Animals ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Teratogens ; toxicity

Objective To explore the features of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ (COXⅠ) of Asian black bear Sichuan subspecies. Methods Primers were designed according published gene sequences of other bear species. A DNA sequence was amplified by PCR from the bear Sichuan subspecies’s hair-follicle tissue total DNA, then the PCR product was sequenced. The results were analyzed and a forecast analysis was carried on. Results The amplified COXⅠ gene of Sichuan black bear was 1 605 bp and contained a 1545-nucleotide open reading frame encoding 514 amino acid residues. The overall base composition of COXⅠ gene is 26.9 %, 23.1%, 18.3 %, and 31.8 % respectively to A, C, G, and T. The start codon of the COXⅠ is ATG, while the termination codon TAA. The protein’s pI is 6.29 and weight is 57.2?10 3 . The similarity analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that Sichuan black bear has closer relationship to American black bear, but not to brown bear and polar bear. Among dogs, caws and rats, it is closer to the former one. Conclusion There are high similarities in the DNA sequence, protein amino acid sequence of Asian black bear Sichuan subspecies with other bear species, indicating a high conservativity of COXⅠ in these involved species.

Objective To investigate the sequence characteristic of black bear's mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 4 gene(ND4).Methods Primers were designed according to certain species' NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase ND4 in which the DNA sequence had been reported.The DNA sequence was amplified by PCR from the Asian black bear Sichuan subspecies's(Ursus thibetanus mupinensis)hair-follicle tissue total DNA and were analyzed with its amino acid sequence.Results The ND4 gene sequence length was 1 402 bp and contained a 1 377-nucleotide open reading frame encoding 459 amino acid residues.The amino acid sequence's pI was 9.37 and weight was 51.5?10 3.The DNA sequence and corresponding amino acid sequence of black bear's ND4 gene had the high similarity with those of other mammalian animals' ND4 gene,and the similarity was 89% to 91% and 94% to 95%.The result of phylogenetic tree was basically consistent with the traditional species system phylogenetic relations.Topology prediction showed the Asian black bear Sichuan subspecies's ND4 proteins contained N-glycosylation site,kinase C phosphorylation sites,casein kinase Ⅱ phosphorylation site,N-myristoylation site and leucine-rich region.In addition,black bear's ND4 protein contained leucine zipper pattern and Leucine-rich region.Conclusion The mammalia animal's ND4 gene has the high conservative nature.The pretein coded by ND4 gene has high uniformity in the function.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ovariectomy on genioglossus (GG) electromyography and myofibre phenotype in female rats and to explore the proposal mechanisms underling ovarian hormone protecting to the patency of upper airway (UA).

METHODS30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: normal group (NORMAL), sham group (SHAM) and ovariectomized group (OVX). Six weeks later, electromyography activity of the genioglossus (EMGgg) was obtained from inserted bipolar electrodes. The integrated EMG (iEMG) was analyed. Genioglossus was stained with ATPase staining. The fibre phenotype composition and cross sectional area (CSA) of type II A and II B/ II X fibres were measured.

RESULTSEMGgg had no significant variety between the normal and sham group (P >0.05). Compared to normal group, iEMG was significantly decreased in OVX group (P < 0.05). GG myofibres were composed of II phenotye, including II A (40.27 +/- 1.01)% and II B/ II X (59.73 +/- 1.01)%, fibres composition and CSA of types II A and II B/II X had no significant variety between the normal and sham group. Compared to normal group, fibres composition had no significant variety in OVX group (P > 0.05), but the CSA of type II A was significantly decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe decreased EMGgg of ovariectomized rat maybe relates to the decrease of CSA in type II A fibre. Ovarian hormone may protect the patency of upper airway through affecting muscle function of UA dilator.

Animals ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Ovariectomy ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tongue

Objective To observe the lung protection of Astragalus membranaceus against radiotherapy to intermediate-stage and terminal thoracic neoplasm, and its influence on TNF-α and ET expression.Methods The patients with intermediate-stage and terminal thoracic neoplasm under radiotherapy were divided into a treatment group and a control group.Patients in the treatment group took 10 ml of Asragalus membranaceus twice a day.for consecutive 6 months from the beginning of radio therapy.TNF-α and ET in the plasma were measured before and after the radiotherapy.The clinical symptom,iconographic changes and lung diffusion were observed from the 15th day of radiotherapy.Results The TNF-α and ET in plasma afterthe radiotherapy were(2.48±0.75)as/ml and(69.32±23.03)pg/ml for the treatment group,and(5.12±1.01)ns/ml and(97.87±37.83)pg/ml for the control group with the statistial difference(x2=7.49,6.57,P<0.001).The decrease of CO diffusion 5 and 10 months after the radiotherapy in the treatment group was statistically different compared with that in the control group(x2=3.98,3.78,P<0.05).There was a statistical difference of the incidence of acute radiation pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis between these two groups(P<0.05).Conclusions Astragalus membranaceus could inhibit the excess expression of TNF-α and ET in plasma and reduce the deterioration of diffusion after radiotherapy,so that it can be used for intervention of lung injuries from radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVETo record the electrical activities of Antirior cingulate cortex (ACC) neurons by in vivo multi-channel recording methods using the model of complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced conditioned place avoidance (C-CPA), which has been set up in our previous studies.

METHODSThe electrode was self-made and the CPA responses were recorded by in vivo multi-channel recording method.

RESULTS(1) The electrical activities of ACC neurons could be successfully recorded by the self-made electrode. (2) Before or after the injection of CFA, rats were respectively conditioned to the different place. The firing rates of ACC neurons in the CFA-paired place vs that in the non-CFA-paired place was (0.853 ± 1.377) imp/s vs (0.221 ± 0.971) imp/s (P < 0.05, n = 26). (3) The CPA responses in the CFA-paired place vs that in the non-CFA-paired place were (303.55 ± 61.77)s vs (140.32 ± 33.52)s(P < 0.05, n = 6).

CONCLUSIONThe firing rates of rACC (rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex) neurons were involved in the occurrence of the affective pain.

Animals ; Electrodes ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Gyrus Cinguli ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pain ; diagnosis ; Pain Measurement ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Exhaled breath condensate(EBC) is a new method for diagnosis and evaluation of lung disease,EBC compositions form to the fluid lining airway surfaces.EBC examination is a safe,non-invasive,easy and simple diagnostic method that is suitable for applicable in infants and childhood.Changes of EBC composition occurs in the airway inflammation or injury.There are changes in the pH value,inflammatory mediators,cytokines and other composition in EBC of childhood asthma.Analysis of EBC composition can contribute to diagnosis and severity assessment of childhood asthma.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at points along Foot Yangming Channel on metabolite of ulcerative colitis (UC) rats' cerebral cortex and to identify key metabolites by referring to Pi/Wei-brain related theory in Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSThe UC rat model was set up by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) method. Male SD rats were randomly divided into the model group and the EA group, 13 in each group. Another 13 rats were recruited as the blank control group. Rats in the blank control group and the model group received no EA. EA was performed at Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Tianshu (ST25) for 5 days by using disperse-dense wave. Then all rats were sacrificed. Their recto-colon and the ileocecal junction were pathomorphologically observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Cerebral cortexes were extracted. Water-soluble and lipid-soluble brain tissue metabolites were respectively extracted for metabolic research using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR).

RESULTSEA could obviously improve the general condition of UC model rats, decrease the value of DAI, reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the intestinal tract, stabilize structures such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and so on (P <0.05). 1HNMR analysis showed that in the model group, contents of glutamic acid, cholesterol, very low density lipoproein (VLDL) in the pallium obviously decreased, while alanine and low density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly increased. After EA, levels of lactic acid, glutamic acid, total cholesterol (TC), and VLDL all increased, and levels of alanine and LDL decreased. All indices were approximate to those of the blank control group.

CONCLUSIONEA at Foot Yangming channel was found to have some effect on metabolites in the brain tissue of UC model rats, which had specific metabonomic material basis and mechanism based on the Pi/Wei-brain related theory.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Electroacupuncture ; Lipids ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application value of Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) by analyzing the positive rate of HIV tests for people in need of PITC and that of routine HIV tests.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the demographic and epidemiologic data about the patients seeking PITC services or undergoing routine HIV tests in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January and December 2013.

RESULTSThe positive rate of initial HIV screening was 1.98% in the PITC group and 0.24% in the routine test group, while that of confirmed HIV was 0. 40% in the former and 0.07% in the latter, both with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). The positive rate of HIV was markedly higher in males than in females, particularly in the PITC group.

CONCLUSIONPITC has a high clinical value in HIV detection for targeted subjects and therefore deserves general application in dermatology.

Counseling ; Dermatology ; Female ; HIV Seropositivity ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors

A strain was isolated from internal organ of died porcine about 8 weeks with purulent pneumonia,arthritis,pyogenic arthritis and endocarditis in April 2007.Objectives of the study are to confirm the genus of the strain,pathopoiesis,and drug sensitivity.The mainly study methods:the first,the strain was identified by the phenotype and the characteristics of the biochemistry,sequence 16S rDNA genes of the strain was analyzed by molecular biology technology,finally animal experiment and drug sensitivity testing were done.The results of the phenotype and the characteristics of the biochemistry showed that it is greatly similar to Actinomyces hyovaginalis,16S rRNA sequence analysis exhibited the homology achieved to 99.2% com-pared with group III strains of Actinomyces hyovaginalis,and the phyletic evolution analysis also indicated that it has mostly relationship with group III strains of Actinomyces hyovaginalis.Animal experiment dis-covered it has highly pathogenicity to Mus musculus albus;Drug sensitivity testing showed that it is hyper-sensitive to Erycin,Gentamicin and Amikacin.So,the result of the study confirmed that the strain is Actin-omyces hyovaginalis III with the pathogenicity.