[Study on HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure risk factors and novel predictive survival model].

Objective: To identify the predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of disease progression to establish a novel predictive survival model and evaluate its application value for hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure. Methods: 153 cases of HBV-ACLF were selected according to the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of liver failure (2018 edition) of the Chinese Medical Association Hepatology Branch. Predisposing factors, the basic liver disease stage, therapeutic drugs, clinical characteristics, and factors affecting survival status were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to screen prognostic factors and establish a novel predictive survival model. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate predictive value with the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and the Chronic Liver Failure Consortium Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure score (CLIF-C ACLF). Results: 80.39% (123/153) based on hepatitis B cirrhosis had developed ACLF. HBV-ACLF's main inducing factors were the discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and the application of hepatotoxic drugs, including Chinese patent medicine/Chinese herbal medicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-tuberculosis drugs, central nervous system drugs, anti-tumor drugs, etc. 34.64% of cases had an unknown inducement. The most common clinical symptoms at onset were progressive jaundice, poor appetite, and fatigue. The short-term mortality rate was significantly higher in patients complicated with hepatic encephalopathy, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatorenal syndrome, and infection (P < 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, the international normalized ratio, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, hepatic encephalopathy, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were the independent predictors for the survival status of patients. The LAINeu model was established. The area under the curve for evaluating the survival of HBV-ACLF was 0.886, which was significantly higher than the MELD and CLIF-C ACLF scores (P < 0.05), and the prognosis was worse when the LAINeu score ≥ -3.75. Conclusion: Discontinuation of NAs and the application of hepatotoxic drugs are common predisposing factors for HBV-ACLF. Hepatic decompensation-related complications and infection accelerate the disease's progression. The LAINeu model can predict patient survival conditions more accurately.

Towards performing high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering measurements at hard X-ray free-electron lasers coupled with energetic laser drivers.

High-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering is an established technique in the synchrotron community, used to investigate collective low-frequency responses of materials. When fielded at hard X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) and combined with high-intensity laser drivers, it becomes a promising technique for investigating matter at high temperatures and high pressures. This technique gives access to important thermodynamic properties of matter at extreme conditions, such as temperature, material sound speed, and viscosity. The successful realization of this method requires the acquisition of many identical laser-pump/X-ray-probe shots, allowing the collection of a sufficient number of photons necessary to perform quantitative analyses. Here, a 2.5-fold improvement in the energy resolution of the instrument relative to previous works at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) endstation, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), and the High Energy Density (HED) instrument, European XFEL, is presented. Some aspects of the experimental design that are essential for improving the number of photons detected in each X-ray shot, making such measurements feasible, are discussed. A careful choice of the energy resolution, the X-ray beam mode provided by the XFEL, and the position of the analysers used in such experiments can provide a more than ten-fold improvement in the photometrics. The discussion is supported by experimental data on 10 µm-thick iron and 50 nm-thick gold samples collected at the MEC endstation at the LCLS, and by complementary ray-tracing simulations coupled with thermal diffuse scattering calculations.

Intervention effect of Potentilla discolor-Euonymus alatus on intestinal flora of type 2 diabetes mellitus rats.

OBJECTIVE: With this study, we aimed at exploring the regulation mechanism of Potentilla discolor-Euonymus alatus on intestinal flora of T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) rats induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T2DM rats were induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. There were normal control group, model group, metformin group, high-dose Chinese medicine group and low-dose Chinese medicine group. Each group included 10 rats. Normal control group: normal feeding, no modeling, ordinary feed, and gavage of 0.9% normal saline. Model group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet, and gavage of 0.9% normal saline. Metformin group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet and fed with metformin solution. High-dose Chinese medicine group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet, and gavage of concentrated Chinese medicine at a dose of 6 times the clinical dose. Low-dose Chinese medicine group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet, and gavage of concentrated Chinese medicine at a dose twice the clinical dose. The general situation of T2DM rats was observed, and the changes of intestinal flora were observed with 16SrDNA sequencing. RESULTS: The T2DM rats induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin were molded. After intervention, at the class level, the ratio of γ-proteobacteria was 22.30% in the model group, 11.97% in the metformin group, 3.24% in the high-dose Chinese herbs group and 1.72% in the low-dose Chinese herbs group; the ratio of Erysipelothrix insidiosa was 4.73% in the model group, 4.68% in the metformin group, 3.93% in the high-dose Chinese herbsgroup and 2.92% in the low dose group; the ratio of Lactinobacillus was 2.30% in the model group, 0.01% in the metformin group, 0.00% in the high-dose Chinese herbs group, and 0.00% low-dose Chinese herbs group; at the portal level, the Firmicutes/Bacteroides was 0.88 in the normal control group, 3.40 in the model group, 1.71 in the metformin group, 2.74 in high-dose Chinese medicine group, and 1.34 in low-dose Chinese medicine group; at the genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the model group was 3.28%, that of Akkermansia was 1.99%, that of Shigella coli was 22.08%, and that of Vibrio phaseus was 7.67%. All of them were improved after the intervention of metformin and traditional Chinese medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Potentilla discolor-Euonymus Alatus could improve the composition and structure of intestinal flora in T2DM rats and regulate the diversity of intestinal flora. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was adjusted, mainly to increase the number of Bacteroides; the flora related to intestinal barrier was adjusted, mainly to increase the number of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia bacteria.

Effects of laying breeder hens dietary ß-carotene, curcumin, allicin, and sodium butyrate supplementation on the growth performance, immunity, and jejunum morphology of their offspring chicks.

This study evaluated the growth performance, immunity, and jejunum morphology of chicks hatched from laying breeder hens given dietary additive supplementation, as well as chicks receiving direct antibiotic supplementation in early life. Hy-line breeder hens were allotted to 2 groups with 3 replicates. A control group (CON) was fed a basal diet, and the treatment group (CCAB) received ß-carotene, curcumin, allicin, and sodium butyrate in addition to basal diet for 5 wk. Breeder-hen eggs were collected and hatched. The chicks hatched from the CON group were assigned to 2 treatments: a chick control group (cCON) and a chick treatment group (Cipro) given ciprofloxacin lactate into drinking water; the cCON group, Cipro group, and the chicks hatched from the CCAB group (cCCAB) were fed the same diet for 4 wk. The results demonstrated that there were significant differences between the CON and CCAB groups in the serum levels of IgA, IgG, IgM (triple P < 0.01), lysozyme (P < 0.05), and ß-defensin (P < 0.05). The body weights of the cCCAB group's chicks increased at 1, 7, and 28 D of age (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively), and those of the Cipro group's chicks increased at 7 and 21 D of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The tibial lengths of the cCCAB group's chicks increased at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 D of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, triple P < 0.01), and the lengths in the Cipro group increased at 7 and 14 D of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Intestinal development, including intestinal length, jejunum morphology, and IgA positive cells, helps to explain these results. The breeder eggs from the CCAB group had higher IgG (P < 0.05) and IgM (P < 0.05) levels in the egg whites and higher IgA, IgG, and IgM levels (triple P < 0.01) in the egg yolks. In conclusion, ß-carotene, curcumin, allicin, and sodium butyrate supplementation of laying breeder hen diets produced more advantages in growth performance and intestinal development in offspring than in chicks directly supplemented with antibiotics.

Analysis on safety assessment of Tephrosia vogelii Hook to Apis cerana cerana.

Tephrosia vogelii Hook was excellent insecticidal plant, it was introduced into China and planted over a large area in Guangdong province. The main active components of T. vogelii was rotenone and it widely found in leaves and pods of T. vogelii. This paper study of the safety assessment of T. vogelii flowers to worker bees. In this paper, the content of rotenone in T. vogelii petal, nectar, pollen, pistil, and stamen samples were investigated by HPLC, and tested the toxicity of T. vogelii flowers for Apis cerana cerana during 24 h. The dissipation and dynamic of rotenone in A. c. cerana different biological compartments were investigated under indoor conditions during 24 h. The results showed, The LT50 of T. vogelii flowers to worker bees were collected from the eastern, western, southern, northern and top were 13.95, 24.17, 12.55, 26.48, and 18.84 h, the haemolymph of worker bees have the highest content of rotenone, the least accumulation of rotenone in workers bee's thorax, and the rate of dissipation was slowly during the whole study. In conclusion, the results showed the T. vogelii create security risks to worker bees under some ecosystems.

Low-dose vitamin A therapy on T lymphocyte function in neonatal pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at studying the effect of adjuvant therapy with low-dose vitamin A on the function of T lymphocytes in neonatal pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited 60 cases of neonatal pneumonia which were randomly divided in two equal groups. The control group was treated with conventional anti-inflammatory therapy and aerosol inhalation. The experimental group received oral vitamin A soft capsules for 7 days. RESULTS: Pre-treatment levels vitamin A level and vitamin A deficiency disorders (VADD) percentage revealed no differences between the two groups. The treatment course for the experimental group was shorter than the control group. Serum IgM, IgG, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were increased, whereas the levels of malondialdehyde were decreased in the experimental group after treatment. The control group showed no changes in these factors. After treatment, both groups showed increased percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but the experimental group showed a larger increase. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal pneumonia is often accompanied by a low level of vitamin A, and adjuvant therapy can shorten its disease course, improve IgM and IgG levels, and improve anti-oxidative and cellar immune function.

Effect of compound Maqin decoction on TGF-ß1/Smad proteins and IL-10 and IL-17 content in lung tissue of asthmatic rats.

In this research, compound Maqin decoction (CMD) has been shown to positively affect in airway inflammation of asthma models. We evaluated the effects of CMD on the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1/Smad proteins, interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-10 in lung tissue of asthmatic rats. Asthma was induced in a rat model using ovalbumin. After a 4-week treatment with CMD, rats were killed to evaluate the expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad proteins in lung tissue. IL-10 and IL-17 levels in lung tissue homogenates were determined by ELISA. The expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad3 protein increased, whereas expression of Smad7 protein decreased upon high-dose or low-dose treatment with CMD or by intervention with dexamethasone, compared to the control. There was a significant difference between treatment with a high dose CMD and the control treatment, but no significant difference was found between high-dose CMD treatment and dexamethasone intervention. The expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad7 protein increased, whereas the expression of Smad3 protein decreased in the model group compared to other groups. In the CMD high-dose group, low-dose group, and dexamethasone intervention group, the IL-17 concentrations in lung tissue homogenates were decreased, while IL-10 levels were increased. Again, there was a significant difference between CMD high-dose and control treatment, but not between CMD high-dose treatment and dexamethasone intervention. Thus, positive effects of CMD against asthmatic airway remodeling may be due to its regulatory effect on TGF-ß1, Smad3, and Smad7 protein levels and on cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-17.

Estrogenic effects of flavonoid components in Xiaoyao powder.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the estrogenic effects and mechanisms of three flavonoid components in Xiaoyao powder: quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. The drugs were used to treat estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and proliferation was measured using the MTT method. The expression of proteins and mRNA of the ER subtype were measured using western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction. The quercetin (10(-2) µM, 10(-3) µM), kaempferol (100 µM, 10(-2) µM), and isorhamnetin (10(-3) µM) promoted the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, and the expression of ERα and ERß proteins and mRNA were all increased significantly (P < 0.05). These effects were reversed by treatment with 0.1 µM estrogen antagonist ICI182780. Three flavonoid components in Xiaoyao powder increased the expression of proteins and mRNA of ERα and ERß and promoted the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. These estrogenic effects were mediated by the ER.

Therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia using Fe2O3 nanoparticles

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) using Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells cultured in vitro were treated with ferrofluid containing Fe2O3 nanoparticles and irradiated with an alternating radio frequency magnetic field. The influence of the treatment on the cells was examined by inverted microscopy, MTT and flow cytometry. To study the therapeutic mechanism of the Fe2O3 MFH, Hsp70, Bax, Bcl-2 and p53 were detected by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was shown that Fe2O3 MFH could cause cellular necrosis, induce cellular apoptosis, and significantly inhibit cellular growth, all of which appeared to be dependent on the concentration of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Immunocytochemistry results showed that MFH could induce high expression of Hsp70 and Bax, decrease the expression of mutant p53, and had little effect on Bcl-2. RT-PCR indicated that Hsp70 expression was high in the early stage of MFH (<24 h) and became low or absent after 24 h of MFH treatment. It can be concluded that Fe2O3 MFH significantly inhibited the proliferation of in vitro cultured liver cancer cells (SMMC-7721), induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Fe2O3 MFH can induce high Hsp70 expression at an early stage, enhance the expression of Bax, and decrease the expression of mutant p53, which promotes the apoptosis of tumor cells.

Therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia using Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) using Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells cultured in vitro were treated with ferrofluid containing Fe2O3 nanoparticles and irradiated with an alternating radio frequency magnetic field. The influence of the treatment on the cells was examined by inverted microscopy, MTT and flow cytometry. To study the therapeutic mechanism of the Fe2O3 MFH, Hsp70, Bax, Bcl-2 and p53 were detected by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was shown that Fe2O3 MFH could cause cellular necrosis, induce cellular apoptosis, and significantly inhibit cellular growth, all of which appeared to be dependent on the concentration of the Fe2O3nanoparticles. Immunocytochemistry results showed that MFH could induce high expression of Hsp70 and Bax, decrease the expression of mutant p53, and had little effect on Bcl-2. RT-PCR indicated that Hsp70 expression was high in the early stage of MFH (<24 h) and became low or absent after 24 h of MFH treatment. It can be concluded that Fe2O3MFH significantly inhibited the proliferation of in vitro cultured liver cancer cells (SMMC-7721), induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Fe2O3 MFH can induce high Hsp70 expression at an early stage, enhance the expression of Bax, and decrease the expression of mutant p53, which promotes the apoptosis of tumor cells.

Effect of dietary supplementation on the antimicrobial activity of blood leukocytes isolated from Holstein heifers.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of an immunostimulating feed supplement (OmniGen-AF®) on the antimicrobial properties of blood leukocytes in dairy heifers in an attempt to prevent mastitis. Blood leukocytes from supplemented and unsupplemented controls were used. Phagocytic activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were studied on d 0 (prior to feed supplementation) and on days 30 and 60 after supplementation. L-selectin and IL-8R mRNA expressions on blood leukocytes were evaluated on d 0 (prior to feed supplementation) and monthly thereafter for 15 mo. On d 30 after supplementation, neutrophils from treated heifers exhibited greater binding and internalization of Escherichia coli and greater ROS production compared with unsupplemented controls. L-selectin mRNA expression was increased in supplemented heifers vs. controls; however, IL-8R mRNA expression was not different. Results support the continued study of dietary supplementation as an additional management tool to enhance udder health in dairy heifers.

The phytoestrogen daidzein may affect reproductive performance of Zhedong White geese by regulating gene mRNA levels in the HPG axis.

1. The effect of daidzein, a naturally occurring phytoestrogen, on the reproductive performance of 120 female Zhedong White geese was determined. The geese were divided into 4 groups which were fed on diets containing 0 (Control), 10 (Da1), 20 (Da2) and 30 (Da3) mg daidzein per kg diet. Egg production and weight, fertility and hatchability rates, concentrations of estradiol (E2), triiodothyronine (T3), progesterone (P4), thyroxine (T4) and growth hormone (GH) in serum, and mRNA levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), ß-follicle stimulating hormone (FSHß), follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), oestrogen receptor1 (ESR1), oestrogen receptor2 (ESR2), prolactin (PRL), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) were measured. 2. Daidzein increased egg weight and fertility but had no detectable effect on egg production and hatchability. 3. Daidzein affected serum P4 and GH concentrations and T4 rhythm, up-regulated GnRH mRNA and PRLR mRNA levels in the hypothalamus, down-regulated PRLR mRNA in the hypothalamus, PRL mRNA in the pituitary, and ESR2 mRNA levels in the ovary, respectively. The mRNA rhythms of PRLR in the hypothalamus, PRL, PRLR and FSHß in the pituitary, FSHR, ESR1 and ESR2 in the ovary were significantly changed in the Da2 group. 4. It is suggested that an appropriate dose of daidzein might improve reproductive performance by affecting serum hormone concentrations and rhythms and regulating gene mRNA levels in the HPGA of female Zhedong White geese.

Use of gene profiling to evaluate the effects of a feed additive on immune function in periparturient dairy cattle.

Objectives were to investigate mechanisms by which a nutritional supplement alters immunity in dairy cattle. Our hypothesis was that feeding this product to dairy cattle altered neutrophil gene expression. Eight periparturient Jersey cattle were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: control and treated. Control animals were fed a dry cow ration for 1 month prior to calving. The treated cows were fed the same ration supplemented with OmniGen-AF. Following calving, blood samples were taken and neutrophils were prepared after which RNA was extracted. Gene expression in neutrophils of treated versus control-fed animals was then assessed using bovine-total leukocyte (BOTL-5) arrays. Eighteen genes were differentially regulated in the experimental group and of these, twice as many were up-regulated as down-regulated. Patterns of changes indicated that the additive might alter neutrophil apoptosis, signaling and sensitivity. Two of the regulated genes [interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) and interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R)] were investigated in more detail using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). Each was found to be elevated by the feeding of experimental product. Increased expression of ICE indicates potential for enhanced neutrophil expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a cytokine which plays roles in the inflammatory response and which stimulates adaptive immunity following innate immune activation. Altered expression of IL-4R indicates potential for changes in neutrophil apoptosis. The experiment identified mechanisms by which the additive altered neutrophil gene expression. While many nutrients support the immune system, we have shown that a non-traditional nutritional approach may also have utility in modulating immune function.

Simultaneous quantification of three isoflavonoid glycosides in rabbit plasma after oral administration of Astragalus mongholicus extract by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography coupled with triple stage quadruple tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/TSQ-MS/MS) was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside (CCSG), formononetin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside (Ononin) and (6R,10R)-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-beta-D-glycoside (DPG) in rabbit plasma. Plasma samples were extracted with solid-phase extraction (SPE), separated on an Inertsil ODS-3 column and detected by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI) interface in positive selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. 3,7,8-Trimethoxy-xanthone-1-O-primaverose was used as internal standard (IS) for quantitative measurement. For each analyte, one major product ion was chosen and used for screening of it. Calibration curves were generated over the range of 2-1000 ng mL(-1) with the correlation coefficients greater than 0.99 by using a weighted (1/chi) least squares linear regression. The method had the lower limit quantification of 0.15, 0.21 and 0.19 for CCSG, Ononin and DPG, respectively, with precision less than 20%. The intra- and inter-day precisions ranged from 2.48 to 6.38% and 4.81 to 11.78% (R.S.D.%), respectively. This assay is suitable for determining the above three trace glycosides in rabbit plasma simultaneously and thus investigating the pharmacokinetics of glycosides from Astragalus mongholicus extract in rabbits.

[Study on allele-specific diagnostic PCR of the traditional Chinese medicines of the deers].

AIM: To develop a convenient and accurate method of DNA molecular marker for the identification of traditional Chinese medicines made of deers, consisting of pilose antler, penis and testis, tendon and foetus. METHODS: Based on the analysis of DNA sequence of mitochondrial Cyt b gene from original animals of both genuine crude drugs, Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus, and adulterants, a pair of allele-specific primers named as ILu01-L and ILu01-H were designed for distinguishing geniune crude drugs of deers from their adulterants. RESULTS: The results of diagnostic PCR annealing at 64 degrees C for original animals showed that a 365 bp fragment was only amplified from DNA templates of Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus. For the identification of medicinal materials total of 43 samples from 6 packages were tested under the same reaction conditions except for DNA templates extracted from these crude drugs. Only 9 samples mentioned above was shown to generate positive amplificon. The result indicate that of 8 samples from 1 package of pilose antler and only 1 sample of deer tendon was genuine crude drug. After that, 3 amplified fragments selected randomly were performed with sequencing analysis with the purpose of verifying the results from diagnostic PCR. Data from sequencing confirmed the reliability of diagnostic PCR identification. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic primers designed in the present study were highly specific for Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus, and they could be used for the authentication of traditional Chinese medicines made from the deer. The quality of the crude drugs of the deer in the current market is a problem and more effective quality control for these traditional Chinese medicines is urgently needed.

[Identification of Chinese crude drug snake gallbladder by DNA molecular marker].

AIM: It is difficult to identify the Chinese crude drug snake gallbladder accurately by morphological and microscopical characteristics or chemical components only. In order to solve the problem, the technique based on DNA molecular marker was introduced into the authentication of snake gallbladder. METHODS: DNA templates were extracted from the membrane or the bile of snake gallbladder, and also from the muscle of the original animal Elaphe schrenckii. About 400 bp DNA fragments of 12S rRNA gene were amplified from the templates and sequenced subsequently. RESULTS: Enough amounts of DNA templates could be extracted from a bit of membrane or bile of snake gallbladder. The sequence of amplicons from the membrane, bile and muscle of the same individual were identical completely. CONCLUSION: The technique of DNA molecular marker could be used for the authentication of snake gallbladder and bile. The results indicate that the technique could be used for the identification of crude drugs from other animal secretion. DNA sequence analysis also demonstrated that the origins of commercial snake gallbladder were complicated and more efficient quality control was necessary for supervising the crude drug in the market.

Role of dopamine receptors and the changes of the tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in acupuncture analgesia in rats.

Previous studies have shown that dopamine (DA) is involved in electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA). L-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), a DA receptor antagonist was proved to potentiate EAA in both laboratory research and clinical practice. In the present study SK&F-38393 and quinpirole (Qui), selective agonists of D1 or D2 receptors respectively were injected into nucleus (N.) accumbens of rats to investigate the roles of D1 and D2 receptors in the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP. The injection of D1 agonist SK&F-38393 (5 microg or 10 microg) attenuated the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP, 10 microg SK&F-38393 attenuated EAA as well, while the injection of D2 agonist Qui (10 microg or 20 microg) had no effect on EAA and the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP. DA release was shown to increase in EAA in previous work, however, whether the synthesis of DA was influenced is still unknown. In the present study, dot blot technique was applied to observe the effect of noxious stimulation or electroacupuncture on the level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA in rat brain. Noxious electric stimulation was found to elevate the TH mRNA level in substantia nigra (SN) and hypothalamus, while electro-acupuncture attenuated the effect of noxious stimulation on TH mRNA. The results indicate that D1 but not D2 receptor in N. accumbens plays an important role in EAA. EA might regulate the biosynthesis of DA by altering the TH gene transcription.

[A preliminary study on the identification of crude snake drugs by molecular genetic markers].

DNA was amplified from 11 samples of crude snake drugs by 2 random primers. "Wushaoshe" (Zaocys dhumnades) and its substitutes, Elaphe taeniurus, E. rufodorsata, E. carinata and Sinonatrix annularis, and "Jinqian Baihyashe" (Bungarus multicinctus) and its adulterants, Dinodon rufozonatum and Sinonatrix annularis, can be distinguished by electrophoresis pattern of the amplified products. The results showed that the molecular genetic marker technique can be used as a new method for the identification of crude snake drugs.

Relationship between electroacupuncture analgesia and dopamine receptors in nucleus accumbens.

AIM: To study the roles of dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 receptors in nucleus accumbens in electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) and the potentiation of EAA of rats induced by l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), a dopamine receptor antagonist. METHODS: SK&F-38393 and quinpirole hydrochloride (Qui), highly selective agonists of D1 and D2 receptors, respectively were injected into nucleus accumbens of rats. RESULTS: SK&F-38393 (5 and 10 micrograms) attenuated the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP, 10 micrograms SKF38393 attenuated EAA as well, while Qui (10 and 20 micrograms) had no effect on EAA and the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP. CONCLUSION: D1 but not D2 receptor in nucleus accumbens play an important role in EAA and the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP.

Micronucleus formation in peripheral-blood lymphocytes from smokers and the influence of alcohol- and tea-drinking habits.

In recent years, studies on the genotoxic effects of smoking and its modifying factors have been widely followed with interest. In this report, frequencies of micronuclei (MNF) in peripheral-blood lymphocytes in 220 healthy smokers have been detected by the micronucleus test by finger-skin puncture, which needs only 1 to 2 drops of peripheral blood. On the basis of analysis of matched-pair data, the modifying effects of alcohol and tea are discussed. Our results show that (I) smoking significantly increases MNF in lymphocytes as compared with healthy non-smokers (p less than 0.01); (2) alcohol significantly increases MNF in smokers (p less than 0.01); (3) tea decreases MNF induced by smoking (p less than 0.01). Therefore, the anti-carcinogenic role of tea merits further study.