Investigation on awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge among residents going to Africa in Taizhou City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge among people going to Africa in Taizhou City, to provide insights into the development of control measures for imported schistosomiasis. Methods During the period from July to October, 2019, a face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted among people that had gone to African countries between 2015 and 2018 and return to China now, including awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge, type of living and drinking water and contact with river and lake water. Results A total of 573 peoples going to Africa were investigated, and 572 eligible questionnaires were recovered. Among the 572 people interviewed, senior high school and above was the predominant education level (509 people, 89.0%), labor was the predominant aim (543 people, 94.9%), and Angola (52.3%) and Algeria (15.9%) were predominant destiny countries. There were 7.2% of the interviewees hearing about African schistosomiasis, 19.8% knowing infections by contact with infested water, and 36 people with a history of contact with river and lake water. In addition, 270 interviewees used running water as drinking water and 276 used running water as living water. Conclusions The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge is low among people going to Africa in Taizhou City. Health education pertaining to schistosomiasis control is required to be improved among those going to Africa in Taizhou City to increase the awareness of schistosomiasis prevention and avoid parasitic infections.

The mechanism of RCE-4, an active ingredient of Reineckia carnea, in combination with celecoxib on the anti-proliferation of cervical cancer Ca Ski cells / 药学学报

This research explored the synergistic effects and the potential mechanisms of RCE-4 and various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the proliferation of cervical cancer Ca Ski cells. The MTT assay and CalcuSyn V2.0 software were used to detect cell proliferation and calculate the combination index (CI); the expression levels of various proteins were analyzed using Western blot assay; mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed using JC-1 staining; acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double-fluorescence staining was used to detect the apoptosis of Ca Ski cells; a co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was used to analyze the relative content of Bcl-2-Beclin 1 complex in Ca Ski cells. The results demonstrate that the combination of RCE-4 and NSAIDs increases the inhibition of Ca Ski cells compared to the single-RCE-4 group, and celecoxib provided the best synergistic effect among the four NSAIDs tested, with a CI of 0.32. The combination of RCE-4 and celecoxib significantly down-regulated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), and promoted the expression of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs activity gene-1 (NAG-1). In addition, autophagy induced by RCE-4 was markedly inhibited in combination with celecoxib, which was associated with down-regulation of the expression of microtubule-associated protein 3 (LC3)-II, Beclin 1, p62 and autophagy-related gene (ATG) 3/4B/5/7/14. RCE-4-induced apoptosis was significantly enhanced by altering the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and the expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B cell lymphoma-xl (Bcl-xl), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2/Bcl-xl-associated death promoter (Bad) and cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (cleaved-caspase) 3/7/9. Furthermore, the formation of the Bcl-2-Beclin 1 complex was significantly inhibited in Ca Ski cells treated with RCE-4 in combination with celecoxib. Taken together, this research shows that the combination of RCE-4 and celecoxib has a significant synergistic effect on the proliferation of Ca Ski cells by promoting apoptosis, inhibiting autophagy and disturbing the formation of the Bcl-2-Beclin 1 complex, which may be a novel strategy to increase the sensitivity of anti-cervical cancer drugs.

Integrin activation, focal adhesion maturation and tumor metastasis / 生理学报

Integrins are a large family of heterodimeric cell adhesion molecules composed of α and β subunits. Through interaction with their specific ligands, integrins mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Via outside-in signaling, integrins can recruit cytoplasmic proteins to their intracellular domains and then cluster into supramolecular structures and trigger downstream signaling. Integrin activation is associated with a global conformation rearrangement from bent to extended in ectodomains and the separation of α and β subunit cytoplasmic domains. During cell migration, integrins regulate the focal adhesion dynamics and transmit forces between the extracellular matrix and the cell cytoskeleton. In tumor microenvironment, integrins on multiple kinds of cells could be activated, which modulates cell migration into tumor and contributes to angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. Here, we review the mechanism of integrin activation, dynamics of focal adhesions during cell migration and tumor metastasis.

Performance Evaluation of the CLIA and ECLIA for Anti-TP Screening in Blood Donors / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the performance of the chemiluminescence immune assay (CLIA) and the electro-chemiluminescence immuneoassay(ECLIA) for Treponemapallidum antibody（anti-TP） screening in blood donors.@*METHODS@#The sero-panel samples from NCCL were tested with ELISA, CLIA and ECLIA assays synchronously to evaluate their performances respectively.@*RESULTS@#The sensitivity and the negative predictive value of the CLIA were 100%, which were the same as one kind of ELISA, and better than the other ELISA; The specificity of the CLIA was 88.46%, the accuracy rate was 97.02%, the positive predictive value was 96.13%, which were higher than both ELISA. Due to the significant interference of sample heat inactivation in ECLIA detection, the result can not demonstrate the true performance of ECLIA in this study. The preliminary result was as follows: the sensitivity was 98.93%, the negative predictive value was 96.75%, and the accuracy rate, specificity and positive predictive value of ECLIA were 97.02%, 91.54% and 97.10% respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with ELISA, the CLIA has higher sensitivity and specificity and can be used for Treponemal antibody screening in blood bank. Unfortunately, the data in this study cannot come to a conclusion for ECLIA and needs more testing.

Epidemiological investigation of blood transfusion - induced malaria caused by an imported case with Plasmodium falciparum infection / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze a case infected with Plasmodium falciparum due to blood transfusion in Taizhou City, so as to provide scientific evidence for malaria control. Methods The epidemiological investigation of a case with P. falciparum malaria was conducted, and the blood donors’blood samples were collected and detected in laboratory to identify the origin of the infection. Results Microscopy detected Plasmodium in the blood samples from a 64-year-old male inpatient with nephropathy, and P. falciparum malaria was diagnosed. The case had no history of travel to Africa or Southeast Asia except blood transfusion, and he had received blood transfusion 14 times during his hospital stay. Detection of blood donors’blood samples showed P. falciparum in the archived blood samples from an Indonesian student studying in China, as revealed by PCR assay, and the student was found to have a history of malaria. Conclusions The patient was confirmed to be a case with P. falciparum malaria due to blood transfusion. Screening of malaria should be intensified in blood donors to prevent the development of malaria transmitted by blood transfusion.

Evaluation of implementation effect of schistosomiasis control program in Jiangsu Province from 2010 to 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the actual effect of the schistosomiasis control program in Jiangsu Province from 2010 to 2015. Methods A total of 67 schistosomiasis-endemic counties in 10 cities were selected, and a combination of retrospective investigation and on-site investigation was adopted to collect and record the epidemic data of the counties from 2010 to 2015, and a retrospective survey database of epidemic situation was established. The effects of integrated control strategies with both Oncomelania hupensis snail control and infection source control were evaluated. Results From 2010 to 2015, 2 465 911 persons who lived in endemic areas were detected for schistosomiasis, with 16 974 positive cases of blood examinations, and 8 positive cases of fecal examinations. Totally 5 145 people with advanced schistosomiasis were treated and 40 460 people with the history of schistosome cercarial-infested water contact received the expanded chemotherapy. A total of 127 636 cattle raised in the endemic areas were detected, and 51 619 cattle (head-times) with the history of cercarial-infested water contact also received the expanded chemotherapy. The area with snails control by molluscicides was 18 604.84 hm2. By the end of 2015, schistosomeinfected snails had not been found and there was no zoological schistosome infection for 5 consecutive years, and in addition, there had been no acute schistosome-infected persons for 6 consecutive years in the whole province. The area with snails dropped to 1 977.18 hm2, with a decreasing rate of 55.24% compared with that in 2010. Conclusion After the implementation of the plan for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province (2010–2015), the prevention and control of schistosomiasis has achieved remarkable effects and realized the goal of the plan.

Epidemiological investigation of blood transfusion - induced malaria caused by an imported case with Plasmodium falciparum infection / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze a case infected with Plasmodium falciparum due to blood transfusion in Taizhou City, so as to provide scientific evidence for malaria control. Methods The epidemiological investigation of a case with P. falciparum malaria was conducted, and the blood donors’blood samples were collected and detected in laboratory to identify the origin of the infection. Results Microscopy detected Plasmodium in the blood samples from a 64-year-old male inpatient with nephropathy, and P. falciparum malaria was diagnosed. The case had no history of travel to Africa or Southeast Asia except blood transfusion, and he had received blood transfusion 14 times during his hospital stay. Detection of blood donors’blood samples showed P. falciparum in the archived blood samples from an Indonesian student studying in China, as revealed by PCR assay, and the student was found to have a history of malaria. Conclusions The patient was confirmed to be a case with P. falciparum malaria due to blood transfusion. Screening of malaria should be intensified in blood donors to prevent the development of malaria transmitted by blood transfusion.

Evaluation of implementation effect of schistosomiasis control program in Jiangsu Province from 2010 to 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the actual effect of the schistosomiasis control program in Jiangsu Province from 2010 to 2015. Methods A total of 67 schistosomiasis-endemic counties in 10 cities were selected, and a combination of retrospective investigation and on-site investigation was adopted to collect and record the epidemic data of the counties from 2010 to 2015, and a retrospective survey database of epidemic situation was established. The effects of integrated control strategies with both Oncomelania hupensis snail control and infection source control were evaluated. Results From 2010 to 2015, 2 465 911 persons who lived in endemic areas were detected for schistosomiasis, with 16 974 positive cases of blood examinations, and 8 positive cases of fecal examinations. Totally 5 145 people with advanced schistosomiasis were treated and 40 460 people with the history of schistosome cercarial-infested water contact received the expanded chemotherapy. A total of 127 636 cattle raised in the endemic areas were detected, and 51 619 cattle (head-times) with the history of cercarial-infested water contact also received the expanded chemotherapy. The area with snails control by molluscicides was 18 604.84 hm2. By the end of 2015, schistosomeinfected snails had not been found and there was no zoological schistosome infection for 5 consecutive years, and in addition, there had been no acute schistosome-infected persons for 6 consecutive years in the whole province. The area with snails dropped to 1 977.18 hm2, with a decreasing rate of 55.24% compared with that in 2010. Conclusion After the implementation of the plan for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province (2010–2015), the prevention and control of schistosomiasis has achieved remarkable effects and realized the goal of the plan.

Determination of four coumarin constituents before and after Angelicae Dahuricae Radix stewed with yellow rice wine and research on its mutual transformation mechanism / 中国中药杂志

To determine the contents of oxypeucedanin, oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicol and byak-angelicin both before and after Angelicae Dahuricae Radix was stewed with yellow rice wine by high-performance liquid chromatography, and study the mutual transformation mechanisms of oxypeucedanin into oxypeucedanin hydrate, as well as byakangelicol into byak-angelicin. The research results indicated that the contents of oxypeucedanin and byakangelicol were decreased, but the contents of oxypeucedanin hydrate and byak-angelicin were increased after Angelicae Dahuricae Radix was processed with yellow rice wine. The contents' changes of these chemical compounds were due to the ring opening reaction of epoxy compounds, such as oxypeucedanin and byakangelicol under the weak acidity and heating conditions of yellow rice wine. This research could provide a scientific basis for the processing mechanism of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix with yellow rice wine stewing.

Effects of Jisuikang on Nogo-NgR gene expression in spinal cord rats with injury / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Jisuikang (Chinese characters) on Nogo-NgR gene expression, and to explore the protective effects and mechanism of Jisuikang (Chinese characters) on spinal cord injury in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred eighty female rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups(30 rats per group). Sham group: T10 lamina was resected only and spinal cord was untreated. Model group: spine cord injury (SCI) was created with a modified impinger of Allen's by impacting on the T10 spinal cord. Prednisolone group: Prednisolone (0.06 g/kg) was given by intragastric administration at a time interval of 24 hours after operation. The Jisuikang (Chinese characters) high, moderate and low dose groups: Jisuikang (Chinese characters) was supplied with different dose (50 g/kg, 25 g/kg, 12.5 g/kg) by intragastric administration in rats after operation,for the first time at 30 min after surgery. Animals were killed 3, 7, 14 days after surgery. The expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR were observed by Western Blot and Real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of Nogo-A and NgR was at the basic level at all time points in sham group. Compared with model group, the protein expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR in sham, prednisolone, Jisuikang (Chinese characters) moderate dose groups were statistically significant at all time points (P < 0.05). No difference was found in Jisuikang (Chinese characters) high and low dose groups (P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, the mRNA levels of Nogo-A and NgR in treatment group were significantly lower than that in model group (P < 0.01); 7 days after surgery,Nogo-A and NgR mRNA expression were dramatically upregulated and peaked; 14 days after operation, the expression was decreased, but still significantly higher than that in other treatment groups (P < 0.01). Prednisolone and Jisuikang (Chinese characters) moderate dose groups showed the most significant effects among all groups,but there was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The decoction Jisuikang (Chinese characters) can promote the nerve cell regeneration by regulating Nogo-A and NgR gene expression, activating Nogo- NgR signaling pathways after acute spinal cord injury.</p>

Mechanisms of sirolimus inducing expression of γ-globin gene in K562 cells / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of sirolimus inducing γ-globin gene expression in K562 cells. METHODS: K562 cells were cultured in the presence of 10 nmol · L-1 sirolimus, butylate, or DMSO for 3 d. Western blot and real time PCR-based chromatin immunoprecipitation was employed to measure the levels of p38MAPK and acetylated histone H3 (acH3) at γ-globin gene promoter regions, respectively. RESULTS: In K562 cells with 10 nmol · L-1 sirolimus treatment, phospholylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) was 2.8-fold greater and acH3 was 9.8-fold greater than that in untreated K562 cells, and there was a 2.9-fold in p-p38MAPK and a 9.1-fold in acH3 increase comparing with K562 cells treated with DMSO, no significant difference in p-p38MAPK and acH3 level was found between cells treated with sirolimus and with butylate. SB203580 completely abolished induction of p38MAPK activation and acH3 increase by sirolimus. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that sirolimus actives p38MAPK signal and increases acetylation of H3 at γ-globin gene promoter regions, which may be the mechanisms of induced expression of γ-globin genes by sirolimus in K562 cells.

Design, synthesis and activity of a new type of influenza virus N1 neuraminidase inhibitors / 药学学报

In this study, the "150-cavity", next to the H5N1 influenza virus neuraminidase activity site, has been used as the target to design and synthesize a structural analogue of chlorogenic acid, N-caffeoyl-GABA, using the flexible docking simulation. The docking study showed that the N-caffeoyl-GABA could be inserted into the "150-cavity" and combined with the Arg156 side chain by hydrogen bond. The best binding free energy of H5N1 NA-N-caffeoyl-GABA complex was -7.70 kcal mol(-1), equivalent that of the NA-oseltamivir. At the same time, using the H5N1 pseudotyping virus-based NA inhibitors screening model, we determined the inhibitory effect of oseltamivir, chlorogenic acid and N-caffeoyl-GABA on the NA. Compared with chlorogenic acid, N-caffeoyl-GABA significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect on NA, but less than oseltamivir. This study showed that the "150-cavity" could possibly be used as a new neuraminidase inhibitors target, and provided a path for the development of new neuraminidase inhibitors.

Effects of sodium butyrate on acetylation of histone in gamma-globin gene promoter regions in K562 cells: a study using chromatin immunoprecipitation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a real-time PCR-based chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay for determining the effect of sodium butyrate on acetylation of histone in gamma-globin gene promoter regions in K562 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>K562 cells were grown in the presence or absence of 0.5 mmol/L sodium butyrate for 48 h, and 1=10(7) cells per group were used for real-time PCR-based ChIP with anti-acetylated histone H3 or H4 antibodies. The levels of acetylated histone H3 and H4 (acH3 and acH4) in Ggamma- and Agamma-globin gene promoter regions were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the K562 cells with sodium butyrate treatment or without any treatment, the levels of acH3 or acH4 in Ggamma- or Agamma-globin gene promoter were higher than that in the necdin gene (negative control). Compared with the untreated K562 cells, the cells treated with 0.5 mmol/L sodium butyrate showed a 3.1-fold or 2.6-fold increase in acH3 or acH4 in Ggamma-globin gene promoter region, with also a 3.7-fold or 3.2-fold increase in acH3 or acH4 in Agamma-globin gene promoter region, respectively (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We have successfully developed a real-time PCR-based ChIP assay for analyzing the acetylation of histone H3 and H4 in gamma-globin gene promoter regions. Our results support the role of sodium butyrate in increasing the level of acetylated histone in gamma-globin gene promoter regions.</p>

The causes and strategies for the postoperative shortening in distal radius fractures / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the cause of the postoperative shortening in distal radius fractures and to find treatment strategies to enhance the reduction effect of distal radius fracture and long-term efficacy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2005 to January 2009, 46 patients with distal radius fractures were treated by surgical operation including 17 males and 29 females,ranging from 27 to 90 years old with an average age of 48 years. All fractures were reduced satisfactory with smooth articular surface. The postoperative radial shortening was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed-up for 6 to 24 months with an average of 14 months. Among them, 12 patients had radial shortening. The causes of postoperative radial shortening includes: (1) patients older than 60 years; (2) severe osteoporosis; (3) preoperative displacement and comminuted fractures; (4) inappropriate fixation methods; (5) inadequate bone graft; (6) premature load.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The key points to enhance the treatment outcomes include precise judgement of the fracture type and bone quality, sufficient bone graft, firmly fixed after anatomical reduction and an appropriate plan for early loadless functional exercise. Traumatic arthritis may be avoided or delayed if the above-mentioned six causes can be taken into consideration or preventive measures can be taken.</p>

Transcriptional regulation of cytochrome P450 3A4 by four kinds of traditional Chinese medicines / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen a group of traditional Chinese medicines with effect on pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated transcription regulation of P450 3A4 (CYP3A4); and to study whether they can induce the expression of CYP3A4 with a dose, time-dependent manner.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Transient cotransfection reporter gene assays were performed with pCI-hPXR-neo, pGL3-CYP3A4-Luc and beta-galactosidase expression plasmid in HepG2 cells.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Rhizoma Curcumae, Atractylodes lancea, A. macrocaphala and Poria cocos could induce transcriptional expression of CYP3A4. In the dose-effect study, 24 h after induction, 500 mg x L(-1) Rhizoma Curcumae, A. lancea, A. macrocaphala and Poria cocos, respectively, could induce the CYP3A4 gene expression with (6.82 +/- 0.09), (6.76 +/- 0.20), (5.49 +/- 0.13) and (4.97 +/- 0.07) folds, as compared with 0.1% DMSO treated cells. In the time-effect study, 500 mg x L(-1) Rhizoma curcumae, A. lancea, A. macrocaphala and Poria cocos for 48 h could induce the CYP3A4 gene expression with (7.74 +/- 0.54), (7.34 +/- 0.10), (5.54 +/- 0.11) and (5.32 +/- 0.18) folds, compared with 0.1% DMSO treated cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rhizoma Curcumae, A. lancea, A. macrocaphala and Poria cocos could induce the expression of CYP3A4 gene transcription through activating PXR.</p>

Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis in 588 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis and introduce the clinical experience in the prevention of complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinic data of 588 cases of palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent bilateral sympathectomy from January 2003 and March 2007 was analyzed retrospectively. The curative results were compared between the T(2) levels denervation group (group A) and the T(2) levels remained denervation group (group B).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All operations were successfully performed under thoracoscope without severe morbidity and mortality. The curative rate of palmar hyperhidrosis was 99.8%. Accompanied axillary sweating and plantar sweating were improved in 84.0% and 71.0% patients respectively. All the patients were evaluated by a follow-up for 1 to 48 months with an average time of (20.3 +/- 2.3) months on the aspects of curative effect and occurrence of compensatory sweating. During one week after surgery, the transient postoperative hand sweating recurred in 10 cases and then disappeared within 1 to 3 days. Two cases experienced gustatory hyperhidrosis. One case experienced hand sweating at 8 th month postoperative. Side-effect of compensatory sweating were observed in 28.0 percent of group A and 13.4 percent of group B (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective, safe and minimally invasive method for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. The method of T(2) levels remained denervation appears associated with less compensatory sweating.</p>

Epidemiological survey of primary palmar hyperhidrosis in adolescents / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Despite recent advances in recognition and treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH), the epidemiological survey has hardly been conducted. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of primary PPH among adolescents in three cities of southeast China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Stratified-cluster sampling was carried out and cross-sectional epidemiological survey by questionnaire was applied among 33 000 college and high school students.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rate of PPH was 4.36% affecting both sexes equally. Prevalence rate of severe PPH was 0.27%. The average age of onset was 12.27 +/- 2.12 years. The peak age of onset was 6 - 16 years, accounting for 97.2% of PPH population. Positive family history was found in 17.9% PPH cases. Besides palms, axillae and soles can be also affected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PPH affects a larger group of individual than previously reported. More measures should be taken to enhance the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of PPH.</p>

Protective effect of acanthopanax senticosus saponins on anoxia-damaged motoneurons in rat spinal cord in vitro / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate whether acanthopanax senticosus saponins(ASS) has a protective effect on anoxia-damaged rat spinal cord motoneurons(SMNs) in vitro and to reveal the possible mechanism of this effects. Methods: SMNs were obtained from the spinal cord of embryonic day 15 rats and were cultured in vitro. The cultured cells were immunohistochemically identified and were subjected to anoxia exposure to establish apoptosis model. In this study, SMNs were divided into the following 4 groups: normal control group;anoxia-induced apoptosis group;ASS pre-treated group, SMNs were treated with ASS (50 μg/ml) 24 h before anoxia exposure; and glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) pre-treated group, SMNs were treated with GDNF(0.1 μg/ml) 24 h before anoxia exposure. The morphology of SMNs was observed with phase-contrast microscope and electron microscope; the viability of SMNs was detected with MTT method; and the influence of ASS on the stablility of SMNs membrane was observed through detection of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in the extracellular solution. The influence of ASS on the expression of HIF-1α in anoxia-damaged SMNs was studied by Western blot analysis. Results: The morphological damage of SMNs in ASS and GDNF pre -treated groups was slighter than that in anoxia-induced apoptosis group. The results showed that the viability of SMNs was higher in ASS pre-treated group (0.21±0.028) compared with that in anoxia-induced apoptosis group (0.15 ± 0.012) (P < 0.05), while the level of LDH was lower in ASS pre-treated group (28.6±1.309) than that in anoxia-induced apoptosis group (40.7±1.885) (P<0.01). The expression of HIF-1α in ASS pretreated group was the highest (1.15±0.016) (P<0.01) and that in anoxia-induced apoptosis group (0.72±0.027) was higher than that in the control group (0.16±0.003) (P<0.01). Protective effect of ASS on anoxia-damaged SMNs in rats was similar to that of GDNF. Conclusion: AS S can increase the viability of hypoxia-damaged SMNs in vitro and has obvious protective effects on them, which may be related to the enhanced stability of cell membrane and the up-regulation of HIF-1α expression.

Metabolism of terephthalic acid and its effects on CYP4B1 induction / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investgate the metabolism of terephthalic acid (TPA) in rats and its mechanism. Methods Metabolism was evaluated by incubating sodium terephthalate (NaTPA) with rat normal liver microsomes, or with microsomes pretreated by phenobarbital sodium, or with 3-methycholanthrene, or with diet control following a NADPH-generating system. The determination was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the mutagenic activation was analyzed by umu tester strain Salmonella typhimurium NM2009. Expression of CYP4B1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Results The amount of NaTPA (12.5-200 micromol x L(-1)) detected by HPLC did not decrease in microsomes induced by NADPH-generating system. Incubation of TPA (0.025-0.1 mmol x L(-1)) with induced or noninduced liver microsomes in an NM2009 umu response system did not show any mutagenic activation. TPA exposure increased the expression of CYP4B 1 mRNA in rat liver, kidney, and bladder.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lack of metabolism of TPA in liver and negative genotoxic data from NM2009 study are consistent with other previous short-term tests, suggesting that the carcinogenesis in TPA feeding animals is not directly interfered with TPA itself and/or its metabolites.</p>

Fenvalerate-induced alterations in calcium homeostasis in rat ovary / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of fenvalerate on calcium homeostasis in rat ovary.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally given fenvalerate at daily doses of 0.00, 1.91, 9.55, and 31.80 mg/kg for four weeks. The ovary ultrastucture was observed by electron microscopy. Serum free calcium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The activities of phosphorylase a in rat ovary were evaluated by the chromatometry. The total content of calmodulin in ovary was estimated by ELISA at each stage of estrous cycle. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to evaluate the level of serum progesterone.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Histopathologically, damages of ovarian corpus luteum cells were observed. An increase in serum free calcium concentration was observed in rats treated with 31.80 mg/kg fenvalerate. The activities of phosphorylase a enhanced in all treated groups, and fenvalerate increased the total content of calmodulin significantly in estrus period. Serum progesterone levels declined in fenvalerate exposed rats in diestrus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fenvalerate interferes with calcium homeostasis in rat ovary. Also, the inhibitory effects of fenvalerate on serum progesterone levels may be mediated partly through calcium signals.</p>