascioliasis in yaks, Bos grunniens, from 3 counties of Gansu Province in China. A total of 1,584 serum samples, including 974 samples from white yaks from Tianzhu, 464 from black yaks from Maqu, and 146 from black yaks from Luqu County, were collected and analyzed using ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against Fasciola hepatica. The overall F. hepatica seroprevalence was 28.7% (454/1,584), with 29.2% in white yaks (284/974) and 27.9% in black yaks (170/610). The seroprevalence of F. hepatica in yaks from Tianzhu, Luqu, and Maqu was 29.2%, 22.6%, and 29.5%, respectively. Female yaks (30.9%) had higher F. hepatica seroprevalence than male yaks (23.4%). Also, F. hepatica seroprevalence varied by different age group from 24.1% to 33.8%. Further, the seroprevalence ranged from 21.8% to 39.1% over different seasons. Interestingly, the season and age of yaks were associated with F. hepatica infection in yaks in the investigated areas. These findings provided a basis for further studies on this disease in yaks from 3 counties of Gansu Province in northwestern China, which may ultimately support the development of effective control strategies of fascioliasis in these areas.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Cattle* ; China* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fasciola hepatica ; Fascioliasis* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Ranunculaceae ; Risk Factors* ; Seasons ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

Objective To study the infection status and the molecular characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from diarrheal patients in Shenzhen, in 2007 to 2008 and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of diarrheal diseases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Methods More than 80 fecal specimens from four sentinel surveillance hospitals were collected and cultured each month. A total of 361 isolates of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were sero-typed and examined by real-time PCR for the presence of two major virulence genes, tdh and trh. Of 361 strains, 60 O3: K6 strains isolated from six suspected outbreaks in August, 2007 and in September, 2008 were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results 4384 stool samples were detected in four sentinel surveillance hospitals and with 361 Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated that belonged to 28 serotypes. Serotype O3:K6, O4:K8 and O1:KUT accounted for 67.90%, 7.50% and 6.10%, respectively. Of 361 strains, 337 strains belonged to tdh + trh- , 11 strains were tdh-trh- and 13 strains were tdh + trh +. The most prevalent serotype which caused diarrheal diseases was tdh + trh-in Shenzhen. The 60 isolates were discriminated into twenty different PFGE patterns, which belonged to three clones. Among the 60 isolates, most of the PFGE patterns of isolates from the suspected outbreak locations were identical and some strains isolated from different year were different. Conclusion Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates in Shenzhen were dominated by O3:K6 strains. Most of these isolates carried tdh gene and few carried trh gene. Meanwhile, the identical patterns of isolates from 6 suspected outbreaks locations demonstrated that Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreaks occurred in July 2007 and in September 2008 in Shenzhen. However, the dominated strains' PFGE patterns were different each year, indicating that the sources of Vibrio parahaemolyticus had a multiplex nature and the multiplex sources such as water, sea food and pickled products should be integrated monitored. Laboratory based surveillance of diarrheal diseases could contribute in establishing early warning system for the better prevention and control of diarrheal diseases.