Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoglycemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Orexins ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo observe the expression of Presenilin-1 (PS-1) and production of amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) in hippocampus of female senile rats and to investigate the effect of vitamin E(VE) on preventing Alzheimer's disease after menopause.

METHODSThe animal model was established using female senile rats. Experimental groups (n=8) were respectively given different doses of VE(5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg) per day. The expression of PS-1 in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry, the level of Abeta in hippocampus was measured by Radioimmunoassay, and neuronal ultrastructure in hippocampal DG area was observed using transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSThe expression of PS-1 in rat hippocampus of senile control group was stronger than that of adult control group. PS-1 expressed weakly in three medication groups along with augmentation of dosage. The levels of Abeta were found to correlate statistically with the expression of PS-1. The content of Abeta in VE groups was significantly decreased compared to that in senile control group (P < 0.01). There were some changes in the neuronal ultrastructure of senile rats. Neurons were gradually recovered in VE groups.

CONCLUSIONVE may depress the production of Abeta by regulating the expression of PS-1, reducing neuronal injuries. VE may play a role in neuronal protection.

Aging ; Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Presenilin-1 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-complementary phenolic acids from Lonicera japonica.

METHODThe anti-complementary activity-directed isolation was carried out with the hemolysis test as guide. All isolation was evaluated for their in vitro anti-complementary activities. The structures were identified by various spectroscopic data including ESI-MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR data.

RESULTFourteen compounds were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of L. japonica extracts, including 8 phenolic acids: 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1), chlorogenic (2), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4), 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6), caffeic acid (7) and methyl caffeate acid (8); 3 iridoids: secologanoside (9), sweroside (10) and secoxyloganin (11); and 3 flavonoids: luteolin (12), quercetin (13) and kaempferol (14). Compounds 1-9 and 11-14 showed anti-complementary activity in different extents and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4) exhibited the most significant activity against the classical pathway.

CONCLUSIONCompound 14 is obtained from this plant for the first time, phenolic acids are the main anti-complementary constituents of L. japonica and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid(4) is a potential complement inhibitor with strong activity, which worthy to be studied further in the future.

Complement Inactivating Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lonicera ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in Han nation of northeast China.

METHODSStandard microcytotoxicity test and polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers method were used to detect the HLA class I antigens and HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 alleles in 27 patients with PV and results were compared with control group.

RESULTSGene and phenotype frequencies of HLA-A3, A26(10), B60(40), and B13 (27.99%, 48%; 16.11%, 30%; 23.02%, 41%; 16.11%, 30%, respectively) increased significantly in PV group compared with control (1.01%, 2%; 0.5%, 1%; 4.61%, 9%; 5.13%, 10%, respectively). After P value correction, the difference of A3, A26 (10), and B60 (40) between the two groups was still significant. The gene frequencies of HLA-DRB1*140x (1401, 1404, 1405, 1407, 1408), DRB1*120x, and DQB1*0503 alleles in PV group (42.26%, 25.46%, and 23.02%) were significantly higher than control group (5.09%, 7.74%, and 1.89%). After P value correction, the difference was still significant between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONPV significantly relates with HLA in PV patients of Han nation of northeast China.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-A3 Antigen ; genetics ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pemphigus ; genetics ; Phenotype

The development of a RF ablation therapeutic instrument based on improved PID algorithm is introduced here. It is based on the theory of radio frequency local destruction. By adopting the improved PID temperature control algorithm, the problem of the temperature control precision reduction due to tumor tissue characteristic changing by heating has been solved, thus ensuring homogeneous and smooth radio frequency heating to tumor foci. Experiments demonstrate that the new algorithm has strong adaptability and anti-disturbance capability, the equipment works stably and reliably, and can control therapeutic temperature precisely (+/- 2 degrees C), which indicates a good clinical application value.
Algorithms ; Calorimetry ; instrumentation ; methods ; Catheter Ablation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Electrodes ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; instrumentation ; methods ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Software ; Temperature

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy(SCIT)using dust mites in children with allergic asthma.Methods In a prospective randomized controlled study,98 children with dust mite-induced allergic asthma were randomly divided into a control group(n=49)and an SCIT group(n=49).The control group received inhaled corticosteroid treatment,while the SCIT group additionally received a standardized three-year SCIT regimen.The two groups were compared based on peripheral blood eosinophil percentage,visual analogue score(VAS),total medication score,Asthma Control Test/Childhood Asthma Control Test scores,fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO),and lung function before treatment,and at 6 months,1 year,2 years,and 3 years after treatment.Adverse reactions were recorded post-injection to evaluate the safety of SCIT.Results Compared with pre-treatment levels,the SCIT group showed a significant reduction in the percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils,VAS,total medication score,and FeNO,while lung function significantly improved,and asthma control levels were better 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the SCIT group showed more significant improvement in all evaluated indicators 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).A total of 2 744 injections were administered,resulting in 157 cases(5.72%)of local adverse reactions and 4 cases(0.15%)of systemic adverse reactions,with no severe systemic adverse events.Conclusions SCIT is an effective and safe treatment for allergic asthma in children.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of PDGF receptor-beta and its correlation with extracellular matrix in hepatic tissue during hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThe model of hepatic fibrosis in rats was induced by carbon tetrachloride. PDGF receptor-beta subunit, collagen I, collagen III and a-SMA in hepatic tissues of these rats were examined using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between PDGF receptor-beta subunit and collagen I, III was analyzed using SAS software after the results of immunohistochemistry were semi-quantified.

RESULTSPDGF receptor-beta subunit and a-SMA were not detected in normal controls. Collagen I and III were distributed in the portal tracts and beneath the endothelia of the central veins and of the Disse spaces. Two weeks after CCl4 injection, the PDGF receptor-beta and a-SMA were detected, and the expression of collagen I and III increased. At the end of 4 and 6 weeks, the above four proteins were further increased. Two weeks after CCl4 injection, PDGF receptor-beta had no apparent correlation with collagen I and III. However, PDGF receptor-beta had a significant correlation with collagen I and III 2 weeks later, and the correlation coefficient was 0.74 and 0.60 respectively at 4 weeks, and 0.83 and 0.67 respectively at 6 weeks. PDGF receptor-beta had a significant correlation with a-SMA during the whole process of hepatic fibrosis and the correlation coefficient was 0.62, 0.69 and 0.81, respectively at the time of 2, 4 and 6 weeks after CCl4 injection.

CONCLUSIONThe PDGF receptor-beta was overexpressed during the process of hepatic fibrosis development, and it significantly correlated with collagen I and collagen III.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bone marrow stem cell transplantation (BMT) on the diaphragm muscles of mdx mice, a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

METHODSThe bone marrow-derived stem cells form male SD rats was transplanted through the tail vein into 18 female 8-week-old mdx mice, which were sacrificed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT (6 at each time point), respectively. The diaphragm muscles of the mice were subjected to HE staining, immunofluorescence detection of dystrophin, reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis of dystrophin mRNA transcripts and PCR analysis of Sry (sex-determining region on the Y chromosome) gene, with age-matched female C57 mice and untreated mdx mice as the controls.

RESULTSThe proportion of centrally nucleated fibers (CNF) in the diaphragm muscle of the recipient mdx mice was (15.58+/-0.91) %, (12.50+/-1.87) % and (10.17+/-1.17) % at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT, respectively, significantly smaller than that of untreated mdx mice [(19.5+/-1.87) %], and the fibers after BMT showed less inflammatory infiltration. Compared with the untreated mice, the recipient mdx mice showed green fluorescence on significantly more diaphragm muscle cell membranes [with the proportion of dystrophin-positive fibers of (1.00+/-0.32) %, (6.00+/-1.05) % and (11.92+/-1.11) % at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after BMT]. RT-PCR of dystrophin mRNA also demonstrated significantly higher relative levels of dystrophin in the recipient mdx mice (0.19+/-0.05, 0.26+/-0.06 and 0.36+/-0.04 at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT) than in untreated mdx mice, and Sry gene was present in the recipient mice.

CONCLUSIONBMT can partially restore dystrophin expression and ameliorate the pathology in the diaphragm muscles of mdx mice, and has great potential to produce general therapeutic effect in patients with DMD.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Diaphragm ; metabolism ; pathology ; Dystrophin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestation of patients with renal injury induced by chronic mercury intoxication and the application of the diagnostic criteria of occupational mercury poisoning.

METHODSThe clinical data of 8 patients with chronic occupational mercury intoxication were analysed and evaluated.

RESULTSAll the observed clinical signs of chronic mercury intoxication correspond with the items of the diagnostic criteria of occupational mercury poisoning. The increasing beta2-MG was one of the clinical manifestations of renal injury induced by chronical mercury intoxication. The renal injury obviously was dose-dependent and reversible.

CONCLUSIONSThe national diagnostic criteria of occupational mercury poisoning is practically valuable. The renal injury induced by chronic mercury intoxication should not be neglected.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mercury Poisoning ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of indicators of oxidative stress in serum and NF-kappaB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with silicosis, and explore the mechanism of the development of silicosis.

METHODSThe subjects were divided into (1) 200 workers exposed to SiO2 for at least 1 years in a foundry served as the dust-exposure group; (2) 130 cases with silicosis (I phase silicosis 64 cases, II phase 46 cases III phase 20 cases) served as the silicosis group; (3) 32 cases with 0+ phase silicosis in the foundry served as the observed group,(4)100 subjects from a hotel served as the control group. The serum including superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), lipid malondialdehyde (MDA) and NF-kappaB protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, NO levels in dust-exposed group and silicosis group significantly increased, and SOD decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the control group and dust-exposed group, T-AOC, NOS, MDA levels in silicosis group significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). GSH-Px in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were (231.164 +/- 36.484) and (270.469 +/- 39.228)U/ml, respectively which were significantly than that [(223.360 +/- 46.838) U/ml] in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of GSHPx between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group significantly (P < 0.01) . GSH-Px level [(290.750 +/- 39.129) U/ml] in III phase silicosis group were significantly higher than those [(256.906 +/- 21.41) and (259.594 +/- 34.79) U/ml] in observation group and I phase silicosis group (P < 0.05). NF-kappaB levels [(72.06 +/- 9.12) and (85.25 +/- 11.64) ng/L] in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were significantly higher than that [(59.71 +/- 9.27) ng/L] in control group (P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between serum GSH-Px level and the silicosis stages (r = 0.507, P < 0.01). Also there was a positive correlation between NF-kappaB level and silicosis stages, age, GSH-Px or NO levels (r = 0.376, 0.243, 0.233, 0.221, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe imbalance of oxidative and anti-oxidation system and the activation of NF-kappaB are related with the occurrence and development of silicosis. The monitoring of oxidative stress indicators and NF-kappaB is beneficial to the prediction and prognosis assessment of silicosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Silicosis ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult