Increase of Interstitial Collagen in the Mouse Endometrium During Decidualization

Decidualization in the mouse consists of an extensive remodeling of the endometrial extracellular matrix, resulting in a reduction of the extracellular spaces, an increase in the diameter of collagen fibrils, and changes in the relative ratio of different types of glycosaminoglycans. To assess the dynamic changes of the endometrial extracellular matrix during decidualization, collagen was analyzed biochemically and immunochemically in the endometrium of nulliparous and day 5 to day 8 pregnant mice. The amount of collagen per gram dry weight was higher in the endometrium of implantation sites than in interimplantation sites. Collagen types I, III, and V were the main components of the endometrium of nulliparous and pregnant animals. The amount of collagen type V was higher in the endometrium of pregnant animals than in nulliparous ones. A relative unusual homotrimeric form of collagen type V, probably formed by [ &#102 1(V)] 3 , was detected in pregnant endometrium by gel eletrophoresis and immunoblotting.     

Placenta Hominis Protects Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats

In China, Japan, and Korea, placenta hominis extracts (PHEs) are used clinically for the treatment of osteoporosis. The anti-osteoporotic effect of PHEs was studied. The trabecular bone area and thickness in OVX rats decreased by 50% from those in sham-operated rats; these decreases were completely inhibited by administration of PHEs for 7 weeks. Osteoclast numbers and the osteoblast surface were enhanced in OVX rats, but PHEs had no effect on these phenomena. Serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in OVX rats increased compared to those in sham-operated rats, but the increases were not affected by the administration of PHEs. Thyroxine (T₄) level was stimulated in OVX rats. The extracts inhibited the T₄ level in the OVX rats. These results strongly suggest that PHEs be effective in preventing the development of bone loss induced by OVX in rats.     

Immunomodulatory aspects in the progression and treatment of oral malignancy

Inflammation substantially affects the risk of oral malignancy. Pro-inflammatory cytokine, interferon (IFN)-γ, confers anti-tumor activity using several different mechanisms. Conversely, higher expression of interleukin (IL)-17 is associated with worse prognosis. Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 correlates positively with poor long-term survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. IL-1α affects cancer associated fibroblasts and macrophages, and promote several malignant phenotypes including immune suppression. Some anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, relate to pro-tumoral activities.Among immune checkpoint modulators, programmed death (PD-)1 and PD-ligand (L)1 facilitate oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell evasion from immune surveillance, and the expression status of these has a prognostic value.OSCCs contain tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) as major stromal cells of their tumor microenvironment. Among the two distinctive states, M2 macrophages support tumor invasion, metastasis and immune suppression. Crosstalk between TAMs and OSCC or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) plays an important role in the progression of OSCC.Clinical trials with blocking antibodies against IL-1α or melanoma-associated antigens have been reported as therapeutic approaches against OSCCs. The most promising approach activating antitumor immunity is the blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Manipulating the polarization of pro-tumorigenic macrophages has been reported as a novel therapeutic approach.     

A Macaca mulatta model of fulminant hepatic failure

AIM: To establish an appropriate primate model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).METHODS: We have, for the first time, established a large animal model of FHF in Macaca mulatta by intraperitoneal infusion of amatoxin and endotoxin. Clinical features, biochemical indexes, histopathology and iconography were examined to dynamically investigate the progress and outcome of the animal model.RESULTS: Our results showed that the enzymes and serum bilirubin were markedly increased and the enzyme-bilirubin segregation emerged 36 h after toxin administration. Coagulation activity was significantly decreased. Gradually deteriorated parenchymal abnormality was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography at 48 h. The liver biopsy showed marked hepatocyte steatosis and massive parenchymal necrosis at 36 h and 49 h, respectively. The autopsy showed typical yellow atrophy of the liver. Hepatic encephalopathy of the models was also confirmed by hepatic coma, MRI and pathological changes of cerebral edema. The lethal effects of the extrahepatic organ dysfunction were ruled out by their biochemical indices, imaging and histopathology.CONCLUSION: We have established an appropriate large primate model of FHF, which is closely similar to clinic cases, and can be used for investigation of the mechanism of FHF and for evaluation of potential medical therapies.     

Evaluation of biochemical variables in patients with trigeminal neuralgia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the calcium, sodium, potassium, serum iron, vitamin B12, and albumin concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, in samples of serum from patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and investigate the associations between them. Results from 73 patients who had been diagnosed with primary TN between December 2015 and 2017 were compared with those of 70 healthy subjects. Calcium (p = 0.013), iron (p = 0.004), and albumin (p = 0.001) concentrations in the primary TN group were significantly lower than those in the control group, whereas the ALP activity was significantly higher in the TN group than in the control group (p = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in the sodium, potassium, or vitamin B12 concentrations. Biochemical variables have a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of primary TN, but there are few studies that characterise the relations between the condition and the biochemical changes. Further studies are therefore necessary to gain more information.     

Una nueva forma de aprender bioquímica: metodología del caso

The present work shows the results of the first pilot experience on the case method of teaching (MdC) strategy in the teaching applied to biochemistry in the students of the Nursing School of the Catholic University Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, Peru, during the academic semester 2017-II. The objective was to determine whether the application of the MdC improves the management of learning in students in its three fundamental components: self-learning, teamwork, and decision-making. The study sample consisted of 30 students, applying a tool that measured student perception of the applied pedagogical resource. The results showed that, for 77% of the students surveyed, the strategy was adequate in its training process, finding that the three dimensions that the MdC evaluates in the performance of the participants exceeded the average, such as in self-learning, teamwork, and decision-making. The results were analysed and interpreted.     

清胆胶囊对豚鼠胆色素结石模型的生化学影响

目的:观察清胆胶囊对豚鼠胆囊胆色素结石模型的生化学的影响。方法:应用雄性豚鼠建立胆色素结石模型(n=8),并设立正常对照组和清胆胶囊治疗组(均n=8),观察各组动物之间模型成石率、总胆红素(total bilirubin,TB)、游离胆红素(unconjugated bilirubin,UCB)、钙离子浓度等指标的变化。结果:动物成石数模型组为8/8,正常组为1/8,清胆胶囊组为3/8(P<0.001)。与模型组相比,清胆胶囊组总胆红素含量差异无统计学意义,游离胆红素和钙离子均显著降低(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论:清胆胶囊可以通过降低胆汁中游离胆红素和钙离子含量逆转成石胆汁,发挥防治胆色素结石的作用。     

振动性血管损伤的生物监测指标的实验研究

目的探讨振动性血管损伤的生物监测指标。方法将新西兰兔分为A组（接振强度3．04m／s^2）、B组（接振强度6．13m／s^2）、c组（接振强度12．26m／s^2）和1个对照组，分别于不同接振时间测定各组新西兰兔血浆内皮素、血管紧张素Ⅱ和一氧化氮的浓度。结果随接振时间的延长和接振强度的增高，血浆内皮素和血管紧张素Ⅱ的浓度有升高的趋势（P〈0．05，P〈0．01），而一氧化氮的浓度有降低的趋势（P〈0．05，P〈0．01）。结论振动导致内皮素、血管紧张素Ⅱ浓度的增高和一氧化氮浓度的降低，可能与振动性血管损伤有一定的关系，因此，选择内皮素、血管紧张素Ⅱ、一氧化氮作为振动性血管损伤的生物监测指标有一定意义。     

生物化学实验双语教学的实践

生物化学实验课实行双语教学对提高学生的专业知识和英语水平有着重要的现实意义。对药学英语专业生物化学实验进行了双语教学的尝试和探索，并从对双语教学的认识以及双语教学中涉及的教师、教材和教法三个方面，就如何促进双语教学进行深入思考和分析。     

储存温度与时间对血清标本生化检验结果的影响

目的探讨血清标本在不同温度与时间下储存对生化检验结果的影响。方法将血清标本分不密封、密封分别放置35、20、4℃的环境中保存1、2．4h后，检测150例病人11项生化指标ALT、AST、CK、TB、TP、Alb、TC、BUN、UA、Glu、P的值，并与放置前测定的值进行比较。结果血清密封放置在各个温度下2h后无显著性改变；而无密封放置20℃4h后有9项结果增高，有显著性差异（p〈0．05）。结论做好分析前标本质量控制，血清标本应及时检测，如不能及时检测应将分离的血清放置于冰箱4℃密封保存。