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The pandemic of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in Asia has caused enormous economic loss in poultry industry and human health threat, especially clade 2.3.4.4 H5 and H7 subtypes in recent years. The endemic chicken H6 virus in Taiwan has also brought about human and dog infections. Since wild waterfowls is the major AIV reservoir, it is important to monitor the diversified subtypes in wildfowl flocks in early stage to prevent viral reassortment and transmission. To develop a more efficient and sensitive approach is a key issue in epidemic control. In this study, we integrate multiplex reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for high-throughput detection and differentiation of AIVs in wild waterfowls in Taiwan. Four viral genes were detected simultaneously, including nucleoprotein (NP) gene of all AIVs, hemagglutinin (HA) gene of clade 2.3.4.4 H5, H6 and H7 subtypes. The detection limit of the developed detection system could achieve as low as one copy number for each of the four viral gene targets. Sixty wild waterfowl field samples were tested and all of the four gene signals were unambiguously identified within 6 h, including the initial sample processing and the final CE data analysis.The results indicated that multiplex RT-RPA combined with CE was an excellent alternative for instant simultaneous AIV detection and subtype differentiation. The high efficiency and sensitivity of the proposed method could greatly assist in wild bird monitoring and epidemic control of poultry.
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OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of Shenmai injection(SM) on p38MAPK and the apoptosis-related genes in lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) in rats and to investigate the protective mechanism of SM.@*METHODS@#Rat model of intestinal I/R injury was established with clamping of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 60 min and then clamping was relieved for 60 min. Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with eight rats in each: control group, intestinal ischemia/reperfusion group(I/R group), Shenmai injection treated group (SM+I/R group). Lung wet/dry weight ratio(W/D), the contents of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and total phospholipid(TPL) which are the major ingredients of pulmonary surfactant were measured, as well as the expression levels of p38MAPK, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in lung tissue were examined by using immunohistochemical method.@*RESULTS@#Compared with control group, lung W/D was significantly increased, the contents of PC and TPL were significantly decreased, the protein expression levels of p38MAPK, Bcl-2 and Bax were significantly increased in I/R group (all P＜0.01). But Bax protein expression was much greater than Bcl-2 protein expression, the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were significantly decreased in I/R group than that in control group (P＜0.01). Compared with I/R group, lung W/D was significantly decreased, while the contents of PC and TPL were significantly increased, the p38MAPK and Bax protein expression levels were significantly decreased in SM+I/R group (all P＜0.01); both Bcl-2 protein expression and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were significantly increased in SM+I/R group than those in I/R group (P＜0.01). The correlation analysis indicated that the expression level of p38MAPK protein in lung tissue was negatively correlated with the contents of PC and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax (r is -0.787 and -0.731, all P＜0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#SM can protect the lung injury induced by intestinal I/R injury, which may be mediated by inhibiting the activation of p38MAPK, improving the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax to inhibit lung apoptosis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Apoptosis , Drug Combinations , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Lung Injury , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 , Random Allocation , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Reperfusion Injury , bcl-2-Associated X Protein , p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases , MetabolismABSTRACT
At present, there are still no effective drugs launched for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and many drugs are being evaluated in clinical trials. These drugs have different mechanisms of action in treatment, such as improvement of glycolipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and improvement of intestinal microbiota. This article elaborates on the research and development of drugs from the following aspects: inflammatory response and immune activation, lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis and necrosis, collagen formation and degradation, and proliferation of intestinal microbiota.
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Objective To investigate the current situation of maternal self- efficacy of breastfeeding and explore its influencing factors in Zhengzhou. Methods Using the general condition questionnaires, breast feeding self-efficacy scale, perceived social support scale and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale to assess the situation of 180 puerperas by the convenience sampling in one obstetric hospital of Zhengzhou. Results The total score of maternal breast feeding self-efficacy was(114.04 ± 21.57)points.The frequency of delivery, the way of delivery and feeding ways, the average income of family were effected with breastfeeding self-efficacy. The total score of social support was(68.87 ± 10.43) points, the total score of puerperas depression was(7.61 ± 4.25) points.The social support score had positive correlation with breastfeeding self-efficacy(r=0.423, P<0.01). Puerperas depression had negative correlation with breastfeeding self- efficacy(r=- 0.342, P<0.01). Conclusions The maternal breastfeeding level in Zhengzhou was at a lower level. The level of maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scale was impacted by maternal social support degree, the degree of depression. Measures should be taken to enhance maternal social support degree, reduce the degree of depression, in order to improve the level of maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy.
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AIM To prepare the matrine nanoparticles and their wheat germ agglutinin-modified product.METHODS Double emulsification-solvent evaporation method was employed to prepare matrine nanoparticles.In consideration of influencing factors of ratio of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) to matrine,rotational speed and polyvinyl alcohol concentration,as well as the evaluation indices of particle size,potential,encapsulation efficiency and drug load,the preparation was optimized by central composite design.Wheat germ agglutinin-modified matrine nanoparticles were prepared by carbodiimide method.In addition to the influencing factors of ratio of carbodiimide to N-hydroxysuccinimide,wheat germ agglutinin addition and incubation time,evaluation indices of particle size,potential and modification rate were also taken into account in the preparation optimization by uniform design.RESULTS The optimal conditions for matrine nanoparticles were determined to be 0.594 ∶ 1 for ratio of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) to matrine,815 r/min for rotational speed,and 0.46％ for polyvinyl alcohol concentration.The average particle size,potential,encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were 112.04 nm,-15.38 mV,90.05％ and 27.14％,respectively.The optimal conditions for their wheat germ agglutinin-modified product were found to be 2.8 ∶ 0.12 for ratio of carbodiimide to N-hydroxysuccinimide,3 mg for wheat germ agglutinin consumption,and 14 h for incubation time.The average particle size,potential and modification rate were 474.7 nm,-5.2 mV and 69.51％,respectively.CONCLUSION The preparation techniques are reliable,and the matrine nanoparticles and their wheat germ agglutinin-modified product show their stable properties.
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The study aims at investigating the ecological environment Adiantum reniforme var. sinense of in Three Gorges Reservoir region, and providing a reference basis for the protection of resources and artificial cultivation of A. reniforme var. sinense. By using the method of investigation, field survey and experimental analysis, the vegetation, natural geographical environment, climate, soil nutrients of A. reniforme var. sinense were studied and analyzed. The survey found that A. reniforme var. sinense distribution area reduced fast in Three Gorges region, a lot of distribution has diminished and vanished due to excessive digging, currently only in 3 towns of Wanzhou there exist 4 wild distribution areas. The growth of A. reniforme var. sinense needs an environment with low altitude, steep slope and thin soil, northeast slope, canopy height and warm and humid climate characteristics, and the soil in distribution has the characteristics of high organic matter, available nitrogen, available potassium, and low available phosphorus content.
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Objective To investigate the history, current situation and ecological environment of Chongqing wild and cultivated Fritillaria taipaiensis resources; To provide references for protection and industrial development of Fritillaria taipaiensis resources. Methods Data query, on-the-spot investigation and follow-up survey were used in the study. Results Chongqing Fritillaria taipaiensis was in the medical records since 1843. Now 5 counties have wild Fritillaria taipaiensis resources and 6 districts have cultivated Fritillaria taipaiensis resources, with 6 typical ecological types. Conclusion Chongqing wild Fritillaria taipaiensis resources are wide distributed and with long history of medical usage. Chongqing is the original producing area of Fritillaria taipaiensis, which has been destroyed by human factors. Fritillaria taipaiensis resources in several districts have become extinct, however, the cultivated Fritillaria taipaiensis resources is developing rapidly.
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BACKGROUND: Because of the special structure of enamel fluorosis, the traditional bonding adhesives often lower the bonding strength and increase bracket loss rate, which affected the therapeutic effects seriously.OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical bracket loss rate differences among the 3 different bonding adhesives in treating moderate and severe dental fluorosis.METHODS: A total of 15 cases (total 288 teeth) with dental fluorosis were selected, including 6 males and 9 females, aged 13-26 years. All cases were randomly divided into 3 groups, and treated by using Beijing-Tianjin enamel adhesive bonding brackets,photo-curing-flowable Resin + Single Bond 2 adhesive bonding brackets and a small amount of dental fluorosis of enamel surfaces were ground and bonding bracket, the loss rate of brackets were observed.RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The total loss rates of the Beijing-Tianjin-enamel adhesive bonding bracket group, photo-curing flowable resin + Single Bond 2 adhesive bonding bracket group, and a small amount of dental fluoresis of enamel surfaces were ground and bonding bracket group were 65.6%, 20.5%, and 2.5%, respectively. There was significant difference in bracket loss rate among bonding adhesives (P< 0.01). It suggested that a small amount of surface enamel were ground and bonding bracket got the best effect, followed by photo-curing fiowable resin + Single Bond 2 adhesive bracket bonding group, both of them were significantly better than the Beijing-Tianjin-enamel adhesive bracket bonding group. Because veneering directly requires to grind part of the tooth structure which is difficult to accept for some patients, therefore, under the premise of not destroying the tooth structure, using photo-curing fiowable resin + Single Bond 2 adhesive bonding of brackets instead of the traditional Beijing-Tianjin enamel adhesive bonding of brackets can effectively reduce the loss rate of brackets for moderate and severe dental fluorosis.
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Objective To explore the roles of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and TGF-?1 in aldosterone-induced PAI-1 production.Methods Quiescent rat mesangial cells (MCs) were treated by aldosterone.The level of ROS in MCs induced by aldosterone was measured by confecal laser scanning microscopy and the TGF-?1 activity in the supematant of culture was measured by mink lung epithelial cell (Mvllu) proliferation inhibition MTT assay.Then,before the addition of aldosterone,MCs were pretreated with NAC or TGF-?1 neutralizing antibody to decrease cellular ROS or inhibit activity of TGF-?1 induced by aldosterone respectively.PAI-1 mRNA was examined by semi-quantification RT-PCR and PAI-1 protein by Western blotting.Results The intracellular ROS induced by aldosterone increased by 5-fold compared to that of control group,and the activity of TGF-?1 stimulated by aldosterone increased markedly.TGF-?1 neutralizing antibody and NAC effectively decreased aldosterone-induced PAI-1 mRNA expression by 30% and 32%,and PAI-1 protein expression by 21% and 11%,respectively.However,neither TGF-?1 neutralizing antibody nor NAC alone could regulate aldosterone-induced PAI-1 mRNA and protein expression to normal level in 24 hours.Conclusions ROS and TGF-?1 play important roles in up-regulation of aldosterone- induced PAI-1 in MCs.ROS and TGF-?1 are not the exclusive pathway of PAI-1 expression induced by aldosterone in MCs.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Contrast media administration can result in severe nephrotoxicity under pathological conditions such as diabetic nephropathy, congestive heart failure, dehydration, et al. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary hypercholesterolemia on contrast media-induced changes in renal function, blood flow, and histopathology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were fed either on a normal rodent diet (group N) or a high-cholesterol supplemented diet (group H; 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid) for 8 weeks. Half of the animals (n = 6) from each diet group were then given a tail vein injection of 60% diatrizoate (6 ml/kg; group NC and group HC) and the other half were administered saline. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, fractional excretion of sodium and potassium, and cortical nitric oxide production were determined one day following contrast media administration. Renal blood flow was determined by color Doppler flow imaging and pulsed-mode Doppler. Renal histopathology was observed by light microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total serum cholesterol and resistance indices of renal blood vessels increased significantly, while creatinine clearance rate and production of nitric oxide in the renal cortex decreased markedly in group HC and group H when compared to group N and group NC. The creatinine clearance rate decreased significantly in group HC compared to group H. Serum creatinine levels and fractional excretion of sodium and potassium in group HC were significantly higher than those in the other three groups. Severe tubular degeneration and necrosis, protein cast accumulation, and medullary congestion were found in group HC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for contrast media-induced nephropathy. Hypercholesterolemia aggravates contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity through the reduced production of nitric oxide.</p>
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Animals , Male , Rats , Cholesterol, Dietary , Toxicity , Contrast Media , Toxicity , Kidney Diseases , Lipids , Blood , Nitric Oxide , Rats, Wistar , Renal CirculationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Valeriana officinalis var latifolia(VOL) on expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in hypercholesterolemic rats and study its possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia was induced in male Wistar rats by given 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet for 16 weeks. Changes of serum lipid, urinary albumin, renal function and Mesangial matrix index were assessed. Moreover, immunohistochemical stain for TGF-beta 1 and type IV collagen were performed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>VOL could reduce the serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, urinary albumin and serum creatinine. Light microscopy and immunohistochemical stain revealed that in the same time of lowing serum lipid, Mesangial matrix index was significantly reduced, accompanied by decreased expression of TGF-beta 1 and type IV collagen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VOL has the protective effect on lipid-induced nephropathy, and the inhibition of TGF-beta 1 expression might be the mechanism of VOL on renal protection.</p>