Humans ; Lung ; ultrastructure ; Paraquat ; toxicity ; Pulmonary Edema ; pathology ; Research Report

OBJECTIVETo investigate aquaporin 9 (AQP9) mRNA and protein expression in antrum follicle and luteinizing granulosa cells of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) ovary, and its relation to follicular fluid steroids hormone levels during IVF cycles.

METHODSAQP9 mRNA expression on luteinizing granulosa cells in IVF cycles was detected by RT-PCR. AQP9 protein expression in antrum follicles of PCOS ovary and luteinizing granulosa cells was measured by immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and testerone (T) in follicular fluid were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTThe expression of AQP9 mRNA in luteinizing granulosa cells during IVF cycles was positive by RT-PCR. No significant differences in AQP9 mRNA levels in granulosa cells between PCOS and control group were found during IVF cycles. The expression level of AQP9 mRNA in large follicles was higher than that in small follicles, but not significantly. The immunoreactivity for AQP9 was localized in membrane and cytoplast of granulosa cells in antrum follicles from PCOS ovary and luteinizing granulosa cells during IVF cycles. Multiple regression analysis showed that AQP9 mRNA levels on granulosa cells were not correlated with E2, P and T levels in follicular fluid during IVF cycles.

CONCLUSIONAQP9 may play an important role in the follicle development and antrum formation through water transport and AQP9 may be involved in the mechanism of follicle development in PCOS.

Adult ; Aquaporins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To study systemic hematogenic immunoreactions induced by bacterial infections using simulation of natural system.Methods Whole blood 0.2 mL or white blood cells 0.2 mL and plasma(or normal saline)0.3 mL were stimulated by 0.2 mL of yeast and inactivated Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG,5?10~8/mL),respectively,which were incubated at 37℃for 1 h. Interleukin(IL)-8,C3,C4 and chemokine receptor Fy6 were detected by flow cytometry(FCM)and en- zyme-linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA).Results Bacteria could activate red blood cell to modulate IL-8 release from white blood cells in plasma.In nature experimental group,activation rate(37.04?34.84)of IL-8 was significantly higher than that(1.09?0.77)in isolation experimental group.In nature experimen- tal group,value increment(0.01?0.01)of complement C4 was significantly higher than that(-0.0027?0.008)of isolation experimental group(P

In order to elucidate the function of homeobox A10 gene (HOXA10) and p57 during decidualization our present study was designed to observe the change of HOXA10 and p57 expression and subcellular localization of HOXA10 in the process of endometrial stromal cell (ESC) differentiation in vitro. Decidualization was induced by 0.5 mmol/L 8-Bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP) together with 1x10(-6) mol/L medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Expression of p57 and HOXA10 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot after 1-day, 2-day, and 4-day treatment (D1, D2, D4). ESCs cultured in 2%FBS for 1 and 4 d were used as control (C1, C4). The location of HOXA10 was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and HOXA10-GFP transfection. The results are as follows: (1) The expression of HOXA10 decreased progressively during the course of decidualization, and showed significant difference compared to control group C4 after 2-day treatment (D2). (2) On the contrary, the expression of p57 increased progressively and also showed significant difference compared to the control group C4 after 2-day treatment (D2). (3) There was no significant change of HOXA10 and p57 expression after culturing ESCs in 2%FBS for 4 d (C1, C4). (4) HOXA10 located in the nucleus throughout the course. Cytoplasm and nucleus shuttle was not detected in the experiment. Our results suggest that the down-regulation of HOXA10 may contribute to the increase of p57 and that the up-regulation of p57 likely plays an important role in ESC differentiation. Progesterone receptor (PR) pathway may participate in promoting ESCs to exit cell cycle and enter differentiation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the population and distribution intestinal microflora and their relationship with depression in post-stroke patients.

METHODSFecal specimens were obtained from 32 patients with post-stroke depression and 30 healthy adults for gene sequencing of 16S RNA V3 region of the intestinal microorganism using Roche/45 high-throughput sequencing platform.

RESULTSThe genus and species of intestinal bacteria showed significant differences between the post-stroke patients and health adults.

CONCLUSIONSignificant changes in the structure of intestinal flora occur in patients with post-stroke depression.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Depression ; complications ; microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Stroke ; complications ; psychology

Objective To explore the effects of thapsigargin on the cell cycle,apoptosis and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase-12) protein expression in mouse lung fibroblast stimulated transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1).Methods Mice lung fibroblast lines frozen in liquid nitrogen were recovered and cultured.Experiment was divided into three groups:the control group,model group and experimental group.RPMI-1640 medium was only add in the control group,5 ng · mL-1 TGF-β1 was add in the model group;while in experimental group,5 ng · mL-1 TGF-β1 was add for 24 hours,then 4 pmol · L-1 thapsigargin was add.After 24 h,the cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry instrument.The protein expression of caspase-12 was examined using the immunohistochemical method.Results In control group,model group and experimental group,the proportion of G1 phase cells were (58.72 ±8.35)％,(52.13 ±7.61)％ and (73.02 ±9.32)％,which of S phase cells were (29.50 ± 4.24) ％,(40.54 ± 6.31) ％ and (21.66 ± 4.17) ％,G2 phase cells was (11.75 ± 0.96) ％,(7.62 ± 3.22)％ and (6.09 ± 2.11)％ respectively,the differences had statistical significance in G1 phase,S phase and G2 phase among groups (all P ＜ 0.05),while there was no significant difference in G2 phase between experimental group and model group (P ＞ 0.05).The apoptosis rate in control group,model group and experimenta group were 6.73％,5.03％ and 21.53％ respectively,the protein expression of Caspase-12 were 3356.45 ±205.74,2645.56 ± 168.36 and 5424.76 ± 241.79,the differences in above two indicators were statistical significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Thapsigargin could promote the apoptosis of lung fibroblast and increase the protein expression of caspase-12.

Objective To study the influencing factors and understanding situation of Alzheimer' s disease among medical workers.Methods Totals of 200 staffs and nurses were randomly selected from three hospitals.Self-designed questionnaire and Alzheimer' s disease knowledge scale was used to measure the understanding situation of medical workers.Results The average score of ADKS was ( 60.20 ± 11.940 ),and the dimensions score was life influencing (80.83 ± 24.656),treatment and management (76.25 ± 24.137),course of disease ( 62.13± 23.508),risk factors ( 61.75± 21.708 ),assessment and diagnosis ( 61.63 ±23.090),symptom(51.50 ± 26.003 ),care ( 37.40 ± 20.081 ).And multiple linear regressions indicated that working,AD knowledge training,family members with AD/related obstacles,education back ground were the influencing factors of the ADKS score,and those factors were positively correlated with the score of ADKS.Conclusions The understanding situation of Alzheimer' s disease among medical staffs of three hospitals is poor.The scores of all aspects of Alzheimer' s disease knowledge are correlated with many factors,so we can take corresponding measures to improve the understanding of Alzheimer's disease among the medical workers.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the imaging and hemodynamical features of pulmonary artery branches in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).

METHODSCT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with ECG-gating was performed in 13 patients with clinical diagnosed COPD and 25 normal subjects. The thin-slice multiple plane reconstruction in systole and diastole phase was conducted, which in turn was used to generate the InSpace reconstructed images with reference frame of the main pulmonary artery and the first two grades branches, the contour of the branches was depicted. On the base of coordinates, the GAMBIT was used to generate nodes and furthermore meshes, then the software Fluent was used for numerical calculation and flow simulation. The velocity and pressure changes in the main pulmonary artery and the first two grades branches during different periods of cardiac cycle were observed in both groups.

RESULTCTPA showed that the diameter of the main pulmonary before bifurcate and proximal of the first two branches was larger in systole period than that in diastole period. The diameter of the second segmental artery of right upper lobe was larger during diastole period. The length of the main pulmonary and the first two branches showed no significant difference in both diastole and systole periods. There was no significant difference in length of pulmonary arteries between COPD and normal groups. The main pulmonary to distal right pulmonary artery appeared larger in diastole period. Compared with normal, in COPD group several arteries increased in diameter including proximal and distal of the proximal right pulmonary artery and the proximal right pulmonary artery during systole and diastole periods. In systole period only the diameter of the main pulmonary before bifurcate got larger and the back basic segmental artery of both lower lobe show smaller than normal. The flow condition analysis in COPD and normal groups suggested higher pressure in pulmonary arteries during systole period than that in diastole period, both groups showed high pressure area below the branching point. In COPD patients the right lower lobe artery endured the most significant pressure fall during the two periods and high pressure distributed larger area than normal. Flow velocity in main branch was faster than lower grade branches and that in systole period was faster than that in diastole period. The trend of diffusion of high pressure area was more prominent in diastole period than normal and the influence more prominent.

CONCLUSIONThe distal part of right pulmonary artery to lower lobe artery may be affected earlier when the pulmonary pressure increased. It is feasible to study the changes of flow condition in pulmonary artery branches though the combination of CTPA image and relevant software.

Adult ; Angiography ; methods ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; physiopathology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Amniotic Fluid ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Keratin-13 ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Aspiration ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of ghrelin on learning and memory abilities and expressions of DKK-1 and β-catenin in the hippocampus of diabetic rats.

METHODSSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups, namely the control group, diabetic group, ghrelin-treated diabetic group (DM1 group), and ghrelin- and D-lys3-GHRP-6 (a GHSR-1a receptor antagonist)-treated diabetic group (DM2 group). Diabetic rat models were established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed with Morris water maze (MWM) test. The ultrastructure of the hippocampal CA1 area of the rats were observed with electron microscopy. Serum levels of DKK-1 were examined by ELISA, and the expressions of DKK-1 and β-catenin in the hippocampus were examined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the diabetic rats exhibited significantly impaired learning and memory abilities (P<0.05), increased expression of DKK-1 and lowered β-catenin expression in the hippocampus (P<0.05), significant ultrastructural injuries and disordered arrangement of neurons with the nuclear pycnosis in the hippocampal CA1 area. Ghrelin treatment of the diabetic rats obviously improved their learning and memory abilities (P<0.05), reduced DKK-1 and increased β-catenin expressions (P<0.05), ameliorated ultrastructural damages in the hippocampal CA1 area and restored normal neuronal alignment with clear cell layers. Such effects of ghrelin were antagonized by treatment with D-lys3-GHRP-6 in the diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONGhrelin can alleviate learning and memory dysfunction in diabetic rats possibly by down-regulating the expressions of DKK-1 and activating the WNT signaling pathways.

Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cognition ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Ghrelin ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Neurons ; pathology ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Streptozocin ; beta Catenin ; metabolism