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Background/aims: To investigate the effects of edaravone, a potent free radical scavenger, on dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC)-induced chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic fibrosis., Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 16 each): control, DBTC, DBTC + edaravone, and control + edaravone. Edaravone or normal saline at a daily dose of 6 mg/kg body weight was given intraperitoneally from day 5 to day 28 after DBTC administration. On days 14 and 28, the rats were evaluated morphologically and biochemically. The expression of cytokines in pancreas TGF-β, IL-6 and TNF was detected using RT-PCR. The activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB in pancreatic tissue was evaluated by immunostaining and western-blot for NF-κB p65. α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was also evaluated by immunostaining and western-blot to investigate the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs)., Result: Edaravone treatment improved the rats' body weight (p < 0.01) and feed intake levels (p < 0.05), improved the histological scores and alleviated the fibrosis of pancreas samples (p < 0.05), as well as markedly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in pancreatic tissue (p < 0.01 for both). The expression of cytokines TGF-β, IL-6 and TNF in pancreas of DBTC group was also down-regulated by edaravone after treatment. Edaravone inhibited the activation of NF-κB and PSCs and exhibited protective effects on pancreatic tissue damage in CP., Conclusions: This antioxidant may be a promising therapeutic intervention for human CP., (Copyright © 2013 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the expression of interleukin (IL)-21 in a cigarette smoke-induced mice model of emphysema and explore its effects on the differentiation of CD4(+)T cell., Methods: Twenty male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group and smoke-exposed group. Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts and alveolar destructive index. The proportion of CD4(+)IL-21R(+)T cells in lungs of mice was determined by flow cytometry. And the levels of IL-21 in lungs of mice were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fresh lung mononuclear cells were isolated from the smoke-exposed group and divided further into two sub-groups: blank sub-group and co-culture sub-group. Two sub-groups were cultured in medium with or without IL-21 for 24 h and 48 h. The proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells in cell culture medium were determined by flow cytometry., Results: Mean linear intercepts and alveolar destructive index in the smoke-exposed group ((48.6 ± 4.8) µm and 44.9 ± 2.8) were significantly higher than the control group ((32.4 ± 4.0) µm and 28.1 ± 2.1, both P < 0.05). In lungs, the percentage of CD4(+)IL-21R(+)T cells in the smoke-exposed group (4.1% ± 1.5%) significantly increased than that in the control group (1.4% ± 0.4%) (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-21 in lung of the smoke-exposed group ((851 ± 28) ng/L) were higher than those in the control group ((415 ± 39) ng/L, P < 0.05). In lungs, the levels of IL-21 had positive correlations with mean linear intercepts and alveolar destructive index (r = 0.892 and 0.955, both P < 0.05). The percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells in cell culture medium of the co-culture sub-group for 24 h and 48 h significantly increased versus those in the blank group (all P < 0.05)., Conclusion: IL-21 may participate in the occurrence and development of emphysema through the induced differentiation of CD4(+)T cells and the promotion of Th1 and Th17-cell responses in lungs.

Objective: To explore the protective effects and possible mechanism of lipoxin A(4)-methyl ester (LXA(4)-ME) in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP)., Methods: A total of 120 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Sham operation (n = 40), AP (n = 40) and LXA(4)-ME (n = 40). Sham operation group received normal saline after sham operation. AP was induced by a retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate into pancreatobiliary duct. AP group received normal saline after modeling. In the LXA(4)-ME group, LXA(4)-ME was administered (87.5 µg/kg) intravenously after the onset of AP. The rats were sacrificed at 12 h and 24 h post-induction. Their serum levels of amylase were detected. The amount of ascites was calculated and histological changes of pancreas were observed. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and levels of malonaldehyde (MDA) in pancreas were determined. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), E-selectin and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 in pancreas were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of NF-κB p65 protein was also measured by immunohistochemistry., Results: Compared with the AP group, the pathological scores of the LXA(4)-ME group improved (12 h: 8.7 ± 1.3 vs 11.3 ± 1.5, 24 h: 7.8 ± 1.1 vs 11.7 ± 0.8) and the amount of ascites was lower(12 h: (6.88 ± 1.23) ml vs (12.32 ± 1.94) ml, 24 h: (6.53 ± 0.91) ml vs (14.15 ± 1.68) ml, all P < 0.01). The serum levels of amylase in the LXA(4)-ME group were significantly lower than those in the AP group respectively at 12 h and 24 h post-operation (all P < 0.01). The activity of MPO and the level of MDA in pancreas in the LXA(4)-ME group were significantly lower than those in the AP group (all P < 0.01). The pancreatic expressions of TNF-α mRNA, IL-1β mRNA, ICAM-1 mRNA, E-selectin mRNA and NF-κB p65 mRNA at 12 h and 24 h decreased in the LXA(4)-ME group versus the AP group at the corresponding time points (all P < 0.01)while the expression of IL-10 mRNA increased versus the AP group at the corresponding time points (all P < 0.01). Compared with that in the AP group, the pancreatic expression of NF-κB p65 protein decreased in the LXA(4)-ME group (12 h: 24.8% ± 3.0% vs 45.3% ± 3.4%, 24 h: 31.6% ± 3.0% vs 48.1% ± 4.6%, both P < 0.01)., Conclusion: LXA(4)-ME exerts protective effects in AP rats. And its mechanism may be due to the suppression of NF-κB activation.

Dan-Shen-Yin (DSY) is a well-known traditional Chinese formula which is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) and has produced a favorable effect in China. The present study was designed to examine whether or not acute oral DSY can protect the heart against myocardial infarction in acute myocardial ischemic rats. If so, we would then investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant mechanisms involved. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded to induce myocardial ischemia in the hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats. At the end of the 3-h ischemic period (or 24 h for infarction size), we measured the myocardial infarction size, inflammatory factors and the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes. DSY reduced the infarction size and the serum levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and the serum levels of glutathione. The results show that DSY exerts significant cardioprotective effects against acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats, possibly through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, and may thus be used as a potential therapeutic reagent for the treatment of CHD.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of Tc17 in a cigarette smoke-induced mice model of emphysema. To explore the probable mechanisms about how Tc17 cells to elevate in lungs of mice., Methods: Forty male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups, including control group (12 weeks, C12), control group (24 weeks, C24), smoke-exposure group (12 weeks, S12) and smoke-exposure group (24 weeks, S24), 10 mice each group, Emphysema of mice was observed by HE pigmentation. Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts (Lm) and destructive index (DI). The proportion of CD(8)(+)IL-17(+)Tc17, CD(8)(+)IL-17(+) CC chemokine receptor type 6 (CCR6)(+) and 6CCR6(+)Tc17 cells in lungs of mice was determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor (RORγt) and IL-17 were evaluated by real-time PCR. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and CC chemokine ligand 20(CCL20) were tested by ELISA. Correlations among these indexes were analyzed., Results: Lm and DI were significantly higher in S12 and S24 than in C12 and C24, S24 in particular (t value 4.378 - 15.188, all P < 0.05). The percentages of Tc17 in S12 and S24 [(9.28 ± 1.12)%, (13.13 ± 3.56)%] was significantly increased as compared with that in C12 and C24 [(2.40 ± 0.60)%, (2.64 ± 0.96)%], S24 in particular. The mRNA levels of RORγt and IL-17 in S12 and S24 were higher than in C12 and C24, S12 and S24 in particular. There was significant difference (all P < 0.05). The frequency of Tc17 cells had a positive correlation with Lm and DI (r value were 0.734 and 0.884 respectively, P < 0.01). The percentages of CD(8)(+)IL-17(+)CCR6(+)T cells and CCR6(+)Tc17 were significantly elevated in S12 and S24 compared to C12 and C24, S24 in particular (all P < 0.05). There was positive correlation between Tc17 cell ratio and CCL20 levels (r = 0.899, P < 0.01). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23 and TGFβ in S12 and S24 were significantly increased as compared with that in C12 and C24. There was significant difference (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the frequency of Tc17 cells had a positive correlation with IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, and TGFβ., Conclusions: An up-regulation of proportions Tc17 in lungs of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema mice were detected. The CCR6/CCL20 axis and the increased IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23 and TGFβ probably contributed to this up-regulation.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of Th17 cell in a cigarette smoke-induced mice model of emphysema and explore the probable mechanisms of its elevation., Methods: Forty male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group for 12 weeks (C12), control group for 24 weeks (C24), smoke-exposure group for 12 weeks (S12) and smoke-exposure group for 24 weeks (S24)(n = 10 each). Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts (Lm) and destructive index (DI). The percentages of Th17, Th1, Th17/Th1, CD4(+)IL-17(+)CCR6(+)T and CCR6(+)Th17 cells were determined by tetra-color flow cytometry while the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-23, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interferon (IFN)-γ and CC chemokine ligand (CCL)-20 assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)., Results: The values of Lm [(39 ± 4) µm, (47 ± 7) µm] and DI [(39.1 ± 1.6), (45.2 ± 3.1)] were significantly higher in S12 and S24 than those in C12 [(33 ± 3) µm, (28.2 ± 1.6)] and C24 [(32 ± 4) µm, (28.9 ± 2.1)], particularly in C24 (all P < 0.05). The percentages of Th17 cell [(3.27 ± 1.12), (7.19 ± 2.24)], Th17/Th1 cell [(0.61 ± 0.30), (1.82 ± 0.52)] and Th1 cell [(10.02 ± 3.68), (26.21 ± 6.04)] in the lungs of S12 and S24 significantly increased than those in C12 [(1.80 ± 0.75), (0.27 ± 0.12), (3.75 ± 1.72)] and C24 [(1.99 ± 0.59), (0.28 ± 0.11), (4.16 ± 1.32)], particularly in C24 (all P < 0.01). The percentages of Th17, Th17/Th1 and Th1 cells in the lungs of S12 and S24 had a positive correlation with Lm and DI (all P < 0.01). The percentages of CD4(+)IL-17(+)CCR-6(+)T cell [(0.69 ± 0.34), (1.11 ± 0.48)] and CCR6(+)Th17 cell [(12.23 ± 2.13), (18.65 ± 1.17)] were significantly elevated in S12 and S24 compared to those in C12 [(0.22 ± 0.18), (6.55 ± 2.13)] and C24 [(0.25 ± 0.17), (7.29 ± 1.57)], particularly in C24 (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation between CCR6(+)Th17 cell and emphysematous lesions was also found (all P < 0.05). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, TGF-β, IFN-γ and CCL20 significantly increased in S12 and S24 as compared with those of C12 and C24 (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the percentage of Th17 cell had a positive correlation with IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, TGF-β, IFN-γ and CCL20., Conclusion: There is an up-regulated expression of Th17 in lungs of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema mice. The CCR6/CCL20 axis and the elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, TGF-β and IFN-γ may be related with the above effect.

Objective: To evaluate the expression and the role of Th17 in cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and emphysema in mice., Methods: Forty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including a control group C12, a control group C24, a smoke-exposure 12 week group (S12) and a smoke-exposure 24 week group S24 (n = 10 each). Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts and destructive index (DI). The proportion of CD(4)(+)IL-17(+)Th17, CD(4)(+)IFN-γ(+)Th1, CD(4)(+)IL-17(+)IFN-γ(+)T(Th17/Th1), CD(8)(+)IFN-γ(+)Tc1, CD(8)(+)IL-21R(+) and CD(4)(+)IL-17(+)IL-21(+) T cells in lungs of mice was determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of RORγt and IL-17 were evaluated by real-time PCR., Results: Mean linear intercepts and DI were significantly higher in S12 and S24 groups [(39 ± 4) µm, (47 ± 7) µm], (39.1 ± 1.6, 45.2 ± 3.1) as compared to C12 [(32 ± 4) µm, 28.2 ± 1.6] and C24 groups [(33 ± 3) µm, 28.9 ± 2.1], all P < 0.05. The percentage of Th17 of S12 and S24 groups [(3.3 ± 1.1)%, (7.2 ± 2.2)%] was significantly increased as compared with that of C12 and C24 groups [(1.8 ± 0.8)%, (2.0 ± 0.6)%], all P < 0.05. The mRNA levels of RORγt [(25 ± 4), (35 ± 3)] and IL-17 [(26 ± 3), (36 ± 3)] in S12 and S24 groups were higher than in C12 [(10 ± 5), (13 ± 5)] and C24 groups [(11 ± 7), (8 ± 6)], all P < 0.05. The percentage of Th1, Th17/Th1 and Tc1 cells of S12 and S24 groups [(10.0 ± 3.7)%, (26.2 ± 6.0)%], [(0.61 ± 0.30)%, (1.82 ± 0.52)%], [(17.0 ± 4.5)%, (26.8 ± 8.5)%] was significantly increased as compared with that of C12 [(3.8 ± 1.7)%, (0.27 ± 0.17)%, (4.8 ± 1.9)%] and C24 groups [(4.2 ± 1.3)%, (0.28 ± 0.11)%, (5.2 ± 1.0)%], all P < 0.05. Moreover, the frequency of Th17 cells had a positive correlation with Th1, Tc1 cells and emphysematous lesions (r = 0.519 - 0.797, all P < 0.01). In addition, a positive correlation between Th17/Th1 cells and emphysematous lesions was also found (r = 0.742, 0.802, all P < 0.01). The percentage of CD(4)(+)IL-17(+)IL-21(+) T cells was significantly increased in S12 and S24 groups [(0.19 ± 0.04)%, (0.55 ± 0.24)%] compared to controls [(0.07 ± 0.03)%, (0.08 ± 0.03)%], all P < 0.05. Meanwhile, as compared with that of the controls [(1.22 ± 0.31), (1.34 ± 0.18)], the percentage of CD(8)(+)IL-21R(+) T cells was also increased in S12 and S24 groups [(2.94 ± 1.26), (4.12 ± 2.26)], but there were no differences among smoke-exposure groups (P > 0.05). The frequency of CD(4)(+)IL-17(+)IL-21(+) T cells had a positive correlation with Th1, Tc1 cells and emphysematous lesions (r = 0.694 - 0.754, all P < 0.05). And the frequency of CD(8)(+)IL-21R(+) T cells also had a positive correlation with emphysematous lesions (r = 0.516, 0.725, all P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Cigarette smoke increased the expression and the activity of Th17 in mice. Th17 may play a potential (active) role in the development of lung inflammation through IL-21/IL-21R pathway.

In order to quickly and accurately detect the content of titanium dioxide in the juice, a method combining chemometrics and Vis/NIR spectroscopy technique was used in the present study. First, the content of titanium dioxide in the juice sample was determined by using spectrophotometer and standard curve of titanium dioxide. Then, different amount of pure titanium dioxide was adulterated into the juice collected from the market to prepare eight different content samples. A total of 320 juice samples were studied. Two hundred samples (25 samples for each content) were randomly selected from the 320 samples to be the calibration set while the other 120 samples (15 samples for each content) were selected as the validation set. The spectra of juice were within near infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR). First six different preprocessing methods were compared, such as standard normal variate (SNV), moving average, derivative and multivariate scatter correction (MSC). The optimal partial least squares(PLS)was built after the performance comparison of different preprocessing methods. Another algorithm, principal component-artificial neural network (PC-ANN), was also used: first, the original spectral date was processed using principal component analysis, the best number of principal components (PCs) was selected, and the scores of these PCs would be taken as the input of the artificial neural network (ANN). The PC-ANN was trained with samples in the calibration collection and the samples in prediction set were predicted. After comparison, MSC was found to be the most appropriate spectral preprocessing method and the best number of PCs is 7. The correlation coefficients (R2) between the real values and predicted ones by discriminant analysis model were 0.9008 (PLS) and 0.8684 (PC-ANN) respectively. The root mean standard errors of prediction (RMSEP) by PLS and PC-ANN were 0.05 (PLS) and 0.04 (PC-ANN) respectively. The result indicated that the content of titanium dioxide in the juice powder to be quickly detected by nondestructive determination method was very feasible and laid a solid foundation for setting up the titanium dioxide content forecasting model of juice powder.

To investigate the farmland soil nitrogen input from atmospheric dry and wet deposition, a 1-year observation was conducted in the Yulin and Luochuan areas of North Shaanxi Province from June 2007 to May 2008. The total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) deposition in Yulin and Luochuan was 22.17 and 16.95 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1), among which, wet deposition accounted for 95.1% and 90.4%, while dry deposition accounted for 4.9% and 9.6%, respectively, illustrating that the nitrogen deposition in both Yulin and Luochuan was mainly come from wet deposition. In the TIN deposition, the amount of nitrate in Yulin and Luochuan was 12.22 and 9.24 kg x hm(-2) xa(-1), accounting for 55.1% and 54.5%, respectively. The amount of wet deposition and the percentage of nitrate in TIN deposition were higher in Yulin than in Luochuan, because of the differences in pollution level, weather condition, and underlying surface characteristics.

The "stage albinism line of winter wheat" FA85 was a specific natural mutant strain on leaf color. This physiological mutation was controlled by cytogene. In order to reveal the genetic and biochemical mechanism of albinism, 2-DE was used to investigate the difference of chloroplast protein expression pattern between FA85 and its parent wheat Aibian 1. From the results of 2-DE gels analysis, approximately 683 spots were detected on each gel, and 57 spots were expressed differently at least two-fold. Using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, 14 of 57 spots were identified, which could be categorized into four classes: carbon metabolism, energy metabolism, defense/stress response and signal transduction. Compared with the parent wheat, the expression of ATPase-gamma and GP1-alpha was up-regulated in FA85, and of other proteins was down-regulated. Together, we concluded that the expression of chloroplast proteins had changed obviously in FA85, which might be related to the leaf color mutant.

The Se content in Trionyx triunguis was studied by atom fluorescence photometer with wet digestion. The recovery of the method is 96.2%-103.0%, relative standard deviation is 3.69%, the determined value of national standard substance pork are agree with standard value; and the method is simple, convenient, fast with good accuracy and precision. The results showed that Se in Trionyx triunguis was very rich, more 1.2-9.4 than Se contant in animal meal, more ten to hundred then it in refresh vegetables and fruits. These results provide a useful scientific base for making and exploiting healtyful foods with Se trionyx triunguis.