Aim To observe the changes of diaphragm contractility and cytoskeletal proteins titin,nebulin and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca~(2+)-ATPase gene expressions in adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity in rats.Methods The animal models of diaphragm damage were duplicated by injecting adriamycin into abdominal cavity one time.Forty male sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=10):Three groups received adriamycin in low,middle and high dosage(10,20 and 40 mg·kg~(-1))respectively.Meanwhile,the normal saline was given to rats in control groups.Three days later,these rats were killed,and the diaphragm was removed by thoracotomy.The diaphragm contractility was assessed in isolated diaphragm strips perfusion by these paramemters including peak twitch tension(Pt),maximum tetanic tension(Po),time to peak contraction(CT),half relaxaion time(1/2RT),maximal rates of contraction(+dt/dt_(max))and maximal rates of relaxation(-dt/dt_(max)).The expressions of titin,nebulin and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca~(2+)-ATPase(SERCA)at mRNA level were detected by RT-PCR analysis.Results In contrast to those in control group,Po,Pt,±dt/dt_(max) in the adriamycin group were lower(P<0.01);CT,1/2RT in the adriamycin group increased significantly(P<0.01).The levels of titin,nebulin and SERCA gene expressions in middle-dose group were lower than those in control group(P<0.01).Conclusions The mRNA levels of titin,nebulin and SERCA of diaphragm are down-regulated in adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity in rats.It may be associated with the decline of diaphragm contractility.

Aim To observe the effects of liver cirrho-sis on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1 ) and ColⅠin rat myocardium and interven-tion of erythropoietin ( EPO ) . Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dasley rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group, liver cirrhosis group and EPO group, then the cardic hemodynamic parameters in vivo and levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ) as well as creatine kinase isoenzyme ( CK-MB) were measured. With Masson′s trichrome stain, changes of collagen formation of myocardial tissue in different groups were observed. Also the mRNA ex-pressions of TGF-β1 and ColⅠin myocardium were de-tected by RT-PCR. Results In contrast to control group, rats in liver cirrhosis group showed a decline in systolic and diastolic function of left ventricule, rising myocardial enzyme, a distinct increase of cardiac colla-gen deposition, as well as an elevation of TGF-β1 and ColⅠmRNA expressions. In contrast to liver cirrhosis group, rats in EPO group demonstrated an improve-ment in systolic and diastolic function of left ventricule as well as in cardiac collagen deposition, and a de-crease in both myocardial enzyme and TGF-β1 and ColⅠmRNA expressions. Conclusion Liver cirrhosis can lead to the changes of myocardial structure and function in rats,and it can accelerate myocardial inter-stitial fibrosis; EPO can protect the myocardial injury in liver cirrhosis rats.

Aim To investigate the role of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 ( ALDH2) in the cardio-protection of ischemic postconditioning in isolated rat hearts. Methods Hearts isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused on a langendorff apparatus and subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia( occlusion of left anterior descending artery) followed by 120 min reperfusion. Ischemic postconditioning was achieved by 6 cycles of 10 s reperfusion/10 s global ischemia starting at the beginning of reperfusion. The ventricular hemodynamic parameters and lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) release during reperfusion were measured. The infarct size was measured by TTC staining method. The expressions of ALDH2,Bcl-2 and Bax at mRNA level of left anterior myocardium were detected by RT-PCR analysis. Results In contrast to ischemia and reperfusion,ischemic postconditioning improved the recovery of left ventricular developed pressure,rate pressure product during reperfusion,and reduced LDH release and infarct size. The expressions of ALDH2 mRNA level and the ratio of Bcl-2 /Bax were increased. Adminis-tration of ALDH2 antagonist cyanamide at the beginning of reperfusion attentuated the role of ischemic postconditioning. Conclusion Ischemic postconditioning plays a role in the cardioprotection partially through increasing mitochondrial ALDH2 mRNA expression.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the perfusion mode of neovascularization of carotid plaque in CEUS and the ischemic stroke in transient ischemic attack (TIA) patient.Methods A total of 73 TIA patients according to the inclusive criteria were enrolled.All the patients underwent routine carotid ultrasonic examination.And 61 patients with plaque thicker than 2.5 mm in carotid bifurcation underwent CEUS and follow-up for at least 18 months.All the patients were divided into recurrent and non-recurrent groups.Logistic regression analysis were performed to detect the risk factors for incurrence of ischemic stroke or recurrence of TIA in 18 months.Results There were statistical differences between 2 groups in hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipemia,smoking history,family history of stroke,medication compliance,two-dimensional ultrasound and CEUS characteristics (all P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that all the factors correlated with the recurrency,from big to small order were the CEUS characteristics of carotid plaque,hypertension,medication compliance,diabetes,two-dimensional ultrasound characteristics of carotid plaque.Conclusion CEUS could evaluate the perfusion mode of neovascularization in carotid plaques.For TIA patients,CEUS could predict the incurrence of ischemic stroke or recurrence of TIA,which can guide TIA patients targeted prophylaxis of them.

Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of the downstream substrate of extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK1/2) pathway, ternary complex factor phospho-Elk-1, in rat brains with chronic fluorosis, and reveal the mechanism of the impaired learning and memory ability caused by chronic fluorosis. Methods Seventy-two SD rats, weighing 100 - 120 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups, 24 in each group (half male and half female). The rats in control group were fed with tap water (fluoride < 0.5 mg/L); low- and high-dose fluoride groups were fed with tap water with different concentrations of NaF(5.0,50.0 mg/L F-, respectively). After 6 months, body weight was weighed, dental fluorosis was determined by observation and urinary fluoride and bone fluoride were detected by fluorine ion-selective electrode; the learning ability of rats was measured by navigation test of Morris water maze, and memory ability by spatial probe test in Morris water maze; the expression and distribution of phospho-Elk-1 in different brain regions were detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results In low- and high-fluoride groups, the body weight of rat[(449.2 ± 77.1), (312.8 ± 89.7)g] was significantly decreased than that of control [(635.5 ± 76.2 )g, all P< 0.05], the varying degrees of dental fluorosis were observed(x2 = 7.83, P<0.05), urinary fluoride[(2.56 ±0.91),(5.73 ±3.14)mg/L] and bone fluoride[(709.2 ± 37.4) ,(1306.3 ± 102.4) mg/kg] were significantly higher than those in controls[(0.92 ± 0.30)mg/L,(348.5 ± 89.2)mg/kg, all P< 0.05]. The escape latency of low- and high-fluoride groups[ (7.4 ± 4.1), (12.2 ± 5.7)s] was longer than that of control [(4.8 ± 2.7 )s, all P < 0.05] and the escape latency in high-fluoride group was significantly longer than that in other groups (all P < 0.05); in spatial probe test, the time of first crossing platform was longer in rats with fluorosis [(4.18 ± 1.10),(5.89 ± 0.56)s] as compared to control[(1.17 ± 0.75)s, all P< 0.05]. Expressions of phospho-Elk-1 in the hippocampus CA1(167.4 ± 8.3,163.2 ± 9.4), CA2(175.7 ± 5.0,183.3 ± 4.2), CA3(165.2 ± 11.6,162.9 ± 4.4), CA4(168.7± 6.9,169.5 ±5.3), fascia dentate (185.2 ±4.0,193.1 ±6.1) and caudate putamen( 181.4 ± 3.8, 179.8 ± 5.5) in low- and high-fluoride groups were higher than those of controls(142.4 ± 8.1,144.9 ± 8.4,143.6 ± 5.8, 116.8 ± 9.1,140.2 ± 7.8,163.1 ± 13.1, all P< 0.05). Conclusion Chronic fluorosis can cause increased expression of phospho-Elk-1 in the hippocampus and caudate putamen region of rat brains, which might be related to the mechanisms of decreased learning and memory ability of rats overexposed to fluoride.

Objective To observe the expression of mitochondrial fission protein locus Fis1 and ultrastructural changes in the renal cells of rats with chronic fluorosis,and to reveal the mechanism in mitochondrial damage of the renal cells.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups according to sex and body mass(20 in each group):control group,lower fluoride group and higher fluoride group.All the rats were fed with different doses of sodium fluoride in drinking water(0,10 and 50 mg/L,respectively).Six-month later,the expression of Fisl in renal cells was determined by real-time fluorenscence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry technology,the mitochondrial morphology of renal cells was observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Results As compared with the control group(28.70 ± 12.41),Fis1 mRNA levels(91.48 + 34.83 and 582.09 ± 184.69) in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups were increased(all P ＜ 0.05).As compared with the control group(10.49 ± 7.66),Fisl protein levels(16.33 ± 10.26 and 21.50 ± 5.24) in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups showed a trend of increasing,the higher fluoride group was higher than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05).By TEM,mitochondrial crest in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups was vague or disappeared,mitochondrial division section appeared.Conclusions Fluoride is a kind of toxicant that can cause damage to mitochondrion of renal cells,induce the expression of Fis1 in transcriptional and protein level,and lead to the obstacles of mitochondrial fusion-fission and ultrastructural abnormality of mitochondrion,which may play an important role in mechanism of mitochondrial damage in the renal cells of rats with chronic fluorosis.

Objective: To investigate the status of electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and to provide evidence for tobacco control in adolescents. Methods: Based on the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Epidemic Monitoring Program, multistage proportional sampling method was used to select middle school students from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A questionnaire revised by Chinese CDC was used to collect the general information, the cognition and use of electronic cigarettes, and the access to advertising of electronic cigarettes and related products. Results: Totally 9 019 questionnaires were distributed, 8 401 valid ones were recovered, and the response rate was 93.2%. The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt among students were 4.3% and 13.4%. The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt in male students were 7.7% and 22.9%, which were higher than that in female students (0.8% and 3.8%, P<0.05) . The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt varied in different schools ( P<0.05 ), which were higher in vocational high school students ( 11.5% and 26.8% ). Among 246 students who used electronic cigarettes, 30.1% did not thought electronic cigarettes contained nicotine, while 60.2% did not know whether electronic cigarettes contain nicotine. In the past 30 days, 27.0% of the students had seen the advertisements of electronic cigarettes and related products, mainly through TV, store, supermarket, convenience store, grocery store, electronic cigarette experience store or retail store. Conclusions The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt among adolescents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region are 4.3% and 13.4%. Boys and vocational high school students have higher rates. Students generally know electronic cigarette and have more access to it.

This project is targeted on exploring some improving approaches to isolate and culture the microorganisms which are difficult to be isolated and cultured through the conventional ways. The results showed that betaine, sodium pyruvate, SOD and catalase are helpful for increasing the total number and variety of isolated strains. A kind of combined method was also used to isolate the micro-colony which can not be seen by naked eyes on the plates. Totally 52 Actinomycetes and 103 bacteria and 17 fungi were obtained from 4 soil samples using the above methods. 4. 325% microorganisms were obtained as positive strains to inhibit the growth of some kinds of test bacteria, which is higher than the percent using generally isolated ones. These microbial natural products may remain an important resource for the drug discovery.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Jiangtang Yishen Recipe (JTYSR) on high insulin induced cell proliferation of human glomerular mesangial cells (HMCs) and the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K).

METHODSHMCs were divided into 4 groups, i.e., the negative control group, the high insulin model group, the JTYSR group, and the LY294002 group. The concentration of insulin, JTYSR, and LY294002 was respectively confirmed by pre-experiment. Different culture solution was respectively added for different groups. RPMI1640 culture solution was added for HMCs in the negative control group, while HMCs in the rest 3 groups were cultured by 100 nmol/L insulin for 24 h. Meanwhile, HMCs from the JTYSR group and the LY294002 group were exposed to 125 mg/L JTYSR and 80 micromol/L LY294002 respectively for further 48 h. The proliferation of HMCs was detected by MTT and flow cytometry. The protein expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K in HMC was detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot. Results The proliferation of HMCs induced by high insulin could be significantly lowered, and the protein expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K could be down-regulated in the JTYSR group and the LY294002 group (P <0.01). Compared with the LY294002 group, the protein expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K could be slightly down-regulated in the JTYSR group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONJTYSR could lower high insulin induced proliferation of HMCs, and its mechanism might be related to insulin signaling pathway.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromones ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; physiology ; Morpholines ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

This study was conducted to investigate the paclitaxel loaded by hydrazone bonds in poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(caprolactone) micelles (mPEG-PCL-PTX) on proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells and its possible mechanisms of anti-tumor activity. The cell proliferation was measured with MTT assay. Flow cytometry were used to analyze the cell cycle. The cell apoptosis was analyzed using Hoechst/P staining. The expression levels of apoptotic genes expression in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The mPEG-PCL-PTX could inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells and promote the apoptosis. The Bax, caspase-3 protein expression were increased while Bcl-2 protein expression was decreased in A549 cells. Results showed that the polymer containing hydrazone bond is non-toxic in vitro, the mPEG-PCL-PTX micelles can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells. Key words: paclitaxel; micelle; A549 cell; proliferation; cell cycle; apoptosis
Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Micelles ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Polyesters ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism