In order to improve the noise ratio and stability of the amplified small-signal in microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography,an amplifying circuit with wide band and high voltage gain is designed in this paper.The results show that the voltage gain is up to 80dB and the bandwidth is about 7MHz.

mGlu5 (Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5) does not only exist in nervous system , but also in many pe-ripheric organs and tissues .The vital role that mGlu5 plays in both nervous and non-nervous system diseases , which will be important for further studying the pathogenesis of diseases .Moreover, it can provide us with new ide-as and methods for precaution and cure of illness with mGluRs .

Commensal microorganisms that colonize barrier surfaces of all multicellular organisms exist in harmony with their hosts and have an important effect on both immune and non-immune functions of their hosts. Numerous researches have shown that gastrointestinal microbiota being one of the most important commensal microorganisms plays a critical role in the occurrence, development and treatment of cancer. As-signing causal roles in cancer to specific microbes and microbiotas, unraveling host-microbiota interactions with environmental factors in carcinogenesis, and applying such knowledge to cancer diagnosis and treatment are areas of intensive interest. This review considers how microbes and the microbiota may amplify or miti-gate carcinogenesis, responsiveness to cancer therapeutics, and cancer-associated complications.

Objective To investigate the effects of advanced glycation end products(AGE)on the expressions and activity of cathepsin D(CatD)in ultraviolet A(UVA)?irradiated human dermal fibroblasts. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts were isolated and harvested from the circumcised foreskin of children, and subjected to a primary culture. CCK?8 assay was performed to screen non?cytotoxic concentrations of AGE?bovine serum albumin (BSA). Some fibroblasts were incubated with 50, 100 and 300 mg/L AGE?BSA separately for 24 hours, with untreated cells as the control group. Then, reverse transcription(RT)?PCR, Western?blot analysis and a fluorimetric assay were performed to measure the mRNA and protein expressions as well as activity of CatD, respectively. Some fibroblasts were classified into six groups: control group receiving no treatment, AGE?BSA group and BSA group treated with the highest non?cytotoxic concentration of AGE?BSA and the same concentration of BSA respectively for 24 hours, UVA group irradiated by 10 J/cm2 UVA, UVA?AGE?BSA group and UVA?BSA group treated with AGE?BSA and BSA at the above non?cytotoxic concentration respectively for 24 hours both before and after UVA radiation at 10 J/cm2. After the treatments, RT?PCR, Western?blot analysis and a fluorimetric assay were conducted to detect mRNA and protein expressions and activity of CatD respectively. Results AGE?BSA of 50- 200 mg/L exhibited no obvious influence on cellular proliferation of fibroblasts. The fibroblasts incubated with AGE?BSA of 50, 100 and 200 mg/L showed a significant increase in the mRNA expression(0.267 ± 0.007, 0.348 ± 0.007, and 0.418 ± 0.006 respectively), protein expression (1.403 ± 0.181, 2.233 ± 0.090 and 2.477 ± 0.111 respectively), and activity(1.760 ± 0.080, 2.330 ± 0.060 and 2.890 ± 0.080 respectively)of CatD compared with the control group(mRNA:0.161 ± 0.006;protein:0.903 ± 0.200;activity:1.100 ± 0.090, all P < 0.05). AGE?BSA increased CatD expressions and activity in a dose?dependent manner. The mRNA and protein expressions as well as activity of CatD were significantly higher in the UVA group than in the control group (mRNA expression: 0.480 ± 0.005 vs. 0.155 ± 0.005; protein expression: 2.583 ± 0.199 vs. 0.920 ± 0.235;activity:2.970 ± 0.110 vs. 1.110 ± 0.040, all P<0.05), but significantly lower in the UVA?AGE?BSA group than in the UVA group(mRNA expression:0.394 ± 0.008 vs. 0.480 ± 0.005;protein expression:2.070 ± 0.125 vs. 2.583 ± 0.199;activity: 2.560 ± 0.060 vs. 2.970 ± 0.110, all P < 0.05). Conclusion AGEs could increase CatD expressions and activity in human dermal fibroblasts not receiving UVA irradiation, but inhibit their increase in UVA?induced human dermal fibroblasts.

According to the results of analyzing the microwave-induced thermoacoustic signals, the amplitude and frequency were estimated and the designing parameters of preprocessor were decided. Based on the parameters, the signals preprocessor was designed with the band pass frequency ranging from 50 KHz to 3MHz, the gain ranging from 55 dB to 105 dB and the output noise being 1.32 V when the input was zero and the gain was 105 dB. The de-noising method of thermoacoustic signals was also discussed. The signals can be picked up by the preprocessor combined with the digital multipoint average method. The amplitude of signals is only 5 microV or even less. The results indicated that the preprocessor can meet the needs of thermoacoustic signals acquisition in bandwidth, gain and noise control.
Acoustics ; instrumentation ; Algorithms ; Biophysical Phenomena ; Computer-Aided Design ; Equipment Design ; Microwaves ; Thermography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tomography ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish an FTIR method for the analysis of Dendrobium.

METHODUsing fourier transform infrared spectrometer to record the characteristic spectra of eleven samples of Dendrobium, and to compare the spectra by PCA (principal component analysis).

RESULTThe FTIR spectra of the upper part of the stem displayed significant differences between fresh and dried samples of Dendrobium. On the other hand, differences were observed in the spectra of the middle and lower parts of stems of D. guangxieuse when compared to other species.

CONCLUSIONThe method of applying PCA to FTIR analysis is a rapid and dependable method for comparing samples of Dendrobium.

Dendrobium ; chemistry ; classification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Principal Component Analysis ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods

Objective To observe the effects of Huatan Quyu Decoction on cognitive function and the expressions of GABA and VILIP-1 in brain tissue of rats with cerebral small vessel disease;To discuss its mechanism for treatment on cerebral small vessel disease.Methods Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,a rat model of cerebral small vessel disease was prepared by in vitro injection of homologous microemboli.Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups were given Huatan Quyu Decoction 1.25 and 2.5 g/kg by gavage,the blank group and model group were gavage with equal amounts of distilled water for 28 consecutive days.Morris water maze experiment was conducted on day 1,7,14,and 28 after administration to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats,HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in hippocampal tissue,and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of GABA and VILIP-1 proteins in brain tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in model group significantly prolonged(P<0.05),and the number of crossing platforms was significantly reduced(P<0.05);the arrangement of hippocampal tissue cells was disordered,gaps widen,and nuclei atrophy and necrosis,the GABA expression in brain tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the VILIP-1 expression significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in the Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups significantly shortened(P<0.05)on day 7,14,and 28 of administration,and the number of crossing platforms significantly increased(P<0.05),GABA expression significantly increased(P<0.05),while VILIP-1 expression significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Huatan Quyu Decoction low-dosage group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in Huatan Quyu Decoction high-dosage group decreased at various time points,and the number of crossing platforms increase,the pathological damage of hippocampal tissue was reduced,the expression of GABA in brain tissue increased,and the expression of VILIP-1 decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Huatan Quyu Decoction can increase the expression of GABA in brain tissue and inhibit the expression of VILIP-1,thereby improve the cognitive function of rats with cerebrovascular disease.

Objective To evaluate the effect of photoaging on the degradation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by human dermal fibroblasts.Methods Some cultured human dermal fibroblasts were subjected to repetitive ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation (UVA radiation group) to establish a photoaging cell model,which was then evaluated by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay,senescenceassociated β-galactosidase staining and detection of apoptosis rate.Moreover,fibroblasts receiving no treatment served as control group.Some other primary fibroblasts were divided into 4 groups:photoaged group receiving UVA radiation,non-photoaged group receiving no treatment,AGE-treated photoaged group treated with UVA radiation followed by the treatment with 200 mg/L AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA),and AGE-treated non-photoaged group treated with 200 mg/L AGE-BSA alone.After the treatment with AGE-BSA for 4-72 hours,flow cytometry was performed to determine the fluorescence intensity of AGE-BSA in fibroblasts of the above groups.After 8-hour treatment with AGE-BSA,confocal laser scanning microscopy was performed to localize and semiquantitatively detect AGE-BSA in fibroblasts,and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect AGE-BSA levels in fibroblasts,as well as changes in the intracellular AGE-BSA level within 24 hours after the removal of AGE-BSA.Results Compared with the control group,the UVA radiation group showed significantly decreased cellular proliferative activity (t =7.559,P ＜ 0.05),but significantly increased apoptosis rate and percentage of β-galactosidase-positive fibroblasts (t =14.075,43.524 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).Flow cytometry revealed that the average fluorescence intensities of AGE-BSA after 4-,8-,16-,24-,48-and 72-hour treatment with AGE-BSA were significantly higher in the AGE-treated photoaged group (293.00 ± 8.19,359.67 ± 11.59,347.00 ± 12.29,338.00 ± 12.77,334.67 ± 14.22 and 336.30 ± 10.21,respectively) than in the photoaged group (all P ＜ 0.05),as well as in the AGE-treated non-photoaged group (222.33 ± 8.74,276.33 ± 6.11,256.33 ± 5.51,243.00 ± 10.15,236.33 ± 1.53 and 240.33 ± 1.52,respectively) than in the non-photoaged group (all P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the average fluorescence intensities of AGE-BSA at different time points were all significantly higher in the AGE-treated photoaged group than in the AGE-treated non-photoaged group (all P ＜ 0.05).Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that AGE-BSA was mainly localized in lysosomes after endocytic uptake into the fibroblasts,and the AGE-treated photoaged group showed significantly increased fluorescence intensity of AGE-BSA compared with the AGE-treated non-photoaged group (P ＜ 0.05).ELISA revealed that the intracellular AGE level in the AGE-treated non-photoaged group at 24 hours after the removal of AGE-BSA was decreased by (14.6 ± 1.2)％ compared with that before the removal,and the degradation rate of AGE-BSA was significantly higher in the AGE-treated non-photoaged group than in the AGE-treated photoaged group (7.6％ ± 1.4％,t =6.604,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The internalized AGE-degradating ability decreases in photoaged fibroblasts,which may induce the accumulation of AGEs in photoaged skin.

Objective To determine the expression of cathepsin D and advanced glycation end products (AGEs)in skin tissues from patients of different ages or skin tissues with different degrees of sun exposure,to evaluate their correlation,and to preliminarily investigate the role of cathepsin D in the degradation and accumulation of AGEs in photoaged skin.Methods Skin tissues were collected from sunexposed and sun-protected body sites in patients aged 15-20 years,35-40 years,55-60 years or 75-80 years.These skin tissues were divided into 8 groups according to age of patients and degrees of sun exposure,and there were 6 specimens in each group.Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent methods were used to measure the expression of cathepsin D and AGEs in the skin tissues.Statistical analysis was carried out by factorial design analysis of variance,Wilcoxon rank sum test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test for analyzing associations of the expression of cathepsin D and AGEs with age and sun exposure,as well as by Pearson correlation analysis for assessing the correlation between cathepsin D expression and AGEs expression.Results Immunohistochemical study showed that the expression of cathepsin D markedly decreased along with the increase of age,but the accumulation of AGEs gradually increased along with the increase of age.In the same age group,the cathepsin D expression was lower in the sun-exposed skin tissues than in the sun-protected skin tissues,while the accumulation of AGEs was more in the sun-exposed skin tissues than in the sun-protected skin tissues.Factorial design analysis of variance showed that sun exposure could decrease the expression of cathepsin D (F =58.70,P ＜ 0.001),but increase the accumulation of AGEs (F =158.18,P ＜ 0.001).Moreover,the increase of age could lead to decreased expression of cathepsin D (F =79.49,P ＜ 0.001),and increased expression of AGEs (F =106.06,P ＜0.001).Compared with the sun-protected skin tissues,the sun-exposed skin tissues in all the age groups showed significantly lower absorbance value of cathepsin D (35-40 years:0.020 ± 0.005 vs.0.032 ± 0.005;55-60 years:0.012 ± 0.004 vs.0.026 ± 0.002;75-80 years:0.002 ± 0.001 vs.0.013 ± 0.004;all P ＜0.001),but higher absorbance value of AGEs (35-40 years:0.030 ± 0.008 vs.0.010 ± 0.003;55-60years:0.066 ± 0.010 vs.0.021 ± 0.004;75-80 years:0.085 ± 0.015 vs.0.035 ± 0.009;all P ＜ 0.001)except the age group of 15-20 years.No matter whether the skin tissues were sun-exposed or sunprotected,there were significant differences in the expression of cathepsin D and AGEs among different age groups (all P ＜ 0.001).The results of double immunofluorescence staining were similar to those of immunohistochemical study.Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression of cathepsin D in the sun-exposed skin tissues was highly negatively correlated with the accumulation of AGEs (r =-0.915,P ＜0.05),while they were moderately negatively correlated in the sun-protected skin tissues (r =-0.730,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Along with the increase of age,the expression of cathepsin D in skin tissues decreased,but the expression of AGEs increased.In the sun-protected skin tissues,the expression of cathepsin D was moderately negatively correlated with the expression of AGEs,while they were highly negatively correlated in the sun-exposed skin tissues,suggesting that cathepsin D may play an important role in the degradation and accumulation of AGEs in photoaged skin.

Objective To investigate the regulatory role of cathepsin D (CatD) in the degradation of intracellular advanced glycation end products (AGEs) endocytosed by human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs).Methods Cultured HDFs were treated with 1 μnol/L CA074Me (an inhibitor of CatB and CatL),75 μmol/L pepstatin A (an inhibitor of CatD) and 1 μmol/L MG-132 (an inhibitor of20S proteasome) separately for 4 hours,and then cell counting kit 8 (CCKS) assay and fluorometric assay were performed to determine the cellular viability and protease activity,respectively.The cells in the CA074Me group,pepstatin A group and MG-132 group were additionally treated with AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 8 hours,and the cells in the blank control group were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) alone.After 8-hour cultivation,the cells in the above groups were subsequently reincubated with fresh culture medium containing the corresponding inhibitors for 24 hours.Then,flow cytometry was performed to assess the mean fluorescence intensity of intracellular AGE-BSA at different time points.Some other HDFs were treated with 37.5,75 and 150 μmol/L pepstatin A and PBS separately for 4 hours,and then the cells in the 4 groups were treated with 200 mg/L AGE-BSA for 8 hours,followed by the removal of AGE-BSA from the medium and the treatment with 37.5,75 and 150 μmol/L pepstatin A and PBS respectively.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure the mean concentration of intracellular AGE-BSA at different time points,and the degradation rate of AGE was calculated.Some HDFs were divided into 3 groups:blank control group receiving no treatment,NC group transfected with an empty vector,and CatD group transfected with a CatD-overexpressing lentiviral vector.Fluorescence microscopy was conducted to estimate the transfection efficiency.Reverse transcription-PCR,Western blot analysis and fluorometric assay were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression,and activity of CatD respectively.Then,the cells in the above 3 groups were incubated with AGE-BSA for 8 hours,followed by the removal of AGE-BSA from the medium and the treatment with fresh culture medium.The detection methods were same as the above experiment,and the degradation rate was calculated.Results The cellular proliferative activity in the 1-μmol/L CA074Me group,75-μmnol/L pepstatin A group and 1-μ mol/L MG-132 group was more than 90％,and there was no significant difference between the 3 groups and the control group (100％,F =1.525,P ＞ 0.05).Twenty-four hours after the removal of AGE-BSA from the medium,the fluorescence intensities of intracellular AGE-BSA in the CA074Me + AGE-BSA group (275.00 ± 10.15) and MG-132 + AGE-BSA group (259.00 ± 11.14) significantly decreased compared with those at the 8-hour time point (295.00 ± 6.56 and 285.67±8.74 respectively;paired t test,t =4.778,6.154 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05),while no significant difference was observed in the fluorescence intensities of intracellular AGE-BSA in the pepstatin A + AGE-BSA group between the 8-hour time point and 32-hour time point (P ＞ 0.05).The degradation rates of intracellular AGE-BSA within 24 hours in the 37.5,75 and 150 μmol/L pepstatin A groups were 9.64％ ± 1.27％,5.62％ ± 0.47％ and 3.21％ ± 0.73％ respectively;there were significant differences among the 3 groups (F =45.876,P ＜ 0.05),and the degradation rate significantly decreased along with the increase of pepstatin A concentration (P ＜ 0.05).Fluorescence microscopy showed no fluorescent cells in the blank control group,while the NC group and CatD group both showed a high proportion (＞ 80％) of fluorescent cells.The mRNA and protein expression as well as the activity of CatD were significantly higher in the CatD group than in the blank control group and NC group (all P ＜ 0.05).The CatD + AGE-BSA group showed a significantly higher degradation rate of intracellular AGE-BSA within 24 hours compared with the AGE-BSA group and NC + AGE-BSA group (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CatD can promote the degradation of intracellular AGE-BSA endocytosed by HDFs.