Objective To study the effects of glycogen synthase kinase-3?(GSK-3?)and free radical on neuron apoptosis of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD)in newborn rats.Methods Eighty 7-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:normal group and hypoxic-ischemic(HI)group.Rats in HI group were subjected to left common carotid artery ligation,exposed to 80 mL/L oxygen and 920 mL/L nitrogen gas in 37 ℃ closed container for 2.5 h.Rats in 2 groups were killed at 6 hours,24 hours,48 hours,72 hours,5 days after hypoxia respectively.The neuron apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The activity of GOD-PX and the contents of SOD and MDA were detected by spectrophotometry,the level of GSK-3? was mensurated by Enzyme-linked immumosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The rates of neuronal apoptosis in HI group were significantly higher than those in normal group at 6,24,48 and 72 hours after hypoxia,respectively(Pa

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture treatment on the levels of HPA axis related hormones and acupoint compatibility in insomnia rats; To discuss the mechanism of action for acupuncture treatment. Methods Chlorophenylalanine suspension was under intraperitoneal injection to establish insomnia model rats. Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Baihui+Shenmen group, Baihui+Sanyinjiao group, Baihui+non-acupoint group, with 12 rats in each group. Each treatment group received acupuncture in relevant acupoints, 30 min each time, for 7 d. ELISA was used to measure the levels of CRH, ACTH and CORT. Results Compared with the model group, the levels of CRH, ACTH and CORT of the acupuncture groups decreased to some extent. In the three acupuncture groups, the efficacy of Baihui+Shenmen group was better than that of Baihui+Sanyinjiao group and Baihui+non-non-acupoint group. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment may calm and soothe the nerves to release the insomnia through regulating HPA axis related hormones. Acupuncture acupoints at different meridians may be one of the factors that cause the difference of acupoints compatibility effect.

Twenty-two compounds were isolated from the flowers of Scabiosa tschilliensis. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods as octacosanol (1), stearic acid (2), β-sitosterol (3), oleanolic acid (4), apigenin (5), luteolin (6), daucosterol (7), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-6-O-(p-hydroxycinnamoyl) -glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol-3-O-β-D- (3, 6-di-p-(hydroxycinnamoyl) -glucopyranoside (9), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), luteolin-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), apigenin-7-O-rutinoside (12), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (13), apigenin-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (14), caffeic acid methyl ester (15), loganin (16), adenosine (17), luteolin-6-C-β-D-glycopyranosyl (18), sweroside (19), sylvestrosides I (20), sylvestrosides II (21), urceolide (22). Among them, compounds 1, 2, 7-9, 12, 15, 17-18, 20-22 were isolated from the genus Scabiosa for the first time, and compounds 1-4, 6-9, 11-12, 14-22 were isolated from this plant for the first time. 13C-NMR data of 22 were reported for the first time.
Dipsacaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Recombinant plasmid pICG was constructed by replacing the internal fragment of a-acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) gene (ILV2) with a copy of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase gene (GSH1) and copper chelatin gene (CUP1) from the industrial brewing yeast strain YSF31. YSF31 was transformed with plasmid pICG linearized by Kpn I and Pst I. A recombinant strain with high-glutathione and low-diacetyl production was selected. The results of fermentation in 100-L bioreactor showed that the lagering time of beer produced for recombinant strain T2 was shortened by 3 days and the shelf life of the beer was prolonged about 50%. It may be more acceptable for the commercial application, as it does not contain foreign DNA.
Acetolactate Synthase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Beer ; microbiology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Diacetyl ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; biosynthesis ; Metallothionein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Organisms, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture in acupoints at different meridians on 5-HT, DA, NE in the peripheral serum of insomnia rats; To explore the mechanism of action of acupuncture for the treatment of insomnia. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Baihui+Shenmen group, Baihui+Sanyinjiao group, and Baihui+non-acupoint group, with 12 rats in each group. Injection of PCPA suspension of rats was used to establish insomnia model. Each acupuncture group received corresponding acupoints, 30 min each time, for 7 days. The levels of 5-HT, DA and NE in serum were measured by ELISA. Results Compared with the blank group, the levels of 5-HT, DA and NE in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the contents of DA and NE in the acupuncture groups were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the 5-HT in Baihui+Sanyinjiao group was significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). Among all acupuncture groups, overall efficacy of Baihui+Shenmen group was better than Baihui+Sanyinjiao group and Baihui+non-acupoint group. Conclusion Acupuncture can improve sleep structure in rats may be related to serum monoamine neurotransmitters. Acupuncture in acupoints at different meridians may be one of the influencing factors of acupoint compatibility effects.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between activation of nuclear factor-K-gene binding (NF-κB) and apoptosis induced by matrine(MT) in transplanted tumor of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mouse.

METHODSTumors were established by injection of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 into the back of nude mice. The mice were divided randomly into four groups: Control group, MT group (35 mg/kg), PDTC group (120 mg/kg) and Combination group: PDTC + MT group (120 mg/kg + 35 mg/kg), the reagents were injected peritoneally. The tumor growth curve of nude mice bearing transplanted tumor were observed and the inhibition ratios were evaluated. Apoptosis of carcinoma cells was analyzed by TUNEL. The DNA-binding activity of NF-κB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Expression of bcl-2 and bax in carcinoma tissue were detected by immunohistochemical method. NF-κB mRNA, bcl-2 mRNA and bax mRNA in carcinoma tissue were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSPyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) could enhance the inhibition of matrine on carcinoma proliferation (P < 0.05). The apoptosis and activation of NF-κB in carcinoma cells could be induced by matrine. PDTC significantly suppressed NF-κB activation induced by matrine in carcinoma cells from 93.64 ± 2.95 to 65.78 ± 5.65 (F = 124.754, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, PDTC increased the apoptosis induced by matrine from 55.9% ± 2.8% to 74.3% ± 4.8% (P < 0.05).A positive correlation observed between the expressions of NF-κB and of bcl-2 (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.983, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMatrine could induce apoptosis and activation of NF-κB in transplanted tumor. PDTC could increase apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells might be due to the suppression of NF-κB activation and the enhancement of bcl-2 expression.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF), an extract of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, on several down-regulated signaling molecules involved in learning and memory in hippocampal neurons.

METHODSAfter cultured for 7 days, primary hippocampal neurons were divided into 5 groups: normal, corticosterone model, RU38486, 5-HMF, and donepezil group. Neuron survival rates were calculated 24 h later using SYTO13-PI double-fluorescence staining and an 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. β-galactosidase activity was also assayed. Protein expressed by the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR), brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B), as well as phosphorylationcyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (p-CREB), phosphorylation-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and phosphorylation-synapsin (p-synapsin) were quantified with Western blot.

RESULTSHippocampal neuron survival rates and the above-mentioned proteins were dramatically decreased (P<0.05), β-galactosidase activity was significantly increased in the model group. but the effect was reversed by 5-HMF, RU38486, and to a lesser extent by donepezil (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION5-HMF extracts from the Chinese herb Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch could protect hippocampal neurons from glucocorticoid injury and from down-regulated signaling molecules in the GCR-BDNF-NR2B-p-ERK-p-CREB-p-synapsin signal transduction pathway.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Corticosterone ; pharmacology ; Furaldehyde ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDMinimally invasive flexible ureteroscopy techniques have widely adopted in the management of patients with renal stones. We performed this study to investigate the value of virtual reality simulator training in retrograde flexible ureteroscopy renal stone treatment for catechumen.

METHODSThirty catechumen, included 17 attending physicians and 13 associate chief physicians, were selected for study. The trainees first underwent 1-hour basic training to get familiar with the instrument and basic procedures, then followed by 4-hour practice on virtual reality simulators. Before and after the 4-hour training, all trainees undertake an assessment with task 7 program (right low pole calyces stone management). We documented for each trainee the total time of procedure, time of progressing from the orifice to stone, stone translocation and fragmentation time, laser operate proficiency scale, total laser energy, maximal size of residual stone fragments, number of trauma from the scopes and tools, damage to the scope and global rating scale (GRS). The proficiency of this training program was analyzed by the comparison of the first and second assessment outcomes.

RESULTSSignificant improvement was observed in retrograde flexible ureteroscopy management of renal stone on virtual reality simulators after finishing the 4 hour special-purpose training. This was demonstrated by improvement in total procedure time ((18.37±2.59) minutes vs. (38.67±1.94) minutes), progressing time from the orifice to stone ((4.00±1.08) minutes vs. (13.80±2.01) minutes), time of stone translocation ((1.80±0.71) minutes vs. (6.57±1.01) minutes), fragmentation time ((4.43±1.25) minutes vs. (13.53±1.46) minutes), laser operate proficiency scale (8.47±0.73 vs. 3.77±0.77), total laser energy ((3231.6±401.4) W vs. (5329.8±448.9) W), maximal size of residual stone fragments ((2.66±0.39) mm vs. (5.77±0.63) mm), number of trauma from the scopes and tools (3.27±1.01 vs. 10.37±3.02), damage to the scope (0 vs. 0.97±0.76) and GRS (29.27±2.95 vs. 9.87±2.21). The differences between the first and the second assessment were all statistically significant (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe virtual reality simulator training program can help the trainees to rapidly improve their retrograde flexible ureteroscopy skill in renal stone treatment.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; Male ; Ureteroscopy ; education ; Urology ; education

The yeast fusant ZFF-28, which is high in biomass production and rich in selenium, was constructed after mutagenesis and protoplasts fusion between yeast strains. The total selenium content of ZFF-28 is 1.8 and 1.0 times higher than that of the parental strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae ZY-67 and Saccharomyces kluyveri SZY-198 respectively. Using single factor tests and a L16(4(3) x 2(1)) orthogonal design, the cultivation conditions was optimized as: 50mL culture in 250mL shake flasks in molasses containing 6% sugar and 60microg/mL Se at 28 degree C for 25h at 220 r/min, with the initial pH adjusted to 6.0 - 6.5. Under the optimized conditions, the biomass (dry weight) reached 8.2g/L and the Se content of the cells reached 2050microg/g, with organic and inorganic Se contents being 91% and 9% respectively.
Biomass ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Saccharomyces ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Selenium ; metabolism ; Selenium Compounds ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEExercise induced oscillatory ventilation (EIOB) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is associated with severity and prognosis of disease, but clinical approach for the character of EIOB due to circulatory dysfunction are seldom reported.

METHODSThis retrospective analysis of symptom-limited maximum CPET data with an increment of 10-20 W/min in 38 patients with CHF. We calculated the duration, frequency, amplitude and other parameters of EIOB.

RESULTSThere were 31 presenting with EIOB (82%) in all patients with CHF. In EIOB group, VE amplitude were (12.4 ± 4.4)L/min (accounting for 81% ± 30% of mean) and duration were (77.0 ± 20.0)s. The number of patients whose EIOB presenting at rest, exercise, recovery stage and the whole eriod were 24, 31, 4 and 4, respectively. Except VE, there were VO2, VCO2, RER and PETO2 presenting EIOB in all 31 patients; VE/VCO2, VO2/VE and breath frequency in 29 patients; PETCO2 in 26 patients; VT and VO2/HR in 25 patients; and HR in 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONEIOB may occur in any period of CPET, mostly in severe patient with CHF, and presenting in many variables. Due to it is resulted from the circulatory dysfunction, we should call it circulatory (cardiac) oscillatory breathing abnormality.

Exercise Test ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Oxygen Consumption ; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena ; Retrospective Studies