The Development of the “Monitoring Application for Inappropriate Expressions in Nursing Records”for PsyNACS©

Lengthening periods of hospitalization, increasing numbers of patients with age-related complications, and a shortage of nursing staff have been of great concern in medical psychiatry in Japan. Under these circumstances, countries such as Japan that face a super-aging society and a decline in the working-age population, have been recommended for use of advanced information and communications technology (ICT) to improve the efficiency of medical treatment and care. This study aims to develop the “Monitoring Application for Inappropriate Expressions in Nursing Records” for using PsyNACS©, which will enable psychiatric nursing plans to harness the advantages of ICT. The functions considered necessary are as follows: 1) identification of users who enter information;2) a necessary database for lists of inappropriate expressions;3) development of a matching function to recommend proper writing input and a warning function;and 4) a management function for an inappropriate expression list database. A demonstration experiment for developing the application in this study was conducted at a specialized psychiatric hospital. To introduce them to the application, nurses and nurse managers were informed about the system developed in this study, and a survey regarding their opinions on the functions of the application was conducted with ten nurse managers. The results were evaluated in terms of usefulness for nursing care, documentation, and the education of nurses from an ethical perspective. This study suggests that matching their input with an inappropriate expression database will allow nurses to record more appropriate expressions. From an ethical perspective, the ability to use appropriate expressions makes records more likely to withstand disclosure requests from patients and their families.

Glutamatergic CYLD deletion leads to aberrant excitatory activity in the basolateral amygdala:association with enhanced cued fear expression

Neuronal activity,synaptic transmission,and molecular changes in the basolateral amygdala play critical roles in fear memory.Cylindromatosis(CYLD)is a deubiquitinase that negatively regulates the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway.CYLD is well studied in non-neuronal cells,yet underinvestigated in the brain,where it is highly expressed.Emerging studies have shown involvement of CYLD in the remodeling of glutamatergic synapses,neuroinflammation,fear memory,and anxiety-and autism-like behaviors.However,the precise role of CYLD in glutamatergic neurons is largely unknown.Here,we first proposed involvement of CYLD in cued fear expression.We next constructed transgenic model mice with specific deletion of Cyld from glutamatergic neurons.Our results show that glutamatergic CYLD deficiency exaggerated the expression of cued fear in only male mice.Further,loss of CYLD in glutamatergic neurons resulted in enhanced neuronal activation,impaired excitatory synaptic transmission,and altered levels of glutamate receptors accompanied by over-activation of microglia in the basolateral amygdala of male mice.Altogether,our study suggests a critical role of glutamatergic CYLD in maintaining normal neuronal,synaptic,and microglial activation.This may contribute,at least in part,to cued fear expression.

The Relationship of Methyl Jasmonate Enhanced Powdery Mildew Resistance in Wheat and the Expressions of 9 Disease Resistance Related Genes

[Objective] This study was carried out to determine the induction effect of jasmonic acid（JA）on powdery mildew resistance in wheat,the activation effect on the expressions of plant disease resistance related genes,and to investigate the relationship between the induced resistance and the gene expression patterns.[Method] Three powdery mildew susceptible cultivars of ＂Chinese Spring＂,＂Pumai 9＂ and ＂Zhoumai 18＂ typically representing different phenotypes in the field were employed.The powdery mildew was assessed by detached leaf assay,and real time quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the expression patterns of 9 disease resistance related genes of PR1（PR1.1）,PR2（β,1-3 glucanase）,PR3（chitinase）,PR4（wheatwin1）,PR5（thaumatin-like protein）,PR9（TaPERO,peroxidase）,PR10,TaGLP2a（germin-like）and Ta-JA2（jasmonate-induced protein）in leaf of the three cultivars.[Result] MeJA application enhanced the powdery mildew resistances of ＂Chinese Spring＂,＂Pumai 9＂ and ＂Zhoumai 18＂.The induced powdery mildew resistance could be detected from 12 h to 96 h after MeJA treatment,and the peak value was at 24 h.Though there were differences between the three cultivars,MeJA significantly effect on the expressions of the 8 disease resistance related genes except TaGLP2a,and the peak values were at 12 h,24 h or 48 h after treatments.The strongest activation of MeJA was on PR9 and PR1 that their expressions could reach more than 100 times of the untreated samples.MeJA strongly activated PR2、PR4、PR5、PR3、PR10 and Ta-JA2,their expression could reach 10 to 70 times,and there was almost no activation effect on TaGLP2a.The induced powdery mildew resistance positively correlated with the induced expressions of the 8 disease related genes.[Conclusion] The induced powdery mildew resistance positively correlated with the induced expressions of the disease related genes.Jasmonate signalling plays a role in defence against Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici.and future manipulation of this pathway may improve powdery mildew resistance in wheat.

Transformation of Pea Lectin Gene and Parasponia Haemoglobin Gene into Rice and Their Expressions

Lectin and leghemoglobin in legumes play the important roles, respectively, in recognition of host plants to their rhizobial bacteria, and lowering the oxygen partial pressure around bacteroids and protecting nitrogenase from oxygen in symbiotic nitrogen-fixing nodules. In order to extend the host range of the rhizobial bacteria and to make them fix nitrogen in non-legumes, pea lectin gene (pl) and Parasponia hemoglobin gene ( phl,) have been constructed into a plant expression vector (pCBHUL) and the vector pCBHUL was introduced into rice calli from immature young embryos by particle bombardment. After the calli were regenerated into plantlets on the resistant-selecting media containing hygromycin, they were identified by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. It was indicated that the pi and phb genes were integrated into nucleic genome of the transformed rice plants. GUS activity and the product of the pi gene were determined by GUS staining, Western blot and in situ hybridization at translational level. Eighteen out of 40 plants resistant to hygromycin were positively identified by PCR analysis with the rate of 45%. The pi gene was expressed in 3 out of 18 plants with 17% and 7.5% in 40 plants. The results may provide a clue for exploring whether Rhizobium leguminosarum by. viceae could extend its host range and make the transgenic rice plants have the possibility of being symbiotic, or associative to nitrogen fixation.

Effects of Rosiglitazone and Serum on the Expressions of PPARα and PPARγ Genes in the Induced Differentiation Process of Pig Preadipocyte

[Objective] The research aimed to discuss the effects of rosiglitazone and serum on the expressions of PPARα and PPARγ genes in the induced differentiation process of pig preadipocyte.[Method] The pig preadipocyte was separated by using the collagenase digestion method.Three kinds of different differentiation culture solutions were used to induce the differentiation of pig preadipocyte.The oil red O staining extraction method was used to contrast the influences of different differentiation culture solutions on the variation of cellular fat content in the differentiation process.Moreover,the variation trends of PPARα and PPARγ expressions in the cellular differentiation process in the different differentiation culture solutions were detected by the real-time quantification PCR.[Result] The cellular fat accumulation was the fastest in MII which contained rosiglitazone and was the slowest in MI which didn＇t contain rosiglitazone.Rosiglitazone could significantly increase the expression of PPARγ gene（P0.01）,but had the certain inhibition effect on the expression of PPARα gene,which wasn＇t significant.The serum had the extremely significant up-regulation effect on the expression of PPARγ gene（P0.01）,but had the extremely significant down-regulation effect on the expression of PPARα gene（P0.01）.[Conclusion] Rosiglitazone could greatly promote the expression of PPARγ gene,which increased the cellular fat deposition.Maybe the activator of PPARγ gene existed in the serum,and the inhibitor of PPARα gene existed simultaneously.

Theoretical expressions of thermal conductivity of wood

In this paper, the theoretical expressions of wood thermal conductiv ity in the choral and radical direction are derived from the micro-structure of wood by applying some basic principles in physical mechanics. The thermal conduc tivities of about twenty species of trees were calculated by means of the expres sions and compared with its experimental values under the same condition. The av erage relative error is about 5%, so the calculation result is satisfactory.

The theoretical expressions of wood thermal diffusivity

From viewpoint of chemical element and microstructure of wood, this paper makes a discussion on thermal diffusivity of wood and two theoretical expressions of thermal diffusivity for the choral and radial directions were derived. The thermal diffusivities of the choral and radial directions for about 20 species of trees were calculated with the derived theoretical expressions and compared with the experimental values. The average error of the theoretical values of thermal diffusivity was 7.5% for choral direction and 6.2% for radial direction.

EFFECT OF rhTGF-β1 AND rhGM-CSF ON RECEPTOR EXPRESSIONS IN J6-1 AND J6-2 LEUKEMIC CELLS

ABC immunoperoxidase was used to test the effects of rhTGF-β1 and rhGM-CSF on receptor expressions in J6-1 and J6-2 leukemic cell lines. Computer assisted image analysis system was introduced to evaluate positive index of time-and dose-dependent specimens. The expression of c-kit was elevated both in positive rate and positive index by TGF-01 in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Ing/ml rhTGF-β1 simultaneously enhanced the expression of c-fms and PDGF-R which is not detected in 50 ng / ml GM-CSF treatment. Endoglin was down-regulated after TGF-β treatment and up-regulated in J6-2 cells after GM-CSF treatment, c-kit Expression was elevated by TGF-β in J6-1 cells while decreased by both in J6-2 cells.

Transformation of Two Nitrogen_fixation_related Plant Genes into Tobacco and Their Expressions

Lectins and leghemoglobins in legumes play the important roles, respectively, in recognition of host plants to their own rhizobia, and lowering the oxygen partial pressure surround the bacteroids and protecting nitrogenase from oxygen in symbiotic nitrogen_fixing nodules.In order to investigate the non_leguminous recognition of rhizobial bacteria relating to nitrogen fixation, plant expression vectors containing pea lectin gene ( pl ) and Parasponia hemoglobin gene ( phb ) have been, respectively, constructed in a plasmid and the plasmid has been introduced into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) using Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Smith et Townsend) Conn as a vehicle for transformation. PCR and Southern blot demonstrated that the two genes were integrated into the genome of the tobacco plants. Histochemical staining for GUS activity, Western blotting,and in situ hybridization of pea lectin showed that they were expressed at translational level in the plants. These results may provide a clue for exploring whether Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae could extend its host range and make the transgenic tobacco plants have the possibility of being symbiotic, or associative to nitrogen fixation.

Expressions of MMP-2,-9,TIMP-1,-2,-3 mRNA in Rat Uterus during Estrous Cycle

Zymography and in situ hybridization were used to investigate matrixmetalloproteinase -2, -9 (MMP -2, MMP-9) activities and expressions of MMP -2, -9 and TIMP1, -2, -3 (tissue inhibitors of matrix metallo-proteinases) mRNA in the rat uterus during estrouscycle. The relative activity was semiquanted by using densitometric analysis. The MMP-2(67 kDa) activity in every stage during estrpus cycle was detected by zymography. MMP-2activity was highest at proestrus; higher at estrus and metaestrus; lowest at diestrus. Throughin situ hybridization, MMP -2, -9, TIMP -1~ -3 mRNA mainly in hasal stroma cells of uterineendometrium were detected. The positive signals of MMP -2 and -9 mRNAs in hasal stromacells were shown stronger at proestrus, estrus and metaestrus while they showed the weakest atdiestrus. The expression of MMP -2 mRNA coincided with MMP -2 activity change. MMP-2and -9 mRNAs were also highly expressed in uterine circular muscle at estrus. Weak signals ofMMP -9 mRNA were detected in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells at estrus.TIMP -1 mRNA in hasal stroma cells was shown as the strongest expression at estrus andmetaestrus; stronger at proestrus and the weakest at diestrus. TIMP-2 mRNA in basal stromacells was stronger at estrus and diestrus; weaker at proestrus and metaestrus. TIMP -1 and -2mRNAs were also highly expressed in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells at estrus.TIMP -3 mRNA in hasal stroma cells revealed the strongest expression at estrus; stronger atdiestrus and metaestrus and showed the weakest at proestrus. The mRNA was also highlyexpressed in uterine circular muscle at estrus. In short, our present results provide evidencethat MMP -2, -9 and TIMP -1~ -3 were involved in rat uterine endometrium reconstructionduring estrous cycle.

Effect of high temperature on the expressions of genes encoding starch synthesis enzymes in developing rice endosperms

High temperature is the major environmental factor affecting grain starch properties of cooking rice cultivars. In this study, two non-waxy indica rice genotypes, cv. 9311 and its mutant with extremely high amylose phenotype（9311eha） were used to study the differential expressions of genes in starch synthesis and their responses to high temperature（HT）. Significant increase in apparent amylose content and hot-water-soluble starch content in mutant 9311 eha were genetically caused by a substitution from AGTTATA to AGGTATA at the leader intron 5′ splice site in Wx gene. This mutation resulted in different m RNA transcript levels, m RNA splicing efficiencies and protein levels of Wx between the two rice genotypes, which also lead to the genotype-dependent alteration in the temporal pattern of Wx transcription and granule-bound starch synthase（GBSS） activity in response to HT. However, changes in the activities of other starch synthesizing enzymes and their expressions of distinct isoform genes were not significant with the Wx gene mutation, thus only minor difference in the particle size of starch granule, chain-length distribution and gelatinization enthalpy were found between the two genotypes. The temporal-specific expression of multiple isoform genes responsive to different temperature regiments indicated that the reduction of GBSS transcript expression under HT was generally accompanied by the decreased expressions of SSSIIa, SSSIIIa and SBEIIb. Consequently, high temperature-ripened grains in 9311 eha showed high proportion of intermediate and long B chains and somewhat lower level of short A chain compared to the wildtype. The temperature-dependent alteration of amylose content was not only attributed to the reduced expression of GBSS, but also associated with the complimentary effect of SSSIIa and SBEIIb.

Matrix metalloproteinase gene expressions might be oxidative stress targets in gastric cancer cell lines

Oxidative stress is linked to increased risk of gastric cancer and matrix metalloproteinases （MMPs） are important in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer. We aimed to analyze the effect of the accumulation of oxidative stress in the gastric cancer MKN-45 and 23132/87 cells following hydrogen peroxide （H202） exposure on the expression patterns of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP- 1 1, MMP- 12, MMP-14, MMP- 15, MMP- 17, MMP-23, MMP-28, and β-catenin genes. Methods： The mRNA transcripts in the cells were determined by RT-PCR. Following H202 exposure, oxidative stress in the viable cells was analyzed by 2＇,7＇-dichlorofluorescein diaeetate （DCFH-DA）. Caffeie acid phenethyl ester （CAPE） was used to eliminate oxidative stress and the consequence of H2O2 exposure and its removal on the expressions of the genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Results： The expressions of MMP-1, MMP-7, MMP-14, MMP-15, MMP-17 and β-catenin in MKN-45 cells and only the expression of MMP-15 in 23132/87 cells were increased. Removal of the oxidative stress resulted in decrease in the expressions of MMP genes of which the expressions were increased after H202 exposure. β-catenin, a transcription factor for many genes including MMPs, also displayed decreased levels of expression in both of the cell lines following CAPE treatment. Conclusions： Our data suggest that there is a remarkable link between the accumulation of oxidative stress and the increased expressions of MMP genes in the gastric cancer cells and MMPs should be considered as potential targets of therapy in gastric cancers due to its continuous exposure to oxidative stress.

Effect of in ovo zinc injection on the embryonic development, tissue zinc contents, antioxidation, and related gene expressions of broiler breeder eggs

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of in ovo zinc （Zn） injection on the embryonic development, tissue Zn contents, antioxidation and related gene expressions of fertilized eggs of Arbor Acres broiler breeders. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine an optimal embryonic age for early in ovo injection. A total of 720 fertilized eggs with similar weights were randomly allotted to 4 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 30 eggs per replicate in a completely randomized design. The eggs were injected with 0.1 mL sterilized water at 3, 6 and 9 embryonic days of incubation （E3, E6 and E9） or non-injection （the control）, respectively. The results from experiment 1 showed that E3 and E6 injections increased （P〈0.05） the embryonic mortalities, and decreased （P〈0.05） hatchabilities compared to the non-injected control, but no differences （P〉0.05） between E9 injection and the non-injected control were observed in either embryonic mortality or hatchability. The findings suggest that the E9 is the optimal embryonic age for early in ovo injection. In experiment 2, a total of 672 fertilized eggs with similar weights were randomly allocated to 7 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 16 eggs per replicate in a completely randomized design. The eggs were injected with 0 （the negative control）, 50, 100, 150, 200, or 250 μg Zn/egg as reagent grade ZnSO4.7H20 in a 0.1-mL solution, or non-injection （the positive control）, respectively at E9-10. The results from the experiment 2 demonstrated that no differences （P〉0.05） among 50 and 100 μg Zn/egg groups and the negative control were observed in the embryonic mortality and hatchability, however, the injection of 200 μg Zn/egg increased （P〈0.05） the embryonic mortality, and injections of 150 and 200 μg Zn/egg decreased （P〈0.05） hatchabilities compared with the controls. The embryonic tibia Zn contents at E20 were increased （P〈0.05） by injections of 150, 200 and 250μg Zn/egg. Zinc injection did not affect （P〉0.05） malonaldehyde （MDA） contents, copper- and Zn- containing superoxide dismutase （CuZnSOD） activities and mRNA expression levels in the liver and heart of chick embryos at E15 and E20. Compared with the negative control, injections of 50, 150 and 200 μg Zn/egg up-regulated （P〈0.05） themetallothionein （MT） mRNA expression levels in the embryonic liver at E20. These results indicated that in ovo Zn injections increased Zn contents in the embryonic tibia and MT mRNA expression levels in the embryonic liver at E20, however, injections of 150-200 μg Zn/egg were harmful to the embryonic development.

Difference in hTERT Gene Expressions between HbsAg-Positive and HbsAg-Negative Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To investigate the difference in expression of hTERT gene between HbsAg-positive human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HbsAg-negative HCC and to explore the relationship between HBV infection and hTERT gene expression in HCC. The expression of hTERT protein in 30 cases of HbsAg positive HCC and 17 cases of HbsAg negative HCC was detected by immunohistochemistry (SP method), and the expression of hTERT mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). t-test, Chi-squared test and cochran- armitage trend test were used to see whether there was an interrelation between HBsAg and hTERT gene in HCC. The expression of hTERT protein was mostly located in plasm and occasionally in the nucleus of liver cancer cells. The positive rate of hTERT protein and hTERT mRNA in HbsAg positive HCC- 93.33 % (28/30) and 83.33 % (25/30) respectively which were much higher than those in HbsAg negative HCC- 52.94 % (9/17), 47.06 % (8/17) (P<0.01) respectively. HbsAg is related to hTERT gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma. The hTERT gene activated by the efficacious ingredient of HBV may play an important role in hepatocellular transformation and carcinogenesis.

Effects of L-Tetrahydropalmatine on the Expressions of bcl-2 and bax in Rat after Acute Global Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion

To investigate the effects of L-Tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP) on the expressions of bcl-2, bax and neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, 60 Wistars rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operation group (group S, n = 20), ischemic-reperfusion group treated with saline (group I, n=20) and ischemia-reperfusion group treated with L-THP (group T, n=20) .The rat model of global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion was induced by Pulsinelli's four-vessel occlusion method. The expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The number of apoptotic neurons was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. Compared with group S, the expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA in group I was increased significantly (P<0.01), and the number of apoptotic neurons increased either (P< 0.01). After L-THP treatment, the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was up-regulated (P<0.01) and that of bax mRNA was down-regulated (P<0.01); the number of apoptotic neurons was decreased (P<0.01). Our results indicated that bcl-2 may suppress apoptosis and bax promote apoptosis after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. L-THP could ameliorate cerebral ischemia and reperfusion damage by reducing the apoptosis through regulating bcl-2 and bax.

Nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase expressions in human liver cirrhosis

AIM： Portal hypertension is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. Intrahepatic pressure can be elevated in several ways. Abnormal architecture affecting the vasculature, an increase in vasoconstrictors and increased circulation from the splanchnic viscera into the portal system may all contribute. It follows that endogenous vasodilators may be able to alleviate the hypertension. We therefore aimed to investigate the levels of endogenous vasodilators, nitric oxide （NO） and carbon monoxide （CO） through the expression of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and heme oxygenase （HO）. METHOD： Cirrhotic （n = 20） and non-cirrhotic （n = 20） livers were obtained from patients who had undergone surgery. The mRNA and protein expressions of the various isoforms of NOS and HO were examined using competitive PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： There was no significant change in either inducible NOS （iNOS） or neuronal NOS （nNOS） expressions while endothelial NOS （eNOS） was up- regulated in cirrhotic livers. Concomitantly, caveolin-1, an established down-regulator of eNOS, was upregulated. Inducible HO-1 and constitutive HO-2 were found to show increased expression in cirrhotic livers albeit in different Iocalizations. CONCLUSION： The differences of NOS expression might be due to their differing roles in maintaining liver homeostasis and/or involvement in the pathology of cirrhosis. Sheer stress within the hypertensive liver may induce increased expression of eNOS. In turn, caveolin-1 is also increased. Whether this serves as a defense mechanism against further cirrhosis or is a consequence of cirrhosis, is yet unknown. The elevated expression of HO-1 and HO-2 suggest that CO may compensate in its role as a vasodilator albeit weakly. It is possible that CO and NO have parallel or coordinated functions within the liver and may work antagonistically in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension.

Expressions of p16 and FHIT Proteins During Esophageal Carcinomatous Development in High Incidence Area of Esophageal Carcinoma

Objective： To detect the changes of p16 and FHIT and investigate their relationship in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma development by measuring their expression levels in normal squamous epithelium tissue, mild, moderate, severe dysplasia lesions, carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Methods： Expressions of p16 protein and FHIT protein were detected and analyzed in 17 cases of normal squamous epithelium, 16 cases of mild dysplasia, 16 cases of moderate dysplasia, 17 cases of severe dysplasia, 10 cases of carcinoma in situ, and 18 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemical method. Results： With increasing histopathologic grades, the expressions of pl6 and FHIT became gradually lower. There was no remarkable difference of p16 and FHIT expressions between the normal and mild dysplasia group （P〉0.05）, but the differences between the normal and other groups were all significant （P〈0.05）. There was no remarkable difference among the squamous cell carcinoma group, the moderate and severe dysplasia groups, and the carcinoma in situ group （P〉0.05）, but significant differences existed in the expressions of p16 and FHIT proteins between the squamous cell carcinoma and the normal groups, and between the squamous cell carcinoma and the mild dysplasia groups （P〈0.05）. There was an association of descending trend between p16 and FHIT protein expressions. Conclusion： Reduced expressions of pl6 and/or FHIT proteins possible play an important role in the early occurrence of esophageal cancer. There was a positive correlation between the expressions of p16 and FHIT proteins.

Translation on Figurative Expressions From English Into Chinese

It’s very necessary to study the translation of figurative expressions from English into Chinese since two languages differ a lot in lexical,syntactic and cultural aspects.In terms of translation approaches there are three ones largely used depending on different situations: literal translation from English into Chinese,translation from figurative expressions into figurative ones and translation from figurative expressions into nonfigurative ones.

Study on the effect of doxorubicin on expressions of genes encoding myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca^2＋ transport proteins and the effect of taurine on myocardial protection in rabbits

To investigate the effect of doxorubicin(DOX) on gene expression of the myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)Ca 2+ transport proteins and the mechanism of taurine(Tau) protecting cardiac muscle cells, 9 rabbits were injected with DOX , 8 rabbits with DOX and Tau, and 9 rabbits with normal saline. Cardiac function , concentration of calcium in cardiomyocytes (Myo[Ca 2+ ] \%i\%), activity of SR Ca 2+ ATPase(SERCA2a), level of SERCA2a mRNA and Ca 2+ released channels(RYR2)mRNA were detected. The left ventricle tissues were observed by electron microscopy. The results showed that cardiac index, left ventricular systolic pressure, activity of SR Ca 2+ ATPase and level of SERCA2a mRNA decreased , while Myo[Ca 2+ ] \%i\% increased in DOX treated rabbits. DOX could not affect the level of RYR2 mRNA. Tau intervention could alleviate the increase of left ventricular diastolic pressure, Myo[Ca 2+ ] \%i\% and the decrease of SERCA2a mRNA induced by doxorubicin. The results suggested that downregulation of SERCA2a gene expression was an important mechanism of DOX induced cardiomyopathy and that Tau could partially improve the heart function by reducing calcium overload and alleviating downregulation of SERCA2a mRNA.

Characterization of starch morphology, composition, physicochemical properties and gene expressions in oat

Starch is the major carbohydrate in oat （Avena sativa L.） and starch formation requires the coordinated actions of several synthesis enzymes. In this study, the granule morphology, composition and physicochemical properties of oat starch, as well as the expressions of starch synthesis genes were investigated during oat endosperm development. Under the scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, we observed that the unique compound granules were developed in oat endosperms at 10 days post anthesis （DPA） and then fragmented into irregular or polygonal simple granules from 12 DPA until seed maturity. The amylose content, branch chain length of degree of polymerization （DP=13-24）, gelatinization temperature and percentage of retrogradation were gradually increased during the endosperm development; whereas the distribution of short chains （DP=6-12） were gradually decreased. The relative expressions of 4 classes of 13 starch synthesis genes characterized in this study indicated that three expression pattern groups were significantly different among gene classes as well as among varied isoforms, in which the first group of starch synthesis genes may play a key role on the initiation of starch synthesis in oat endosperms.