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Objective:To observe the effect of bacteroides fragilis BF839 intervention on learning, memory and social novelty of fragile X-mental retardation gene 1 ( Fmr1) knockout (KO) mice. Methods:Thirty three-week-old Fmr1 KO mice were randomly divided into Fmr1 KO group ( n=15) and Fmr1 KO+BF839 group ( n=15). Mice in the Fmr1 KO group freely drank autoclaved tap water everyday; mice in the Fmr1 KO+BF839 group drank BF839 bacterial liquid (10 mL/d) everyday;11 wild-type mice freely drank autoclaved tap water everyday were set as controls (WT group). After 4 weeks of intervention, Morris water maze test was used to observe the differences in escape latency and frequencies of crossing the original platform among mice in each group; Three-chamber Social Interaction Test was used to observe the differences in contact frequencies and contact durations with unfamiliar mice among mice in each group. Results:On the 4 th d of experiment, the escape latency of mice in the Fmr1 KO group ([46.06±10.29] s) was significantly longer than that in the WT group ([33.39±12.02] s, P<0.05); the escape latency of mice in the Fmr1 KO+BF839 group ([28.39±9.07] s) was significantly shorter than that in the Fmr1 KO group ( P<0.05); the escape latency of mice in the Fmr1 KO+BF839 group was slightly shorter than that in the WT group without significant difference ( P>0.05). The frequencies of crossing through the original platform of mice in Fmr1 KO group (0.00[0.00, 1.00] time) was slightly less than that in WT group (1.00 [0.00, 1.00] time) without significant difference ( P>0.05); that in the Fmr1 KO+BF839 group (1.50[1.00, 2.00] times) was significantly larger than that in the Fmr1 KO group and WT group ( P<0.05). The contact frequencies of the mice in the Fmr1 KO group with unfamiliar mice (5.50[0.50, 12.75] times) was less than that in the WT group (7.00[4.00, 17.00] times) without significant difference ( P>0.05); that in the Fmr1 KO+BF839 group (23.00[16.00, 36.00] times) was significantly increased as compared with that in the Fmr1 KO group and WT group ( P<0.05). The contact duration of mice in the Fmr1 KO group with unfamiliar mice (9.50[0.50, 41.95] s) was significantly shorter than that in the WT group (142.00[65.00, 171.60] s, P<0.05); Fmr1 KO+BF839 group had significantly longer contact duration with unfamiliar mice (69.60 [50.40, 98.40] s) than Fmr1 KO group ( P<0.05); the contact duration of mice in Fmr1 KO+BF839 group with unfamiliar mice was shorter than that in WT group without significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Early BF839 intervention can significantly improve the learning, memory abilities and social novelty of Fmr1 KO mice, and even restore the Fmr1 KO mice to normal levels, which suggests that BF839 may become a new tool for treatment of fragile X syndrome and autism.
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Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of lacrimal angioplasty combined with new lacrimal drainage catheter in the treatment of up lacrimal duct obstruction.Methods 72 patients (78 eyes)with up lacrimal duct obstruction were selected,and they were treated by lacrimal angioplasty combined with new lacrimal drainage catheter,extubation after three months,followed up for 1 year after extubation.The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were assessed.Results No patients experienced severe adverse reactions.In 72 patients,65 cases(70 eyes)were cured(89.74%),5 cases(6 eyes)improved(7.69%),2 cases(2 eyes)were invalid(2.56%).Conclusion Lacrimal angioplasty combined with new lacrimal drainage catheter in the treatment of up lacrimal duct obstruction has better clinical efficacy.It has the advantage of high security,simple operation,eco-nomical and low cost.It is suitable for using in primary hospitals.
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Objective To investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on myocardial apoptosis and protein kinase B (AKT) expression in rats of chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods Thirty male adult SD rats were randomly divided into two groups, sham-operated (Sham) group (n=6) and model (Model) group (n=24). The abdominal aortic coarctation was used to build CHF model. Sixteen survived rats after operation were randomly divided into two groups including EPO group and con-trol (Control) group. EPO group was received 3 000 U/kg EPO intraperitoneal injection 3 times/week for 4 weeks, and Sham group and Control group were received same volume of normal saline. The echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function after 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment. After 12 weeks, all rats were sacrificed after 24 h fasting. The cell morphology and myocardial apoptosis were observed, and apoptosis index (AI) was calculated. Myocardial P-AKT/AKT pro-tein expression was detected by Western blot assay. Results Echocardiography showed that ventricular hypertrophy was found in model group after four weeks, heart failure 8 weeks. Compared with Control group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly higher after EPO intervention for 4 weeks (P < 0.05), systolic interventricular septum thickness (IVSs), end-systolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWs), diastolic interventricular septum thickness (IVSd), af-ter left ventricular end-diastolic wall thickness (LVPWd) were significantly lower (P<0.05). The value of AI was significant-ly lower in EPO group than that of Control group (23.87%±1.45%vs 35.58%±2.81%, P<0.01). The OD value of P-AKT/AKT was significantly decreased in Control group (0.35±0.06) than that of Sham group (0.81±0.17), the value was significant-ly increased in EPO group (1.61±0.16) than that of Control group (P<0.01). Conclusion EPO can improve heart function, inhibit myocardial apoptosis,and promote pro-phosphorylation of AKT in rats with chronic heart failure.
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Objective To study the influence of protein intake in learning and memory capabilities and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expression in premature rats.Methods Premature rars were randomly divided into three groups after weaning:preterm standard protein group,preterm low protein group and preterm high protein group.After weaning,three groups were respectively fed with standard protein diets (18％ protein),low protein diets (8％ protein) and high protein diets (30％ protein) until the end of experiment.When rats were at the 6th and 8th weeks,they were performed Morris water maze test to assess the learning and memory abilities,and irnmunohistochemistry and Westem blotting were used to observe the mTOR distribution and mTOR protein expression in the hippocampus.Results At the age of 6 weeks,the escape latencies of the premature rats did not change significantly on the 3rd and 4th day of the experiment; the frequency of crossing the platform and the mTOR-positive cells in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions of each group showed no significant differences (P＞0.05).At the age of 8 weeks,the escape latencies in finding the platform were shortened with increased training times for premature rats; the frequency of crossing the platform of high-protein premature rats was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (P＜0.05); and the mTOR expression in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions of high-protein premature rats was also significantly increased as compared with the other two groups (P＜0.05).High-protein premature rats at the age of 8 weeks had significantly higher frequency of crossing the platform and increased mTOR-positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions than those at the age of 6 weeks (P＜0.05).Western blotting also indicated that the hippocampal mTOR protein expression was not significantly different in each group at 6 week-old; the mTOR expression of high-protein premature rats was significantly higher than that in the other two groups at the age of 8 weeks.Conclusions In the early growth and development process of the brain,mTOR activity might be inhibited in the premature birth rats,which can lead to impaired learning and memory abilities.After a long time of high protein nutritional intake,impaired learning and cognitive abilities of premature rats can get recovery,which may be associated with up-regulation ofmTOR expression.
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Objective To investigate the distribution of 3279 and 924 Foxp3 genotypes in Guangdong population and to explore the correlation between Foxp3 gene polymorphism and essential hypertention . Methods Two hundred and six essential hypertention patients and 291 healthycontrols from October 2013 to September 2014 in the third affiliated hospital of guangzhou medical university were enrolled in the study. The Foxp3 3279 and 924 genotypes was identified by PCR-SSP assay. The plasma lipid level and other risk factor were detemined in all subjects. The relationship between genotypes and pathogenesis of EH was analyzed. Results There were sigificant differences in frequecncies of allele and genotype distribution in Foxp3 3279 genotypes between the two groups. The frequecies of AC+CC and allele were significantly higher in the EH group than those in the control group (P<0.05). Result of logictics analysis showed that AC+CC genotype significantly increase the risk of EH (OR = 1.552,95%CI为1.021 ~ 2.357, P < 0.05), but the polymorphism of Foxp3 924 genotype frequecncy was not assosiated with EH. Conclusion The Foxp3 3279 gene polymorphisms is associated with EH . However, the Foxp3 924 gene polymorphisms is not associated with EH.
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Objective To study the influence of postnatal high protein feeding on learning and memory abilities of preterm rats.Methods After weaning,the SD offspring were divided into 6 groups randomly according random digits table:preterm standard protein group (group A),term standard protein group (group B),preterm low protein group (group C),term low protein group (group D),preterm high protein group (group E),and term high protein group (group F),with 34 rats in each group.Starting from 22 days of age,the standard protein group,low-protein group and the high-protein group were respectively fed with a standard protein diet (containing 18％ protein),low-protein diet (containing 8％ protein) and a high-protein diet (containing 30％ protein) until the end of experiment.Within each group,the rats were respectively tested in 6 weeks and 8 weeks.Morris water maze task was performed to assess the learning and memory abilities of the premature rats.Results 1.Directional navigation experiments:(1) At the age of 6 weeks,the escape latencies to find the platform were shortened with increased training times for full-term rats.The escape latencies of the premature rats did not change significantly on the third and fourth day of the experiment.(2) At the age of 8 weeks,the escape latencies to find the platform were shortened with increased training time for all of the rats.2.Probe trial test:(1)At the age of 6 weeks,premature rats spent significantly less time in target quadrant than full-time rats.And the percent age of traveled distance in target quadrant of premature rats was significantly less than full term rats (P ＜ 0.05).(2) At the age of 8 weeks,group E [(68.48 ± 20.65) s] spent significantly greater time in target quadrant than group A and group C [group A(52.41 ± 11.24) s,group C (49.54 ± 11.04) s].And the percent age of traveled distance in target quadrant of group E [(36.56 ± 10.44) ％] were significantly higher than group A and group C [group A (29.83 ± 8.33) ％,group C (26.97 ± 5.41) ％] (P ＜ 0.05).(3) At the age of 8 weeks,group E spent time in target quadrant and the percent of traveled distance in target quadrant [(68.48 ± 20.65) s,(36.56 ±10.44)％] were higher than group F [(61.29 ± 16.27) s,(35.71 ±6.61)％],but there was no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In the early growth and development process of the brain,premature birth may seriously affect early brain functions in rats,and the learning and cognitive abilities of the premature rats are worse than full-term rats.In the subsequent process of growth and development,after a long time of high protein nutritional intake,the learning and cognitive abilities of the premature rats can be restored and they can catch up with full-term rats.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the heterogeneity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in black and white hair of patients with type 2 diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MtDNA was extracted from the hair shaft of the patients to amplify two target DNA fragment from mtDNA coding region and control region using PCR. The differences in the heterogeneity in the target DNA fragment was analyzed between diabetic patients and the control group with denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the control subjects and diabetic patients, the mtDNA heterogeneity in the black hair was 3% and 10% in 20-45 year-old groups and 9% and 17% in 45-70 year-old groups, as compared to 9%, 20%, 21%, and 40% in the white hair, respectively. The mtDNA heterogeneity in the black and white hair was both higher in the diabetic patients than in the control subjects of the same age group, and was also higher in older age subgroups in both control and diabetic groups (P<0.05). The white hair mtDNA showed a significantly higher heterogeneity than the black hair mtDNA in the two age groups of diabetic patients and in 45-70 year-old control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mtDNA heterogeneity in the hair increases in type 2 diabetic patients and show an association with aging.</p>
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Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Age Factors , Aging , Genetics , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Methods , DNA, Mitochondrial , Genetics , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Genetics , Metabolism , Genetic Heterogeneity , Hair , MetabolismABSTRACT
The expression mode in presentations may affect the efficiency during the teaching. In this study, we used a random-controlled trial to compare the educational efficiency in three different expression modes: script, pictures, animation. Test scores and questionnaire survey were statistically analyzed. It showed that the presentations with animation led to the highest average test score of the students. Visual objects could attract students' interest, enhance memory, and academic achievement. A proper insert of visual objects in teaching presentation is encouraged in the education of medical neurobiology for those medical students.
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Objective To investigate the relationships of nuclear factor кB (NF-кB) activation with protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) during amyloid-β (Aβ) (25-35) -induced apoptosis in pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) of rats. Methods Apoptosis in PC12 cells was induced by A(25-35). The activities of Akt, GSK-3β and NF-кB were analyzed in this process. The Akt and GSK-3β pathways were blocked by their specific inhibitors, respectively, and the relationships of Akt and, GSK-3β with NF-кB during Aβ(25-35)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells were determined. Results Aβ(25-35) induced apoptosis was in a dose-dependent manner. With 0, 5, 10, 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L Aβ(25-35) treaing for 48 h, the apoptosis rates of PC12 cells were (3. 01 ± 0.03)%, (3.08 ±0.03)%, (25.32 ± 0.76)%, ( 42.88 ± 0.60 )% and ( 60.85 ± 2.39 )% , respectively. Compared to control, both Akt and GSK-3β were suppressed during apoptosis, at meantime NF-кB was activated. The inhibited Akt activity by wortmannin leaded to decreased NF-кB activatity and increased GSK-3β activatity. Suppression of GSK-3β with its specific inhibitor LiCl caused the decreased activation of NF-кB too, but it had no significant influence on Akt activity. Conclusions These results suggest that both Akt and GSK-3β are upstream regulators of NF-кB. They co-regulate the activation of NF-кB during Aβ(25-35)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. This study contributes to the theoretical base for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) , and provides a new idea to AD prevention and therapy.
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AIM: To probe into the anti-epilepsy action of artificial Calculus Bovis,by observing its effect on the behavioral of the experimental epileptic rats,neuron loss in the hippocampus and hilus,and GAD positive cell alteration in the hippocampus.METHODS: SD rats were divided into three groups: group A(artificial Calculus Bovis treatment group);group B(acute epilepsy group) and group C(control group).A model of acute epilepsy rats was established by PTZ.The rat's behavioral alteration was observed by the Racine' scale.The neurons in the hippocampus and hilus were calculated by Nissl staining.The GAD positive cells were observed by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: The latency of the first seizure in group A was longer than that in group B,while the seizure times in group A was less than that in group B.Besides,in group A,both the neuron loss amount in the hippocampus and hilus and the GAD positive cell loss amount in the hippocampus were less than those in group B.CONCLUSION: The artificial Calculus Bovis prolonged the latency of the first seizure time,decreased the frequency of seizure,and prevented the neuron loss and protected the GAD positive cells.