This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of astragaloside IV (ASIV) on mitochondrial morphology and function of rat cardiomyocytes under hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. H9c2 cells were divided into control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) group, and H/R + ASIV group. Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and LDH assay kit, respectively. Oxidative stress levels, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were analyzed by commercial kits. Intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) and MitoSOX. Changes of the mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using the fluorescent probe JC-1. Opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore was examined via calcein acetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM). Apoptosis was assessed using terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay kit. To detect protein expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusin1 (Mfn1), Mfn2, Bax, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and cleaved cysteine-aspartic protease (caspase)-3, Western blot analysis was carried out. Compared with the control group, ASIV (100 μmol·L^-1) significantly improved H/R induced cell injury, LDH leakage, decrease of SOD activity, and GSH content, increase of MDA content and ROS content, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, ROS production activation, mitochondrial fission/fusion imbalance, and cell apoptosis. In addition, the effect of ASIV against H/R injury was also verified on primary rat cardiomyocytes. The animal welfare and experimental process follow the rules of Animal Ethics Committee of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. In conclusion, ASIV may play a protective role in mitochondria by regulating morphological dynamic stability and mitochondrial function, inhibiting excessive synthesis of ROS, improving the internal environment of oxidative stress, reducing cell apoptosis, and thereby protecting against cardiomyocytes’ hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.

Mycoplasmas, the smallest free-living, self-replicating bacteria with diameters of 200 to 800 nm, have been reported to be associated with human diseases. It is well known that the mycoplasma lipoprotein/peptide is able to modulate the host immune system, whose N-terminal structure is an important factor in inducing immunity and distinguishing Toll-like receptors (TLRs). However, there is still no clear elucidation about the pathogenic mechanism of mycoplasma lipoprotein/peptide and the signaling pathway. Some researchers have focused on understanding the structures of these proteins and the relationships between their structure and biological function. This review provides an update on the research in this field.
Lipoproteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Mycoplasma ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptors ; chemistry ; metabolism

Objective To explore knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) and related determinants on nutrition among caregivers of those rural stranded children under 7 years of age in China and to provide evidence for setting up relevant health education program. Methods 1691 caregivers of the stranded children randomly selected were surveyed by a standard questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to screen the determinants on KAP regarding nutrition. Results Rates on awareness, positive attitude and approprite behavior were lower in caregivers of children whose parents both left (47.8%, 55.4%, 41.8%, respectively) the countryside, when compared with those only one parent was away from home (59.9%, 59.5%, 38.0%, respectively). Data from multivariable logistic regression models showed that caregivers' KAP on nutrition was related to age, educational background, average family income, and willingness on the job as well as the age of the child. Conclusion Improving caregivers' KAP on nutrition and setting up appropriate health education program were in urgent need.

This study was aimed to investigate the regulative effect of ERK and p38 signal transduction pathway on cell cycle of CML. The mRNA and protein expression of ERK, p38, cyclin D(2), cyclin E and p27 (ERK and p38 were Phosph-ERK and Phosph-P38) in CML cells and K562 cell lines were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively; cell cycle was determined by FCM, and their relationship was analyzed. The results showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of ERK, p38, cyclin D(2) and cyclin E in CML cells and K562 cells increased (P<0.01) and the expression of p27 decreased (P<0.01). There was positive correlation between the protein expressions of cyclin D(2) and the protein expression of ERK, p38 and cyclin E, but there was negative correlation between the protein expressions of cyclin D(2) and the protein expression of p27. The percentage of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase was decreased and the percentage of cells in S phase was increased, there was significant difference as compared with control (P<0.05). It is concluded that increase of the mRNA expression and protein activity of ERK and p38 activate the cell cycle-regulating proteins such as cyclin D(2), cyclin E, p27 which results in shortening of G(0)/G(1) phase, switching cell to S phase through G(1)/S check point quickly and accelerating cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, and eventually leads to occurrence of CML.
Adult ; Cell Cycle ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of the patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and work out their long term therapy agents.

METHODSQOL of 18 cases who received PD (group PD) and 18 cases received laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (group LC) in the same days was determined by symptoms questionnaire and Chinese version SF-36 QOL questionnaire from Jan 2002 to Dec 2003 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital.

RESULTSCompared with group LC, the total QOL score and physical health score of group PD didn't have significant decrease. But the mental health score of group PD was lower than group LC (P < 0.05). Eight different scales of SF-36 questionnaire showed that the score in physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, social functioning of group PD was lower than that of group LC. The score in vitality, role-emotional and mental health of group PD was the same as the group LC. According to the symptoms questionnaire, the patient diarrhea and recurrence had obvious influence on PH score. The patient weight loss and unemployment had obvious influence on MH2 score.

CONCLUSIONSThe QQL of patients received PD didn't have decreased. Their total score of SF-36 QQL was close to the patients who received LC. But the mental health score of group PD was lower than group LC. Weight loss, unemployment, recurrence and chronic pancreatic diarrhea may be infect the Quality of life after PD.

Adult ; Aged ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Postoperative Period ; Quality of Life ; Regression Analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome