Objective To evaluate the status of iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) in Huai'an City in 2011 and to provide a scientific basis for adopting target prevention strategies timely and adjusting the intervention policy scientifically.Methods According to The National Project of Surveillance on IDD,probability sampling method (PPS) was used to select 30 counties in Huai'an City,and one primary school was selected randomly from each county,then 40 children aged 8 to 10 were randomly selected in each school.Children's thyroids were examined by palpation and the iodine in salt samples collected in their home was tested by direct titration.At the same time,urine samples from 12 children of the 40 selected children were collected and urinary iodine was tested by As(Ⅲ)-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry.Questionnaire survey of IDD was conducted among 30 students of grade 5 and 5 housewives around that school.Results A total of 1200 children aged 8 to 10 were examined,and the goiter rate was 1.3％(15/1200).All the goiters were level Ⅰ.The goiters of each age group was 0.8％(3/390),1.8％(7/390) and 1.3％(5/420),respectively.The 360 urine samples were collected from children aged 8-10,and the median of urinary iodine was 171.5 μg/L with the proportions of ＜ 20 μg/L,＜ 50 μg/L and ＜ 100 μg/L were 0(0/360),1.1％ (4/360) and 5.6％ (20/360),respectively.A total of 1200 salt samples were tested in children's family.The coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.4％ (1193/1200) and the qualified rate of iodized salt was 97.7％ (1165/1193).The consuming rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.1％(1165/1200),and non iodized salt rate was 0.6％(7/1200).The knowledge rates of IDD were 82.7％ (2234/2700) and 69.8％ (314/450) in 900 students and 150 housewives,respectively.Conclusions In Huai'an City,except the knowledge rate of IDD,the goiter rate and urinary iodine of children aged 8-10,iodized salt consumption maintain at the stage of the target level.In addition to strengthen the monitoring of iodized salt and to supply qualified iodized salt,it should also increase the focus on health education propaganda in the future.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shenshuai Yangzhen Capsule (SYC) on hypothalamic leptin-neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) axes in chronic renal failure (CRF) rats with malnutrition (MN).

METHODSForty-two male SD rats of SPF grade were established into CRF-MN model by 5/6 nephrectomy and 4% casein diet, the happening time of MN in them was recorded. Rats successfully modeled were randomized into three groups, 11 rats in Group A treated with SYC, 11 in group B treated with composite alpha-keto acid and 12 in Group C was untreated. Besides, a normal control group was set up with 8 healthy rats. After being treated for 4 weeks, the renal function related indices, including serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24 hour urine protein (24 h Upro), albumin (ALB), haemoglobin (Hb) insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyeride (TG) were measured, and body weight, food intake in rats were observed dynamically, blood leptin and NPY level in rats were determined by radioimmunoassay; mRNA expressions of OB-Rb, NPY and POMC in hypothalamus were detected with RT-PCR.

RESULTSCRF rats revealed MN at the end of 10th week after modeling. Compared with Group C, the condition of MN in Group A was significantly improved, showing increase of food intake and body weight (P < 0.05), marked improvement of renal function (P < 0.05), decrease of LP and NPY levels in plasma (P < 0.05), as well as up-regulated NPY mRNA expression and down-regulated mRNA expressions of OB-Rb and POMC in hypothalamus (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSYC can improve the malnutrition condition in rats with CRF, which is possibly by way of depressing OB-Rb and POMC mRNA expression and upgrading NPY mRNA expression in hypothalamus.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Leptin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Malnutrition ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neuropeptide Y ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pro-Opiomelanocortin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To observe the protective effect and mechanism of Sailuotong capsule in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reperfusion model was established. The expressions of dynamin-related protein 1 ( Drp1) and optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were tested by Western blot. The transmission electron microscope was used to observe the changes in the mitochondrial ultra-structure. The pathological morphological changes were observed through the HE staining. The immunohistochemical method was used to test Drp1 and Opa1 expressions. Sailuotong capsule (33, 16.5 mg x kg(-1), ig) can inhibit the abnormal mitochondrial fission and fusion in the cortical area on the ischemia side and the mitochondrial fission gene expression and promote the mitochondrial fusion gene Opa1 expression, so as to alleviate the energy metabolism disorder caused by ischemia/reperfusion. Sailuotong capsule can inhibit the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in peri-ischemic regions and maintain the normal morphology of mitochondria, which may be the mechanism of Sailuotong capsule in promoting the self-recovery function in the ischemic brain region.
Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; surgery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Dynamins ; genetics ; metabolism ; GTP Phosphohydrolases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats

Objective To investigate the calcium transient of CA1 pyramidal neurons induced by potassium blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in acute hippocampal slices to explore the relation between potassium channel function and calcium transient, and their mechanism. Methods Fluorescent probe was employed to mark the hippocampai neurons in acute brain slices of rats; confocal microscopy was used to perform calcium imaging to observe the influences of different concentrations of 4-AP and perfusate with/without calcium on calcium transient of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Results The response of [Ca2+]I to lower concentration of 4-AP (<15 mmol/L) was in a dose-dependent manner (r2=0.910, P=0.000); the higher the concentration of 4-AP (20-80 mmol/L), the lower the peak level of calcium transient. The latency and amplitude of calcium transient induced by 4-AP were obviously reduced when the extracellular condition was switched to an absence of calcium, which was significantly different as compared with that with calcium (P<0.05). Conclusion Blockade of potassium channels with 4-AP can increase [Ca2+]I in the hippocampal pyramidal neurons of acute slices. The increase of [Ca2+]1 to 4-AP could be ascribe to calcium release from intracellular stores and calcium influx from extracellular matrix.

OBJECTIVETo study the antiproliferation effect on HepG2 cells and its underlying mechanism of the active chemical composition of the Viburnum Odoratissimum.

METHODS3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay were used to assess the effect of vibsane-type diterpenoids on the proliferation of various tumor cells. Alterations in cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flowcytometry. The enzymatic activity of caspase-3/7 was measured by Apo-ONE homogeneous Caspase-3/7 Assay kit.

RESULTSCompound 1 #, a vibsane-type diterpenoid, was found to significantly inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells by anticancer proliferation activity screening. It was demonstrated that the modified groups on side chain coupled to C11 site affected the cell growth-inhibition activity of compounds by structure-activity analysis. In addition, HepG2 cell line was most sensitive to compound 1 #, which induced growth arrest of HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Study on the mechanisms underlying these effects indicated that compound 1 # induced significant G0/G1 phase arrest of HepG2 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, It was found that higher concentrations of compound (5-10 micromol/L) caused evident increase in the unmber of apoptotic cells and dose-dependent activation of caspase-3/7.

CONCLUSIONVibsane-type diterpenoids could significantly inhibit the growth of HCC HepG2 cells. Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis may play important roles in their anticancer effects.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Viburnum ; chemistry

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expressions of acetylcholine (ACh) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in the lungs of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),and explore the mechanism of EA in treating COPD.Methods:Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group,a COPD group,and an EA group,with 10 rats in each group.The control group was a group of normal rats.The COPD rat model was induced by cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).The COPD rats were treated with EA at bilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the EA group,30 min each time,once a day,successively for 14 d.The lung function was tested.The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between pulmonary function and the content of MUC5AC in lungs.The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in lung tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot (WB),respectively.The immune response of MUC5AC was observed by immunohistochemistry.Results:Eight rats were left in each group,and the other two died.Compared with the control group,the total airway resistance (Raw) increased significantly and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) decreased significantly in the COPD group (P＜0.01);compared with the COPD group,the Raw level declined significantly and Cdyn increased significantly in the EA group (P＜0.01).The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in the lungs and BALF were remarkably higher in the COPD group compared with those in the control group (P＜0.01,P＜0.001);compared with the COPD group,the contents of ACh and MUC5AC were significantly lower in the EA group (P＜0.05,P＜0.001).There was a negative correlation between MUC5AC content and lung function (P＜0.001).The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in the lungs were significantly higher in the COPD group than in the control group (P＜0.001);compared with the COPD group,the expressions were significantly lower in the EA group (P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,the immune response of MUC5AC in the airway epithelium significantly increased in the COPD group (P＜0.001);the immune response of MUC5AC was significantly lower in the EA group compared with that in the COPD group (P＜0.001).Conclusion:EA treatment can improve the lung function of COPD rats,which may be related to its effect in the down-regulation of ACh and MUC5AC contents in the lungs as well as the inhibition of mucus hypersecretion.

AIMTo prepare fluorescein sodium (FS) cationic liposomes and investigate the influence of cationic lipid (DC-chol) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecule weight (MW) on cationic liposome incorporation efficiency, cellular delivery and fluidity of liposome membrane.

METHODSUsing FS as a model material for encapsulation, the liposomes were prepared and separated (by sephadex G-50 1 cm x 20 cm column), and the liposome incorporation efficiencies was measured. The interaction between the FS and cationic liposomes was investigated by measuring the change of fluorescent spectrum. The cellular uptake of different liposome forms by choosing HepG2 2.2.15 as an in vitro cell culture assay model, and the influence of PEG on the fluidity of liposome membrane with the technique of fluorescence polarization were investigated.

RESULTSCationic lipid and different PEGs showed great effects on increasing liposome incorporation efficiency (from 0.64% to 86.57%), cellular uptake (from 2.18% to 48.46%) and fluidity of liposome membrane. The effect of PEG was MW dependent, and with the increase of MW, the incorporation efficiency and transfection was improved, and the fluidity of liposome membrane increased.

CONCLUSIONAddition of cationic lipid and high MW PEG into cationic liposomes can enhance the cellular delivery and fluidity of cationic liposomes. Also, they can improve the incorporation efficiency of cationic liposomes.

Cholesterol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Fluorescein ; Hepatoblastoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Liposomes ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Molecular Weight ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; methods ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the possible association of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism with genetic susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a Chinese population.

METHODSFive hundred and eight HCC cases and 543 controls were studied. The MTHFR genotypes were determined using a PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Odds ratios (ORs) for HCC and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from unconditional logistic regression models were used to evaluate relative risks. Potential HCC risk factors were included in the logistic regression models as covariates in the multivariate analyses on genotypes and HCC risks.

RESULTSNo overall significant difference in genotype distribution was found when comparing all HCC cases to controls (P = 0.258). However, a significantly increased risk of HCC was observed among T/T homozygotes (adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.08-2.54, P<0.05) compared to C-allele carriers (CC or CT). When stratified with sex, this trend was more prominent in females, but not in males. Females who were homozygous (T/T) for the C677T polymorphism were at a 2.64-fold (95% CI = 1.19-5.88, P<0.05) increased risk of developing HCC when compared to C-allele carriers. However in males, T/T homozygotes had a similar risk with C-allele carriers.

CONCLUSIONThe MTHFR C677T polymorphism may be associated with a higher HCC risk in females, but not in males in this population.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between hemostatic changes in liver cirrhosis patients with different degrees of their liver lesions.

METHODSForty-three patients (35 men, 8 women; age: 25 to 71 yr) with liver cirrhosis were divided into three subgroups (A, B, and C) on the basis of Child-Pugh classification. Among the patients, 13 were classified as Child-Pugh class A, 15 were class B, 15 were class C. 16 healthy individuals served as controls. A series of hemostatic tests and parameters including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib), factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, vWF assay, antithrombin-III (AT-III), protein C (PC), D-dimer, tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI) were performed on 43 patients and the 16 healthy controls.

RESULTSPT and APTT were progressively prolonged from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was a significant difference. Fibrinolytic activity and the activities of factors II, V, VII, IX, X were progressively decreased from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was a significant difference . AT-III and PC activity were progressively decreased from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was a significant difference. D-dimer and t-PA-antigen were progressively increased from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was significant difference. PAI activity did not display significant changes in the four groups.

CONCLUSIONWe found that there is a close relationship between the severity of cirrhosis and the hemostatic changes. Because the deterioration of the coagulation function and increasing fibrinolytic activity parallel the severity of liver cirrhosis, adequate treatment for cirrhotic bleeding should not only correct the coagulation defects, but also lower the increased fibrinolytic activity.

Adult ; Aged ; Antithrombins ; metabolism ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Hemostasis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prothrombin Time ; Severity of Illness Index

Objective To construct mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein ( MAVS ) knockout ZR-751 breast neoplasms cells using CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering technology , and study the effect of MAVS on cell proliferation . Methods Small guide RNA ( sgRNA ) was designed by targeting the first exon of MAVS gene and the pX 459-sgRNA recombinant eukaryotic expressional plasmid was constructed .Puromycin was used to screen monoclonal cells which stably knocked out MAVS gene .The knockout effect was measured by Western blotting .Cellular proliferation rates were detected by colony-forming assay when MAVS gene was knockout .The MTS assay was designed to detect the effect of MAVS on cell proliferation under DFX stimulus .Results The result of Western blotting suggested that no MAVS protein was detected in the MAVS gene knockout stable ZR-751 cells,showing that MAVS gene was knocked out completely .Proliferation became faster when MAVS was knocked out .MAVS promoted cell death under DFX stimulus .Conclusion The MAVS knockout ZR-751 stable cells have been constructed using CRISPR/Cas9 system.The preliminary experimental results show that MAVS inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation , which will facilitate studies on the function of MAVS in tumors in the future .