Objectives To observe the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on spatial learning and memory ability in epileptic rats and the expression of synaptophysin (SYN) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in the hippocampus of rats with epi-lepsy induced by lithium pilocarpine (Li-pilo). Methods SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (normal saline group), LEV group (treatment group), Li-pilo group (model group) and LEV control group (normal dose group). Twenty-four hours after the establishment of model, LEV (150 mg/kg per day) was given to rats in LEV group and LEV control group, and equivalent normal saline was given to rats in normal control group and Li-pilo group. At 7, 14 and 28 days after successful model building, the expression levels of the SYN and GAP-43mRNA in hippocampus of rats in each group were detected by RT-PCR. In the 4th week, the ability of learning and memory of rats in each group was evaluated by the Morris water maze. Results There was no significant difference in escape latency and the frequency of crossing platform between LEV control group and normal control group in Morris water maze test. Compared with normal control group, the rats in Li-pilo group had a longer latency to escape and reduced frequency of crossing platform (P<0.05). Compared with Li-pilo group, the rats in LEV group had shorter latency to escape and more frequency of crossing platform (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expressions of SYN and GAP-43mRNA in hippocampus of rats between LEV control group and normal control group. The expressions of SYN and GAP-43mRNA in Li-pilo group were lower than those of normal control group and LEV group (P<0.05). Conclusions Levetiracetam may improve learning and memory ability of rats with epilepsy through the regulation of SYN and GAP-43mRNA expressions in hippocampal tissue.

Aging ; Cytoskeleton ; Endothelium ; Humans ; Research

Objective To study the pathogenesis mechanism of hepatitis C vires (HCV) core protein (CORE), the subcellular localization of different truncated genotype 1b HCV CORE was observed. Methods HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP-CORE) recombinant plasmids, which expresses EGFP and COREs from three different genotype lb HCV strains and different truncated COREs from one HCV strain. The localizations of different truncated COREs was analyzed by the laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescence microscope. Results N terminal 1-172 an of different HCV strains of genotype 1b expressed mainly in cytoplasm. Among the different truncated COREs, the longer of the CORE containing N terminal, the more expressed in cytoplasm. The N terminal 1-58 aa mainly expressed in nucleus. CORE of 59-126 aa and 127-172 aa expressed both in cytoplasm and nucleus. Conclusion The different localizations of different truncated COREs might have some relationships with their functions in pathogenesis.

Objective The experiment was designed to observe the effect of inhaled arsenic trioxide(As2O3)and in combination with inhaled moxa leaf oil on eosinophils(EOS)and lung tissue's morphology in asthmatic guinea pigs, and to explore its mechanism of relieving wheezing. Methods The ovalbumin(OVA)-induced asthmatic guinea pig model was established. Sixty guinea pigs were randomly divided into As2O3 atomization inhalation group B1 As2O3 low dose group:2.0 mg/(kg·d), B2 As2O3 high dose group:4.0 mg/(kg·d), combined treatment group C1 low dose group:2.0 mg/(kg·d)+moxa leaf oil 0.05 ml, C2 high dose group: 4.0 mg/(kg·d)+moxa leaf oil 0.10 ml, saline aerosol inhalation group(group A) asthma model group)and normal control group(group D)according to random permutation table method. After 7 days medicated, the EOS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were compared. Guinea pig lung, heart, liver and kidney pathological specimens were prepared and the change of the lung tissue's inflammation and heart, liver and kidney tissue were investigated. Lung tissue’s electron microscopy specimens were prepared and the apoptosis of acidophilic cells and repair of alveolar epithelial cells were observed. Results Compared with asthma model group's EOS number[(58.08±19.01)×105], the difference in As2O3 low dose group、As2O3 high dose group、combined treatment low dose group、combined treatment high dose group and normal control group[(26.37±1.12)×105, (11.50±1.61)×105, (14.16±4.88)×105, (5.03±1.66)×105 and(0.35±0.16)×105, respectively] were statistically significant(P<0.01); there was statistical difference between As2O3 low dose group and As2O3 high dose group(P<0.01);There was statistical difference between As2O3 low dose group and combined treatment low dose group(P<0.01);There was statistical difference between As2O3 high dose group and combined treatment high dose group(P<0.05). Compared with combined treatment high dose group, difference in As2O3 low dose group、As2O3 high dose group and combined treatment low dose group was statistically significant(P<0.05). The difference in B1, B2, C1, C2 and D group was statistically significant compared with group A (P<0.01). The difference in B1 and B2, B1 and C1 group was statistically significant (P<0.01). The difference between B2 and C2 group was statistically significant(P<0.05). The difference in C2 group was statistically significant compared with group B1, B2 and C1(P<0.05). Conclusion EOS abnormal apoptosis was an important pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. The mechanism of arsenic trioxide anti-asthma was that arsenic trioxide could reduce acidophil infiltration and promote acidophilic cell apoptosis. The mechanism of moxa leaf oil anti-asthma was it could reduce acidophil infiltration. Smaller doses of the combination of inhaled As2O3 and moxa leaf oil was safe and effective to achieve the effect of relieving wheezing and the combined use had synergy.

Objective To study the biological effects of nucleic transcript factor NF-?B/RelB gene silencing on bone marrow derived dendritic cells(BMDCs).Methods For constructing a new type of DCs,RNAi RelB DC,mouse BMDCs were cultured through IL-4 and GM-CSF cytokine inducing system and were purified with CD11c positive immunomicrobeads by flow cytometer,and RelB gene was silenced with PCR expression cassettes.The RelB RNA interference effect in DCs was proved at both mRNA and protein levels.The biological characteristics of RNAi RelB DCs were investigated by means of cell morphology,cell surface markers and mixed lymphocyte reaction ability.The cell microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The cell surface markers,such as MHC-Ⅱ,CD86 and CD40,were detected by flow cytometer.The mixed lymphocyte reaction ability,as well as the ability of DCs in stimulating allogeneic T cells proliferation,was detected by 3H-TdR incorporation method.Results RNAi RelB DCs seemed to have fewer and shorter spikes and many folds under scanning electron microscopy.Many phagocytic vacuoles were observed in the cytoplasm under transmission electron microscopy.DCs surface molecules,MHC-Ⅱ,CD86 and CD40,were expressed at a relatively lower level compared with the control DCs.This RNAi RelB DCs also showed weak allogeneic T cells stimulating ability in vitro in MLR.Conclusion The dendritic cells derived from bone marrow are characterized the biological features and immunological function of immature DC with silencing of RelB gene.This kind of RNAi RelB DCs may be used to induce immunotolerance as a novel tolerogenic DCs.

AIM: To observe the changes in neuropeptide Y(NPY) and the effect of Fu-Sheng powder(FSP) on NPY in the rat brain in a steady cerebral ischemia and reperfusion(I/R) model. METHODS: The models of rat brain injury were established by repeated cerebral I/R in rats with hyperlipidemia. Radioimmunoassay was performed to determine the level of NPY, while NPY mRNA expression was observed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: After 1 day of I/R, compared with control group, the content of NPY in the model animals were significantly increased by 51.86% ( P

Objective To investigate the clinicopathologic features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs). MethodsThe diagnosis and treatment results of GISTs were studied, and clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical expressions of CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA) and S-100 protein were detected in 26 cases of GISTs. ResultsThe tumor was found in the stomach(54%), small intestine(38%) and rectum(8%), and malignant tumors accounted for 77% of the cases. The size of tumors was correlated with the malignancy of GISTs significantly(P0.05). ConclusionsTumor size is a predictor of the malignancy of GISTs, and the immunophenotype is not a predictor.

Objective To investigate the effect of high altitude aviation on the pressure and diameter of the trachea cannula cuff after injecting air or water. Methods In the circumstance 5 km height and 795 hPa cabin pressure, the air injected cuffs were divided into two groups, one was under the ground circumstance, the other was in the high altitude aviation environment. The volumes of injected air were 5 ml, 7 ml, 9 ml, 11 ml, 13 ml, 15 ml, 17 ml, and the cuff pressure and its diameter were measured. The water injected cuffs were also divided into two groups of ground and high altitude aviation environment. The volumes of injected water were 10 ml, 12 ml, 14 ml, 15 ml, 16 ml, and the cuff pressure and its diameter were measured. The results were compared between the ground circumstance and high altitude aviation environment. Results The diameter of injection air group versus under the ground circumstance group had the statistical significance (t=5.000-9.449, P<0.05), when the injection air was larger than 15 ml, the pressure effect had statistical significance (t=5.000, 8.000, P<0.05). Water injection group had not statistically significant. Different water volume injection had no effect on pressure and diameter (P>0.05), while different air volume injection had significant effect on pressure and diameter (F=5.132, 5.980, P<0.01). When the water volume was 10 ml, the cuff pressure was (24.00±4.62) cmH2O (1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa) , which was appropriate to the range of cuff pressure (20-30 cmH2O). Conclusions In high altitude aviation environment the trachea cannula cuff should adopt water injection, and the best water volume is about 10 ml.

Aging is one of dangerous elements in cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Qi deficiency and blood stasis is an important syndrome pattern in aging. The treatment methods of nourishing qi and resolving blood stasis is an important way to delay aging. Based on the theory that nourishing qi and resolving blood stasis can delay aging, many scholars have conducted lots of clinical and experimental researches nowadays. This article mainly analyzeds the theory and origin of nourishing qi and resolving blood stasis delaying aging, the current situation of clinical and experimentai researches on age-related diseases. The purpose of this article is providing a basis for anti-aging researches on Chinese herbal medicines that have the efficienoy of nourishing qi and resolving blood stasis, and further revealing aging mechanism.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Pancreatitis ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood