Mechanism of endometrial MUC2 in reproductive performance in mice through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway after lipopolysaccharide treatment.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to endotoxin on the reproductive performance of humans and animals in pregnancy and delivery period. Mucin is considered to play a critical role in protecting the tissue epithelium. At pregnancy period, the MUC2 expression of uterus in the High LPS group was significantly higher than that in the Control group. The glycosaminoglycans of gland cells were secreted into the uterine cavity to protect the uterus. Then, the MUC2 layer became thinner, and LPS entered the lamina propria of the uterus. The mRNA expression of tight junction proteins showed a marked drop, and morphological damage of the uterus occurred. Subsequently, the glycosaminoglycans of gland cells in the High LPS and Low LPS groups increased with the increasing LPS dose, and the damage to the endometrial epithelium was repaired in female mice at Day 5 postdelivery. A low dose of LPS activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways to increase the glycosaminoglycans particles, while a high dose of LPS inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to decrease the glycosaminoglycans particles. Taken together, our results suggest that gland cells secreted glycosaminoglycans particles into the uterine cavity by exocytosis to increase the thickness of the mucus layer to protect the uterus and that this process was regulated by PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Effects of lipopolysaccharide on T lymphocyte cell subsets and cytokine secretion in mesenteric lymph nodes of mice: Histological and molecular study.

Lipololysaccharides (LPS) can disrupt the gut barrier. How dose LPS affects the immune performance of mesenteric lymph nodes? The results showed the hematological parameters significantly changed after LPS treatment. The length of intestinal villus was shortened and the depth of crypts was deepened, especially on the ileum. After LPS treatment 6 h, 12 h, the number of CD3+ T cells and CD4/CD8 in the mesenteric lymph nodes of ileum were reduced significantly; the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-ɑ and IL-2 were significantly decreased, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly increased in the ileum. The content of sIgA in the ileum was significantly decreased after LPS treatment 3 h, 6 h and was increased after LPS treatment 12 h. LPS through mesenteric lymph nodes, which induces the immune function reduced and the ileum injured obviously after treatment 6 h. Furthermore, the performance of intestinal immune performance was the lowest after LPS treatment 6 h.

Ochrocephalamines B-D, Three Alkaloids from Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge.

Ochrocephalamines B-D (1-3), composed of fused quinolizidine and octahydroquinoline rings, were isolated from Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge. Ochrocephalamine B (1) has a unique bridged tetracyclic ring skeleton fused with a lactam ring. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated using spectroscopic and computational approaches. Ochrocephalamine C (2) and D (3) demonstrated potent anti-HBV activities and are more potent against the secretion of HBeAg than that of HBsAg.

Hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular diseases clustering among very elderly women - a community based study in Chengdu, China.

Cardiovascular epidemiological features among very elderly Chinese are still uncertain. This study aimed to describe the distribution of cardiovascular diseases and sex difference, and investigate potential risk factors for diseases clustering among very elderly Chinese. From May 2013 to May 2015, a total of 1056 very elderly were sampled in this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics collection, physical examination and biochemical analysis were performed. Totally, 1038 participants (men: 49.8%) with a median age of 83.0 years (age range: 80.0-100.0 years) were included. In this very elderly group, the prevalences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, hyperuricemia, obesity, visceral obesity, and hypercholesterolaemia were 76.9%, 20.0%, 23.3%, 33.0%, 9.4%, 54.5% and 35.8%, respectively. About 17.5% of very elderly (men vs. women: 15.1% vs 19.8%, p = 0.007) have ≥3 cardiovascular diseases clustering. Logistic analysis found that hyperuricemia (odds ratio 3.850, 95%CI 2.189-6.770) was associated with of cardiovascular diseases clustering among very elderly women. Prevalences of prehypertension, hyperuricemia, visceral obesity and dyslipidaemia are apparent in very elderly women, while diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction are common in very elderly men. Women are more likely to have ≥3 cardiovascular diseases. Hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular diseases clustering among very elderly women.

Alkaloids from Oxytropis ochrocephala and antiproliferative activity of sophoridine derivatives against cancer cell lines.

Ten alkaloids (1-10), with sophoridine (1) as the most abundant component, were obtained from the whole plants of Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge. Furthermore, eight new sophoridine derivatives (11-16, 20, 21), with modification on the C-14 position of 1 were synthesized. All compounds (1-16, 20, 21) were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against five human tumor cell lines. Among them, the newly synthesized derivative 20 exhibited the best inhibitory activity against the tested cell lines. Its activity was increased by more than fourfold as compared with parent compound 1.

Ochrocephalamine A, a new quinolizidine alkaloid from Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge.

One dimeric matrine-type alkaloid, ochrocephalamine A (1), was isolated from the poisonous plant Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The insecticidal and cytotoxic activities of 1 were evaluated.

The effects of swainsonine on the activity and expression of α-mannosidase in BRL-3A cells.

Swainsonine (SW) is the principal toxic ingredient of locoweeds, which can cause intensive vacuolar degeneration because of α-mannosidase inhibition after animal ingestion. While SW can lead to obvious liver damage in vivo, the mechanism of hepatotoxic damage caused by SW is not clear. Therefore, BRL-3A cells were treated for 24, 48, and 72 h with SW at various concentrations (0, 700, 900, 1100 µg/mL). The α-mannosidase (AMAN) activity was determined in BRL-3A cells using an enzyme substrate technique. The expression of mRNA and proteins of GM II (MAN2A1) and LAM (MAN2B1) in BRL-3A cells was detected by qPCR and Western-blot. The results showed that SW could significantly reduce the activity of AMAN in a time-dose effect relationship. Compared with the control group, the activity of AMAN significantly decreased only in the group treated with 1100 µg/mL SW for 24 h (P < 0.01), but the activity decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in all experimental groups treated for 48 or 72 h. SW also significantly reduced the expression of MAN2A1 and MAN2B1 mRNA and proteins in a time-dose effect relationship (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while the inhibition of SW was stronger for MAN2B1 than for MAN2A1. These results suggest that SW can significantly reduce the activity and expression of α-mannosidase thus causing SW-induced hepatotoxic damage.

Effect of swainsonine in Oxytropis kansuensis on Golgi α-mannosidase II expression in the brain tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats.

The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of swainsonine in Oxytropis kansuensis on the expression of Golgi α-mannosidase II (MAN2A1) in the brain tissues of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (experimental groups I, II, and III and a control group) of six animals each. The rats were penned as groups and fed feeds containing either 15% (swainsonine content = 0.003%), 30% (swainsonine content = 0.006%), or 45% (swainsonine content = 0.009%) O. kansuensis for experimental groups I-III, respectively, or complete feed for the control group. One hundred and nineteen days after poisoning, all rats showed neurological disorders at different degrees, which were considered to be successful establishment of a chronic poisoning model of O. kansuensis. Rats were sacrificed, and MAN2A1 expression of brain tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The results showed that MAN2A1 was either not expressed or lowly expressed in the molecular layer of the cerebral cortex and hippocampal layers, but was found to be highly expressed in other areas of the brain. MAN2A1 expression decreased in the cerebrum and cerebellum in experimental groups when compared to the control group, whereas the expression of MAN2A1 mRNA was inhibited in cerebral and cerebellar tissues by O. kansuensis. These results indicated that O. kansuensis treatment could reduce the expression of MAN2A1 in brain tissues of SD rats.

The study of the Oxytropis kansuensis-induced apoptotic pathway in the cerebrum of SD rats.

BACKGROUND: Locoweeds cause significant livestock poisoning and economic loss all over the world. Animals can develop locoism, a chronic neurological disease, after grazing on locoweeds. Oxytropis kansuensis is a variety of locoweed that contains swainsonine as its main toxic ingredient. The purpose of this study was to investigate the apoptotic pathway induced in the cerebrum by swainsonine. RESULTS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (experimental groups I, II, III and a control group) and 6 SD rats of each group were feed in 3 cages separately. Rats were penned as groups and fed with feeds containing 15% (SW content 0.03‰), 30% (SW content 0.06‰), or 45% (SW content 0.09‰) O. kansuensis for experimental groups I, II, and III, respectively, or complete feed in the case of the control group. One hundred and nineteen days after poisoning, and all rats showed neurological disorders at different degrees, which were considered to be successful established a chronic poisoning model of O. kansuensis. rats were sacrificed and the expression of Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, Bax as well as cleaved caspase-3, -8 and -9 proteins in brain tissues were detected by Western blot. The results showed that SW treatment up-regulated Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) (P < 0.05), and that there was an increase in Bax and a decrease in Bcl-2 protein (P < 0.01). Moreover, SW treatment significantly increases the activation of caspase-3, 8 and -9, the key effectors in apoptosis pathway (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that SW induces apoptosis in cells of the brain through death receptor and mitochondria-mediated, caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways in the brain tissue of SD rats.

[Clinical analysis of laparoscopic D2 lymphadenectomy for distal gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the surgical approach, feasibility and surgical outcomes of laparascopic distal gastrectomy D2(LDGD2). METHODS: Fifty-four patients who underwent LDGD2 were examined in terms of pathologic findings, operative outcomes, and complications. A simple and effective surgical procedure was as follows: gastrocolic ligament--transverse mesocolon anterior lobe--pancreatic capsule--4sb--4d--6--14v, 8a--12a--9--7--11p, 1--3--5--lesser omental bursa. Efficacy and feasibility of this procedure was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was (236±51) minutes, the mean number of lymph nodes was(18±5), the mean positive lymph nodes were 0-14, the mean blood loss was(217±65) ml, and postoperative mean hospital stay was(15±4) days. CONCLUSIONS: LDGD2 for lower and lower-middle gastric cancer is feasible and safe, and can meet the oncological demand.

[Impact of laparoscopic colorectal surgery on the peritoneal microstructural injury and expression of t-PA/PAI-1].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection on the peritoneal microstructure injury and expression of t-PA/PAI-1 molecules. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with colorectal cancer were prospectively enrolled between June 2011 and February 2012 in the Shanxi Provincial Hospital and were assigned into laparoscopic group (LO, n=27) and conventional laparotomy group (CO, n=23) based on patients expectancy and surgeon decision. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were employed for comparison of the postoperative peritoneal injury between LO and CO. Before and after surgery, t-PA and PAI-1 of peritoneal tissue were determined by ELISA in both groups. RESULTS: Optical microscope and scanning electronic microscopy scan indicated less serosal injury in LO group than that in CO group with regard to serosa integrity, continuity of covering adipocytes and mesothelial cells, and the aggregation level of inflammatory cells (P<0.01). The injury score was 38.22 in CO in and 14.67 in LO and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between LO and CO in terms of postoperative t-PA in the omentum, t-PA and PAI-1 in the intestinal serosa tissue (P>0.05), however PAI-1 in the omentum was significantly lower in LO group compared to CO group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer causes less peritoneal structural injury and less influence on the fibrinolytic capacity, which may contribute to less postoperative adhesion.

[Peritoneal structural injury in laparoscopic versus open radical resection for colorectal cancer: a prospective controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the differences in peritoneal microstructure injury between laparoscopic and open radical resection for colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with colorectal cancer were consecutively assigned into laparoscopic group (LO, n=27) and conventional laparotomy group (CO, n=23). Prospectively comparative analyses of operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node harvest, positive rate of lymph nodes, length of specimen and resection margin involvement were performed. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to detect postoperative peritoneal injury between patients who received laparoscopic surgery or open surgery. RESULTS: Compared with the CO group, operative time [(150.6+/-39.5) min vs (183.0+/-39.2) min, P<0.05] and intraoperative blood loss [(80.0+/-75.2) ml vs (234.5+/-235.3) ml, P<0.01] were significantly less in the LO group. No significant differences were found between two groups in length specimen, number of lymph nodes harvest, positive rate of lymph nodes, and all resection margins were negative (P>0.05). Optical microscope indicated less serosal injury in the LO group as compared to the CO group with regard to serosal integrity, continuity of covering adipocyte and mesothelial cell, and the aggregation level of erythrocytes and inflammatory cells (P<0.01). Scanning electronic microscopy showed more severe injury to colorectal serosa, mesothelium and basement membrane in the CO group as compared to the LO group. CONCLUSION: With equal degree of radical resection, laparoscopic technique for colorectal cancer causes less peritoneal structural injury as compared with open surgery.

[The effect of local vibration on blood-lipids and whole blood viscosity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of local vibration on blood-lipids and whole blood viscosity. METHODS: The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), whole blood viscosity, apolipoprotein (Apo-), red blood cell (RBC), platelet (PLT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum-protein, postprandial blood sugar (PBS), and serum-protein of experimental and control workers were detected. The difference of the means and abnormal rates of two groups were compared. RESULTS: The means of TG, TC, HDL in exposed group [(1.01 +/- 0.85), (3.25 +/- 0.61), (1.14 +/- 0.20) mmol/L respectively] were significantly lower than that of control group [(1.89 +/- 1.47), (3.87 +/- 0.82), (1.22 +/- 0.26) mmol/L, respectively, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05]. Apo-A was also decreased [(1.13 +/- 0.29) g/L vs (1.23 +/- 0.16) g/L, P < 0.01]. The mean of whole blood viscosity were significantly increased in exposed group [(2.76 +/- 0.42) mPa.s vs (2.54 +/- 0.33) mPa.s, P < 0.01]. The abnormal rate of Apo-A was significantly higher in exposed group (23.30%) than that in control (4.50%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Local vibration may induce decrease in blood lipids, increase in blood viscosity and changes in some other blood parameters.