Animals ; Decompression Sickness ; prevention & control ; Environmental Exposure ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Incidence ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Aminoacyl-tRNA syntheses (AARS) can catalyze the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent acylation of their cognate tRNA(s) with a specific amino acid. They can be seen as an index to reflect the energy metabolic rate of ischemic brain cells in ischemic penumbra. This study examined the relationship between arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS), one of the AARS, and cerebral ischemia in rats. The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established in rats. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA were detected in rat brain tissues at different time points following MCAO by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that the MCAO model was successfully established. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis revealed that the ArgRS protein and mRNA were expressed in brain cells in both ischemic and normal penumbra tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA peaked at 6 h after MCAO and decreased gradually. At 24 h, the expression levels of ArgRs protein and mRNA in ischemic penumbral tissues were lower than those in normal tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS mRNA and protein in ischemic penumbra varied with ischemic time, suggesting that the energy metabolism of brain cells in penumbra changed dynamically after ischemia to ensure the endogenous self-protection of the body. The brain oxygen supply should be improved as soon as possible, especially within 6-12 h after ischemia, so as to meet the demand for energy metabolism in ischemic penumbra and make sure the cell structure remains stable.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical value of protoparaxotril saporlirs (PTS) combined with aspirin in the secondary prevention of cerebral infarction.

METHODSThe 140 patients with cerebral infarction were collected, among them the 120 patients during recovery stage were equally assigned to three groups by randomized, single blinded and open controlled principle, and they were treated respectively by PTS (A), aspirin (B), and PTS plus aspirin (C) for 6 months. The other 20, who couldn't or were unwilling to use aspirin, were arranged in group D for control. The platelet aggregation rate, incidence of stroke recurrence, gastrointestinal adverse reaction and the NIHSS scores of patients were observed during the six-month period of treatment.

RESULTSAs compared with group D, the lowering amplitude of platelet aggregation rate after treatment in the three treatment groups were significantly higher (P < 0.01). Comparison of platelet aggregation rate between group A and B showed significant difference after 3-month treatment (P < 0.05), but the difference became insignificant after 6-month treatment (P > 0.05). The incidence of stroke recurrence in the group A, B and C was 18.9%, 13.2% and 10.8% respectively, which showed no significant difference among them, but all were significantly lower than that in the group D (44.4%, P < 0.05). NIHSS scores in group A and C were significantly lower than in group B (P < 0.01); and the occurrence of gastrointestinal reaction was significantly lower in group A (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLong-term application of PTS has the effects for preventing stroke recurrence, lowering gastrointestinal adverse reaction and improving patients' neural function in patients with stroke. As used in combination with aspirin, it shows potential practical importance in the clinical secondary prevention of stroke.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Sapogenins ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Secondary Prevention

The clinical outcomes of five groups of infertility patients receiving frozenthawed,cleavage-stage embryo transfers with exogenous hormone protocols with or without a depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist were assessed.A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 1003 cycles undergoing frozen-thawed,cleavage-stage embryo transfers from January 1,2012 to June 31,2015 in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Region.Based on the infertility etiologies of the patients,the 1003 cycles were divided into five groups:tubal infertility,polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),endometriosis,male infertility,and unexplained infertility.The main outcome was the live birth rate.Two groups were set up based on the intervention:group A was given a GnRH agonist with exogenous estrogen and progesterone,and group B (control group) was given exogenous estrogen and progesterone only.The results showed that the baseline serum hormone levels and basic characteristics of the patients were not significantly different between groups A and B.The live birth rates in groups A and B were 41.67％ and 29.29％,respectively (P＜0.05).The live birth rates in patients with PCOS in groups A and B were 56.25％ and 30.61％,respectively (P＜0.05).The clinical pregnancy,implantation and on-going pregnancy rates showed the same trends as the live birth rates between groups A and B.The ectopic pregnancy rate was significantly lower in group A than in group B.We concluded that the live birth rate was higher and other clinical outcomes were more satisfactory with GnRH agonist cotreatment than without GnRH agonist co-treatment for frozen-thawed embryo transfer.The GnRH agonist combined with exogenous estrogen and progesterone worked for all types of infertility tested,especially for women with PCOS.

Aminoacyl-tRNA syntheses (AARS) can catalyze the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent acylation of their cognate tRNA(s) with a specific amino acid. They can be seen as an index to reflect the energy metabolic rate of ischemic brain cells in ischemic penumbra. This study examined the relationship between arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS), one of the AARS, and cerebral ischemia in rats. The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established in rats. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA were detected in rat brain tissues at different time points following MCAO by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that the MCAO model was successfully established. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis revealed that the ArgRS protein and mRNA were expressed in brain cells in both ischemic and normal penumbra tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA peaked at 6 h after MCAO and decreased gradually. At 24 h, the expression levels of ArgRs protein and mRNA in ischemic penumbral tissues were lower than those in normal tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS mRNA and protein in ischemic penumbra varied with ischemic time, suggesting that the energy metabolism of brain cells in penumbra changed dynamically after ischemia to ensure the endogenous self-protection of the body. The brain oxygen supply should be improved as soon as possible, especially within 6-12 h after ischemia, so as to meet the demand for energy metabolism in ischemic penumbra and make sure the cell structure remains stable.
Animals ; Arginine-tRNA Ligase ; biosynthesis ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; pathology ; Energy Metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Oxygen Consumption ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats

This paper is to illustrate the infestation and related ecological characteristics of chigger mites on the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi). A total of 17,221 chigger mites were collected from 2,761 R. tanezumi rats, and then identified as 131 species and 19 genera in 2 families. Leptotrombidium deliense, the most powerful vector of scrub typhus in China, was the first major dominant species on R. tanezumi. All the dominant mite species were of an aggregated distribution among different individuals of R. tanezumi. The species composition and infestations of chiggers on R. tanezumi varied along different geographical regions, habitats and altitudes. The species-abundance distribution of the chigger mite community was successfully fitted and the theoretical curve equation was Ŝ (R)=37e–(0.28R)2. The total chigger species on R. tanezumi were estimated to be 199 species or 234 species, and this further suggested that R. tanezumi has a great potential to harbor abundant species of chigger mites. The results of the species-plot relationship indicated that the chigger mite community on R. tanezumi in Yunnan was an uneven community with very high heterogeneity. Wide geographical regions with large host samples are recommended in the investigations of chigger mites.

This paper is to illustrate the infestation and related ecological characteristics of chigger mites on the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi). A total of 17,221 chigger mites were collected from 2,761 R. tanezumi rats, and then identified as 131 species and 19 genera in 2 families. Leptotrombidium deliense, the most powerful vector of scrub typhus in China, was the first major dominant species on R. tanezumi. All the dominant mite species were of an aggregated distribution among different individuals of R. tanezumi. The species composition and infestations of chiggers on R. tanezumi varied along different geographical regions, habitats and altitudes. The species-abundance distribution of the chigger mite community was successfully fitted and the theoretical curve equation was Ŝ (R)=37e–(0.28R)2. The total chigger species on R. tanezumi were estimated to be 199 species or 234 species, and this further suggested that R. tanezumi has a great potential to harbor abundant species of chigger mites. The results of the species-plot relationship indicated that the chigger mite community on R. tanezumi in Yunnan was an uneven community with very high heterogeneity. Wide geographical regions with large host samples are recommended in the investigations of chigger mites.

Viscum coloratum(Komn.)Nakai is a well-known medicinal hemiparasite widely distributed in Asia.The synthesis and accumulation of its metabolites are affected by both environmental factors and the host plants,while the latter of which is usually overlooked.The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the effects of host and habitat on the metabolites in V.coloratum through multiple chemical and biological approaches.The metabolite profile of V.coloratum harvested from three different host plants in two habitats were determined by multiple chemical methods including high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet(HPLC-UV),gas chromatography-flame ionization detector(GC-FID)and ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTOF/MS).The differences in antioxidant efficacy of V.coloratum were determined based on multiple in vitro models.The multivariate statistical analysis and data fusion strategy were applied to analyze the dif-ferences in metabolite profile and antioxidant activity of V.coloratum.Results indicated that the metabolite profile obtained by various chemical approaches was simultaneously affected by host and environment factors,and the environment plays a key role.Meanwhile,three main differential metab-olites between two environment groups were identified.The results of antioxidant assay indicated that the environment has greater effects on the biological activity of V.coloratum than the host.Therefore,we conclude that the integration of various chemical and biological approaches combined with multivariate statistical and data fusion analysis,which can determine the influences of host plant and habitat on the metabolites,is a powerful strategy to control the quality of semi-parasitic herbal medicine.

OBJECTIVETo investigate and compare the expression pattern and level of targeted anti-caries plasmids encoding different-size antigens in eukaryotic cells.

METHODSThe A-P fragment of PAc (surface protein antigen) was removed from pGJA-P encoding the signal peptide, extracellular domains of human CTLA-4, human Ig hinge, CH2 and CH3 domains, A-P fragment of PAc and GLU (glucan binding domain) region of GTF-I of Streptococcus mutans, to obtain the plasmid pGJGLU. pCI vector skeleton of pGJA-P or pGJGLU was replaced by pVAX1 to construct plasmids pGJA-P/VAX and pGJGLU/VAX. CTLA4-Ig-GLU fragment was removed from pGJGLU and inserted into the vector pEGFP-N1 to obtain the recombinant plasmid pGJGLU/GFP. The CHO cells were transfected with those plasmids by using liposome and the expression of fusion protein was observed with fluorescence microscope. ELISA was used to detect the expression level of fusion proteins in cultured supernatants.

RESULTSSpecific vesicles with green fluorescence could be observed in the CHO cells transfected with pGJGLU/GFP. The recombinant fusion protein could be detected in the cultured supernatants of CHO cells transfected with pGJA-P/VAX, pGJGLU/VAX and pGJGLU/GFP, of which the concentration was different. The highest concentration of recombinant fusion protein was observed in the supernatants of CHO cells transfected with pGJGLU/VAX.

CONCLUSIONSCTLA-4 targeted fusion protein could be expressed and secreted by eukaryotic cells. The size of antigen may affect the expression level of CTLA-4 targeted anti-caries DNA vaccine.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Cricetinae ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo construct a fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGLUA-P carrying GLU fragment from gtfB gene of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 and A-P fragment including the A region and P region of PAc protein from a DNA anti-caries vaccine pCIA-P, and to investigate its expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

METHODSThe sequence of GLU fragment in pGLU plasmid was testified by DNA sequencing. The fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine was constructed by ligating A-P fragment from pCIA-P to pGLU. The expression of GLUA-P fusion protein in E. coli BL21 (DE3) was induced by IPTG and checked by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. pGLUA-P was transfected in vitro to cultured rat primary muscle cells by cation liposome Dosper, and immunohistochemical method was used to test the expression of GLUA-P fusion protein in cells.

RESULTSGLU sequence was identical with relative sequence of GTF-I (GS-5 strain) in Gene Bank. Recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pGLUA-P was confirmed to have both GLU and A-P fragment. After pGLUA-P was transferred into E. coli (DE3), it could express a new 115 000 protein by the induce of IPTG. Specific brown products could be found in the cytoplasm of cultured rat primary muscle cells transfected by pGLUA-P.

CONCLUSIONSFusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGLUA-P is successfully constructed and confirmed by sequencing and enzymes digestion. Fusion GLUA-P protein can be correctly expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cloning, Molecular ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Glucosyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Muscle, Skeletal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Streptococcal Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Streptococcus mutans ; genetics ; immunology ; Transfection ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; therapeutic use