Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Medical Staff, Hospital ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiation Monitoring

Objective To investigate the effect of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) on H2 S concentration and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression in hippocampus in a rat model of vascular dementia (VaD). Methods A rat model of VaD was induced by using the modified four -vessel occlusion. The rats were divided into sham operation, model, low -dose and high-dose NaHS groups using the random number table method. They were further redivided into one day, seven -day, and 30-day subgroups according to the time after modeling. After modeling respectively, NaHS 30 μmol/kg and 100 μmol/kg were injected intraperitoneally every day in the low -dose and high-dose NaHS groups. The normal saline was injected intraperitoneally every day in the sham operation group and the VaD model group. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of the rats. The expression of CBS in hippocampus was detected by real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. Western Blotting was used to detect expression of CBS protein in hippocampus. Results Morris water maze test showed that the escape latencies of the model group, low -dose and high-dose NaHS groups were prolonged significantly compared with the sham operation group (P <0.05); the times of crossing the platform were decreased significantly compared with the model group (P <0.05); and the escape latencies were shortened significantly in the low -dose and high-dose NaHS groups compared with the model group ( P <0.05). The H2 S content in hippocampus was decreased significantly in the model group, low -dose and high-dose NaHS groups compared with the sham operation group, but the low -dose and high-dose NaHS group was significantly higher than that in the model group (all P <0.05). The expression of CBS mRNA and protein in the model, low -dose and high-dose NaHS groups was significantly lower than that of the sham operation group (all P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the low -dose and high-dose NaHS groups and the model group. Conclusions Exogenous H2 S may improve the learning and memory ability of the VaD rats. It may be associated with the increased H2 S content in hippocampus. However, it has no effect on CBS expression.

Adult ; Foot Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Melorheostosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo prepare cytochrome (CYP)2E1-silenced hepatocytes by lentivirus-mediated RNA interference technology and to investigate the hepatotoxicity of trichloroethylene (TCE) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes.

METHODSShort hairpin RNA fragments were designed and synthesized and were then ligated into the lentiviral vector; single colonies were screened; the plasmid was extracted after PCR and sequence identification and then transferred into L02 hepatocytes; the CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were selected; real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the interference effects. The obtained CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes, as well as normal L02 hepatocytes, were treated with TCE (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, and 4.00 mmol/L). The cell viability and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of TCE were measured; the apoptotic rate of cells was measured by flow cytometry; the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis genes and oncogenes were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe IC50s of TCE for L02 hepatocytes and CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were 15.1 mmol/L and 23.6 mmol/L, respectively. The apoptotic rate increased as the dose of TCE rose in the two types of cells; the CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes hada significantly lower apoptotic rate than L02 hepatocytes when they were exposed to 2.0 and 4.0 mmol/L TCE (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of bcl-2 (anti-apoptosis gene) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes was 15% ∼ 60% higher than that in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01), while the mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 (apoptosis genes) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were 30% ∼ 60% lower than those in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of p53 (cancer suppressor gene) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes was 81 - 278% higher than that in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01), while the mRNA expression levels of c-fos and k-ras (oncogenes) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were 20-68% lower than those in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCYP2E1-silenced cells can be successfully prepared by lentivirus-mediated RNA interference technology. Silencing CYP2E1 gene can reduce the hepatotoxicity of TCE and inhibit the expression of some apoptosis genes and oncogenes, suggesting that CYP2E1 gene plays an important role in TCE metabolism and is related to the hepatotoxicity of TCE.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo study mRNA expression of immune-related genes (Foxp3, GATA3, CTLA4 and T-bet) in peripheral blood of the patients with allergic dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene (TCE).

METHODSThe peripheral blood samples were collected from 8 healthy workers (control group) and 8 patients with allergic dermatitis induced by TCE (case group). Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to detect mRNA expression of immune-related genes (Foxp3, GATA3, CTLA4, T-bet).

RESULTSThe mRNA expression levels of Foxp3, GATA3 and CTLA4 genes increased by 115%, 97% and 241% in case group, as compared with control group (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of T-bet gene decreased by 47% in case group, as compared with control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mRNA expression levels of some immune-related genes changed in patients with allergic dermatitis induced by TCE, those genes may play an important role in TCE-induced allergy.

Adult ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Dermatitis, Occupational ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Trichloroethylene ; Young Adult

China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; statistics & numerical data ; Male

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of different investing methods and mold cooling methods on pure titanium castings invested in the self-made investment, and to provide theoretic base for the development for the investment.

METHODSThe influence of investing methods (one-step investing method and two-step investing method) on castability and crown fit of titanium castings were investigated, and the influence of cooling methods on reaction layers, mechanical properties and crown fit of titanium castings were investigated.

RESULTSBoth the investing methods exhibited good castability, but only the titanium full crowns by one-step investing method showed clinically acceptable fit. Although the quenching group showed thinner reaction layer(100 microm), lower strength and similar elongation rate, the titanium castings by bench cooling showed clinically acceptable full crown fit with 115 microm thick reaction layer as cast.

CONCLUSIONThe one-step investing method and the bench cooling are recommended for the self-made investment.

Crowns ; Dental Casting Investment ; Dental Casting Technique ; Dental Materials ; Fungi ; Investments ; Materials Testing ; Surface Properties ; Titanium

Adult ; Age Factors ; Athletic Injuries ; epidemiology ; Blood Group Antigens ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel ; education ; statistics & numerical data ; Physical Education and Training

A cDNA sequence coding for ovine inhibin N terminal 1-33 AA residue fragment (INH) was inserted between BamHI\SacI sites in plasmid pRSET-A to generate plasmid pR-INH. By utilizing a pair of isocaudamer BamHI and Bgl II sites and another downstream Hind III site, following simple double digestions and combination ligation of the resultant products, 2 to 6-repeat INH genes were constructed respectively. Each plamids containing 3 to 6 repeated INH fragment genes, pR-3INH, pR-4INH, pR-5INH and pR-6INH, directed expression of the target proteins in E. coli. BL21 (DE3) under induction of ITPG, which respectively accounted for 6%, 6%, 7% and 8% of the total bacterial protein. The expressed target proteins were all in the form of inclusion bodies. The above results implied that utilization of isocaudamer restriction disgetion sites in expression plasmid is capable of rapidly and correctly constructing repeat fragment polymer of short peptides, which may become a new method in construction of high immunogenic recombinant vaccines of short peptides.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Inhibins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Peptide Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; genetics ; Sheep

Objective To evaluate and compare the short-term effects of two kinds of plastic mulch on Oncomelania hupensis snail control in irrigation and drainage ditches with snails in Yunnan Province. Methods The irrigation and drainage ditches with high density of Oncomelania hupensis snails were chosen as the investigation sites,and then 4 groups were set,namely a colorless plastic mulch group,black plastic mulch group,colorless plastic mulch with molluscicide group and black plastic mulch with molluscicide group. The snail situation of the 4 groups was surveyed before the experiment and 7,14,21,30 days after covering plastic mulch,and the snail death rates were compared among the 4 groups. Meanwhile,the hourly temperatures of soil surface,soil surface under plastic mulch and soil layer 5,15 cm under the surface as well as the weather situation during the study period were measured and recorded. Results The average snail mortality rate of the colorless plastic mulch group was only 15.29% that was higher than that of the black plastic mulch group(6.56%)(P < 0.01). The average snail mortality rates of the colorless and black plastic mulch with molluscicide groups were 40.80% and 50.15%,respectively,and there was no statis-tic difference between them(P > 0.05). Both kinds of plastic mulches could raise the temperature of the soil surface under plas-tic mulch and the soil layer below it,and the temperature of soil under the mulches increased over the cover time,and the aver-age temperature of the soil surface under the black mulch in 30 days was higher than that under the colorless mulch. Conclu-sion It is not suitable to use plastic mulch only in irrigation and drainage ditches with snails widely in Yunnan Province be-cause of its low effect,and if necessary,the molluscicide should be added.