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Objective To understand the current status of Chinese medical researchers' knowledge regarding the ethical norms of the research involving humans or laboratory animals,and provide reference for further improving the ethics review norms. Methods The questionnaire method was employed to survey the applicants for the 2019 projects supported by the Department of Medical Sciences,National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) about their knowledge of ethical requirements.Furthermore,the ethical supervision of the NSFC and affiliations at the project application and implementation stages was analyzed. Results The survey showed that 29.9% medical researchers were familiar with NSFC's ethical requirements for research involving human or laboratory animals.During the project application stage,59.0% affiliations adopted the simplified review method.Regarding the ethical supervison,95.5% medical researchers believed that the affiliations should fulfill the ethical supervision obligations and take relevant measures during the project implementation period.In addition,55.0% medical researchers fully agreed to discuss with the review experts about the ethical issues involved in the project. Conclusions The NSFC should establish rules and regulations to improve institutional management responsibilities and institutionalize the training about research ethics to comprehensively strengthening the training.Taking the management of research project ethics as a starting point,the NSFC should form a multi-party linkage between project funding and management and establish an accountability mechanism for ethics management.Furthermore,the NSFC should double the endeavors at the review of ethical issues during expert review and process management and attach importance to the research,judgment,and prevention of ethical risks.
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Humans , Foundations , Biomedical Research , China , Natural Science DisciplinesABSTRACT
Ski is an evolutionary conserved protein, which is involved in diverse cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transformation and tumor progression. In spinal cord injury, the activation of astrocytes and reactive astrocyte hyperplasia are important factors affecting the formation of glial scar after spinal cord injury. Ski is highly expressed after spinal cord injury, and acts on astrocytes through transforming growth factor-beta, mitogen-activated protein kinase and other signaling pathways, and regulates their activation, proliferation, migration and glial scar formation, providing a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
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The studies of Botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) are progressing in many fields. BoNT/A has been used in neurological disorders, such as pains, spasticity, dystonias and autonomic disorders, etc. The pharmacological interaction among BoNT/A, neuronal transport and protein has been explored, and promoted basic science studies.
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After spinal cord injury, the formation of glial scar related to the hypertrophy, proliferation and migration of astrocytes, and the increased expression of glial fibers acidic protein, vimentin and nestin, etc., and it may also inhibit the growth of neuron axon.
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Objective To observe the change of expression of neuroligin1 (NL1) in injured spinal cord in rats. Methods A total of 60 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and experi-ment group (n=30), and both groups were further arranged into three days, seven days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days subgroups. The control group accepted T9-11 laminectomy, while the experiment group was injured at T10 spi-nal cord hit by Allen's technique (10 g×25 mm). They were assessed with Basso, Beattie & Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB scale), in their time-points, while Golgi-Cox staining was used to observe the variation of den-drites and density of dendritic spine in the white matter located at upper end of spinal cord injured center, and im-munofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of NL1. Results The score of BBB scale reduced in the experiment group compared with that in the control group in every sub-group (P<0.001). Compared to the control group, both dendrites and density of dendritic spine in the white mat-ter decreased with time after injury (P<0.001), while the level of NL1 increased three days after injury, peaked on the 14th day after injury (P<0.05). Conclusion NL1 increases spontaneously after spinal cord injury, but it is not enough to promote synaptic regeneration.
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Volatile sulfur compounds ( VSCs) in the marine environment has significant implications for global climate change. In the present study, a gas chromatographic analytical method was set up to determine the concentrations of VSCs in seawater and atmosphere, and the optimized experimental conditions were established. For the analysis of VSCs in atmosphere, multistage traps and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ( GC-MS ) were used, with the precisions of 7. 7% -15. 1% and the detection limits of 0. 23-4. 7 ng. Moreover, for the analyses of VSCs in seawater, pre-concentration and gas chromatography coupled with flame photometric detector ( GC-FPD) were utilized, with the precisions of 3. 5%-5. 3% and the detection limits of 2. 5-3. 5 ng. This method was applied to analyze the VSCs in Qingdao coastal seawater and atmosphere, and the average concentrations of carbonyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfide and carbon disulfide in the seawater were (268 ± 58 ) , ( 1264 ± 278 ) , ( 19 ± 2 ) pmol/L, and ( 543 ± 39 ) , ( 29 ± 9 ) , ( 56 ± 20 ) ( ×10-12 , V/V) in the atmosphere, respectively.
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Volatile sulfur compounds ( VSCs) in the marine environment has significant implications for global climate change. In the present study, a gas chromatographic analytical method was set up to determine the concentrations of VSCs in seawater and atmosphere, and the optimized experimental conditions were established. For the analysis of VSCs in atmosphere, multistage traps and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ( GC-MS ) were used, with the precisions of 7. 7% -15. 1% and the detection limits of 0. 23-4. 7 ng. Moreover, for the analyses of VSCs in seawater, pre-concentration and gas chromatography coupled with flame photometric detector ( GC-FPD) were utilized, with the precisions of 3. 5%-5. 3% and the detection limits of 2. 5-3. 5 ng. This method was applied to analyze the VSCs in Qingdao coastal seawater and atmosphere, and the average concentrations of carbonyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfide and carbon disulfide in the seawater were (268 ± 58 ) , ( 1264 ± 278 ) , ( 19 ± 2 ) pmol/L, and ( 543 ± 39 ) , ( 29 ± 9 ) , ( 56 ± 20 ) ( ×10-12 , V/V) in the atmosphere, respectively.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major disease burden. Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) has been studied extensively in the context of cancer and the regulation of different types of stem cells, but the role of Wip1 in cardiac adaptation to MI is unknown. We investigated the significance of Wip1 in a mouse model of MI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study began in June 2014 and was completed in July 2016. We compared Wip1-knockout (Wip1-KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice to determine changes in cardiac function and survival in response to MI. The heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio and cardiac function were measured before MI. Mouse MI was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery under 1.5% isoflurane anesthesia. After MI, survival of the mice was observed for 4 weeks. Cardiac function was examined by echocardiography. The HW/BW ratio was analyzed, and cardiac hypertrophy was measured by wheat germ agglutinin staining. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to determine the infarct size. Gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the levels of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (stat3) and phosphor-stat3 (p-stat3) were also analyzed by Western blotting. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank test, unpaired t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Wip1-KO mice had a marginally increased HW/BW ratio and slightly impaired cardiac function before LAD ligation. After MI, Wip1-deficient mice exhibited increased mortality (57.14% vs. 29.17%; n = 24 [WT], n = 35 [Wip1-KO], P< 0.05), increased cardiac hypertrophy (HW/BW ratio: 7 days: 7.25 ± 0.36 vs. 5.84 ± 0.18, n = 10, P< 0.01, and 4 weeks: 6.05 ± 0.17 vs. 5.87 ± 0.24, n = 10, P > 0.05; cross-sectional area: 7 days: 311.80 ± 8.29 vs. 268.90 ± 11.15, n = 6, P< 0.05, and 4 weeks: 308.80 ± 11.26 vs. 317.00 ± 13.55, n = 6, P > 0.05), and reduced cardiac function (ejection fraction: 7 days: 29.37 ± 1.38 vs. 34.72 ± 1.81, P< 0.05, and 4 weeks: 19.06 ± 2.07 vs. 26.37 ± 2.95, P< 0.05; fractional shortening: 7 days: 13.72 ± 0.71 vs. 16.50 ± 0.94, P< 0.05, and 4 weeks: 8.79 ± 1.00 vs. 12.48 ± 1.48, P< 0.05; n = 10 [WT], n = 15 [Wip1-KO]). H&E staining revealed a larger infarct size in Wip1-KO mice than in WT mice (34.79% ± 2.44% vs. 19.55% ± 1.48%, n = 6, P< 0.01). The expression of IL-6 and p-stat3 was downregulated in Wip1-KO mice (IL-6: 1.71 ± 0.27 vs. 4.46 ± 0.79, n = 6, P< 0.01; and p-stat3/stat3: 1.15 ± 0.15 vs. 1.97 ± 0.23, n = 6, P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that Wip1 could protect the heart from MI-induced ischemic injury.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Echocardiography , Interleukin-1beta , Metabolism , Interleukin-6 , Metabolism , Mice, Knockout , Myocardial Infarction , Genetics , Metabolism , Pathology , Myocytes, Cardiac , Metabolism , Protein Phosphatase 2C , Genetics , Metabolism , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Metabolism , Ventricular RemodelingABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular mechanism responsible for apoptosis of PC-12 neuronal cells induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC12 cells were exposed to OGD for 24 h to simulate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Flow cytometry was employed detect the cell apoptosis, and the expresions of TRPM8, UCP4, cAMP and PKA in the exposed cells were detected with RT-PCR and Western blotting. The changes in the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, cAMP, PKA and UCP4 proteins were detected in the exposed cells in resposne to inhibition of TRPM8 and cAMP-PKA signal or over-expression of UCP4.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OGD for 24 induced obvious apoptosis in PC-12 cells and caused TRPM8 over-expression and inhibition of UCP4 and cAMP-PKA signaling. Inhibiting TRPM8 expression reduced the cell apoptosis and up-regulated cAMP, p-PKA and UCP4 in the cells exposed to OGD. In cells exposed to OGD, inhibition of TRPM8 and cAMP-PKA signaling suppressed the expressio of UCP4 and increased the cell apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TRPM8 mediates OGD-induced PC12 cell apoptosis through cAMP-PKA/UCP4 signaling.</p>
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Objective: To establish high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints of Siji Sanhuang Tablets (SST) and study the characteristic peaks identification and preparations-medicinal materials peak pattern matching. Methods: Similarity on 10 batches of SST from three manufacturers was estimated, and peak pattern matching of the original medicine was conducted. Sample extraction with methanol in ultrasonic condition (100 kHz, 30 min, 25℃) was carried out. HPLC-Diode Array Detector methods were developed to determine, detection wave length was set at 254 nm, HPLC mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution (gradient elute), volume flow-rate was delivered at 0.8 mL/min, and column temperature was kept at 25℃. Similarity measures such as included angle cosine and correlation coefficient were tested. Ten batches of samples were analyzed by SPSS 16.0. Results: The results showed that 19 common peaks were defined, the peaks No. 1, 2, 4, 17, and 18 were geniposide, berberine hydrochloride, baicalin, emodin, and chrysophanol, respectively, and peak pattern matching showed that SST had 11, 6, 2, and 1 matching peaks with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, and Phellodendri chinensis Cortex, respectively. The peak No. 9 belonged to Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix. The fingerprint similarity among the samples were all over 0.9. All the samples were classified into three categories. Conclusion: Peak matching fingerprints of preparations-medicinal materials established provide the effective methods for the identification and the quality control of SST.
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Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the TNF superfamily of structurally related cytokines and is known to induce proliferation, migration, differentiation, apoptotic cell death, inflammation, and angiogenesis. These physiological processes are induced by the binding of TWEAK to fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), a highly inducible cell-surface receptor that is linked to several intracellular signaling pathways, including the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. This review discusses the role of the TWEAK-Fn14 axis in several rheumatic diseases and the potential therapeutic benefits of modulation of the TWEAK-Fn14 pathway.
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Humans , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Cytokine TWEAK , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor , Physiology , Rheumatic Diseases , Scleroderma, Systemic , TWEAK Receptor , Tumor Necrosis Factors , PhysiologyABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the iodine nutrition status of the target population living in the areas with low coverage rate of iodized salt and to provide a basis to prevent and control iodine deficiency. Methods The investigation was carried out in the areas with coverage rate of iodized salt lower than 80%, including 7 counties (city, district). Three townships(sub-district office) were sampled in each county and two elementary schools in each township(sub-district office). Urinary iodine level was measured for 40 children aged from 8 to 10 years old in each elementary school. Drinking water iodine was collected and determined in their living villages. Twenty salt samples were tested for iodine in salt from 20 house which had fertile women, and urine iodine of 10 fertile women were tested in each village. Results Sixty-two water samples were determined and the water iodine was ranged from 5.8 to 272.7 μg/L, of which 3 water samples were equal and more than 150 μg/L. Eight hundred and seventy-two salt samples were collected. The coverage rate of iodized salt was 70.74%(585/827) and the coverage rates were below than 80% in 5 counties (city, district). A total of 1660 children' urine samples were collected, the content of urine iodine ranged from 10.0 to 1088.0 μg/L and the urine iodine median was 173.7 μg/L. Four hundred and thirty-seven urine samples were collected from the fertile women and the urine iodine median was 179.1 μg/L. The iodine level of children and women was the highest in Dongguang County(251.8,273.8 μg/L) while that of Hejian County (130.8,118.7 μg/L) was the lowest. Conclusions Although the iodine nutrition of children and fertile women is appropriate in areas with low coverage rate of iodized salt, we presume from the results that the possibility of iodine deficiency in pregnant and lactating women exists in Hejian and Anping.
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At present, the English translation of TCM terms of pulse picture are various, which would bring confusion to the study and research on TCM diagnostics. In this paper, four principles for the translation are suggested by the authors: to distinguish the nomenclature of term with its connotative explanation, to translate with commonly used words in general, to create new word with common affix and to differentiate the terms similar in meaning. The authors tried to make choice the best translation for each kind pulse picture, and explained the reasons for selection.
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Humans , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Pulse , Terminology as Topic , TranslationsABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on apoptosis of human fibrob- last-like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis (HFLS-RA) and to study the mechanism.Methods HFLS-RA were cultured with standard medium as control group or with mediums supplemented with 0.5,2,8?mol/L ATO respectively.The apoptosis of HFLS-RA cultured for 72 h with different concentrations of ATO were in- vestigated under electron microscope.Apoptosis exponent was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transf erase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL).To detect the proliferation of HFLS-RA euhured with ATO,MTr assay were carded out in 5 consecutive days.Moreover,the NF-kB mRNA level of HFLS-RA was measured by RT-PCR after treated with ATO for 24 h.Results ATO induced the apoptosis of HFLS-RA. Apoptosis exponent was increased in a dose dependent manner in TUNEL experiment,especially in the cells treated with 2 and 8?mol/L ATO (P＜0.05).HFLS-RA proliferation was inhibited in both dose and time de- pendent manner when cultured with ATO.Meanwhile,the NF-kB mRNA level was decreased in ATO treated groups,which was especially significant in mediums cultured in higher than 2?mol/L ATO (P＜0.05).Con- clusion ATO depresses the proliferation of HFLS-RA and may increase the apoptosis by decreasing the ex- pression of NF-kB mRNA.These findings suggest that ATO have the potential to be a novel therapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evoke more effective humoral and cell-mediated immunization against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HBsAg-primed mice were boosted with HBs-DNA vaccine, and HBs-DNA-primed mice were boosted with HBsAg vaccine. Anti-HBs level was assayed by ELISA and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was tested by lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) releasing method two weeks after the boosted immunization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Anti-HBs level and CTL responsive rate at the effector/target cell ratio of 100:1 were 0.38 and 36% in HBsAg/HBs-DNA vaccination group, 0.32 and 27% in HBs-DNA/HBsAg vaccination group, 0.48 and 1.5% in HBsAg/HBsAg vaccination group, 0.24 and 68% in HBs-DNA/HBs-DNA vaccination group, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Priming with HBs-DNA vaccine followed by boosting with conventional HBsAg vaccine results in greater antibody response (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), and CTL response after HBsAg vaccination can be improved by boosting with HBs-DNA vaccine (F = 165.59, P < 0.05). It brings to better efficacy by combining HBsAg vaccine with HBs-DNA vaccine.</p>