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Circadian rhythm is an internal regulatory mechanism formed in organisms in response to the circadian periodicity in the environment, which modulates the pathophysiological events, occurrence and development of diseases, and the response to treatment in mammals. It significantly influences the susceptibility, injury, and recovery of ischemic stroke, and the response to therapy. Accumulating evidence indicates that circadian rhythms not only regulate the important physiological factors of ischemic stroke events, such as blood pressure and coagulation-fibrinolysis system, but also participate in the immuno-inflammatory reaction mediated by glial cells and peripheral immune cells after ischemic injury and the regulation of neurovascular unit(NVU). This article aims to link molecular, cellular, and physiological pathways in circadian biology to the clinical consequences of ischemic stroke and to illustrate the impact of circadian rhythms on ischemic stroke pathogenesis, the regulation of NVU, and the immuno-inflammatory responses. The regulation of circadian rhythm by traditional Chinese medicine is reviewed, and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in circadian rhythm is summarized to provide a reasonable and valuable reference for the follow-up traditional Chinese medicine research and molecular mechanism research of circadian rhythm.
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Animals , Ischemic Stroke , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Circadian Rhythm , Blood Coagulation , Blood Pressure , MammalsABSTRACT
Trionycis Carapax is a commonly used Chinese medicine in clinical practice. Modern research on Trionycis Carapax mainly focuses on experimental research and clinical observation， which has been rarely reported in the literature. Based on the literature on medicinal herbs， medical books， prescriptions of all dynasties， this study carried out systematic textual research on the historical evolution and changes of the name， origin， producing areas， quality， efficacy， indications， processing methods， and contraindications of the Trionycis Carapax. As revealed by the textual analysis， the origin of Trionycis Carapax is Trionyx sinensis， and the carapace of T. steindachneri is not suitable for the preparation of Trionycis Carapax. The genuine producing areas of Trionycis Carapax include Yueyang， Jingzhou， southeast Anhui， and western Jiangsu in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze river. Regarding the quality， the number of ribs of Trionycis Carapax， such as seven ribs and nine ribs， is often used as the quality evaluation standard in ancient Chinese herbal books. However， through literature research and field inspections on the medicinal material markets， it is not advisable to take rib number as a quality evaluation criterion in modern times. With the change of the times， the efficacy and indications of Trionycis Carapax have gradually expanded on the basis of Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica （Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing）， and later generations widely apply it in internal medicine， surgery， gynecology， pediatrics， etc. It should be noted that the treatment of labor heat and bone steaming by Trionycis Carapax is derived from Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica， not Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Herbs （Yao Xing Lun） mentioned in ancient books such as Amplification on Materia Medica （Ben Cao Yan Yi）. The processing methods of Trionycis Carapax are diverse， which are dominated by traditional vinegar processing. In terms of contraindications， Trionycis Carapax should not be compatible with bauxite and marble and is contraindicated in pregnant women. Those with spleen deficiency， weak stomach， and liver deficiency without heat should use it with caution. This study is expected to provide the basis for radical reform and further development and clinical utilization of Trionycis Carapax.
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Objective@#To explore the associations of aggressive behavior with self-esteem with suicide risk in college students.@*Methods@#A total of 4 154 college students in Suzhou, Hefei and Ma’anshan were enrolled in our study by multistage cluster sampling method during October to December 2017. Demographic characteristics, suicide risk, aggression and self-esteem of participants were evaluated by Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire-Chinese Version (AQ-CV) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Questionnaire separately. Aggression and self-esteem were divided into three levels, high (> P 75 ), medium ( P 25 - P 75 ) and low (< P 25 ) level, according to the percentile of the questionnaire score. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to examine the associations of aggression and self-esteem with suicide risk, and to explore gender difference.@*Results@#The gender differences were found in suicide risk, aggressive behavior and self-esteem( χ 2=80.21, 26.47, 26.51 , P <0.01). More girls reported suicide ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt compared to girls( χ 2=33.03, 25.11, 15.71 , P <0.01). Compared with boys, the detection rate of suicide ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt of girls were higher( P <0.01). The high aggressive behavior and low self-esteem was correlated with increased risk of suicide, and the interaction effects of aggressive behavior and self-esteem on suicide risk was found. The students with high aggressive behavior and low self-esteem had a higher suicide risk, the multiple adjusted odds ratio was 19.39 (95% CI =11.10-33.87). Gender difference was not found in the associations of aggressive behavior and self-esteem with suicide risk ( P >0.05).@*Conclusion@#Aggressive behavior and self-esteem are correlated with suicide risk in college students.
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Cerebral infarction is a clinical disease with corresponding neurological symptoms caused by cerebral ischemia and hypoxia caused by cerebral blood supply disorder. It is one of the most common cerebrovascular diseases and a serious threat to human health. The prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction has an important social significance. Angiogenesis is the key starting point for medical treatment of cerebral infarction, and signal transduction and transcriptional activators (STAT)/hypoxia inducing factor-1(HIF-1)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway are important pathways to mediate angiogenesis after cerebral infarction. This paper took the angiogenesis as the starting point and the upstream molecules of STAT/HIF-1/VEGF signal pathway STAT3 and miRNA as the main study objects, and comprehensively discussed the results of chip sequencing, experimental research, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pathogenesis and TCM treatment. Based on the regulatory mode of "TF-miRNA" and the idea of "micro-whole", it is suggested that under the guidance of the basic theory of TCM, cubic compound prescriptions of TCM and its active components might activate the STAT/HIF-1/VEGF signal pathway through STAT3/miRNA feedback loop to promote angiogenesis after cerebral infarction, which puts forward a deep molecular mechanism and new direction for the treatment of cerebral infarction with TCM.
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Aim: To observe the expression changes of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and receptor TrkB in trigeminal ganglion (TG) of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) rats. Methods: Animal model of TN was established using the infraorbital nerve chronic injury compression model (ION-CCI). The sham operation group (sham group) and the TN model group were composed of randomly divided 180 - 220 g SD male rats. The mechanical threshold of the injury side of the two groups was determined. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), immunohistochemistry and immunfluorescence methods were used to detect the expression of BDNF, TrkB, pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-1B in the injured TGs. Results: After two weeks of modeling, the mechanical pain threshold was significantly down-regulated in TN group compared to sham group (P<0. 05). The expression of BDNF and TrkB in TGs of TN group was significantly higher than that in sham operation group. Besides, the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-a and IL-1β also significantly increased in TGs of TN group compared with sham group (P < 0. 05). Conclusions: The expression of BDNF and TrkB in TG of ION-CCI rats increases in trigeminal neuralgia group, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia and promote the pain transmission of trigeminal neuralgia.
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Objective To explore the sensitivity of Culex pipiens pallens to common chemical insecticides in the southwestern region of Shandong Province, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the development of reasonable and effective mosquito control measures. Methods The resistance of Cx. pipiens pallens larvae to 5 chemical insecticides, such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin, DDVP, propoxur, and acetofenate were tested by using the WHO biological test method in 2018, and the co-toxicity coefficients after compounding the above-mentioned insecticides were tested by using a drug compounding method. Results The resistance indexes of Cx. pipiens pallens to cypermethrin, deltamethrin, DDVP, propoxur, and acetofenate in 3 cities were 144.43–557.54, 118.17–445.33, 6.44–19.00, 2.37–8.10, and 0.88–2.98, respectively, and expect the difference between the DDVP resistances of Cx. pipiens pallens in Jining City and Heze City was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), all the other differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The synergistic coefficients of cypermethrin + DDVP, cypermethrin + propoxur, DDVP + acetofenate, and propoxur + acetofenate were 199.58 – 456.95, 190.56 – 292.37, 123.32 – 319.24, and 192.31 – 367.32, respectively. The lower synergism was observed by using the mixture of DDVP + propoxur (synergistic coefficient: 99.87–108.36) . Conclusions After decades of chemical control, Cx. pipiens pallens in the southwestern region of Shandong Province has produced different degrees of resistance to common chemical insecticides. Therefore, comprehensive control measures should be taken to control mosquito breeding and prevent the development of insecticide resistance.
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Objective To examine the effect of low temperature on trehalose and trehalase levels in Culex pipiens pallens. Methods The fourth instar larvae and female adult mosquitoes of Cx. pipiens pallens were exposed at 4 ℃ for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h and 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 h, respectively. Then, the trehalose and trehalase contents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in mosquitoes. Results The contents of trehalose and trehalase significantly increased in the larval and female adult mosquitoes post-exposure to low temperature. The changing trend of trehalose levels was consistent in the larval and female adult mosquitoes, and the highest levels were (2.458 8 ± 0.379 2) mg/g and (2.825 7 ± 0.211 1) mg/g 3 h post-exposure to low temperature, respectively. The trehalose and trehalase levels fluctuated greatly within the first 6 h post-exposure to low temperature. Following adaptation for a period of time, the trehalose and trehalase levels remained at a relatively high level. Conclusion Low temperature may induce the production of trehalose and trehalase in Cx. pipiens pallens, and the trehalose and trehalase may play an important role in the improvement of the cold resistance.
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Objective@#To investigate the visual acuity of primary and middle school students in Ningxia by using decision tree model and logistic regression, and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of visual acuity.@*Methods@#Using stratified cluster sampling method, 3 257 children aged 7-18 years were randomly selected from Yinchuan and Wuzhong in Ningxia. Visual acuity test and questionnaire survey were conducted. The C 5.0 algorithm in Clementine12.0 and Logistic regression were used to analyze the factors associated with visual acuity.@*Results@#The overall rate of low vision of the middle school of Ningxia was 62.6%, with girls (68.1%) higher than that of boys(56.8%)(P<0.01). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of low vision among different educational stages(P<0.01), with high school students had the highest detection rate(82.2%). Results of decision tree C 5.0 algorithm showed that educational stage, gender, time to do homework after school and frequency of moderate intensity exercise per week associated with poor eyesight of primary and secondary school students. Logistic regression results showed that girls, the distance between the eyes and the computer display screen <66 cm(OR=1.24, 95%CI=1.00-1.52), and the distance between the eyes and the textbook when reading was less than one foot (OR=2.05, 95%CI=1.23-3.40) were positively associated with poor vision. Low grade students and homework time <2 hours after school (OR=0.76, 95%CI=0.62-0.92) were negatively associated with lower risk of poor vision.@*Conclusion@#Educational stage, gender and time of homework after school are associated with the visual acuity of primary and secondary school students in Ningxia. It is suggested that prevention of myopia should start from the low-grade students, reducing after-school work for primary and secondary school students, and increasing outdoor activities. All the girls should be encouraged to engage in more outdoor activities, to prevent the occurrence and development of myopia.
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Objective To examine the effect of low temperature on trehalose and trehalase levels in Culex pipiens pallens. Methods The fourth instar larvae and female adult mosquitoes of Cx. pipiens pallens were exposed at 4 ℃ for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h and 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 h, respectively. Then, the trehalose and trehalase contents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in mosquitoes. Results The contents of trehalose and trehalase significantly increased in the larval and female adult mosquitoes post-exposure to low temperature. The changing trend of trehalose levels was consistent in the larval and female adult mosquitoes, and the highest levels were (2.458 8 ± 0.379 2) mg/g and (2.825 7 ± 0.211 1) mg/g 3 h post-exposure to low temperature, respectively. The trehalose and trehalase levels fluctuated greatly within the first 6 h post-exposure to low temperature. Following adaptation for a period of time, the trehalose and trehalase levels remained at a relatively high level. Conclusion Low temperature may induce the production of trehalose and trehalase in Cx. pipiens pallens, and the trehalose and trehalase may play an important role in the improvement of the cold resistance.
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Objective To investigate the seasonal fluctuations of mosquitoes in Taibai Lake area of Jining City,and evaluate the application effects of two mosquito trapping tools(Gongfu Xiaoshuai mosquito lamp and WJ-C mosquito sampler),so as to provide references for the effective surveillance,prevention and control of local mosquito vectors.Methods The overnight cap-ture of mosquitoes with a man-bait net trap,Gongfu Xiaoshuai mosquito lamp,and WJ-C mosquito sampler was performed to col-lect mosquitoes.The species of adult mosquitoes and seasonal fluctuations were investigated and analyzed.Results A total of 10 914 mosquitoes belonging to 13 species,5 genera were collected with the overnight capture of mosquitoes with the man-bait net trap,and Culex tritaeniorhynchus,Cx.pipiens palllen and Mansonia uniformis were the dominant species,accounting for 77.41％of the total.The proportion of Coquillettidia ochracea increased significantly.All the adult mosquitoes appeared in June,and reached the density peak in July and August.Both of the two surveillance tools showed relatively sensitive capture perfor-mance against mosquitoes.The trapping results of WJ-C mosquito sampler were basically the same as the man-bait trapping meth-od,however,the amount of Mansonia uniformis and Coquillettidia ochracea collected by Gongfu Xiaoshuai mosquito lamp was significantly lower than that of the man-bait trapping method.Conclusions The mosquito species are varied in Taibai Lake area of Jining City.Therefore,monitoring should be strengthened.In addition,the two mosquito trapping tools are sensitive,but they have both advantages and disadvantages,thus we should better pay attention to the consistency of monitoring methods in use.
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Objective To explore the characteristics of gene sequence of mtDNA-COⅠof Culex pipiens pallens from differ-ent geographical regions in Shandong Province and different resistant strains from the lab and five common mosquito species, and analyze the genetic diversity of these mosquitoes.Methods Adult mosquitoes were collected from Jinan,Jining,Qingdao cities and other places in Shandong Province.The sensitive,dichlorvos-resistant,pyrethroid-resistant and propoxur-resistant strains were reared in the lab.Five species of mosquito(Cx.pipiens pallens,Cx.tritaeniorhynchus,Anopheles sinensis,Aedes al-bopictus,and Armigeres subalbatus)were collected from Jining City and identified in the lab.mtDNA-COⅠwas specifically am-plified by PCR and sequenced.The gene sequences were compared and analyzed by the biological information systems,and the phylogenetic tree was constructed.Results The amplified mtDNA-COⅠfragments of Cx.pipiens pallens from eight different cit-ies and four different resistant strains were 528 bp in length,with 67.4% A+T contents and two mutation sites.The nucleotide se-quence homology among the different geographic strains was 99.95% and the gene sequences of the four resistant strains were the same,showing a high homogeny.The amplified mtDNA-COⅠfragments of the five species of mosquitoes were 528 bp with 408 conserved sites,120 variable sites,42 parsimony informative sites and 78 singleton sites. The A+T contents were between 65.7% and 68.0%.The nucleotide sequence homology among the different mosquito species was between 86.17% and 92.05%,and the molecular identification was consistent with the traditional morphological identification. The molecular phylogenetic study showed that the different species were clustered at their own branch at the species and genus levels,while genera Armiger-es was distantly related to the others.Conclusion mtDNA-COⅠcould not serve as the molecular marker to analyze the popula-tion genetic variation and phylogenesis of Cx.pipiens pallens from different geographical regions and different resistant strains, but it has species and genus specificities,which could be used for the identification of the mosquito species and genus.
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Objective Few studies are reported on the influence of perivascular space enlargement (PVSE) on the prognosis of cerebral infarction. This study was to investigate the clinical correlation of EPVS in the basal ganglia and central semiovale with the prognosis of the first acute cerebral infarction (ACI) with anterior circulation mild small-artery occlusion (SAO).Methods We treated 137 cases of the first ACI with anterior circulation mild SAO in Tangshan Gongren Hospital from August 2015 to October 2016. According to the scores on PVSE in the basal ganglia and central semiovale, we divided the patients into a mild PVSE (score: 0-1) and a severe PVSE group (score: 2-4). Based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NHISS) and the modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores, we classified the outcome of neurological function recovery as good (MRS≥2) and poor (MRS<2) and analyzed the risk factors for the poor prognosis of ACI by logistic regression analysis.Results There were 60 cases of severe and 77 cases of mild PVSE in the in the basal ganglia as compared with 57 cases of severe and 80 cases of mild PVSE in the in the central semiovale. Good prognosis was achieved in 97 cases while poor prognosis observed in 40. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for the poor prognosis of ACI included NHISS at the onset (OR=5.393, 95% CI: 1.858-15.654), hypertension (OR=3.729, 95% CI: 1.310-10.610), and the severity of PVSE in the basal ganglia (OR=3.137, 95% CI: 1.343-7.325).Conclusion For the first acute cerebral infarction with anterior circulation mild small-artery occlusion, the severity of PVSE in the basal ganglia is an important factor affecting the recovery of neurological function.
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Objective:To understand the status of literature overview and research trend in stigma,so as to provide reference for researchers of stigma.Methods:Using the GoPubMed database on-line analysis software,we searched the stigma articles by making bibliometric analysis of years,country and city distribution,source journals,research topics and the authors.Results:Totally 14 742 related literatures for stigma were collected to get the distribution of the top 20 high frequency words,core authors,core journals and the published countries (regions).They were retrieved with an increasing number year by year,among which the United States ranked the first in countries.The leading country in stigma research was the United States (5350,36％),followed by England (1338,9％),and China ranked the sixth (331,2％).Most of the 20 top journals about stigma research were from the United States and European countries.Conclusion:Further improvements are needed both in the quality and quantity of management in stigma in China.Domestic mental health workers do not pay enough attention to the study of shame,researchers need to study stigma further in patients with chronic disease.
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OBJECTIVE@#To conduct an analysis of the epidemiological changes in malaria that have occurred in Shanxian county from 2002 to 2016.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted and data were collected from web-based reporting system to explore the epidemiological characteristics in Shanxian county from 2002 to 2016. All individual case information was obtained from village malaria servicers organized by the local Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases.@*RESULTS@#A total of 133 cases were identified as malaria in Shanxian county during this period, including 124 indigenous cases (93.2%) and 9 imported cases (6.8%). The 124 indigenous malaria cases were infected with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax), whereas 7 of the 9 confirmed imported cases were infected with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), 1 was infected with Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale) and 1 patient was infected with P. falciparum mixed with P. vivax. The total number of malaria cases included 86 males (64.7%) and 47 females (35.3%). Age of the patients ranged from 1 to 83 years, although most (64.7%) infections occurred in the 21-to 60-year-old age group. Remarkably, 117 of the total malaria cases (98.0%) were reported from 2006 to 2011. The epidemic season was from June to October, with the peak occurring yearly from July to September. The most common occupation of the infected patients was farmer. In total, 58.1% of the cases occurred in 3 townships, namely, Fugang, Huanggang and Caozhuang.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In Shanxian county, the local malaria incidence experienced an emerge-peak-control-eliminate status. However, due to the numbers of migrant labourers returning from Africa, imported cases were continuous and presented an increasing annual trend, which became a non-negligible and a significant impediment for malaria elimination. Therefore, the need to eliminate instances of malaria reintroduction to receptive malaria-free areas should drive strategies to align with the epidemiological changes.
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AIM: To comparatively analyze the application of laser confocal microscopy and corneal smear in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis.METHODS: Totally 77 patients (77 eyes) diagnosed as fungal keratitis were selected.Laser confocal microscopy and corneal smear examination were performed to observe the characteristics of the images, and the detection rate of fungus were compared between the two methods.RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, 66 eyes (86%) were positive and 11 eyes were negative detected by laser confocal microscopy;51 eyes (66%) were positive and 26 eyes were negative detected by corneal smear examination, the difference was statistically significant compared between two group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Laser corneal confocal microscopy is relatively safe and sensitive.If combined the application of laser corneal confocal microscopy and corneal smear examination in clinical, the diagnosis rate of fungal keratitis may be improved.
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Objective To conduct an analysis of the epidemiological changes in malaria that have occurred in Shanxian county from 2002 to 2016. Methods A retrospective study was conducted and data were collected from web-based reporting system to explore the epidemiological characteristics in Shanxian county from 2002 to 2016. All individual case information was obtained from village malaria servicers organized by the local Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases. Results A total of 133 cases were identified as malaria in Shanxian county during this period, including 124 indigenous cases (93.2%) and 9 imported cases (6.8%). The 124 indigenous malaria cases were infected with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax), whereas 7 of the 9 confirmed imported cases were infected with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), 1 was infected with Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale) and 1 patient was infected with P. falciparum mixed with P. vivax. The total number of malaria cases included 86 males (64.7%) and 47 females (35.3%). Age of the patients ranged from 1 to 83 years, although most (64.7%) infections occurred in the 21-to 60-year-old age group. Remarkably, 117 of the total malaria cases (98.0%) were reported from 2006 to 2011. The epidemic season was from June to October, with the peak occurring yearly from July to September. The most common occupation of the infected patients was farmer. In total, 58.1% of the cases occurred in 3 townships, namely, Fugang, Huanggang and Caozhuang. Conclusions In Shanxian county, the local malaria incidence experienced an emerge-peak-control-eliminate status. However, due to the numbers of migrant labourers returning from Africa, imported cases were continuous and presented an increasing annual trend, which became a non-negligible and a significant impediment for malaria elimination. Therefore, the need to eliminate instances of malaria reintroduction to receptive malaria-free areas should drive strategies to align with the epidemiological changes.
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AIM: To discuss the protective effects and possible mechanisms of quercetin in oxidative damage of human retina pigment epithelium ( RPE) cells induced by H2 O2 .METHODS: RPE cells were subculture, and they were divided into negative control group: cultured with normal culture medium;oxidative injury group:100 μmol/L H2 O2 treated for 12h; quercetin low dose group: 100 μmol/L quercetin incubated for 24h then treated with 100 μmol/L H2 O2 for 12h; and quercetin high dose group:100 μmol/L quercetin incubated for 24h then treated with 100 μmol/L H2 O2 for 12h. Cell viability were tested by MTT colorimetric detection, apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, apoptotic cell morphology was observed by Hochest33258 staining, expression of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase ( SOD) and glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-Px) were tested by colorimetric detection. RESULTS: Quercetin inhibited H2 O2 - induced cell viability decreased in RPE cells, after treated with different concentrations of quercetin, RPE cells activity increased to (79. 67±4. 98)% and (83. 00±3. 60)%, which had statistical significance difference compared with oxidative damage group (48. 93±3. 39)% (P CONCLUSION:Quercetin effectively inhibited H2 O2 -induced RPE cells damage by improving cell antioxidant enzyme activity, which provide reliable experimental basis for the treatment of injuries in RPE cells.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the infection status of Leptospira in rodents on Heixiazi island Heilongjiang province in 2011.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 356 rodents were captured by night trap on the Heixiazi island from April to October 2011. The kidney tissue samples were collected by asepsis operation and the genomic DNA were extracted from them. Leptospira strains were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification of the 482 bp 23 S rDNA gene. Fifteen PCR products selected by the month were purified and sequenced by the methods of Sanger dideoxy, the sequences then compared with other Leptospira strains in Genebank, and phylogenetic analyses were drafted by software Mega 4.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 356 rodents, the dominant species were Clethrionomys rutilus (39.3%, 140/356) and Apodemus agrarius (36.0%, 128/356). The infection rate of Leptospira was 11.0%, with 39 rodent samples detected positive. All the rodent species were infected except for Rattus norvegicus. The infection rate was 9.4% (12/128) in Apodemus agrarius, 12.9%(18/140) in Clethrionomys rutilus, 10.8%(7/65) in Microtus fortis Buchner. No significant difference was found between the infection rate and the species of rodents by chi square test(χ(2) = 1.92, P > 0.05). Among months, the infection rate was 5.6% (4/72) in May, 8.8% (5/57) in June, 12.8% (5/39) in July, 9.8% (5/51) in August, 33.3% (11/33) in September, 22.5% (9/40) in October,but no infection in April. There was significant difference in infection in different months (χ(2) = 32.92, P < 0.05). All the Leptospira in rodents on the Heixiazi island were in the same phylogenetic branch with a high similarity of 97.1%-99.6%, close with the Australia strain U90865 by the similarity above 96.3%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leptospira is probably prevalent in rodents on the Heixiazi island, and the phylogene of the strains were similar. The infection rate in rodents was significantly different in months but not in hosts.</p>
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Animals , Rats , China , Leptospira , Leptospirosis , Murinae , Microbiology , PhylogenyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between auto-immune antibodies and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of Shen deficiency syndrome (SDS), thus providing clinical evidence for further researches on molecular biological mechanisms of RA patients of SDS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 451 RA patients were assigned to the SDS group and the non-SDS group. Their general conditions (including gender, age, duration, and age of onset), C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet (PLT), disease activities (DAS28), auto-antibodies [rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodies, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)] were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The scores for EST, PLT, and DAS28 were obviously higher in the SDS group than in the non-SDS group (P < 0.05, P <0. 01). (2) The level of average RF was (697.32 +/-1 061.38 IU/mL) in the SDS group, higher than that in the non-SDS group (439.91 +/- 672.24 IU/mL, P <0.01). There was no statistical difference in anti-CCP antibody between the two groups (P >0.05).(3) The ANA positive rate of RA patients was 29. 63% (120/405). It was 37.19% (74/199) in RA patients of SDS and 22. 33% (46/206) in RA patients of non-SDS, showing statistical difference between the two groups (P <0.01). (4) The odds ratio for high level RF positive and ANA positive was 1. 574 and 2. 059 folds in RA patients of SDS as high as that in RA patients of non-SDS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RA patients of SDS would have higher risk of having auto-immune antibodies, fastened development, more worsen joint damage, and more poor prognosis. Its mechanisms might be closely associated with autoimmune tolerance.</p>
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Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Blood , Diagnosis , Autoantibodies , Blood , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of Ca(2+) in nanosecond steep pulse (NSP)-induced apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The early apoptotic rate of SKOV3 cells treated with NSP was detected by Annexin V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. MTT assay was used to detect the viability of the cells pretreated with BAPTA-AM (0, 25, 50 and 100 µmol/L) chelation for 1 h to increase the intracellular free Ca(2+) prior to NSP exposure, and the cell morphological changes and caspase 12 expression were detected using Hoechst 33342 staining and Western blotting, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Flow cytometry showed that NSP induced early apoptosis of SKOV3 cells, and the optimal effect was achieved with the treatment parameter configuration of field strength of 90 kV/cm, pulse width of 100 ns, frequency of 1 Hz, and exposure time of 30 s. The highest early apoptotic rate and necrosis rate was (60.31∓5.67)% and (1.35∓0.39)%, respectively. Pretreatment with BAPTA-AM chelation prior to NSP exposure significantly increased the cell viability (P<0.05), and resulted also in lowered apoptosis rate and decreased expression of caspase 12 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NSP can induce apoptosis in SKOV3 cells. Increased intracellular free Ca(2+) functions as an important mediator in NSP-induced cell apoptosis, which may also involve Ca(2+)-mediated endo- plasmic reticulum pathway.</p>