Objective To explore the modulatory effect of 5-HT2A receptors on the discharge activities of inspiratory neurons in medial region of nucleus retrofacialis of neonatal rats. Methods Experiments were performed in vitro brainstem slice preparations from neonatal rats. These preparations included the medial region of nucleus retrofacialis with the hypoglossal nerve rootlets retained. The rhythmic discharges of the inspiratory neurons and activities of the hypoglossal nerve rootlets were simultaneously recorded by using microelectrodes and suction electrodes, respectively. Roles of 5-HT2A receptors in modulation of the discharge activities of inspiratory neurons were investigated by administration of the 5-HT2A receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodopbenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), and its specific antagonist ketanserine dissolved in modified Kreb's solution for perfused slices. Results In DOI group, the inspiratory time (TI) was (0.864±0.07)s, expiratory time (TE) was (10.78±1.06)s, respiratory cycle (RC) was (11.79±1.64)s, integral amplitude (IA) was (357.98±37.21)(μV·s) and the peak discharge frequency (PF) was (37.83±3.66)Hz. In control group, they were (0.68±0.06)s, (13.89±2.14)s, (14.77±1.92)s, (273.57±24.39)(μV·s), and (29.92±4.50)Hz, there were significant differences between the 2 groups (Pa<0.01). In ketanserine group, TI was (0.55±0.07)s, TE and RC were (18.43±3.28)s and (20.17+2.91)s respectively, IA and PF were (214.37±33.52)(μV·s) and (22.17±3.92)Hz, there were significant differences between ketanserine group and DOI, control group (Pa<0.01). Conclusion 5-HT2A receptors take part in modulate the discharge activities of inspiratory neurons in neonatal rat brainstem slices.

Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; CD5 Antigens ; metabolism ; Colonic Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Ileal Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Ileocecal Valve ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Intestinal Polyps ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Intussusception ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged

Objective To explore the relationship of c-fos protein and cell apoptosis by observing the expression of c-fos protein in hippocampus of newborn rat with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD).Methods Forty-eight 7-day SD neonatal rats were randomly divided into control group(n=6) and experiment group(n=42).The models of HIBD were established in neonatal rats by inhaling the mixed gases of 920 mL/L N2 and 80 mL/L O2,and the animals were sacrificed by dislocation their heads at different time points(0.5,1,3,6,12,24,48,72 h),then the hippocampus were dissected by morphological analysis.Results The apoptotic cells appeared at the time point of 3 h,and reached the peak at 48 h,then decreased.The positive cell of c-fos protein increased from the time point of 30 min and reached the peak at 2 h and then decreased gradually,and there was a contrary tendency between the expression of c-fos protein and the number of damaged brain cells by HIBD(r=-0.57 P

Objective To explore the modulation roles of gamma-aminobutyric acid A(GABAA) receptor on respiratory rhythmical discharge activity in brainstem slice of neonatal rats.Methods Experiments were performed on in vitro neonatal rats brainstem slices.The slices containing the medial region of the nucleus retrofacialis(mNRF)with the hypoglossal nerve rootlets retained was prepared in which the respira-tory-related rhythmic discharge activity(RRDA)were recorded from hypoglossal nerve rootlets by suction electrode.The possible role of GABAA receptor on RRDA was investigated by administration of GABA and its antagonist bicuculline in modified Kreb′s solution(MKS),for perfusion of the brainstem slices.Eighteen slices positive of RRDA were randomly divided into three equal groups:the first group of slices was perfused with different concentrations(10,20,40,60 ?mol/L) GABA and the most effective concentration was selected;the second group of slices was perfused with 10 ?mol/L bicuculline;the third group of slices was perfused with 10 ?mol/L bicuculline plus 40 ?mol/L GABA.The RRDA in 3 groups were observed.Results GABA decreased RRDA,40 ?mol/L was the most effective concentration.It shortened inspiratory time(TI),decreased integral amplitude(IA),prolonged respiratory cycle(RC) and expiratory time(TE) respectively.By contrast,10 ?mol/L bicuculline produced opposite effects on RRDA,it prolonged TI,increased IA,shortened RC and TE respectively.40 ?mol/L GABA plus 10 ?mol/L bicuculline had no significant effects on RRDA.Conclusion GABA plays an important role in modulate RRDA of neonatal rats via GABAA receptor.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; CpG Islands ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo develop a convenient and effective method for the identification of Bungarus multicinctus.

METHODBased on the sequence of Cyt b gene fragment of B. multicinctus and its adulterants, a pair of highly specific primer (HJL- and HJH-) were designed for distinguishing B. ulticinctus from other species of snake. To establish specific PCR reaction condition, the primers were employed to amplify the DNA templates extracted from B. multicinctus and 6 other species of snake, under different annealing temperature. Using this method, B. multicinctus was identified from 18 samples bought from many drugstores.

RESULTA 230 bp DNA fragment was amplified from B. multicinctus in PCR with annealed temperature at 67 degrees C, whereas no DNA fragment was amplified from other snake samples under the same reaction condition, B. multicinctus could be clearly distinguished from others by PCR reaction with the highly specific primers. In the present study, 18 sample, bought from different drugstores, were also identified by the highly specific PCR with the primers. The results indicated that 14 samples were B. multicinctus and the other 4 were adulterant, which was consistent with the conclusion of authentication based on morphological.

CONCLUSIONThe primers designed in the present study were highly specific for B. multicinctus.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bungarus ; classification ; genetics ; Cytochromes b ; genetics ; DNA ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; Drug Contamination ; Materia Medica ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Snakes ; classification ; genetics ; Species Specificity

There is a contradiction between image denoising and protection of the useful information in the image. To deal with this contradiction, we use the approach of mathematical morphology. In this paper, we expound the method and effectivity of mathmatical morphology in image processing. Based on it, an improved and fast image denoising algorithm is proposed and some experiments have been made to show that this algorithm is simple, effective and feasible.
Algorithms ; Artifacts ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Models, Statistical ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of host-derived p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase subunit 38 (p38MAPK) and the hepatitis B virus X antigen (HbxAg) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to study the mechanism underlying hepatocarcinogenesis.

METHODSLiver tissues were biopsied from healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis, paratumor cirrhosis, and HCC. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expressions of HBxAg, p38MAPK, cell cycle G2/M phase-related factors (cdc25B, p34cdc2, cyclin B1), and cell proliferation factor ki-67.The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling method (known as TUNEL) was used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTSThe highest rates of HBxAg were detected in CHB (65.0%) and HCC (44.4%) liver samples, and the antigen was mainly expressed in nuclei. Increasingly higher rates of p38MAPK, cdc25B, cyclin B1, and p34cdc2 expression were detected with increases in disease severity: normal liver (40.0%, 20.0%, 20.0%, and 30.0%, respectively), chronic hepatitis B (60.0%, 65.0%, 40.0%, and 50.0%, respectively), liver cirrhosis (65.0%, 75.0%, 70.0%, and 55.0%, respectively), paratumor cirrhosis (66.7%, 75.0%, 75.0%, and 63.9%, respectively), and HCC (77.8%, 80.6%, 80.6%, and 72.2%, respectively). In addition, the intracellular location of p38MAPK expression was different under different disease conditions, showing nuclear expression in CHB and liver cirrhosis samples and cytoplasmic expression in paratumor cirrhosis and HCC samples (x2 = 1.11, P more than 0.05). The proliferation index (PI) and the apoptosis index (AI) were both increased along with disease severity (normal more than CHB more than paratumor cirrhosis more than HCC) (PI: 0.0000+/-0.000, 0.0502+/-0.011, 0.0411+/-0.009, 0.0762+/-0.017; AI: 0.0351+/-0.024, 0.0607+/-0.022, 0.0562+/-0.013, 0.0716+/-0.011), with the notable exception for liver cirrhosis (PI: 0.1810+/-0.036 and AI: 0.1200+/-0.018). PI in poorly-differentiated HCC (0.2285+/-0.062) was significantly higher than in well-differentiated HCC (0.1216+/-0.032, t = 2.082, P = 0.044). AI in well-differentiated HCC (0.152+/-0.026) was significantly higher than in poorly-differentiated HCC (0.081+/-0.022, t = 2.129, P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONSIn the process of hepatocarcinogenesis, HBxAg may cause a series of abnormal changes in cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis by affecting the expression of p38MAPK.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Proliferation ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Lung ; pathology ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; pathology

DNA, Viral ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Virus Replication