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@#Objective To investigate the effects of Niuhuang (Bovis Calculus, BC) and Shexiang (Moschus) (BC-Moschus) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells SMMC-7721 and a nude mouse model of subcutaneous xenografts, and to explore its anti-HCC mechanism. Methods The BC-Moschus combination was applied to two liver cancer models in vivo and in vitro. SMMC-7721 was divided into the BC-Moschus group and the control group, and different doses (rude drug dosage 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL) of BC-Moschus extract were used for the intervention. The proliferation ability of HCC cells was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the migration ability was detected by a wound healing assay. A subcutaneous xenograft model was prepared using nude mice with human HCC. Specific pathogen-free-grade BALB/c nude mice (5-week-old) were randomly divided into the following groups (n = 6 per group): control (0.9% physiological saline 0.2 mL/d), BC-Moschus [BC 45.5 mg/(kg·d)+ Moschus 13 mg/(kg·d)], and cisplatin (DDP, intraperitoneal injection 5 mg/kg per week) groups. All groups were administered for 14 d. The volume and mass of the subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice were observed. The expression levels of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway, apoptosis-associated factor p70 S6 Kinase (S6K), Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in nude mice subcutaneous xenografts were measured by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Terminal Deoxynucleotidy Transferase-Mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) was used for quantitative analysis of apoptotic cells. Results The CCK-8 assay demonstrated that the BC-Moschus combination inhibited HCC cell proliferation in a superior manner to the use of BC and Moschus alone, and the inhibition effect was dose- and time-dependent (P < 0.01). The wound healing assay showed that the BC-Moschus combination inhibited HCC cell migration (P < 0.01). In the subcutaneous xenograft model of nude mice with human HCC, we found that the tumor volume and weight of the BC-Moschus group were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01). The levels of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and S6K protein in the BC-Moschus and DDP groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). The expression level of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 was downregulated (P < 0.05), and the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax and apoptosis-related factors caspase-3 and caspase-9 were significantly upregulated (P < 0.01). The TUNEL assays further confirmed that the combination of the BC-Moschuas could promote HCC (P < 0.01). Conclusion The BC-Moschus combination inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of HCC cells SMMC-7721 and effectively inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice. The mechanism may be closely related to the downregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, regulation of apoptosis-related protein caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2, and Bax expression, and promotion of apoptosis.
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ABSTRACT: Herbicide application is an effective weed control method for mitigating crop yield loss; however, herbicide overuse can cause toxicity in non-target plants. The present study evaluated the effects of glufosinate at recommended dose for agricultural application (0.45 kg ha-1) and at overuse dose (0.90 kg ha-1) glufosinate application on photosynthetic performance and nitrogen assimilation of the rapeseed varieties D148 and Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11). Both glufosinate concentrations significantly decreased the content of chlorophyll and nitrogenous compounds, except free proline, and the activity of glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase, and increased the activity of glutamic acid dehydrogenase in both varieties. When the concentration of glyphosate was 0.45kg ha-1, the nitrogen assimilation of the two varieties decreased, which indicated that the recommended dosage inhibited the nitrogen assimilation of the two varieties; however, the increase of net photosynthetic rate of D148 and the decrease of that of ZS11 mean that D148 is more tolerant to the recommended dose of glyphosate than ZS11. The 0.90 kg ha-1 dosage was toxic to both rapeseed varieties. Overall, our results indicated that herbicide overuse inhibited the photosynthetic rate and nitrogen assimilation in rapeseed seedlings, and it is essential to apply a suitable glufosinate dose based on the variety grown to minimize adverse effects on crops and environment.
RESUMO: A aplicação de herbicidas é um método eficaz de controle de ervas daninhas para mitigar a perda de produtividade das culturas. No entanto, o uso excessivo de herbicidas pode causar toxicidade em plantas não alvo. O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos da dose recomendada para aplicação agrícola (0.45 kg ha-1) e dose excessiva (0.90 kg ha-1) de glufosinato no desempenho fotossintético e assimilação de nitrogênio das variedades de colza D148 e Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11). Ambas as concentrações de glutamato diminuíram significativamente o teor de clorofila e compostos azotados, exceto a prolina livre, e a atividade de síntese da glutamina e de síntese de glutamato, e aumentaram a atividade de desidrogenase do ácido glutâmico em ambas as variedades. Quando a concentração de glifosato foi 0.45 kg ha-1, a assimilação de azoto das duas variedades diminuiu, o que indicou que a dosagem recomendada de glifosato inibiu a assimilação de azoto das duas variedades de colza. Entretanto, a taxa fotosintética líquida do D148 aumentou enquanto o do ZS11 diminuiu, o que significa que o D148 é mais tolerante a dose recomendada de glifosato do que o ZS11. A dose de 0.90 kg ha-1 de glifosato foi prejudicial para as mudas de duas variedades de colza. Em geral, os nossos resultados indicam que o uso excessivo de glufosinato inibe a taxa fotossintética e a assimilação de nitrogênio em mudas de colza, sendo essencial aplicar uma dose adequada deste herbicida com base na variedade cultivada para minimizar os efeitos adversos nas culturas e no meio ambiente.
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We determined the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in patients undergoing radical surgery for gastric carcinoma. Sixty patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma in Lishui Hospital between March and October 2016 were randomized to receive either ERAS (30 patients) or conventional care (30 patients, controls). Clinical, economic, and laboratory indices were analyzed. ERAS patients showed faster recovery and shorter postoperative hospital stays than the controls (P<0.05). Some clinical indices (i.e., time to first flatus and defecation, time to removal of drainage tubes, time to resumption of oral feeding, time to postoperative mobilization, and postoperative complications) were significantly better in ERAS patients than in controls. Duration of postoperative infusion was lower in ERAS patients than in controls (P<0.05). In ERAS patients, serum albumin and prealbumin were higher on postoperative day 7, C-reactive protein was lower on postoperative days 3 and 7, and neutrophil count was lower on postoperative day 3 compared to the values in controls (P<0.05 for all). IgM levels were higher in ERAS patients on postoperative days 3 and 7 (P<0.05), while IgG levels were higher on postoperative day 3 (P<0.05). Total T lymphocytes were higher in ERAS patients on postoperative day 3, while helper T cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were higher on postoperative days 3 and 7 (P<0.05 for all). In gastric carcinoma patients, ERAS may reduce perioperative inflammation, improve immunity and postoperative nutrition, shorten hospitalization, and enhance rehabilitation.
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Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Stomach Neoplasms/surgery , Gastrectomy/rehabilitation , Time Factors , Case-Control Studies , Treatment Outcome , Recovery of Function , Length of Stay , Neoplasm StagingABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanisms of Qianjing Decoction in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia (OAS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 100 SPF male rats into five groups of equal number: normal, model, Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qiangjing. OAS models were established in the animals followed by intragastrical administration of normal saline, ornidazole, Huangjingzanyu Capsules (200 mg per kg body weight per day), levocarnitine (100 mg per kg body weight per day), and Qianjing Decoction (10 g per kg body weight per day), respectively, qd, for 4 successive weeks. Then, we detected the concentration and motility of the epididymal sperm, obtained the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), α-glucosidase, and fructose in the epididymis, and determined the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the epididymal tissue of the rats by real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The concentration and motility of the epididymal sperm in the model, Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qianging groups were (35.34 ± 4.22) x 10(6)/ml and (40.04 ± 7.05)%, (48.12 ± 5.56) x 10(6)/ml and (62.46 ± 7.12)%, (47.14 ± 4.87) x 10(6)/ml and (63.23 ± 6.34)%, and (50.25 ± 5.08) x 10(6)/ml and (66.34 ± 7.58)%, respectively, all significantly lower than in the normal group ([53.05 ± 4.55] x 10(6)/ml and [70.20 ± 8.54]%) (P < 0.05), but remarkably higher in the Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qiangjing groups than in the model rats (P < 0.05). Compared with the thinned epididymal lumen walls, decreased sperm count, and disorderly and loose arrangement of the lumens in the OAS models, the rats in the Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qiangjing groups showed evidently thicker epididymal lumen walls, with the lumens full of sperm cells and arranged regularly and compactly, similar to those of the normal rats. The levels of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly lower but that of MDA markedly higher in the model rats ([84.12 ± 23.25], [10.56 ± 3.02], and [14.04 ± 2.06] nmol/mg) than in the normal group ([110.04 ± 19.56], [17.25 ± 3.56], and [8.87 ± 1.35] nmol/mg) (P < 0.05), while the former two indexes remarkably higher and the latter one significantly lower in the animals treated with Qiangjing Decoction ([120.56 ± 23.68], [16.34 ± 3.12], and [8.45 ± 1.56] nmol/mg), Huangjingzanyu Capsules ([115.34 ± 21.35], [15.23 ± 3.67], and [8.33 ± 1.54] nmol/mg), and levocarnitine ([116.67 ± 22.67], [15.35 ± 3.45], and [8.05 ± 1.78] nmol/mg) than in the models (P < 0.05). The levels of fructose, LDH and α-glucosidase were decreased markedly in the OAS models ([100.22 ± 12.12] mg/[ ml x g], [322 ± 46.13] U/[ ml x g], and [10.48 ± 2.33] U/[ml x g]) as compared with the normal rats ([128.12 ± 13.45] mg/[ml x g], [428 ± 35.12] U/[ml x g], and [15.34 ± 3.12] U/[ ml x g]) (P < 0.05), remarkably higher in the rats treated with Qiangjing ([130.23 ± 13.67] mg/[ml x g] [455 ± 51.50] U/[ml x g], and [18.56 ± 4.67] U/[ml x g]), Huangjingzanyu ([124.16 ± 14.02] mg/[ml x g], [ 419 ± 43.14] U/[ml x g], and [17.64 ± 4.08] U/[ml x g]), and levocarnitine ([123.34 ± 14.02] mg/[ml x g], [430 ± 31.80] U/ [ml x g], and [16.85 ± 5.55] U/[ml x g]) than in the models (P < 0.05). The Nrf2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in the models as compared with the normal rats (P < 0.05) but remarkably increased in the Huangingzanyu, Qiangjing and levocarnitine groups as compared with the model and normal animals (P < 0.05). The SDH mRNA expression was significantly lower in the model than in the normal rats (P < 0.05) but markedly elevated in the Huangjingzanyu, Qiangjing and levocarnitine groups as compared with the model and normal animals (P < 0.05), remarkably higher in the Qiangjing than in the Huangjingzanyu group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ornidazole induces OAS in rats, which is closely associated with excessive oxidation and energy metabolism dysfunction. Qiangjing Decoction can improve and even reverse ornidazole-induced OAS in rats as well as improve the ultrastructure of their testicular and epididymal tissues. Antioxidation and improvement of energy metabolism are probably the action mechanisms of Qiangjing Decoction in the treatment of OAS.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Antioxidants , Asthenozoospermia , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Carnitine , Pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Energy Metabolism , Epididymis , Metabolism , Glutathione Peroxidase , Metabolism , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Metabolism , Malondialdehyde , Metabolism , Oligospermia , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Ornidazole , Random Allocation , Sperm Count , Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa , Physiology , Succinate Dehydrogenase , Metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase , Metabolism , alpha-Glucosidases , MetabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Retinoid X receptor (RXR) plays a central role in the regulation of intracellular receptor signaling pathways. The activation of RXR has protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis of H9c2 ventricular cells in rats. But the protective effect and mechanism of activating RXR in cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative iniury are stillunclear. METHODS:The model of H/R injury was established through hypoxia for 2 hours and reoxygenation for 4 hours in H9c2 cardiomyocytes of rats. 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis RA) was obtained as an RXR agonist, and HX531 as an RXR antagonist. Cultured cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into four groups:sham group, H/R group, H/R+9-cis RA -pretreated group (100 nmol/L 9-cis RA), and H/R+9-cis RA+HX531-pretreated group (2.5 μmol/L HX531). The cellviability was measured by MTT, apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes by flow cytometry analysis, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by JC-1 fluorescent probe, and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-9 with Western blotting. Allmeasurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation, and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Dunnett test. Differences were considered significant whenP was <0.05. RESULTS:Pretreatment with RXR agonist enhanced cellviability, reduced apoptosis ratio, and stabled ΔΨm. Dot blotting experiments showed that under H/R stress conditions, Bcl-2 protein level decreased, while Bax and cleaved caspase-9 were increased. 9-cis RA administration before H/R stress prevented these effects, but the protective effects of activating RXR on cardiomyocytes against H/R induced oxidative injury were abolished when pretreated with RXR pan-antagonist HX531. CONCLUSION:The activation of RXR has protective effects against H/R injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes of rats through attenuating signaling pathway of mitochondria apoptosis.
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Objective To know the effects of electronic medical records(EMR) on the training quality of intern doctors' history-collecting and medical-records writing.Methods 195 students from Nantong University,Suzhou University and Xuzhou medical college were chosen as the subjects.For better effects,we divided the 195 students into two groups,81 students of Grade 2007 as the control group(hand-written medical record group) and 114 students of Grade 2008 as study group (electronic medical record group).The control group was arranged to complete EMR by transcribing the teacher's handwriting records into formal medical records after teachers' guidance and modification while the study group was arranged to write and directly modify the records on computer under the guidance of teachers and submit them for formal records.After the teaching,the medical record writing quality of two groups of interns was conducted centralized assessment to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of electronic medical records on the training of interns' collection and writing ability.SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis,with count data using the number(percentage) and measurement data using mean +/-standard deviation.Measurement data of two groups of medical record writing scores were compared with t test,test level for α=0.05.Results The result of handwritten group was significantly better than EMR group(t=6.33,P＜0.001),which indicated training effectiveness of intern doctors' ability of writing medical record had digressive tendency on EMR group.Conclusion Negative effects of EMR are shown in intern doctors' history-collecting and medical-records writing.Cultivation quality of intern doctors' history-collecting and medical-records writing should be ensured by the combination of EMR and handwriting-medical training,the combination of daily inspection and key examination of medical record writing quality and establishment of feedback-rectification mechanism.