OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Draconis Sanguis-containing serum on the expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF, LNG-FR, TrkA, GDNF, GAP-43 and NF-H in Schwann cells, and investigate the possible mechanism of Draconis Sanguis to promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

METHODSD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group (orally administered with Draconis Sanguis-containing balm solution) and the blank group (equivoluminal balm) to prepare Draconis Sanguis-containing serum and blank control serum. Schwann cells were extracted from double sciatic nerves of three-day-old SD rats, divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group and the blank control group, and respectively cultured with 10% Draconis Sanguis-containing serum or blank control serum. The mRNA expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and other genes in Schwann cells were measured by RT-PCR analysis 48 hours later.

RESULTMost of the Schwann cells were bipolar spindle and arranged shoulder to shoulder or end to end under the microscope and identified to be positive with the immunocytochemical method. To compare with the blank group, mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 significantly increased (P < 0.01). Whereas that of BDNF decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and so did that of TrkA, CNTF (P < 0.01), with no remarkable difference in NF-H-mRNA.

CONCLUSIONTraditional Chinese medicine Draconis Sanguis may show effect in nerve regeneration by up-regulating mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 and down-regulating mRNA expressions of TrkA, BDNF and CNTF.

Animals ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Neurofilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Schwann Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Serum ; chemistry

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Emergency Treatment ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tachycardia ; therapy

A total of 152 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the barks of Eucommia ulmoides in three regions (Lueyang country, Zunyi country, Cili country). Based on morphological characteristics and analysis of ITS sequences, these strains were identified into 8 genera. Thereinto Phomopsis, Diaporthe and Alternaria were common genera to Eucommia barks from different sites. But the dominant genus was different: Alternaria was the dominant genus in the barks from Cili country, and Phomopsis was the dominant genus from Zunyi country, then Diaporthe was the one from Lueyang country. According to the similarity coefficient, the composition of the endophytic fungi was distinctly different between the barks from three sites. The diversity and species richness in Lueyang country and Cili country were found higher than those in Zunyi country. The evenness of endophytic fungi was 0.936 5 in Lueyang county, which was higher than 0.737 1 or 0.641 0 in Cili county or Zunyi county, respectively. After phylogenic analysis and calculating the genetic distances of typical strains belong to Phomopsis and its perfect stage--Diaporthe, there was very high genetic diversity in the two genera from our study. In conclusion, the community structure and diversity of endophytic fungi were significant different in Eucommia barks from the three habitats.
DNA, Fungal ; genetics ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; Ecosystem ; Endophytes ; classification ; physiology ; Eucommiaceae ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Bark ; microbiology

Objective To summarize the features of esophageal hiatus hernia (EHH) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and investigate the diagnostic value of CEUS in EHH.Methods A retrospective analysis of 88 EHH patients and 50 healthy controls was conducted with focus on their findings on CEUS.Results The structures of the cardiac and abdominal esophagus were clear in 50 healthy controls,and the esophageal hiatus diameters were (1.96±0.39) cm.In contrast,the cardiac and abdominal esophagus in EHH patients were unable to be identified in subdiaphragm region.The esophageal hiatus was wider with a diameter of (3.24±0.76) cm.The difference was statistically significant(t=2.36,P＜0.05).The hernia sacs were found in 78 EHH patients at rest.And the hernia sacs were present on the diaphragm in 10 EHH patients after pressure.The maximum diameter of hernia sac was 7.6 cm.The size of hernia sac may change with abdominal pressure.In sliding EHH patients,the sac wall was found to slide up and down the diaphragm.A mass was found on the wall in 2 patients.The B ring was present in 76 patients.For healthy controls in supine position,contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed that the gastric bottom and diaphragm were at dependent or horizontal position.The gastric bottom and diaphragm was upward in 73 patients.Conclusions The EHH has characteristic appearance on CEUS.It is easy to detect and diagnose EHH with CEUS,which has a diagnostic value in detection of space-occupying lesions in hernia sac.CEUS can be used for EHH screening.

A mixed bacteria culture F6 isolated from oil field wastewater can degrade petroleum hydrocarbons efficiently. The bacteria were suitable to treat oil-polluted wastewater of oil field. Simulated result treating oil-polluted wastewater in laboratory showed that after "XingyiLian" wastewater of Liaohe Oil Field was treated by fluidized-bed bioreactor system with the vehicle of activated carbon , the amount of oil and CODcr of the flow out water were decreased from 45mg/L to 4. 1mg/L and 470mg/L to 42mg/L separately , according with first class standards of Chinese Wastewater Discharge Regulation.

BACKGROUNDNatural disasters have been frequent in recent years. Effective treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease following natural disasters is an unsolved problem. We aimed to develop a novel miniature mobile cardiac catheterization laboratory (Mini Mobile Cath Lab) to provide emergency interventional services for patients with critical cardiovascular disease following natural disasters. A feasibility study was performed by testing the Mini Mobile Cath Lab on dogs with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) model in a hypothetical natural-disaster-stricken area.

METHODSThe Mini Mobile Cath Lab was transported to the hypothetical natural-disaster-stricken area by truck. Coronary angiography and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were performed on six dogs with STEMI model. The transportation and transformation of the Mini Mobile Cath Lab were monitored and its functioning was evaluated through the results of animal experiments.

RESULTSThe Mini Mobile Cath Lab could be transported by truck at an average speed of 80 km/h on mountain roads during daytime in the winter, under conditions of light snow (-15°C to -20°C/-68°F to -59°F). The average time required to prepare the Mini Mobile Cath Lab after transportation, in a wetland area, was 30 minutes. Coronary angiography, and primary PCI were performed successfully.

CONCLUSIONThis preliminary feasibility study of the use of the Mini Mobile Cath Lab for emergency interventional treatment of dogs with STEMI indicated that it may perform well in the rescue of critical cardiovascular disease following natural disasters.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Animals ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; therapy ; Coronary Angiography ; Disasters ; Dogs ; Electrocardiography ; Feasibility Studies ; Laboratories ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy

AIMTo investigate the role of MAPK in the migration of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells(HCASMC ) into three-dimensional fibrin gels.

METHODSHCASMC were primarily cultured. HCASMC migration was measured with a phase-contrast microscope in the presence or absence of PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125, the inhibitors of ERK, p38, and JNK, respectively. Phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK were analyzed by Western blotting in the presence or absence of PD98059, SB203580 or SP600125.

RESULTSHCASMC that migrated into the three-dimensional fibrin gel exhibited a characteristic elongated spindle-shaped appearance and formed vessel-like structure. The number of migrated HCASMC increased with incubation time and concentration of fibrinogen in the range between 0.8 g/L and 6.4 g/L. Western blot showed that fibrin induced phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK time dependently and PD98059, SB203580 and SP600125 could inhibit their activation, respectively. Migration of HCASMC into the fibrin gels was inhibited by SP600125 20 micromol/L and SB203580 10 micromol/L, respectively. Furthermore, inhibition of SP600125 20 micromol/L had a more profound effect. PD98059 50 ,mol/L, however, failed to influence migration of HCASMC. Hence, migration of HCASMC into the fibrin gels is JNK- and p38-dependent, but not ERK-dependent.

CONCLUSIONFibrin gel induces HCASMC migration into itself by activation of JNK and p38, but not ERK, which may play an important role in pathogenesis of atherothrombosis and restenosis.

Anthracenes ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Fibrin ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of heat treatment and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) processing on mechanical properties and microstructure of laser welding CoCr-NiCr dissimilar alloys.

METHODSSamples of CoCr-NiCr dissimilar alloys with 0.5 mm thickness were laser-welded single-side under the setting parameters of 280 V, 10 ms pulse duration. After being welded, samples were randomly assigned to three groups, 10 each. Group1 and 2 received heat treatment and PFM processing, respectively. Group 3 was control group without any treatment. Tensile strength, microstructure and element distribution of samples in the three groups were tested and observed using tensile test, metallographic examinations, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.

RESULTSAfter heat treatment and PFM processing, tensile strength of the samples were (537.15 +/- 43.91) MPa and (534.58 +/- 48.47) MPa respectively, and elongation rates in Group 1 and 2 were (7.65 +/- 0.73)% and (7.40 +/- 0.45)%. Ductile structure can be found on tensile fracture surface of samples and it was more obvious in heat treatment group than in PFM group. The results of EDS analysis indicated that certain CoCr alloy diffused towards fusion zone and NiCr side after heat treatment and PFM processing. Compared with PFM processing group, the diffusion in the heat treatment group was more obvious.

CONCLUSIONSHeat treatment and PFM processing can improve the mechanical properties and microstructure of welded CoCr-NiCr dissimilar alloy to a certain degree. The improvements are more obvious with heat treatment than with porcelain treatment.

Dental Alloys ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Hot Temperature ; Lasers ; Materials Testing ; Tensile Strength ; Welding

In order to develop potent antidiabetic agents that have inhibitory effect to a-glucosidase, twelve β-acetamido ketone derivatives such as N-{[(substituted-4-oxo-thiochroman-3-yl)phenyl]-methyl}acetamide are designed and synthesized through one-pot Dakin-West reaction. Their chemical structures are confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and HR-MS. In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assays of compounds 4a-41 were carried out using glucose oxidase method. The result indicated that most of them possess inhibitory activity in vitro. Compound 4k showed the most potent inhibitory activity with 87.3% inhibition of α-glucosidase at the concentration of 5.39 mmol x L(-1). The structure-activity relationship of these β-acetamido ketone derivatives was discussed preliminarily. Moreover, the molecular docking method was used to study the interaction mode of compound 4k and α-glucosidase. Our results will be helpful for designing of α-glucosidase inhibitors in the future.
Acetamides ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo map the gene locus in a Chinese pedigree with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss.

METHODSA genome wide screening was performed with 394 microsatellite markers distributed with an average spacing of 10 cM (ABI Prism Linkage Mapping Set 2, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, U.S.A.).

RESULTSAffected family members showed a bilateral, symmetrical, progressive neurosensory deafness. Significant linkage was found to marker D1 S937 (maximum two point LOD score of 5. 71 at theta = 0.05) on chromosome 11q. The position of the novel deafness locus, DFNA11, was delimited by analysis of the recombinant haplotypes (D11S165-D11S1874). This analysis placed DFNA11 between the proximal marker D11S1314 and the distal marker D11S898, which define a critical interval of 25.34 cM.

CONCLUSIONSMapping of the DFNA11 locus further confirms the great genetic heterogeneity underlying the autosomal dominant forms of hereditary deafness. Reports of more families with hearing impairment linked to this locus should contribute to the identification of the responsible gene, providing insights into the auditory function and the molecular pathophysiology of age related hearing loss.

Adult ; Aged ; Chromosome Mapping ; Deafness ; congenital ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Dominant ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Middle Aged ; Myosins ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Young Adult