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Objective To evaluate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ) signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum stress response during lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced acute lung injury ( ALI) in mice. Methods Forty clean-grade healthy male C57BL∕6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 22-26 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group ( group C) , group ALI, salubrinal group ( group S) and salubrinal plus brusatol group ( group S+B) . Animals were intratracheally instilled with 5 mg∕kg of LPS diluted in normal saline to establish the model of ALI. Animals were intratracheally instilled with 100 μl of normal saline in group C. Mice in group S were intraperitoneally injected with endoplasmic reticulum stress response inhibitor 1 mg∕kg salubrinal at 1 and 24 h after LPS instillation. Mice of group S+B were intraperitoneally injected with brusatol 2 mg∕kg once every other day for 10 days prior to LPS instillation, and the other treatments were similar to those previously de-scribed in group S. Mice were sacrificed at 48 h after LPS administration, and lungs were removed for mi-croscopic examination of the pathological changes of lung tissues which were scored and for determination of contents of IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α) and interleukin-6 ( IL-6) in lung tissues ( by en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and expression of Nrf2, CCAAT∕enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-12 in lung tissues (by Western blot). Lung water content was calculated. Results Compared with group C, the lung water content and contents of IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, the expression of CHOP and caspase-12 in cytoplasma was up-regulated, and the ex-pression of Nrf2 in nuclei was down-regulated in ALI and S+B groups, and the lung water content and con-tents of IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, the expression of Nrf2 in nuclei and CHOP in cytoplasma was up-regulated, and the expression of caspase-12 was down-regulated in group S ( P<0. 05) . Compared with group ALI, the lung water content and contents of IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, the expression of CHOP and caspase-12 in cytoplasma was down-regulated, the ex-pression of Nrf2 in nuclei was up-regulated ( P<0. 05) , and the pathological changes were significantly at-tenuated in group S. Compared with group S, the lung water content and contents of IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, the expression of CHOP and caspase-12 in cytoplasma was up-regulated, the expression of Nrf2 in nuclei was down-regulated ( P<0. 05) , and the pathological changes of lung tis-sues were accentuated in group S+B. Conclusion Nrf2 signaling pathway is involved in the process of en-doplasmic reticulum stress response during LPS-induced ALI in mice.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on programmed necrosis in hippocampal neurons in a rat model of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).Methods Forty-eight clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 280-320 g,were divided into 3 groups (n=16 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (Sham group),global cerebral I/R group (I/R group) and ulinastatin group (UT group).Global cerebral I/R was produced by 4-vessel occlusion method in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats in I/R and UT groups.Ulinastatin 100 000 U/kg was injected via the tail vein at the onset of ischemia in group UT,and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in Sham and I/R groups.Neurological deficit score (NDS) was estimated at 6,12 and 24 h of reperfusion.Animals were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion,brains were removed and the hippocampi were obtained for examination of pathological changes (with a light microscope) and for determination of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (by spectrophotometry),and expression of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1),RIPK3,and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) in hippocampal tissues (by Western blot).Results Compared with Sham group,the NDS was significantly increased at each time point,the MDA content was increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL was up-regulated in I/R and UT groups (P＜ 0.05).Compared with I/R group,the NDS was significantly decreased at each time point,the MDA content was decreased,the SOD activity was increased,and the expression of RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL was down-regulated in UT group (P＜0.05).The pathological changes of hippocampi were significantly attenuated in UT group when compared with I/R group.Conclusion The mechanism by which ulinastatin ameliorates global cerebral I/R injury is related to inhibiting programmed necrosis in hippocampal neurons of rats.
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Objective To investigate the effects of surgical trauma on Toll?like receptor 4 ( TLR4) expression in the hippocampus of aged mice. Methods Ninety male Kunming mice, aged 16-18 months, weighing 30-40 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table:control group ( group C), anesthesia group ( group A), and partial hepatectomy group ( group PH). Normal saline 0.1 ml∕10 g was injected intraperitoneally in group C. In group A, fentanyl 0.2 mg∕kg and droperidol 5 mg∕kg were injected intraperitoneally. In group PH, fentanyl 0. 2 mg∕kg and droperidol 5 mg∕kg were injected intraperitoneally, and the mice underwent partial hepatectomy. Cognitive function was assessed using Morris water maze test at 1, 3, and 7 days after anesthesia or surgery. After the end of the test, the hippocampus was immediately harvested for determination of the TLR4, tumor necrosis factor?alpha ( TNF?α) and interleukin?1 beta ( IL?1β) protein and mRNA expression by Western blot and real?time reverse transcriptase?polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results Compared with group C, no significant changes were found in group PH in the escape latency, percentage of swimming distance in the target quadrant, and TLR4, TNF?α and IL?1β protein and mRNA expression at each time point after anesthesia in group A (P>0.05), and the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the percentage of swimming distance in the target quadrant was decreased, and the expression of TLR4, TNF?α and IL?1βprotein and mRNA was up?regulated at 1 and 3 days after surgery in group PH ( P<0. 05 or 0. 01 ) . Compared with group A, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the percentage of swimming distance in the target quadrant was decreased, and the expression of TLR4, TNF?αand IL?1βprotein and mRNA was up?regulated at 1 and 3 days after surgery in group PH (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion Surgical trauma can up?regulate the expression of TLR4 in the hippocampus of aged mice, which may be involved in the mechanism of surgical trauma?induced postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
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Objective To investigate the effects of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHCD) pretreatment on NF-κB mRNA expression and SOD activity in lung tissues in rats with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by LPS.Methods Thirty-two male SD rats, 2 months old, weighing 230-280 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8 each): control group (group C), ALI group, low dose PHCD group (group LP) and high dose PHCD group (group HP). ALI was induced by intravenous LPS 5 mg/kg via tail vein. Group LP and HP received intraperitoneal PHCD 0. 3 and 1 mg/kg respectively 30 min before LPS administration. The rats were killed at 6 h after LPS administration. The lungs were removed immediately for determination of W/D lung weight ratio, lung water content, NF-κB mRNA expression, TNF-α and MDA content, and SOD activity and microscopic examination. Results NF-κB mRNA expression, TNF-α and MDA content, W/D lung weight ratio and lung water content were significantly higher, while SOD activity was significantly lower in group ALI, LP and HP than in group C (P ＜ 0.05). NF-κB mRNA expression, TNF-α and MDA content, W/D lung weight ratio and lung water content were significantly lower, while SOD activity was significantly higher in group LP and HP than in group ALI and HP than in group LP (P ＜ 0.05). The LPS-induced changes were mitigated by pretreatment with low and high doses of PHCD in group LP and HP.Conclusion Pretreatment with PHCD attenuates LPS-induced ALI by downregulating NF-κB mRNA expression, decreasing local inflammatory response and enhancing anti-oxidant activity.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the mechanism of sterility of Liriope spicata var. prolifera.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Meiotic behavior and pollen development of L. spicata var. prolifera were described in detail. Its proto-variety L. spicata was also investigated for comparison.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>During the meiosis of microspore mother cells (MMC), most of cells displayed normally in L. spicata, but abnormally in L. spicata var. prolifera. The abnormity was showed that: some chromosomes or their fragments moved out of the spindle of the cell at metaphase; some chromosome bridges, fragments and lagging ones were formed at anaphase; and many microspores displayed the micronucleus at the telophase. The pollen development was abnormal in L. spicata var. prolifera and normal in L. spicata, with the aberration rate of pollen was 95.81% and 3.44% separately.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results indicate that some abnormalities of meiotic behavior and pollen development are main reasons for inducing microspore abortion during its development.</p>
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Liriope Plant , Cell Biology , Physiology , Meiosis , Physiology , Plants, Medicinal , Cell Biology , Physiology , Pollen , PhysiologyABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants and antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods Patients were divided into anticoagulant group (warfarin) and antithrombotie group (aspirin or clopidogrel) based on the initial treatment. The prothrombin time (PT), activated clotting time (ACT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fihrinogen (FIB), thrombin time (TT), coagulation factor Ⅱ,Ⅴ,Ⅶ,Ⅷ,Ⅸ, and Ⅹ,fibrin degradation product (FDP) and D-dimer were tested at baseline and after therapy in both groups. Results The average treatment period was 44.2±37.5 months in antithrombotic group and 39.0±61.5 months in anticoagulant group. There were six cases of isehemic stroke, one acute artery embolism in right lower limb and three gastrointestinal bleeding in antithrombotic group, while two gastrointestinal bleeding and two fatal hemorrhagic stroke in anticoagulant group. The results of PT, ACT, INR, APTT, FIB, TT, coagulation factor Ⅱ,Ⅴ ,Ⅶ, Ⅷ,Ⅸ,Ⅹ,FDP and D-dimer had no significant differences compared with the baseline in antithrombotic group. However, there were significant increase in PT and INR [(8.4±7.5)s and (0. 93±0. 83)s, both P<0. 05)], and significant decrease in ACT, coagulation factor Ⅱ,Ⅶ, Ⅸ and Ⅹ (all P<0. 05) in anticoagulant group. Conclusions Anticoagulant therapy may he effective in prevention of ischemic stroke in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. However, it may slightly increase the hemorrhage incidence. The overall adverse events were not significantly reduced.
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Objectives To evaluate the effect of thyroid hormone therapy with low dose of thyroxin on cardiac function in elderly patients with heart failure and sick euthyroid syndrome. Methods Forty-seven patients (33 males and 14 females, mean age 85.9+4.6 years,ranging from 80 to 99 years) with chronic heart failure (NYHA Ⅱ-Ⅳ) and low triiodothyronine (T3) state were randomly allocated to the treatment group or control group. The treatment group patients received oral administration of levothyroxine sodium (Euthyrox) 25-50mg/d in addition to conventional therapy of heart failure, whereas patients in control group were given conventional therapy only. Serum level of total T3 (TT3), free T3 (FT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined. For both groups, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke volume (SV) were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography before and at 8 weeks after treatment. The changes of these parameters after the treatment were evaluated by adjusting heart rate in the two groups. Results The reduced serum T3 level in the treatment group was corrected after thyroid hormone therapy,and these patients had a significant improvement in cardiac function after treatment. By contrast, in the control group only changes of serum TT3 and TT4 levels and SV and LVEF after treatment were statistically significant. The heart rate-adjusted mean SV and LVEF in both groups were also increased, which was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion In the elderly patients with heart failure and sick euthyroid syndrome, addition of thyroxine at a low dosage to the conventional treatment could effectively improve the low T3 state and cardiac function independent of changes of heart rate.
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BACKGROUND: As a stressor, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)caused great psychological pressure during its outbreak in 2003 and SARSpatients suffered a sustained psychological stress. Investigation of the correlation of SARS onset with its psychology and etiology is now ongoing and the roles that the psychological factors might play in the disease course of SARS remain undefined.OBJECTIVE: To study the psychological status of SARS patients in the recovery stage so as to provide evidence to assist the resolution of their psychological problems.DESIGN: A sampling survey based on SARS patients.SETTING: Department of Rehabilitation with Breathing Exercise, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.PARTICIPANTS: SARS patients in the recovery stage, whose conditions were controlled and showed signs of improvement, were selected from the Third Disease Department and other departments, Beijing Geriatrics Hospital between April and June in 2003.INTERVENTIONS: Psychological status of SARS patients in the recovery stage was assessed with Symptom Check List (SCL-90) and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Psychological statrs of SARS patients in the recovery stage;②differences of SCL-90 scores of SARS patients in the recovery stage in relation to sexes ,ages and education.RESULTS:①The somatization symptom scores of SARS patients in recovery stage in relation to sexes, ages and education.ery stage were significantly higher than norm( P ＜ 0.05), but those for compulsion, personal relationship, hostility and paranoia were significantly( P ＜ 0.05)②The somatization and anxiety scores of female patients were significantly higher than the female norm. Except somatization and psychoticism, the other factors of male patients had lower scores than norm. Moreover, the scores of SCL-90, somatization, anxiety and phobia in male SARS patients were significantly lower than those in female patients.③All factors in the aged group(50-60) scored less than those in other age groups, but scores for anxiety and somatization in patients between 30 -40years of age were obviously higher than those in other age groups, suggesting greater inpact of these two factors in these age group.④Patients receiving higher education had significantly lower scores for all factors except for somatization and anxiety than those with lower education.⑤Patients who used negative coping style had higher scores for all factors in SCL-90 than those who used positive coping style.CONCLUSION: The psychological status of SARS patients in the recovery stage are basically normal, but the anxiety of the female patients can be increased obviously, and the patients with lower education and those who use negative coping style have significant different psychology from other patients.