Protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract against endotoxic shock in mice

AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we evaluated protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) and a possible signaling pathway involved during endotoxic shock induced by intraperitoneal injection lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were intraperitoneal administrated with ASE (100, 200 or 400mg/kg) prior to injection of 50 microg/kg LPS and 1g/kg D-GalN. The levels of tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum and liver. Nitric oxide (NO) production in serum and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein level were investigated. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in liver was determined. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of ASE pretreatment on infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, liver and lung of mice. RESULTS: Treatment of mice with ASE prior to LPS/D-GalN injection significantly improved the survival rate. ASE pretreatment inhibited the elevation of TNF-alpha in serum and liver. ASE also decreased iNOS level in liver and the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) in serum. In addition, IL-10 levels in serum and liver were markedly enhanced. ASE pretreatment inhibited NF-kappaB activation in liver of mice. Moreover, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, liver and lung of mice was also attenuated by ASE pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ASE protected mice against LPS/D-GalN-induced endotoxic shock involving inhibition of NF-kappaB activation, which caused down-regulation of TNF-alpha and involved up-regulation of IL-10. Acanthopanax senticosus may thus prove beneficial in the prevention of endotoxic shock.     

Nuclei size in relation to nuclear status and aneuploidy rate for 13 chromosomes in donated four cells embryos

Purpose The aim was to elucidate if the nuclear size and number are indicative of aberrant chromosome content in human blastomeres and embryos. Methods The number of nuclei and the nucleus and blastomere size were measured by a computer controlled system for multilevel analysis. Then the nuclei were enumerated for 13 chromosomes by a combination of PNA and DNA probes. Results In the mononucleated embryos there was no difference in the mean size of chromosomally normal and abnormal nuclei but a significant difference in the mean nuclei size of nuclei that had gained chromosomes compared to nuclei that had lost chromosomes. The nuclei from multinucleated blastomeres had a significant smaller mean size and the frequency of chromosomally aberrant blastomeres was significantly higher. Conclusion The mean nuclear size is not a marker for the chromosome content in mononucleated embryos. However, it seems that the nuclei size can be related to multinucleation and maybe to the chromosome content.     

Analysis of meiotic segregation patterns and interchromosomal effects in sperm from six males with Robertsonian translocations

Purpose To provide more genetic information about meiotic segregation behavior and the possibility of interchromosomal effects (ICE) in spermatozoa from carriers of Robertsonian (Rob) translocations. Materials and methods Meiotic segregation behavior in spermatozoa from six carriers of Rob translocations, four t(13;14), one t(14;22) and one t(13;21), was investigated by dual fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Aneuploidy for chromosomes 18, X and Y was studied by triple FISH. Results The rate of normal/balanced spermatozoa resulting from alternate segregation ranged from 78.14 to 86.88%. The frequency of unbalanced spermatozoa resulting from adjacent segregation varied between 11.70 and 19.53%. The higher frequencies of aneuploidy for sex chromosome were observed in three Rob translocation carriers. In addition, the increased rates of diploid were found in two t(13;14) carriers. Conclusions Alternate segregation is dominant in the different types of Rob translocations. Some carriers may be at an increased risk for ICE. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. An increased aneuploidy for sex chromosome observed in three Robertsonian translocation carriers suggests that an interchromosomal effect is likely in some carriers.     

右旋美托咪啶对围术期炎症介质及外周血单核细胞NF-κB的影响

目的探讨右旋美托咪啶的抗炎作用及其对外周血单核细胞NF-κB活性的影响。方法选择20~70岁ASAⅠ~Ⅱ行择期腰椎手术病人60例,随机分为右旋美托咪啶对照组（Ⅰ组）、0.5 μg组（Ⅱ组）、1.0 μg组（Ⅲ组）。选择气管内插管全身麻醉,分别于麻醉诱导后手术开始前（T1）、手术结束前半小时（T2）、术后24 h（T3）抽取静脉血,用ELISA法测定血浆中的IL-6、TNF-α的浓度,用流式细胞仪测量外周血单核细胞NF-κB活性的表达。结果三组患者术中芬太尼用量Ⅰ组（0.90±0.72）mg,Ⅱ组（0.71±0.58）mg,Ⅲ组（0.65±0.05）mg,瑞芬太尼用量Ⅰ组（1.35±0.80）mg,Ⅱ组（1.15±0.74） mg,Ⅲ组（1.02±0.70） mg和术后镇痛芬太尼使用剂量Ⅰ组（0.98±0.37）mg,Ⅱ组（0.84±0.19）mg,Ⅲ组（0.55±0.16）mg的差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,三组患者血浆IL-6、TNF-α以及外周血单核细胞NF-κB的活性组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论在行腰椎手术的麻醉中使用右旋美托咪啶可以减少阿片类药物用量。右旋美托咪啶定可以作为腰椎手术的麻醉的辅助药。右旋美托咪啶对IL-6、TNF-α以及外周血单核细胞NF-κB的表达没有明显影响。     

一氧化氮对内毒素血症大鼠肠道损伤及细菌移位的影响

目的 一氧化氮（NO）参与休克的血管扩张,血压下降,但它对组织损伤,特别是肠道的损伤及细菌移位的作用仍不十分清楚。本实验以NO合酶（NOS）底物左旋精氨酸及其抑制剂硝基左旋精氨酸（LNNA）为工具,观察NO对内毒素血症时大鼠肠道损伤及细菌移位的影响。方法 用内毒素（LPS,10mg/kg,ip）复制内毒素血症模型,给予LNNA或L-arg抑制或促进NO合成,测定肠道质过氧化物丙二醛（MDA)的含量,二胺氧化酶（DAD）活性及肠系膜淋巴结细菌培养。结果 LPS可降低肠细胞DAO活性,增加MDA含量和肠系膜淋巴细菌移位的发生率和细菌数量;用LNNA抑制NO后可加重LPS的上述作用,而给予L－arg促进NO合成则可减轻LPS的作用。结论 本实验结果表明在内毒素血症时,抑制NO可加重肠道损伤和细菌移位的发生,提示NO对肠组织有一定的保护作用。     

基于ARIMA模型核应急卫生技术人员调配预测分析

目的 分析1995-2013年四川省医疗卫生系统卫生技术人员数并预测2014-2020年卫生技术人员需求量,从而为四川省核应急医疗卫生人力资源的有效合理调配提供参考依据。方法 从四川省卫生统计年鉴、四川卫生年鉴、四川省统计局统计公报中选取1995-2013年四川省医疗卫生系统卫生技术人员数,并运用ARIMA(1,2,1)模型对其进行分析及预测。结果 2014-2020年四川省医疗卫生技术人员数呈平稳的上升趋势,到2020年卫生技术人员需求量增至64.97万人。结论 ARIMA模型适用于卫生技术人员需求量的预测,未来四川省应加大对医疗卫生系统卫生技术人员的培养及引进力度,以保证核应急卫生人力资源的有效合理调配并提高核事故医学应急处置能力。     

Investigations of excess environmental risks around putative sources: statistical problems and a proposed test

Individual reactions to a report which identifies an excess of risk near a putative source are determined mainly by some quoted significance level. One reaction, involving a commonly used 'coincidence' argument is given a simple Bayesian explanation. It is argued that interpretations of such reports should if possible allow both for data selection and for uncertainty in the null expectations underlying the significance levels. Tests are proposed, based on the first isotonic regression estimator under an order restriction, which allow for the effects of selecting a study region in the light of the data and have a simple form. Data on cancer incidence around two nuclear plants are used to illustrate.     

Remembering your A,B, C's: Alzheimer's disease and ABCA1

The function of ATP binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is central to cholesterol mobilization. Reduced ABCA1 expression or activity is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other disorders. Therapeutic approaches to boost ABCA1 activity have yet to be translated successfully to the clinic. The risk factors for AD development and progression, including comorbid disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlight the intersection of cholesterol transport and inflammation. Upregulation of ABCA1 can positively impact APOE lipidation, insulin sensitivity, peripheral vascular and blood–brain barrier integrity, and anti-inflammatory signaling. Various strategies towards ABCA1-boosting compounds have been described, with a bias toward nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) agonists. These agonists display beneficial preclinical effects; however, important side effects have limited development. In particular, ligands that bind liver X receptor (LXR), the primary NHR that controls ABCA1 expression, have shown positive effects in AD mouse models; however, lipogenesis and unwanted increases in triglyceride production are often observed. The longstanding approach, focusing on LXRβ vs. LXRα selectivity, is over-simplistic and has failed. Novel approaches such as phenotypic screening may lead to small molecule NHR modulators that elevate ABCA1 function without inducing lipogenesis and are clinically translatable.