BACKGROUND: Gastric lavage (GL) is one of the most critical early therapies for acute paraquat (PQ) poisoning; however, details of the treatment protocol remain to be established. METHODS: A rapid quantitative method involving sodium dithionite testing was developed. It was validated for the determination of the PQ concentrations in gastric juice and eluate samples from a swine acute PQ poisoning model with early or delay GL, or without. The vital signs, laboratory testing, and PQ plasma concentrations were collected for therapeutic effect evaluation. RESULTS: The reaction conditions of the test were optimized for two types of samples. Early GL at one hour (H1) could improve the signs and symptoms after acute PQ poisoning at 24 hours (H24). In contrast, GL at 6 hours (H6) could only partially relieve the vital signs. The H1 GL group effectively reduced the peak of the plasma PQ concentration. In addition, the PQ concentrations in the plasma and the gastric juice were signifi cantly decreased in both the GL groups as compared to the untreated group at H24. Moreover, there was no signifi cant difference in the washing effi ciencies calculated from the total eluates between the two GL groups. However, the washing effi ciency of the fi rst 10 L eluate is superior to that of the additional 10 L eluate. CONCLUSION: GL only at early stage may it benefit PQ poisoning in an animal model. The currently used 20 L GL volume may need to be reduced in view of the low washing efficiency in the later 10 L eluate. The rapid quantitative method can be used for gastric juice sample and has a certain value for clinical GL practices.

TFH was isolated from the fruits of Hippophae Rhamnoides L. A study was made cf the effects of TFH on the immune reaction in animals. TFH ( 5.0mg/kg? d-1 sc?6d)remarkably enhanced the pha-gocytic activity of peritoneal exudate macrophages. The content of lysozyme in mice ( TFH 2mg/kg?d-1 ip?7d) & serum complement in guinea pig also were remarkably elevated. TFH caused significant increases of quantitative hemolysin of SRBC ( QHS ) in normal mice. At the dose of 2mg/kg?d-1 ip?8d TFH increased the production of hemolysin serum and agglutinin in normal mice as well as in immunodepressed mice induced by cyclophosphamids. TFH ( 6.25-50mg/L) markedly enhanced Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation of mouse spleen cells in vitro. These results suggested that TFH had certain immunopotentiation in animals.

Objective To investigate the effect of repeated ketamine administration on long-term potential ( LTP) in area CA1 of hippocampus. Methods Thirty SD rats of either sex aged 35-45 days were randomly divided into 2 control groups (C) and 3 ketamine groups (K). The animals in control groups received intraperitoneal (IP) normal saline (NS) 2 ml once (C1) or once every 3 days?5 times (C2); while in ketamine groups received IP ketamine 70 mg?kg-1 in 2 ml NS once (K1) or once every 3 days ?3 times (K2) or ? 5 times (K3). Seven days after the last injection the animals were killed and hippocampus slices were prepared. Electrical stimulation was delivered to the Schaffer commissural fiber system and extracellular recoding was performed at the pyramidal cell layer in hippocampal slices. LTP and population spike amplitude (PSA) after tetanus stimulation were measured and recorded.Results There was no significant difference in both PSA after tetanus stimulation and the induction ratio of LTP in area CA1 of hippocampus slices between group C1, C2 and K1. But the PSA and induction ratio of LTP were significantly decreased in group K3 as compared with group C1 and C2 ( P

Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Cough ; etiology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fever ; etiology ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the p53,Bax,bcl-2 gene in NaAsO2-induced human embryonic lung fibroblasts(HELF)apoptosis.Methods HELF was divided into HELF cells transfected with p53 plasmid(p53 group),HELF cells transfected with PC plasmid(PC group)and normal cultured HELF cells(normal group).The mRNA expression of p53,Bax and bcl-2 gene was detected by real-time PCR,the protein expression of p53,Bax and bcl-2 was assessed by immunohistochemical SABC and the cell apoptosis of HELF was detected by flow cytometry(FCM),in a 6-well plate and cultured for 48 hours,which was exposed to different doses(0,3,9,15mmol/L)NaAsO2 for 24 hours.Results The p53 gene mRNA expression level of p53 group(0.51±0.29)was lower than that of the normal group and PC group [ (1.00 ± 0.20), (1.32 ± 0.26), all P < 0.05 ]. The p53 protein expression level of p53 group(4.10 ± 1.20) was lower than the PC group and normal group[ (8.00 ± 1.63), (7.90 ± 1.79), allP < 0.05]. In p53 group, PC group, normal group exposed to 0,3,9,15 mmol/L NaAsO2 doses, the apoptotic rate [(0.57 ± 0.28)%, (22.91 ± 4.86)%, (40.05 ± 3.93)%, (44.87 ± 3.58)%; (0.65 ± 0.24)%, (14.09 ± 3.49)%,(20.31 ± 3.66)%, (32.42 ± 3.63)%; (0.56 ± 0.25)%, (12.14 ± 3.70)%, (19.61 ± 3.63)%, (30.43 ± 2.83)%], Bax mRNA expression level[(12.73 ± 3.96), (25.12 ± 6.42), (104.96 ± 26.77), (154.04 ± 30.52); (14.63 ± 3.57),(36.75 ± 3.67), (272.26 ± 66.11), (846.12 ± 243.36); (14.75 ± 5.65), (37.22 ± 11.27), (278.51 ± 37.42),(861.67 ± 369.29) ], Bax protein expression level [ ( 15.07 ± 0.83 ) %, ( 23.79 ± 3.99 ) %, (38.51 ± 1.58 ) %, (53.86 ±1.74)%;(15.43 ± 1.45)%,(36.11 ± 1.37)%, (56.86 ± 1.97)%, (76.09 ± 2.01)%; (15.20 ± 1.03)%,(35.25 ±1.09)%, (55.56 ± 2.17)%, (74.48 ± 2.85)% ] was respectively increased in a dose-dependent manner with the increased concentration of NaAsO2(all P < 0.05). The bel-2 mRNA expression level [ (443.00 ± 244.47), (156.79 ±53.18), (62.13 ± 13.66), (23.10 ± 6.44); (420.55 ± 110.77), (48.15 ± 10.02), (14.91 ± 6.53), (7.54 ± 2.62);(577.75 ± 123.22), (49.68 ± 10.11), (12.41 ± 1.28), (7.22 ± 1.89)], bcl-2 protein expression level[(47.20 ±3.77)%, (41.80 ± 2.94)%, (36.00 ± 2.36)%, (29.00 ± 2.91)%; (45.90 ± 4.15)%, (35.70 ± 2.77)%, (29.80 ±2.78)%, (24.80 ± 2.66)% ; (46.70 ± 3.47)%, (36.20 ± 2.90)%, (30.10 ± 3.21)%, (25.10 ± 2.28)% ] wasdecreased in a dose-dependent manner with the increased concentration of NaAsO2(all P < 0.05 ). In 3,9,15 mmol/L NaAsO2, apoptotic rate of p53 group, mRNA expression of bcl-2, protein expression of bcl-2 was higher than that ofnormal group and PC group, respectively (all P < 0.05), but mRNA expression of Bax, protein expression of Bax was respeetivelylower than that normal group and the PC group(P < 0.05 ). Conclusion p53 gene reduced the apoptosis induced by NaAsO2 in HELF, possibly by changing the apoptosis pathway.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Xianxiong decoction on the mice with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide.

METHODEighty female ICR mice were randomly divided into 8 groups: model group, Xianxiong decoction group, Daxianxiong decoction group, Xianxiong decoction group without Kansui Radix group, Xianxiong decoction group without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Kansui Radix group, normal group and control group. Animals of each group, except normal group, were undertaken intraperitoneal injection and intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 1, 2, 3 to establish acute lung injury (ALI) model. 30 min after modeling, 0.2 mL corresponding drugs were administrated to each mice, dexam ethasone and normal saline were given to the mice of control group and normal group respectively. White blood cell in blood, neutrophil percentage of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant, the ratio of wet and dry lung tissue ( W/D), histopathological changes of lung tissue were estimated. Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into normal, model, control, high, middle and low dose Xianxiong decoction groups and were modeled in the same way. ELISA was applied to detect the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF, PCR for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha mRNA in lung tissue, and Western blot for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. Half of 20 ICR mice were administrated with Xianxiong decoction of its maximum tolerant normal saline.

RESULTCompared with model group, the number of WBC in blood of Xianxiong decoction group mice decreased (P < 0.01), percentage of neutrophils in both blood and BALF decreased as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); it also significantly reduced the ratio of W/D (P < 0.01); and found the alveolar wall, the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating improved, compared with model group. Xianxiong decoction reduced the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); its high and low dose groups only found TNF-alpha level declined. Five mice died 24 h after administration of Xianxiong decoction which indicated its toxicity when other influential factors were considered.

CONCLUSIONXianxiong decoction is effective on the ALI mice induced by LPS, but it is of toxicity at 3 g x mL(-1).

Acute Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThere is no validated blood biomarker available for glioma management. Invasive growth is the key feature of glioma. We assessed the clinical usefulness of plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), which has less molecular weight than metalloproteinases, as a potential blood biomarker for glioma.

METHODSA total of 285 patients and 59 normal subjects were studied. Plasma concentration of TIMP-1 was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma TIMP-1 was compared between normal and glioma patients, between patients with different pathological grades, and between patients with different prognoses. Longitudinal changes in plasma TIMP-1 during treatment were also evaluated. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 level was also assayed and its clinical usefulness was compared with that of TIMP-1.

RESULTSPlasma TIMP-1 and MMP-9 were both increased in glioma patients compared with normal controls (TIMP-1: P < 0.001; MMP-9: P = 0.007). Plasma TIMP-1 increases with increased tumor grade. In Grade IV gliomas, plasma TIMP-1 significantly increased after "successful removal" of the tumor (paired samples t-test, before operation vs. during chemotherapy without recurrence, t = -2.131, P = 0.038), but did not change significantly at the time of tumor recurrence (during chemotherapy without recurrence vs. after tumor recurrence, t = -0.652, P = 0.632). High plasma TIMP-1 level correlated with better survival in Grade IV glioma patients (hazard ratio: 0.550, 95% CI: 0.101-1.000, P = 0.036). In Grade IV gliomas, patients with higher plasma TIMP-1 had significantly longer survival time than those with lower plasma TIMP-1 level (25.23 vs. 18.95 months, log-rank P = 0.045). Plasma MMP-9 did not show significant association with either the pathological grade or the prognosis of glioma patients.

CONCLUSIONSPlasma TIMP-1 is associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma patients. It appears to have better usefulness for guiding clinical decision making than plasma MMP-9. Further studies in an expanded patient population are needed to better define its clinical usefulness.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Glioma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo probe into an effective method for treatment of endometriosis (EMs) and the mechanism.

METHODSRat EMs model was established and they were randomly divided into a model group, an acup-moxibustion group, a TCM group, an acupuncture and medicine group, with a control group set. The acup-moxibustion group were treated with electroacupuncture at "Xuehai (SP 10)", "Sanyinjiao (SP 6)" and moxibustion at "Guanyuan (CV 4)"; the TCM group were treated with stomach perfusion of modified Mojie Tablet in normal saline; the acupuncture and medicine group were treated with the above two methods; both the control group and the model group were bound and treated with stomach perfusion of saline. After treatment of 35 days, the greatest diameter of the ectopic tissue was measured in the rats, pathological observation of the ectopic tissue was made and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression in the ectopic tissue was determined.

RESULTSThe greatest diameter of ectopic tissue and MMP-2 expression in the ectopic tissue in the acupuncture and medicine group were significantly lower than those in the model group, the acup-moxibustion group and the TCM group (P < 0.05); and the ectopic endometrium trended to atrophy, and with necrosis of some epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONCombination of acupuncture with medicine has a better therapeutic effect on endometriosis and down-regulates the abnormal increase of MMP-2 level to inhibit the invasion of ectopic tissue to extracellular matrix, so as to reduce the ectopic tissue, hence cure of endometriosis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Endometriosis ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The aim of study was to investigate the expression of CD36 in leukemia cells and to explore its significance in diagnosis and differential diagnosis for leukemia in patients. Blood samples from 133 cases of leukemias were analyzed by CD45/SSC double parameters and multi-color flow cytometry in order to determine the CD36 and other leukocyte differentiation antigens. The results show that the CD36 positive rate was 21.8% (29/133) in 133 cases of leukemia, 41.9% (26/62) in 62 cases of AML (acute myeloid leukemia), and none of the 54 cases of lymphocytic leukemia was positive for this antigen. The positive rate of CD36 in M(4) (8/10), M(5) (12/12) and M(6) (3/3) was significantly higher than that in M(1) (0/9), M(2) (3/12), M(3) (0/16) (all P < 0.001). The percent of positive cells of CD36 in M(5a) was significantly higher than in M(5b) (P = 0.001). A significantly negative regression was found between CD36 and CD117 in AML (r = -0.751, P = 0.005). And a significantly positive regression was found between CD36 and CD14 in M(4) and M(5b) (r = 0.870, P = 0.011). In monocyte lineage involved leukemia (MLIL), the positive rate of CD36 (92.6%, 25/27) was significantly higher than that of CD14 (48.1%, 13/27)(P = 0.001). None of the 7 cases with M(5a) was positive for CD14, but 4 of 5 cases of M(5b) were positive. The positive rate of CD117 in M(5a) was significantly higher than that of in M(5b)(P = 0.01). The positive rate of CD34 in M(5) was low (33.3%, 4/12). It is concluded that the combination of CD36 with lymphoid and myeloid antigens is helpful to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lymphoid, myeloid and MLIL. The positive rate of CD36 is higher than that of CD14 in MLIL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD36 Antigens ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Infant ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; immunology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; immunology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis

This study reported the obtainment of the full-length cDNA of Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots (Abbr: SmHDR, GenBank number: JX233817), via extracting Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots total RNA, designing specific primers according to the transcriptome data and using the RACE strategy, and then analyzed it with bioinformatics approaches. On this basis, using the real-time PCR to detect SmHDR gene expression after Ag+ induction, and testing tanshinones contents of corresponding samples by UPLC. SmHDR has 1 647 nucleotides, and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 463 amino acid residues. The deduced protein has isoelectric point (pI) of 5.72 and a calculated molecular weight about 51.88 kD. In the secondary structure, the percentage of alpha helix, beta turn and random coil were 35.64%, 20.30% and 44.06%, respectively. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that SmHDR had relative close relationship to the HDR of Picrorhiza kurrooa, similar to HDR from other species of plants. Real time PCR results indicated that elicitor of Ag+ stimulated the increase of mRNA expression of SmHDR. At the same time, results of ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), used to examine the accumulation of diterpenoid tanshinones in hairy roots, showed that the contents of diterpenoid tanshinones in hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza were increased dramatically at 12 h after treated with Ag+, and then decreased significantly. This result showed a positive correlation between the levels of mRNA expression and tanshinones accumulation in Salvia miltiorrhiza stimulated by Ag+. The content of tanshinones was gradually raised, and it had an obvious increase at 120 h. The bioinformatics analysis and gene expression indicated that SmHDR might be involved in tanshinones biosynthesis, which laid the foundation for further study of secondary metabolic regulation mechanism of tanshinones.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Open Reading Frames ; Oxidoreductases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Silver Nitrate ; pharmacology ; Synthetic Biology