Panax notoginseng saponin relieving the inflammatory pain caused by complete Freund’s adjuvant by inhibiting the activation of astrocytes in mice / 解剖学报

Objective To analyse the analgesic effect and possible mechanism of panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) on mouse models of chronic inflammatory pain caused by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Methods A total of 48 male C57BL/ 6J mice were divided randomly into four groups: normal saline control group (Ctrl), CFA group (CFA), CFA + PNS group (CFA+PNS), CFA + dexamethasone (DEX) group (CFA+DEX). Von Frey filaments were used to detect mechanical pain in mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the number and morphological changes of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive astrocytes. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of GFAP, nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 in mice’s spinal cord segments in each group. Results Compared with the Ctrl group, mice in the CFA group showed a significant decrease in mechanical pain thresholds at day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, and day 14. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in the spinal cord of the mice. PNS intervention could relieve mechanical pain and down-regulate the expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in the spinal cord of mice, with no significant difference compared with the CFA+DEX group. CFA group mice had significantly more GFAP positive cells in their posterior horns than Ctrl group mice, as measured by immunohistochemistry; PNS intervention decreased the number of GFAP positive cells in the posterior horn of the spinal cord in model mice;DEX had no effect on the number of GFAP positive cells in the dorsal horn of spinal cord. According to Western blotting results, GFAP expression in the spinal cord of the CFA group was significantly more than that of the Ctrl group; PNS intervention significantly reduced GFAP expression in the spinal cord of CFA group mice;DEX had no effect on the expression of GFAP in the posterior horn of spinal cord. Conclusion PNS has a good alleviating effect on inflammatory pain, and its mechanism may be related to inhibition of astrocyte activation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Intestinal Cckbr-specific knockout mouse as a novel model of salt-sensitive hypertension via sodium over-absorption / 老年心脏病学杂志（英文版）

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the value of CCKBRfl/fl villin-Cre mice as a mouse model of salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH).@*METHODS@#In the first part, 2-month-old CCKBRfl/fl villin-Cre mice (CKO) and control CCKBRfl/fl mice (WT) were fed with normal diet (0.4% NaCl) or high salt diet (4% NaCl), separately for 6 weeks. In the rescue study, one week of hydrochlorothiazide or saline injection were treated with the CKO mice fed high salt diet. The blood pressure, biochemical indexes, and the expression of small intestinal sodium transporters (NHE3, NKCC1, eNaC) was detected. The organ injury markers (MMP2/MMP9) and the histopathological changes of kidneys were observed, whereas the changes of duodenal sodium absorption were detected by small intestinal perfusion in vivo.@*RESULTS@#The CCKBRfl/fl villin-Cre mice with high salt intake exhibited high blood pressure, increased duodenal sodium absorption and urinary sodium excretion, and with renal injury. The protein expression of NHE3, NKCC1 and eNaC were also significant increase in the intestine of CKO-HS mice. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide remarkably attenuated the elevated blood pressure by high salt absorption in the CCKBRfl/fl villin-Cre mice, but no significant histopathological changes were observed.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results support a crucial role of intestinal Cckbr deficiency on SSH development and the diuretic antihypertension effect in CCKBRfl/fl villin-Cre mice. The CCKBRfl/fl villin-Cre mice with the high salt intake may serve as a stable model of salt-sensitive hypertensive induced by sodium overloading.

[Study on HPLC-characteristic chromatogram for evaluation of quality of Scutellaria Extract and influencing factors of preparations].

This work was carried out to establish and validate the specific characteristic chromatography of Scutellaria Extract and evaluate the quality of commercial Scutellaria Extract and optimize production process parameters. Scutellaria Extract and formulation samples collected from different manufacturers were analyzed using HPLC-characteristic chromatogram. The HPLC characteristic peaks were considered to be the index for the parameters optimization in preparations of Scutellaria Extract. The chemical pattern recognization was applied for the analysis of characteristic peak data. The established characteristic fingerprint method possessed a good precision, repeatability, and stability. Ten common characteristic peaks were determined and identified in the specific chromatogram of 31 batches of Scutellaria Extract and 4 batches of formulation. The process parameters influenced the characteristic peaks area significantly. The similarity analysis results showed that after removing baicalin peak, the similarity of the characteristic chromatography of 9 samples were less than 0.90, indicating that the quality of commercial Scutellaria Extract was inconsistent. Non-parametric test result showed that the relative peaks area of the number 4, 6, 7 characteristic peaks had significant differences(P<0.05), indicating the differences of the Scutellaria Extract quality were mainly reflected in the characteristic peaks 4, 6 and 7(norwogonin-7-O-glucuronide, oroxylin A-7-O-glucuronide, wogonoside, respectively). The cluster analysis accurately classified 31 extract samples and 4 formulation samples into five categories based on 10 characteristic peaks. The quality of Scutellaria Extracts was comprehensively evaluated and ranked by PCA. The result showed that the higher content of baicalin, the score value of quality(F value) was lower, and the quality of the Scutellaria Extract should be evaluated by multi-components instead of a single baicalin component. The optimized characteristic peaks method is stable and reliable. It is advantageous for the extract and formulations integrative quality control by combining the chemical pattern recognization.

Differences in anti-inflammatory effects between two specifications of Scutellariae Radix in LPS-induced macrophages in vitro / 中国天然药物

Scutellariae Radix (SR), the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is used as an antipyretic drug and has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory activity. SR is divided into two specifications, "Ku Qin" (KQ) and "Zi Qin" (ZQ), for use against different symptoms (upper energizer heat or lower portion of the triple energizer), according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, differences in the efficacies of these two specifications have not been determined. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the differences in the anti-inflammatory activities between KQ and ZQ and to explore how their differences are manifested in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. Our results showed that, in RAW264.7 cells (a mouse macrophage cell line derived from ascites), KQ and ZQ displayed anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the release of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NOS (iNOS), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in a dose-dependent manner without distinction. In NR8383 cells (a rat alveolar macrophage cell line), KQ and ZQ displayed similar effects on NO, iNOS, and NF-κB as seen in RAW264.7 cells, but KQ showed a higher inhibition rate for NO and iNOS than that shown by ZQ at the same concentration. These results indicated that there were differences in efficacy between KQ and ZQ in treating lung inflammation. Our findings provided an experimental evidence supporting the different uses of KQ and ZQ in clinic, as noted in ancient herbal records.

An Open-label, Self-control, Prospective Study on Cognitive Function, Academic Performance, and Tolerability of Osmotic-release Oral System Methylphenidate in Children with Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental and behavioral disorder in school-aged children. This study evaluated the effect of osmotic-release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate (MPH) on cognitive function and academic performance of Chinese school-aged children with ADHD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This 12-week, prospective, multicenter, open-label, self-controlled study enrolled 153 Chinese school-aged children with ADHD and 41 non-ADHD children. Children with ADHD were treated with once-daily OROS-MPH (18 mg, 36 mg, or 54 mg). The primary endpoints were Inattention/Overactivity (I/O) with Aggression Conners Behavior Rating Scale (IOWA) and Digit Span Test at week 12 compared with baseline. Secondary endpoints included opposition/defiant (O/D) subscale of IOWA, Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Coding Test, Stroop Color-word Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), academic performance on teacher-rated school examinations, and safety at week 12 compared with baseline. Both non-ADHD and ADHD children received the same frequency of cognitive operational test to avoid the possible bias caused by training.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 128 patients were evaluated with cognitive assessments. The OROS-MPH treatment significantly improved IOWA Conners I/O subscale scores at week 12 (3.8 ± 2.3) versus baseline (10.0 ± 2.4; P < 0.0001). Digit Span Test scores improved significantly (P < 0.0001) with a high remission rate (81.1%) at week 12 versus baseline. A significant (P < 0.0001) improvement was observed in O/D subscale of IOWA, CGI, Coding Test, Stroop Color-word Test, WCST, and academic performance at week 12 versus baseline. Very few practice-related improvements were noticed in the non-ADHD group at week 12 compared with baseline. No serious adverse events and deaths were reported during the study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The OROS-MPH treatment effectively controlled symptoms of ADHD and significantly improved academic performance and cognitive function of Chinese school-aged children with ADHD. The treatment was found to be safe and generally well-tolerated over 12 weeks.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01933880; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01933880?term=CONCERTAATT4099&rank=1.</p>

Three-dimensional computed topography analysis of a patient with an unusual anatomy of the maxillary second and third molars / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

We present a case of a patient with rare anatomy of a maxillary second molar with three mesiobuccal root canals and a maxillary third molar with four separate roots, identified using multi-slice computed topography (CT) and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques. The described case enriched/might enrich our knowledge about possible anatomical aberrations of maxillary molars. In addition, we demonstrate the role of multi-slice CT as an objective tool for confirmatory diagnosis and successful endodontic management.

Prenatal exposure to diaethylstilbestrol in the rat inhibits transabdominal testicular descent with involvement of the INSL3/LGR8 system and HOXA10 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Prenatal exposure to diaethylstilbestrol (DES) has been found to lead to intra-abdominal cryptorchidism, but the mechanism is still not completely clear. This study investigated the roles of the INSL3/LGR8 system and HOXA10 in DES-induced intra-abdominal cryptorchidism (DIIAC). The effect of DES on steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), that has been reported to control transcription of insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3), was also investigated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty pregnant female SD rats at embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) were randomly assigned to five groups that received a subcutaneous injections of dimethyl sulfoxide (control), 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg of DES. Male offspring were sacrificed at E19.5, and fetal mortality and the degree of transabdominal testicular ascent (DTA) were determined under a stereomicroscope. The mRNA expression of INSL3 and SF-1 in the testis and leucine rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptors 8 (LGR8) and homeobox-A10 (HOXA10) in the gubernaculum were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of INSL3 protein was determined by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Higher fetal mortality and DTA were induced by DES in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of INSL3 and SF-1 mRNA were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01), as was INSL3 protein; HOXA10 in the 2.5 mg/kg group and LGR8 mRNA in the 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05); HOXA10 mRNA in groups C, D, and E decreased significantly and LGR8 mRNA levels in groups D and E increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DES can inhibit transabdominal testicular descent in a dose-dependent manner via down-regulating the expression of INSL3, which is induced by down-regulating the expression of SF-1. HOXA10 may not be involved in DES induced intra-abdominal cryptorchidism at 2.5 mg/kg, but is involved at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. LGR8 may not be responsible for DES-induced transabdominal testicular maldescent.</p>

The effect of diethylstilbestrol on inducing abdominal cryptorchidism and relevant genetic expression in rats / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES) at different doses on transabdominal testicular descent in rats and the expression of INSL3 in the testis and HOXA10 in the gubernaculum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fifty E13.5 (embryonic day 13.5) pregnant female SD rats were randomly divided into five groups that received a subcutaneous injection of DMSO, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg DES (group A, B, C, D and E), respectively. Male offspring were killed at E19.5, and then fetal mortality, the degree of transabdominal testicular ascent (DTA) was determined by a stereomicroscope. The mRNA expressions of INSL3 in the testis and HOXA10 in the gubernaculum were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of INSL3 protein was determined by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Male fetal mortality in group A, B, C, D, and E were 3.57%, 6.90%, 12.00%, 19.23% and 36.36%, respectively, which showed a dose-effect relationship between DES and the male fatal mortality (r=0.999, P<0.01). DTA in group B, C, D and E were (23.7+/-1.7) U, (38.8+/-1.9) U, (49.3+/-1.8) U and (58.6+/-2.1) U that were significantly larger than that in group A [(8.5+/-1.3) U] (q=46.12, 88.53, 120.44 and 141.37, respectively, P<0.01). There was also a dose-effect relationship between DES and DTA. In group B, C, D, and E, the expression of INSL3 mRNA were 0.9570+/-0.1490, 0.6760+/-0.1380, 0.0170+/-0.0040 and 0.0013+/-0.0003, respectively; the expressions of INSL3 protein were 0.8360+/-0.1520, 0.5310+/-0.1070, 0.0140+/-0.0020 and 0.0011+/-0.0003, respectively, which were significantly larger than the expression of INSL3 mRNA (1.801+/-0.126) and INSL3 protein (1.612+/-0.134) in group A (qmRNA=40.4840, 52.4402, 83.1585 and 82.0582, respectively, and qprotein=38.6151, 52.2747, 77.2756 and 76.1983, respectively, P<0.01). The expression of HOXA10 mRNA in group A, B, C, D, and E were 0.945+/-0.125, 0.940+/-0.119, 0.656+/-0.115, 0.544+/-0.118 and 0.463+/-0.114, respectively. Compared with the expression of HOXA10 mRNA in group A, the expression of group B was not significantly different (q=0.2213, P>0.05), those in other groups were down-regulated significantly (q=12.4304, 17.2477 and 20.2789, respectively, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DES inhibited transabdominal testicular descent dose-dependently via down-regulating the expression of INSL3. HOXA10 may play no role in low-dosage DES induced intra-abdominal cryptorchidism, but down-regulated HOXA10 mRNA was involved in high-dosage DES induced ones.</p>

In vitro expression of Lgeionella pneumophila pilE gene and its immunogenicity / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a recombinant plasmid containing Lgeionella pneumophila pilE gene, detect its expression in NIH3T3 cells and evaluate its immunogenicity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PilE gene (LP) was amplified from Legionella pneumophila DNA by PCR and inserted into pcDNA3.1(+) vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1-pilE, which as verified by restriction endonuclease digestion, PCR and DNA sequencing analysis. NIH3T3 cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid with Lipofection strategy. Transient and stable pilE gene products were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting, respectively. To evaluate the immunogenicity of pcDNA3.1-pilE, the recombinant plasmid was used as a DNA vaccine to immunize female BALB/c mice intramuscularly and the specific antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation response, interferon (IFN)-gamma production and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response of the immunized mice were detected and evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pilE gene of 429 bp in length was amplified. After transfection of NIH3T3 cells with the recombinant plasmid, strong green fluorescence was observed on the cell membrane and inside the cell. A protein with relative molecular mass of 15.7 kD was detected in the transfected cells with Western blotting, suggesting successful protein expression of pilE gene. pcDNA3.1-pilE resulted in much stronger immune response in the immunized mice than pcDNA3.1(+) (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The recombinant plasmid containing Lgeionella pneumophila pilE gene constructed in this study is capable of expression in NIH3T3 cells, and can induce specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.</p>

Effects of advanced glycation end products on the activity of NF-kappaB and the expression of fibronectin mRNA in the endothelial cells in aged rats / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the activity of NF-kappaB and fibronectin (Fn) synthesis in the endothelial cells in aged rats.@*METHODS@#Endothelial cells were cultured in M199 from the aorta of 24 month old rats and divided into 3 groups: Group A (5 mmol/L glucose) as controls, Group B (25 mg/L AGEs for 48 h), and Group C (50 mg/L AGEs for 48 h). The activity of NF-kappaB was evaluated by immunofluorescence and the expression of Fn mRNA was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).@*RESULTS@#Compared with the controls, AGEs induced the activity of NF-kappaB and increased the Fn mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The activity of NF-kappaB and up-regulated expression of Fn mRNA induced by AGEs may contribute to chronic complications of diabetes.

G protein kinase 4gammaA142V overexpression induced hypertension by downregulating D1 receptors in transgenic mice / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Abnormalities in dopamine production and receptor function have been described in human essential hypertension and rodent models of genetic hypertension. We investigated the role of G protein kinase (GRK) 4gamma in essential hypertension in GRK4gamma mutant A142V transgenic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood pressure, renal sodium excretion, D(1) receptor protein expression and phosphorylation were measured in GRK4gammaA142V transgenic mice and control mice. Moreover, the effects of GRK4 inhibition by antisense oligonucleotides on D(1) receptor expressions were determined in HK-2 cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with their control mice, GRK4gammaA142V transgenic mice had higher blood pressure, lower D(1) receptor expression (0.6 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05), higher D(1) receptor phosphorylation [(65 +/- 7) DU vs. (35 +/- 7) DU, P < 0.05] in renal cortical membranes and the diuretic and natriuretic effects after stimulation of renal D(1) receptor were impaired in GRK4gammaA142V transgenic mice. Inhibition of GRK4 expression (0.60 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.30 +/- 0.09, P < 0.05) by GRK4 antisense oligonucleotides upregulated D(1) receptor expression (1.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.1, P < 0.05) in HK-2 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our results show that GRK4gammaA142V overexpression induced hypertension is mediated by dowregulated renal D(1) receptor expressions in GRK4gammaA142V transgenic mice.</p>

Protective effect of pentoxifylline on spermatogenesis following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of pentoxifylline on spermatogenesis following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24) were divided into three groups randomly, each comprising 8 rats. In Group I, rats underwent a sham operation. In Group II and III, animals were submitted to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion, then detorsion in two hours. Infusion of isotonic saline and pentoxifylline into tail vein was initiated 15 minutes prior to relief of torsion in Group II and III respectively. Twenty four hours later, testes were examined for evidence of germ cell apoptosis by the flow cytometry and the level of total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with that of group II, the number of apoptotic germ cell and the level of MDA decreased remarkably in Group III, but T-AOC increased significantly (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pentoxifylline provided significant rescue of testicular function after acute experimental torsion.</p>

Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the impairment of contralateral testes of unilateral cryptorchidism in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchid rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (namely cryptorchid group and control group), with 10 rats in each group. Cryptorchid animal model was established, and contralateral testes were captured 90 days later. The evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism, apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with those in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01), while Bcl-2 expression and testis weight obviously decreased (P <0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The germ cell apoptosis is highly correlated with expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.</p>

Apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the content of epididymal carnitine following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the change of epididymal carnitine following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A (2-hr torsion), Group B (5-hr torsion) and a control group (0-hr torsion). The ipsilateral epididymides were collected for detecting the content of carnitine by DTNB technique and the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium by TUNEL technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-four hours after the treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the content of epididymal carnitine between the 2-hr torsion/detorsion group and the control (P > 0.05). However, there was statistically significant difference in the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the content of epididymal carnitine between the 5-hr group and the control (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Twenty-four hours after 2-hr testicular torsion/detorsion, the carnitine-concentrating function of the epididymis may remain normal and the apoptosis index of epididymal epithelium does not increase significantly, while one day after 5-hr testicular torsion/detorsion, the apoptosis index increases and the carnitine-concentrating function decreases.</p>

Silicon's organic pool and biological cycle in moso bamboo community of Wuyishan Biosphere Reserve / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Biomineralization of Si by plants into phytolith formation and precipitation of Si into clays during weathering are two important processes of silicon's biogeochemical cycle. As a silicon-accumulating plant, the widely distributed and woody Phyllostachys heterocycla var. pubescens (moso bamboo) contributes to storing silicon by biomineralization and, thus, prevents eutrophication of nearby waterbodies through silicon's erosion of soil particles.A study on the organic pool and biological cycle of silicon (Si) of the moso bamboo community was conducted in Wuyishan Biosphere Reserve, China. The results showed that: (1) the standing crop of the moso bamboo community was 13355.4 g/m2, of which 53.61%, 45.82% and 0.56% are represented by the aboveground and belowground parts of moso bamboos, and the understory plants, respectively; (2) the annual net primary production of the community was 2887.1 g/(m2 x a), among which the aboveground part, belowground part, litterfalls, and other fractions, accounted for 55.86%, 35.30%, 4.50% and 4.34%, respectively; (3) silicon concentration in stem, branch, leaf, base of stem, root, whip of bamboos, and other plants was 0.15%, 0.79%, 3.10%, 4.40%, 7.32%, 1.52% and 1.01%, respectively; (4) the total Si accumulated in the standing crop of moso bamboo community was 448.91 g/m2, with 99.83% of Si of the total community stored in moso bamboo populations; (5) within moso bamboo community, the annual uptake, retention, and return of Si were 95.75, 68.43, 27.32 g/(m2 x a), respectively; (6) the turnover time of Si, which is the time an average atom of Si remains in the soil before it is recycled into the trees or shrubs, was 16.4 years; (7) the enrichment ratio of Si in the moso bamboo community, which is the ratio of the mean concentration of nutrients in the net primary production to the mean concentration of nutrients in the biomass of a community, was 0.64; and lastly, (8) moso bamboo plants stored about 1.26x10(10) kg of silicon in the organic pool made up by the moso bamboo forests in the subtropical area of China.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on sperm content and motility of rats with surgically induced varicoceles / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the sperm content and motility of the varicocelized rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the varicocele, the varicocele repair, the varicocele with EGF and the varicocele repair with EGF groups, whereas the control group only received a sham induction of varicocele. Surgical repair of varicocele was performed 4 months later in the varicocele repair and varicocele repair with EGF groups. EGF administration was performed daily by s.c. injection in the varicocele with EGF and varicocele repair with EGF groups at the dose of 10 microg/(kg.day) from the next day of the second surgery. One month later, all animals were killed and bilateral cauda epididymal sperm counts and motility were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean sperm count and percentage of motile spermatozoa were significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele with EGF group than in the varicocele group (P < 0.05). They were also significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele repair with EGF group than in the varicocele repair and the varicocele with EGF groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EGF can improve bilateral epididymal sperm content and motility of the rat with surgically induced varicocele. The administration of EGF in combination with surgical repair is more effective than surgical repair or EGF administration alone. EGF might be useful for the treatment of infertility induced by varicocele.</p>

Effects of hypothermia on antioxidant capacity of rat testes after testicular torsion / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of hypothermia on the antioxidant capacity of rat testes after testicular torsion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four healthy pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of equal number: Group A (torsion) , Group B (torsion + hypothermia) and Group C (control). The animals were submitted to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion, and underwent detorsion two hours later. Fourteen days later, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the level of malonic diethylaldehyde(MDA) were detected with spectrophotometer and histological changes were observed by light microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The T-AOC of Group B was significantly greater than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but less than that of Group C (P < 0.01). The MDA level of Group B was lower than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but higher than that of Group C (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypothermia can restrain the production of oxygen free radicals following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats, which in turn can inhibit lipid peroxidation and increase the survivability of the torsional testis.</p>

Changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Spontaneously hypertensive male rats (SHR) (n = 15) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) (n = 15) were studied for 20 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured weekly by the tail/cuff method. Erectile function was tested by injecting apomorphine (APO). The expression alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen III was examined by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SHR showed a higher systolic blood pressure (205.7 +/- 11.9 vs 114.3 +/- 10.2 mm Hg) and a lower erection frequency (0.6 +/- 0.5 vs 2.4 +/- 0.6). The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen III in the cavernous tissues in the SHR was significantly higher than in the WKY.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The erectile function of the penis is markedly affected by hypertension, and the pathological changes may be one of the most important mechanisms of decreased erectile function in SHR.</p>

Hypertension in D3 dopamine receptor deficient mice / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanisms by which hypertension occurs in D(3) dopamine receptor null mice (D(3)-/-).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Several parameters, including blood pressure, renal sodium excretion, D(3) receptor protein and mRNA expression, plasma renin activity, norepinephrine concentration and AT(1) receptor expression were checked in D(3)-/- mice and their littermate wild type mice (D(3)+/+). Moreover, the vasorelaxant effect of D(3) receptor stimulation was measured with ex-vivo mesenteric artery isolated from Wistar-Kyoto rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Blood pressure was higher in D(3)-/- mice compared with that in D(3)+/+ mice, salt-loading had no effect on blood pressure in both groups, at the last period, sodium excretion was lower in D(3)-/- mice as compared with D(3)+/+ mice, renal renin activity and AT(1) receptor expression were higher in D(3) -/- [corrected] mice than in D(3) +/+ [corrected] mice. In contrast, no difference of renal norepinephrine was found in two groups. When using angiotensin II subtype-1 receptor antagonist, the systolic blood pressure declined for a longer duration in mutant mice than in wild-type mice. Vaso-relaxation was found in ex-vivo isolated mesenteric artery when D(3) receptor was stimulated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Elevation of blood pressure in D(3)-/- mice might be related with impaired renal sodium excretion and vaso-relaxation in resistance artery.</p>

Germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental torsed/detorsed testes of the adult male rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into torsion group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15) randomly. Animals were submitted to unilateral 720 testicular torsion, then detorsion were done in two hours. Three days later, the evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the torsed testes, the apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01) while Bcl-2 expression obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pechytene spermatocytes and round spermatides.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The germ cell apoptosis is highly associated with expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental testicular torsion. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.</p>