Na+/H+ antiporter plays an important role in mechanisms of the plant salt tolerance, it extrudes Na+ from cell energized by the proton gradient generated by the plasm membrane H(+)-ATPase and/or compartmentalizes Na+ in vacuole energized by the proton gradient generated by the vacuolar membrane H(+)-ATPase and H(+)-PPiase. This review mainly discusses the latest progress in the study of Na+/H+ antiporter in plant and yeast at molecular level.
Phylogeny ; Plants ; metabolism ; Salts ; metabolism ; Sodium ; metabolism ; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers ; classification ; metabolism ; Vacuoles ; physiology

Objective To explore the activation and function of Janus protein-tyrosine kinase (JAK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) signal transduction pathway in kidney,lung and brain of MRL/lpr mice.Methods MRL/lpr mice with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were studied at the age of 12 weeks up.Non-SLE MRL/lpr mice were used as controls.We used phosphospecific antibodies to detect STAT1 activation in kidney,lung and brain by immunohistochemistry and Western blots.Gene expression of the STAT induced feedback inhibitors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1) was investigated by SYBR green I real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results Phosphorylation of STAT1 protein was markedly activated in these three organs,although renal and pulmonary STAT1 activation were much more evidently activated.SOCS-1 gene expression increased in all three organs,while renal SOCS-1 gene expres- sion increased less than lung and brain.Conclusion The activation of JAK/STATI signal transduction path- way may be pathogenic in the organ involvement and progression of SLE.The pathogenesis of lupus nephritis may also be associated with the down-regulation of SOCS-1 feedback inhibition.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experiences in the diagnosis and managements of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD).

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic data of 17 patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAccording to the results of imaging examination, clinical data and pathological data, 17 patients HVOD were divided into acute progressive HVOD and chronic HVOD. 2 cases out of the 11 acute progressive cases got improved, 2 cases died after medical treatment and 2 cases died after shunt operation. The 6 chronic HVOD, including 1 case with medical treatment and 5 cases with shunt operation, were cured.

CONCLUSIONLiver biopsy was an efficient method for the diagnosis of hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Acute progressive cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease should be managed with medical treatment and the chronic cases could be treated with shunt surgery if medical treatment were inefficient.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatic Veins ; pathology ; Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the occurrence of important foodborne pathogens in shellstock Pacific oysters in the food markets in South China.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to June 2008, retail oysters were collected in different seasons from South China and analyzed for the prevalence and levels of Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

RESULTSNone of L. monocytogenes could be detected in any of the 202 oyster samples tested, while E vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus could be detected in 67 (54.9%) and 109 (89.3%) of the 122 oyster samples analyzed, respectively, with an MPN (most probable number) value greater than or equal to 3. V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus with a more than 102 MPN/g were found in 36 (29.5%) and 59 (48.4%) of the 122 oyster samples, respectively. The tdh and trh genes were detected in 4 (0.3%) and 8 (0.6%) of the 1 349 V parahaemolyticus isolates, respectively. Of the 122 samples, 4 (3.3%) was positive for either tdh or trh. The levels of V. vulnificus and total V. parahaemolyticus in oysters in South China varied in different seasons.

CONCLUSIONV. vulnificus and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus are frequently found in oysters in south China, which may pose a potential threat to public health. Data presented here will be useful for the microbiological risk assessment in oysters in China.

Animals ; China ; Commerce ; Food Microbiology ; Listeria monocytogenes ; isolation & purification ; Ostreidae ; microbiology ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus ; isolation & purification ; Vibrio vulnificus ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the relationship between the functional integrity of sperm membrane and seminal parameters related to CASA.

METHODSThirty-eight fertile and one hundrend and twenty four infertile males were tested the functional integrity of sperm membrane by the kit and parameters by CASA.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference in the functional integrity of sperm membrane between fertile and infertile group (P < 0.01). The items related to CASA between normal and abnormal group in the functional integrity of sperm membrane had a remarkable difference, except motion degree, seminal volume and pH.

CONCLUSIONSTo determine the functional integrity of sperm membrane can be used as a necessary supplementary method for CASA, and it has clinical significance in diagnosing, treating and researching male infertility.

Adult ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Membranes ; physiology ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

The objective of study was to investigate the expressions of CD80, CD86 and its ligand CD28 on peripheral lymphocytes in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), to explore the effect of interleukin 18 (IL-18) and its clinical significance in ITP. The expressions of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86 and its ligand CD28) on peripheral lymphocytes from 34 ITP patients and 34 normal humans were detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The IL-18 in the plasma was detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the expressions of CD80 and CD86 on peripheral lymphocytes from ITP patients were higher than that of the normal control (4.21 +/- 2.27%, 7.19 +/- 5.16% vs 2.34 +/- 0.87%, 4.08 +/- 1.96%) (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-18 in plasma of ITP patients was (538.31 +/- 111.33) pg/ml, but the concentration of IL-18 in plasma of controls was (489.44 +/- 49.07) pg/ml. The level of IL-18 negatively correlated with the platelet counts in peripheral blood (r = -0.395, P < 0.05). It is concluded that the CD28/CD80 and CD28/CD86 costimulatory molecules are overexpressed, when the IL-18 level in ITP patients is obviously higher than that in normal controls. When ITP occurred, and the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 are closely associated with ITP, it seems that IL-18 may play an important role in ITP pathogenesis.
B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD28 Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; immunology

This study was aimed to analyze the biological characteristics of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) and their response to different growth factors. Rabbit BM-MSCs were separated from bone marrow mononuclear cells by using adherent cultivation. Biological characteristics were investigated by optical and electron microscopy. Immunophenotype of rBM-MSCs was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of collagen was detected by RT-PCR. Differentiation potential was identified by specific staining and RT-PCR. The response of rBM-MSCs to IL-1, 3, 8 and HGF with different concentrations were tested by MTT. The results showed that the rBM-MSCs gave rise to a population of adherent cells characterized by the presence of a predominant cell type with a typical fibroblast-like morphology and could be cultured for over 15 passages. CD44 was highly expressed on F5 rBM-MSCs (32%) and CD45 was lowly expressed (4.7%). Type I collagen was highly expressed, while type II collagen was lowly expressed and type X collagen was not detected on rBM-MSCs using RT-PCR method. In various conditions inducting differentiation, rBM-MSCs could differentiate into the osteoblast, chondrocyte, adipocyte and neuron-like cells. The rBM-MSCs were sensitive to IL-3, even low concentration (10 ng/ml) of IL-3 could promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively (>32%, P < 0.01), whereas high concentration IL-3 inhibited it significantly. It is concluded that rabbit BM-MSCs were successfully isolated and culture-expanded. The biological characteristics of rabbit BM-MSCs are similar to those of human and rhesus BM-MSCs. IL-3 with low concentration can promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively, but high concentration of IL-3 can inhibit their proliferation.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory effect of arginine on the secretion of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), and the mechanism of enhancing the immune function by arginine.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC), wound control (WC), and wound with arginine (Arg) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in WC and Arg groups were inflicted with soft tissue trauma on the back. The rats in Arg group were fed a diet supplemented with 5% arginine for one week, while those in NC and WC groups were fed with glycine. The serum contents of arginine, ornithine, growth factor (GH), NO and IGF-I were determined 7 days after feeding. T cell proliferation and IGF-I mRNA expression in hepatic tissue were also measured. Meanwhile, the rat hepatocytes were cultured in serum-free medium containing different concentrations of arginine. The supernatant was collected for the determination of IGF-I level.

RESULTS1). There was no obvious difference of the serum level of arginine and ornithine between NC and WC groups (P > 0.05), but the contents of them were obviously higher in the Arg group compared with other two groups (P < 0.01). 2). No difference in the serum GH level was found among all the groups (P > 0.05), but the serum NO content in WC and Arg groups was significantly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), and the serum IGF-I content in WC group decreased obviously compared with that in NC group (P < 0.01). 3). The thymocyte proliferation rate in WC group was also markedly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), but that in Arg group was improved compared with WC group (P < 0.01). 4). The expression of hepatic IGF-I mRNA: The relative value of IGF-I mRNA was 1.19 +/- 0.06, 1.08 +/- 0.06 and 1.29 +/- 0.06 in NC, WC and Arg, respectively, while the value in WC was lower than that in NC (P < 0.05) group, and that in Arg group was much higher than that in WC group (P < 0.01). 5). The IGF-I level in the supernatant of cultured hepatocytes: When Arg concentration was 0.0750, 0.7500, 7.5000 mmol/L in the culture medium, the IGF-I level in the supernatant of hepatic cell medi-um was obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01). Although IGF-I level decreased in the culture medium with arginine in the dose of 37.5000 mmol/L, it was still obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONArginine could also produce the immune enhancing effect by stimulating hepatic IGF-I secretion.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Enteral Nutrition ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; secretion ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVEUsing doubly labeled water method to validate the colmputer science application's activity monitor (CSA) in assessing physical activity of free-living adults in Beijing, in order to develop equations to predict total daily energy expenditure (TEE) and activity related energy expenditure (AEE) from activity counts (AC) and anthropometric variables.

METHODSA total of 72 healthy adults (33 males and 39 females, mean age 43.6 +/- 4.0 yr) were monitored for 7 consecutive days by CSA. TEE was simultaneously measured using doubly labeled water method. Average AC (counts/min(-1)) was compared with TEE, AEE and physical activity level (PAL).

RESULTSPhysical activity determined by AC was significantly related to data on energy expenditures: TEE (r = 0.31, P < 0.01), AEE (r = 0.30, P < 0.05), and PAL (r = 0.26, P < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that TEE was significantly influenced by gender, fat-free mass (FFM) or BMI and AC (R(2) = 0.52 - 0.70) while AEE was significantly influenced by gender, FFM and AC (R(2) = 0.25 - 0.32).

CONCLUSIONAC from CSA activity monitor seemed a useful measure in studying the total amount of physical activity in free-living adults while AC significantly contributed to the explained variation in TEE and AEE.

Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Anthropometry ; Body Weight ; Calorimetry, Indirect ; Energy Metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; Motor Activity ; physiology ; Physical Fitness ; physiology

To develop a sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of mosapride in human plasma, mosapride and internal standard tamsulosin were extracted from plasma with liquid-liquid extraction, then separated on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm ID) with gradient elution at flow-rate of 0.25 mL x min(-1). The mobile phase was water (containing 0.3% formic acid) and acetonitrile under gradient conditions. Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in the positive ion mode. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the transitions of m/z 422 --> m/z 198 and m/z 409 --> m/z 228 were used to quantify mosapride and the internal standard, respectively. The linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range of 0.17 - 68.00 ng x mL(-1). The lower limit of quantification was 0.17 ng x mL(-1). The inter- and intra-day precision (RSD) was less than 13%, and the accuracy (RE) was within +/- 6.3% calculated from QC samples. The method was used to determine the concentration of mosapride in plasma after a single oral dose of 5 mg mosapride citrate to 20 healthy male Chinese volunteers. The method has been proved to be selective, sensitive, rapid and suitable for pharmacokinetic study of mosapride.
Administration, Oral ; Area Under Curve ; Benzamides ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Male ; Morpholines ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serotonin Receptor Agonists ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods