Objective To evaluate the effect of red light irradiation on serum phosphorus reduction in hemodialysis.Methods Sixty maintenance hemodialysis patients were divided into treatment group and control group.During the hemodialysis,the blood in the extracorporeal circulation tube of the patents in the treatment group was irradiated with red light by a MRX-1 red light therapy system.The irradiation was continued for 60 minutes each time,and one course of the treatment contained 10 times of irradiations.Patients in the control group were subjected to hemodialysis by conventional methods.The serum phosphate levels of all patients were measured before and after the treatment.Results The symptoms of dialysis disequilibrium of the patients in the treatment group were alleviated.There was no significant difference in serum phosphate levels between the treatment group and the control group before hemodialysis,while a statistically significant difference was found after the treatment (P＜0.05).Conclusions Hemodialysis combined with red light irradiation on external blood trails can contribute to the decrease of serum phosphate levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

ObjectiveTo study the value of plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the fetal fibronectin (fFN) in vaginal secretions and cervical length in predicting preterm labor.MethodsThe plasma CRH levels and fFN levels in vaginal secretions from 24 -37 weeks pregnant woman checked up in our hospital from Dec.2009 to Dec.2010 were detected by ELLISA method.The changes of these three indexes were observed with the pregnant time and were analyzed according to different pregnancy outcomes.Results Among the 112 cases of pregnant women,premature delivery in 54 cases,full-term birth 58 cases.At the 24 week of pregnancy,there were significant difference on the cervical length( [2.8 ±0.4]cm vs [3.3 ±0.5]cm,t =3.254,P =0.021 ) between premature delivery group and full-term birth group.At the 28 - 30 week,31 -32 week,33 - 34 week,35 - 36 week,the CRH were ( 162.33 ± 16.49 ) ng/L,(60.01:±: 14.56) ng/L;(352.12 ±61.01 )ng/L,( 118.04 ±53.74)ng/L; (364.55 ±56.71 )ng/L,( 122.95 ±71.41 )ng/L; (372.78 ±149.89)ng/L,(124.00 ± 19.05 )ng/L respectively in premature delivery group and full-term birth group,and there were significant differences on CRH at the four different pregnant time(t =3.687,6.875,8.652,8.524,respectively,P ＜ 0.05 ).It shows better sensitivity ( 97.92％ ),specificity ( 90.00％ ),positive predictive value(95.92％ ) and negative predictive value(94.73％ ) in predicting premature delivery by detection of CRH,fFN combined with cervical length.ConclusionDetection of plasma CRH,fFN combined with cervix length measurement can improve the predictability of premature and provide a good,reliable clinical basis for the early diagnosis and treatment for preterm premature.

AIMTo investigate the intraspecific variation of Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower) and establish foundation for further breeding of safflower germplasm resource and screening the quality correlation genes.

METHODSAmplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was carried out to analyze genetic variation of 28 safflower populations collected in China. Unweighed pair-group method of with arithmetical averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis was used to construct a dendrogram and to estimate the genetic distances among the populations.

RESULTSAll populations could be uniquely distinguished using 12 selected primer combinations. Similarity coefficients ranged from 0.48 to 0.96 among the populations. Dendrogram revealed distinct segregation of all the cultivars into three main groups and one midst group.

CONCLUSIONLimited genetic diversity exists within the tested 28 collections at intra specific level and AFLP-based phyiogeny was not absolutely consistent with that based on morphological characters may be due to the interaction effect between genotype and environment.

Carthamus tinctorius ; genetics ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Plant ; analysis ; Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Aim To investigate the effect of liver X receptor (LXR) activation on the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells in global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) mice,and its mechanisms.Methods A total of 75 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups,namely the sham operation group,the cerebral I/R group and the cerebral I/R with TO901317 treatment (I/R + TO90) group.The I/R mouse model was induced via the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion.HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region.Immunohistochemistry was executed to detect hippocampus DCX + cells.Immunofluorescence of BrdU was implemented to detect the proliferation neural stem cell.Morris water maze test was used to assess spatial learning and memory in mice.Western blot was used to detect the expression of hippocampus LXRα,LXRβ,ABCA1,p-ERK1/2,t-ERK1/2,p-CREB,t-CREB,BDNF.Results LXR activation improved cognitive recovery(P ＜0.01),and induced the proliferation of neural stem cells (P ＜ 0.01) in I/R mice.The expressions of hippocampal ABCA1,p-ERK1/2,p-CREB,BDNF in I/R + TO90 group mice also increased (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions LXR activation can induce the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells and facilitate cognitive recovery following global cerebral I/R in mice,which may be related to the activation of hippocampal ERK1/2-CREB-BDNF pathway and then promoting endogenous neurogenesis in the hippocampus DG region of I/R mice.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Xiaoyu Tablet (XYT) on blood flow parameters and morphology of carotid artery in atherosclerotic patients.

METHODSUsing color Doppler ultrasonographic technique to examine the blood flow parameters and intimal thickness of carotid artery in 20 patients of carotid atherosclerosis after 24 weeks treatment of XYT, and compared with those in 10 patients treated with gastrodine lipid-lowering tablet.

RESULTSAfter 24 weeks treatment, blood flow parameters of carotid artery were obviously improved and intimal thickness of common carotid arteries in both side was markedly decreased. XYT showed an effect better than that of gastrodine lipid-lowering tablet.

CONCLUSIONXYT is effective in increasing blood flow of cervical and cerebral arteries.

Arteriosclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Objective To establish normal reference ranges of Z-score of coronary sinus CS diameter in normal fetuses and to explore the diagnostic value of CS Z-score in fetuses with persistent left superior vena cava PLSVC Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study of 227 singleton normal fetuses and 30 fetuses with PLSVC were involved Non-cardiac biometrical parameters included biparietal diameter BPD femoral length FL heart area HA and an assessment of gestation age GA based on menstrual age GA Systolic diameter of CS CSDs and diastolic diameter of CS CSDd were measured at the end of systole and diastole CSDs and CSDd Z-score models were constructed by linear regression analysis with GA FL HA and BPD as independent variables Subsequently Z-scores between normal fetuses and fetuses with PLSVC were compared Results Correlations between fetal CSDs and CSDd and four independent variables BPD FL HA and GA were excellent GA had close correlation with CSDs and CSDd CSDd Z-score= the actual measurement of CSDd- prediction of CSDd based on GA BPD FL or HA SD forecast CSDd CSDs Z-score= actual measurement CSDs-prediction CSDs based on GA BPD FL or HA SD forecast CSDs Normal reference value of CSDd and CSDs in 227 normal fetuses could be predicted as followings with GA as independent variable CSDd and CSDs were 0 139 ~ 0 3 19 cm and 0 046~0 166 cm respectively For BPD CSDd and CSDs were 0 128 ~0 303 cm and 0 040~0 1 59 cm respectively For FL CSDd and CSDs were 0 135~0 307 cm and 0 046~0 164 cm respectively For HA CSDd 0 1 57~ 0 323 cm and CSDs 0 059 ~ 0 1 75 cm respectively With GA as independent variable CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -0 906~1 256 and -0 920~0 895 respectively For BPD CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -1 168~1 196 and -0 864~0 899 respectively For FL CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -1 478~ 1 546 and -1 297~ 1 3 10 respectively For HA CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were -0 832 ~ 0 610 and -0 619 ~ 0 688 respectively CSD Z-scores of 30 PLSVC fetuses as followings with GA as independent variable CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 5 263 ~ 1 1 659 and 2 846~9 923 respectively For BPD CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 4 469 ~ 1 1 000 and 2 3 10 ~9 1 14 respectively For FL CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 5 473 ~ 13 056 and 3 234 ~ 13 135 respectively For HA CSDd Z-score and CSDs Z-score were 1 922~5 701 and 1 359~5 723 respectively Z-scores of PLSVC fetuses were far away from the normals Conclusions Development of normal fetal CSDs and CSDd Z-score reference ranges is realized The CSDs and CSDd Z-scores can provide quantitative evidence in prenatal diagnosis of PLSV.

Background Arresting the overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) will be a new approach to the inhibition of neovascularization.RNA interference (RNAi) can inhibit the expression of specific gene,and its application in eye has little interference to other gene expression.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting VEGF on the expression of VEGF and retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model.Methods psi-HITM/enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)/VEGF siRNA was designed and prepared in vitro.Mouse endothelioma (EOMA) were cultured in DMEM without antibiotic and divided into 5 groups.The cells were incubated in DMEM only in the blank control group;while 1 μl of LipofectamineTM 2000 + psi-HITM/EGFP,1 μl LipofectamineTM 2000 + 40,50 or 60 nmol/L of psi-HITM/EGFP/VEGF siRNA was added into DMEM in the negative control group and siRNA groups,respectively.The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein was detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot.The optimal effective concentration of VEGF siRNA was assessed.OIR models were established in 48 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice by raising them at an oxygen concentration of (75±2) ％ for 5 days and then to normal air.The mice were randomized into the model group,null vector group and VEGF siRNA group.1 μl of a mixture of psi-HITM/EGFP or VEGF siRNA (60 nmol/L) and LipofectamineTM 2000 was intravitreally injected,respectively,in the null vector group and VEGF siRNA group.The normal mice were used as the normal control group.Expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in the mouse retinas was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively,and FITC-dextran stretched retinal preparation was examined to evaluate the neovascularization,and retinal sections were examined to quantify the number of vascular endothelial cell nuclei extending beyond the internal limiting membrane (ILM).Results The in vitro transfection test showed that the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in the EOMA cells was significantly different among the blank control group,negative control group and 40,50,60 nmol/L VEGF siRNA groups (F =148.890,P ＜ 0.001; F =306.960,P ＜ 0.001),and the expression of VEGF mRNA was lower in different concentrations of VEGF siRNA groups than that in the blank control group (t=73.950,119.890,156.480,all at P＜0.001).Also,the expression of VEGF protein was less in different concentrations of VEGF siRNA groups than that in the blank control group (t =15.452,23.344,42.119,all at P＜0.001).The optimal inhibitory concentration of VEGF siRNA was 60 nmol/L.In vivo study determined that compared to the model group and null vector group,the non-perfusion zones and neovascular net in the retina were decreased,and the number of vascular endothelial cell nuclei extending beyond the ILM was less in the VEGF siRNA group.The relative expression level of VEGF mRNA in the retinas was 1.23±0.18,4.02±0.16,3.98±0.19 and 1.98±0.12 in the normal control group,model group,null vector group and VEGF siRNA group,respectively,with a significant difference among them (F=369.780,P＜0.001),and the relative expression levels of VEGF mRNA in the model group and null vector group were higher than that in the normal control group (t=37.880,37.336,both P＜0.001),and the expression of VEGF mRNA in the VEGF siRNA group declined by 50.8％ (t=10.183,P＜0.001).The difference in the expression levels of VEGF protein also was assayed among the various groups (F=408.980,P＜0.001),and VEGF level in the retina was lowered by 68.0％ in the VEGF siRNA group compared to the model group (t =11.473,P＜0.001).However,VEGF level in the VEGF siRNA group remained at a high level in comparison with the normal control group (t =2.422,P＜0.001).Conclusions Intravitreal injection of VEGF siRNA can attenuate retinal neovascularization by effectively downregulate the expression VEGF mRNA and protein in the retina.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of free angle M-mode echocardiography (FAM) in obtaining tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) for assessing the fetal right ventricular function,and to compare the results of measurements of TAPSE by conventional M-mode(CM) and FAM.Methods Two hundred and forty-three normal fetuses in second and late trimester were divided into 5 groups by gestational age(GA):20-24 weeks,24+1-28 weeks,28+1-32 weeks,32+1-36 weeks,36+1-40 weeks.The TAPSE were measured by CM and FAM echocardiography,meanwhile multiple parameters for evaluating right ventricular function were obtained by using myocardial tissue Doppler imaging (TDI),and the correlation between TAPSE and other parameters were analyzed by linear correlation.ANOVA was used to compare CM-TAPSE,FAM-TAPSE,Em,Sm and right ventricular fractional shortening(RVFS)with different GA.Regression equation estimate was used to compare the relationship of FAM-TAPSE with GA.Independent sample t test was used to compare CM TAPSE with FAM TAPSE.Results There were significant differences in CM-TAPSE,FAM-TAPSE,Em,and Sm among 5 groups (P =0.000),the measured value of FAM-TAPSE was higher than that of CM TAPSE (P =0.000).Both FAM-TPASE and CM-TAPSE showed significant positive correlations with GA,Em and Sm,but FAM TAPSE demonstrated better correlation than CM-TAPSE.Conclusions By adjusting sample line of FAM,measuring the maximum displacement of tricuspid annular plane is feasible,and FAM may evaluate fetal right ventricular function more accurately and effectively.

Objective To observe insulin resistance (IR) in non-diabetic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients,and analyze its related factors.Methods The non-diabetic PD patients who had been on stable PD at least three months were eligible to enroll.The patients were measured for their height,weight,waist to hip ratio,fasting glucose,fasting insulin,lipids and other biochemical indicators,dialysis adequacy indicators in August 2012,and divided into two groups depended on median HOMA-IR in August 2012.Results A total of 56 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to median HOMA-IR,including high IR group (HOMA-IR≥ 1.79,n=29) and low IR group (HOMA-IR ＜ 1.79,n=27).Compared to low IR group,high IR group were older [(57.9±14.2) years vs (48.7±14.5) years],had higher daily dialysate glucose load [(138.7±28.5) mmol/L vs (114.0± 21.5) mmol/L],higher waist-to-hip ratio [(0.91±0.08) vs (0.86±0.07)],higher BMI [(23.0±3.0) kg/m2 vs (21.2±3.1) kg/m2],higher triglycerides [(2.51±1.36) mmol/L vs (1.42±0.48) mmol/L],lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [(1.00±0.27) mmol/L vs (1.23±0.32) mmol/L],and lower Kt/V [(1.74±0.37) vs (2.08±0.56)].Multivariate logistic regression showed that age (β=0.122,P=0.033),triglycerides (β=1.798,P=0.030) and daily dialysate glucose load (β=0.094,P=0.031) associated with the degree of insulin resistance.Conclusion More dialysate glucose exposure is a risk factor of the occurrence of insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients with peritoneal dialysis.

Objective To quantitatively study the distance between the left atrial posterior wall and the descending aorta(DLD)in the normal fetal four-chamber view using fetal echocardiography.Methods The distances between the left atrial posterior wall and the descending aorta in end-systole (DLDs) and in end-diastole(DLDd) were measured in a standard apical four-chamber view using fetal echocardiography in 300 normal fetuses.The gestation ages ranged from 20 to 40 weeks.Fetal non-cardiac biometric parameters included femoral length(FL),biparietal diameter(BPD) and gestation age (GA) based on menstrual age. The correlation between DLDs,DLDd and non-cardiac biometric parameters were analyzed.Results In normal fetuses,the DLDs was (0.32±0.08)cm with a range of 0.19 -0.48 cm,the DLDd was (0.43 ± 0.10)cm with a range of 0.25-0.62 cm.The DLDs and DLDd increased with the growth of GA,and were correlated with GA and BPD and FL significantly (r = 0.545,0.556,0.574,0.530,0.563 and 0.576, respectively,all P <0.001).The linear regression equations between DLDs,DLDd and GA,BPD,FL were:Y =0.009GA+0.041 ,Y =0.038BPD+0.028,Y =0.044 FL+0.073,Y =0.01 1 GA+0.083,Y =0.048 BPD+0.063,Y = 0.054 FL + 0.124,respectively.Conclusions In normal fetuses,the DLDs and DLDd increase with the growth of GA,and have good correlation with GA,BPD,and FL respectively.Normal reference ranges of DLDs and DLDd have been provided.These normative data may be a new tool for assessment of fetal heart,especially has potential applications in screening of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection(TPVAC),absent pulmonary valve syndrome(APVS)or other complex congenital heart defects.