OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of compound bushen recipe (CBR) in improving the survival state of stress and the overall life span in C. elegans by simulating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) under various stress states.

METHODSThe tolerance and the average survival time of adult larvae against heat stress (35 degrees C), oxidative stress (250 microg/mL juglone), and in vivo Abeta protein toxicity (Abeta(1-42) transgenic mutant CL4176) under the intervention of the high (500 mg/L), middle (250 mg/L), and low (100 mg/L) dose CBR were observed. The effect of CBR on the average live time (at 25 degrees C), movement distance in 20 seconds, the frequency of pharyngeal pump in 30 seconds, and the reproductive capability were assessed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the survival time of heat stressed C. elegans could be significantly increased in each CBR group (P < 0.01). The survival time of heat stressed C. elegans could be elongated, the protein toxicity be attenuated, and the live time prolonged in the high and middle dose CBR groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).The movement distance and the frequency of pharyngeal pump could also be increased in the high dose CBR group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the reproductive capability among all groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCBR could significantly enhance the stress capacity of C. elegans against internal and external environment, and prolong their lifespan. It did not interfere their normal production, and also could improve the quality of life, thus laying a foundation for further mechanism studies and pharmacological researches on CBR in preventing and treating CFS.

Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Longevity ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profile of interleuki-1β (IL-1β) in rat myocardium at different time points during hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)transition.

METHODSThe isolated Langendorff perfused rat heart model was established.Forty SD rats were randomly divided into sham group (A group) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (H/R group). The H/R group rats were subdivided into H/R 0.5 h group(B group), H/R 1 h group(C group), H/R 2 h group(D group)according to reoxygenation time. The left ventricular development pressure(LVDP), maximal rates of increase/decrease of the left ventricular pressure(±dp/dtmax) were continuously recorded. The concentration of interleukin-1β(IL-lβ) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in myocardium was measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of IL-lβ in myocardium was determined by RT-PCR. Microstructure of myocardium was observed under light microscopy.

RESULTSThe value of LVDP and ±dp/dtmax in hypoxia/reoxygenation group rat were significantly lower than that in sham group(P < 0.05). The expression of IL-lβ and CK-MB at protein level and the expression of IL-1β at mRNA level in hypoxia /reoxygenation group were higher than that in sham group(P < 0. 05). There were significant differences of the above parameters among H/R 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h group(P <0.05). The concentration of IL-1β and CK-MB, the mRNA expression of IL-1β were higher in H/R 2 h group than that of other groups(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe high expression of IL-Iβ in myocardium after myocardial hypoxia /reoxygenation in rats might lead to. ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and neoplastic progression in hamster with tongue cancer.

METHODSForty-eight specimens of hamster tongue cancer were divided into control group (n=6) and experimental group (n=42). The pathological grade of the specimens was assessed (including 3 stages, namely atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ and early invasive carcinoma). The sections of the tongue were stained with Masson and aldehyde-fuchsin (AF) staining for microscopic observation of the elastic fiber and collagen fiber changes.

RESULTSWithin the connective tissue cores (CTC) of the papillae in the control group was a framework of numerous and fine Gomrori's aldehyde fuchsin-positive elastic fibers. But in the stages of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, these elastic fibers decreased and further diminished in the CTC in early invasive carcinoma. In dysplasia and carcinoma in situ stages, most of the elastic fibers collapsed with scattered elastic fibers, and the elastic fibers decreased significantly in early invasive carcinoma. The control group showed a significantly greater number of elastic fibers in the experimental group. The collagen fiber was obviously increased and irregularly arranged in dysplasia and carcinoma in situ stage; in early invasive carcinoma, the collagen fibers became thicker with deposition in the lamina propria.

CONCLUSIONAn excessive deposition of collagen fiber and reduction of the elastic fibers is an important factor contributing to the development of tongue carcinoma in hamsters.

Animals ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Connective Tissue ; pathology ; Cricetinae ; Elastic Tissue ; pathology ; Extracellular Matrix ; pathology ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the self-treatment effectiveness on patients with ehwnic Keshan disease.Methods Twenty patients with chronic Keshan disease were selected from individuals with Keshan disease in Fuyu County,Heilongjiang Province.They were trained three times every three months of self management including pathogenetic condition education,general guidance,drug therapy,and they also taught how to adiust the doBe of drug according to their illness.Major symptom score,heart rate(HR),ultrasoundcardiogram (UCG)index and cardiac functional grading of these patients at basehne,after 3 months and 6 months of treatment were compared.Results The 20 patients rated their main symptoms score as(15.03 ±6.77)before self- treatrnent,and significantly decreased to(7.25±4.82)and(6.70±4.90)after 3 and 6 months treatment(P<0.01); the heart rate(HR) was (76.40±12.06) beats per minute(bpm)before self-treatment,and dramatically decreased to (69.95±12.63),(67.15±9.76)bpm after 3 and 6 months treatment(P<0.01).As for UCG detecting index,left atrial diameter(Lad)aIld left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)Was(37.85 ±5.23)nun and(52.49± 9.38)mm separately before self-treatment,and notablely decreased to(36.77 ±5.63),(52.15 ±9.24)mm,and (35.29±5.50),(50.81±8.88)mm respectirely after 3 and 6 months of treatment(P<0.01 or<0.05);left ventricuIar ejection fractiOII(LVEF)markedly increased(P<0.05),from(55.15±15.80)%at baseline to(57.35± 12.51)%at 3 months and(60.30±13.42)%at 6 months;there were no significant differences in mitral flow E/A ratio changes before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with prior to the treatment.cardiac function grading was significantly better aftertreatmentfor 3 months(T=36.0,P<0.05),but not after 6 months(T=17.5,P> 0.05).Conclusions The patients'serf-treatment is effective,which we recommend to uphold and widespread.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of the U.S.bilateral anti-malaria development assistance for health(DAH)to Africa,and to provide suggestions for the future strategy of China's anti-malaria DAH.Methods:Policy analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were used to summarize the characteristics of the U.S.President's Malaria Initiative(PMI)in terms of funding input,program design,and monitoring and evaluation.Results:PMI had provided $8.62 billion to 24 African countries up to fiscal year 2022.Its assistance followed the framework of"prevention-case management-surveillance-behavioral interventions-health system capacity building",with more than 80%of total funding flowing to prevention and case management.In recent years,there has been increased support for surveillance and health system capacity building.The monitoring and evaluation included performance management and implement research.Conclusions and Suggestions:Characteristics of the U.S.bilateral anti-malaria DAH to Africa include:strong political commitment and high investment;program design that is consistent with international guidelines and integrated with its own advantages,and an emphasis on results-oriented evaluation and feedback learning.In the future,China should increase resource input to implement the political commitments,develop strategies for anti-malaria DAH based on national guidelines and domestic experience,and conduct project surveillance and evaluation.

Anti-HIV-1 gp120 single chain antibody(scFv) gene and staphylococcus extoxin A(SEA) gene were inserted into vector pPIC9K. The recombinant plasmid was integrated into Pichia pastoris by electroporation. High level expression was performed by determining the Muts phenotype and screening muti-copy integrants. The recombinant protein was about 57kD and the production was 50.1 mg/L. It was shown that the two kinds of protein affected the conformation of each other by antibody affinity assay, but the recombinant targeting toxins could highly mediate CTLs to kill HIV-1 target cells.
Enterotoxins ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo compare the safe duration of apnea and intubation time between face mask ventilation with air and 100% oxygen during induction of general anesthesia.

METHODSEighty adult patients with ASA class I or II without predicted difficult airways were scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. The patients were randomized to receive anesthesia induction with preoxygenation [Group 1, n=40, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO)=1] or without preoxygenation (Group2, n=40, FiO=0.21). Two experienced anesthesiologists performed the mask ventilation and tracheal intubation during induction, and the assistants adjusted the oxygen concentration and recorded the pulse oxygen saturation (SpO) and other variables. The cases where SpOdecreased to below 90% before accomplishment of intubation were considered unsuccessful, and mask ventilation with 100% oxygen was given. After tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation was not initiated until the SpOdecreased to 90%. The number of unsuccessful cases, the safe duration of apnea and intubation time were recorded in the two groups.

RESULTSThere was no unsuccessful case in either groups. The safe duration of apnea was 469.5∓143.0 s in Group 1 and 63.6∓20.0 s in Group 2, and the intubation time was 34.4∓12.6 s and 32.8∓9.6 s, respectively. The safe duration of apnea was significantly longer than the intubation time in both groups (P<0.01). The intubation time and the number of cases with SpO≥90% before completion of tracheal intubation were similar between the two groups. The safe duration of apnea was significantly shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P<0.01) and was correlated with the body mass index of the patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnesthesia induction without preoxygenation can provide sufficient time for experienced anesthesiologists to complete tracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of protein phosphorylation of p65, IkappaBalpha and IkappaBepsilon in lymphocytes of rats in the progress of aging and the the interventional effect of Epimedium flavonoids (EF).

METHODWe chose the lymphocytes derived from SD rat spleen. We divided the SD rats into five groups i. e. 4 months (4 m), 27 months (27 m), the 27 m EF treated group (27 m + EF), and we also observed the whole interventional effect of PDTC (a NF-kappaB inhibitor) on old rat groups (27 m PDTC, 27 m PDTC + EF ) when IkappaBepsilon, IkappaBalpha were detected. Through the western-blotting analyses, we studied the entire characteristics and distinctions of phosphorylation expression in molecules related to NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway p65, IkappaBepsilon and IkappaBalpha in lymphocytes across the age spectrum of rats in aging. We also observed the whole interventional effect of EF on lymphocytes of old rats.

RESULTWith the increasing of age, the mean level of phosphorylation expressions of p65, IkappaBalpha and IkappaBepsilon in rat spleen lymphocytes decreased obviously, When inhibited NF-kappaB by PDTC, there was decreased evidently, while PDTC + EF can active NF-kappaB family and the above molecules were increased to a certain extent.

CONCLUSIONThe phosphorylation expressions of p65, IkappaBalpha and IkappaBepsilon in rat spleen lymphocytes were not enouphe, EF have a strong effect to upregulated the expression of them during aging.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The objective of this study was to explore the protective effects of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on hematopoietic organs of irradiated mice. Human bone marrow MSC were isolated, ex vivo expanded, and identified by cell biological tests. Female BALB/c mice were irradiated with (60)Co γ-ray at a single dose of 6 Gy, and received different doses of human MSC and MSC lysates or saline via tail veins. The survival of mice was record daily, and the femurs and spleens were harvested on day 9 and 16 for pathologic examination. The histological changes were observed and the cellularity was scored. The results showed that the estimated survival time of MSC- and MSC lysate-treated mice was comparable to that of controls. The hematopoiesis in the bone marrow of mice that received high-dose (5×10(6)) of MSC or MSC lysates was partially restored on day 9 and the capacity of hemopoietic tissue and cellularity scorings were significantly elevated as compared with that of controls (P < 0.05). Proliferative nudes were also obviously observed in the spleens of mice that received high-dose of MSC or MSC lysates on d 9 after irradiation. The histological structures of the spleen and bone marrow of the mice that received high-doses (5×10(6)) of MSC or MSC lysates were restored to normal, the cell proliferation displayed extraordinarily active. Further, the cellularity scores of the bone marrow were not significantly different between the high-dose MSC and MSC lysate-treated mice. It is concluded that the bone marrow MSC can promote the hematopoietic recovery of the irradiated mice, which probably is associated with the bioactive materials inherently existed in bone marrow cells.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; surgery ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVEImprovement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.

METHODSA COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology