Objective To explore the influence of homocysteine(Hcy)on liver cystathionine-?-synthase(CBS)and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)system in apoE-/- mice,and determine the effects of atorvastatin and/or folate/vitamin B12 on liver CBS and MTHFR system.Methods Eighty male 6-week-old apoE-/- mice were randomly divided into two groups:65 mice were fed with a chow diet containing 2%(wt/vol)L-methionine(homomethionine group)and 15 mice were fed with normal saline(control group).Two months later,the 60 mice survived in homomethionine group were subdivided into four groups:group Ⅰ(untreated),Ⅱ(3 mg/kg atorvastatin),Ⅲ(3 mg/kg atorvastatin+2 mg/kg folate+30 ?g/kg vitamin B12)and Ⅳ(2 mg/kg folate+30 ?g/kg vitamin B12).After one month,Western blotting was performed to detect the liver CBS and MTHFR system protein expression in each group.Results The relative expression of liver CBS and MTHFR was significantly lower in group Ⅰ than in control group(P

Objective To investigate the correlation between the plasma unconjugated bilirubin(UCB)and electrical activity of brain in term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia,and explore the parameters that possess the prognostic value and deduce a series of discriminant for prognostic judgment.Methods Thirty-two neonates with hyperbilirubinemia and 31 neonates without hyperbilirubinema(control group)were studied with standard EEG,and they were assessed for their neurological development in 3 and 6 months.A statistical method of Bayes Discriminant analysis was adopted to set up an equation with values of parameters of EEG,clinic datum and consequence.Stepdic and Dis-grim processes were used to pick out the parameters which had great significance for predicting the outcome of nervous system development.A series of discriminant was deduced for prognostic judgment and then cross validation was performed to assess the accuracy of the discriminant.Results 1.The standard EEG and brain electrical activity map records indicated that the hyperbilirubinemia group had longer maximum duration of interburst interval(IBI),longer mean duration of IBI,lower amplitude under all conditions,more anterior dysrhythmia(AD)in wake,and higher incidence of sleep-wake cycle disturbance.2.The plasma concentration of UCB was linear correlated with AD in wake.3.Gestational age,birth weight,plasma concentration of UCB,burst duration of IBI in trace alternate,amplitude in all sleep state,AD in wake,brief burst not in quiet sleep and sleep-wake cycle disturbance might play important roles in predicting the outcome of neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.Conclusions Cerebral electrical activity is an effective tool for predicting neurologic outcome of neonates with hyperbi-lirubinemia.Cerebral electrical activity and clinic data will provide a new method for accurately predicting neurological development and prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the triterpenoids from root of Achyranthes bidentata in Henan.

METHODSephadex, normal-and reversed-phase column chromatographies were applied for the isolation and purification. The structure determinations were performed by means of physiochemical properties, MS and NMR data analyses.

RESULTSeven compounds were isolated from the water soluble fraction in root of A. bidentata, and determined as achyranthoside A (1), achyranthoside E (2), momordin Ib (3), chikusetsusaponin IVa (4), chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester (5), chikusetsusaponin V (6), chikusetsusaponin V methyl ester (7).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1 and 2 were isolated from the natural resources for the first time.

Achyranthes ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Busheng Huoxue Capsule (BHC) on the quality of life (QOL) in senile male osteoporosis (OP) patients, and to explore its mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 200 senile primary OP patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to random digit table method, 100 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took BHC plus caltrate-D (600 mg CaCO3), while those in the control group took alendronate (70 mg per week) plus caltrate-D. The therapeutic course was 12 months for all. Chinese medical symptom score and quality of life (QUALEFFO-41) score, bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebra (L2 -L4) and left femoral neck were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Serum free testosterone (FT) and estradiol (E2) were also measured.

RESULTSChinese medical symptom scores and QUALEFFO-41 scores, serum FT and E2 levels increased in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The therapeutic effect was superior in the treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After treatment the BMD of lumbar vertebra (L2 -L4) and the left femoral neck were somewhat improved (P < 0.05), but with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBHC could effectively improve the QOL of senile male OP patients, which might be correlated with elevating the BMD levels and regulating the levels of sex hormones.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life

Background Deficiency of neurotrophic factor is associated with the damage of optic nerve in glaucoma.Reaserches showed that ectopically applied neurotrophic factor has a transient neuroprotective effect in glaucoma model,and the viral expression of adeno-associated neurotrophie factor may provide long-term supplementation of neurotrophic factor and neuroprotection in tissues.Objective The present study Was to investigate the neuroproteetive effect of adeno-associated viral(AAV)-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)on retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)in DBA/2J mice with experimental glaucoma. Methods 10 clean DBA/2J mice were administered intravitreal injection with 1 microliter of AAV-BDNF-GFP in the left eyes at the age of 6 months,and the right eyes were injected with the same volume of saline solution as control.Intraocular pressure (IOP)was measured with Tonolab in the mice every month.Retinas were obtained after 3 months for the investigation of GFP expression in RGCs using fluorescence microscopy.Immunohistochemistry Was performed by applying TUJ1 and Cy3 antibodies to identify surviving RGCs. Results The IOP of DBA/2J mice were 11.90 mmHg and 11.40 mmHg in the right eyes and left eyes,respectively,at 4 months.The IOP of DBA/2J mice began to rise at 5 months and reached its peak in 8 month-old mice.There was no statistically significant difference in IOPs between the right eyes and the left eyes from 4 month-through 9 month-old mice(t=-1.78-0.61,P=0.11-0.90).Three months after intrlavitreal injection of AAV-BDNF-GFP,GFP was positively expressed in RGCs of retinas with the expression rate of 46.33%±8.08%.The over-expression of BDNF led to more RGCs survival than the control eyes (3168.13±1319.33/mm2 vs 2024.81±796.38/mm2,t=2.75,P=0.02). Conclusion These data suggest that BDNF can exert a protective effect in DBA/2J glaucoma mice.

Objective To investigate whether homocysteine(Hcy) induces apoptosis of endothelial cells via a pathway involving caspases3 and whether simvastatin antagonizes the proapoptotic effects of Hcy by regulating c-IAP. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) were treated with Hcy,with or without simvastatin,for 24 h.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V staining and flow cytometery,as well as TUNEL.The mRNA and protein levels of caspase3,c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results Treatment with both low(0.5 mmol/L) and high(3.0 mmol/L) concentrations of Hcy-induced HUVEC apoptosis was accompanied by an increased level of caspase3 expression and activation,together with decreased c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 level.Simvastatin upregulated c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 expression while attenuated Hcy-induced apoptosis and caspase3 activation. Conclusion Hcy may induce HUVEC apoptosis via a pathway involving caspase3,which can be partially antagonized by simvastatin,possibly through upregulated c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 expression.

Objective To deeply understand the risk factors of lymphedema for patients with breast cancer after surgery. Methods The phenomenological method was applied in this study. Semi-structured interview was used to collected data from 9 female breast cancer patients with lymphedema after surgery in our hospital from June to September 2016 for generic analysis. Results The risk factors of lymphedema could be categorized into four themes:(1)choice of treatment is the primary cause:axillary lymph node dissection; radiotherapy; chemotherapy; (2)not paying enough attention to lymphedema:lacking the knowledge of lymphedema; imbalance of physical activities for the affected limb; lacking awareness of exercise and protection of the affected limb. Conclusions Axillary lymph node dissection after radical surgery for patients with breast cancer is the primary cause of lymphedema, and paying not enough attention is an important factor, especially lacking the consciousness of prevention, so the nurses should emphasize education about prevention of lymphedema after surgery for patients, to improve the consciousness of them to reduce the occurrence of lymphedema and its influence on their quality of life.

Objective To study the different ultrasonic features in patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with or without obesity based on body mass index (BMI), and to investigate whether certain hormonal factors correlate with ovarian morphology and blood flow, and to discuss the role of ultrasound combined with hormone test in the diagnosis of obese PCOS. Methods One hundred and five women with PCOS were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups according to BMI;obese PCOS group (OB-PCOS, n=32, BMI≥25 kg/m2) and non-obese PCOS (NOB-PCOS, n=73, BMI<25 kg/m2). The ultrasonic parameters of follicle number (FN), ovarian volume (Vol), resistance index (RI) of ovarian stromal blood, RI of uterine artery and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the ratio of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), free testosterone (FT), prolactin (PRL), sex hormoe binding globulin (SHBG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), the extent of insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism (HOMA-IR) were measured and compared. The correlation of the ultrasonic parameters and hormonal factors were analyzed. Results The Vol of OB-PCOS group was significantly higher than NOB-PCOS group [(12.25±4.89) ml vs (10.73±2.30) ml, t=2.20, P < 0.05]. FN and uterine artery RI of OB-PCOS group had a rising trend and RI of ovarian interstitial was on a reducing trend compared with NOB-PCOS group. But the differences were not statistically significant. The levels of FINS and HOMA-IR in OB-PCOS group [(14.82±6.45) mU/L and (3.91±3.30)] were significantly higher than those in NOB-PCOS group [(8.04±4.57) mU/L and (1.64±1.20)] (t=4.87, 3.47, respectively, both P < 0.01). And FSH in NOB-PCOS group was significantly higher than OB-PCOS group [(5.95±1.91) U/L vs (4.65±1.88) U/L, t=-2.77, P<0.01]. In POCS patients, FN was significantly associated with LH/FSH (r=0.35, P<0.01), and FT (r=0.38, P<0.01). Vol was significantly associated with LH/FSH, BMI, HOMA-IR and FPG (r=0.27, P<0.05;r=0.25, P<0.05;r=0.40, P<0.01;r=0.32, P<0.01). RI of ovarian stromal blood flow was significantly associated with SHBG (r=0.28, P<0.05). In OB-POCS group, RI of uterine artery was significantly associated with PRL (r=-0.58, P < 0.05). Vol was significantly associated with HOMA-IR (r=0.47, P < 0.05). In NOB-POCS group, FN was significantly associated with LH/FSH (r=0.33, P<0.05), and FT (r=0. 56, P<0.05). Vol was significantly associated with FT (r=0.31, P < 0.05). Conclusion There are some differences in the ultrasound and endocrine parameters between obese and non-obese PCOS patients, and some correlations exist between them.

Objective To detect mRNA expression of stimulator of interferon genes(STING)and type Ⅰ interferons(IFN-α and IFN-β)in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB), and evaluate its correlation with hepatitis B virus load.Methods 88 untreated CHB patients(CHB group)and 74 healthy persons(control group)who performed physical examination were chosen from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University during the same period between February 2016 and February 2017.Expressions of mRNA of STING, IFN-α, and IFN-βwere detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR), their relative expression values were obtained by 2-ΔΔCT method, results were statistically analyzed.Results The expression of STING, IFN-α, and IFN-βmRNA in peripheral blood of CHB patients were 2.95, 3.14, and2.01folds of healthy controls respectively, differences were statistically significant(t=-4.72, -3.41, -2.31, respectively, all P＜0.05).STING relative expression in patients with HBV DNA load≤104 IU/mL was 2.98, 3.76, and 3.97 folds of patients with HBV DNA load 104-105 IU/mL, 105-106 IU/mL, and＞106 IU/mL, respectively(P＜0.05).mRNA expressions of STING in CHB patients were positively correlated with that of IFN-αand IFN-βmRNA (r=0.475, 0.503, respectively, both P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of STING increased in patients with CHB, high expression of STING impacted the replication of HBV.

OBJECTIVETo study the complete genome sequence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strain XJ69 isolated in ZheJiang province and explore its evolution.

METHODSOverlapping primers were designed according to the full-length genomes from GenBank. RT-PCR was used to amplify the fragments and RT-PCR products were cloned T vector, sequenced and analyzed.

RESULTSThe genome of strain XJ69 and XJP613 were 10 964 nucleotides in length with a single open reading frame encoding 3432 amino acids. Comparison of the complete genome sequences of different JEV isolates showed XJ69 and XJP613 were 83.5%-99.2% and 83.4%-99.4% nucleotide sequence homology among them respectively, which resulted in 94.8%-99.7% amino acid sequence homology. Phylogenetic analysis through PrM/C,E and full-length genome showed that the XJ69 and XJP613 strain belonged to genotype I.

CONCLUSIONThe nucleotitede sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of XJ69 and XJP613 strain were similar to that of those of genotype I of Japanese encephalitis virus. It belonged to genotype I and were close to the isolates SH17M-07.

Animals ; Cell Line ; China ; Cricetinae ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; virology ; Genome, Viral ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny