Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Paeonia ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, which is characterized by synovial inflammation. Hyperplasia sublining macrophages found in synovium is an early hallmark of RA and effective treatment results in their diminution. However, the origin of these sublining macrophages in synovium (including infiltrated macrophages and tissue-resident macrophages) are still unknown both in animal models of arthritis and RA patients, let alone the differences and feature of these macro?phages. In rheumatic synovium, macrophages are submitted to a large variety of micro-environmental signals which influence the phenotypic polarization and activation of macrophages. Understanding the mechanisms and functional consequences of the heterogeneous macrophages will contribute to confirm their potential role in synovial inflammation development. Furthermore, research on macrophage plasticity to soft-control their phenotypic polarization could lead to novel therapeutic approaches.

Objective To investigate whether functional Wnt-?-catenin signaling is present in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC),and the effect of blocking this signaling on activation of HSC. Methods?-catenin expression in HSC was examined by immunocytochemistry.Wnt signalings in HSC-T6 were assessed using a T cell factor (TCF)-dependent luciferase reporter gene (pTOP- FLASH) assay.Wnt signalings in HSC-T6 were blocked by transfecting with a dominant negative TCF (dnTCF) expression plasmid,then the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) and collagen typeⅠwere examined by Western blot.Results?-catenin staining was positive in the nuclei of HSC-T6.Luciferase activity in the cells transfected with pTOPFLASH was significantly higher than that in the cells transfected with pFOPFLASH (P

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)using half-Fourier acquisition single-shot fast spin-echo(HASTE)sequence in the diagnosis of biliary obstructions.Methods Forty-five patients with pancreaticobiliary duct diseases underwent MRCP on 1.5 T scanner,a heavily T 2-weighted HASTE was used during a breath-hold.The source images were three-dimensional reconstructed postprocessed on workstation.The findings of MRCP images were analyzed and compared with US,CT,ERCP or PTC.Results The diagnostic accuracy of MRCP was 94%,the same as ERCP(92%),but it was superior to US and CT(?

After comparing the varieties of parameters in batch culture under different dissolved oxygen tension by Bacillus pumilus, we found that the demand of cell on oxygen in different phase isn' t consistent. Based on the analys is of the metabolic pathway of oxygen and the mechanism of the effect of dissolved oxygen tension on fermentation of D-ribose, a two-stage oxygen-supply control mode was proposed and experimentally proved to be available. High ribose yield and high glucose consumption rate were achieved during whole process for 44h, and the ultimate ribose concentration and cell concentration were 5.0% and 18.8% higher than former respectively.

Objective To observe the influence of coal burning fluorosis on learning and memory ability in rats and reveal its possible mechanisms. Methods Healthy 48 SD rats were divided into control, low-fluoride and high-fluoride group. All rats in fluoride exposed groups were fed with the eom polluted by drying processes with burning coal containing high level of fluoride obtained from the endemic fluorosis area to produce the animal model of fluorosis. The experiment period were 3,6 mouths, respectively. The ability of leaning and memory was measured by Morris test and cholinesterase activity detected by photometric method at 3 or 6 month after experiment, respectively. Results Fluoride contents signifieantlly influenced the escape latency, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms(the value of F was 29.29,6.47,6.50, respectively, P<0.01).In addition, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms were influenced by the exposed time(the value of F was 16.11,45.59, P<0.01). Furthermore, the fluoride contents and the exposed time had an interaction between the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms (the value of F was 4.67,5.68, P<0.05 or<0.01). Three months after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency [(14.71± 4.85)s] of rats in highly fluoride exposed group were significantly prolonged as compared with controls [(9.28±4.22)s]; 6 month after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency[(12.42±8.03)s, (17.48± 8.05)s] of rats in both groups exposed to fluoride were significantly prolonged as compared to controls [(7.04± 3.29)s, P<0.05]. The decreased numbers of crossing the platforms[(1.62±0.87)number] and the declined time of staying the platforms[(16.70±5.02)s] were found in the rats exposed to high fluoride as compared to controls [(3.53±1.67 )number, (23.33±5.35)s, P<0.05]. The fluoride contents obviously influenced the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 12.83,13.27, P<0.01). On the other hand, the times of breeding also influnced the activities of butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 16.26, P<0.01). In 3 months of the experiment, the activities of butylcolinesterase [(0.55±0.12)kU/g] in low fluoride exposed group were significantly decreased in comparison with controls[(0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The activities of acetylcholinesterase[(0.62±0.42)kU/g] and butylcolioesterase[(0.58±0.10)kU/g] in high fluoride group were significantly decreased as compared to eontrois[(1.41±0.52), (0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the cholinesterase and the escape latency(r=-0.68, P< 0.01), and a positive correlation between the cholinesterase and the time of staying the platforms(r=0.57, P< 0.01). Conclusions The ability of learning and memory in rats with coal buring fluorosis was decreased, which might be connected to the decreased activity of cholinesterase in a dose-effect correlation.

Objective To assess the proficiency of water monitoring laboratory at rural, county, and provincial levels in Guangdong province, to ensure the province's drinking water monitoring results accurate and reliable. Methods State quality of certified reference materials as water arsenic, fluoride and chloride of 90 copies each were numbered and distributed to 90 monitoring laboratories in the province for testing, The measurement results of the participatory labs were evaluated through normative values and expanded uncertainty, and were compared with those of robust statistics method. Results All participatory labs had timely feedback of their measurement results. The qualified rate was higher when arsenic was tested by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry and zinc-new silver salt of sulfuric acid spectrophotometric system, while fluoride and chloride by ion chromatography. The average qualified rates of water arsenic, fluoride and chloride of the province's rural drinking water quality monitoring laboratory were 66% (59/90), 72% (65/90) and 72% (65/90), respectively.Seven participatory labs failed the proficiency testing of all three analytes and unqualified rate was 7.8% (7/90)among the ninety participated monitoring labs. The qualified rates of robust statistics method for arsenic fluoride and chloride were greater than those evaluated by the expanded uncertainty, and large deviations with small sample sizes. Conclusions The testing ability of drink-water monitoring labs in Guangdong province has improved.However, by comparison with the requirements of national quality control and testing skills, there is still a gap. It is suggested that internal quality control be included in routine inspeetion to improve laboratory testing technology.

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Nanoporous ZnO was used as a carrier to prepare drug solid dispersion, the mechanism of which to improve the drug dissolution was also studied. Nanoporous ZnO, obtained through chemical deposition method, was used as a carrier to prepare indomethacin and cilostazol solid dispersions by melt-quenching method, separately. The results of scanning electron microscope, surface area analyzer, fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffraction showed that drugs were implanted into nanopores of ZnO by physical adsorption effect and highly dispersed into nanopores of ZnO in amorphous form, moreover, these nanopores strongly inhibited amorphous recrystallization in the condition of 45 degrees C and 75% RH. In addition, the results of the dissolution tested in vitro exhibited that the accumulated dissolutions of indomethacin and cilostazol solid dispersions achieved about 90% within 5 min and approximately 80% within 30 min. It was indicated in this study that the mechanism of drug dissolution improvement was associated with the effects of nanoporous ZnO carrier on increasing drug dispersion, controlling drug in nanopores as amorphous form and inhibiting amorphous recrystallization.

Objective To investigate the level of follicular fluid NO, VEGF and ET-1 in assessing IVF-ET outcome. Methods Totally 131 patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles were recruited. The level of follicular fluid NO was measured by chromatometry. The follicular fluid VEGF and ET-1 were measured by ELISA. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection day to determine ovarian volume and antral follicle count. Results The pregnancy rate was 37.40% (49/131). There were significantly increased level of follicular fluid NO, VEGF and decreased level of follicular fluid ET-1 in the pregnant group than those in the non-pregnant group (P<0.05). Total ovarian volume and antral follicle count on HCG injection day were significantly higher in the pregnant group than those in the non-pregnant group (P<0.05). The levels of follicular fluid NO and VEGF had positive correlations with the total ovarian volume and antral follicle count. However, the level of follicular fluid ET-1 had a negative correlation with the total ovarian volume and antral follicle count. Conclusions The high level of NO, VEGF and low level of ET-1 in follicular fluid are good predictors of ovarian blood flow and ovarian response in IVF-ET.