Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; Interleukin-1beta ; NF-kappa B ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Streptococcus pneumoniae(S.pn) is an opportunity pathogenic bacteria,environmental factors play a key role in the pathogenicity of S.pn. It is important to study virulent gene in vivo. The S.pn suicide plasmid containing gfp reporter was constructed by fusing the genes pneumolysin and gfp,in which gfp is an excellent molecule probe in vivo. The plasmid was integrated to No.22 S.pn by homologous recombination. The recombinant S.pn was gained and evaluated in aspects of fluorescence excitation, biological character and physio-activity. The results showed it is efficient and available to report the expression of virulent genes in vivo and in vitro, which will provide a new easy method for evaluating and screening the virulent genes of S.pn in vivo.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory responses during the progression of renal tissue and tissue injury related causes its progression to end-state renal disease. Among them, nuclear factor (nuclear factor, NF)-kappaB signaling pathway by regulating the corresponding nuclear expression of target gene transcription, as well as affecting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, induction of inflammation lead to kidney damage and renal fibrosis. Some single herbs and their extracts (such as Astragali Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Ginkgo Folium) and some traditional Chinese medicine (such as Danggui Buxue decoction, Qilian decoction) can reduce the inflammatory damage induced by renal tissue NF-kappaB signaling pathway and delay the progression of CKD.
Animals ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Adolescent ; Brain Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial ; diagnostic imaging ; Hernia ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Plasmacytoma ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed as a key role leading to the progressive tubulo-interstitial fibrosis (TIF). The tubular EMT is an highly regulated process involving four key steps including: loss of epithelial cell adhesion, de novo smooth muscle actin expression and actin reorganization, disruption of tubular basement membrane,and enhanced cell migration and invasion. These crucial processes are closely connected to the relative actions on many signaling pathways in EMT. Additionally, increasing evidences suggest that some Chinese herbal medicines and their extracts, such as Astragali Radix, Cordyceps, Salvia miltiorrhiza, as well as Chinese. herbal prescriptions including Astragalus Angelica mixture and Supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation decoction, could intervene the related events controlling EMT both in vitro and in vivo. Chinese herbal medicines could ameliorate TIF by intervening the course of EMT.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the titer stability of the harvest solution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2(SARS-CoV-2)at 2 ～ 8 ℃ and the inactivation effect of β-propiolactone inactivator on the virus.Methods Three batches of SARS-CoV-2 harvest solution(batch numbers:202111001,202111002 and 202111003)were stored at 2 ～ 8 ℃ for 12 d and sampled every 3 d(0,3,6,9 and 12 d)for detection of the titers by Karber method;Three batches of virus harvest solution equilibrated overnight at 2 ～ 8 ℃ were inactivated by adding β-propiolactone at a volume fraction of 1∶4 000 and detected for the titers at different inactivation time points(0,0.5,1,1.5,2,3,4,8,16 and 24 h),of which samples inactivated for 8,16 and 24 h were taken for inactivation verification,and samples inactivated for 24 h were observed by transmission electron microscope.Results The titers of SARS-CoV-2 decreased with the prolongation of storage time at 2 ～8 ℃,which showed no obvious decrease during 0 ～ 3 d,while decreased from the initial 7.75,6 and 7.5 lgCCID_(50)/mL to5.75,4.625 and 6.25 lgCCID_(50)/mL on day 12,indicating that the virus activity showed a gradual decrease trend at 2 ～8 ℃；With the inactivation time,the virus titer decreased continuously and could not be detected after inactivation for 3 h.Transmission electron microscope observation showed that the inactivated virus particles were intact and the spike protein was evenly distributed.Conclusion The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 stored at 2 ～ 8 ℃ was unstable,so the subsequent inactivation and purification process should be carried out as soon as possible;The titer of virus could not be detected after3 h of inactivation,which provided a reference for the determination of the inactivation process.

Objective To study the protective effects of quercetin on primary cultured rat astrocytes against oxidative stress. Methods Oxidative stress in primary cultured astrocytes was induced by exposure to 2 mmol/L H2O2 for 6 h, and the protective effect of quercetin pretreatment at different concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 μmol/L) administered 24 h before H2O2exposure was assessed with lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay and live-dead staining. Results Treatment with 2 mmol/L H2O2 caused obvious injuries to the astrocytes, resulting in significantly increased LDH release rate in comparison with that of the normal control cells [(90.27±2.68)% vs (3.89±+1.89)%, P<0.05] and significantly lowered cell survival rate [(59.73%±9.92)% vs (99.25±0.08)%, P<0.05]. Pretreatment with quercetin decreased the LDH release rate and increased the survival rate of the astrocytes exposed to H2O2; at the concentration of 50, 100, and 200 μmol/L, quercetin significantly decreased the LDH release rate of the exposed cells to (48.19±13.98)%, (27.81±9.33)% and (18.13±8.28)% (P<0.05), and increased the cell survival rate to (86.80±3.62)%, (88.32±5.77)% and (91.18±3.03)%, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion Quereetin may produce protective effects on the primary cultured astrocytes against oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVEAim of our study was to compare hematological parameters in Tibetan natives with those in Han migrants living on the Tibet plateau in order to determine the potential effects of age, gender, and ethnicity on hematological response to hypoxia.

METHODSBlood hemoglobin (Hb, g/dl), hematocrit (Hct, %), red blood cells (RBC,10(6)/mm3) were measured in 3 588 healthy Tibetan natives and 3 371 Han migrants ranging in age from 5 to 72 years, living at a mean altitudes of 2 664 m, 3 813 m, 4 525m and 5 226 m.

RESULTSHemoglobin (Hb) concentration analysis was made by multiple regression equations relating hemoglobin to altitude and age. For 2 093 Han males, Hb = 9.612+ 0.001440xaltitude+ 0.06148xage. For 1 948 Tibetan males, Hb =12.202+ 0.000462xaltitude+ 0.02893xage. For 1 278 Han females, Hb = 10.858+ 0.000939xaltitude+ 0.02632xage. For 1 640 Tibetan females, Hb = 11.402+ 0.000626xaltitude+ 0.00412xage. Each of the four equations was statistically significant (P < 0.001), and had variance (r2) of 0.86 or more, indicating that altitude and age accounted for at least 85% of the variation in hemoglobin levels. The coefficients for altitude and for age were higher (P < 0.05) in Han males than in Tibetan males and higher (P < 0.05) in Han females than in Tibetan females. The Tibetan postmenopausal females had higher Hb values than premenopausal females only presented at altitude above 4 000 m while this phenomenon was beginning at altitude of 2 664 m among Han females.

CONCLUSIONWe conclude that gender and increasing age in Tibetans are associated with lower hemoglobin values than those in Han at high altitude, and we speculate that genetic factors seems to be important.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Altitude ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; ethnology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibet ; Transients and Migrants ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TCF7L2, CDKAL1, SLC30A8, HHEX with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and nephropathy (DN) in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODSA total of 479 subjects with DR,248 with DN and 650 without DR or DN were recruited to assess the associations between SNPs of TCF7L2 (rs7903146, rs6585205, rs11196218), CDKAL1 (rs10946398,rs4712527), SLC30A8 (rs13266634, rs3802177, rs11558471) and HHEX (rs1111875, rs7923837) and the development of DR and DN.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in genotypic and allele frequencies of rs11558471 (SLC30A8) between DR and control groups (P< 0.05), the odds ratio (OR) values of A and AA were 1.27 and 1.68. The distributions of genotype and allele frequency for rs11196218 (TCF7L2) were significantly different between DN and control group (P=0.0051,OR=1.37). However, the P value after Bonferroni correction showed no significant difference. No significant differences were found in the distributions of rs13266634 and rs3802177 (SLC30A8), rs10946398 (CDKAL1), rs6585205, rs7903146 and rs11196218 (TCF7L2) and rs7923837 (HHEX) between DR and control groups, and nor significant differences were found in distributions of rs6585205 (TCF7L2), rs4712527 (CDKAL1), rs13266634, rs3802177 and rs11558471 (SLC30A8), and 7923837 (HHEX) between DN and control groups, though for all comparison the OR values were greater than 1.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms of SLC30A8 and TCF7L2 genes may be associated with the development of DR and DN, respectively. Association between the polymorphisms of CKDAL1, TCF7L2 and HHEX genes and DR, and between the polymorphisms of SLC30A8, HHEX and CDKAL1 genes and DN, cannot be excluded.

Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; genetics ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; genetics ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Zinc Transporter 8 ; tRNA Methyltransferases

Central Nervous System Fungal Infections ; complications ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucormycosis ; complications ; Nose Diseases ; complications