AIM: To investigate the pathological changes of motoneuron's function and morphology after root avulsion in order to study the neurobiology mechanism of motoneuron death. METHODS: Twenty female adult Sprague-Dawley rats, 200-300 g were used. The C 5-C 8, T 1 roots of the right brachial plexus were avulsed. All rats were killed 3 d, 5 d or 1 week after avulsion. One group of the C 5-C 8 spinal cords freeze sections (40 ?m thick) were collected for the NADPH-d histochemistry with neural red counterstained. Another group of the C 5-C 8 spinal cords freeze sections (40 ?m thick) were collected for the c-Jun immunocytochemistry stain. The paraffin sections (5 ?m thick) were collected for HE stain. The amount of NOS-positive and survival motoneurons was counted. The percentage of NOS expression and motoneuron survive were quantitatively analyzed considering the amount of contra lateral motoneurons as one hundred percent. RESULTS: The NOS expression rate was 0.74%?0.59% (3 d), 24.84%?6.73%(5 d), or 51.16%?8.67% (1 week), respectively. The survive rate was 93.00%?4.32% (3 d), 93.67%?5.27% (5 d), or 89.83%?2.65% (1 week), respectively. The motoneuron expressed c-Jun as early as 3 days after avulsion. The expression declined afterward until one week after avulsion. There was no significant change on the size of motoneuron. The nuclear membrane was still clear but some nuclei were not located in the middle of the cell body. There were some nucleoli with the chromatin condensation. CONCLUSION: The motoneuron NOS expression and cell death were increased within one week after spinal root avulsion. meanwhile, the c-jun expression was decreased. The NO/NOS may induce the motoneuron death by inhibiting the regenerating reactions of motoneuron after root avulsion injury.

Brown-Sequard Syndrome ; etiology ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To construct a reverse genetic platform for influenza B virus and to rescue influenza B virus.Methods Eight plasmids carrying the gene segments of B/Florida/4/2006 virus were constructed by using the bidirectional promoter vector pHW2000.293T cells were co-cultured with MadinDarby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and then transfected with the eight plasmids.The supernatants of cell culture and cell debris were collected after transfection and then injected into embryonated chicken eggs and MDCK cells for rescuing the influenza B virus strains.Results This reverse genetic system could be used for the preparation of reassortant influenza B virus strains.The titers of hemagglutination units of the rescued virus achieved 128-256/50μl.Most of the reassortant virus particles were spherical under electron microscope.Conclusion The pHW2000 reverse genetic system could be used for the rescue of influenza B virus.Moreover,it could also be used for the construction of influenza B virus with specific mutations for further in vestigation on the characteristics of influenza B virus and the construction of vaccine strain.

Objective To analyze the electrocardiography(ECG)data of pressure overload-induced cardiac hy pertrophy rats.Methods Pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy was induced by abdominal aorta constriction. Echocardiogram and heart weight measurement demonstrated the occurrence of cardiac hypertrophy.Standardized ECG parameters of limb and chest were measured and statistically analyzed.Results Two weeks after hypertrophy models were established,echocardiogram showed greater LVPWTd,IVSTd,LVDd.ECG showed that left axis deviation and higher R waves in V_A,V_B,V_C(P

Objective To develop an effective and broad immune protective vaccination strategy by using DNA and recombinant vaccinia-based H5N1 vaccines.Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with various prime-boost regimens by using different DNA ( pIRES-based or pVRC-based) and recombinant vaccinia (Tiantan strain, rTTV)-based H5N1 vaccines expressing multivalent antigens (HA, NA, M1 and M2).The differences of immunity induced by two DNA vaccines were compared between intradermal electro -poration (IDE) and intramuscular electroporation (IME) deliveries.Immune responses were analyzed by hemagglutination inhibition( HAI) assay, neuraminidase ( NA)-specific antibody measured by ELISA , mi-croneutralization assay and IFN-γELISPOT assay .Results High levels of humoral immunity and T cell re -sponses were induced in mice primed with DNA-based vaccine than those primed with rTTVb-ased vaccine . DNA priming by IDE resulted in higher levels of neutralizing antibody in mice than those by IME delivery . Higher levels of HAI and anti-NA antibodies as well as NA-specific T cell responses were induced by pVRC-based DNA prime than those by pIRES-based DNA prime .HA-specific T cell responses were also enhanced in mice primed with pVRC-based DNA than those primed with pIRES-based DNA by IME .Conclusion The prime-boost strategies by using DNA-based vaccine in combination with rTTV-based H5N1 vaccine could induce humoral and T cell responses in mice against multi-antigens .Immunities induced by vaccines in com-bination might be modulated by various prime regimes .The study provided references for the further develop-ment of novel H5N1 vaccine and the optimization of immunization programs of combined multi-antigen vac-cine candidates .

Objective To investigate the alternation of right ventricular volume and systolic function in patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation under percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation(PPVI) by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE).Methods Ten patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation were enrolled.The 2D echocardiography images and real-time 3D full volume images on apical four-chamber view on a Philips IE33 system were acquired before PPVI and at 3 days,1 month,3months and 6 months after PPVI.Right ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV),end systolic volume(ESV),stroke volume (SV),ejection fraction(EF),fractional area change(FAC),tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE),right ventricular longitudinal strain-free wall(RVLSf) and right ventricular longitudinal strainseptum(RVLSs) were analysed using off-line TomTec software,the differences among the five groups were compared,and correlation analysis was made between the CMR and RT-3DE measurements.Results The level of pulmonary regurgitation had decreased or disappeared after PPVI.Compared with the preoperation,EDV,ESV at 3 days,1 month,3months and 6 months after operation had decreased significantly.EF,FAC,TAPSE,RVLS had increased significantly(all P ＜0.05).There were close correlation in EDV,ESV,EF between RT-3DE and CMR(pre-operation r =0.811,0.817,0.807,post-operation r =0.735,0.834,0.800,all P ＜0.055).Conclusions RV volume notably decreases while RV systolic function remarkably improves.The RT-3DE is a helpful technology in the evaluation of right ventricular volume and systolic function in patients after PPVI.

Objective To investigate the association between ten single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the peroxisome proliferator-aetivated receptor (PPAR) α/δ/γ and essential hypertension (EH).Methods Participants were recruited within the framework of a cohort populations survey from the PMMJS (Prevention of Multiple Metabolic Disorders and MS in Jiangsu Province) which was conducted in the urban community of Jiangsu province from 1999 to 2007.Eight handred and twenty subjects (551 non-hypertensive subjects,269 hypertensive subjects) were randomly selected but were not related to each other.Ten SN P ( rs 135539,rs1800206,rs4253778 of PPAR αt; rs2016520,rs9794 of PPARδ ; rs10865710,rs1805192,rs4684847,rs709158 and rs3856806 of PPARγ ) were selected from the HapMap database.x2 test was used to determine whether the whole population was in H-W genetic equilibrium.SHEsis software was used to examine the relations of SNP and linkage equilibrium.Logistic regression model was used to examine the association between ten SNP in the PPAR and EH.Results Difference on the distribution of four SNP genotypes including rs1800206,rs9794,rsl0865710 and rs4684847 between high blood pressure and non-high blood pressure group,high systolic blood pressure(SBP) and normal SBP group,high diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and normal DBP group was significant (P＜0.05).After adjusting factors as age,sex,body mass index,fasting plasma glucose,high density lipoprotein cholesterol-C,high-fat diet and compared with wildtype gene carriers,the OR(95％ CI) of objects with rs1800206 V allele appeared in high blood pressure,high SBP and high DBP were 0.60 (0A1-0.89),0.57 (0.37-0.88) and 0.61 (0.39-0.96),respectively.The OR(95％CI) of objects with G allele of rs9794 were 0.63 (0.46-0.87),0.51 (0.36-0.73) and 0.68(0.47-1.01).The OR (95％CI) of objects with G allele of rs10865710 were 1.62 (1.19-2.20),1.59(1.14-2.22) and 1.53 ( 1.07-2.18),respectively.While the OR (95％ CI) of objects with rs4684847 T allele were 1.42 ( 1.04-1.94),1.38 (1.03-1.92) and 1.37 ( 1.00-1.88),respectively.Conclusion The four SNPs including rs1800206 of PPARα,rs9794 of PPARδ and rs4684847,rs10865710 of PPARγ influenced high blood pressure,high SBP and high DBP to different degrees.

This work was mainly studied the effects of the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and preliminarily discussed the regulating mechanisms. The effect of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the vitality of macrophages was measured by the MTT assay. The effect of alkaloids on the phagocytosis of macrophages was determined by neutral red trial and respiratory burst activity was tested by NBT. The expressions of respiratory-burst-associated genes influenced by alkaloids were detected by qRT-PCR. The conformation change of membrane protein in macrophages by the impact of alkaloids was studied by fluorospectro-photometer. Results showed that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages in different level and berberine had the best effect. Berberine, coptisine and palmatine had up-regulation effects on respiratory burst activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by PMA and regulatory activity on the mRNA expression of PKC, p40phox or p47phox, whereas the epiberberine had no significant influence on respiratory burst. Moreover, alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could change the conformation of membrane protein and the berberine showed the strongest activity. The results suggested that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma might activate macrophages through changing the conformation of membrane protein of macrophages and then enhanced the phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of alkaloids on the respiratory burst activity of macrophages may be also related to the expression level of PKC, p40phox and p47phox.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To develop an effective and broad immune protective H5N1 vaccine.Methods We first developed two recombinant vaccinia ( Tiantan strain) virus ( rTTV ) based H5N1 vaccines, which consisted of bicistron expressing the hemagglutinin(HA) and matrix protein 2(M2), or bicistron expressing the neuraminidase(NA) and matrix protein 1 (M1). The expression of H5N1 protein in rTTVs was confirmed. We immunized the BALB/c mice twice with two kind of dose ( 104 PFU, 107 PFU)using different combination. Subsequently, we assessed the humoral and cellular immune response in vaccinated mice. Results Our data showed that rTTV-based H5N1 vaccine induced rapidly robust HA- and NAspecific antibody level and IFN-γ secreting form cell(SFC) with either single dose of 107 PFU or twice dose of 104 PFU or 107 PFU. We also detected significant neutralizing antibody and matrix-specific immune response. In addition, we found that immunization with two kind of rTTV-based H5N1 vaccines induced much high level of M2-specific antibody than that with single of rTTV-based H5N1 vaccine. Conclusion rTTVbased H5N1 vaccines in this study elicited board array of immunity and our study offers a promising alternative H5N1 vaccine candidates with favorable potential to prevent various H5N1 pandemic.

In order to study the effect of and mechanism of lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) on proliferation of the calf thoracic aorta smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), the ASMCs were used to observe the effects of LysoPC-induced endothelial cell conditioned medium on the DNA content and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in the calf thoracic ASMCs by flow cytometry and Western Blot technique. It was found that LysoPC-induced endothelial cell conditioned medium could significantly promote PCNA expression of the calf ASMCs, induce the converting of ASMCs from G0/G1 phase to S phase of DNA synthesis, and increase the tyrosine phosphorylation protein expression. Tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor (TPKi) RG50864 could obviously inhibit proliferation of LysoPC-induced ASMCs in a dose-dependence manner. The results indicated that the effect of LysoPC promoting the proliferation of ASMCs is partly evoked by endothelial cell derived growth factors such as PDGF and so on.
Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Cattle ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism