[Incidence and trend of severe postpartum hemorrhage between 2016 and 2019 in China].

Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of severe postpartum hemorrhage (sPPH) in China, and to provide basic data for the development and evaluation of sPPH prevention and control strategy. Methods: Obstetric data was extracted from annual national representative sampling surveys based on the National Clinical Improvement System. From 2016 to 2019, 2 978, 3 400, 4 576 and 4 594 maternity hospitals with sPPH cases were included for statistics. The annual incidence of sPPH was calculated according to province and type of medical institutions and generalized linear model was emplyed to identify the determinants affecting sPPH incidence. Results: In China, sPPH incidence increased from 0.62% in 2016 to 0.93% in 2018, and was 0.92% in 2019. Eighteen provinces had an inverted U-shaped trend of sPPH over time and most of them had the highest incidence in 2018; ten provinces had an upward trend of sPPH and 3 provinces had a U-shaped trend. In 2019, the top five provinces with the highest sPPH incidence were Yunnan (1.88%), Beijing (1.45%), Jiangsu (1.31%), Guizhou (1.26%), and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (1.22%); the top five provinces with the lowest incidence were Henan (0.55%), Jiangxi (0.60%), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (0.64%), Liaoning (0.64%) and Gansu (0.69%). In 2019, the sPPH incidence in different types of medical institutions were as follows: tertiary public general hospital (1.15%), tertiary public specialized hospital (1.02%), secondary public general hospital (0.81%), private hospital (0.61%) and secondary public specialized hospital (0.58%). sPPH incidence was positively associated with proportion of twin pregnancies, macrosomia, primipara, and puerpera aged ≥35 years in maternity hospitals (P<0.05). Conclusions: sPPH incidence generally showes an increasing trend from 2016 and is stable at a high level in recent two years in China. It is warranted to further strengthen the monitoring of postpartum hemorrhage, and improve the capability of hierarchical management and treatment in maternity institutions and regions, in order to reduce sPPH incidence and maternal mortality.

Therapeutic effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on mastitis experimentally induced by lipopolysaccharide in lactating goats.

Escherichia coli is a cause of subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cattle and goats, and sometimes causes severe clinical disease that may result in death of the animal. Previous investigation showed that ginsenoside Rg1 extracted from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae) has an anti-inflammatory effect on the sepsis induced by E. coli lipopolysaccharide via competitive binding to toll-like receptor 4. We hypothesized that intravenous injection of Rg1 had therapeutic effect on mastitis experimentally induced by intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccharide in lactating goats. In this study, 9 lactating goats were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 groups: (1) lipopolysaccharide intramammary infusion + saline intravenous injection, (2) lipopolysaccharide intramammary infusion + Rg1 intravenous injection, and (3) saline intramammary administration + saline intravenous injection. Because no adverse clinical signs were observed after intramammary infusion of saline and intravenous injection of Rg1 in a preliminary experiment, and available qualified goats were limited in this study, this treatment was not included in this study. One udder half of each goat received intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccharide (50 µg/kg of body weight; groups 1 and 2) or saline solution (group 3), and the other half was infused with 2 mL of saline solution at h 0. Afterward, intravenous injections of saline solution (groups 1 and 3) or Rg1 (2.5 mg/kg of body weight; group 2) were administered at h 2 and 4 post-lipopolysaccharide challenge. Blood and milk samples were collected 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 48, and 72 h post-lipopolysaccharide challenge, and clinical signs were monitored hourly after lipopolysaccharide challenge within the first 10 h and at the same time points as blood samples. The results showed that Rg1 treatment downregulated rectal temperature, udder skin temperature, udder girth, milk somatic cell count, and N-acetyl-ß-d-glucosaminidase and upregulated milk production, lactose, and recovered blood components, such as white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, total proteins, albumin, and globulin. Considering the positive therapeutic effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis in goats presented in this study as well as the anti-inflammatory activity found previously, the botanical Rg1 deserves further study as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of E. coli mastitis in dairy animals.

Serum proteomic spectral characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia and their clinical significance.

We investigated the differences between the serum proteomic spectral characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and those of healthy people. We collected peripheral blood serum samples from 62 AML patients and 15 healthy controls. After removing high-abundance proteins, low-abundance serum proteins were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to identify differences between AML patients and healthy people. We investigated the different protein dots by mass fingerprint analysis, and evaluated the results using the Masort retrieval program provided by the MSDB protein bank. To further investigate the relationship between standard chemotherapy treatment efficacy and differences in protein patterns, we divided 21 patients into two groups (A and B) according to the efficacy of standard chemotherapy. Compared with the healthy cases, the AML patients demonstrated significant abnormal expression in 14 proteins (P < 0.05); α1-trypsin inhibitor (P < 0.01), prealbumin (P < 0.01), apolipoprotein E (P < 0.010), and apolipoprotein A-IV (P < 0.01) expression decreased, whereas haptoglobin HP2 (P < 0.05), serum exogenous lectin (P < 0.05), H factor homologue protein (P < 0.05), and serum amyloid A1 (P < 0.01) expression increased. Further stratified analysis revealed that patients with high serum lectin expression had poor outcomes. The study revealed various proteins with differential expression levels in the peripheral blood of AML patients, and the difference in serum lectin expression is related to the efficiency of standard chemotherapy. Therefore, these proteins are potential diagnosis markers or prognostic indicators of AML.

Serum Proteomics Analysis in Rats of Immunosuppression Induced by Chronic Stress.

The immune system can be damaged by chronic stress. However, for this process, the involved molecular alterations and their regulatory roles played in immunosuppression still remain unclear. This study was aimed to identify the differences in serum protein expressions that are closely associated with the effect of chronic stress on immune function. Serum protein levels of rats in control group and chronic stress group were measured by iTRAQ analysis. Subsequently, among the 121 differentially expressed proteins screened between the two groups, 46 proteins were upregulated (>1.5-fold, P < 0.05), while 75 proteins were downregulated (<0.67-fold, P < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that most of the differentially expressed proteins were in relation with the metabolic, cellular, response stimulus and immune system processes. The significantly differential expression of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, catalase and peroxiredoxin-1 were picked out for reconfirmation by ELISA analysis. The results were consistent with those obtained by iTRAQ. What is more, the roles of above-mentioned four proteins, apolipoprotein B-100 and heat-shock protein 90 in immunosuppression induced by chronic stress were discussed. Taken together, these findings may provide a new insight into better understanding the molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression induced by chronic stress.

BRIP1 variations analysis reveals their relative importance as genetic susceptibility factor for cervical cancer.

To evaluate the association between gene variations in BRIP1 (BRCA1-interacting protein 1) and the risk of cervical cancer, we examined eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs2048718, rs12937080, rs4988344, rs6504074, rs4988345, rs4986764, rs4986763, and rs11079454) in the BRIP1 gene in cervical tissue from a Chinese population using the MassARRAY system. The participants enrolled included 454 cervical cancer patients and 562 healthy controls. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine the potential correlation between functional BRIP1 SNP genotypes and mRNA levels in cervical cancer tissues. Our results first showed that rs4986764, located in exon 18 in the BRIP1 gene, was significantly associated with cervical cancer (χ(2)=11.191, P=0.001, odds ratio (OR)=1.384, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.144-1.675). Another significant association was observed for rs4986763 located in exon 20 in BRIP1 (χ(2)=4.988, P=0.026, OR=1.241, 95% CI=1.027-1.500). Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed in the rs11079454-rs4986763-rs4986764 SNP block (D'>0.9). The frequencies of haplotype T-T-T are higher in controls than in these patients (P=2.01E-5). Moreover, cervical cancer tissues with a homozygous C/C genotype for rs4986764 had the lowest level of BRIP1, which was 2.8 and 2.9-fold lower than the C/T heterozygote and the T/T homozygote, respectively. These findings indicate a role for BRIP1 gene variations in cervical cancer and may be informative for future genetic or biological studies on cervical cancer.

Thoracic paravertebral nerve block combined laryngeal mask airway with preservation of spontaneous breathing can accelerate postoperative recovery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the potential benefits of Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block (TPVB) coupled with Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) and the maintenance of spontaneous breathing anesthesia, in contrast to general anesthesia utilizing double-lumen endobronchial intubation, on promoting recovery following thoracoscopic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was carried out involving sixty patients set for Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) at the Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University from February 2021 to January 2022. Patients were randomized to either the TPVB and LMA with spontaneous breathing anesthesia group (non-intubation group, NI group) or the general anesthesia with double-lumen endobronchial intubation group (Intubation group, I group). The primary outcome measured was the duration of hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included early postoperative rehabilitation indicators, postoperative complications, Visual Analogue Score (VAS), and inflammatory response markers. RESULTS: Patients in the NI group experienced significantly shorter hospital stays than those in the I group (p < 0.05). Early postoperative recovery, assessed by metrics including the first exhaust time, food intake time, first ambulation time, and duration of chest-tube placement, was superior in the NI group (p < 0.05). Postoperative complications such as nausea and vomiting, pulmonary infection, atelectasis, sore throat, and hoarseness, along with cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at the end of the operation and 24 h post-operation, and VAS values within the first 12 h post-operation, were significantly lower in the NI group (p < 0.05). However, blood loss, operation time, and VAS values at 24 h and 48 h post-surgery showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that TPVB, in conjunction with LMA and spontaneous breathing anesthesia, may expedite postoperative recovery in patients undergoing VATS.

A preliminary clinical study on high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for tubal pregnancy.

Our aim was to explore the clinical application value of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for tubal pregnancy. Forty hospitalized patients with tubal pregnancies (28 cases of non-ruptured tubal pregnancy and 12 cases of ruptured tubal pregnancy) were selected to receive HIFU therapy. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-HCG) concentrations were compared before and after treatment. Serum ß-HCG was measured weekly and patients received observation only if the concentration decreased by 15% or more, compared with the previous value. Patients were given supplement HIFU therapy if the decrease in the serum ß-HCG was <15% within two weeks. Ultrasound was used to detect the volume changes in the ectopic lesions before and after treatment, and changes in vital signs and complications were recorded. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was used to assess fallopian tube patency after treatment. HIFU treatment was successful in 33 of the 40 patients (82%). Seven patients failed HIFU treatment and received surgical therapy (18%). Before and after treatment, serum ß-HCG concentrations and lesion volume were significantly different (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). Post-treatment tubal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed tubal patency on the affected side in 21 cases (64%) at six months and in 27 cases (82%) at 12 months. In conclusion, HIFU is safe and effective, and can be a treatment option for tubal pregnancy.

Radiobiological investigations of soft X-rays near carbon, nitrogen, oxygen K-shell edges on Aspergillus oryzae spores.

Soft X-rays at carbon, nitrogen, oxygen K-shell edges have special radiobiological effects. Using Aspergillus oryzae spores as sample, the radiation effects of soft X-rays near the K-shell edges of C, N and O elements from synchrotron radiation were investigated. Also the dose depositions of different X-ray energies in spore were discussed. At the same time, the spores were irradiated by gamma rays from 60Co and relative biological effects were compared with those produced by soft X-rays. The results showed that soft X-rays near K-shell edges of O element had higher ability of radiation damage than that of X-rays near K-shell edges of C and N elements as compared with one another. But they all had higher killing abilities per unit dose than that of gamma rays from 60Co. The relative biological effects (RBEs), the comparison of dose to gamma rays at 10% survival level, of the three soft X-rays were 1.65, 1.73 and 1.91, respectively.

Down-regulation of JARID1B expression inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis and blocks cell cycle in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

OBJECTIVE: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a multi-factorial blood disease with unknown pathogenesis. Histone H3K4 methylation was significantly reduced in ALL patients, whereas jumonji AT-rich interactive domain 1B (JARID1B) was the specific demethylase of H3K4me. This study explores the expression level of JARID1B in ALL patients and down-regulated JARID1B expression in ALL cells to explore the function of JARID1B in ALL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: JARID1B mRNA expression level in ALL patients was detected by Real-time PCR. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were selected as control. JARID1B shRNA was transfected with MOLT-4 cells and BALL-1 cells. JARID1B protein expression and H3K4me2 and H3K4me3 levels were detected by Western blot assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Bcl-2, Bax, Procaspase 3, and cyclin P21 expressions were evaluated by Western blot assay. RESULTS: JARID1B mRNA expression in primary bone marrow cells from ALL patients was significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers (p<0.05). The levels of histone H3K4me3 and H3K4me2 were up-regulated after JARID1B shRNA transfection. JARID1B shRNA significantly inhibited the proliferation of MOLT-4 and BALL-1 cells, induced apoptosis, and blocked cell cycle in G0/G1 phase compared with the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: JARID1B is highly expressed in ALL. Down-regulating its expression inhibited leukemia cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and blocked cell cycle in G0/G1 phase through histone H3K4 methylation. JARID1B is an oncogene in ALL.

Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway regulates the expressions of A1R and ENT1 in the brain of epileptic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the behavioral changes and the expressions of the A1 receptor (A1R) and balanced nucleoside transporter-1 (ENT1) in the brain of epileptic rats after activating the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-ARE signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group, epilepsy group, and t-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) group, with 10 rats in each group. Lithium-pilocarpine induced epilepsy model in rats was established. The first epileptic latency and seizure frequency within 1 hour were observed in each group using the Racine scoring system. HE (Hematoxylin and Eosin) staining was used to observe the pathological lesions in the brain tissue of each group. The expressions of A1R, ENT1, and relative genes in Nrf2-ARE pathway in rat hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with rats in epileptic group, the first seizure latency was prolonged and the seizure frequency decreased in tBHQ group (p<0.05). The degree of brain lesions in tHBQ group was lighter than that of epilepsy group. ENT1 expression in rat hippocampus of epileptic group was significantly upregulated than that of normal control group and tBHQ group. Besides, the protein levels of A1R, Nrf2, HO-1, and ARE in rat hippocampus of epilepsy group markedly decreased compared with those of normal control group. However, protein expressions of A1R, Nrf2, HO-1, and ARE proteins in rat hippocampus of tBHQ group were markedly upregulated. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway can reduce the pathological damage of rat hippocampal neurons, prolong the latency of seizures, and reduce the degree of epileptic seizure in rats.

A mutant alpha-amylase with only part of the catalytic domain and its structural implication.

A truncated mutant alpha-amylase, Xa-S2, was obtained from Xanthomonas campestris wild type alpha-amylases (Xa-WT) through random mutagenesis that contained 167 amino acid residues (approx 65% shorter than that of Xa-WT). Secondary structure prediction implied that Xa-S2, would be unable to form the whole (beta/alpha)(8)-barrel catalytic domain and did not have the three conserved catalytic residues of wild type alpha-amylase, but it still displays the starch-hydrolyzing activity. Xa-S2 was prepared, characterized and compared to the recombinant wild-type enzymes. The K (m) for starch was 32 mg/ml; activity was optimal at pH 6.2 and 30 degrees C. In contrast, the K (m) for starch of Xa-WT was 8 mg/ml and optimal enzyme activity was at pH 6.0-6.2 and 45-50 degrees C. Our results suggested that Xa-S2 is a new amylase with a minimal catalytic domain for hydrolyzing substrates with of alpha-1,4-glucosidic bonds.

Comparative study: efficacy of closed-looptarget controlled infusion of cisatracurium and other administration methods for spinal surgery of elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of traditional administration, continuous pump injection, and closed-loop target controlled infusion of cisatracurium to determine the optimal method of drug administration, and to establish the individualized and rational administration of muscle relaxants in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 150 patients who underwent spinal surgery under tracheal intubation general anesthesia in our hospital from August 2013 to April 2015 were selected. All patients were administered with general anesthesia and randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 50) was treated under closed-loop target controlled infusion (CLTCI), group B (n = 50) was treated under muscle relaxation monitoring, and group C (n = 50) was treated under continuous pump injection. Hemodynamic changes and blood oxygen saturation of the three groups were observed, and the muscle relaxation recovery, dosage, and bleeding of the three groups were compared. RESULTS: MAP and HR of group A were significantly lower than those of group B and group C (p < 0.05). There were no cases of insufficient muscle relaxation in group A, five cases in group C, and 14 cases in group B, and the differences between any two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Regarding muscle relaxation recovery, the time (T¬¬1) of recovery from 10%-25% and 25%-75%, and the time from drug withdrawal to recovery to TOFr from 0.7-0.9 of group A were the shortest, followed by group C and group B. The differences between any two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The total dosage of cisatracurium of group A was the least, followed by group C and group B, and differences between any two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, the bleeding volume of group A (235.2 ± 141.3 ml) was smaller than in group B (353.1 ± 173.8 ml) and group C (316.5 ± 155.2 ml), and differences between the three groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For spinal surgery of elderly patients, closed-loop target controlled infusion of cisatracurium was superior to continuous infusion and intravenous injection. The time of muscle relaxation recovery was shortened, the dosage of cisatracurium was reduced, and the number of cases of insufficient muscle relaxation was reduced.

TDAG8 activation attenuates cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury via Akt signalling in rats.

BACKGROUND: T-cell death-associated gene 8 (TDAG8), a member of the proton-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) class with an immune-specific expression profile, was recently shown to be expressed in the rat brain; however, its role in ischaemic stroke remains unknown. METHODS: We initially confirmed the time-dependent expression of TDAG8 in rat brain tissue after ischaemic stroke and reperfusion. Further evaluations were performed to increase TDAG8 expression 6h prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by injecting a specific agonist, BTB09089, into the lateral ventricle to increase TDAG8 expression. Twenty-four hours before MCAO, a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) was introduced. The infarction volume, neurological deficit score and cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression were used to assess the effects of TDAG8 on ischaemic stroke. Finally, the effects of TDAG8 on the development of primary cortical neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) were investigated. RESULTS: TDAG8 expression increased both in vivo and in vitro. Pretreatment with BTB09089 up-regulated TDAG8 and Bcl-2 expression and down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 expression, while the infarction volume was reduced, and neurological deficits were ameliorated 24 and 72h after MCAO. However, the protective effects of TDAG8 were reversed when its level was reduced in TDAG8-deficient rats. More importantly, these findings are consistent with data from neurons subjected to OGD. CONCLUSIONS: TDAG8 plays an important neuroprotective role through inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and alleviation of neurological deficits by activating the Akt signalling pathway in rats.

Electron cyclotron emission radiometer upgrade on the J-TEXT tokamak.

To meet experimental requirements, the J-TEXT electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostic is being upgraded. The front end antenna and transmission line have been modified and a new 8-channel W-band detecting unit has been developed. The improved ECE system will extend the frequency range from 94.5-124.5 GHz to 80.5-124.5 GHz. This will enable the system to cover the most plasma in the radius direction for BT = 1.8-2.2 T, and it even can cover almost the whole plasma range ρ = - 0.8-0.9 (minus means the high field side) at BT = 1.8 T. A new auxiliary channel bank with 8 narrow band, tunable yttrium iron garnet filters is planned to add to the ECE system. Due to observations along a major radius, perpendicular to BT, and relatively low electron temperature, Doppler and relativistic broadening are minimal and thus high spatial resolution measurements can be made at variable locations with these tunable channels.

Design of the 2D electron cyclotron emission imaging instrument for the J-TEXT tokamak.

A new 2D Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging (ECEI) diagnostic is being developed for the J-TEXT tokamak. It will provide the 2D electron temperature information with high spatial, temporal, and temperature resolution. The new ECEI instrument is being designed to support fundamental physics investigations on J-TEXT including MHD, disruption prediction, and energy transport. The diagnostic contains two dual dipole antenna arrays corresponding to F band (90-140 GHz) and W band (75-110 GHz), respectively, and comprises a total of 256 channels. The system can observe the same magnetic surface at both the high field side and low field side simultaneously. An advanced optical system has been designed which permits the two arrays to focus on a wide continuous region or two radially separate regions with high imaging spatial resolution. It also incorporates excellent field curvature correction with field curvature adjustment lenses. An overview of the diagnostic and the technical progress including the new remote control technique are presented.

The design of a correlation electron cyclotron emission system on J-TEXT.

To study the anomalous transport, a correlation electron cyclotron emission (CECE) was planned to be developed on J-TEXT for electron temperature fluctuation measurement. The spectral decorrelation method was employed for the CECE system. It was developed based on the previous 16-channel electron cyclotron emission system. They shared the optical transmission line and mixer. The CECE part consists of 4 channels. Two fixed frequency narrow band filters were used for two channels and two yttrium iron garnet (YIG) filters for the other two channels. To meet the measuring requirement, some tests have been taken for the YIG filters. The results show good performance of the filters. Gaussian optics is used to produce a good poloidal resolution. Wavenumbers resolved by the CECE diagnostic are k(θ) ≤ 1.5 rad/cm and k(r) ≤ 12 rad/cm. Some preliminary experiment results are also presented in this paper.

Simvastatin inhibits noradrenaline-induced hypertrophy of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

1. Oxidative mechanisms have been implicated in neonatal cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We and others have shown that a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor preserves endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibits cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. We therefore have examined whether noradrenaline (NA) induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during its induction of neonatal cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and whether simvastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, attenuates ROS production and thus NA-induced hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. 2. NA increased the intracellular ROS levels in a concentration-dependent manner. This increase of ROS was significantly inhibited by simvastatin and catalase. Prazosin partially suppressed NA-induced increase of ROS and beating, while preincubation with both prazosin and propranolol completely abolished NA-evoked increase of ROS and beating. Simvastatin did not affect NA-induced increase of beating. 3. The NA-induced increase of protein content was partially suppressed by prazosin and completely abolished by preincubation with both prazosin and propranolol. Simvastatin inhibited the increase of NA-induced increase of RNA content and [(3)H]-leucine incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner. Mevalonic acid (MVA) reversed the inhibition of NA-induced RNA and protein increase by simvastatin. Catalase also inhibited the NA-induced increase of RNA and protein. 4. We conclude that the inhibitory effects of simvastatin on myocyte hypertrophy were associated with its antioxidant effects and inhibition of MVA-metabolism pathway in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. NA-induced increases of intracellular ROS and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy requires both alpha and beta adrenoceptors activation in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The increases of ROS induced by NA is required for hypertrophy.

Effects of morphine on cerebral blood flow autoregulation CO2-reactivity in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Previous reports show that naloxone improves ischemic deficits and clinical conditions in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). These observations have raised concern about the routine use of morphine in the treatment of severe headache after SAH. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of morphine on cerebral vasoreactivity after experimental SAH. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation was studied in two groups of eight rats each with experimental SAH. A bolus intravenous injection of morphine, 1 mg/kg, was administered in one group and the other was used as a control group. During eucapnia, CBF was measured by the intracarotid 133Xenon method during decreasing mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). CO2-reactivity was investigated in two corresponding groups where CBF was measured at decreasing PaCO2 levels during constant MABP. Morphine decreased mean baseline CBF by 34% and 26% in the study of autoregulation and CO2-reactivity, respectively. Cerebral blood flow autoregulation was found impaired in both controls and the morphine group. However, the mean slope of the linear regression lines of CBF/MABP was 0.49 +/- 0.32 ml/100g/min/mm Hg in the morphine group, which was significantly lower than 1.24 +/- 0.59 ml/100g/min/mm Hg in the controls (p < 0.05). Also the mean CO2-reactivity was significantly lower, 0.64 +/- 0.53 %/0.1kPa, in the morphine group, compared to 2.36 +/- 0.87 %/0.1kPa in the controls (p < 0.001). The results show that in rats with SAH, morphine partially restores CBF autoregulation but attenuates CO2-reactivity.

Aberrant patterns of cellular communication in diabetes-induced embryopathy. I. Membrane signalling.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the role of membrane signalling in the mechanism of diabetes-induced embryopathy. METHODS: Three groups of 70-90-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were employed in our study: group 1 was normal control rats receiving a normal diet; group 2 represented experimentally induced diabetic rats with malformed offspring (intravenous injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin on pregnancy day 6) and group 3 included streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with normal offspring. Embryos were examined on day 12 under light microscopy, categorized as morphologically normal or defective, and yolk sac cells were harvested from each group. Activities of ERK1 and 2, Raf-1, JNK1 and 2 in yolk sac cells were analyzed by Western blot with primary antibodies specific to the phosphorylated kinases, respectively. RESULTS: A strong link between hyperglycemia and congenital malformations was confirmed. Key mitogen-activated protein kinases serve as syllabic intermediates: increased activities of Jun-amino-terminal kinase (JNK1 and 2) and decreased activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1 and 2) were observed during hyperglycemia-induced embryopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Poorly controlled maternal diabetes results in embryopathy which is mediated via a pattern of aberrant cellular communication manifested by both macroscopic and microscopic membrane injury.