Objective To evaluate the role of β-arrestin-1 in penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC)-induced inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-caused increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs).Methods Human PMVECs were seeded in 6-well plates (2 ml/well) or in culture flasks (4 ml/flask) at the density of 1 × 105 cells/ml and divided into 5 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table:empty plasmid transfection group (group C),LPS plus empty plasmid transfection group (LPS group),PHC plus LPS plus empty plasmid transfection group (P+LPS group),LPS plus β-arrestin-1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection group (LPS+shRNA group) and PHC plus LPS plus β-arrestin-1 shRNA transfection group (P+LPS+shRNA group).In LPS and LPS+shRNA groups,the cells were transfected with empty plasmid 1.5 μg or with plasmid containing 15 nmol/L β-arrestin-1 shRNA,LPS with the final concentration of 0.1 μg/ml was added at 24 h of incubation,and the cells were then incubated for 1 h.In P+LPS and P+LPS+shRNA groups,the cells were transfected with empty plasmid 1.5 μg or with plasmid containing 15 nmol/L β-arrestin-1 shRNA,PHC with the final concentration of 2 μg/ml was added at 24 h of incubation,LPS with the final concentration of 0.1 μg/ml was added at 1 h of incubation,and the cells were then incubated for 1 h.The cell permeability was measured using Transwell chambers.The expression of heat shock protein (HSP27) was detected by immunofluorescence.The expression of β-arrestin-1,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) was detected by Western blot.The ratio of pp38MAPK/p38MAPK was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the cell permeability was significantly increased,the expression of HSP27 was up-regulated,p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK ratio was increased,and the expression of β-arrestin-1 was down-regulated in LPS,LPS + shRNA and P + LPS + shRNA groups (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group P+LPS (P＞ 0.05).Compared with group LPS,the cell permeability was significantly decreased,the expression of HSP27 was down-regulated,p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK ratio was decreased,and the expression of β-arrestin1 was up-regulated in group P +LPS,and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK ratio was significantly increased (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the other parameters in group P+LPS+shRNA (P＞0.05).Compared with group P+LPS,the cell permeability was significantly increased,the expression of HSP27 was up-regulated,p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK ratio was increased,and the expression of β-arrestin-1 was down-regulated in group P+LPS+shRNA (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which PHC inhibits LPS-induced increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability is totally related to β-arrestin-1 in human PMVECs.

OBJECTIVETo explore brain-protective effect of androgen, its dose-effect relationship and long-term adverse reaction.

METHODSeventy two 3-day-old SD rats were randomized into androgen group (n = 32), HIBD model group (n = 32) and sham operated group (n = 8). The androgen group and HIBD model group were further randomized into 30 mg/kg group, 60 mg/kg group, 120 mg/kg group and 240 mg/kg group, respectively. In androgen group and HIBD group, every rat was given testosterone or peanut oil, one time a day. Three days later, HIBD model was established by occlusion of the left common carotid artery and inhalation of 8% oxygen plus 92% nitrogen for 2.5 hours. Adult rats' ability of learning and memory was determined by water maze test. Escape latencies were recorded and analyzed by statistics. Vaginal cells of all female rats were examined everyday for identifying their estrous cycle. Female rats were allowed to live with normal adult male rats if the female rats were in estrous period. Vaginal cells were examined everyday until sperm was seen, which was the signal of gestation. Pregnancy rate and the number of embryos were recorded and analyzed by statistics. Acropetal coefficient was calculated. The testes and epididymis were taken from adult male rats, histopathological sections were made, and the structure of testis and epididymis were studied under light microscope.

RESULTIn Morris experiment, escape latencies (EL) of HIBD group were much longer than those of sham operation group (27.71 ± 3.19) s, time of first enter target (1(st) ET) was later than that of sham operation group (5.34 ± 0.83) s, times of target cross (TC) was less than that of sham operation group (18.88 ± 1.89) (P < 0.01, P = 0.0005). EL of androgen group (34.89 ± 3.68, 33.71 ± 3.38, 33.84 ± 3.45, 35.43 ± 2.43) were much shorter than that of HIBD group, 1(st) ET (5.39 ± 1.51, 6.28 ± 2.07, 5.09 ± 1.61, 5.85 ± 0.87) was earlier than that of HIBD group, TC (12.75 ± 2.05, 14.88 ± 3.36, 14.88 ± 2.36, 14.38 ± 1.60) was more than that of HIBD group (P < 0.01, P = 0.0001). Among the four doses groups of androgen group, EL, 1(st) ET and TC had no statistical significance (P > 0.05, P = 0.159). There were no statistical significance between male rats of androgen group [Testes acropetal coefficient (0.89 ± 0.07, 0.92 ± 0.08, 0.88 ± 0.11, 0.87 ± 0.09), epididymis acropetal coefficient (0.25 ± 0.02, 0.24 ± 0.05, 0.26 ± 0.04, 0.23 ± 0.05)], HIBD group and sham operation group (P > 0.05, P = 3.207). Among the four doses groups of androgen group had no statistical significance (P > 0.05, P = 6.663). There were no statistical significance between female rats of androgen group (pregnancy rate, 100%; times, 14.52 ± 3.34, 14.69 ± 2.28, 14.98 ± 2.67, 15.38 ± 3.07), HIBD group and sham operation group in pregnancy rate and times.

CONCLUSIONThe intellectual ability of rats decreased after HI. Androgen could reduce the effect of HI on intellectual ability. Androgen had no adverse reaction to the reproductive capacity of adult rats.

Androgens ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; psychology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compared the effect between early anatomical open reduction, internal fixation (ORIF) and closed reduction, internal fixation (CRIF) for treatment of children displaced femoral neck fracture.

METHODSFrom March 2006 to May 2010,34 children with displaced femoral neck fractures were reviewed retrospectively. These patients were divided into two groups. Among them, 19 cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) as group A, included 11 males and 8 females with an average age of (8.1 +/- 1.3), the other 15 cases were treated by closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) as group B, included 9 males and 6 females with an average age of (7.9 +/- 1.5). Complications were observed and the short term effectiveness was evaluated by Ratliff standard.

RESULTSAll children were followed-up from 1 to 3 years (means 1.2 years). All fractures were healed. There was statistical different in the curative effects between the two groups (Z=2.389, P= 0.017). The incidence of complications in two groups had statistical different (P=0.046).

CONCLUSIONThe early ORIF could get better reduction with fewer complications than CRIF in fractures of the displaced femoral neck in children in Delbet type-II and type-III, therefore, ORIF should be considered.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the effect of activating cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) on sepsis-induced acute lung injury and the role of autophagy in mice.Methods Twenty-four SPF male C57BL/6 mice,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were divided into 4 groups (n=6 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (group Sham),sepsis group (group Sep),sepsis plus CB2R agonist HU308 group (group Sep+HU308) and sepsis plus HU308 plus autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine group (group Sep+HU308+3-MA).Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized mice.HU308 2.5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 15 min after surgery in Sep+HU308 and Sep+ HU308+3-MA groups,and 15 min later 3-MA 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group Sep+ HU308+3-MA.Lung tissues were obtained at 12 h after surgery and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for examination of the pathological changes which were scored and for determination of the expression of tumornecrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction),expression of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5) (by immuno-histochemistry),and expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3),Beclin-1 and p62 (by Western blot).The ratio of LC3Ⅱ to LC3Ⅰ (LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio) was calculated.Results Compared with group Sham,the expression of TNF-α,IL-18 and IL-1β mRNA was significantly up-regulated,and LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ ratio and lung injury score were increased in the other three groups,the expression of Beclin-1 was up-regulated,and the expression of p62 was down-regulated in group Sep and group Sep+HU308,and the expression of p62 was significantly up-regulated in group Sep+HU308+3-MA (P＜0.05).Compared with group Sep,the expression of TNF-α,IL-18 and IL-1β mRNA was significantly down-regulated,the expression of Atg5 was up-regulated,and lung injury score was decreased in group Sep+ HU308 and group Sep+ HU308 + 3-MA,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio was increased,the expression of Beclin-1 was up-regulated,and the expression of p62 was down-regulated in group Sep+HU308,and the expression of Beclin-1 was down-regulated,and the expression of p62 was up-regulated in group Sep + HU308 + 3-MA (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group Sep+ HU308,the expression of TNF-α,IL-18 and IL-1β mRNA was significantly up-regulated,the expression of Atg5 and Beclin-1 was down-regulated,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio was decreased,the expression of p62 was up-regulated,and lung injury scores were increased in group Sep+HU308+3-MA (P＜0.05).Conclusion Activating CB2R can alleviate acute lung injury in septic mice,and the mechanism may be partially related to enhancing autophagy and reducing inflammatory responses.

Objective To investigate the role of activated cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of RAW264.7 macrophage inflammatory cytokines and its possible mechanism. Methods Macrophages were seeded in 6-well plates (2 mL/well) at the density of 1×105 cells/mL and randomly divided into four groups (n=6 each group): control group (group C), LPS group (group LPS), LPS plus CB2R agonist HU308 group (group LPS+HU308), and LPS plus HU308 plus 3-Methyladenine group (group LPS+HU308+3-MA). LPS with the final concentration of 1 μg/mL were added in group LPS, group LPS+HU308 and group LPS+HU308+3-MA. After incubation for 15 min, 3-MA with a final concentration of 10 mmol/L was added into group LPS+HU308+3-MA . HU308 with the final concentration of 10 μmol/L was added in group LPS+HU308 and group LPS+HU308+3-MA at 15 min after 3-MA intervention, and the cells were then incubated for 24 h. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-18 and IL-1β in supernatant serum of each group were determined by ELISA. The expressions of ICAM-1 and NLRP3 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The expressions of LC3 and Beclin1 were detected by Western blot, and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ was calculated. LSD-t test was used for sample pairwise comparison, and one way ANOVA for inter-group comparison. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Compared with group C, the concentrations of TNF-α [(228.86±10.20) pg/mL vs (140.05±5.54) pg/mL], IL-1β [(363.62±8.14) pg/mL vs (244.82±9.11) pg/mL], and IL-18 [(293.28±13.57) pg/mL vs (202.84±9.54) pg/mL] in supernatant serum were increased (all P<0.05), the expressions of ICAM-1 [(5.88±0.32) vs (1.00±0.03)] and NLRP3 [(8.07±0.93) vs (1.01±0.05)] mRNA were increased (all P<0.05), the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio [(0.50±0.03) vs (0.40±0.06)] and Beclin1 [(0.51±0.04) vs (0.16±0.03)] were up-regulated in group LPS (all P<0.05). Compared with group LPS, the concentrations of TNF-α [(165.44±7.07) pg/mL], IL-1β [(272.09±3.35) pg/mL] and IL-18 [(220.41±6.01) pg/mL] in supernatant serum were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), the expressions of ICAM-1 [(3.21±0.35)] and NLRP3 [(1.54±0.30)] mRNA were decreased (all P<0.05), the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio [(0.71±0.03)] and Beclin1 [(0.71±0.02)] were up-regulated in group LPS+HU308 (all P<0.05). Compared with group LPS+HU308, the concentrations of TNF-α [(197.06±5.59) pg/mL], IL-1β [(318.98±11.54) pg/mL] and IL-18 [(243.33±8.71) pg/mL] in supernatant serum were significantly increased (all P<0.05), the expressions of ICAM-1 [(4.04±0.21)] and NLRP3 [(5.87±0.77)] mRNA were increased (all P<0.05), the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio [(0.44±0.08)] and Beclin1 [(0.32±0.03)] were down-regulated in group LPS+HU308+3-MA (all P<0.05). Conclusions Activation of cannabinoid receptor 2 can alleviate LPS-induced the secretion of RAW264.7 macrophage inflammatory cytokines, and its mechanism may be related to enhanced autophagy.

OBJECTIVETo generate hepatitis C virus pseudo-particles (HCVpp) containing the complete E1-E2 envelope glycoprotein, in order to establish a HCVpp database covering the six major genotypes of HCV (1b, 2a, 3b, 4, 5, and 6) and to develop a simple and effective method for detection of neutralizing antibodies in HCV patients.

METHODSHCVpp were generated for the six genotypes by co-transfecting 293T cells with a plasmid expressing the respective E1-E2 (p HR, CMVA 8.2 construct) and a MLV-GFP plasmid. Titration of each HCVpp was carried out by p24 ELISA. Infectivity of each HCVpp was assessed by mixing the harvested supernatant of producer cells with sera from HCV patients, adding the mixture to Huh-7 cells, and detecting the subsequent titers of neutralizing antibodies against HCVpp.

RESULTSAll six types of HCVpp were able to infect Huh-7 cells in vitro. For healthy HCV carriers, only two genotypes of HCVpp (1b and 2a) produced neutralizing antibody titers more than 1:40. For cured HCV patients, only the 1b genotype produced neutralizing antibody titers more than 1:40. One patient showed titer of 1:200 for genotype 4. A healthy spouse of a chronic hepatitis C patient showed titers more than 1:40 for four genotypes of HCVpp (3a, 4, 5, 6).

CONCLUSIONWe generated six different genotypes of HCVpp successfully, established the in vitro neutralizing antibody detection method, and provided an effective model for screening antiviral drugs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; blood ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; Hepatitis C ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology ; Young Adult

Anthrax is a zoonosis caused by Bacillus anthracis, which seriously affects human health. In recent years, a special phenomenon is found that the metabolic active of a bacterium remains after it is killed. To development of a KBMA (killed but metabolically active) Bacillus anthracis vaccine candidate strain, a plasmid pMAD and a recombinase system Cre-loxP were used to knockout the uvrAB gene of B. anthracis AP422 which lacks both of two plasmids pXO1 and pXO2. The results of PCR and RT-PCR shows that uvrAB genes were deleted from B. anthracis AP422 chromosome successfully. The constructed B. anthracis AP422deltauvrAB was inactivated by photochemical treatment (PCT) including an exposure in a long-wave-length ultraviolet (UVA) light and a treatment of 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), then the metabolic activity were detected by the method of MTS. The results showed that the killed B. anthracis AP422deltauvrAB maintained a highly metabolic activity for at least 4 hours, showing a state of KBMA. The KBMA strain of B. anthracis AP422deltauvrAB provides the prospective vaccine candidate strain for anthrax.
Anthrax ; immunology ; microbiology ; prevention & control ; Anthrax Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology ; radiation effects ; Bacillus anthracis ; genetics ; immunology ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Methoxsalen ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vaccines, Inactivated ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To evaluate the role of M3 receptors in penehyclidine hydrochloride ( PHC)-induced reduction of lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced injury to human pulmonary microvascular endotheli-al cells ( PMVECs) . Methods Human PMVECs transfected with M3 shRNA were seeded in 6-well plates (2 ml∕hole) or in culture flasks (4 ml∕flask) at the density of 1×105 cells∕ml and divided into 5 groups ( n=5 each) using a random number table method: control group ( group C) , LPS group, PHC plus LPS group ( group P+LPS) , LPS plus M3 shRNA transfection group ( group LPS+shRNA) , and PHC plus LPS plus M3 shRNA transfection group ( group P+LPS+shRNA) . Group C received no mediation, and LPS was added at the final concentration of 0. 1 μg∕ml in the other groups. PHC 2 μg∕ml was added at 1 h before adding LPS in P+LPS and P+LPS+shRNA groups. The cells were transfected with plasmid containing 2. 5 nmol∕L M3 receptor shRNA in LPS+shRNA group and P+LPS+shRNA group. Contents of filamentous actin ( F-actin) in endothelial cells were measured by flow cytometry at 1 h after adding LPS. The expression of myosin light chain kinase ( MLCK) and VE-cadherin protein was examined by immunofluorescence. The ex-pression of nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB) p65 and IκB was detected by Western blot. Contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α) and interleukin-6 ( IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The M3 receptor mRNA transcription was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction at 10, 30 and 60 min after adding LPS. Results Compared with group C, F-actin content was significantly de-creased, the expression of VE-cadherin and IκB was down-regulated, the contents of TNF-αand IL-6 were increased, and the expression of MLCK and NF-κB p65 was up-regulated in LPS and P+LPS groups ( P<0. 05) . Compared with group C, the expression of M3 receptor mRNA was significantly up-regulated in group LPS ( P<0. 05) , and no significant change was found in group P+LPS ( P>0. 05) . Compared with group LPS, F-actin content was significantly increased, the expression of VE-cadherin and IκB was up-reg-ulated, the contents of TNF-αand IL-6 were decreased, and the expression of MLCK, NF-κB p65 and M3 receptor mRNA was down-regulated in group P+LPS and group LPS+shRNA ( P<0. 05) . Compared with group P+LPS, F-actin content was significantly increased, the expression of VE-cadherin and IκB protein was up-regulated, TNF-α and IL-6 contents were decreased, and the expression of MLCK, NF-κB p65 and M3 receptor mRNA was down-regulated in group P+LPS+shRNA ( P<0. 05) . Conclusion PHC re-duces LPS-induced injury to human PMVECs through interfering with M3 receptors and inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses.

Objective To evaluate the role of M3 receptor in penehyclidine hydrochloride(PHC)-induced reduction of increased permeability of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) caused by endotoxin and the relationship with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.Methods Human PMVECs were seeded in 6-well plates (2 ml/hole) or in culture flasks (4 ml/flask) at the density of 1 × 105 cells/ml and randomly divided into 6 groups (n=5 each):control group (group C),M3 receptor shRNA transfection group (group shRNA),lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group,penehyclidine plus LPS group (group P+LPS),LPS plus M3 receptor shRNA transfection group (group LPS+shRNA) and PHC plus LPS plus M3 shRNA transfection group (group P+LPS+shRNA).The cells were transfected with shRNA plasmid containing 2.5 nmol/L M3 receptors in shRNA,LPS+shRNA and P+LPS+shRNA groups.LPS at the final concentration of 0.1 μg/ml was added at 24 h of incubation and then cells were incubated for 1 h in LPS and LPS+shRNA groups.PHC at the final concentration of 2 μg/ml was added at 24 h of incubation,cells were incubated for 1 h,then LPS at the final concentration of 0.1 μg/ml was added,and cells were incubated for another l h in P+LPS and P+LPS+shRNA groups.The permeability of PMVECs was measured using Transwell assay.The expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK)and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) was detected by Western blot,the expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) using immunofluorescent staining,and the expression of M3receptor mRNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results Compared with group C,M3 receptor mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated in group shRNA,and the permeability of cells was significantly increased,and the expression of p-p38 MAPK,p-ERK1/2,HSP27 and M3 receptor mRNA was up-regulated in group LPS (P＜0.05).The permeability of cells was significantly decreased,and the expression of p-p38 MAPK,p-ERK1/2,HSP27 and M3 receptor mRNA was down-regulated in P+ LPS,LPS+shRNA and P+LPS+shRNA groups as compared with group LPS,and in group P+LPS+shRNA as compared with group LPS+shRNA (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which PHC reduces endotoxin-caused increased permeability of human PMVECs is related to inhibiting activation of MAPK signaling pathway after down-regulating M3 receptor.

Objective:To evaluate the role of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) in macrophage pyroptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice.Methods:Macrophage line RAW264.7 cells of mice were routinely cultured and divided into 3 groups ( n=18 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), LPS group and LPS plus CB2R agonist HU308 group (group HU308). Group C received no mediation, LPS at the final concentration of 1 μg/ml was added in the other groups.After incubation for 15 min, HU308 with the final concentration of 10 μmol/L was added in group LPS+ HU308.All groups were then incubated for 6 h. The expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, caspase-11 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) mRNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-11, GSDMD and C-terminal domain of human GSDMD (GSDMD-C) was detected by Western blot, and the concentrations of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β in the supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.GSDMD-C/GSDMD ratio was calculated. Results:Compared with group C, the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-11, GSDMD and GSDMD-C was significantly up-regulated, GSDMD-C/GSDMD ratio was increased, and the concentrations of IL-18 and IL-1β in the supernatant were increased in group LPS ( P<0.05). Compared with group LPS, the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-11, GSDMD and GSDMD-C was significantly down-regulated, GSDMD-C/GSDMD ratio was decreased, and the concentrations of IL-18 and IL-1β were decreased in group HU308 ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CB2R is involved in macrophage pyroptosis induced by LPS in mice.