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Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by severe neuronal loss. Necroptosis, or programmed cell necrosis, is mediated by the receptor interacting protein kinase-1 and -3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (RIP1/RIP3/MLKL) pathway, and is involved in several neurodegenerative diseases. Here we aimed to explore the involvement of necroptosis in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced PD and determine the potential mechanisms. We found that the protein levels of RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL increased significantly in a MPTP-induced mouse PD model. High expression of RIP1/RIP3/MLKL was associated with severe loss of dopaminergic neurons. Pretreatment with necrostatin-1 or the knockout of the RIP3/MLKL gene to block necroptosis pathway dramatically ameliorated PD by increasing dopamine levels and rescuing the loss of dopaminergic neurons, independent of the apoptotic pathway. Moreover, upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in MPTP-treated mice was partially inhibited by deletion of RIP3 or MLKL gene, indicating that a positive feedback loop exists between these genes and inflammatory cytokines. Our data indicate that RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of MPTP-induced PD. Downregulating the expression of RIP1, RIP3, or MLKL can significantly attenuate MPTP-induced PD. Future therapy targeting necroptosis may be a promising new option.

Amphotericin B (AmB), an effective polyene drug with broad spectrum antifungal activity, is used for serious fungal infections. Liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) is a lipid dosage form, which has a significantly improved toxicity profile compared with conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate (DAmB). This study focused on verifying the gender differences in the acute toxicity of LAmB and further exploring its causes. Acute toxicity study of LAmB and DAmB were performed in rats, and toxicity responses and mortality of different sexes were observed and recorded. Concentrations of AmB in rat plasma and tissues were determined by a fully validated UPLC-MS/MS assay. The results demonstrated that LAmB showed significant gender differences in acute toxicity, with more severe toxic symptoms and higher mortality for female rats at different doses, but the same differences were not observed for DAmB under the same condition. To explore the cause of differences, toxicokinetic and tissue distribution studies were performed and the results showed that female animals had higher drug exposure, longer half-life and lower plasma clearance compared to male rats, and the drug was mostly distributed in the liver and kidneys, in which female rats displayed a significant higher concentration than that of male rats.

Template/spin-coating method was presented for fabricating single-layer nano-pillar array polymethylmethacrylate (SL-PMMA) and double-layer nano-pillar array polymethylmethacrylate (DL-PMMA) membranes. The different mass ratio of PMMA/DiMethyl Formamide (DMF) solution was dripped on single-layer porous anodic alumina (SL-PAA) or double-layer porous anodic alumina (DL-PAA) membrane and spun at 4000rpm speed for 30 seconds. The SL-PAA and DL-PAA membranes had been put into vacuum oven at 150°C for 2 hours, before SL-PMMA and DL-PMMA were removed. Experimental results show that the regularity degree of PAA fabricated in OAS/PAS is higher than that of PAA fabricated in PAS by two-step anodization method. The ordered pores and clear double-layer outline can be observed from the surface and cross-section FESEM images of DL-PAA membranes. When the content of PMMA in mixture solution is 20 wt%, the top shape of nano-pillars is convex, because the solution was completely filled in the pore of SL-PAA, and the length of nano-pillars is equal to the height of pore of PAA. However, the top pore amount on nano-pillars at ascending speed 20°C per minute is more than that of at ascending speed 10°C per minute. The PMMA membranes with ordered mid-hollow and porous nano-pillars will have wide application prospect in biosensors, chemical sensors, microcapsules fabrication fields due to many advantages such as simple operation, low cost, high specific surface area, etc.

The photoluminescence signals of zinc oxide/silver films based on digital video disk template were carried out compared with that of the planar mode. The spectra that on silicon showed a strong bandgap emission around 378 nm and a defect related emission band centered at ∼470 nm. After adding digital video disk template, it resulted in an increased signal of both the ultraviolet and the visible region, but the ultraviolet emission enhancement was notable. That the enhancement of band edge emission resulted from surface plasmon resonance coupling between silver and zinc oxide was discussed in detail.

We studied the effects of the lidocaine on the hERG K(+) channels with a focus on the electrophysiology of the heart. The hERG current was recorded using the conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique and the channel protein expression level was measured with Western blot in HEK 293 cells stablely expressed hERG K(+) channels. The langendorff perfusion system was used to record the ECG from isolated rabbit heart. Lidocaine inhibited hERG current in a concentration-dependent manner at 0.3-1 000 μmol·L(-1), the IC(50) value was 88.63 ±7.99 μmol·L(-1). The inhibitory action was enhanced by positive votalge without changing the votalge-dependent activation of the channel. However, lidocaine inhibited hERG current in a frequency-dependent manner. In addition, chronic incubation of lidocaine did not change the hERG K(+) channel protein expression. ECG recordings in the isolated perfused rabbit heart demonstrated that lidocaine(100 μmol·L(-1)) did not affected QTc interval, but decreased the heart rate and prolonged the PR interval and QRS duration. Our results demonstrate that lidocaine potentially inhibits the hERG K(+) current at a high concentration, but does not prolonged the QTc of ECG.

Herein we report a case of Kimura's disease with unusual manifestations. A 46-year- old Chinese man presented with mass in scrotum which gradually increased in size for approximately 7 years. A computerized tomographic scan of abdomen revealed a soft-tissue density shadow in scrotum and enlargement of lymph nodes in groin and retroperitoneum. The scrotal mass was excised and the biopsy specimen revealed angiolymphoid hyperplasia with infiltration of eosinophils. In conclusion, clinical doctors should pay attention that the patient with eosinophilia and scrotal mass could be indicative for Kimura's disease.

This work demonstrates a simple method to improve the conductivity of flexography printed silver pattern by water washing. The flexography printed silver pattern was firstly dried in an oven under 120 celsius degree, then was placed into the deionized water. Heating post-treatment is used to enhance adhesion between the printed silver layer and the substrate film to prevent the detachment of the silver pattern during water washing. The method is compatible with the PET substrate and printed fine pattern of square and hexagon in room temperature. After 2 hour immersion in water under magnetic stirring, the printed silver pattern of square and hexagon show different conductive improvement of conductivity. The silver pattern of hexagon shape with water washing exhibits much better conductivity than the one wiped by lens wipe paper, as measured by using a multimeter. The confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) shows that the morphology of the two shapes of silver pattern was almost no changed, except a little decrease on the thickness of the silver layer.

The preparation method of conductive ink is introduced, with silver acetate as the precursor and dodecylamine (DDA) as the protective agent. The sheet resistance of the sintered conductive pattern varies at different temperature and it is lower than 1 Ω / □ when the sintering temperature is higher than 130℃. Three different methods of blade-coating, spin-coating, ink-jet printing are used to fabricate the electrodes of solar cells. It is found that the morphology of the electrode made by Ink-jet printing is the most regular and uniform. The power conversion efficiency of the best fabricated solar cell is 0.09%.

The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with average diameter of 84nm are synthesized via a simple liquid phase reduction method in the mixture of water and ice. The conductive ink with good performance is formulated using the synthesized Ag NPs and its average sheet resistance reaches to 0.62Ω/□. Furthermore, the grid transparent conductive films (TCFs) with three different geometries are fabricated using the formulated conductive ink through flexographic printing, and the transparent and conductive properties are analyzed and compared, resulting in the comprehensive quality Q of 20um/ 400um hexagon grid (3.79) is relatively the highest.

This paper introduces the principle and manufacture process of a film-taped metallic mesh, and the influence of the parameters of metallic mesh film on optical and electromagnetic features has also been analyzed. By using the flexographic printing technology, the metal mesh film with the line widthes of 15, 203040μm and the period of 300μm on PET substrates have been made, and the maximal electromagnetic shield effectiveness is more than 15dB. The results indicate that the optical and electrical performance of the metallic mesh film is inconsistent, and it is better to select a thinner line width and smaller period to obtain optimal shielding effectiveness.

The study on the method of the color measurement of gold and silver foil paper is important to control color quality in the printing industry. The methods used in the experiments were to study the role of the gold tone and silver tone by studying the influence of gold tone and silver tone with different content on the chromatic value of normal color ink with different tone and different saturation. In the experiments, chromatic value of SPIN and SPEX respectively in the diffuse light conditions of color measurement could represent the chromatic value of the ink containing gold or silver ink. Then the difference of L values between SPIN and SPEX was defined as lightness difference. The ratio of the difference of saturation between SPIN and SPEX to their sum was defined as saturation ratio. Therefore, the Correlation Properties between lightness difference and saturation ratio was quantified. The result shows that with the quantity of gold and silver ink increasing, saturation ratio has linear relation with lightness difference for the same color. Similarly, with the saturation of normal ink colors increasing, saturation ratio has linear relation with lightness difference for a series of colors containing the same quantity of gold and silver ink .

Aim The remodelling of transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) in human heart failure (HF) and in different animal models of cardiac hypertrophy or HF remains a controversial topic. We hypothesize that TDR may exhibit temporal alterations, depending on the stage of the disease. Methods We systematically investigated the temporal alterations of TDR during the development of cardiac hypertrophy and HF in the mouse pressure-overload model using electrophysiological and molecular biology techniques. Results A progressive prolongation of QT interval and changes in the amplitude of the J wave at 2, 5, 9 and 13 weeks were found in anesthetized aorta-banded mice. Action potential duration (APD) at 90% repolarization (APD90) in subendocardial myocytes of the left ventricular free wall remained unchanged at the hypertrophic stage (2 and 5 weeks), but was significantly prolonged in HF mice at 9 and 13 weeks. However, APD90 in subepicardial myocytes exhibited a significant prolongation at 2 weeks and did not progressively extend from 2 weeks to 13 weeks in banded mice. Thus, non-parallel prolongation of APD in subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes led to a reduction in TDR at hypertrophic stage and an amplification of TDR at HF stage. Further experiments revealed that asynchronous down-regulation of voltage-dependent potassium currents (Ito,f, IK,slow and Iss) and L-type calcium currents (ICa-L) in subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes may contribute to the dynamic remodelling of transmural APD. Conclusion The two distinct TDR modes were revealed during the progression of mouse cardiac hypertrophy and failure, indicating that the remodelling of TDR depends on the stage of the disease.

This paper adopts Finite Volume Method, with the aid of GT-POWER platform, building the joint model of engine with cracking sound attenuation coupler. Based on the correctness of verification model, we research the cracking sound attenuation coupler’s influence on exhaust noise with engine performance. The results show that the muffler causes little power loss for engine at low and medium speed. At high speed the muffler brings power loss to engine mainly coming from muffler tail. Comparing with original muffler in the aspects of noise elimination performance and engine performance is not obvious effect and at the meantime providing a feasible technology method for realizing high efficiency and cleaning burning of methanol.

In order that a better analysis and evaluation of the color performance of developed color inks according to the printing requirements could be obtained, every ink will get abundant levels of ink supply amount made by double-channel control method. The max density obtained by the above method represents the color strength of inks. Then Color Management System is applied to building color gamut of matching process inks, and the color gamut represents the replicable color scope in practice. First, color strength of inks was identified by the following methods. Every ink was put respectively in two ink channels of the color printer and the total values of these two channels were applied to controlling the output, obtaining the wedge diagram of the multilevel output of ink supply amount. In the diagram, the max ink supply amount was large enough and the max density could represent the color strength. Because every ink needs a suitable range of the max density and needs to match the others well in practice. Referring to the standard of offset printing, a suitable density value for a certain ink was chose as its max ink supply amount. Second, within the range of the max ink supply amount, the data set of color patch in the characterization software of Color Management System was used to control ink supply amounts. The color patch was overprinted in the color sequences of Y, M, C and K, and ICC Profile was made according to the making process of standard Profile. Color gamut of the inks could be obtained from the Profile by using self-developed computing equipment and be compared with standard printing process. The result shows that the method used in the experiments is feasible and effective. In addition, the inks in the experiments have a large enough color strength and a color gamut satisfying the practical requirements of the color performance of inks in the printing industry.

This paper mainly focuses on the quality assessment of line output of digital printers. Line patterns with various color, width and of two direction(Horizontal and Vertical) have been carefully designed to constitute a test chart. And then printed with a typical color inkjet printer (Epson 1390)and color laser printer(HP4700) separately. The substrates including common print paper and glossy photo paper. Based on the ISO13660 standard, a measurement software was programmed in Matlab, and was used to test the line characteristics. Through analyzing the test results, some conclusion can be drawn: The outputted lines are generally wider than the designed line width. Raggedness of horizontal lines and vertical lines show significant differences, this has a great deal to do with the imaging mechanism of the printer. The ink and surface of the substrate have great influences on blurriness of the line edge, for example, the coating of a glossy paper usually help the pigments spreading on the substrates, but this will aggravate the blurriness of the line edge.

Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) have attracted tremendous interest in recent years in the field of printable electronics due to their low cost and high conductive properties. In this study, copper nanoparticles were synthesized via a polyol method by reducing cupric nitrate trihydrate with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of PVP as protective agent. Collide of Cu NPs was obtained after three times of sedimentation by acetone. Suspension for conductive ink was then prepared by adding some amount of solutions and additives followed by parameters adjusting. Sheet resistance of the Cu NPs films coated on a glass substrate could be reduced to 750 mΩ/□ after heating at 300°C for 1h in vacuum.

Acellular matrix materials have been widely used to repair various tissues and organs. According to the plastic principle, when a part of the body is lost, it should be replaced with a similar material. Therefore, the use of a homologous organ-specific acellular vaginal tissue in vagina reconstruction repair surgery may show good results. However, the acellular vagina matrix (AVM) form large vertebrates is difficult to isolate. In this study, we described a multistep method to prepare porcine AVM and evaluated the efficacy of acellularization. We also investigated the biomechanical properties, biological activity elements, and biocompatibility of the porcine AVM. We then used this material to reconstruct a rat vagina and performed further morphologic and functional analyses. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS), which is a commonly used acellular matrix material, was used in a control group. Histological examination, DNA content analysis, and agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that the decellularization procedure was effective. The AVM had acceptable biomechanical properties and sufficient growth factor production (VEGF, FGF, TGF-β1, and PDGF-BB) compared with that of the SIS. Subcutaneous transplantation in rats showed that the AVM had good biocompatibility. The tissue-engineered vagina using the AVM more resembled normal-appearing tissue than did that using SIS following morphologic and functional analyses. The AVM has great potential for application in vaginal reconstructive surgery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1949-1959, 2017.

The paper studied capacity of Indica and Japonica in seedling for Sr2+ stress in different concentration. Seedlings of Indica and Japonica were cultured in 6 different gradient concentrations by using Hoagland solution. Fresh weight and dry weight, rice pigment content, enzyme activity for stress tolerance etc. were measured. The results showed that Sr2+ in low concentration could promote development and with high fresh/dry weight. At 10mmol/L of Sr2+ concentration, dry weight of Japonica Jing925 was increased by 27.40%, compared with control. However, Indica CG132R was only 7.8% over its control. Sr2+ of high concentration inhibited plant growth. They had higher chlorophyll content no matter Indica or Japonica when they were cultured in low Sr2+concentration. In contrast, their chlorophyll contents were decreased. Japonica had higher POD activity than Indica, and Indica had higher CAT activity than Japonica. All in all, Japonica Jing925 had stronger defense ability than Indica CG132R in adversity environment.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious and economically important disease of cloven-hoofed animals. RNA interference (RNAi) can be used as a rapid and specific antiviral approach. It was shown that treatment with recombinant adenovirus (Ad(VP1-2B)) carrying shRNAs targeted to the VP1 and 2B genes of FMDV expressed in tandem had marked antiviral effects against FMDV both in IBRS-2 cells and guinea pigs. Treatment with Ad(VP1-2B) both before and after FMDV infection was most effective in IBRS-2 cells, as the FMDV RNA transcripts could not be detected within 48 h post-challenge (hpc), and the viral RNA copy number at 72 hpc was only 0.02% of that in the positive control group. Delivery of Ad(VP1-2B) reduced significantly the susceptibility of guinea pigs to FMDV infection. All guinea pigs were protected within 3 days post challenge (dpc) when they were injected twice with the same dose of Ad(VP1-2B), and a third treatment with the same dose of Ad(VP1-2B) at 3 dpc was necessary to confer longer lasting protection (up to 6 dpc). In conclusion, application of such a adenovirus vector to inhibit more than one viral gene may be an advantageous method for prevention and therapy of FMDV infection.

IS0-13660 has defined line attributes in digital prints. In order to investigate the effect of these attributers on perceived text definition (PTD), the correlation model between the two was developed in this study. The test target with a multi-stroke Black Type Chinese character in two sizes of 6.5 and 10.5 points, as well as some single lines, was designed and printed, coming into being 16 test samples with different qualities. The objective line attribute measurements and subjective definition evaluations were carried out, and linear correlation model was built between the two. The experimental results indicate that the PTD could be relevant to line’s contrast, raggedness, blurriness and width, and is always positively relevant to the contrast and negatively relevant to the later three attributes.

Color output capability and output accuracy of digital printing machine used for simulating the offset printing were analyzed. A digital machine, HpIndigo 1050, was used in this study. The colorimetric values of its primaries, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, were not the same as that primaries used in the offset printing, and the differences between them could not be removed by adjusting the maximal output ink level. The HpIndigo’s color gamut, consequently, could not completely meet the offset print requirement, typically presenting the absence of some colors equal to or close to the offset’s color gamut. So, color management technique was accepted in our experiment, and the offset’s CMYK values were translated into the digital machine’s CMYK values with the relative intent color simulation through these two machine’s profiles. The results showed that the color output accuracy within the offset color gamut was raised on the whole, and the big color differences only happened on these colors outside the digital machine’s gamut. Numerically, for 928 colors in IT8.7/3 chart, the CIELAB average/maximal color differences dropped from 4.98/13.90 to 3.13/13.13 respectively corresponding to the cases before and after color management accepting. Specially, for gray colors, the average/maximal color differences changed from 4.91/5.59 to 0.92/2.00, improving the gray balance dramatically.

A method for evaluating the line sharpness in digital printings is established. First of all, a test diagram, with some lines spaced with the same distance as the lines width, orienting in horizontal and vertical direction, was designed. A digital printer was used to output the test diagram on eighteen kinds of paper commonly used in market. From the eight attributes of line quality in ISO/IEC 13660 standard, three attributes, that are contrast, edge raggedness and line width, which were extracted our to be the main index describing the line sharpness. Furthermore, connecting them with the subjective evaluation, an evaluation model for predicting the perceived line sharpness were established, and the model show that the perceived line sharpness was highly correlated with these three attributes, among which quantified contrast exhibits the highest correlation with subjective, while raggedness and width exhibits a similar and weaker correlation. The perceived line sharpness was able to be predicted through a linear model.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of calcineurin in the down-regulation of left ventricular transmural voltage-dependent K(+) currents in heart failure. Transverse aorta was banded by using microsurgical techniques to create mouse heart failure model. Sham-operated (Sham) or aorta banded (Band) mice were randomized to receive calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA) or vehicle. The densities and kinetic properties of voltage-dependent K(+) currents, as well as action potential (AP), of left ventricular subendocardial (Endo) and subepicardial (Epi) myocytes were determined by using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The results showed that calcineurin activity was significant higher in Endo myocytes than that in Epi ones in all the groups. Compared with Sham group, Band mice showed significantly increased calcineurin activity both in Endo and Epi myocytes. CsA significantly reduced calcineurin activity in Band mice. CsA treatment in Band mice partially reversed the down-regulation of Ito density, completely reversed the down-regulation of IK,slow density both in Endo and Epi myocytes, and Iss density in Endo myocytes. In addition, CsA treatment in Band mice partially antagonized the prolongation of action potential duration (APD), and APD at 50% (APD50) and 90% repolarization (APD90) were significantly reduced. Because of non-parallel shortening of APD in Endo and Epi myocytes, the ratio of Endo/Epi APD90 was reduced from 4.8:1 in Band mice to 2.6:1 in CsA-treated mice, which was close to that in Sham mice. The results suggest that non-parallel activation of calcineurin in Endo and Epi myocytes contributes to the down-regulation of transmural voltage-dependent K(+) currents and the amplification of transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) in left ventricular failure hearts. Inhibition of calcineurin may be a potential new therapeutic strategy to prevent and cure arrhythmias and sudden death in heart failure.

To establish a colorimetrical characterization model of LCDs, an experiment with EIZO CG19, IBM 19, DELL 19 and HP 19 LCDs was designed and carried out to test the interaction between RGB channels, and then to test the spectral additive property of LCDs. The RGB digital values of single channel and two channels were given and the corresponding tristimulus values were measured, then a chart was plotted and calculations were made to test the independency of RGB channels. The results showed that the interaction between channels was reasonably weak and spectral additivity property was held well. We also found that the relations between radiations and digital values at different wavelengths varied, that is, they were the functions of wavelength. A new calculation method based on piecewise spectral model, in which the relation between radiations and digital values was fitted by a cubic polynomial in each piece of wavelength with measured spectral radiation curves, was proposed and tested. The spectral radiation curves of RGB primaries with any digital values can be found out with only a few measurements and fitted cubic polynomial in this way and then any displayed color can be turned out by the spectral additivity property of primaries at given digital values. The algorithm of this method was discussed in detail in this paper. The computations showed that the proposed method was simple and the number of measurements needed was reduced greatly while keeping a very high computation precision. This method can be used as a colorimetrical characterization model.

Impaired ventricular repolarization can lead to long QT syndrome (LQT), a proarrhythmic disease with high risk of developing lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The compound ICA-105574 is a recently developed hERG activator and it enhances IKr current with very high potency by removing the channel inactivation. The present study was designed to investigate antiarrhythmic properties of ICA-105574. For comparison, the effects of another compound NS1643 was in-parallel assessed, which also acts primarily to attenuate channel inactivation with moderate potency. We found that both ICA-105574 and NS1643 concentration-dependently shortened action potential duration (APD) in ventricular myocytes, and QT/QTc intervals in isolated guinea-pig hearts. ICA-105574, but not NS1643, completely prevented ventricular arrhythmias in intact guinea-pig hearts caused by IKr and IKs inhibitors, although both ICA-105574 and NS1643 could reverse the drug-induced prolongation of APD in ventricular myocytes. Reversing prolongation of QT/QTc intervals and antagonizing the increases in transmural dispersion of repolarization and instability of the QT interval induced by IKr and IKs inhibitors contributed to antiarrhythmic effect of ICA-105574. Meanwhile, ICA-105574 at higher concentrations showed a potential proarrhythmic risk in normal hearts. Our results suggest that ICA-105574 has more efficient antiarrhythmic activity than NS1643. However, its potential proarrhythmic risk implies that benefits and risks should be seriously taken into consideration for further developing this type of hERG activators.

To study whether alisol B could inhibit complement 3a (C3a) induced renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).The in vitro cultured human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells were intervened with 5 ng/mL transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), 0.1 micromol C3a, and 0.1 micromol C3a + 10 micromol alisol B, respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of alpha-SMA, E-cadherin, and C3 were detected using RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence, respectively.The mRNA and protein expressions of C3 in HK-2 cells were up-regulated after intervention of C3a (P0.01), the mRNA and protein expressions of alpha-SMA in HK-2 cells were obviously enhanced (P0.01), the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin obviously decreased (P0.01). When compared with the group intervened by exogenous C3a, after intervention of alisol B, the mRNA and protein expressions of alpha-SMA in HK-2 cells were obviously reduced (P0.01), the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin obviously increased (P0.05).Exogenous C3a could induce renal tubular EMT. Alisol B was capable of suppressing C3a induced EMT.

To investigate the effect of Yishen Jiangzhuo Granules, YSJZG) on mitochondrial injury and regeneration and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in chronic renal failure (CRF) rats and explore its mechanism from molecular pathology, gene, protein levels, and relative pathway.The CRF rat model was established using 5/6 nephrectomy. Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham-operation group, model (CRF) group, Niaoduqing Granules-treated group [5 g/(kg.day)], low-, moderate-, and high-dose [L-YSJZG, M-YSJZG, H-YSJZG at 3, 6, and 9 g/(kg day)] YSJZG-treated group (n=10 each). The levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and 24-h urine protein were assessed after 10 weeks of treatment. The tubulointerstitial injury and collagen deposition were evaluated using periodic acid-schiff stain and Masson staining. Renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay, mitochondrial injury was observed using an electron microscope, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed using chromometry. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator- 1α (PGC-1α), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blot.YSJZG decreased the 24-h urine protein, BUN, Scr, remnant kidney weight-to-body weight ratio, renal tubular injury, deposition of collagen, and the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. YSJZG dose-dependently restored the number and structure of mitochondria and the expression of Tfam and PCG-1α, up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, and inhibited the expression of Bax. YSJZG also dose-dependently inhibited TGF-β1 expression, increased SOD and GSH activity, decreased the MDA level, and inhibited p38MAPK and pERK1/2 phosphorylation (all P0.01).YSJZG improved the renal function in rats with CRF and inhibited the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis by dose-dependently alleviating mitochondrial injury, restoring the expression of Tfam and PCG-1α, and inhibiting renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis through inhibiting activation of reactive oxygen species-MAPK signaling.

In order to realize measurement for digitally printed line's attributes in accordance with the international standard ISO13660, wavelet de-noising technique is used in pre-processing the CCD digital image with high resolution of hardcopy line prints. First, the line attributes and their measurement indexes are presented. Then, Symltes (SymN) and Coiflets (CoifN) wavelets with hard threshold method are chosen based on theories and experiments. Further, dividing the image signals into two sections, signals of the line itself and the background, and analyzing their de-noising effects with different indexes, the proper wavelet parameters, which are order N in the wavelet functions and decomposition levels, are determined for a high resolution image of a line printed on a ink-jet printer. Experimental results indicate that the most properly parameter N and decomposition levels are 5 and 3 or 4 respectively for SymN, and for CoifN the results are 3 and 3 or 4 respectively. They can satisfy the de-noising requirements of a line CCD image with objectively keeping the line information and the same time smoothing the background information at the most extent.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an important role in the regulation of cardiac function, but its electrophysiological effects on sino-atrial (SA) node are not well understood. In this study, the immediate effect of Ang II on action potentials and ionic currents were investigated by using whole-cell patch-clamps in single guinea-pig SA node pacemaker cells. We demonstrated that Ang II exerted a negative effect on spontaneous firing rate, with a concomitant reduction in the slope of diastolic depolarization. The inhibitory effect of Ang II on spontaneous activity displayed a concentration-dependent manner in the range of 1-1000 nM, with IC50 of 8.34 nM. Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist valsartan (1 μM) abolished the inhibitory effect. In contrast, Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist, PD123319 (1 μM) didn't affect the action of Ang II. Ang II had no significant effect on hyperpolarization-activated current (If) in SA node cells. However, it significantly slowed the deactivation of the slowly activated delayed rectifier K+ current (Iks) and increased the tail current density. Furthermore, Ang II decreased the current density of L-type Ca2+ current in SA node cells. Our data demonstrate that Ang II reduces the auto rhythm of SA node cells via enhancing Iks and reducing ICaL. The result suggests a potential mechanism by which elevated levels of Ang II may be involved in the occurrence of SA node dysfunction in cardiac pathophysiology.

To investigate the effects of bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-7 upon epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) induced by transforming growth factor-beta1, (TGF-beta1) and to explore the possible mechanisms of BMP-7 for the inhibition and reversal of renal interstitial fibrosis.HK-2 cells were treated with TGF-beta1 or a combination of TGF-beta1 and BMP-7. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of alpha-SMA, E-cadherin and CTGF. For EMT reversal experiments, when TGF-beta1-induced EMT occurred, then the medium was removed and replaced with medium containing 200 ng/ml BMP-7. After 48 h, the morphological changes and the expression of E-cadherin were assessed by phase contrast microscopy or immunofluorescent microscopy.The control cells displayed typical cobblestone morphology of epithelial cells. 3 ng/ml TGF-beta1 induced profound morphologic changes after 48 h, with cells becoming elongated in shape, but addition of 200 ng/ml BMP-7 for 48 h restored the epithelial morphology of HK-2 cells. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that treatment of 3 ng/ml TGF-beta1 resulted in a distinct loss of E-cadherin staining in the plasma membrane of HK-2 cells but subsequent treatment with 200 ng/ml BMP-7 largely restored the E-cadherin protein staining. 3 ng/ml TGF-beta1 significantly up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of alpha-SMA, reduced the expression of E-cadherin and increased the expression of CTGF after 48 h (vs. control, P0.01). BMP-7 dramatically suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of alpha-SMA, restored the expression of E-cadherin and prevented the expression of CTGF in a dose-dependent manner after co-incubation with TGF-beta1 for 48 h (400 ng/ml BMP-7 + TGF-beta1 vs. TGF-beta1, alone, P0.01).BMP-7 exerts its antifibrotic effect partially through blocking and reversing TGF-beta1-induced EMT and downregulating the expression of CTGF in human renal tubular epithelial cells.

Effect of strophanthidin (Str) on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was investigated on isolated ventricular myocytes of guinea pig. Single ventricular myocytes were obtained by enzymatic dissociation technique. Fluorescent signal of [Ca2+]i was detected with confocal microscopy after incubation of cardiomycytes in Tyrode' s solution with Fluo3-AM. The result showed that Str increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The ventricular myocytes began to round-up into a contracture state once the peak level of [Ca2+]i was achieved in the presence of Str (10 micromol L(- 1)), but remained no change in the presence of Str (1 and 100 nmol L(-1)). Tetrodotoxin (TTX), nisodipine, and high concentration of extracellular Ca2+ changed the response of cardiomycytes to Str (1 and 100 nmol L(-1)) , but had no obvious effects on the action of Str (10 micromol L(-1)). The elevation of [Ca2+]i caused by Str at all of the detected concentrations was partially antagonized by rynodine (10 micromol L(-1)) or the removal of Ca2+ from Tyrode's solution. In Na+, K+ -free Tyrode' s solution, the response of cardiomycytes in [Ca2+]i elevation to Str (10 micromol L(-1)) was attenuated, while remained no change to Str (1 and 100 nmol L(-1)). TTX, nisodipine, and high concentration of extracellular Ca2+ changed the response of cardiomycytes to Str at all of the detected concentrations in Na+, K+ -free Tyrode's solution. The study suggests that the elevation of [Ca2+]i by Str at the low (nomomolar) concentrations is partially mediated by the extracellular calcium influx through Ca2+ channel or a "slip mode conductance" of TTX sensitive Na+ channel. While the effect of Str at high (micromolar) concentrations was mainly due to the inhibition of Na+, K+ -ATPase. Directly triggering the release of intracellular Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by Str may be also involved in the mechanism of [Ca2+]i elevation.

Transmural electrical heterogeneity plays an important role in the normal dispersion of repolarizaion and propagation of excitation in the heart. The amplification of transmural electrical heterogeneity contributes to the genesis of arrhythmias in cardiac hypertrophy and failure. We established a mouse model with cardiac failure by aortic banding and investigated the possible contribution of L-type calcium current (I(Ca-L)) to transmural electrical heterogeneity in both normal and failing hearts. Single myocytes were enzymatically isolated from subendocardial and subepicardial myocardium of the free left ventricle wall. The recordings of action potential and I(Ca-L) were performed using the conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The results showed that: (1) The action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD(90)) of the subendocardial myocytes in normal control mice was (38.2 +/- 6.44) ms, which was significantly longer than that of the subepicardial myocytes [(15.672 +/- 5.31) ms]. The ratio of APD(90) for subendocardial/subepicardial myocytes was about 2.5:1. The peak I(Ca-L) density in subendocardial myocytes was (-2.7 +/- 0.49) pA/pF, which was not different from that in subepicardial myocytes [(-2.54 +/- 0.53) pA/pF]. (2) In failing hearts, both action potential duration at 50% repolarization (APD(50)) and APD(90) were remarkably prolonged either in subendocardial or subepicardial myocytes compared to that in sham hearts. The subendocardial myocytes had much longer APD. The ratio of APD(90) for subendocardial/subepicardial myocytes changed to about 4.2:1. (3) I(Ca-L) density in subendocardial myocytes was significantly decreased in failing hearts compared with that in sham hearts. At four test potentials from +10 mV to +40 mV, the density of I(Ca-L) from subendocardial myocytes in failing hearts was decreased by 20.2%, 21.4%, 21.6% and 25.7%, respectively (P0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in I(Ca-L) density from subepicardial myocytes in failing hearts. There was no significant difference in the kinetic properties of I(Ca-L) in subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes between the band and sham groups. We conclude that I(Ca-L) may not contribute to the physiological transmural electrical heterogeneity in mouse hearts. The electrical heterogeneity is exaggerated and the density of I(Ca-L) is decreased in the subendocardial myocytes, but not in the subepicardial myocytes in failing hearts. The results obtained suggest that the decreased density of I(Ca-L) in subendocardial myocytes is possibly an adaptive response to the prolongation of action potential due to delayed depolarization and may reduce the transmural dispersion of repolarization in heart failure.

To investigate the changes of sugar chain structures of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in hepatoma tissue and its relation to the invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).The binding ratios of ALP from 9 normal liver tissues, 16 hepatoma tissues and 16 noncancerous tissues surrounding hepatoma were analysed by affinity chromatography on various lectin columns including leukoagglutinating phytohemagglutinin (L-PHA), lentil lectin (LCA), Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA), erythroagglutinating phytohemagglutinin (E-PHA) and Sambucus nigra bark agglutinin (SNA).The binding ratios of ALP on L-PHA (22.94%+/-5.30%), DSA (55.97%+/-13.72%), LCA (38.16%+/-8.87%), E-PHA (11.56%+/-4.81%) and SNA (69.80%+/-13.71%) in HCC tissues were significantly increased (P0.01) compared with that in normal liver tissues (L-PHA 5.89%+/-2.75%, DSA 36.20%+/-11.58%, LCA 17.90%+/-6.71%, E-PHA 5.38%+/-2.20%, SNA 57.32%+/-11.27%), respectively. t values between the two groups were 8.94, 3.64, 5.94, 3.62 and 2.32, respectively. L-PHA-binding ratio (25.84%+/-4.67%) of ALP in HCC with invasiveness was significantly higher than that (18.10%+/-3.64%) without invasiveness (t=3.71, P0.01).The changes of ALP sugar chain structures occur in HCC tissue. b1-6 branching sugar chain structure of ALP is related to the invasiveness of HCC.

Background Expandable screws have greater pullout strength than conventional screws. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability provided by a new built-in expandable anterior spinal fixation system with that of 2 commonly used anterior fixation systems, the Z-Plate and the Kaneda, in a porcine partial vertebral corpectomy model. Methods Eighteen porcine thoracolumbar spine specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 each. A vertebral wedge osteotomy was performed by removing the anterior 2/3 of the L1 vertebral body and the T15/L1 disc. Vertebrae were fixed with the Z-Plate, Kaneda, or expandable fixation system. The 3-dimensional spinal range of motion (ROM) of specimens in the intact state (prior to osteotomy), injured state (after osteotomy), and after internal fixation were recorded. The pullout strength and maximum torque of common anterior screws, the expandable anterior fixation screw unexpanded, and the expandable anterior fixation screw expanded was tested. Results After internal fixation, the expandable device and Z-plate system exhibited higher left bending motion than the Kaneda system (5.50° and 5.37° vs. 5.04, p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively), and the Z-plate and Kaneda groups had significantly higher left axial and right axial rotation ROM as compared to the expandable device group (left axial rotation: 5.23° and 5.02° vs. 4.53°; right axial rotation: 5.23° and 5.08° vs. 4.49°). The maximum insertion torque of the expandable device was significantly greater than of a common screw (5.10 vs. 3.75 Ns). The maximum pullout force of the expandable device expanded was significantly higher than that of the common screw and the expandable device unexpanded (3,035.48 N vs. 1,827.38 N and 2,333.49 N). Conclusions The built-in anterior fixation system provides better axial rotational stability as compared to the other 2 systems, and greater maximum torque and pullout strength than a common fixation screw. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-424) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.