[Intraoperative neuromonitoring in surgery of cervical neurogenic tumors]

Objective: To investigate the application value of intraoperative motor nerve monitoring in cervical neurogenic tumor surgery. Methods: The efficacy of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) was analyzed retrospectively in 18 patients, including 6 males and 12 females, aged from 15 to 74 years, treated in Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University from June 2019 to September 2022 who underwent total cystectomy of cervical neurogenic tumors under intraoperative nerve monitoring. Results: All 18 patients had complete tumor removal, including 8 patients with tumors from the vagus nerve and 10 patients with tumors from the brachial plexus nerve. Postoperative nerve functions were normal in patients with tumors from brachial plexus nerve, and incomplete vocal cord paralysis occurred in 2 patients with tumors from vagus vagus nerve. The total incidence of motor nerve injury was 11.1% (2/18). All patients were followed up for 6 to 45 months, with no tumor recurrence. Conclusion: Intraoperative neuromonitoring has significant values in surgery of cervical neurogenic tumors, which is helpful to remove completely the tumors on the basis of protecting the nerve functions to the maximum extent.

[Studies on resistance of Schistosoma to praziquantel XVIII Sensitivity to praziquantel in filial generations of praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive Schistosoma japonicum mixed infections]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the sensitivity of adult worms of filial generations from praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive Schistosoma japonicum mixed infections to praziquantel.

METHODS

Mice were infected with the cercariae of an experimentally generated praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate [median effective dose (ED₅₀) = 277.4 mg/kg] and a laboratory-maintained praziquantel-sensitive S. japonicum isolate (ED₅₀ = 99.6 mg/kg) at a mixture ratio of 1:1 and 2:1, which was maintained in the laboratory via the mouse-snail cycle for 8 generations. Then, mice were infected with the cercariae of the 8th filial-generation parasite, and grouped 35 days post-infection. Mice in the 5 treatment groups were given praziquantel treatment by gavage at a single oral dose of 37.5, 75, 150, 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, while animals in the control group was administered orally with 2.5% cremophor EL. All mice were sacrificed 14 days post-treatment and adult worms were collected by perfusion of the portal vein. The worm burden reductions and praziquantel ED₅₀ values were calculated. The praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate generated from experimental induction with 12 rounds of praziquantel treatment with sub-curative doses was maintained in the laboratory via the mouse-snail cycle, and mice were infected with the cercariae of the 8th filial-generation parasite. The praziquantel ED₅₀ value against the 8th filial-generation adults was measured.

RESULTS

After mice were infected with the mixture of cercariae of PZQ-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates at a ratio of 1:1, the praziquantel ED₅₀ was 135.2 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation parasite. After mice were infected with the mixture of cercariae of PZQ-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates at a ratio of 2:1, the praziquantel ED₅₀ was 129.2 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation parasite. In addition, the praziquantel ED₅₀ was 208.4 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation S. japonicum without the selection pressure of praziquantel.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the experimentally induced praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate, the adult worms of the filial-generation S. japonicum show a reduced sensitivity to praziquantel in the same host following infection with the mixture of cercariae of praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates. The adult worms of the filial generation of the praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate without the selection pressure of praziquantel may still maintain the resistance to praziquantel.

[The diagnostic value of version 2.1 prostate imaging reporting and data system for prostate transitional zone lesions]

Objective: To compare and analyze the diagnostic value of prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) version 2.1 and version 2 for prostate transitional zone lesions. Methods: The imaging data of 159 patients with major prostate lesions located in the transitional zone collected by the Department of Radiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from January to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Two radiologists used PI-RADS V2.1 and V2 scoring system respectively to perform diagnostic scores on the enrolled cases. The weighted Kappa test was used to evaluate the consistency of PI-RADS V2.1 and V2 scores between the two radiologists. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate and compare the diagnostic efficiency of two radiologists using two scoring systems for transitional zone prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (csPCa). Results: The weighted Kappa values between the scores of all lesions, benign lesions, PCa lesions, and csPCa lesions by the two radiologists using PI-RADS V2.1 and V2 scoring systems were 0.754, 0.643, 0.734, 0.782 and 0.808, 0.738, 0.775, 0.826, respectively. The PI-RADS V2.1 scoring system had a better consistency. There were no statistically significant differences in sensitivity, specificity, area under the ROC curve (AUC) between the PI-RADS V2.1 and V2 scoring system for PCa and csPCa (all P>0.05). However, in this set of data, the sensitivity and AUC value of PI-RADS V2.1 scoring system in diagnosing PCa and csPCa were higher than those of P-RADS V2. The diagnostic sensitivity of PI-RADS V2.1 and V2 for PCa were 86.7% and 80.0%, the diagnostic sensitivity for csPCa were 94.4% and 88.9%, the diagnostic AUC for PCa were 0.857 and 0.816, and the diagnostic AUC of csPCa were 0.917 and 0.886, respectively. Conclusion: The consistency of PI-RADS V2.1 in scoring prostate transitional zone lesions was better than PI-RADS V2. The diagnostic efficiency of PI-RADS V2.1 for transitional carcinoma was not lower than or slightly higher than PI-RADS V2.

[Investigation on Schistosoma japonicum infection in goats in Dantu District, Zhenjiang City from 2004 to 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence and changing patterns of Schistosoma japonicum infections in goats in Dantu District of Zhenjiang City, so as to provide the scientific data for the management of in livestock.

METHODS

The S. japonicum infections were detected using a miracidial hatching test (one test for one stool specimen) in goats grazed in settings with snail habitats in Dantu District of Zhenjiang City at spring and autumn of each year from 2004 to 2019, and the prevalence and intensity of S. japonicum infections were estimated.

RESULTS

A total of 21 836 goat stool samples were detected from 2004 to 2019, and 86 were positive for S. japonicum (0.39% prevalence). The highest prevalence of S. japonicum infections in goats was seen in 2004 (1.25%) and no infections were detected in goats since 2013. S. japonicum-infected goats were identified in marshland-type endemic areas and plain regions with waterway networks, and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in goats between these two types of endemic areas (0.50% vs. 0.15%; χ² = 11.566, P < 0.05). The prevalence of S. japonicum infections was significantly greater in goats at ages of more than 10 months (0.51%) and over 10 months (0.44%) than in other goats (χ² = 13.088, P < 0.05), and higher prevalence was found in autumn than in spring (0.54% vs. 0.27%; χ² = 9.597, P < 0.05). In addition, there were 76.74% of S. japonicum-infected goats with intensity of"+++"and"++++".

CONCLUSIONS

Although the high prevalence of S. japonicum infections has been effectively controlled in goats in Dantu District, goat remains to be an important source of S. japonicum infections that should be given a high priority for control to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements.

[CT imaging analysis of 33 cases with the 2019 novel coronavirus infection]

Objective: To explore the CT imaging features of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in order to summarize the imaging characteristics of the disease and improve the ability of imaging diagnosis and early diagnosis of the disease. Methods: From January 13, 2020 to January 31, 2020, a total of 33 patients with 2019-nCoV infection diagnosed and treated by Suzhou Fifth People's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively, including 20 males and 13 females, with an average age of (50±12) years, ranging from 20 to 70 years old. There were 3 cases of mild type, 27 cases of common type and 3 cases of severe type.There were 2 cases with hypertension, 1 case with postoperative lung,1 case with diabetes, 1 case with chronic bronchitis, and 1 case with bronchiectasis.SPSS25.0 Chi-square test was used to analyze the distribution of lesions in each lung lobe; SPSS25.0 Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the image score and clinical classification. Results: There were 3 cases (9.1%) with normal lung and 30 cases (90.9%) with Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia(COVID-19) of the 2019-nCoV infected patients. In the distribution of COVID-19, 29 cases (87.9%) were involved in bilateral lung and 1 case (3.0%) in unilateral lung. There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of lesions in each lobe. The correlation coefficient between the degree of lesion distribution and clinical classification was 0.819, and the two were highly correlated.There were 30 cases (90.9%) with subpleural lesions, 17 cases (51.5%) with central lesions. There were many kinds of lesions, 25 cases (75.8%) had ground glass density shadow, 16 cases (48.5%) had consolidation, 12 cases (36.4%) had interstitial change, and 18 cases (54.5%) had interlobular septal thickening. Among the 22 cases, 10 cases had more lesions, 6 cases had no changes and 6 cases had less lesions. Conclusion: Most of the patients with 2019-nCoV infection have pulmonary inflammation.CT manifestations include multiple parts, subpleural area or middle and lateral field of lung, ground glass shadow and consolidation, or coexistence. Some cases have pleural thickening or interlobular septal thickening. CT images can indicate the diagnosis of COVID-19 and provide important basis for early detection and disease monitoring.

[Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, β-catenin and their clinical significance in laryngeal carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of E-cadherin(E-cad), N-cadherin(N-cad), β-catenin(β-cat), which are the markers of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and analyze their relationships with the clinicopathological features and the prognosis of the laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The expression levels of E-cad, N-cad, β-cat in 76 tumor tissues and their corresponding adjacent normal laryngeal tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry method. Relationships between the proteins' expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in the survival rates were analyzed by the log-rank test among different expression groups. Cox's regression model was used to examine the independent predictor of the prognosis of the laryngeal cancer.

RESULTS

The expression levels of E-cad, N-cad, β-cat in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were statistically significant(P<0.001). The expression level of E-cad and β-cat in the laryngeal carcinoma was related to lymph node metastasis, clinical pathological stage and differentiation degree (P<0.05), while N-cad expression level was associated with clinical stage and differentiation degree (P<0.05). The expression of E-cad was correlated with the expression of β-cat (P=0.001), and the expression of N-cad was correlated with β-cat (P=0.02), but the expression of E-cad was not correlated with N-cad. There were four subgroups of patterns of E-cad and N-cad expression: E-cad (+ )/N-cad (-), E-cad (+ ) /N-cad (+ ), E-cad (-) /N-cad (-), E-cad (-) /N-cad (+ ). The expression level of each group was related to the clinical pathological stage and differentiation degree (P<0.05). The expression level of E-cad/β-cat was associated with lymph node metastasis, clinical pathological stage and differentiation degree (P<0.01). Log-rank analysis showed that the prognosis of negative and positive groups was statistically different (P<0.05), and the combined analysis showed that the prognosis of E-cad/N-cad or E-cad/β-cat group was significantly different (P<0.01). Cox's regression model analysis showed that the clinical stage and β-cat were independent predictors of the prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The low expression of E-cad, high abnormal expression of N-cad and β-cat played an important role in the occurrence and development of laryngeal carcinoma. It can provide a reference for evaluating clinical prognosis. The clinical pathological stage and β-cat can be used as independent predictors for the prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma.

Carbon nanomaterials enhance survival of Agapanthus praecox callus after cryopreservation by vitrification

BACKGROUND

Adding exogenous compounds is an effective way to improve cell survival after cryopreservation. Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) are novel exogenous substances with small particle size and good biocompatibility.

OBJECTIVE

In this work, four types of CNMs were used for the cryopreservation of Agapanthus praecox callus and their possible effects and mechanism of action were analyzed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The thermal properties of the vitrification solutions tested were detected by differential scanning calorimetry. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses were used to study the distribution of CNMs inside cells. The MDA/H2O2 contents were measured to evaluate the toxicity of CNMs to cells.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Supplementation of PVS2 with various CNMs at different concentrations could enhance survival. The most effective concentration was 0.3 g/L C60, which increased survival by 159% compared to untreated controls and decreased the MDA and H2O2 contents. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and C60 entered callus cells. C60 was found only in mitochondria, whereas SWCNTs were located only around the cell walls.

[Role of cytokine-matrix metalloproteinase axis on promoting vascular neointima hyperplasia in mice]

Objective: To observe the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) on vascular neointimal hyperplasia on matrix metalloproteinase 9/2 gene knockout (MMP9/2^-/-) mice and explore related mechanisms. Methods: Mice of control group, MMP9^-/- group, MMP2^-/- group and MMP9/2^-/- group were studied. Femoral artery was injured by transluminal wire, the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and PDGF on femoral artery were detected by RT-PCR; the protein expression of MMP9 and MMP2 were assessed by Western blot on day 0, 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 post injury. Mice in control group received TNF-α(5 ng/ml, 0.10 ml), TNF-α(0.05 ml)+ MMP inhibitor SB-3CT(0.50 ng/ml, 0.05 ml) injection, or PDGF-bb (10 ng/ml, 0.10 ml)and PDGF-bb(0.05 ml)+ SB-3CT(0.05 ml)injection around injured artery, intimal hyperplasia at 2 and 4 weeks after injury was observed. Intimal hyperplasia at 2 and 4 weeks after injury was also observed in MMP9/2^-/- mice. TNF-α(5 ng/ml, 0.10 ml)was injected to MMP2^-/- mice, PDGF-bb (0.1 ml) was injected to MMP9^-/- mice around injured artery, intimal hyperplasia at 2 and 4 weeks after injury was observed. The degree of neointimal hyperplasia were observed by the Elastica-van Gieson staining and the area of neointima and media of the arteries were measured by SigmaPlot and intima ratio was calculated. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) mediums of MMP9^-/- and MMP2^-/- mice were stimulated by TNF-α and PDGF-bb, respectively, and migration assay, and proliferation assay were performed, relative migration and proliferation cells numbers were counted. Results: (1) mRNA expression of TNF-α (235.33±23.68) and PDGF-bb (3.30±0.56) in femoral arteries peaked at 1 day after injury, while MMP9 or MMP2 protein expression peaked at 7 or 28 days after injury. (2)In control mice, TNF-α intervention significantly enhanced intimal hyperplasia at 2 weeks after injury (2.21±0.05 vs. 1.55±0.03 in blank control group, P<0.05), while PDGF-bb intervention significantly enhanced intimal hyperplasia at 4 weeks after injury (2.60±0.07 vs. 1.89±0.04, P=0.03). (3) Intima hyperplasia was significantly higher in control group than in MMP9/2^-/- group at 2 weeks (1.63±0.05 vs. 0.46±0.01, P=0.008) and 4 weeks (2.24±0.06 vs. 0.51±0.01) after injury(P=0.005). (4) TNF-α intervention stimulated intimal hyperplasia in MMP2^-/-mice (intimal ratio at 2 weeks after injury: 1.73±0.05 vs.1.23±0.03, P=0.02)and PDGF-bb intervention stimulated intimal hyperplasia in MMP9^-/-mice(intimal ratio at 4 weeks after injury: 2.32±0.06 vs.1.35±0.03, P=0.03). (5) Reduced VSMC migration was evidenced in MMP9^-/- mice post TNF-α stimulation (1.45±0.03 vs. 2.16±0.04 in control group, P=0.03), while reduced VSMC proliferation post PDGF was seen in MMP2^-/- group (1.15±0.02 vs.1.82±0.04 in control group, P=0.03). Conclusions: TNF-α induced MMP9 activation plays a major role on promoting VSMC migration at the first 2 weeks after vascular injury, while PDGF induced MMP2 activation plays a crucial role on VSMC proliferation on the following 2 weeks after vascular injury in this mice model. Thus, the axis of TNF-α-MMP9-VSMC migration axis and PDGF-MMP2-VSMC proliferation axis are the two major working mechanisms responsible for intimal hyperplasia post vascular injury.

Quantitative trait loci mapping of the stigma exertion rate and spikelet number per panicle in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The stigma exertion rate is a polygenic inherited trait that is important for increased seed yield in hybrid rice breeding. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with high stigma exertion rate, we conducted QTL mapping using 134 recombinant inbred lines derived from XieqingzaoB and Zhonghui9308, which have high and low stigma exertion rates, respectively. A total of eight QTLs (qSES6, qSSE11, qDSE1a, qDSE1b, qDSE10, qDSE11, qTSE1, and qTSE11) for single stigma exertion, double stigma exertion, and total stigma exertion were detected. The locations of qSSE11 and qTSE11 have not been previously reported, and the qDSE11 allele from parent XQZB exhibited a positive additive effect. In addition, three QTLs (qSNP1, qSNP3a, and qSNP3b), for spikelet number per panicle were identified. Of note, one QTL (qSNP1) was detected in two different environments (Hainan and Zhejiang). To evaluate the advantage of exerted stigma for cross-pollination, single, dual, and total stigma exertion should be considered separately for future genetic improvement in the production of rice hybrid seeds. In addition, this study provides information for fine mapping, gene cloning, and marker assisted selection, with emphasis on the latter.

[Conservative treatment and surgical treatment of cervical cellulitis combineing mediastinal pleural abscess]

Objective:To explore the diagnosis, treatment and curative effect of cervical cellulitis combineing mediastinal pleural abscess. Method:Clinical data of 37 patients with the cervical cellulitis and mediastinal pleural abscess were analyzed, all patients were confirmed using ultrasond, X-ray, CT, puncture and microbiology examination. The result will analysis the diagnosis, treatment and curative effect through the comparison of conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Result:Twenty-three cases of patients were underwent tracheotomy because of difficulty in breathing and successfully extubated after treatment. Nine cases of patients were given anti-infection treatment and recovered after conservative treatment. Twenty-one cases of neck multiple pus cavity were underwent cavity incision, full removal of necrotic tissue and pipe flushing; 7 cases of patients with neck and mediastinal abscess and within which 2 cases were with toxic shock were underwent adequate drainage of lavage and abscess incision through jugular joint path; the companion of pyothorax in 2 cases were underwent the chest closed drainage. All patients were giving sensitive antibiotic after drug sensitive test, anti-shock treatment and supportive treatment. All the patients were recovered and discharged. The average hospitalization days with conservative treatment of these patients were 15.7 days, and the average hospitalization days with surgical treatment of patients were 25.3 days. Conclusion:The condition of cervical cellulitis is complex, a few case can be cured with conservative treatment. The others progress rapidly when merging mediastinal pleural abscess can cause serious complications, surgical treatment is risky, fully abscess incision, lavage drainage and combine with sensitive antibiotics and supportive treatment are the keys to therapy.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at different nitrogen fertilizer levels

Genetic improvement is the fundamental basis for improving nitrogen-use efficiency. A better understanding of genetic factors controlling nitrogen uptake and utilization is required for crop genetic improvement. In this study, we identified the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with traits of nitrogen uptake and utilization by using the single-sequence repeat marker method and a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a super hybrid Xieyou9308. All the traits investigated were inherited quantitatively by continuous variation and showed normal distribution in phenotype with transgressive segregation in the RIL population. Most of the traits were significantly correlated with each other except for nitrogen absorption ability (NAA) with nitrogen harvest index (NHI) and NHI with agricultural nitrogen-absorption efficiency (ANAE). At logarithmic odds value of 2.3, total 13 candidate QTLs, including 4 for NAA, 2 for NHI, 2 for physiological nitrogen-use efficiency, 1 for agricultural nitrogen-use efficiency (ANUE), and 4 for ANAE, were detected and mapped on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 12. Significant pleiotropic effect or neighboring expression of QTLs was observed among traits. At position 64.8 cM on chromosome 4 near the marker RM5757, there was a QTL cluster of NAA, ANUE, and ANAE, and at chromosome 5 near the marker RM5968, there was a QTL cluster of NAA and ANUE. The QTL clusters might provide partial explanation and genetic mechanism for the observed correlations between nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency traits and might form a basis for future breeding programs.

194 EXPRESSION OF microRNA-15a, 16, AND 21 AND THEIR POSSIBLE ROLES IN MOUSE EMBRYOS DEVELOPING IN VITRO

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (~22 nucleotides) non-coding RNA molecules that can regulate gene expression by base-pairing with fully or partially sequence-complementary target mRNAs. Hundreds of miRNAs have been identified in various multicellular organisms and many miRNAs are evolutionarily conserved. While miRNAs play an important role in animal development, little is known about their biological function during early mammalian development. In order to obtain insight into the role of miRNAs in early embryogenesis, we first determined the expression levels of three apoptosis-related miRNAs, miR-15a, -16, and -21 in mouse preimplantation embryos using TaqMan� MicroRNA Assays. Five embryos of each developmental stage were snap-frozen and amplified by stem-loop RT primer and TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems Inc., Foster City, CA, USA). The miRNA concentrations (10–X) in embryo samples were calculated by standard curve from synthetic lin-4 miRNA and the absolute copy number per embryo was obtained based on the formula of 6.02 � 10(8–X). All three miRNAs had low expression levels from the zygote to the 8-cell stage and were up-regulated thereafter. In general, among the three miRNAs, miR-15a exhibited the lowest expression in preimplantation embryos, while miR-16 exhibited the highest. Because of the low levels of miRNA-15a, we determined developmental ability and apoptosis of embryos following microinjection of miRNA-15a. The microinjection of miR-15a into zygotes did not affect embryo development up to the blastocyst stage (miR-15a, 90 � 4.5% v. buffer 94.6 � 5.8%); however, it did induce a significant degree of apoptosis (P < 0.05; Tukey's multiple range test). Furthermore, the expression levels of miR-15a and -16 were increased in microinjected blastocysts compared to the control group (copy number per blastocyst, miR-15a, 6991 � 1223 v. 3098 � 592; miR-16, 196216 � 958 v. 133514 � 6059). Real-time RT-PCR data showed that the gene expression levels of the housekeeping gene GAPDH, the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-xL, and the miRNA pathway-related genes GW182 and Dicer remained unchanged in miR-15a-injected blastocysts compared to the control group. In contrast, the expression of the stem cell-specific transcriptional factor Oct-4 (fold change, 1.451 � 0.12), the pro-apoptotic gene Bax (1.418 � 0.12), and Caspase 3 (1.314 � 0.19) were significantly increased in microinjected blastocysts. In addition, treatment of 2-cell embryos with 600 µm H2O2 induced apoptosis and increased the expression level of miR-16 at the blastocyst stage (P < 0.05). Taken together, the changes in the expression levels of miR-15a, -16, and -21 in various embryonic developmental stages indicate a possible role for them in early embryogenesis. Furthermore, the high expression levels of miR-15a and miR-16 seem to be linked to apoptosis in blastocyst-stage embryos; this may be due to an increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic genes.

265 DICER GENE EXPRESSION IN PRE-IMPLANTATION MOUSE EMBRYOS: IMPLICATION OF TRANSCRIPTION REGULATION AT THE BLASTOCYST STAGE

Dicer is an RNAse III enzyme that is related to the generation of the microRNAs involved in the gene silencing pathway. In order to obtain insight into the role of Dicer in early embryo development, we first evaluated its gene expression levels in mouse oocytes and embryos during in vitro development. The relative abundance of Dicer1 transcripts was established by real-time RT-PCR using the 2-ddCt method. H2a was applied as an internal standard to normalize the real-time RT-PCR reaction efficiency and quantify Dicer1 mRNA. Relatively high expression levels of mRNA in germinal vesicle-stage oocytes steadily decreased up to the 2-cell stage embryo, and then expression remained during morulae and blastocyst formation. Protein synthesis of Dicer was also observed in the mouse oocytes and early embryos. Specific silencing of mRNA expression and protein synthesis by RNA interference (siRNA) did not inhibit developmental events up to the blastocyst (BL) stage. However, Dicer1 siRNA reduced (P &lt;0.05) total nuclei numbers in the BL-stage embryos (Dicer1: 77.2�4.2 vs. control: 62.7�3.1). Real-time RT-PCR also confirmed that, following Dicer1 siRNA microinjection into zygotes, transcription levels of several non-target genes, Cdc42, Cdh1, Dbc2, ILK, Tuba1, Plat, and Tie1, were not changed in blastocyst-stage embryos. However, selected transcription factors, Pou5f1 (P &lt;0.01), Nanog (P &lt;0.005), and Sox2 (P &lt;0.01), in blastocysts were significantly down-regulated. Additionally, POU5F1 protein synthesis was also reduced. Using Applied Biosystem microarray technology, we compared gene expression profiles in control and Dicer1 siRNA microinjected blastocysts. This technique confirmed that 397 or 737 of 16354 genes were up- or down-regulated, respectively, following siRNA microinjection (P &lt;0.05), including 52 transcription factors. The results suggest that expression of Dicer regulates gene expression at the blastocyst-stage embryo for cell fate, possibly by the transcription control.

Different role of functional domains of hTR in DNA binding to telomere and telomerase reconstruction

Even if template sequence of hTR played an essential role in telomere binding, a 326 nucleotide fragment of hTR containing template, pseudoknot, and CR4-5 domains is critical for both binding with telomeric DNA and reconstitution of telomerase activity. A functional study with antisense oligonucleotides suggested that targeted disruption of the template region efficiently abrogated both telomeric DNA binding and telomerase activity, whereas disruption of the CR4-5 region induced only loss of telomerase activity. hTR interacts with telomeric DNA via structural region composed of the template, pseudoknot, and CR4-5 domains, however, each structural domain plays a distinct role in telomere binding and telomerase activity reconstitution.

[Clinical observation on effect of baisuifang oral liquid in treating vascular dementia]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Baisuifang Oral Liquid (BSF) in treating vascular dementia.

METHODS

Patients selected according to the diagnostic standard of American Association of Psychiatry were randomly divided into two groups, the 37 patients in the BSF treated group and the 28 patients in the control group treated by Naofukang with therapeutic course of 3 months. Changes of clinical symptoms, TCM Syndrome, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and activity of daily living (ADL) score, hemorrheologic characters, platelet aggregation and blood lipid were observed.

RESULTS

BSF could ameliorate the symptoms and TCM Syndrome, decrease blood lipid, improve the hemorrheologic character, elevate the MMSE and ADL score of patients. The total effective rate in the treated group was 75.68% and the markedly effective rate 24.32%, which were obviously superior to those in the control group respectively.

CONCLUSION

BSF is an effective Chinese herbal preparation in treating vascular dementia, which could promote the restoration of learning memory, and improve the clinical symptoms.

[AVP-ergic mechanism in the rostral ventrolateral medulla:a possible role in stress-induced hyperviscosity]

The study was undertaken to find whether microinjection of vasopressin (AVP) into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) affects blood pressure (BP) and blood viscosity in rats and to analyze the effects of AVP-ergic mechanism in the rVLM on stress-induced hyperviscosity of rats. The results are as follows. (1) Microinjection of AVP into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) of normal rats resulted in a significant increase in BP and plasma viscosity, which was blocked by bilateral microinjection of AVP V(1) receptor antagonist (d(CH2)5 Tyr(Me)(2) AVP) into the same area. (2) The stress-induced pressor response and hyperviscosity was abolished by microinjection of AVP V(1) receptor antagonist into the rVLM, but not by AVP V(2) receptor antagonist ( adamantaneacetyl(1),O-Et-D-Tyr(2),Val(4),aminobutyryl(6),Arg(8,9) -vasopressin). Microinjection of AVP V(1) receptor antagonist of the same dosage into bilateral caudal ventrolateral medulla (cVLM) or intravenous injection of the antagonist of the same dosage had no effect. The above results suggest that the increase of BP and plasma viscosity induced by microinjection of AVP into rVLM and the stress-induced pressor response and hyperviscosity caused by restraining may be mediated by activation of the AVP V(1) receptor in the rVLM.

[Effect of er-xian decoction and its disassembled prescription on enzyme activities and their gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in aging rat]

In order to study the mechanism of aging, this experiment adopted molecular biological techniques to observe the effect of Er-Xian decoction (EXD)and its disassembled prescription on the enzyme activities and their gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)and catalase (CAT). The results showed that in old rat, the amount of lipid peroxide (LPO) increased significantly; the enzyme activities such as SOD, CAT decreased significantly; and the lowering of these activities had a direct bearing on the gene expression level of their enzyme protein. After treatment by EXD and its disassembled prescription in aging rat, the amounts of LPO reduced significantly, the activities of SOD, CAT enhanced significantly. Moreover, it was observed that the increasing of these enzyme activities was related to the enhancing of their gene expression. It was suggested that EXD had the effect of anti-aging in that it could raise the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduce the product of free radicals by means of regulating and enhancing the gene expression levels of their enzyme protein.

Effects of praeruptorin C and E isolated from 'Qian-Hu' on swine coronary artery and guinea-pig atria

Praeruptorin C and E isolated from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. decreased the maximum contractile effect of Ca2+ in potassium-depolarized swine coronary strips and shifted the concentration-response curve to the right in a non-parallel manner. The calcium antagonistic activity of praeruptorin C and E expressed as pD'2 value was 5.7 and 5.2, respectively. Nifedipine, with a pD'2 value of 6.88, was used as a known calcium antagonistic drug to compare the potency of the drugs studied. The relaxation induced by praeruptorin C was concentration-dependent and the IC50 value was 79 microM. Praeruptorin C also reduced the maximum contractile response and shifted the concentration-response curve for calcium to the right in a non-parallel manner in potassium-depolarized guinea-pig left atria (pD'2 = 5.52) but its potency was much less than that of nifedipine (pD'2 = 7.19). The results suggest that praeruptorin C and E relaxed swine coronary artery and decreased contractility in guinea-pig left atria. These effects are similar in many respects to those displayed by drugs that have calcium entry blocking activity.