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This study compares the skin structures of Rana kukunoris with two different skin colors living in the same area of Haibei in the Northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The skin thickness of the khaki R. kukunoris was significantly greater than that of the brown R. kukunoris (P < 0.01), and significantly more mucous and granular glands were present on the dorsal skin of the khaki frog (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the melanocytes on the dorsal skin of the brown frog were significantly larger than those on the khaki one (P < 0.05). Morphological changes in the expansion and aggregation of melanocytes seemed to deepen the skin color of R. kukunoris. Moreover, transcriptome sequencing identified tyrosine metabolism, melanogenesis, and riboflavin metabolism as the main pathways involved in melanin formation and metabolism in brown R. kukunoris. TYR, MC1R was upregulated as the skin color of R. kukunoris was deepened and contributed to melanin production and metabolism. In contrast, the khaki frog had significantly more upregulated genes and metabolic pathways related to autoimmunity. The khaki frog appeared to defend against ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced damage by secreting mucus and small molecular peptides, whereas the brown frog protected itself by distributing a large amount of melanin. Hence, the different skin colors of R. kukunoris might represent different adaptation strategies for survival in the intense UV radiation environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: The classic transopercular or transsylvian approach to insular gliomas removes the tumor laterally through the insular cortex. This study describes a new anteroposterior approach through the frontal isthmus for insular glioma surgery., Methods: The authors detailed the surgical techniques for resection of insular gliomas through the transfrontal isthmus approach. Fifty-nine insular gliomas with at least Berger-Sanai zone I involvement were removed with the new approach, and extent of resection and postoperative neurological outcomes were assessed., Results: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in the study, including 35 men and 24 women, with a mean (range) age 44.3 (19-75) years. According to the Berger-Sanai classification system, the most common tumor was a giant glioma (67.8%), followed by involvement of zones I and IV (18.6%). Twenty-two cases were Yaşargil type 3A/B, and 37 cases were Yaşargil type 5A/B. The average angle between the lateral plane of the putamen and sagittal line was 33.53°, and the average width of the isthmus near the anterior insular point was 33.33 mm. The average angle between the lateral plane of the putamen and the sagittal line was positively correlated with the width of the isthmus near the anterior insular point (r = 0.935, p < 0.0001). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) preoperative tumor volume was 67.82 (57.64-92.19) cm3. Of 39 low-grade gliomas, 26 (66.67%) were totally resected; of 20 high-grade gliomas, 19 (95%) were totally resected. The median (IQR) extent of resection of the whole group was 100% (73.7%-100%). Intraoperative diffusion-weighted imaging showed no cases of middle cerebral artery- or lenticulostriate artery-related stroke. Extent of insular tumor resection was positively correlated with the angle of the lateral plane of the putamen and sagittal line (r = -0.329, p = 0.011) and the width of the isthmus near the anterior insular point (r = -0.267, p = 0.041). At 3 months postoperatively, muscle strength grade exceeded 4 in all cases, and all patients exhibited essentially normal speech. The median (IQR) Karnofsky performance score at 3 months after surgery was 90 (80-90)., Conclusions: The transfrontal isthmus approach changes the working angle from lateral-medial to anterior-posterior, allowing for maximal safe removal of insular gliomas.

We report a search on sub-MeV fermionic dark matter absorbed by electrons with an outgoing active neutrino using the 0.63  tonne year exposure collected by the PandaX-4T liquid xenon experiment. No significant signals are observed over the expected background. The data are interpreted into limits to the effective couplings between such dark matter and the electron. For axial-vector or vector interactions, our sensitivity is competitive in comparison to existing astrophysical bounds on the decay of such a dark matter candidate into photon final states. In particular, we present the first direct detection limits for a vector (axial-vector) interaction which are the strongest in the mass range from 35 to 55 (25  to  45)  keV/c^{2} in comparison to other astrophysical and cosmological constraints.

It is essential for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients to receive timely revascularization. However, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is not recommended for AIS patients with warfarin associated hypocoagulability. Meanwhile, monotherapy of coagulation factors or vitamin K is unable to reverse anticoagulation of warfarin in emergency. Thus, developing an effective IVT strategy poses a challenging task for these fragile population. Herein, an 82-year-old male, on regular administration with warfarin because of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), suffered from AIS and had an elevated international normalized ratio value of 1.72 and prolonged prothrombin time of 18.2 s at stroke onset. For normalizing INR, combination of 4 factor prothrombin complex concentrate, fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K1 were administrated. Finally, the patient successfully received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), with an obviously neurological improvement. This case shows a feasible role of IVT therapy with rt-PA after reversal of coagulation regarding AIS patients with warfarin-related hypocoagulability.

Aim: To analyze certain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features as well as six major genetic biomarkers, investigated their associations, and evaluated their prognostic roles in glioblastomas (GBMs)., Material and Methods: Strict criteria included newly diagnosed GBM with optimal treatments. Simple manual imaging characteristics (tumor side, location, enhancement, diameter, depth, radiographic necrosis, and edema) were obtained from preoperative conventional MRI. Furthermore, all the status of the MGMT promoter, Chromosome 1p and 19q, IDH, TERT, and BRAF in tumor tissues were detected., Results: Among 126 inpatients, 60 cases were selected and enrolled in the study. The status of the MGMT promoter was significantly associated with the grade of radiographic necrosis (p=0.033). The rate of 19q deletion was significantly higher in tumors with the ring-shaped peritumoral edema (PTE) (p=0.035) and in tumors with the ring-enhanced trait (p=0.023). Univariate analysis showed that a low PTE index and MGMT promoter methylation were both unfavorable prognostic factors. While the PTE index statistically dropped out, the status of the MGMT promoter and the depth of the tumor were observed to be independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis., Conclusion: Based on simple neuroimaging metrics, novel connections between features of preoperative conventional MRI and status of major genetic biomarkers were observed, especially for the MGMT promoter and 19q.

Background: Mesenteric traction syndrome (MTS), which is characterized by arterial hypotension and tachycardia following mesenteric traction (MT), frequently occurs during abdominal surgery. Dexmedetomidine, commonly used in general anesthesia during major surgery, has a sympatholytic effect and attenuates the compensatory response to hypotension., Objective: Assess the effect of dexmedetomidine on hypotension following mesenteric traction., Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial., Setting: Department of Anesthesiology, Zhenjiang First People's Hospital in China., Patients and Methods: Patients were randomly divided into three groups. Dexmedetomidine, 0.5 or 1.0 µg/kg, was intravenously administered over 15 minutes before skin incision followed by a maintenance rate of 0.5 µg/kg/h in groups D1 and D2, respectively; saline was administered in group C., Main Outcome Measure(s): The duration of hypotension, heart rate and plasma norepinephrine level in patients with MTS were recorded within 60 minutes following MT., Sample Size: 75 patients., Results: The duration of hypotension in the MTS patients in group D1 and D2 was significantly longer than that in groups C (D1 vs. C, P <.05; D2 vs. C, P <.01). Significantly more phenylephrine was required to treat hypotension in group D1 and D2 than was required for patients in group C ( P <.05). The increase in heart rate during the first 15 minutes of MT in group D2 was significantly attenuated compared to that in group C ( P <.0083). The increases in norepinephrine levels during the first 15 minutes of MT in group C were significantly higher than those in groups D1 and D2 ( P <.0167)., Conclusion: Adjunctive dexmedetomidine in general anesthesia aggravates hypotension during MTS in open total gastrectomy., Limitations: Postoperative complications were not evaluated., Conflict of Interest: None.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of T2 high signal intensity (T2-HSI) and decreased anteroposterior diameter (APD), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) in evaluating postoperative cervical cord function., Methods: The study included 57 postoperative cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients. Clinical evaluation and functional recovery assessments were performed using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score and recovery rate. The presence of T2-HSI and decreased APD was recorded for exploring the relevance. Spearman correlation was applied to investigate the relationships between DTI and NODDI metrics and mJOA score. Multiple comparisons of T2 signal intensity, APD and diffusion metrics were evaluated by using multiple linear regression., Results: Only the recovery rate was significantly different between T2-HSI and non-T2-HSI (nT2-HSI) patients (χ 2  = 4.466, p  = 0.045). Significant differences were not observed between cervical cords with and without decreased APD. Diffusion metrics, including fractional anisotropy ( p  = 0.0005), mean diffusivity ( p  = 0.0008), radial diffusivity ( p  = 0.0003) and intracellular volume fraction ( p  = 0.001), were significantly correlated with mJOA score. The ability of T2 signal intensity ( p  = 0.421) and APD ( p  = 0.420) to evaluate the postoperative function was inferior to that of fractional anisotropy ( p  = 0.002), mean diffusivity ( p  = 0.001), radial diffusivity ( p  = 0.001) and intracellular volume fraction ( p  = 0.004)., Conclusion: Conventional magnetic resonance imaging signs could be considered as a reference to make an approximate assessment, whereas DTI and NODDI could be better quantitative tools for evaluating the postoperative function and may help in interpreting residual symptoms., The Translational Potential of This Article: DTI and NODDI could provide reliable postoperative evaluation and analysis for cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients.

Aim: The result of surgical resection for insular high-grade glioma (HGG) is disappointing due to the complex anatomy of insula and aggressive growth of HGG. The use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) was reported to improve the results of glioma surgery. The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of high-field iMRI and functional neuronavigation on the surgical resection of insular HGG., Material and Methods: Between July 2010 and July 2014, 51 insular HGG patients underwent operations guided by combined high-field iMRI and functional neuronavigation. Twenty-two insular HGG patients underwent conventional neuronavigation operations were assessed as the control group. Preoperative and postoperative tumor volumetric scan analysis, Karnofsky performance score (KPS) and follow-up results were reviewed retrospectively., Results: Residual tumor was detected by the iMRI in 42 patients, and residual tumor of 37 patients was further resected in the iMRI-assisted group. The median extent of resection (EOR) increased significantly from 79% (58%?100%) to [96% (86%? 100%), p < 0.001]. The median EOR of iMRI-assisted group [96% (86%?100%)] was significantly higher than that of conventional neuronavigation group [84% (69%?100%); p=0.031]. Mean residual tumor volume of iMRI-assisted group [0.6 (0.0-5.2) cm3] was significantly smaller than that of conventional neuronavigation group [3.8 (0.0-12.1) cm3; p=0.003]. KPS within 3 days after surgery reduced and KPS at 3 months after surgery improved for both groups. KPS of iMRI-assisted group [90(70-100)] was significantly higher than that of control group [80(60-100); p=0.021] at 3 months after surgery. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of iMRI-assisted group [18(9-42) months] was better than that of control group [15(3-32) months; p=0.010]. The median overall survival (OS) of iMRI-assisted group [28(14-49) months] was better than that of control group [18 (7-38) months; p=0.035]., Conclusion: Combined high-field iMRI and functional neuronavigation optimize the extent of resection and minimize the morbidity in insular HGG surgery. Aggressive resection of insular HGG is predictive of improved OS and PFS.

Twenty phenylpropenamide analogs with structural novelty were designed and synthesized upon pharmacophore-combination strategy. The structures of target compounds were elucidated by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS, and all the target compounds were biologically evaluated for the inhibitory activities of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphoshate（ADP） and（AA） arachidonic acid via Bron method. As a result, compounds 6b, 9b, 9d and 9h demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against platelet aggregation induced by AA. Meanwhile, compounds 6b, 6d, 6j, 9b and 9g exhibited significant suppression of platelet aggregation induced by ADP.

To evaluate the anti-HIV-1 activities of 5 benzophenones non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) such as DY1203, DY1204, DY1119, DY1208 and DY1209 in vitro, the cytotoxicity of 5 compounds were tested on C8166, MT-4, H9 and PBMC with the MTT assay. The anti-HIV-1 activities of compounds were evaluated on laboratory-adapted strain, drug-resistant strains and primary isolated strains by p24 antigen expression ELISA. The inhibition of HIV-1 recombinant reverse transcriptase activity was assessed by ELISA assay. Among 5 compounds, DY1203 and DY1204 showed low cytotoxicities with CC(50) greater than 200 μg·m L(-1). DY1119, DY1208 and DY1209 showed strong anti-HIV-1 activities against HIV-1(IIIB,) HIV-1(74V,) HIV-1(RF/V82F/184V,) HIV-1(NL4-3) (gp41(36G)N42S,) HIV-1(KM018,) HIV-1(TC-1) and HIV-1(Wan.) However, NNRTIs drug-resistant strain HIV-1(A17) showed different resistance to these compounds. The 5 compounds proved active against HIV-1 recombinant reverse transcriptase. DY1208 is expected to become a new lead compound for its high therapeutic index. The results can provide new information for HIV-1 drug research and promote the development of new HIV-1 drugs.

Gastrodia elata tuber (GET) has been widely used as a famous herbal medicine in China and other East Asian countries. In this work, we developed a comprehensive strategy integrating targeted and non-targeted analyses for quality evaluation and discrimination of GET from different geographical origins and cultivars. Firstly, 43 batches of GET samples of five cultivars from three regions in China were efficiently quantified by a "single standard to determine multi-components" (SSDMC) method. Six marker compounds were simultaneously determined within 11min using gastrodin as the internal standard. It showed that samples from different regions and cultivars could not be differentiated by the contents of six marker compounds. Secondly, a non-targeted metabolite profiling analysis was performed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS). Samples from different geographical origins and cultivars were clearly discriminated by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). 147 discriminant ions contributing to the group separation were selected from 1194 aligned variables. Furthermore, based on the relative intensities of discriminant ions, support vector machines (SVM) was employed to predict the geographical origins of GET. The obtained SVM model showed excellent prediction performance with an average prediction accuracy of 100%. These results demonstrated that the UHPLC-QTOF/MS-based non-targeted metabolite profiling analysis, as a vital supplement to targeted analysis, can be used to discriminate the geographical origins and cultivars of GET., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To prospectively study neurocognitive performance following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in various follow-up periods, taking into account the potential confounding factors., Material and Methods: Thirty-six patients with carotid artery stenosis received CEA (group A). Thirty-one patients underwent surgery for femoropopliteal occlusive disease served as controls (group B). Neuropsychological testing and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was repeated preoperatively, within 3 days and at 3 months after surgery., Results: No patient had DWI evidence of procedure-related cerebral ischemia. Preoperative baseline scores of groups A and B were not statistically different in mini mental state examination (MMSE) or clock drawing task (CDT) score. MMSE and CDT scores were significantly reduced for patients in group A (p < 0.01) within 3 days after CEA. Differences of MMSE score (p=0.48) and CDT score (p=0.26) between baseline and 3 months after surgery in group A were not statistically significant. No statistically significant change of MMSE score and CDT score in group B was observed at 3 days and 3 months after the surgery. Degree of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (p=0.029) and duration of ICA clamping (p=0.031) were significantly higher in patients with cognitive impairment immediately after CEA than in those without that., Conclusion: Our study demonstrated cognitive decline for the patients with unilateral carotid stenosis at early stage after CEA and a restorative effect at 3 months after CEA. Postoperative early cognitive impairment might be associated with intraoperative temporary hypoperfusion and postoperative hyperperfusion, not the microembolic event.

Aim: To better understand the clinical characteristics of central neurocytoma (CN), as well as to assess the optimum therapeutic schedule., Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 32 patients with CN who visited our department between January 2008 and January 2013. We analyzed the clinical and radiological presentations, tumor characteristics, surgical strategies, and the prognosis., Results: We performed operation guided by combined intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) and neuronavigation in 25 patients. The iMRI detected residual tumor in 9 cases, and further resection was performed in 5 cases. Total and nearly total tumor resection was achieved in 29 cases (91%). There was no significant difference between transcortical and transcallosal approaches in complications. Two cases (6%) with recurrence received respectively repeat salvage surgery and radiosurgery at 46 and 50 months after surgery. Thirty patients (94%) had excellent functional outcome (Karnofsky Performance Score ≥80) and 28 patients (88%) resumed their occupations., Conclusion: Our study demonstrates radical surgery with excellent neurological outcomes is the primary treatment of CN. The techniques of resection guided by combined iMRI and neuronavigation seems to enable a higher complete resection rate and reduce the morbidity rate during surgery. We suggest careful clinical observation after initial surgery, and repeat salvage surgery or radiosurgery for recurrent CN.

Aim: To study the inflammatory microenvironment and expression of chemokines in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice., Methods: CBRH-7919 HCC cells were injected into the subcutaneous region of nude mice. Beginning two weeks after the challenge, tumor growth was measured every week for six weeks. The stromal microenvironment and inflammatory cell infiltration was assessed by immunohistochemistry in paired tumor and adjacent peritumoral samples, and macrophage phenotype was assessed using double-stain immunohistochemistry incorporating expression of an intracellular enzyme. A chemokine PCR array, comprised of 98 genes, was used to screen differential gene expressions, which were validated by Western blotting. Additionally, expression of identified chemokines was knocked-down by RNA interference, and the effect on tumor growth was assessed., Results: Inflammatory cell infiltrates are a key feature of adjacent peritumoral tissues with increased macrophage, neutrophil, and T cell (specifically helper and activated subsets) infiltration. Macrophages within adjacent peritumoral tissues express inducible nitric oxide synthase, suggestive of a proinflammatory phenotype. Fifty-one genes were identified in tumor tissues during the progression period, including 50 that were overexpressed (including CXCL1, CXCL2 and CXCL3) and three that were underexpressed (CXCR1, Ifg and Actb). RNA interference of CXCL1 in the CBRH-7919 cells decreased the growth of tumors in nude mice and inhibited expression of CXCL2, CXCL3 and interleukin-1β protein., Conclusion: These findings suggest that CXCL1 plays a critical role in tumor growth and may serve as a potential molecular target for use in HCC therapy.

Proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are common pathological features of diabetic vascular complications,such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. Phenotypic modulation of VSMC is the basis for VSMC proliferation and migration. Therefore, studies on VSMC phenotypic modulation and its mechanisms in diabetes mellitus were of important significance to the prevention and therapy of diabetic vascular complications. This paper introduces VSMC phenotypic modulation and the underlying mechanisms in diabetes mellitus, and summarizes advance of studies on traditional Chinese medicine intervention upon VSMC phenotypic modulation, so as to provide reference for preventing and treating diabetic vascular complications with traditional Chinese medicines.

Objective: To introduce a new method for detecting mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) opening with flow cytometry using the resveratrol-inducing PTP opening model., Methods: Mitochondria were isolated from rat livers and selectively labeled with nonyl acridine orange. The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected using flow cytometry with TMRE (tetramethylrhodamine, ethyl ester) labeling. PTP opening induced by resveratrol was represented by the changes of mitochondrial side-scattering (SSC) detected by flow cytometry., Results: Flow cytometry was capable of defining the purity of the mitochondria isolated. The fluorescence intensities and SSC of the mitochondria were decreased after resveratrol treatment, indicating that resveratrol could induce PTP opening. Ciclosporin A inhibited resveratrol-induced PTP opening., Conclusion: Flow cytometric analysis allows accurate and convenient detection of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial swelling and PTP opening.

Based on the monitoring data of groundwater level at the typical sections in lower reaches of Tarim River, three survey plots nearby the ecological monitoring wells with groundwater depths > 6 m were selected to investigate the chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of Tamarix hispida and its photosynthetic activity of PSII under effects of different groundwater depths. With increasing groundwater depth, the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in the light (phi(PSII)), electron transport rate (ETR), and photochemistry quenching (q(p)) of T. hispida decreased, while the non-photochemistry quenching (q(N), NPQ) and the yield for dissipation by down-regulation (Y(NPQ)) increased remarkably, and the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) maintained an optimum value. All the results suggested that the PSII photosynthetic activity of T. hispida under drought stress declined with increasing groundwater depth, and the greater excess energy could result in more risk of photo-inhibition. However, the good adaptability and drought tolerance of T. hispida could make its PSII not seriously damaged, though the drought stress actually existed.

Objective: To explore the specialty of diagnosis and surgery of tight carotid stenosis., Method: From January 2000 to December 2009, 53 patients with tight carotid stenosis (> 95%) were operated on. All 53 patients had tight carotid stenosis more than 95% on one side in whom 28 had contralateral carotid stenosis or occlusion. The clinical and imaging data as well as surgical outcomes of the patients were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Forty-five patients had postoperatively done well without any complications. There were 3 cases of hemodynamic instability and one case of cardiac ischemia which resolved in one to two days. One patient developed mild hoarseness. One complicated with bacteremia due to deep vein catheter insertion. Two patients experienced brain hemorrhage. None of this series occurred perioperative brain ischemia., Conclusions: Tight carotid stenosis indicates a need for expeditious carotid endarterectomy with very low rates of brain ischemia. Intraoperative shunting is seldom necessary. Postoperative hyperperfusion syndrome and brain hemorrhage should be worried. Micro-endarterectomy can effectively prevent from restenosis.

Objective: To evaluate the indication, time and strategy of surgery for patients with bilateral carotid atherosclerotic stenosis., Methods: Seventy-four patients with bilateral carotid atherosclecrotic stenosis were admitted to our hospital from February 1987 to December 2007. In 34 patients who presented with unilateral symptoms and underwent ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA), contralateral CEA or carotid artery stenting (CAS) was performed in 8 because of severe stenosis (> 70%) or unstable plaque. Thirty-eight patients presented with bilateral symptoms. Among them, 15 underwent CEA on both sides, 3 were performed CEA on one side and CAS on the other side, while 20 underwent unilateral CEA only. In 2 asymptomatic patients, CEA was also performed., Results: Ninety-three cases of CEA were performed in 74 patients. Sixty-eight patients were uneventful after operation. Neurological deficits deteriorated in 2 patients. Four patients developed cardiac ischemia, cerebral hemorrhage and hoarseness respectively. Sixty-seven patients were followed-up for 4.9 years. No cerebral ischemia relevant to operated carotid artery developed in 63 patients., Conclusions: If the indication is obvious, CEA should be performed no matter how contralateral carotid artery is. The strategy of therapy is individual. Whether using shunt depends on intra-operative monitoring.

To investigate the application of human finger nails in the diagnosis of cancer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to study the finger nails from some normal people and some with esophagus cancer and others with an operation for curing esophagus cancer five months ago. The results showed that there are obvious differences between FTIR spectra in them in spectral parameters such as frequency, intensity and band shape etc. The changes in the phosphate symmetric stretching vibration v(s) (PO2-) and asymmetric stretching vibration v(a)s(PO2-) modes are uniform, the v(s) (PO2-) and v(a)s(PO2-) absorption peaks of cancerous ones shift to high wave number compared with those of normal people, while those with operation shift to low wave number compared with those of cancerous ones. The C-O stretching vibration mode of protein located at 1 164 cm(-1) is composed of three absorption peaks located at 1 173.3, 1 158.0 and 1 151.1 cm(-1) respectively, meanwhile, the intensities and the wave numbers of the three peaks of cancerous ones all increase compared with normal people. The wave numbers of amide I and amide II of cancerous ones are both lower than those of normal people, while those with operation are between the cancerous ones and normal people, which suggest that the contents of protein and alpha-helix in finger nails of normal people, cancerous ones and the ones with operation are discriminative. The peak of bending vibration delta(CH2) mode of CH2 groups of protein lipid of cancerous ones shifts to high wave number slightly and the intensity of the peak weakens compared with that of normal people, which indicate that the methylene chain in the finger nails membrane lipids of cancerous ones is more ordered than that of normal people. Nevertheless, the peak of stretching vibration v(s) (CH2) of cancerous ones is lower than that of normal people, while that of the ones with operation is between cancerous ones and normal ones. As a result, the pathological changes in viscera can induce the changing of framework structure of phosphate in nucleic acid molecule of finger nails, and destroy the hydrogen bond of C-O(H) group in amino acid remnant group in finger nails. Furthermore, it also can decrease the C-O bond in keratin which participates in the action of hydrogen bond, and prompt the changing of content of keratin in finger nails, nevertheless the content of keratin in finger nails of cancerous ones can be resumed to level of normal people by operation.

Aim: To explore the influence of DNA of bifidobacteriua adolescence on PKC and NK-kappaB of murine macrophages., Methods: The fluorescent intensity of PKCalpha, PKCbetaI, PKCbetaII, PKCgamma, PKCepsilon and PKCzeta in murine peritoneal macrophages was detected by using laser confocal microscope. The density of NK-kappaB(+) macrophages was detected by immunocytochemical staining., Results: The average fluorescent intensity of PKCalpha and PKCbetaII produced by mouse peritoneal macrophages in bifidobacterium DNA injection group was markedly higher than that in control group(P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference of average fluorescent intensity of PKCbetaI, PKCgamma, PKCepsilon and PKCzeta between the two groups (P>0.05). The density of NK-kappaB(+) macrophages in bifidobacterium DNA injection group was markedly higher than that in control group (P<0.01)., Conclusion: DNA of bifidobacteria adolescence could activate macrophages by promoting the activity of PKCalpha, PKCbetaII and NF-kappaB.

Objective: To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on mitochondrial opening and Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) from rat liver cell mitochondria mediated by Ca(2+)., Methods: Wistar rat liver cell mitochondria was extracted and Res-induced mitochondrial swelling was assessed spectrophotometrically at 540 nm to examine the permeability transition pore (PTP) opening. The membrane potential changes of Res-treated mitochondria were measured with fluorescence spectrophotometery. Ca(2+) uptake and release by the mitochondria was determined by absorbance change of arsenazo III at 685-675 nm monitored by dual wavelength spectrophotometry., Results: Res promoted Ca(2+)-mediated PTP opening, and this effect was completely inhibited by CsA and lowered by trifluoperazine. CICR accelerated by Res treatment was completely blocked by ruthenium red and partly by trifluoperazine., Conclusion: Res can promote PTP opening by inducing CICR, which may be one of the pathways that Res induces cell apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of the resveratrol on proliferation and gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in human liver cancer cell line HepG2., Methods: MTT assay was used to observe the effects of resveratrol on HepG2 cell growth, and the distribution of cell cycles was detected with flow cytometry (FCM). The effects of resveratrol on GJIC of HepG2 cells labeled with 5'-CFDA/AM was examined with fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) and confocal microscope., Results: The results of MTT assay indicated that the proliferation of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited by resveratrol in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Resveratrol could arrest HepG2 cell growth in S phase, inhibit DNA synthesis and induce cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the levels of GJIC increased sharply after resveratrol treatment of the cells., Conclusion: Resveratrol is capable of inhibiting HepG2 cell proliferation, causing cell growth arrest at S phase and inducing cell apoptosis. Increased GJIC level contributes to the effect of resveratrol in HepG2 cell proliferation inhibition and its cancer chemopreventive activity.

Objective: To investigate the effects of resveratrol on the proliferation, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell morphology of human liver cancer cell line HepG2., Methods: The changes in HepG2 cell growth and proliferation in response to resveratrol treatment were evaluated by MTT assay, and resveratrol-induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells was investigated by flow cytometry. Inverted microscope and electron microscope were employed for observing morphological changes of the treated cells. The whole-cell mitochondrial membrane potential was measured in separate experiments using two fluorimetric probes, rhodamine123 and TMRE, respectively. HepG2 cells treated with rhodamine123 were analyzed by flow cytometry and cells treated with TMRE by confocal microscope., Results: MTT assay showed that low concentrations of resveratrol produced no significant effect on the growth of HepG2 cells, whereas at high concentrations, resveratrol could obviously inhibit the cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Resveratrol also induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells, and after a 24-hour treatment, resveratrol caused sharp increment of the mitochondria membrane potential., Conclusion: Resveratrol is capable of inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 cells and inducing cell apoptosis by depolarizing mitochondrial membrane potential.

Objective: To study the effects of Liangge San to the expression of CD14 and scaverger receptor(SR) in the kupffer cells of liver and the pathological changes of liver tissue of endotoxemia-mice., Method: The model was established with intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and at the same time different dose Liangge San were given. The expression of CD14 and scaverger receptor were detected with immunohigtochemistry at the 2nd, 4th, 8th hour ofter injury and analyzed with computer image system, and the pathological changes of liver tissue were also observed., Result: At the three different hours, the expression of CD14 and scaverger receptor in macrophages of liver of LPS-injury group showed significant increase and significant decrease respectively, compared with that of the blank-control group (P < 0.01). The expression in dexamethasone group and Liangge San different dose groups were intermediate between those in injury group and those in control group. Compared with expression of LPS-injury group, those of dexamethasone group and Liangge San different dose groups showed significant differences (P < 0.01), especially that of Liangge San high dose group. Liver cells showed vacuole change. Changes of CD14 and SR expression were paralleled with the severity of liver damages of the mice., Conclusion: Liangge San can inhibite the up-regulation of CD14 expression and down-regulation of scaverger receptor expression in a dosage-dependent manner and also alleviate the damages of liver induced by LPS.

Background & Objective: Permeability transition pore (PTP) is central for apoptosis by acting as a good candidate pathway for the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-induction factors from mitochondria. Arsenite may induce apoptosis via a direct effect on PTP. To characterize the exact mechanism for arsenite to induce PTP opening, the correlations of calcium-induced calcium release from mitochondria (mCICR) to As2O3-induced PTP opening and cytochrome c release from mitochondria were studied., Methods: Mitochondria were prepared from Wistar rat livers. The effect of As2O3 on mitochondrial PTP opening was measured with ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer. The changes of Ca(2+) concentration were detected with UV spectrophotometer to monitor Ca(2+) -induced Ca(2+) release from mitochondria. Cytochrome c release mediated by Ca(2+) was measured with Western blot., Results: As2O3 (10 micromol/L) combined with low concentration of Ca(2+) didn't induce PTP opening and cytochrome c release from mitochondria; while As2O3 (10 micromol/L) combined with high concentration of Ca(2+) induced PTP opening and cytochrome c release. When mCICR was inhibited, the effect of As2O3 and Ca(2+) on PTP opening and cytochrome c release was completely inhibited., Conclusion: As2O3-induced PTP opening and cytochrome c release depend on mCICR.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Liangge San, a recipe of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) activation in mouse macrophages cultured in vitro and explore the signal transduction mechanism of the detoxifying effect of Liangge San., Methods: The mice were given oral administration of concentrated decoction of Liangge San to obtain the drug-containing serum. Macrophages from mouse abdominal cavity were collected, incubated and subsequently re-incubated with LPS and the prepared serum at different doses. Immunofluorescence method was adopted to examine the expression of NF-kB subunit p65 in the nuclei of the macrophages, and the fluorescence intensity of p65 expression was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM)., Results: The fluorescence intensity of p65 expression in the nuclei of macrophages incubated with LPS for 1 h was significantly increased compared with that in the cells without LPS stimulation and Liangge San serum-treated cells. The fluorescence intensities were significantly decreased in cells treated with the inhibitor TLCK and different doses of Liangge San serum in comparison with those in LPS-stimulated cells. The fluorescence intensities were the lowest in cells treated with TLCK and high-dose Liangge San serum, and the cells treated with moderate and low doses of the serum both showed lower intensity compared with that of LPS-stimulated cells. p65 expression was similar between the macrophages incubated with LPS and those treated with serum that contained no Liangge San., Conclusions: Mouse serum containing Liangge San can inhibit LPS-induced p65 expression in mouse macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, which may be one of the signal transduction mechanisms of the detoxifying effect of Liangge San.

Objective: To prepare DNA microarray probes for the detection of human parvovirus B19. Method Specific PCR primers were designed with the Primer Premier 5.0 to amplify the conserved regions of human parvovirus B19 genome. The PCR products were cloned into the pMD-18 T vector., Method: Sequences analysis showed the PCR products conformed to the sequences contained in the genome of human parvovirus B19., Result: Sequences analysis showed the PCR products conformed to the sequences contained in the genome of human parvovirus B19., Conclusion: PCR amplification of the conserved and specific human parvovirus B19 genes is simple and effective to prepare the desired probes.

Objective: To design oligonucleotide probes for microarray detection of dengue virus., Methods: By analyzing the cDNAs of dengue viruses of 4 different serotypes with BLAST program, a group of specific sequences for the candidate probes was acquired. Oligo6.0 software was applied to analyze the candidates to select the probes with high specificity, identical length and similar melting temperature (Tm)., Result: Altogether 48 oligonucleotide probes were designed, and deposited on oligonucleotide chips as the microarray for dengue virus detection., Conclusion: BLAST program and Oligo6.0 software are simple and effective means for designing the oligonucleotide probes.

Objective: To study the method for rapid preparation of the gene chip probes for Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (pag)., Methods: According to the sequences of pag published on PubMed, a pair of primers was designed to amplify the PA gene of Bacillus anthracis. Restriction enzyme digestion and AT clone were employed to rapidly screen out the recons of PA segments for the preparation of the gene chip probes. The DNA sequences of these segments were determined with 377 DNA Sequencer, and the resultant sequences analyzed with Bioinformatic software., Results: With the designed primers, the pag 2,205 bp in length was amplified. After enzyme digestion and AT clone, 7 fragments of varied lengths were screened, which underwent analysis with the basic local alignment sequence tool (BLAST) and 377 DNA Sequencer. BLAST analysis showed that all the fragments cloned belonged to Bacillus anthracis., Conclusion: PCR in conjunction with restriction enzyme digestion and AT clone is rapid and simple to prepare the desired gene chip probes.

Objective: To prepare DNA microarray for detecting both hepatitis B and D virus as (HBV and HDV)., Methods: With the assistance of Oligo6.4 software, specific PCR primers targeting the conserved region of HBV and HDV were designed. The PCR products were purified and cloned into the pMD18-T vectors, followed by rapid identification. The recombinant plasmids were then extracted from positive clones and the target gene fragments underwent sequence analysis., Results: The gene fragments of HBV and HDV were obtained by PCR, which were confirmed by sequence analysis to be specific gene fragments of HBV and HDV., Conclusion: Using PCR amplification products to prepare the DNA microarray is quick, simple and effective.

Objective: To explore an effective means for the detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)- associated coronavirus., Methods: The RNAs of the virus contained in the sputum samples from established SARS patients were extracted and reversely transcripted, followed by nested PCR using the reversely transcripted cDNA as the template. The PCR products were cloned then into the pMD18-T vectors, followed by sequence analysis., Results: Specific fragments were amplified from the sputum samples of SARS patients, which were confirmed by DNA cloning and sequencing to belong to SARS-associated coronavirus. The Result of Blast shows only the difference in one nucleic acid from the TOR2 strain of SARS-associated coronavirus., Conclusion: Sequence analysis has confirmed the existence of SARS-associated coronavirus in the sputum samples of SARS patients, and nested RT-PCR is a quick, easy, and convenient way for the detection of the virus.

Objective: To explore a new method for detecting cellular apoptosis., Methods: Using routine electrophoresis assisted by computerized gel documentation analysis system(GDAS), apoptosis of the macrophages treated with dexamethasone was qualitatively and then quantitatively detected., Results: Apoptosis occurred in the macrophages treated with dexamethasone, and DNA fragmentation of the apoptotic macrophages was visualized on 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. The apoptosis rates as determined by computerized GDAS were consistent with the results obtained from flow cytometry that showed typical apoptosis peak., Conclusion: Agarose gel electrophoresis assisted by computerized GDAS was relatively simple and less costly in qualitative and quantitative detection of apoptosis with precision.