Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiodermatitis ; etiology

Objective To investigate the effect of isoflurane on the levels of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in hippocampus in rats. Methods Thirty-six 3-month-old male SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 12 each): group Ⅰ underwent the cognitive function test without being pretreated with isoflurane inhalation (group C); group Ⅱ and Ⅲ inhaled 1.2% isoflurane for 4 h and underwent the cognitive function test 2 days and 2 weeks later respectively (group Ⅰso1,Iso2). Morris water maze was used to assess the cognitive function and the escape latency was recorded. The animals were killed immediately after the test.The hippocampus was isolated for determination of the expression and activities of PKA and PKC.Results The escape latency was significantly longer in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅰ.The expression of PKA and PKC was significantly down-regulated and the activities of PKA and PKC were significantly decreased in group Ⅱand Ⅲ as compared with group Ⅰ . There was no significant difference in the expression and activities of PKA and PKC between group Ⅱ and Ⅲ . Conclusion Four hour 1.2% isoflurane inhalation can decrease cognitive function by inhibiting the levels of PKA and PKC in hippocampus.

Objective To assess the feasibility of semi-quantitative scoring system for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)quantitative analysis's color images in the differential diagnosis of breast nodules.Methods Totally 244 BI-RADS 4 breast solid lesions received CEUS before core needle biopsy or surgical resection were included.A semi-quantitative scoring system for color images of CEUS quantitative analysis were built.The scores were given as follows:1 )Color type and its distribution (0 to 4);2)Color scope (0 to 1 );3)Color margin (0 to 1 );4)Color shape (0 to1 ).The total score for each lesion would be from 0 to 7.And the differenital value between benign and malignant lesions were assessed.Results The total semi-quantitative scores of 102 malignant tumors (5.1 ±1 .7)was significant higher than that of benign lesions (3.34±0.7)(P < 0.05 ).In 102 malignant lesions,the total scores of 81 lesions (79.41 %)were more than 4 points,and in 142 benign lesions,the total scores of 89 lesions (62.67%)were less than 4 points.Depending on the Wilcox rank sum test (Mann-Whitney)analysis,the distribution of total scores between benign and malignant lesions was significant different (P <0.000 1).Total score 4 was selected as the best cutoff,the area under ROC curve was 0.749,on which the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were 79.4%,62.7% and 69.67%,respectively.Conclusions The semi-quantitative scoring system of CEUS quantitative analysis color images showed good sensitivity but not satisfied specificity and accuracy in differential diagnosis between malignant and benign breast lesions.

Aim To clone apoptosis-related genes from human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and to analyze the character of the method used in the process. Methods A poptotic cell model of MCF-7 cells was established with the apoptotic tumor cells induced by the all-trans-retinoic acid. The apoptotic gene was cloned from the model by improved PCR-based subtractive hybridization. Results 5 clones were identified to be related to apoptosis by reverse dot blot, 4 of them were known genes, and 3 were related to apoptosis. A novel gene， named apmcf-1, coded for 47 amino acid was identified. This gene was accepted by Genbank, the accession number was AF141882. Conclusion This improved PCR-based subtractive hybridization may be an efficient way in cloning differential expression gene.

An extremely thermoacidophilic isolate K4-1 was obtained from an acidic hot spring in Teng- chong Rehai, Yunnan province. Morphology, growth characteristics, utilization of carbon compounds, en- ergy sources and 16S rRNA gene sequence of K4-1 were studied. Cells of K4-1 are irregular cocci with monotrichous flagella. The strain grew aerobically in either a lithotrophic or a heterotrophic mode. Growth on elemental sulfur occurred through oxidation of sulfur. It grew optimally at 75?C and pH 3.5. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain K4-1 was shown to belong to genus Sulfolobus, being related to the type strains of genus Sulfolobus (86.6%~94.3% similarity), and being most closely related to strain Sulfolobus tengchongensis RT8-4 (98.9% similarity). The GenBank accession number of strain K4-1 16S rRNA gene sequence is EU729124.

Pseudomonas sp. M18 is one of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria capable of producing two kinds of anti-fungal agents: phenazine-1-carboxilic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (Plt). The pqsR gene, which encodes a LysR family member PqsR, was amplified from chromosomal genome of strain M18. Using the homologous recombination technique, a chromosomal pqsR inactivated mutant strain M18PRG was constructed in Pseudomonas sp. M18. To study the effect of pqsR gene on Plt biosynthesis, the dynamic curves of Plt production by strains M18 and M18PRG was measured in KMB media. As a result, Plt production of the pqsR mutant was three to four folds higher than that of its parent strain M18. The Plt production was restored to the wild-type level when strain M18PRG was complemented with pqsR gene in trans. The regulation of pqsR gene on Plt production was further confirmed by the pltA′-′lacZ translational fusion analysis. These results indicate that pqsR gene negatively controls the Plt biosynthesis. Additionally, by analyzing the growth curves of wild type strain M18 and pqsR mutant, wecan readily find that PqsR has a negative influence on cell growth. It was also shown that the production of red pigments in strain M18 required the expression of pqsR gene. In conclusion, the data presented in this study clearly demonstrate that PqsR acts as a global regulator involved in many physiological activities in Pseudomonas sp. M18.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of cilostazol administrated intranasally on chronic injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

METHODSFocal cerebral ischemia in mice was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Cilostazol was administrated intranasally or intraperitoneally 1 h, 4 h and 7 h after the operation; then twice a day from the second day for 2 weeks. The neurological deficit scoring and the inclined board testing were performed within 35 d after ischemia. The survival rate, infarct volume and neuron density were assessed 35 d after ischemia.

RESULTIntranasal cilostazol at 0.3 mg/kg increased the survival rate. Intranasal cilostazol (0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg) and intraperitoneal cilostazol (10 mg/kg) significantly attenuated neurological deficit, reduced infarct volume, and increased the survival neuron density in the border of ischemia region.

CONCLUSIONCilostazol administered intranasally demonstrates protective effects on chronic cerebral ischemia in mice.

Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Tetrazoles ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe enhanced effects of polypeptide extract from scorpion venom (PESV) combined Rapamycin on autophagy of H22 hepatoma cells in mice and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe H22 hepatocarcinoma cell suspension was subcutaneously inoculated into 40 Kunming mice. Then tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the control group,the high dose PESV group, the low dose PESV group, and the combination group (high dose PESV + Rapamycin), 10 in each group. Mice in high and dose PESV groups were administered with 20 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg PESV respectively by gastrogavage. Mice in the combination group were administered with 2 mg/kg rapamycin and 20 mg/kg PESV by gastrogavage. The intervention lasted for 14 successive days. The tumor volume was measured once every other day, the tumor growth curve was drawn, and then the tumor inhibitory rate calculated. Pathological changes of the tumor tissue were observed by HE staining. Protein expression levels of mammal target of rapamycin (mTOR), UNC-51-like kinase-1 (ULK1), microtubule-associated protein1 light chain3 (MAPILC3A), and Beclin1 were detected by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSThe growth of H22 hepatoma transplantation tumor was inhibited in high and low dose PESV groups and the combination group (P < 0.05). And there was statistical difference in tumor weight and tumor volume between the combination group and high and low dose PESV groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in tumor weight or tumor volume between the high dose PESV group and the low dose PESV group (P > 0.05). lmmunohistochemical assay showed that the protein expression of mTOR was higher, but protein expressions of ULK1, MAP1LC3A, Beclin1 were lower in the control group than in the rest 3 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the high dose PESV group, protein expressions of ULK1, MAP1LC3A, and Beclin1 were obviously lower (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPESV combined Rapamycin might inhibit the development of H22 hepatoma transplantation tumor in mice possibly through inhibiting the activity of mTOR, enhancing expressions of ULK1, MAP1LC3A, and Beclin1.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Liver Neoplasms ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Peptides ; Scorpion Venoms ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Sirolimus ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo give some theory support of Cistanche tubulosa cultivation by searching dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa.

METHODDry matter accumulation content of C. tubulosa culturing in Huabei plain was analysed in different growth season of C. tubulosa. Echinacoside content was determined by HPLC.

RESULTDry matter accumulation of C. tubulosa showed "S" variation. Dry matter accumulation increased fastest in September among growing seasons. Dry matter amount was 138.58 g after C. tubulosa grew a year. Dry matter amount decreased significantly along with inoculation time retarded. Echinacoside content was 30.59% when C. tubulosa grew in 5 months, decreased guadully after that, and 9.76% in annual.

CONCLUSIONVariation rule of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content was found in C. tubulosa that grew one year in Huabei plain.

Biomass ; China ; Cistanche ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Glycosides ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between periodontitis and the low-grade inflammation in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients.

METHODSFifty-seven MS patients, 26 healthy controls were enrolled. Non-stimulated whole saliva was collected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Concentration of cytokines was compared between MS patients and the healthy controls. Correlations between the cytokines and various periodontal indices, and between the cytokines level and different quantity of metabolic syndrome components were also investigated.

RESULTSLevels of TNF-alpha in saliva of MS patients [(69.30+/-21.01) ng/L] were significantly higher than that in the healthy subjects [(57.85+/-15.69) ng/L, P<0.05], and of IL-1beta in MS patients [(616.42+/-360.05) ng/L] higher than that in healthy subjects [(506.06+/-245.76) ng/L], but the difference was not statistically significant. TNF-alpha was positively correlated with bleeding index (BI). In MS patients, TNF-alpha level and IL-1beta level increased with increasing severity of periodontal disease and increasing component numbers of MS.

CONCLUSIONSPeriodontal inflammation may be one of the sources of low-grade inflammation in MS patients. Both systemic and periodontal conditions may influence the level of salivary TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; complications ; metabolism ; Saliva ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism