Objective To investigate the influence of circadian rhythm,gender and stain on the tail suspension test in mice.Methods The immobility time of male and female Kunming,BALB/C and C57BL/6 mice in daytime or night were analyzed.Results ① The immobility time of Kunming mice during the day ( ( 114.24 ±11.18)s) was significantly more than that at night ( (65.39 ± 19.17)s).② The immobility time of male BALB/C mice( (68.57 ± 11.27 ) s) was significantly less than that of female BALB/C mice( ( 113.33 ± 3.87 ) s).③ The immobility time of C57BL/6 mice was significant more than that of Kunming and BALB/C mice under the same condition.Conclusions Circadian rhythm,gender and strain could significantly affect the immobility time of mice in tail suspension test.To increase the sensitivity and reliability of the tail suspension test,male Kunming and female BALB/C mice should be tested during the daytime.Compared to Kunming and BALB/C mice,the results of C57BL/6 mice were more stable.

Objective To learn the prevalence and trends of Brucella disease in Ningxia, in order to provide scientific basis for effective control of the disease. Methods Data of Brucella cases reported through city network from 2004 to 2009 in Yinchuan city, Shizuishan city, Wuzhong city, Guyuan city and Zhongwei city of Ningxia were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. The data included demographic characteristics, treatment conditions and medical history so on related information. Analytical indicators include reported incidence;with patients' gender, age, regional distribution, urban and rural distribution;become chronic and associated factors;distribution of the cases reporting unit and so on. Results From 2004 to 2009, Ningxia had reported 349 cases of Brucellosis, no deaths, the annual incidence rates reported were 0.017/10 million, 0.543/10 million, 0.151/101 (295/54);The proportion of 34- to 40-year-old age group was higher than other age groups(27.5%, 96/349);Occupational distribution of patients was mainly farmers and herdsmen(70.2% ,245/349), in regional distribution of the patients, the highest percentage was Wuzhong city(61.9%,216/349), followed by Yinchuan city(22.9%,80/349);The proportion of patients in rural areas(97.4% ,340/349) was higher than urban(2.6% ,9/349);the proportion of patients converted to chronic was 11.2% (39/349). With age, the chance of patients converted to chronic was in a decreasing trend(odds ratio was 0.966);cases reported by Centre for Disease Control and Prevention accounted for 74.8%(261/349), by hospital accounted for 25.2%(88/349). Conclusions The reported incidence of Brucellosis in Ningxia is in a rapid upward trend year by year, the patients is mainly young men, the rate of converted to chronic is higher and the ability of hospital in founding and reporting of the cases is weaker.Comprehensive measures should be taken to increase funding, strengthen monitoring, and continuously improve the level of awareness and diagnosis of medical personnel for further strengthen the prevention and control of Brucellosis.

Emerging evidence has indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in the regulation of cellular processes and are found to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors.However,the clinical role of circRNAs in bladder cancer (BC) and the molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully understood.In this study,the clinical specimens were obtained and the expression level of a circRNA BCRC4 was detected by real-time PCR in both BC tissues and cell line.The circular RNA over-expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into BC cells and related cell line.The cell cycles and apoptosis were observed using inverted microscope and flow cytometry.Western blotting was used to compare the relative protein expression of groups with different treatments.It was found that circRNA BCRC4 expression was lower in BC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues.Furthermore,consequences of fomed-expression of BCRC4 promoted apoptosis and inhibited viability of T24T and UMUC3 cells,and up-regulated BCRC4-inereased miR-101 level,which suppressed EZH2 expression in both RNA and protein levels.In addition,gambogic acid (GA) is a promising natural anticancer compound for BC therapy,and GA treatment increased the BCRC4 expression in T24T and UMUC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Altogether,our findings suggest that BCRC4 functions as a tumor suppressor in BC,and mediates anticancer function,at least in part,by up-regulating the expression of miR-101.Targeting this newly identified circRNA may help us develop a novel strategy for treating human BC.

To investigate changes of 14-3-3beta from apoptosis induced by PrP106-126 polypeptide, HeLa cell was incubated with PrP106-126 for 4h or 8h. Nucleus changes and the expression of PARP were detected differently by Hoechst staining and Western blotting. Expressing of protein and mRNA from 14-3-3beta was determined by Western blotting and Real-time PCR. The results show that typical nucleus pyknosis and chip of apoptosis and degradation of PARP were induced by PrP106-126 peptide in HeLa cells. Degradation of 14-3-3beta appeared in apoptosis groups induced by PrP106-126 peptide. However, 14-3-3beta mRNA did not display any changes in apoptosis groups. This study indicated that degradation of antiapoptosis protein 143-3beta induced by PrP106-126 peptide may be one of pathogenesis mechanism of prion disease.
14-3-3 Proteins ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacology ; Prions ; pharmacology ; Proteolysis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of Sodium Morrhuate on ECV-304 between its lipo- and normal preparation.

METHODSThe ECV-304 cell line was supplemented with Sodium Morrhuate and lipo-Sodium Morrhuate in order, and the result on morphology (microscope, Giemsa Staining and electron microscope), cell activity (MTT), and flow cytometer between the two preparation were compared.

RESULTSIn normal preparation group, cell's edema occurred. Chromatin was like catkins. Tumefaction and degeneration of mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum appeared. In lipo-Sodium Morrhuate group, the membrane was creased and processus appeared. Chromatin aggregates to the membrane of nucleus was like crescent, and then broken. The apoptotic body was formed. MTT changes showed that the curve of the normal preparation group was steep and the change time was short relatively, which cues the vital cells decreased sharply. The curve of lipo-Sodium Morrhuate group was gentle and the change time was long relatively, which cues the vital cells decreased slowly. The flow cytometer showed that typical apoptosis peak appeared.

CONCLUSIONThe normal preparation group shows an acute toxic effect on ECV-304 cell line, which result in a necrosis course, while lipo-Sodium Morrhuate shows a gradual releasing process, which may indicate a apoptosis course.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Sclerosing Solutions ; Sodium Morrhuate

OBJECTIVETo assess the correlation between JAK2-V617F mutation and complete blood counts among patients with BCR/ABL-negative myeloproliferative diseases (MPD).

METHODSOne hundred and ninety one patients were recruited. Retrospectively, their laboratory data were analyzed for the counts of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT). And the incidence of JAK2-V617F mutation was determined.

RESULTSThere was significant difference in the incidence of JAK2-V617F mutation between patients with different cell counts (P< 0.01). The incidence of JAK2-V617F mutation has increased with the counts of RBC and PLT, which was the highest (92.86%) among those featuring simultaneous increase in all three series.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of JAK2-V617F mutation seems to be strongly associated with variation of peripheral blood cell counts among patients with BCR/ABL-negative MPD. Variation of peripheral blood cells, particularly RBC, may be correlated with the rate of JAK2-V617F mutation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; analysis ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; blood ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of the Pro12Ala variant in peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) gene with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODSThe genotypes of the Pro12Ala variant in the PPAR gamma gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 421 unrelated subjects of the Han population in the Sichuan Province of China, including 207 subjects with rheumatoid arthritis and 214 subjects without the disease. The clinical data were also collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThe allele frequencies in the case and control groups were 98.79%, 95.79% for allele P and 1.21%, 4.21% for allele A; the genotype frequencies were 97.58% and 91.59% for PP, 2.42% and 8.41% for PA, and 0 for AA. The A allele frequency was much lower in the RA group than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe above data showed that the Pro12Ala variant of the PPAR gamma was associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The A allele might be a protective factor for RA. The Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPAR gamma gene in Sichuan Han population is similar to that in other populations in China, but different from that in European and American populations.

Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) with no successful intercourse at the baseline with tadalafil.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ED with no successful intercourse at the baseline treated with tadalafil on alternate days combined with sex guidance.

RESULTSAfter 4 weeks of tadalafil treatment, 19 of the patients achieved successful sexual intercourse, and the IIEF-5 score was remarkably improved as compared with pre-medication (3.24 +/- 1.55 vs 18.95 +/- 3.02, P<0.0001). Mild adverse reactions were observed in 6 cases, including 2 cases of mild headache and 4 cases of facial blush.

CONCLUSIONTadalafil on alternate days combined with sex guidance can significantly improve ED with no successful intercourse at the baseline.

Adult ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Coitus ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Tadalafil ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:To compare the difference between non-operative and operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures.Methods:From March 2005 to October 2012,252 cases of humeral shaft fractures were treated and were adequately followed up.According to the treatment methods,the patients were divided into 2 groups:the non-operative group and the operative group.In the non-operative group,there were 76 cases treated with plaster/small splint fixation,meanwhile there were 176 cases treated with inter nal fixation either by plating or by nailing in the operative group.The follow-up parameters included:fracture healing rate,fracture union time,complications rate,Constant-Murley shoulder score and Mayo elbow score.Results:The mean follow-up period was (31.24 ± 20.06) months (ranging 6 to 103 months).There were no statistical differences in age,open fracture number,fracture site and Arbeitsgemeinschaft ftir Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification between the non-operative group and the operative group.The fracture healing rate:the non-operative group:96.1％ (72/76),the operative group:97.7％ (172/176),P =0.46;the fracture union time:the non-operative group:(10.24 ± 2.93) weeks,the operative group:(10.69 ± 2.51) weeks,P =0.22;the complication rate:the non-operative group:5.3％ (4/76),the operative group:15.3％ (27/176),P =0.03.The complications included:nonunion:the non-operative group:3.95％ (3/76),the operative group:2.3％ (4/176),P =0.434;radial nerve palsies:the non-operative group:0％ (0/76),the operative group:5.7％ (10/176),P =0.035;bone split:the non-operative group:0％ (0/76),the operative group:1.7％ (3/176),P =0.556;elbow stiffness:the non-operative group:l.3％ (1/76),the operative group:0.6％ (1/176),P =1.000;shoulder pain:the non-operative group:0％ (0/76),the operative group:5.1％ (9/176),P =0.061.The Constant-Murley shoulder score:the non-operative group:97.37±4.94,the operative group:96.34 ± 6.88,P =0.244.The Mayo elbow score:the non-operative group:99.80 ± 1.72,the operative group:99.49 ± 2.73,P =0.923.Conclusion:The results of non-operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures appeared with excellent results with lower complications rate compared with that of the operative treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of mitochondrial calcium uniporter(MCU)regulator 1(MCUR1)on proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis of K562 cells and the possible molecular mechanism.Methods Recombinant plasmid vectors containing short hairpin RNAs(shRNAs)targeting MCUR1 were transfected into K562 cells,before the K562 cells stably expressing low MCUR1 were selected with G418.The expression of MCUR1 mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)assays.Western blotting(WB)assays were used to detect the expressions of MCUR1,P53,BAX and BCL2.The proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis of K562 cells were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assays and flow cytometry, respectively.Results The results of qRT-PCR and WB assays revealed that MCUR1 was stably down-regulated at mRNA and protein levels in the K562 cells transfected with shRNAs targeting MCUR1.Knockdown of MCUR1 significantly inhibited the cell proliferation, induced the cell apoptosis, but did not influence the cells cycle.Meanwhile, knockdown of MCUR1 increased the expression of P53 protein and the ratio of protein BAX/BCL2 in K562 cells.Conclusion MCUR1 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis in K 562 cells.