The chemokine fractalkine primarily involves in chemotaxis,adherence and inflammation.Recently it has been discovered owning the ability of inhibiting cell death in neurons and glial cells,as well as protecting central nervous system from toxic damage.Fractalkine reduces the toxicity to neurons and glial cells mediated by excessive Fas L,glutamate(Glu) or lipopolysaccharide(LPS).In vivo neutralization of endogenous brain fractalkine signal pathway increases inflammatory cytokines secretion and neuronal cell death induced by LPS.Fractalkine may achieve its neuroprotective property through influencing expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins,intracellular Ca2+ level and inflammatory cytokines secretion via protein kinase B(PKB)/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/MAPK pathways.

Objective To observe the influence of coal burning fluorosis on learning and memory ability in rats and reveal its possible mechanisms. Methods Healthy 48 SD rats were divided into control, low-fluoride and high-fluoride group. All rats in fluoride exposed groups were fed with the eom polluted by drying processes with burning coal containing high level of fluoride obtained from the endemic fluorosis area to produce the animal model of fluorosis. The experiment period were 3,6 mouths, respectively. The ability of leaning and memory was measured by Morris test and cholinesterase activity detected by photometric method at 3 or 6 month after experiment, respectively. Results Fluoride contents signifieantlly influenced the escape latency, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms(the value of F was 29.29,6.47,6.50, respectively, P<0.01).In addition, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms were influenced by the exposed time(the value of F was 16.11,45.59, P<0.01). Furthermore, the fluoride contents and the exposed time had an interaction between the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms (the value of F was 4.67,5.68, P<0.05 or<0.01). Three months after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency [(14.71± 4.85)s] of rats in highly fluoride exposed group were significantly prolonged as compared with controls [(9.28±4.22)s]; 6 month after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency[(12.42±8.03)s, (17.48± 8.05)s] of rats in both groups exposed to fluoride were significantly prolonged as compared to controls [(7.04± 3.29)s, P<0.05]. The decreased numbers of crossing the platforms[(1.62±0.87)number] and the declined time of staying the platforms[(16.70±5.02)s] were found in the rats exposed to high fluoride as compared to controls [(3.53±1.67 )number, (23.33±5.35)s, P<0.05]. The fluoride contents obviously influenced the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 12.83,13.27, P<0.01). On the other hand, the times of breeding also influnced the activities of butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 16.26, P<0.01). In 3 months of the experiment, the activities of butylcolinesterase [(0.55±0.12)kU/g] in low fluoride exposed group were significantly decreased in comparison with controls[(0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The activities of acetylcholinesterase[(0.62±0.42)kU/g] and butylcolioesterase[(0.58±0.10)kU/g] in high fluoride group were significantly decreased as compared to eontrois[(1.41±0.52), (0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the cholinesterase and the escape latency(r=-0.68, P< 0.01), and a positive correlation between the cholinesterase and the time of staying the platforms(r=0.57, P< 0.01). Conclusions The ability of learning and memory in rats with coal buring fluorosis was decreased, which might be connected to the decreased activity of cholinesterase in a dose-effect correlation.

In the treatment of hypertensive crisis, the novel Rho kinase inhibitor DL0805-2 can rapidly lower systematic blood pressure, reduce pulmonary artery pressure, and has a significant protective effect on lung injury. This experiment intends to evaluate the efficacy of DL0805-2 against pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and preliminarily reveals its underlying mechanism. Animal welfare and experimental procedures are in accordance with the provision of the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into DL0805-2 low, medium, and high dose groups (1, 3, and 10 mg·kg^-1), bosentan positive control group, model group, and blank control group. The drug was administered daily on the 7th day after model establishment by monocrotaline injection. On the 25th day of the experiment, relevant indicators were examined to observe the therapeutic effect of DL0805-2 on pulmonary hypertension. DL0805-2 significantly relieved the abnormal changes in the physiological parameters related to PAH induced by monocrotaline, including reducing right ventricular systolic pressure, alleviating cardiac damage caused by pressure overload, and reducing the levels of endothelin-1 and inflammatory factors in lung tissues. DL0805-2 also attenuated pulmonary arteries remodeling. It was preliminarily discovered that DL0805-2 exerts preventive and therapeutic effect on PAH through Rho-kinase pathway. Our results suggested that DL0805-2 had good therapeutic effects on monocrotaline-induced PAH rat model. It intervened early in the disease process, effectively prevented the development of the disease, and reduced the mortality of the diseased animals. The mechanism is related to Rho-kinase pathway.

This study aimed to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect and mechanisms of compound reserpine and triamterene tablets (CRTTs) and its component triamterene on isolated rat thoracic aorta rings. Isolated rat thoracic aorta rings pre-contracted by high potassium or norepinephrine (NE) were used to evaluate the vasodilatory effect of CRTTs and its component triamterene. The mechanisms concerning endothelium, potassium channels and calcium channels were studied through the interventions of several tool drugs. Animal welfare and experimental procedures followed the requirements of the Laboratory Animal Management and Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. The results showed that both CRTTs and triamterene had potent relaxant effect on KCl and NE pre-contracted vessels. Triamterene showed partial endothelium dependency, and N-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) could influence the relaxant effect, which may be related to the opening of calcium-activated potassium channels. Meanwhile, CRTTs could inhibit intracellular Ca²⁺ release and extracellular Ca²⁺ influx. Overall, CRTTs and its component triamterene have vasorelaxant effects on vessels in vitro, and the vasorelaxant effect of CRTTs may be related to intracellular Ca²⁺ release and extracellular Ca²⁺ influx, while this effect of triamterene may depend on vascular endothelial function and may also be related to the opening of calcium-activated potassium channels.

Ultramicroelectrode was usually used in scanning electrochemical microscope(SECM) as a probe. The redox reaction on the probe is a diffusion process. But the fast moving of probe in SECM will affect the diffusion process, resulting in unclear obtained images. A new SECM image-processing technique was proposed in this paper involving combination of LoG algorithm and New edge-directed interpolation (NEDI) interpolation algorithm. LoG algorithm is helpful for the clarity of SECM images, but leading to some loss of edge information. Fortunately, NEDI algorithm based on edge directed interpolation can solve this problem well. Two substrates with gold interdigitated electrode and gold electrode array were prepared by ion sputtering method. The SECM images were obtained of the gold interdigitated electrode, gold electrode array and ITO substrate printed with fingerprints. The corresponding images treated by LoG filter and these for NEDI interpolation were compared and analyzed. The image-processing technique combining the LoG algorithm with the NEDI interpolation algorithm can significantly improve the clarity and resolution of SECM image.

Objective To explore the relationship between self-reported chronic disease and smoking behavior among adult males in Jiangsu Province. Methods In 2007, 2010, and 2013 respectively, a multistage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select residents from 14 adult chronic diseases and their risk factor surveillance sites in Jiangsu Province to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of chronic diseases, smoking and smoking cessation behaviors among men aged 18 to 69 years. Results A total of 8 313 men aged 18 to 69 years had a self-reported prevalence of 1.5%, 1.1%, 1.5%, and 2.8% for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, malignancies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respectively.The self-reported prevalence of all four chronic diseases was higher in ex-smokers than in current smokers and non-smokers (all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the quit rate was of those suffering from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, malignancies, asthma, and COPD, respectively 3.356 times (95% CI: 1.966-5.728), 3.864 times (95% CI: 2.277-6.555), 2.103 times (95% CI: 1.321-3.345), and 2.586 times (95% CI: 1.872-3.573) higher, than those without. Conclusion Smoking cessation rates were significantly higher of those with chronic disease than those without, suggesting that illness would promote smoking cessation behaviors among smokers.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequencies of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms in Dong, Yi and Yao ethnic groups from Guizhou.

METHODSIn 321 volunteers who were population-based, GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were analyzed by a multiplex-PCR procedure, whereas GSTP1 polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTSNull genotype for GSTM1 and GSTT1 was 59.6%-71.2% and 39.4%-72.5%, respectively. The genotypic distribution of GSTP1 was 63.3%-75% for AA, 23.2%-35.8% for AG, 0-1.9% for GG, whereas the allelic frequencies were 81.2%-86.6% for the A allele, and 13.4%-18.8% for the G allele.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant relationship between GSTT1 frequencies and ethnic populations.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Notch1 on the membrane of bone marrow CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells in the patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and explore the importance of Notch signaling pathway in the formation and progression of MM.

METHODSThirty three MM patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The expression of Notch1 on the membrane of bone marrow CD38(+)CD138(+) and CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The clinical data of MM patients were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe ratio of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients was (60.21 ± 25.06)% which was significantly higher than those of CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells of MM patients (39.84 ± 18.94)% (P = 0.000) and controls (38.34 ± 19.39)% (P = 0.004). There was no statistical difference between the two latter groups (P > 0.05). The expression of Notch1 on CD38(+)CD138(+)plasma cells from 24 newly diagnosed MM patients was correlated to the level of malignant plasma cells in there bone marrow (r = 0.914, P = 0.000), serum level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (r = 0.754, P = 0.007), and β(2)-MG(r = 0.716, P = 0.013). The ratio of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients who had renal dysfunction was correlated to their abnormal serum creatinine levels. The expression of Notch1 on CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells from 17 MM patients who received VD (bortezamib and dexamethasone) chemotherapy was correlated to the ratio of plasma cell reduction after the first VD chemotherapy (r = 0.842, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients was significantly higher than those of CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells of MM patients and controls. Notch1 overexpressed plasma cells were sensitive to the early VD therapy, and correlated to the progression and long term outcome of MM.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; immunology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Count ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; immunology ; metabolism ; Plasma Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Syndecan-1 ; immunology

Critical ultrasonography(CUS) is different from the traditional diagnostic ultrasound,the examiner and interpreter of the image are critical care medicine physicians.The core content of CUS is to evaluate the pathophysiological changes of organs and systems and etiology changes.With the idea of critical care medicine as the soul,it can integrate the above information and clinical information,bedside real-time diagnosis and titration treatment,and evaluate the therapeutic effect so as to improve the outcome.CUS is a traditional technique which is applied as a new application method.The consensus of experts on critical ultrasonography in China released in 2016 put forward consensus suggestions on the concept,implementation and application of CUS.It should be further emphasized that the accurate and objective assessment and implementation of CUS requires the standardization of ultrasound image acquisition and the need to establish a CUS procedure.At the same time,the standardized training for CUS accepted by critical care medicine physicians requires the application of technical specifications,and the establishment of technical specifications is the basis for the quality control and continuous improvement of CUS.Chinese Critical Ultrasound Study Group and Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collabration Group,based on the rich experience of clinical practice in critical care and research,combined with the essence of CUS,to learn the traditional ultrasonic essence,established the clinical application technical specifications of CUS,including in five parts:basic view and relevant indicators to obtain in CUS;basic norms for viscera organ assessment and special assessment;standardized processes and systematic inspection programs;examples of CUS applications;CUS training and the application of qualification certification.The establishment of applied technology standard is helpful for standardized training and clinical correct implementation.It is helpful for clinical evaluation and correct guidance treatment,and is also helpful for quality control and continuous improvement of CUS application.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the induction and activation of heparinase by extracellular histones in acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) induced by chlorine in mice.METHODS: The specific pathogen free adult male C57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, chlorine injured group, histone injured group, anti-histone antibody group and heparinase inhibitor group, with six mice in each group.The mice in the control group and histone injured group were exposed to clean air, and the mice in the other three groups were exposed to chlorine gas at a dose of 580.0 mg/m~3 for 30 minutes by systemic dynamic inhalation.Mice in the histone injured group were injected with 50 mg/kg body weight calf thymus histone by tail vein.One hour before exposure, mice in the anti-histone antibody group were pretreated with 20 mg/kg body weight anti-histone H4 antibody by tail vein injection, and mice in the heparinase inhibitor group were injected with 2 mg/kg body weight OGT2115(heparinase inhibitor). The other three groups were given equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution by tail vein injection. After 24 hours of exposure, arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis and the lung tissue was collected for histopathological examination. The protein level of heparinase in lung tissue were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the activity of heparinase were detected by measuring the product of heparan degradation. The protein expression of pro-heparinase and active heparinase were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: The dyspnea developed of mice in the chlorine injured group and histone injured group, diffuse inflammation occurred in lung tissue, the oxygenation index in arterial blood decreased(all P<0.05), and the protein level and activity of heparinase in lung tissue, as well as the relative expression of pro-heparinase and active heparinase were increased compared with the control group(all P<0.05). The dyspnea, hypoxemia and acute lung injury of mice in the anti-histone antibody group were alleviated, and the protein level of heparinase in lung tissue, as well as the relative expression levels of pro-heparinase and active heparinase were decreased(all P<0.05), compared with chlorine injury group and histone injury group.The dyspnea, hypoxemia and acute lung injury were alleviated in the heparinase inhibitor group, and the activity of heparinase and the relative expression of pro-heparinase in the lung tissue were decreased compared with the chlorine injury group(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: During the occurrence and development of chlorine-induced ARDS in mice, extracellular histones aggravate lung injury by inducing the expression and activation of heparinase. Acute lung injury can be alleviated by inhibiting the expression and activation of heparinase.