陕甘宁老区建立生态特区的必要性分析

本文从历史与现状方面分析了陕甘宁老区加强生态环境建设的必要性。阐述了陕甘宁老区历史上范围的变化及其对中国革命和经济建设的贡献。从多方面分析了它的自然条件 ,揭示了其自然环境的脆弱性。说明了该区经济建设取得的成就和存在的问题 ,揭示了其贫困落后的社会经济状况。提出了在该区建立生态特区以促进其生态环境建设的观点。     

Association of polymorphism of Fc receptor γ chain gene at position-29 in promoter with the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in southern Chinese

AIM:To detect the association between the polymorphism of Fc receptor γ chain gene at position-29 in promoter and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).METHODS:The genotypes at position -29 in promoter of Fc receptor γ chain gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 180 patients with SLE and 140 ethnically matched controls in southern China.RESULTS:The frequencies of TT genotype(33.3%) and T allele (54.4%) at position -29 in patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in controls (17.2% and 42.9%, respectively), whereas, the frequencies of GG genotype (24.4%) and G allele (45.6%) in patients with SLE were remarkably lower than those in controls (31.4% and 57.1%, respectively) (P＜0.05). The TT genotype and T allele at position -29 were not associated with lupus nephritis in SLE patients (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the T allele at position -29 in promoter of Fc receptor gene probably contributes to the susceptibility to SLE, but does not play a role in the occurrence of lupus nephritis.     

Relationship between the intracellular calcium concentration changes and left ventricular hypertrophy and function in the spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM:To elucidate the relationship between the intracellular calcium concentration changes and left ventricular hypertrophy and function in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).METHODS:Intracellular free calcium concentrations were measured by Fura 2 methodology and left ventricular function quantitated by cardiac catheterization in 20 SHR aged 10, 22, and 34 weeks and 20 age-matched Wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats.RESULTS:(1) The systolic blood pressure(SBP), intracellular calcium concentrations and left ventricular mass / body weight index (LVM/BW) were significantly higher in all three age groups of SHR than the corresponding groups of WKY; (2) Compared with age-matched WKY groups, the peak left ventricular pressure descending rate(-dp／dt_max) decreased while left ventricular relaxation time constant (τ)increased significantly in SHR aged 22 and 34 weeks. The peak left ventricular pressure ascending rate(dp／dt_max) and the left ventricular contractility index were significantly increased only in the 34 weeks SHR; (3) Intracellular calcium concentrations showed a positive correlation with LVM/BW,SBP,-dp／dt_max and τ(r=0.47-0.83,P<0.01)and a negative correlation with dp／dt_max and the left ventricular contractility index (r=-0.46,P<0.05 and r=-0.81, P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Intracellular calcium overload is one of the potential mechanisms in the induction of left ventricular hypertrophy as well as of systolic and diastolic dysfunction.     

Effects of matrix metalloproteinases on ventricular remodelingfollowing myocardial ischemia in the rat

AIM:To examine the relationship between the activity of matrix metallproteinases(MMPs) and ventricular remodeling following myocardial ischemia in the rat.METHODS:The model of myocardial ischemia(MI) in the rat was established by isoprenaline(ISP). The activity of MMPs was measured by zymography and collagen concentration was assessed by the method of chloramine T, so did I/III collagen ratio by immunohistochemical staining. The microstructure of myocardium was also observed by electron microscope.RESULTS:The activity of MMP-2 in myocardial ischemia group (group M) increased by 5.8 folds at 1 st week(P＜0.01), 2.3 folds at 2 nd week(P＜0.01) and 1.7 flods at 4 th week(P＜0.05) compared with control group (group C) and MMP-9's activity in group M increased by 4.9 folds (P＜0.01), 1.9 flods(P＜0.01) and 1.4 folds(P＜0.05), respectively. Collagen amount and I/III collagen ratio in group M increased compared with that in group C at 2 nd week and 4 th week. It showed that cardiac myocytes in group M were necrosed and collagen grew abundantly in interstitium under electron microscope.CONCLUSION:The activity of MMPs in the myocardial interstitium increased following myocardial ischemia, then collagen amount and I/III collagen ratio increased, which may be the major causes of ventricular remodeling.     

Role of p38MAPK in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Kupffer cells from severe acute pancreatitis rats

AIM:To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway in the Kupffer cells (KCs) production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β), in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rats.METHODS:Sprague-Dwaley rats were randomized into three groups:①sham operation rats, ②SAP rats, ③SAP rats given the p38 MAPK inhibitor CNI-1493(10 mg/kg, iv). The SAP model was induced by the bili-pancreatic duct infusion with 5% sterile soduim taurocholate solution. Rats from each group were killed at 12 h after sham operation or SAP and Kupffer cells (KCs) were isolated. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β (by quantitative real-time RT-PCR) and p38 MAPK activity (by Western blot analysis) in KCs were examined. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in plasma were determined by ELISA.RESULTS:There was a significant acvitation of p38 MAPK in KCs harvested from SAP rats than those from sham operation rats. SAP also promoted the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in KCs and the plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. These events were significantly inhibited by treatment with CNI-1493.CONCLUSIONS:p38 MAPK activation is one important aspect of the signaling events that may mediate the KCs production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, in SAP rats. The inhibition of the p38 MAPK may be a potential target in the prevention and treatment of SAP.     

Inhibitory effects of LDL-ACM complex on subcutaneous implanted tumors in nude mice()

AIM: In order to evaluate the applicable value of LDL as a targeted vehicle for chemotherapeutic agents, we investigated and compared the inhibitory effects of LDL-ACM complex and free ACM on nude mice's subcutaneous implanted tumors derived from gastric cancer cell lines, SGC-7901 and NKM-45. METHODS: LDL-ACM complex was prepared and the tumor model of nude mice was established by subcutaneous implantation of SGC-7901 and NKM-45. Then, the groups of nude mice developed subcutaneous implanted tumors were received either LDL-ACM complex or free ACM. Subsequently, the tumor size, weight and leukemia cell counts were measured and the rates of tumor-inhibition and the survival were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The inhibitory effects of LDL-ACM complex on the tumors, especially on SGC-7901 implanted tumors were much more obvious than that of free ACM. It was also indicated that the action of LDL-ACM complex was mediated by LDL receptor. CONCLUSION: These results showed that LDL-ACM complex had significant inhibitory effects on the implanted tumors and the effect might be mediated by LDL receptor.     

Effect of cGMP on voltage-gated potassium channel in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells from rats exposed to chronic hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the effect of cGMP on voltage-gated potassium channel in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from rats exposed to chronic hypoxia. METHODS: (1) Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (group A) and chronic hypoxia group (group B). Then group B received hypoxia 8 hours per day for 4 consecutive weeks. (2) Single PASMC was obtained via acute enzyme separation method. (3) Conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record resting membrane potential (Em) and ion currents of voltage-gated potassium channel. The changes of ion currents of voltage-gated potassium channel before and after applying cGMP (1 mmol/L), an agonist of protein kinase G (PKG), and cGMP plus H-8 (1 mmol/L), an inhibitor of PKG were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The Em of group B were significantly lower than that of group A. The ion currents of voltage-gated potassium channel in group A and group B were all significantly inhibited by cGMP [control group: from (118.0±5.0) pA/pF to (89.9±16.5) pA/pF, n=6, P＜0.05;chronic hypoxia group: from (81.0±5.0) pA/pF to (56.8±9.1) pA/pF, n=6, P＜0.05]and these effects were reversed by H-8 [control group: from (119.2±10.3) pA/pF to (117.8±9.1) pA/pF, n=6, P＞0.05;chronic hypoxia group: from (96.8±6.2)　pA/pF to (98.0±2.2)　pA/pF, n=6, P＞0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: The currents of voltage-gated potassium channel was inhibited by chronic hypoxic. The inhibitory effect of cGMP on currents of voltage-gated potassium channel in PASMCs from both normal and chronic hypoxic rats may be probably through the phosphorylation of voltage-gated potassium channel.     

Effects of hypoxia and hypercapnia on expression of soluble guanylate cyclase in rat pulmonary artery

AIM:To investigate the expression of soluble guanylate cyclase protein and its mRNA in rat pulmonary artery after exposure to hypoxia and hypercapnia.METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly split into 4 group, which were hypoxic hypercapnic (HH 1 week, HH 2 weeks, HH 4 weeks) group and control group, to copy pulmonary hypertensive animal model. The expression of sGCα₁ and β₁ subunits protein of medial and small pulmonary artery was performed by immunohistochemistry with a polycolonal antibody. In situ hybridization was performed on the rat lung tissue using sGC oligonuclear probe to assay the expression of sGCα₁subunit mRNA.RESULTS:The sGCα₁ and β₁ subunits protein and sGCα₁ subunit mRNA were faint staining in the pulmonary small and medium artery in HH1 week, HH 2 weeks and HH 4 weeks groups compared with control group (all P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:sGC subunit mRNA and protein expression in pulmonary small and medium artery were decreased after exposure to hypoxia and hypercapnia, which took part in the development of the pulmonary hypertension.     

Expression and role of CD134 and NF-κB in renal tissue of lupus nephritis

AIM:To investigate the role of CD134 (OX40) and NF-κB in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN).METHODS:Renal in situ CD134 and NF-κB expression were examined in 40 biopsy specimens from LN patients by immunohistochemistry and microwave-based immunohistochemistry, respectively. The relationship between expression of CD134 and NF-κB was analyzed.RESULTS:The expression of glomerular and tubular CD134 and NF-κB in LN were higher than that in normal control, especially in class Ⅳ LN, where there was intense staining of endothelial cell, distal tubules, and interstitial mononuclear cell. The CD134 expression of glomerular and tubular was closely related to NF-κB expression, respectively (r=0.5542, P＜0.05;r=0.6279, P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The abnormal expression of costimulatory molecule CD134 was well evidenced in LN. Strong expression of renal in situ NF-κB was likely mediated by CD134 signal pathway, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LN.     

The expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 on T lymphocytes that infiltrate in nasal polyps

AIM:To investigate the expression of Th1-typed cytokine IFN-γ and Th2-typed cytokine IL-4 on T lymphocytes that infiltrate in nasal polyps for searching the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. METHODS:Nasal polyps tissue samples and peripheral blood were obtained from 21 patients. Normal human inferior turbinate mucosa and peripheral blood were obtained as well. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 of T lymphocytes. RESULTS: Th cytokines were rarely detected in inferior turbinate from normal human. Nasal polyps tissue consisted of abundant T lymphocytes. The expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ increased in peripheral blood from patients compared with normal human (P<0.05). The expression of IL-4 increased but the expression of IFN-γ decreased in nasal polyps compared with that of peripheral blood from the same patient (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION:There were generous of T lymphocytes infiltrating in nasal polyps. There was abnormal immune status in the local nasal mucosa from the patients, and the predomination of Th cytokine secretion changed compared with peripheral blood from the same patients, which resulted in the change of microenvironment of nasal mucosa and possibly close related to the formation of nasal polyps.