Cichoric acid from extracted Echinacea purpurea induces the proliferation and apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from yaks

BACKGROUND: Cichoric acid (CA) is extracted from Echinacea purpurea. It is well known and widely used for its immunological function. However, the effect of CA on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from yaks is still unclear. This study investigated the potential influences of CA on the proliferation, cytokine induction, and apoptosis of PBMCs from Datong yak in vivo, and aimed to provide a basis for exploring the pharmacological activities of CA on yaks. RESULTS: In this study, CA promoted PBMCs proliferation by combining concanavalin A (Con A) and exhibited a dose-dependent effect as demonstrated by a Cell Counting Kit-8. The concentration of 60 µg/ml CA was the best and promoted the transformation from the G0/G1 phase to the S and G2/M phases with Con A. Furthermore, 60 µg/ml CA significantly increased IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ levels and PCNA, CDK4 and Bcl-2 expression levels, but it significantly inhibited the TP53, Bax, and Caspase-3 expression levels. Transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 6807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CA treatment and control groups. Of these genes, 3788 were significantly upregulated and 3019 were downregulated. Gene Ontology and pathway analysis revealed that DEGs were enriched in cell proliferation and immune function signaling pathways. The expression level of some transcription factors (BTB, Ras, RRM_1, and zf-C2H2) and genes (CCNF, CCND1, and CDK4) related to PBMCs proliferation in yaks were significantly promoted after CA treatment. By contrast, anti-proliferation-associated genes (TP53 and CDKN1A) were inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, CA could regulate the immune function of yaks by promoting proliferation and inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis of PBMCs.

Misfit and fracture load of implant-supported monolithic crowns in zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate

Abstract Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) is a ceramic that promises to have better mechanical properties than other materials with the same indications as well as improved adaptation and fracture strength. Objective In this study, marginal and internal misfit and fracture load with and without thermal-mechanical aging (TMA) of monolithic ZLS and lithium disilicate (LDS) crowns were evaluated. Material and methods Crowns were milled using a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing system. Marginal gaps (MGs), absolute marginal discrepancy (AMD), axial gaps, and occlusal gaps were measured by X-ray microtomography (n=8). For fracture load testing, crowns were cemented in a universal abutment, and divided into four groups: ZLS without TMA, ZLS with TMA, LDS without TMA, and LDS with TMA (n=10). TMA groups were subjected to 10,000 thermal cycles (5-55°C) and 1,000,000 mechanical cycles (200 N, 3.8 Hz). All groups were subjected to compressive strength testing in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until failure. Student's t-test was used to examine misfit, two-way analysis of variance was used to analyze fracture load, and Pearson's correlation coefficients for misfit and fracture load were calculated (α=0.05). The materials were analyzed according to Weibull distribution, with 95% confidence intervals. Results Average MG (p<0.001) and AMD (p=0.003) values were greater in ZLS than in LDS crowns. TMA did not affect the fracture load of either material. However, fracture loads of ZLS crowns were lower than those of LDS crowns (p<0.001). Fracture load was moderately correlated with MG (r=-0.553) and AMD (r=-0.497). ZLS with TMA was least reliable, according to Weibull probability. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, ZLS crowns had lower fracture load values and greater marginal misfit than did LDS crowns, although these values were within acceptable limits.

Health impact assessment of decreases in PM10 and ozone concentrations in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area: A basis for a new air quality management program / Evaluación de impacto en salud ante reducciones de PM10 y ozono en la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México: Base para un nuevo programa de calidad del aire

Objective. To conduct a health impact assessment (HIA) to quantify health benefits for several PM and O3 air pollution reduction scenarios in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). Results from this HIA will contribute to the scientific support of the MCMA air quality management plan (PROAIRE) for the period 2011-2020. Materials and methods. The HIA methodology consisted of four steps: 1) selection of the air pollution reduction scenarios, 2) identification of the at-risk population and health outcomes for the 2005 baseline scenario, 3) selection of concentration-response functions and 4) estimation of health impacts. Results. Reductions of PM10 levels to 20 μg/m³ and O3 levels to 0.050ppm (98 µg/m³) would prevent 2300 and 400 annual deaths respectively. The greatest health impact was seen in the over-65 age group and in mortality due to cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion. Improved air quality in the MCMA could provide significant health benefits through focusing interventions by exposure zones.

Objetivo. Realizar una evaluación de impacto en salud (EIS) que documente los beneficios en salud ante diversos escenarios de reducción de PM10 y O3 en el aire de la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México (ZMVM). Los resultados contribuyen al sustento científico del plan de gestión de calidad del aire (PROAIRE 2011-2020). Material y métodos. La metodología de EIS comprende cuatro pasos: 1) selección de los escenarios de reducción, 2) identificación de la población en riesgo y de los eventos en salud para el año basal 2005, 3) selección de las funciones de concentración-respuesta y 4) estimación del impacto en la salud. Resultados. Reducciones de PM10 a 20μg/m³ y de O3 a 0.050ppm (98 µg/m³) evitarían, respectivamente, cerca de 2 300 y 400 muertes por año. El mayor impacto se observa en el grupo de más de 65 años y en la mortalidad por causas cardiopulmonares y cardiovasculares. Conclusiones. Mejorar la calidad del aire en la ZMVM podría reflejar importantes beneficios para la salud focalizados por zonas o áreas de exposición.

Evaluation of hemostatic changes using n thromboelastography after crystalloid or colloid fluid administration during major orthopedic surgery

The effects of Ringer lactate, 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) (130/0.4) or 4% succinylated gelatin solutions on perioperative coagulability were measured by thromboelastography (TEG). Seventy-five patients (ASA I-III) who were to undergo major orthopedic procedures performed under epidural anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each for the administration of maintenance fluids: group RL (Ringer lactate), group HES (6% HES 130/0.4), and group JEL (4% gelofusine solution). Blood samples were obtained during the perioperative period before epidural anesthesia (t1, baseline), at the end of the surgery (t2), and 24 h after the operation (t3). TEG data, reaction time (R), coagulation time (K), angle value (α), and maximum amplitude (MA) were recorded. TEG parameters changed from normal values in all patients. In group RL, R and K times decreased compared to perioperative values while the α angle and MA increased (P < 0.05). In group HES, R and K times increased, however, the α angle and MA decreased (P < 0.05). In group JEL, R time increased (P < 0.05), but K time, α angle and MA did not change significantly. In the present study, RL, 6% HES (130/0.4) and 4% JEL solutions caused changes in the coagulation system of all patients as measured by TEG, but these changes remained within normal limits.

O efeito potenciador do succinato de cloranfenicol sobre a pleurisia aguda induzida pela carragenina. Inibiçäo por indometacina e dexametasona / The potentiating effect of chloramphenicol succinate in rat carrageenin-induced acute pleurisy. Inhibition by indomethacin and dexamethasone

Neste trabalho estudaram-se os efeitos da indometacina e dexametasona sobre a migraçäo das células polimorfonucleares (PMN), produzida pelo cloranfenicol 4h após a aplicaçäo intrapleural de carragenina ou dextrano. Demonstrou-se que o pré-tratamento de ratos com cloranfenicol (30mg/kg, ip, a cada 12h, por 4 dias) potenciou a migraçäo de PMN para a cavidade inflamada, quando a carragenina (150mg) foi utilizada como estímulo inflamatório, enquanto a resposta ao dextrano (100mcg) näo se alterou, em comparaçäo com animais näo tratados com o antibiótico. Ratos que receberam cloranfenicol e foram tratados com indometacina (2,0mg/kg, per os, 30 min antes da aplicaçäo de carragenina) ou dexametasona (0,25mg/kg, ip, 30 min antes da aplicaçäo de carragenina) apresentaram inibiçäo das respostas celulares potenciadas. O mecanismo pelo qual o cloranfenicol produz aumento da resposta inflamatória permanece obscuro

Avaliaçäo da absorçäo do ferro proteinsuccinilato em diferentes condiçöes bioquímicas gástricas e duodenais / Evaluation of the absorption of iron-protein-succinylate in different gastric and duodenal biochemical conditions

O ferro proteinsuccinilato é um novo preparado de ferro adequado à administraçäo oral. Esta molécula näo libera íons de ferro no pH gástrico (o que melhora a tolerabilidade do produto), mas somente a nível duodenal. A absorçäo do ferro do ferro proteinsuccinilato foi relatada por outros autores que notaram um aumento dos níveis séricos de ferro após a administraçäo oral do composto. Com o mesmo método estudamos a absorçä do ferro do ferro proteinsuccinilato antes e após um período de tratamento de seis semanas com ranitidina, um antagonista dos receptores H2 da histamina (300mgh/dia), em indivíduos com úlcera duodenal. O tratamento con ranitidina näo modificou a absorçäo do ferro do ferro proteinsuccinilato

Influência do substrato succinato e do cofator difosfato de adenosina sobre o consumo de oxigênio pelas mitocôndrias da placenta humana de termo / Influence of succinate substract and of co-factor adenosine-diphosphate on oxygen consumption by full-term human placenta mitochondria

Estudou-se a influência do substrato succinato e do cofator difosfato de adenosina sobre o consumo de oxigênio pelas mitocôndrias da placenta humana de termo. O consumo de oxigênio endógeno, isto é, num meio sem substrato nem cofator, foi relativamente baixo (0,013 + ou - 0,0023 micronM O**2/min/mg de proteína total). O consumo de oxigênio mitocondrial aumentou significativamente quando se agregou succinato de sódio (43 micronM) ao meio de respiraçäo, na ausência ou em presença do cofator difosfato de adenosina (20 mM) (0,021 + ou - 0,0051 e 0,026 + ou - 0,0033 micronM O**2/min/mg de proteína, respectivamente)