Effect of safflower yellow on learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 at different months based on TLR4/NF-KB signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of safflower yellow (SY) on learning and memory ability of APP/ PS1 mice at different disease stages, and to explore the mechanism of SY anti- Alzheimer's disease by using 3-,6- and 9-month-old APP/PS 1 transgenic mice as experimental animal models. Methods Behavioral experiments were conducted to observe the effects of SY on learning and memory of APP/PS1 mice of different months. ELISA was used to detect the effect of SY on the expression of inflammatory factors in cortex of mice of different months. Western blot was used to detect the microglia activation marker protein, and its mechanism of action was further analyzed. Results SY could enhance the learning and memory ability of mice aged 3, 6 and 9 months, reduce the content of IL-6 and increase the content of TGF-β1 in brain tissue, up-regulate the expression levels of arginase-1 (arg-1) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (tREM2) in brain tissue of mice of different months, and down-regulate the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Toll-like receptors 4 (tlr4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (nf-KB). Conclusions Compared with 3- and 9-month-old mice, SY is the most effective in improving learning memory in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice. SY inhibits TLR4/NF-KB pathway activation by inducing TREM2 expression in brain tissue of APP/PS 1 transgenic mice, promotes microglia phenotype shift to anti-inflammatory phenotype, reduces chronic neuroinflammatory response, and improves learning memory in APP/PS1 mice at all months of age.

Changes of neuro-endocrine-inflammation system in blast wave injury: recent progress / 第二军医大学学报

Blast wave can stimulate the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, leading to the changes of autonomic nervous function. It can also damage the hypothalamus and pituitary, and activate the hypothalamic-pituitarytarget gland axis and the locus ceruleus-sympathetic-adrenal medulla axis, resulting in the changes of endocrine level. In addition, it can activate inflammatory cells, synthesize and release different inflammatory mediators, resulting in the changes of inflammatory response. This paper reviews the changes and interactions of autonomic nervous function, endocrine level and inflammatory response in blast wave injury, and further explains the injury mechanism of blase wave, providing references for the treatment of blast wave injury..

Considerations on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia / 医学研究生学报

As a new infectious disease, the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) has continued to spread since the end of 2019. It has now been classifiedas a Class B infectious disease, and the preventive and control measures of Class A infectious diseases have been adopted. With reference to the official documents issued by WHO and National Health Commission, PRC and the latest research, this paper discusses the prevention and control of the NCP from its epidemiology, evolutionary sources, prevention and control, and so forth.

High glucose down-regulates the expression of miR-26b in H9C2 cardiomyocytes / 医学研究生学报

Objective　Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the complications of diabetes, which is closely related to the change of miRNA. In this study, we observed the characteristic expression of miR-26b in the tissues of the C57BL/6J mouse and in the heart, adipose tissue and liver of the ob/ob mouse, and investigated the effect of high glucose (Glu) on the expression of miR-26b in H9C2 cardiomyocytes.　Methods　Using RT-PCR, we measured the levels of miR-26b in the heart, adipose tissue, liver and other tissues of C57BL/6J and ob/ob mice. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with Glu at 5.5, 15, 25 and 35 mmol/L for 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours, followed by detection of the proliferation of cardiomyocytes by CCK-8 and determination of thelevels miR-26b.　Results　The expression of miR-26b was the highest in the heart of the C57BL/6J mice, significantly higher than in the cardiac and white adipose tissues of the ob/ob mice (P < 0.05). The proliferation of cardiomyocytes was markedly increased in the 15, 25 and 35 mmol/L Glu groups at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours as compared with that in the 5.5 mmol/L Glu group (P < 0.05), higher in the 25 than in the 15 mmol/L Glu group at 24 hours (0.74±0.02 vs 0.72±0.01, P<0.05), but lower in the 35 than in the 15 mmol/L Glu group at 48 hours (0.92±0.01 vs 0.94±0.01, P<0.05), in the 25 and 35 mmol/L Glu groups at 96 hours (P < 0.05), in the 35 mmol/L Glu group at 120 hours (1.12±0.02 vs 1.19±0.05, P<0.05), in the 35 than in the 25 mmol/L Glu group at 24 and 48 hours (P<0.05). The expression of miR-26b in the H9C2 cardiomyocytes was significantly down-regulated in the 25 and 35 mmol/L Glu groups in comparison with that in the 5.5 mmol/L Glu group (P<0.05), remarkably lower in the 25 mmol/L Glu group at 96 and 120 hours than at 0 hour (P<0.05).　Conclusion　High glucose can down-regulate the expression of miR-26b in H9C2 cardiomyocytes, which suggests that miR-26b may participate in the pathogenesis of DCM.

Distribution of podophyllotoxin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers after topical application on cervical mucosa in Tibet minipigs / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the distribution and systemic toxicity of podophyllotoxin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (POD-NLC) after topical application on the cervical mucosa in Tibet minipigs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve Tibet mini-pigs were randomized into test group and control group to receive topical application of 0.5% POD-NLC and 0.5% POD tincture, respectively, on the cervical mucosa. Cervical mucosal irritation, targeted distribution and systemic absorption of POD were observed at different time points within 24 h after the drug application.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No local inflammation reaction was observed in the test group, while serious local irritations (swelling, blisters, blood blisters, erosion and ulceration) occurred in the control group. The fluorescence intensity of POD in the mucosal tissue reached the peak level at 4 h after drug application in the control group, while the POD fluorescence intensity increased slowly and reached the peak level at 16 h in the test group. The peak blood POD concentration occurred at 6 h after POD-NLC application in the test group (14.28∓0.33 ng/mL), as compared to 4 h in the control group (42.46∓0.32 ng/mL). At all the time points within 24 h, blood POD concentration remained significantly lower in the test group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the area under curve of blood POD concentration in the control group was 1.38-fold greater than that in the test group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>POD-NLC allows sustained release of POD and achieves a higher POD concentration in the mucosal tissue without causing local irritation or obvious systemic toxicity in Tibet minipigs.</p>

Biomechanical simulation model of upper limb interaction for human-spacesuit system / 医用生物力学

Objective To calculate joint torques and muscle forces of astronaut in spacesuit by establishing the biomechanical simulation model of upper limb interaction for human-spacesuit system, so as to assess the risk in extra-vehicular activities. Methods For spacesuit upper limb, the kinematic model of rigid body rotation and hysteresis model of joint resistant torque were built, respectively, to describe the kinematic and dynamic features of spacesuit joints. Kinematic coupling of human and spacesuit upper limb was fulfilled by restricting the displacement between spacesuit elbow and human elbow, and dynamic coupling was fulfilled by using virtual reaction element. An integrated simulation model was established in the framework of inverse sport biomechanics. With this model, the elbow flexion/extension of the astronaut under pressure-suited, unpressured-suited and unsuited condition was simulated for case study. Results The correlation coefficients of predicted muscle activation and iEMG for biceps under the three conditions were 0.86, 0.71 and 0.65, respectively; the corresponding correlation coefficients for triceps were 0.75, 0.61 and 0.60, respectively. The consistency between predicted muscle activations and surface electromyography collected in experiment qualitatively validated the accuracy of this model, and the consistency between human elbow joint torque working on muscles and spacesuit elbow joint resistant torque validated the rationality of the model. Conclusions The established biomechanical simulation model of upper limb interaction for human-spacesuit system can effectively calculate the joint torque and muscle force of astronaut in spacesuit. The simulation and experiment results indicate that joint resistant torque in pressured spacesuit has great influence on human joint torque and muscle workload, which offers methodological support for physical workload and musculoskeletal risk evaluation for astronauts in extra-vehicular activity.

The effect of mechanical stimuli on numerical simulation of bone remodeling / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the effect of three different kinds of mechanical stimuli (i.e. strain energy density, equivalent stress and equivalent strain) on numerical simulation of bone remodeling. Methods A two-dimensional finite element model of the proximal femur was constructed. Based on the mechanostat theory and finite element method, the inner structure of the proximal femur and its density distributions under the three different stimuli were predicted. Then the simulation results were compared quantitatively with calculation results obtained from CT images. ResultsThe predicted density distributions on the proximal femur under different stimuli were all well matched with the real structure of the proximal femur. By comparing the values and shapes of the calculated bone density curves, the predictions from the model using equivalent stress as mechanical stimuli were mostly consistent with the CT images. ConclusionsThe equivalent stress might play a leading role in mechano-regulation algorithms of bone remodeling. The accurate prediction of bone remodeling process will provide a theoretical basis for clinical practices such as orthopedic surgery, treatment of bone diseases and personalized design and optimization of prosthesis.

Analysis on plantar force parameters of gait under different simulated gravities / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the plantar force characteristics during human walking and running under different gravity environment. Methods Seven healthy male volunteers walked and ran in vertical position on a weight-loss suspension treadmill under simulated Mars gravity (1/3 G) and lunar gravity (1/6 G), and traditional earth gravity (1 G) respectively at three different velocities (3, 7 and 10 km/h). During the exercise, parameters such as stance phase, plantar force, and gait balance in gait cycle were analyzed by using the F-scan insole pressure distribution measurement system. Results At the same velocity during a gait cycle, the contact phase was significantly shorter with the decrease of gravity, but the swing phase was significantly longer (P0.05). The peak and average plantar force, force integrity were significantly reduced with the decrease of gravity. Under normal gravity, the increase of velocity could lead to an obvious increase in peak and average plantar force and an obvious decrease in force integrity. While under simulated lunar and Mars gravity, no significant changes were found in plantar force (P>0.05). Under the three gravities, the ratio of vertical impact was quite different in between (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the phase symmetry index. Conclusions As compared to normal gravity environment, parameters benefiting for skeleton and muscle function such as plantar force and contact phase were found to be much smaller under low gravity environment, indicating the necessity of considering these factors when designing countermeasures or exercise prescriptions for space flight so as to sustain the astronaut’s normal function of skeleton and muscle.

Comparing the effect of An's Shaobei Injection (symbols; see text) with Xiaozhiling Injection (symbols; see text) in patients with internal hemorrhoids of grade I-III: a prospective cohort study / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect of An's Shaobei Injection ([symbols; see text]) with Xiaozhiling Injection ([symbols; see text]) in patients with internal hemorrhoids of grade I-III.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This cohort study included 1,520 internal hemorrhoids patients with grade I-III who were scheduled for liquid injection treatment from July 2003 to July 2009. The cohort included patients who underwent either An's Shaobei Injection treatment (the treatment group, 760 cases) or Xiaozhiling Injection treatment (the control group, 760 cases). All patients were followed up regularly for 3 years; the observing indices included anal function recovery and clinical response after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 1,520 patients, 1,508 (99.2%) completed the 3-year follow-up. The efficacy rate was 97.5% in the treatment group, significantly higher than the control group (91.8%, P<0.01). The recurrence rate in the treatment group was 0.5%, significantly lower than that of the control group (1.3%, P<0.01). In addition, perianal callosity occurred in 8 cases (1.1%) and anorectal stricture in 26 cases (3.5%) after operation in the control group. There was no perianal callosity and anorectal stricture in the treatment group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The treatment with An's Shaobei Injection demonstrated superior clinical effect to Xiaozhiling Injection with fewer adverse effects.</p>

The characteristics and trends of acute pesticide poisoning of Shaoxing in 2006 to 2011 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the epidemiological characteristics of acute pesticide poisoning in Shaoxing, China during 2006-2011 and to provide a reference for the prevention and control of pesticide poisoning.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data on pesticide poisoning in Shaoxing during 2006-2011 were obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention and were then analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 2024 cases of acute pesticide poisoning were reported in Shaoxing during 2006-2011, and 44 cases were missed, accounting for 2.1% (44/2068) of all cases. Among the 2024 cases, 119 (5.9%) died; the fatality rates of productive poisoning and unproductive poisoning were 1.0% (3/289) and 6.7% (116/1735), respectively. The reported cases included 1038 (51.3%) females and 986 (48.7%) males, and there were no significant differences in the ratio between male and female cases of acute pesticide poisoning from 2006 to 2011 (χ2 = 9.16, P = 0.10). The 2024 cases had a mean age of 47.0±18.7 years; the male cases had a significantly higher mean age than the female cases (50.7±19.0 vs 43.4±17.8 years, t = 9.01, P < 0.001). Among the 2024 cases, 289 (14.3%) suffered productive poisoning, and 1735 (85.7%) suffered unproductive poisoning. In the 986 male cases, 219 (22.2%) suffered productive poisoning; in the 1038 female cases, 968 (93.3%) suffered unproductive poisoning. The pesticides that caused poisoning included insecticide (86.7%, 1754/2024), herbicide (5.1%, 104/2024), rodenticide (3.6%, 72/2024), and bactericide, mixed preparation, biochemical pesticides, and other four categories of pesticides (4.6%, 94/2024); of the 1754 cases caused by insecticide, 1455 (83.0%) were attributed to organophosphorus insecticide.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The incidence of unproductive acute pesticide poisoning is high in Shaoxing, and it mainly affects females. Most cases of acute pesticide poisoning are aged 30∼60 years. Insecticide is the main cause of poisoning. It is necessary to enhance health knowledge popularization and safety management of pesticides.</p>

Motilin receptor expression in the interstitial cells of Cajal / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To look for the evidences of motilin receptor expression on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of the rabbit.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Smooth muscle segments with ICC were isolated from the small intestine of 10-day old rabbits. The tissue segments equilibrated in Ca(2+)-free Hanks' solution were dispersed with an enzyme solution containing collagenase type II and then Ficoll density centrifugation was used to dissociate ICC. The cells were suspended and cultured in the M199 medium. The c-kit antibody was applied to distinguish the cultured ICC. The motilin receptor was identified by immunocytochemical assay with GPR38 antibody, c-kit antibody and hoechst 33342 combined to label ICC. Cells cultured for a few days were sorted for ICC with c-kit stained green fluorescent through flow cytometry. The total RNA and proteins extracted from the sorted ICC were respectively used to verify motilin receptor on the ICC by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>We had successfully dissociated and cultured ICC of rabbit small intestine in vitro. Fluorescent staining with c-kit antibody confirmed that the culture ICC was successful. Triple-labeled immunofluorescent staining had detected the motilin receptor on membrane of ICC. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the ratio of c-kit positive cell in the cultured cells was 64.3%. The number of sorted ICC was 6.7 × 10(5) and 5.6 × 10(6). The results of RT-PCR and Western blot confirmed that the ICC had motilin receptor expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study demonstrated presence of motilin receptor on ICC of the rabbit. The present results may suggest that ICC play an important role in gastrointestinal movement induced by motilin.</p>

Hyperhomocysteinemia and erectile dysfunction: an update / 中华男科学杂志

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is considered to be one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. Epidemiological studies conducted on erectile dysfunction (ED) have demonstrated its close correlation with cardiovascular disease, and therefore HHcy might be a novel risk factor of ED. However, the mechanism of ED resulting from HHcy is not precisely known, but may relate to increased damage of vascular endothelial cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and atherosclerosis. Although further studies are needed on this association between HHcy and ED, the measurement of plasma Hcy and folic acid levels and molecular analysis of the MTHFR genotype might be added to the ED diagnostic procedure, especially in young patients or in those with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Treatment of ED patients with HHcy should first aim to reduce the Hcy level through administration of folic acid, alone or in combination with vitamin B6 or B12, and then proceed to treatment with PDE5i. This paper offers an overview on the advances in the studies of the correlation between HHcy and ED.

Effect of interstitial cells of Cajal on gastrointestinal motility induced by motilin receptor agonist ABT-229 / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) on contraction of intestinal tract smooth muscle induced by motilin receptor agonist.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two kinds of smooth muscle segments were isolated from the duodenum and colon of rabbit. Both kinds of smooth muscle were divided into two groups: group a (normal ICC group of duodenum); group c (impaired ICC group of duodenum); group b (normal ICC group of colon); group d (impaired ICC group of colon), each group contained 20 segments. The impairment of ICC was induced by selectively destroying ICC in the smooth muscle via treatment with methylene blue plus light. Then the frequency and amplitude of contraction of group a and c, group b and d was compared. Then motilin receptor agonist (ABT-229) was added into the Krebs solution, the frequency and amplitude of smooth muscle contraction before and after adding ABT-229 were recorded and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The electron microscopy demonstrated that ICC in methylene blue plus light group were destroyed; the smooth muscle cells and neuron scattered close to ICC were normal. In group a, the contraction frequency, (17.89 +/- 1.88) times/min, was significantly lower as compared with that measured after ABT-229 was added [(18.76 +/- 1.18) times/min (P > 0.05)]; the amplitude of group a was (343 +/- 28) mg, which was lower as compared with that after adding ABT-229 [(597 +/- 68) mg (P < 0.001)]; in group b, the frequency was (5.89 +/- 1.03) times/min, the amplitude was (724 +/- 85) mg, after ABT-229 was added, the construction frequency increased to (8.45 +/- 0.69) times/min (P < 0.001), and the amplitude was (897 +/- 89) mg (P < 0.05), which was not affected by pretreatment with TTX, however it could be weakened by nifedipine significantly. In group c and d, the rhythmic contraction almost disappeared: in group c the contraction frequency was (1.06 +/- 0.24) times/min, and the amplitude were (50 +/- 10) mg. In group d, the amplitude and frequency significantly decreased as compared with the normal group (P < 0.001), in group c, and d, no significant difference in amplitude and frequency was found between the values measured before and after adding ABT-229 (P > 0.05). After Ach (100 micromol/L) was added, both group c and d could generate contraction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICC may play an important role in the rhythmic contraction of intestinal tract. The promoting effect of motilin receptor agonist on intestinal tract may be mediated by ICC. ICC deficiency may cause functional impairment of gastrointestinal tract motivation. The medication may become ineffective when the number of ICC is reduced to a certain extent or the network of ICC is incomplete.</p>

Induction of necrosis in the hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 xenografts treated with SOM230 / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of SOM230, a new somatostatin analogue, on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line HepG2 in vitro and in vivo, and explore the mechanism underline the necrosis of tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MTT, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) and flow cytometric assay were used to measure the effects of SOM230 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HCC HepG2 cells. Nude mice bearing HCC xenografts of the HepG2 cell line were treated with SOM230 (100 microg/kg/d subcutaneously injection) and saline as a control for eight weeks. The mass and percentage of necrotic volume of the HCC xenografts in nude mice were determined. Western blot was used to detect SSTR2 in HCC xenografts. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression sites of SSTR2 and VEGF in HCC xenografts. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNFalpha.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells were induced by SOM230 in vitro (F = 0.16, P more than 0.05). The percentage of necrotic volume in SOM230 were significantly higher than that of control group (73.4%+/-7.0% vs 30.2%+/-14.0%, t = -8.02, P more than 0.01). SSTR2 was expressed in blood sinus of HCC xenografts in nude mice. There was no significance difference in the level of SSTR2 expression between SOM230 group and saline treated group. VEGF expression in xenografts was down-regulated by SOM230 treatment. SOM230 treatment did not affect the level of TNFalpha in HCC xenografts (t = -0.24, P more than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SOM230 can induce massive necrosis of HCC xenografts only after the blockage of blood flow through down-regulation of VEGF mediated by SSTR2.</p>

A preliminary study of pre-analysis quality control for semen analysis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss how some pre-analysis processes influence the results of semen analysis and how to minimize their influence on the accuracy of laboratory results based on the concept of total quality management (TQM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted semen quality analyses for 21 male volunteers, who had abstained from tobacco and alcohol for over 72 days for the purpose of fertilization, before and after the abstinence, and obtained their seminal parameters at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours after semen sample collection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sperm concentration, sperm motility and the percentage of grade a + b sperm were significantly higher after the abstinence of tobacco and alcohol than before (P < 0.01). With the lengthening of post-ejaculation time, there was a significant decrease in sperm motility and the percentage of grade a + b sperm (P < 0.05), but not in sperm concentration (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A lot of factors may affect the results of semen analysis, including the subjects' habits of drinking and smoking and the length of time after semen collection. Therefore, every procedure of semen analysis has to be dealt with very carefully so as to meet the requirements of TQM and achieve most reliable results for clinical use.</p>

Comparison of the parameters obtained by sperm quality analyzer V and computer-aided sperm analysis system / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the differences between the main parameters obtained by sperm quality analyzer V (SQA-V) and computer-aided sperm analysis system (CASA), and to investigate their application to sperm quality analysis for fertile and infertile men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve fresh semen samples from fertile volunteers and 73 from infertility patients were detected with SQA-V and CASA for sperm concentration and motility, the percentage and concentration of motile sperm, sperm motility index (SMI), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN = VSL/VCL) and straightness (STR = VSL/VAP). The correlation between the parameters obtained by the two devices were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant differences were observed in the above parameters between the fertile and infertile groups. An obvious consistency was noted between the results from SQA-V and those from CASA in sperm concentration (r = 0.58, P < 0.01), motile sperm concentration (r = 0.75, P < 0.01) and average sperm velocity (r = 0.59, P < 0.01). Significant correlations were found between the SMI from SQA-V and STR, LIN, BCF, VCL, VSL and VAP from CASA (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is a consistency between the results from SQA-V and those from CASA. Both the devices can detect the seminal differences between different cohorts of patients.</p>

Determination of plasma homocysteine in oligospermia and/or asthenospermia patients / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the level of fasting plasma homocysteine (Hcy) in patients with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia and to investigate its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen quality analyses and fasting plasma Hcy determination were performed for 86 infertility patients (21 with oligospermia, 32 with asthenospermia and 33 with oligo-asthenospermia) and 19 normal fertile volunteers. The results were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of plasma Hcy was significantly higher in the infertility patients than in the normal controls (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with sperm concentration (r = -0.433, P < 0.01), the percentage of grade a sperm (r = -0.303, P < 0.05) and the percentage of grade a+b sperm (r = -0.339, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The increased level of human plasma Hcy directly or indirectly affects spermatogenesis and correlates negatively with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia.</p>

Changes of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptor 1 in small intestine and liver during macaque development / 生理学报

The present study was aimed to investigate the changes of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and VIP receptor 1 (VIPR1) in small intestinal and hepatic tissues during macaque development. The tissue samples of small intestine, liver and blood samples from peripheral and portal vein of 4 macaques of 6-month fetus, 2-day neonate, 45-day neonate and adult were obtained after anesthetization. The concentration of VIP in blood or tissues of macaques was measured by radioimmunoassay. The distribution of VIP in small intestinal or hepatic tissues was visualized by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of VIPR1 was detected by in situ hybridization. The results showed that: (1) VIP concentration in intestinal tissue of 6-month fetus was (20.7+/-14.3) ng/mg protein, and a few VIP-positive nerve fibers first appeared in intestinal villus root and submucosal layer but not in muscle layer. The intestinal concentration of VIP increased gradually with macaque development and reached (514.8+/- 49.2) ng/mg protein in adult, significantly higher than that in 6-month fetus (P<0.01). (2) In adult animal, VIP-positive nerve fibers became thicker and gradually extended into the mucosal crypt, submucosal layer nerve, myenteric nerve plexus of annular muscle and indulge muscle, and annular muscle. Correspondingly, the expression of VIPR1 in intestine was up-regulated during development. (3) On the contrary, the levels of VIP and VIPR1 in liver were gradually decreased during development. (4) VIP concentration in small intestinal tissue was higher than that in hepatic tissue during development. The VIP level in portal vein was also significantly higher than that in peripheral blood during development. In conclusion, the levels of VIP and VIPR1 in mucosal crypt, submucosal layer nerve, myenteric nerve plexus of annular muscle and indulge muscle increase rapidly after birth. Most of VIP from intestinal tract is degraded in portal vein before entering liver, suggesting that VIP does not metabolize and decompose in liver, and that VIPR1 is only present in embryo hepatic blood vessels.

Analysis of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR genetic polymorphism in Chinese Han population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the genetic polymorphism of DC-SIGN's and DC-SIGNR's neck regions in normal Chinese Han population, and to obtain the genetic data of the two loci in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotypes and alleles of repeat sequences of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR neck region were typed by PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing. Polymorphism information content (PIC) of DC-SIGNR was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DC-SIGN genetic polymorphism was rare. Allele 7 was most and its frequency was 0.9808. 4-, 5-, 6- and 8- alleles were also found, although their frequencies were very low. Caucasians had only 6- and 8- allele mutants; DC-SIGNR genetic polymorphism was high, its PIC was 0.5312, 4-,5-,6-,7-,8-,9- alleles and 16 genotypes were found in normal Chinese Han population. The differences of 6/5,7/4,7/5,7/6,7/7,9/5,9/7,9/9 genotypes distribution and 5-,6-,7-,9- alleles frequency between normal Chinese Han population and Caucasian population were all extremely distinct (P<0.01). The inserted mutation seemed more in Chinese Hans than Caucasian population.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR genotypes and alleles distribution in Chinese Han population are significantly different from Caucasian population and with Chinese own population genetic characteristics, compared with Caucasians.</p>