[Research Progress in the Roles of Sympathetic Nervous System in Liver Cirrhosis and Its Complications].

The sympathetic nervous system(SNS)plays a pivotal role in maintaining organ homeostasis and the pathogenesis of various ailments.Studies have unveiled a profound interconnection between sympathetic nerves and the development of liver cirrhosis,cirrhotic cardiomyopathy,and hepatorenal syndrome.Therefore,researchers have proposed SNS as a candidate therapeutic target for liver-related disorders.This article reviewed the research progress of sympathetic nerves in liver cirrhosis,cirrhotic cardiomyopathy,and hepatorenal syndrome,aiming to enrich the knowledge about the roles of sympathetic nerves in cirrhosis and its complications and provide new ideas for the treatment of liver cirrhosis and its complications.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on GLP-1R/PI3K/Akt protein pathway in mice with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R)/ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B(Akt) protein pathway in the substantia nigra of mice with Parkinson's di-sease (PD)，so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in treatment of PD. METHODS: Forty-eight C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into normal, model, EA and inhibitor groups, with 12 mice in each group. PD mouse model was established by intragastrical administration of rotenone for 4 weeks. In the EA group, EA was applied at "Fengfu"(GV16), "Taichong"(LR3) and"Zusanli"(ST36) for 30 min, once daily, for 2 weeks. The mice of the inhibitor group received gavage of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor ligliptin (10 mg·kg-1·d-1) once a day for 2 weeks. The behavioral scores of mice in each group were observed. The levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in serum and substantia nigra were detected by ELISA, and the protein relative expression levels of GLP-1R, phosphorylation of PI3K (p-PI3K) and phosphorylation of Akt (p-Akt) in substantia nigra of midbrain of mice were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the behavioral scores were significantly increased (P<0.01), TH levels in serum and substantia nigra, protein expression levels of GLP-1R, p-PI3K and p-Akt of the substantia nigra in the model group were significantly decreased (all P<0.01). After intervention and in comparison with the model group, the behavioral scores were significantly decreased (P<0.01), TH levels and the protein expression levels of GLP-1R, p-PI3K and p-Akt in both EA and inhibitor groups were significantly increased (all P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the abovementioned indexes between EA group and inhibitor group (all P>0.05), except for TH levels which were considerably down-regulated in the EA group relative to the inhibitor group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at GV16, LR3 and ST36 may increase the level of TH in serum and substantia nigra by up-regulating the activity of GLP-1R/PI3K/Akt protein pathway, and improve the behavioral performance of PD induced by rotenone.

[Immediate effect of acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) on heart rate variability in patients with qi deficiency syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effect of acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) on heart rate variability index in patients with qi deficiency syndrome. METHODS: Ninety patients with qi deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into an acupuncture group, a moxibustion group and a blank group, 30 patients in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 15 min; acupuncture was given once. The patients in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion with identical acupoints and treatment duration. The patients in the blank group received no intervention. The symptom scores of qi deficiency syndrome in each group before and after treatment were recorded. The average heart rate and index of heart rate variability including total power, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and logarithm of LF/HF (log LF/HF) were tested 5 min before treatment, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min into treatment, and 5 min after treatment. RESULTS: The symptom scores of qi deficiency syndrome were reduced in the acupuncture group and moxibustion group after treatment (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, in the acupuncture group, the HF was increased 5 min into treatment (P<0.05), but was reduced 15 min into treatment and 5 min after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). The log LF/HF was increased 5 min and 10 min into treatment and 5 min after treatment (P<0.01). The difference of average heart rate between 5 min before treatment and 5 min after treatment in the acupuncture group was higher than that in the moxibustion group and blank group (P<0.05), and the difference of log LF/HF was higher than that in the moxibustion group and blank group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion has immediate effects on heart rate variability in patients with qi deficiency syndrome, and the effect of acupuncture is superior to moxibustion, which may be related to the benign regulation of acupuncture on autonomic nervous system.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum vitronectin levels in human glioma.

OBJECTIVE: Vitronectin is an extracellular matrix protein, the synthesis of which by glioma cells correlates with tumor grade. The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between serum vitronectin levels and clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and prognosis in glioma patients. METHODS: In a prospective observatory study, a total of 98 glioma patients, 98 healthy controls, 98 other non-glioma brain tumors, and 98 other non-tumor neurological diseases were recruited. Following univariate analyses, multivariate analyses were performed to explore the associations of serum vitronectin levels with survival and clinicopathological parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was done to assess its diagnostic and prognostic predictive value. RESULTS: Serum vitronectin levels were significantly elevated in glioma patients as compared with other groups. High Wealth Health Organization grade was independently associated with high vitronectin levels. Serum vitronectin levels could significantly distinguish glioma patients from other groups and discriminate high-grade glioma from low-grade glioma. Vitronectin levels markedly predicted 5-year progression and 5-year mortality. Moreover, serum vitronectin was identified as an independent predictor for 5-year overall survival and 5-year progression-free survival as well as 5-year mortality and 5-year progression. CONCLUSION: Serum vitronectin may be a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker that can be detected in the peripheral blood of patients with glioma.

[Effect of ditching for drain on control of Oncomelania hupensis snail in beaches of Dongting Lake].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ditching for drain on the control of the breed of Oncomelania hupensis snails in beaches of Dongting Lake. METHODS: From November, 2009 to November, 2012, an 0. hupensis snail infested beach of the Yueyang jail and an O. hupensis snail infested beach of Junshan District were selected as research fields in the eastern Dongting Lake area, and the former, as the intervention field, was performed with the ditching for drain by excavators and the latter, as the control field, was not. RESULTS: Before the project implemented, the average soil moisture contents on the beaches in dry seasons of the two fields were both about 35.56%. After the project implemented, in the intervention field, the average soil moisture content was 26.53% which was significantly lower than that (35.56%) in the control field (F = 6.53, P < 0.05). The underground water levels in different heights in the intervention field were lower than those in the control field (χ2 = 33.33, P < 0.05). Before the project implemented, the natural death rates of the snails were 0.98% and 0.89% in the two research fields respectively (P > 0.05), and after the project implemented (in 2012), no adult and young snails were found in the interventional field, but in the control field, the average densities of living snails and young snails were 29.37 snails/0.1 m2 and 213 ± 108.45 snails/0.1 m2 respectively. CONCLUSION: The intervention of ditching for drain can decrease the soil moisture contents quickly and change the ecological condition, therefore, can control the breed of O. hupensis snails in the beaches of Dongting Lake.

Circulating levels of neuropeptide proenkephalin A predict outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

High plasma proenkephalin A level has been associated with ischemic stroke severity and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the relationship between proenkephalin A and disease severity as well as to investigate its ability to predict long-term clinical outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Plasma proenkephalin A concentrations of one hundred and eighty patients and 180 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were measured by chemoluminescence sandwich immunoassay. Plasma proenkephalin A level was substantially higher in patients than in healthy controls (205.5±41.6 pmol/L vs. 90.8±21.1 pmol/L, P<0.001), was highly associated with World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) score (r=0.470, P<0.001) and Fisher score (r=0.488, P<0.001), was an independent predictor for 6-month mortality [odds ratio (OR), 1.183; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.067-1.339; P=0.004] and unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1-3) (OR, 1.119; 95% CI, 1.046-1.332; P=0.005) using multivariate analysis, and had high area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for prediction of 6-month mortality (AUC, 0.831; 95% CI, 0.768-0.883) and unfavorable outcome (AUC, 0.821; 95% CI, 0.757-0.874). The predictive value of the plasma proenkephalin A concentration was also similar to those of WFNS score and Fisher score (both P>0.05). In a combined logistic-regression model, proenkephalin A improved the AUCs of WFNS score and Fisher score, but the differences were not significant (both P>0.05). Thus, proenkephalin A level may be a useful, complementary tool to predict mortality and functional outcome at 6 months after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Influences of HIF-lα on Bax/Bcl-2 and VEGF expressions in rats with spinal cord injury.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) is a subunit of HIF-l and thought to be able to protect hypoxic cells from apoptosis or necrosis under ischemic and anoxic conditions. This study aimed to investigated whether recombinant adenovirus vector over-expressing HIF-lα could affect apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model. A total of 60 male SD rats were divided into 4 groups: Sham, Control, Ad-Blank and Ad-HIF-1α groups. 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days after surgery, the behavioral recovery was evaluated with BBB scales. Then, rats were sacrificed and the spinal cord was collected for detection of Bcl-2, Bax and VEGF expressions by immunohistochemistry. Results showed the Bcl-2, Bax, VEGF and HIF-lα expressions increased in animals with SCI, but the increase in Bcl-2, VEGF and HIF-lα expressions were higher in Ad-HIF-1α group when compared with other groups, but Bax expression decreased significantly. In addition, administration of Ad-HIF-1α significantly reduced apoptotic cells and promoted the recovery of neurological function. In conclusion, administration of Ad-HIF-1α after SCI could ameliorate neuronal apoptosis and promote angiogenesis in rats. Our study provides a basis for further exploration of the relationship between HIF1α and SCI.

[Toxicity test of Luokuwei on mice].

The result of toxicity test of Luokuwei to mice showed that, when the dose of the drug was 400-1 200 times of molluscicidal dosage, the mortality rate of mice was only 10%-20% in 24 h, and in 14 d, only the mortality rate in high doasage group was above 50%. It is suggested that Luoweiku is a molluscicide with low toxicity.

[Construction expression and biologic activity of recombinant human sCR1 eucaryotic cell].

AIM: To express human soluble complement receptor type 1(sCR1)protein using ferment cell secreting type carrier and study the extraorgan biologic activity of recombinant human sCR1 fusion protein. METHODS: Total human RNA was extracted from peripheral blood. The full length cDNA of human sCR1 gene was obtained by RT-PCR and them, cloned into Pichia pastoris eukaryotic expression vector pPIC9k to construct the recombinant plasmid pPIC9k-sCR1 containing human sCR1.After identified by DNA sequencing, the recombinant plasmid pPIC9k-sCR1 was transformed into Pichia pastoris SMD1168. The ferment cell line of the recombinant sCR1 which was chosen by G418 resistance was identified by PCR, After methanol induction, the expressed protein products were verified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, purified by Ni(2+)-NTA agarose affinity chromatography, and its biologic activity was identified. RESULTS: The obtained Pichia pastoris secretion type yeast carrier pPIC9k-sCR1 was chosen by G418 and identified by PCR to get a highly copied and integral recombinant ferment cell line. The recombinant human sCR1 fusion protein was expressed by yeast cells containing pPIC9k-sCR1 induced by methanol. It was a protein band about M(r) 31 000 in gel, which could be identified by CD35 of anti-sCR1 protein monoclonal antibody with Western blotting technique. The highly purified sCR1 fusion protein and its biologic activity were detected obtained by Ni(2+)-NTA agarose affinity chromatography. CONCLUSION: The recombinant human sCR1 fusion protein can be highly expressed in the Pichia pastoris expression system, which resembles the human natural protein's antigenicity and biologic activity.

[Karyotypic analysis from two clones of gynogenetic Pengze crucian carp (Carassius auratus of Pengze)].

Pengze crucian carp (Carassius auratus of pengze), one of the most popular cultural fishes in China, is an endemic bisexual population with natural gynogenetic reproduction mode. Just like Silver crucian carp, investigation on the karyotype of Pengze crucian carp is important to understanding the diversity and the evolution of the unisexual vertebrates. Two distinguishable gynogenetic clones of Pengze crucian carp, named clone H and clone L, respectively,were detected recently. In this study, the chromosomes number and karyotype of the two clones were analyzed using chromosomes of kidney cell-PHA culture in vivo prepared by flame-drying technique. The results show that the chromosome numbers and karyotypes of the two clones are different. Clone H has 156 chromosomes in its karyotype with 42 metacentric, 36 submetacentric, 39 subtelocentric, 33 telocentric, and six supernumerary chromosomes; the karyotype of clone L contains 162 chromosomes with 36 metacentric, 45 submetacentric, 33 subtelocentric, 36 telocentric, and twelve supernumerary chromosomes. The karyotype formula of 150 basic chromosomes of clone H is 3n = 42M +36SM +39ST +33T,NF = 228; and the karyotype formula of 150 basic chromosomes of clone L is 3n = 36M +45SM +33ST +36T, NF = 231. The discovery of the two different gynogenetic clones indicates that the genetic diversity also exists in the Pengze crucian carp, similar to that in the Silver crucian carp.

Phylogeography of Varicorhinus barbatulus (Cyprinidae) in Taiwan based on nucleotide variation of mtDNA and allozymes.

The phylogeographical patterns and population genetic structures of Varicorhinus barbatulus in Taiwan were investigated based on genetic diversity of 34 allozyme loci and nucleotide sequences of 3' end of the cytochrome b gene, tRNA genes, D-loop control region, and the 5' end of the 12S rRNA of mtDNA. Allozyme and mtDNA analyses revealing evident geographical structuring suggest limited gene flow between populations (F(ST)=0.511 and 0.791, respectively). Low genetic variability within populations (P=5.56%; He=0.018) based on allozymes and significantly negative Tajima's D statistics based on mtDNA suggest that most populations in Taiwan may have originated from a small number of founders followed by demographic expansion. The gene genealogy of mtDNA identified six lineages corresponding to major drainages that were separated by the geological barriers due to vicariant events. A minimum spanning network based on nucleotide substitutions reflects divergence from populations of the Miao-li Plateau to northern and southern regions of the island. In contrast to a previous hypothesis that suggests an early invasion to eastern part of Taiwan prior to the lifting of central mountain range some one million years ago, the mtDNA genealogy and molecular dating reveal very recent colonization of the eastern population. Nested clade analyses revealing significant associations between genetic structure and geographical division identify past fragmentation and range expansion as major phylogeographical events that shaped the geographical distribution of this species in Taiwan.