Effect of parenteral glutamine supplementation combined with enteral nutrition on Hsp90 expression and Peyer's patch apoptosis in severely burned rats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of parenteral glutamine (GLN) supplementation combined with enteral nutrition (EN) on heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 expression and Peyer's patch (PP) apoptosis in severely burned rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham burn + EN + GLN-free amino acid (AA; n = 10), sham burn + EN + GLN (n = 10), burn + EN + AA (n = 10), and burn + EN + GLN (n = 10). Two hours after a 30% total body surface area (TBSA), full-thickness scald burn injury on the back, burned rats in two of the experimental groups (burn + EN + AA and burn + EN + GLN groups) were fed with a conventional EN solution by oral gavage for 7 d. Simultaneously, rats in the burn + EN + GLN group were given 0.35 g GLN/kg body weight/d once via a tail vein injection for 7 d and rats in the burn + EN + AA group were administered isocaloric/isonitrogenous GLN-free amino acid solution (Tyrosine) for comparison. Rats in two sham burn control groups (sham burn + EN + AA and sham burn + EN + GLN groups) were treated in the same manner except for the burn injury. All rats in the four groups were given 175 kcal/kg body wt/d. There was isonitrogenous, isovolumic, and isocaloric intake among the four groups. At the end of the seventh day after completion of the nutritional program, all rats were anesthetized and samples were collected for further analysis. PP apoptosis was measured by terminal deoxyuridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Hsp90 in PPs was analyzed by western blotting. Caspase-3 activity of PPs was also assessed. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines of gut tissues were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) content was also determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The results revealed that intestinal IgA content in rats of the burn + EN + GLN group were significantly increased compared with those in the burn + EN + AA group (P < 0.05). The expression of Hsp90 of PPs in rats in the burn + EN + GLN group was significantly upregulated compared with those in the burn + EN + AA group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, levels of proinflammatory cytokines of gut tissues, caspase-3 activity, and the number of TUNEL-stained cells of PPs in rats of the burn + EN + GLN group were markedly decreased compared with those of the burn + EN + AA group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that parenteral glutamine supplementation combined with EN may upregulate the expression of Hsp90, reduce caspase-3 activity, lessen the release of proinflammatory cytokines, attenuate PP apoptosis, and improve intestinal IgA response in burned rats. Clinically, therapeutic efforts to improve intestinal immunity may contribute to a favorable outcome in severely burned patients.

Effect of parenteral glutamine supplementation combined with enteral nutrition on Hsp90 expression and lymphoid organ apoptosis in severely burned rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of parenteral glutamine(GLN) supplementation combined with enteral nutrition (EN) on heat shock protein 90(Hsp90) expression, apoptosis of lymphoid organs and circulating lymphocytes, immunological function and survival in severely burned rats. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups: a sham burn+EN+GLN-free amino acid (AA) group (n=10), a sham burn+EN+GLN group (n=10), a burn+EN+AA group (n=10), and a burn +EN +GLN group (n=10). Two hours after a 30% total body surface area (TBSA), full-thickness scald burn injury on the back was made, the burned rats in two experimental groups (the burn+EN+AA group and the burn+EN +GLN group) were fed with a conventional enteral nutrition solution by oral gavage for 7 days. Simultaneously, the rats in the burn+EN+GLN group were given 0.35g GLN/kg body weight/day once via a tail vein injection for 7 days, whereas those in the burn+EN+AA group were administered isocaloric/isonitrogenous GLN-free amino acid solution (Tyrosine) for comparison. The rats in two sham burn control groups (the sham burn+EN+AA group and the sham burn+EN +GLN group) were treated in the same procedure as above, except for burn injury. All rats in each of the four groups were given 175kcal/kg body wt/day. There was isonitrogenous, isovolumic and isocaloric intake among four groups. At the end of the 7th day after nutritional programme were finished, all rats were anesthetized and samples were collected for further analysis. Serum immunoglobulin quantification was conducted by ELISA. Circulating lymphocyte numbers were counted by Coulter LH-750 Analyzer. The percentages and apoptotic ratio of CD4 and CD8T lymphocytes in circulation were determined by flow cytometry (FCM). The neutrophil phagocytosis index (NPI) was examined. The GLN concentrations in plasma, thymus, spleen and skeletal muscle were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The organ index evaluation and TUNEL analysis of thymus and spleen were carried out. The expression of Hsp90 in thymus and spleen was analyzed by western blotting. Moreover, the survival in burned rats was observed. RESULTS: The results revealed that parenteral GLN supplementation combined with EN significantly increased the GLN concentrations of plasma and tissues, the serum immunoglobulin content, the circulating lymphocyte number, the CD4/CD8 ratio, the indexes of thymus and spleen, NPI and survival as compared with the burn+EN+AA group (p<0.05). The expression of Hsp90 in thymus and spleen in the burn+EN+GLN group was significantly up-regulated as compared with the burn+EN+AA group (p<0.05). The apoptosis in circulating CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, thymus and spleen in the burn+EN+GLN group was significantly decreased as compared with the burn+EN+AA group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that parenteral GLN supplementation combined with EN may increase the GLN concentrations of plasma and tissues, up-regulate the expression of Hsp90, attenuate apoptosis in lymphoid organ and circulating lymphocyte, enhance the immunological function and improve survival in severely burned rats. Clinically, therapeutic efforts at the modulation of the immune dysfunction may contribute to a favorable outcome in severely burned patients.

[Chronic Disease Control among Rural Residents in Beijing Pinggu District].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the composition and control status of chronic diseases among rural residents in a Beijing suburb district. METHODS: Rural residents aged 35 years or older were investigated by stratified random sampling in Pinggu District, Beijing. Each participant received questionnaire-based survey,physical examination,and laboratory tests including routine blood test,urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), liver and renal function,serum lipid, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin. RESULTS: A total of 10 385 residents completed all items. Cerebrovascular disease was leading cause of hospitalization (accounting for 14.4%) and its incidence in the population was 9.6%. The incidences of hypertension,hyperlipidemia,diabetes mellitus,and gout/hyperuricemia,which were the main compositions related with metabolic diseases,were up to 64.4%,42.5%,24.4%, and 9.0%, respectively. The disease onset was significantly related with the age. The incidence of hypertension was gradually elevated with the increasing of age,while the peak age was 55-64 years for diabetes and 35-44 years for gout/hyperuricemia. The awareness rate of hypertension,diabetes,and chronic kidney disease was 60.2%, 55.1%,and 6.0%,respectively. The control rate of chronic disease was 19.2% and 28.8% in hypertensive and diabetic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrovascular diseases and metabolic-associated diseases are the main chronic diseases affecting rural residents in Pinggu district, Beijing. The awareness rate and control rate of chronic diseases needs to be further enhanced by strengthening health education and improving the community medical service.

[A review of atmospheric aerosol research by using polarization remote sensing].

In the present paper, aerosol research by using polarization remote sensing in last two decades (1993-2013) was reviewed, including aerosol researches based on POLDER/PARASOL, APS(Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor), Polarized Airborne camera and Ground-based measurements. We emphasize the following three aspects: (1) The retrieval algorithms developed for land and marine aerosol by using POLDER/PARASOL; The validation and application of POLDER/PARASOL AOD, and cross-comparison with AOD of other satellites, such as MODIS AOD. (2) The retrieval algorithms developed for land and marine aerosol by using MICROPOL and RSP/APS. We also introduce the new progress in aerosol research based on The Directional Polarimetric Camera (DPC), which was produced by Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). (3) The aerosol retrieval algorithms by using measurements from ground-based instruments, such as CE318-2 and CE318-DP. The retrieval results from spaceborne sensors, airborne camera and ground-based measurements include total AOD, fine-mode AOD, coarse-mode AOD, size distribution, particle shape, complex refractive indices, single scattering albedo, scattering phase function, polarization phase function and AOD above cloud. Finally, based on the research, the authors present the problems and prospects of atmospheric aerosol research by using polarization remote sensing, and provide a valuable reference for the future studies of atmospheric aerosol.

Immobility responses between mouse strains correlate with distinct hippocampal serotonin transporter protein expression and function.

Mouse strain differences in immobility and in sensitivity to antidepressants have been observed in the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). However, the neurotransmitter systems and neural substrates that contribute to these differences remain unknown. To investigate the role of the hippocampal serotonin transporter (5-HTT), we measured baseline immobility and the immobility responses to fluoxetine (FLX) in the FST and the TST in male CD-1, C57BL/6, DBA and BALB/c mice. We observed strain differences in baseline immobility time, with CD-1 mice showing the longest and DBA mice showing the shortest. In contrast, DBA and BALB/c mice showed the highest sensitivity to FLX, whereas CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice showed the lowest sensitivity. Also we found strain differences in both the total 5-HTT protein level and the membrane-bound 5-HTT level (estimated by V max) as follows: DBA>BALB/c>CD-1=C57BL/6. The uptake efficiency of the membrane-bound 5-HTT (estimated by 1/K m) was highest in DBA and BALB/c mice and lowest in CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice. A correlation analysis of subregions within the hippocampus revealed that immobility time was negatively correlated with V max and positively correlated with K m in the hippocampus. Therefore a higher uptake capacity of the membrane-bound 5-HTT in the hippocampus was associated with lower baseline immobility and greater sensitivity to FLX. These results suggest that alterations in hippocampal 5-HTT activity may contribute to mouse strain differences in the FST and the TST.

Subregion-specific decreases in hippocampal serotonin transporter protein expression and function associated with endophenotypes of depression.

Stress influences the development of depression, and depression is associated with structural and functional changes in the hippocampus. The current study sought to determine whether chronic corticosteroid (CORT) treatment influences serotonin transporter (5-HTT) protein expression and function in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) subregions of the hippocampus. Male CD-1 mice were subcutaneously injected with CORT at a dose of 20 mg/kg once daily for 3 weeks. Behavioral state was assessed using sucrose preference, physical state of the coat, forced swimming test, and tail suspension test. We then determine 5-HTT protein expression and synaptosomal 5-HT uptake in the CA1, CA3 and DG subregions. CORT treatment induced anhedonia and behavioral despair, two core endophenotypes of clinical depression; 5-HTT protein expression levels and synaptosomal 5-HT uptake were both decreased in a subregion-specific manner, with the greatest decrease observed in the DG, a moderate decrease in the CA3, and the CA1 showed no apparent change. In addition, a reduction in tissue mass was detected in the DG following the CORT treatment. These data indicate that subregion-specific decreases in hippocampal 5-HTT protein expression and function are associated with endophenotypes of depression.

Analysis of acidic endogenous phytohormones in grapes by using online solid-phase extraction coupled with LC-MS/MS.

Phytohormones play important roles in regulating numerous plant physiological and developmental processes, even during the postharvest storage period. In order to determine the functions and changes of gibberellins acid (GA3), indoleacetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), indolebutyric acid (IBA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in grape berries during storage, an ultrasensitive method based on direct injection online solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed. Grape berries were extracted with cold methanol. After centrifugation, the supernatants were concentrated with a vacuum centrifugal concentrator and injected into an online solid-phase extraction column. After the cleanup procedure, the analytes were determined by LC-MS/MS. The results showed that the linearity of the proposed method was 10-210 µg kg(-1) for ABA, 20-200 µg kg(-1) for IBA, 15-320 µg kg(-1) for IAA, 20-320 µg kg(-1) for GA3 and 3.0-90.0 µg kg(-1) for JA. The limits of detection of the method were 0.71, 2.79, 0.94, 0.39 and 0.57 µg kg(-1), respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of endogenous phytohormones in grape berries during the postharvest storage period.

Thermal infrared emissivity spectrum and its characteristics of crude oil slick covered seawater.

Detecting oil slick covered seawater surface using the thermal infrared remote sensing technology exists the advantages such as: oil spill detection with thermal infrared spectrum can be performed in the nighttime which is superior to visible spectrum, the thermal infrared spectrum is superior to detect the radiation characteristics of both the oil slick and the seawater compared to the mid-wavelength infrared spectrum and which have great potential to detect the oil slick thickness. And the emissivity is the ratio of the radiation of an object at a given temperature in normal range of the temperature (260-320 K) and the blackbody radiation under the same temperature , the emissivity of an object is unrelated to the temperature, but only is dependent with the wavelength and material properties. Using the seawater taken from Bohai Bay and crude oil taken from Gudao oil production plant of Shengli Oilfield in Dongying city of Shandong Province, an experiment was designed to study the characteristics and mechanism of thermal infrared emissivity spectrum of artificial crude oil slick covered seawater surface with its thickness. During the experiment, crude oil was continuously dropped into the seawater to generate artificial oil slick with different thicknesses. By adding each drop of crude oil, we measured the reflectivity of the oil slick in the thermal infrared spectrum with the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (102F) and then calculated its thermal infrared emissivity. The results show that the thermal infrared emissivity of oil slick changes significantly with its thickness when oil slick is relatively thin (20-120 µm), which provides an effective means for detecting the existence of offshore thin oil slick In the spectrum ranges from 8 to 10 µm and from 13. 2 to 14 µm, there is a steady emissivity difference between the seawater and thin oil slick with thickness of 20 µm. The emissivity of oil slick changes marginally with oil slick thickness and clearly below that of seawater in the spectrum range from 11. 7 to 14 µm, this spectrum range can be practically used to distinguish oil slick from seawater; Around the wavelength of 11.72, 12.2, 12.55, 13.48 and 13.8 µm, the emissivity of oil slick presents clearly increasing or decreasing trends with the increase of its thickness, which are one of the best wavelengths for observing the offshore oil slick and estimating its thickness.

[Spatial resolution standardization of payload on board of remote sensing satellite based on application requirements].

Remote sensing application requirements are the starting point for design of payload on board earth observation satellite. The generalization, standardization and serialization of payload are the future development trend for payload design. In the present paper, based on the analysis of remote sensing application requirements, the spatial resolution standardization of satellite remote sensing payload, which is the main concerned indicator, was investigated. The design standards of national payload spatial resolution of earth observation satellite are presented, which are important to the promotion of satellite payload production and saving in design cost.

[The relationship between urinary albumin excretion and serum uric acid in general population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and serum uric acid in general population. METHODS: The study participants were derived from the epidemiological study on the association of metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Pinggu district, Beijing. A total of 992 participants (463 men and 529 women) aged from 30 to 75 years were enrolled in this study. For each participant, UAE, serum uric acid, serum creatinine, and serum lipids were detected and other potential risk factors for CKD were surveyed. RESULTS: (1) The frequencies of microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria and hyperuricemia were 12.9%, 1.8% and 4.3% respectively. The persons with hyperuricemia had significantly higher frequency of albuminuria than those without hyperuricemia (37.2% vs 13.7%, P < 0.01). (2) The participants were divided according to the quartiles (25%, 50%, 75%) of serum uric acid level, and the frequencies of albuminuria in males were 13.2%, 13.9%, 17.2% and 25.4%, while those in females were 8.4%, 6.2%, 9.6% and 24.8%. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed, hyperuricemia was significantly associated with albuminuria in females (OR = 2.31, 95%CI 1.15-4.68; P = 0.02), but not in males. If the persons with reduced renal function were excluded, similar result still could be gained. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of albuminuria increases gradually with uric acid elevation. Serum uric acid is an independent risk factor of elevated UAE, especially in females.

[Study of environmental vegetation index based on environment satellite CCD data and LAI inversion].

The present study used the PROSAIL forward model to simulate vegetation canopy spectrum, introducing blue and green bands to amend the effects of atmosphere and soil background, and constructing HuanJing vegetation Index (HJVI) to avoid premature saturation. Based on ground observation data of different typical winter wheat, we established HJVI-LAI long time series inversion models and implemented different varieties cross-validation to the models. The results show that the LAI inversion model of HJVI has higher precision than similar vegetation index model, has good universality, and can be applied to remote sensing multi-temporal winter wheat growth monitoring and LAI inversion.

[Fabrication of larynx-shape tissue engineered cartilage by means of filling together with wrapping with pedicle myofascial flap].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method of fabricating larynx-shape tissue engineered cartilage by means of filling together with wrapping with pedicle myofascial flap. METHODS: Serial steps of solution casting, extrusion molding and particulate leaching were used to make larynx-shape [poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), PHBHH] biomaterial models. The chondrocytes were seeded onto PHBHH models to form cell-PHBHH composites for culture in vitro for one week and then to fill and wrap larynx-shape composites with pedicle myofascial flap. After that to implant larynx-shape composites in situ on the back of adult New Zealand white rabbits (experimental groups n = 9). Control groups (n = 3) were the same measure as experimental groups but without chondrocytes on PHBHH models. Finally, morphological observation, HE & special staining and immunohistochemical test were conducted to evaluate the cartilage regeneration and its shape at 6, 8 and 12 weeks following implantation. RESULTS: The PHBHH models appeared to be hollow half-trumpet with edges and corners of larynx-shape and its porosity > 90%. Pedicle myofascial flap using fascia as lining presented rich blood supply and had enough to fill and wrap larynx-shape composites. Tissue engineered larynx-shape cartilage specimens could be harvested at different period. It was demonstrated that the cartilaginous tissue formed in 6 weeks after implantation through histological and immunohistochemical examination and further maturity in 12 weeks and 18 weeks. But no cartilaginous tissue showed without chondrocytes on PHBHH as control groups to implant at the same time. CONCLUSION: It seems that pedicled myofascial flap showed sufficient blood supply and that the filling together with wrapping method with pedicled myofascial flap is appropriate for fabricating larynx-shape tissue engineered cartilage.

[Effect of early enteral immune nutrition on immune function of intestine in mice with severe burn].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of early enteral nutrition supplemented with immune nutrient on intestine immune function in mice with severe burn. METHODS: Twenty-four BALB/c mice were inflicted with 20% TBSA full-thickness scald, then they were randomly divided into EN(with oral administration of common enteral nutrition after 2 hours) and EIN (with oral administration of common enteral nutrition and glutamine, arginine after 2 hours) groups. Another 10 mice were used as the normal control (NC) group. The supplied energy ratio( carbohydrate: fat: protein)in former 2 groups was 82:3:15, and the ratio of energy to nitrogen was 150: 1. The energy requirement of each mouse was calculated according to 732.2 kJ x kg(-1) x d(-1), one third of the requirement was administrated on 1st day, and one half of it on 2nd day, and full energy requirement was started on the 3rd day,and the requirement was divided into 4-6 portions every day. The feed was isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and isovolumic for the 2 experimental groups. All mice were sacrificed and entire small intestine was harvested for determination of intestinal IgA level by ELISA, total Peyer's patches (PP) lymphocytes and their apoptosis ratio, and changes in PP lymphocytes (CD3+, CD4+, CD19+) on 7th day of the experiment. RESULTS: Compared with those in NC group [(4.5 +/- 0.6) x 10(6), (42 +/- 7) microg/cm, respectively], total PP lymphocytes and intestinal IgA levels in EN and EIN groups obviously decreased [(2.3 +/- 0.4) x 10(6), (35 +/- 6) microg/cm, (3.8 +/- 0. 5) x 10(6), (38 +/- 6), microg/cm, respectively, P < 0.05] , among which the values in EIN group were higher than EN group (P < 0.05). The changes in PP lymphocytes were similar to that of total PP lymphocytes. Compared with that in NC group [(4.8 +/- 2.1)%], the apoptosis ratio of PP lymphocytes in EN and EIN groups significantly increased [(12.7 +/- 2.4)%, (8.0 +/- 1.7)%, respectively, P < 0.05], however the ratio in EIN group was lower than that of EN group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early enteral nutrition supplemented with immune nutrient can improve intestinal immune function in mice with severe burn.

[Determination of plumbagin in different parts of Plumbago zeylanica by RP-HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a RP-HPLC method to determine plumbagin in Plumbago zeylanica, and to investigate contents of plumbagin in different parts of. P. zeylanica. METHOD: The analysis was carried out at 30 degrees C on a Kromasil C18, column eluted with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of methanol-water (65: 35). The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1), the detector wavelength was 213 nm. RESULT: The calibration curve was linear within the concentration ranges of 0.020 8-0. 104 microg (r = 0. 9999). The average recovery was 98.7%. The contents in the root, stem and leaf were 0.394 5%, 0.050 8%, 0.031 4% respectively. CONCLUSION: This method is simple, accurate, replicate and suitable for the determination of plumbagin in P. zeylanica.

[Influence of different thawing temperature on the morphology and type I collagen metabolism of the human fibroblasts processed at - 10 degrees C in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of different thawing temperatures on the morphology and type I collagen metabolism of the human fibroblasts processed at - 10 degrees C in vitro. METHODS: In vitro cultured human fibroblasts were randomly divided into control, 20 degrees C thawing, and 37 degrees C thawing groups. After being frozen at -10 degrees C, the cells in the latter two groups were thawed at 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively. The cell proliferation was assessed with MTT method and was expressed by absorption under 570nm (A ), The morphological change of the cells was observed with inverted phase contrast microscope, the change in the intracellular content of collagen was determined with immunohistochemistry, and the extracellular content of collagen was assayed with ELISA. RESULTS: In 20 degrees C thawing group, the absorbance decreased at first and increased thereafter, and they were obviously lower than that before freezing (0.95 +/- 0.16, P < 0.05 or 0.01). Cell dehydration and shrinking, cytoplasm loss and increased ratio of cytoplasm to nucleus were found in the survived fibroblasts. The cells proliferated actively at 72 and 96 hours after injury, with increased mitotic index and disordered arrangement. Compared with that before freezing (96.4 +/- 2.9) , the extracellular collagen content increased at first, decreased thereafter, and increased again slowly later (P < 0.05), while the intracellular collagen content decreased at first and increased thereafter (P < 0.05). The collagen metabolism in 37 degrees C thawing group was no difference compared with that in control group. Some cells undergone a floating period before adhering to the culture dish walls. CONCLUSION: Cell dehydration after low temperature treatment could protect the cells from damage. Proper thawing temperature could be beneficial to the cell resuscitation. Comparing with slow thawing, rapid thawing could minimize the cell damage.