Improvement effect of diterpene ginkgolides on acute tMCAO rats and chronic tMCAO rats / 药学学报

To study the cognitive effects of diterpene ginkgolides (DG), transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced rats were established. tMCAO-rats induced by suture method were divided into sham operation group, solvent control group, NBP group, DG group. The animal experiments in the present study were performed in accordance with the Ethical Guidelines of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Ethical Committee of Peking Union Medical College (00000646, 00000635). The effects of DG on tMCAO rats were evaluated by neurological severity score, cerebral infarction volume measurement, step-down and Morris water maze test. In the acute tMCAO rat model, 100 mg·kg-1 DG improved the neural score and infarction volume. In the chronic tMCAO rat model, DG 100 mg·kg-1 significantly improved the survival rate of tMCAO-induced rats. The Morris water maze results showed 100 mg·kg-1 DG decreased the latency of tMCAO-induced rats to find the platform, while the effect was weaker than the NBP. However, DG 30 mg·kg-1 did not show a significant effect. In conclusion, DG exerted a therapeutic effect on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Pharmacodynamic study of chiral oxiracetam on neuroprotection and anti-dementia / 药学学报

To compare the neuroprotective and anti-dementia pharmacological effects of chiral oxiracetam, glutamate and calcium ions were used to establish neuronal injury models in vitro, and the protective effects of chiral oxiracetam on primary neurons were assayed by MTT. Permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-VO)-induced rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, galantamine 3 mg‧kg-1 group, oxiracetam groups (30, 100 and 200 mg‧kg-1), S-oxiracetam groups (30, 100 and 200 mg‧kg-1) and R-oxiracetam 200 mg‧kg-1 group. The animal experiments in the present study were performed in accordance with the Ethical Guidelines of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Ethical Committee of Peking Union Medical College. Morris water maze and step-down test were applied to evaluate the cognitive dysfunction induced by cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. Oxiracetam, S-oxiracetam and R-oxiracetam exerted protective effects on primary neuronal damage caused by various stimuli, and oxiracetam and S-oxiracetam showed better neuro-protective effects. Morris water maze and step-down results showed that oxiracetam, S-oxiracetam and R-oxiracetam improved the cognition of 2-VO rats. In summary, S-oxiracetam exerted a better neuro-protective effect than oxiracetam and R-oxiracetam.

Progress in understanding the central nervous system pharmacology of the two-pore domain potassium channel TREK-1 / 药学学报

Two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P) make up a subfamily of potassium channels discovered in the 1990s, and TREK-1 is the most widely studied subtype of K2P. TREK-1 is widely expressed in the body and especially in the central nervous system, where its main role is to control cell excitability and maintain the membrane potential below the depolarization threshold. It thereby participates in regulating various physiological and pathological processes. TREK-1 is also a potential drug target in many diseases. It is known that many marketed drugs can affect the function of TREK-1, but currently there are no specific TREK-1 modulators or drugs. We review the structure, distribution and regulation of TREK-1 and focus on recent progress in understanding the pharmacology of TREK-1 and its role in neuroprotection, depression, anesthesia and epilepsy. The research status of TREK-1 modulators is discussed.

Study on the etiology of rash and fever illness in Pudong New Area of Shanghai from 2010 to 2017 / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the pathogens spectrum and epidemiological characteristics of rash and fever illness (RFIs) from January 2010 to December 2017 in Pudong New Area, in order to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control ofRFIs.Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the pathogens of enterovirus, measles virus, rubella virus and others from 2 831 clinical samples, and statistical analysis was performed.Results Pathogens were found in 1 633 samples in total, accounting for 68.59%. The top 4 viruses in the pathogen spectrum were enterovirus (52.54%), measles virus (28.54%), rubella virus (13.04%), and varicella-zoster virus (3.37%). There was significnat difference in the detection rate of rubella pathogens among patients of different genders(P=0.026). In the pathogen spectrum of infections of different age groups, the detection rate of enteroviruses at the age of 3-6 years was higher than that of other age groups. The detection rate of varicella-zoster virus at the age of 6-18 years old was higher than that of other age groups. The detection rate of virus including measles virus, rubella virus, dengue virus and small DNA virus in age of 18 and older was higher than that of other age groups. There was significant difference in the detection rate of pathogens in different age groups (all P<0.05).The incidence of RFIs was the highest in spring (41.52%) and the lowest in winter (15.00%). There was a statistical difference in the detection rate of enterovirus, measles, rubella and dengue virus in different seasons (P<0.05).Conclusions Enteroviruses and measles viruses are the main pathogens leading to RFIs in Pudong New Area, and the activity level of RFIs pathogens should be monitored for a long time.

2,3-Dihydro-1H-pyrrolo3,2-cquinoline and 2,3,5,9b-tetrahydro-1Hpyrrolo3,2-c-quinoline derivatives: synthesis and their inhibitory activity against Kv2.1 / 药学学报

Fourteen new compounds with 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]-quinoline or 2,3,5,9b-tetrahydro- 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline scaffold were designed and synthesized, and their inhibitory activities against Kv2.1 were evaluated. As a result, 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives 3a and 5a were identified as potent inhibitors of Kv2.1 with IC50 values of 10.2 and 9.0 μmol·L-1, respectively.

Structure-activity relationship of gastrodin and parishins on learning and memory deficits induced by scopolamine / 药学学报

Gastrodin, parishin and parishin C were purified from a water extract of GE (rhizome of Gastrodia elata, an herb medicine for treatment of neuronal disorders). In order to compare the pharmacological effects of gastrodin, parishin and parishin C on improving cognition deficits, we tested them in an animal model of cognition disorders induced by scopolamine and in a study of in vivo long-term potentiation (LTP) recordings. In the Morris water maze task, parishin C (15 and 50 mg·kg-1, P -1, P -1. In vivo LTP recordings showed that parishin C at 5, 10 and 20 mg·kg-1, parishin at 10, 30 and 100 mg·kg-1 reversed the suppression of LTP by scopolamine in rats in a dose-dependent manner. However, gastrodin at 100 mg·kg-1 showed only a modest effect. In summary, the action of parishin C in the improvement of dementia induced by scopolamine was more potent than parishin and gastrodin.

Electrophysiology mechanisms of 4-butyl-alpha-agarofuran: a new anxiolytic and antidepressant drug / 药学学报

To investigate the electrophysiology mechanisms of new anxiolytic and antidepressant drug: 4-butyl-alpha-agarofuran (AF-5), patch clamp-recording was used to test the effects of AF-5 on voltage-dependent sodium currents, voltage-dependent potassium currents, L-type voltage-dependent calcium currents and GABA dependent Cl(-) currents in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. Effects of AF-5 on Kv2.1 currents, expressed stably in HEK293 cells, were also tested. Our results showed that, delayed rectifier potassium currents (I(K(DR, L-type voltage-dependent calcium currents (I(LC-ca)) in primary cultured rat cortical neurons and Kv2.1 currents in HEK293 cells were significantly inhibited by AF-5, with IC50 as 6.17, 4.4 and 5.29 micromol x L(-1) respectively. However, voltage-dependent sodium currents (I(Na)), GABA dependent Cl(-) currents and transient outward potassium currents (I(K(A)) in primary cultured rat cortical neurons were not significantly blocked by AF-5. Our results concluded that, blocked I(K(DR)) and I(L-Ca) currents may be one of the mechanisms of anxiolytic and antidepression actions of AF-5.

Proliferation and apoptosis property of mesenchymal stem cells derived from peripheral blood under the culture conditions of hypoxia and serum deprivation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The proliferation and apoptosis property of mesenchymal stem cells derived from peripheral blood (PB-MSCs) were investigated under hypoxia and serum deprivation conditions in vitro so as to evaluate the feasibility for autologous PB-MSCs applications in cartilage repair.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MSCs were mobilized into peripheral blood by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and AMD3100. The blood samples were collected from central ear artery of rabbits. Adhered cells were obtained by erythrocyte lysis buffer and identified as MSCs by adherence to plastic, spindle shaped morphology, specific surface markers, differentiation abilities into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro under appropriate conditions. MSCs were cultured in four groups at different oxygen tension (20% O2 and 2% O2), with or without 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) conditions: 20% O2 and 10% FBS complete medium (normal medium, N), 20% O2 and serum deprivation medium (D), 2% O2 and 10% FBS complete medium (hypoxia, H), 2% O2 and serum deprivation (HD). Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Spindle-shaped adherent cells were effectively mobilized from peripheral blood by a combined administration of G-CSF plus AMD3100. These cells showed typical fibroblast-like phenotype similar to MSCs from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), and expressed a high level of typical MSCs markers CD29 and CD44, but lacked in the expression of hematopoietic markers CD45 and major histocompatibility complex Class II (MHC II). They could also differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro under appropriate conditions. No significant morphological differences were found among the four groups. It was found that hypoxia could enhance proliferation of PB-MSCs regardless of serum concentration, but serum deprivation inhibited proliferation at the later stage of culture. Apart from that, hypoxia or serum deprivation could promote the apoptosis of PB-MSCs after 48 hours; the effect was stronger when these two conditions combined together. Furthermore, the effect of serum deprivation on apoptosis was stronger compared with that of hypoxia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PB-MSCs possess similar phenotypes as BM-MSCs. Their differentiation and proliferation abilities make them a new source of seed cells for ischemia-related cell therapy and tissue engineering in the field of the articular cartilage repair.</p>

Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on hippocampal p-Akt and caspase-9 expressions in rats with status epilepticus and the mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO) on p-Akt and caspase-9 expressions in the hippocampus of rats with status epilepticus (SE) and explore the neuroprotective mechanism of rhuEPO.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult male SD rats were randomized into control, PTZ, rHuEPO, LY294002 group, and DMSO groups and treated with normal saline (NS), PTZ, PTZ+rHuEPO, PTZ+LY294002+rHuEPO, and PTZ+DMSO+rHuEPO, respectively. The behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes of the rats were recorded, and the expressions of p-Akt and caspase-9 were detected using immunohistochemistry. The hippocampal expression of caspase-9 mRNA was detected using RT-PCR, and the expressions of Akt and p-Akt proteins were determined with Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The p-Akt-positive cell and p-Akt protein expression increased significantly while the caspase-9-positive cell and caspase-9 mRNA expression decreased in rHuEPO group as compared with those in PTZ group (P<0.05). LY294002 treatment prior to rHuEPO injection significantly abolished the effects of rHuEPO on caspase-9 and p-Akt immunohistochemical positivity and caspase-9 mRNA and p-Akt protein expressions (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Administration of rHuEPO activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in SE rats and increases the expression of p-Akt protein to regulate the expression of caspase-9, a regulatory factor of the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway, and therefore provides anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects.</p>

Expression changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampus of rats with post-epilepsy learning and memory deficiency / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To study the relationship between the learning/memory ability and the expression changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein in hippocampus of epileptic rats kindled by Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, weighing (200 ± 20) g, were randomly divided into status epilepticus (SE) group, Control I, chronic epilepsy (CEP) group and Control II. Rats in SE group were initially administrated i. p. with 40 mg/kg PTZ, 10 min later with 20 mg/ kg PTZ, and then with 10 mg/kg PTZ thereafter until the development of SE; rats in CEP group were administrated with 35 mg/kg PTZ for 3 times at an interval of 48 h, until the development of Racine IV-V epilepsy; and rats in Control I and Control II groups were given normal saline in the same manners as SE group and CEP group, respectively. Alternative electro-stimulus Y-maze test was used to evaluate the learning/memory ability of rats; RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry method were used to determine the expression of BDNF mRNA and protein in rats' hippocampus. Results: On the first and second day after kindling, we found that the total errors of rats in SE group were obviously increased compared with those in Control I (P<0.05); the total errors of CEP group on the first, thirtieth and thirty-first day were obviously increased compared with those in Control II (P<0.05). Lower expression of BDNF mRNA and protein in hippocampus was found 1 day after kindling in SE and CEP group and 30 days after kindling in CEP group. Conclusion: Status epilepsy can induce short term deficiency of learning and memory in rats, while chronic epilepsy induces a longer deficiency. Learning and memory deficiency caused by epilepsy might be related to the decrease of BDNF mRNA and protein expression.

Cystatin C and serum creatinine in estimating acute kidney injury of shock patients / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND: Serum creatinine (SCr) is the most commonly used parameter to estimate renal function impairement, but there are some shortcomings. Many factors including age, gender, drug, diet, muscle mass and metabolic rate can influence SCr, leading to an inaccurate estimation of kidney impairment. Studies have shown that cystatin C (CysC) is not affected by factors such as muscle mass, age, gender, diet, inflammation or tumor. The present study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity of CysC and SCr in evaluating renal function impairment at early stage of shock. METHODS: Seventy-one patients aged 38.3±21.4 years, who had been treated at the Emergency Medicine Department of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University between February 2006 and June 2007, were studied. They were divided into groups A, B, C, and D according to the shock time. Serum sample was drawn from each patient at 1, 2, 3, 4 hours after shock to determine SCr and CysC. CysC and SCr were determined again at 72 hours and 7 days after shock. RESULTS: CysC increased earlier than SCr in the 71 patients, and CysC decreased slower than SCr when shock was corrected. CysC increased at 1 hour after shock. There was a negative correlationship between CysC, SCr and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), especially at early stage of shock. CONCLUSIONS: There is renal injury at early stage of shock. CysC is more sensitive than SCr in assessing renal function at the early stage of shock.

Association between the serotonin 1A receptor C(-1019)G polymorphism and major depressive disorder in the northern Han ethnic group in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recent studies have suggested that susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD) might be related to the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HTR1A) C (-1019) G polymorphism. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between 5-HTR1A C (-1019) G polymorphism and MDD in the Northern Han ethnic group of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The C (-1019) G of 5-HTR1A was detected with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 400 patients with MDD and 400 unrelated age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Association between the C (-1019) G and MDD was statistically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a statistically significant difference between MDD patients and controls in both the genotype distribution (Chi(2) = 10.913, df = 2, P = 0.004) and the allele frequency (Chi(2) = 10.379, df = 1, P = 0.001), and a significant difference in the genotype distribution and the allele frequency was found both in the female subjects (Genotype distribution: Chi(2) = 15.406, df = 2, P = 0.000; allele frequency: Chi(2) = 15.552, df = 1, P = 0.000) and the late-onset subjects (Genotype distribution: Chi(2) = 7.771, df = 2, P = 0.021; allele frequency: Chi(2) = 8.007, df = 1, P = 0.005) in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggest that 5-HTR1A C (-1019) G polymorphism is probably associated with MDD and it is likely to be the susceptible gene locus for the female and late-onset MDD.</p>

Changes in learning and memory functions in rats with status epilepticus and generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes in the learning and memory functions and the hippocampal expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) in rats with status epilepticus and generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Status epilepticus (SE) and generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus (GNCSE) was induced by pentylenetetrazol kindling in SD rats, and the learning and memory function changes of the kindled rats were assessed by means of Morris water-maze test and Y-maze test with alternative electric stimulation. Immunocytochemistry was used for analysis pCREB protein expression in the hippocampus of the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Morris water-maze test, the rats with SE showed prolonged mean escape latency (P<0.05), shortened swimming time in the platform quadrant (P<0.05), and reduced number of times of platform crossing (P<0.05) in the short term after kindling. But these changes were reversed and became normal a month after the kindling (P>0.05). In the Y-maze test with alternative electric stimulation, the total error (TE) of SE rats increased significantly in the short term after epilepsy (P<0.05), but recovered the normal level a month after kindling (P>0.05). The GNCSE rats showed prolonged mean escape latency at only certain time periods (P<0.05) in the short term, but with swimming time in the platform quadrant and number of platform crossings similar to the control group (P>0.05). The short-term TE of GNCSE rats increased significantly (P<0.05), but in the long term, TE was similar to that in the control group (P>0.05). The expression of pCREB decreased significantly in SE group in comparison with the control group in the short term.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Epileptic seizures can lead to learning and memory function impairment in rats, and SE seems to cause greater impact than GNCSE on the learning and memory functions. pCREB might be involved in the pathophysiology of learning and memory deficit in epileptic rats.</p>

Clinical significance and relevant laboratory techniques of detecting azoospermia factors of the Y chromosome / 中华男科学杂志

Microdeletions of the Y chromosome are a most common known genetic cause of spermatogenetic failure in infertile men. Recent studies have revealed the existence of genetic factors in the long arm of the Y chromosome Yq11.23, known as azoospermia factors (AZF), which are further divided into three separate regions including AZFa, AZFb and AZFc. The AZF deletions are due to different recombination between large palindromic sequences during mesophase. Microdeletions of different AZF regions cause different degrees of spermatogenic impairment. The present paper reviews the clinical significance and relevant laboratory techniques of detecting AZF of the Y chromosome.

Low extracellular pH increases the persistent sodium current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes / 生理学报

Whole-cell and cell-attached patch-clamp techniques were used to record the changes of persistent sodium current (I(Na.P)) in ventricular myocytes of guinea pig to investigate the effect of low extracellular pH on I(Na.P) and its mechanism. The results showed that low extracellular pH (7.0, 6.8 and 6.5) obviously increased the amplitude of whole-cell I(Na.P) in a [H(+)] concentration-dependent manner. Under the condition of extracellular pH 6.5, I(Na.P) was markedly augmented from control (pH 7.4) value of (0.347+/-0.067) pA/pF to (0.817+/- 0.137) pA/pF (P<0.01, n=6), whereas the reducing agent dithiothreitiol (DTT, 1 mmol/L) reversed the increased IN(Na.P) from (0.817+/-0.137) pA/pF to (0.233+/-0.078) pA/pF (P<0.01 vs pH 6.5, n=6). Decreasing extracellular pH to 6.5 also increased the persistent sodium channel activity in cell-attached patches. The mean open probability and mean open time were increased from control value of 0.021+/-0.007 and (0.899+/-0.074) ms to 0.205+/-0.023 and (1.593+/-0.158) ms, respectively (both P<0.01, n=6), and such enhancement was reversed by application of 1 mmol/L DTT [to 0.019+/-0.005 and (0.868+/-0.190) ms, both P<0.01 vs pH 6.5, n=6]. Furthermore, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (BIM, 5 micromol/L) reduced the enhanced mean open probability and mean open time at pH 6.5 from 0.214+/-0.024 and (1.634+/-0.137) ms to 0.025+/-0.006 and (0.914+/-0.070) ms, respectively (both P<0.01 vs pH 6.5, n=6). The results demonstrate that low extracellular pH markedly increases I(Na.P) in guinea pig ventricular myocytes, in which activation of PKC may be involved.

Change of hippocampal NMDA receptor and emotional behavior and spatial learning and memory in status epilepticus rat model / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>SD rats were utilized for the purpose of the exploration of effects of status epilepticus (SE) on their emotional behavior, spatial learning and memory, and explorating its molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty maturity male SD rats, weighing (200 +/- 20) g were divided randomly and equally into SE group (SG) and normal control group (NG). The SG rats were induced by Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and the control animals received a saline (0.9%) solution. The change of emotional behavior in two groups were tested in elevated plus maze. Furthermore, Morris water maze was applied to evaluate the effects by SE on spatial learning and memory in rats. At the same time, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor NR1 subunit mRNA in the hippocampus was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In elevated plus test, SE rats increased the times of visits as well as the time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze (P < 0.01). In Morris water maze, the mean escape latency for the SE rats looking for hidden platform in the place navigation test prolonged (P < 0.01). The efficiency of their search strategy was poor (P < 0.05). The swimming time in platform region and the percentage of their swimming time decreased (P < 0.01). The number of times they crossed the platform area decreased (P < 0.01). Meanwhile the expression of NR1 subunit mRNA in hippocampus was lower (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The experimental results showed that SE could result in the change of emotional behavior and damage of spatial learning and memory in rats. NR1 might be involved in the patho- and physiological process in causing these behavioral changes.</p>

Genotype distribution of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and AmpC beta-lactamases produced in Escherichia coli isolated from men with urinary infection / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the genotype distribution of extended-spectrum p-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC p-lactamases produced in E. coli isolated from men with urinary infection in Nanjing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Organisms of clinical infection were identified by automatic microbial system (Vitek-32). ESBLs were detected by disk diffusion confirmatory test, and ESBLs and AmpC p-lactamases by three-dimensional extract test (TDET) , the presence of plasmid-mediated ESBLs and ampC genes determined by PCR, and conjugal transfer assays of the ampC resistance determinants carried out by a broth mating procedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ESBLs were produced in 24. 6% (46/187) of the E. coli and the 46 E. coli isolates showed p-lactamase activity in TDET, 3 positive for both ESBLs and AmpC beta-lactamases and 43 for ESBLs only. Forty-four of the 46 isolates were shown by PCR to contain at least one of the genes blaTEM, blaOXA, bla(CTX-M), but no blaSHA. AmpC specific amplication products were observed in 3 of the 46 isolates, of which 2 were of CIT type, and 1 of DHA type. All of the 3 transconjugants transferred the plasmids harbouring ampC genes to recipients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CTX-M is the most common genotype in plasmid-mediated ESBLs produced by E. coli isolated from men with urinary infection in Nanjing. Present findings indicate that AmpC-producing E. coli are present in this hospital, and ampC-encoding plasmids are transferable.</p>

Effect of retinoic acid on the development of B cells from lymph nodes of young children and the pathway of the effect / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of retinoic acid on the differentiation and maturation of B cells from lymph node of children, and relational changes of the expression levels of retinoic acid receptor genes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four patients with digestive tract malformation underwent surgical operation in the surgical ward of our hospital. They were divided into 3 groups according to age: < 1 yr, 1 - 3 yr, -5 yr, 8 cases in each age group. The lymph nodes in the margin of excised tissues were obtained. The cells separated from lymph nodes were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into 5 groups: Retinoic acid (RA), RA plus Ro41-5253, RA receptor antagonist (RA+Ro), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide plus RA (LPS+RA) and control, and were subjected to the corresponding treatments. After 24 h and 48 h of cell culture, the surface markers on the B cells were detected by flow cytometer to observe the maturation and activation of B cells. The expression levels of retinoic acid receptor genes were quantitatively analyzed by RT- fluorescent quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After culture, in < 1 yr group, the number of the mature B cells (IgM(+)IgD(+)CD25(-)) in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the control (24 h: 23% +/- 5% vs. 17% +/- 3%; 48 h: 28% +/- 6% vs. 22% +/- 4%) (P < 0.05), and that in the RA + RO group was not significantly different from that in the control (24 h: 16% +/- 4%; 48 h: 20% +/- 9%) (P > 0.05). The number of activated B cells (IgM(+)CD25(+)) in the LPS + RA group was obviously higher than that in the LPS group (24 h: 82% +/- 10% vs. 76% +/- 8%; 48 h: 83% +/- 8% vs. 78% +/- 10%)(P < 0.05). The level of RARalpha gene expression of B cells (lg copies/50 ng RNA) in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the control (24 h: 7.03 +/- 1.36 vs. 5.79 +/- 2.05; 48 h: 7.91 +/- 1.60 vs. 6.21 +/- 1.88) (P < 0.05), and that in the LPS + RA group was significantly higher than that in the LPS group (24 h: 7.29 +/- 1.53 vs. 5.98 +/- 1.48; 48 h: 7.83 +/- 1.66 vs. 5.79 +/- 2.36)(P < 0.05). In 1 - 3 yr group the changes of maturation and activation of B cells in the lymph nodes were the same as the < 1 yr group. In -5 yr group, such changes were not significant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RA can promote the development of B cell from lymph node in vitro culture in <or= 3 yr children, which may be an important mechanism of vitamin A reinforcing the anti-infective immunity in young children. The expression and regulation of retinoic acid receptor genes may take part in the ontogenesis of B cell, and play a key role in the regulation of retinoic acid.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of jianpi huoxue herbs combined with chemotherapy in treating post-operational colonic cancer patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe and compare the therapeutic effect of Jianpi Huoxue herbs (JPHXH) combined with chemotherapy (CT) in treating post-operational colonic cancer patients with Pi deficiency Syndrome (PDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adopting randomized control trial method, 64 patients were divided into two groups. The treated group (n = 43) received JPHXH plus CT and the control group ( n = 21 ) received CT alone. A treatment course of 3 months was applied to both groups. Therapeutic effect, changes of PDS and incidence of adverse reaction in the two groups were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumor remission rate in the treated group and the control group was 39.5 % and 33.3 %, respectively. The effective rate on PDS in the treated group and the control group was 72.1% and 19.0%, respectively, showing significant difference (P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse reaction was lower in the treated group than that in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JPHXH is effective in treating post-operational colonic cancer patients with PDS and relieving the adverse reaction of chemotherapy to certain extent.</p>

Correlation between PMI and DNA degradation of costicartilage and dental pulp cells in human being / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To probe the correlation between the postmortem interval (PMI) and the DNA degradation of costicartilage and dental pulp cells in human being after death, and to seek a new method for estimating PMI.@*METHODS@#The image cytometry was used to measure the DNA degradation under different ambient temperatures (30-35 degrees C, 15-20 degrees C) in 0-15 days after death.@*RESULTS@#The average DNA content of two kinds of tissue was degradated with the prolongation of PMI. But there was a plateau period of 0-4 days for dental pulp cells of human being in 15-20 degrees C. There was a high negative correlativity P<0.01 between the average DNA content and PMI.@*CONCLUSION@#PMI could be estimated accurately according to the DNA degradation of costicartilage and dental pulp cells in human being after death.