Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the risk factors for the two different atherosclerosis processes, namely the early atherosclerosis and advanced atherosclerosis. Methods: Using magnetic resonance angiography and high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography, 92 patients with advanced atherosclerosis (atherosclerotic cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack) and 120 patients with early atherosclerosis (no cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and carotid stenosis <40% on B-mode ultrasonography) were included. The difference and similarity of the risk factors for early atherosclerosis and advanced atherosclerosis were compared respectively using the binary logistic regression. Results: In the binary logistic model of carotid plaque formation, the traditional risk factors, such as age (years) (OR, 1.101, 95% CI: 1.046-1.159, P < 0.001), high TC (OR, 2.236, 95% CI: 0.821-6.089, P = 0.0115), hypertension (OR, 2.623, 95% CI: 0.989-6.957, P = 0.053), and smoking (%) (OR, 7.975, 95% CI: 2.274-27.9651, P =0.001) were the statistically significant independent variables. In the binary logistic model of advanced atherosclerosis, male (OR, 2.064, 95% CI: 1.137-0.748, P = 0.017), high Lp (a) (OR, 2.818, 95% CI: 1.499-5.298, P=0.001), low HDL (OR, 2.451, 95%CI: 1.234-4.868, P=0.010), and diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.414, 95% CI: 1.232-4.731, P=0.010) were the statistically significant independent variables. Conclusion: The risk factors for advanced atherosclerosis and early atherosclerosis are different, diabetes mellitus and lipoprotein (a) may play an important role in the advanced atherosclerosis.

Objective: To isolate and identify the chemical constituents of the EtOAc fraction of Tithonia diversifolia. Methods: The dried aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia were extracted with 80% EtOH,and the chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate portion from the extract were isolated by column chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and MCI. The isolated compounds were identified by NMR and MS analysis. Results: Ten compounds were isolated from EtOAc extract, and identified as, vanillin (1), ergosterol (2), ergosterol peroxide (3), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamaldehyde (4), 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde (5), 7-methylesculetin (6) , 5-hydyoxymethyl furfural (7), nepetin (8) , docosanoic acid 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl ester(9) and 13-hydroxyeupatorochromene(10). Conclusion: Vanillin, ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy- trans-cinnamaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 7-methylesculetin, 5-hydyoxymethyl furfural, docosanoic acid 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl ester, and 13- hydroxyeupatorochromene have been isolated from Tithonia diversifolia for the first time.

The xylanase gene of Bacillus subtilis B10 which had an excellent capacity for degumming ramie fibres was cloned by PCR amplification. The xylanase gene was cloned into vector pBluescript II KS+ and the CaMV 35S promoter was inserted in front of the gene, and the expression vector pKS-35SXYHyg was constructed successfully after the Hyg~(r) gene was inserted into the multi-cloning sites of pBluescript II KS+. The expression vector was linearized and transformed protoplasts of Aspergillus niger strain An1. Hygromycin-resistant transformants were generated and the integration of xylanase gene was confirmed by genomic Southern blotting analysis. Compared with An1, the xylanase activity of the transformant AT1 was increased more than trebled, and the residual gum content was decreased by 55.18% after the ramie was treated by culture supernatants from AT1.

Evaluating lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer preoperatively can help surgeons to choose the optimal extent of surgical lymph node resection. The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography for lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer is about 70% , which is less accurate than endoscopic ultrasonography,and more accurate than magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography. Many molecular markers can predict the lymph node metastasis. The prognostic role of gene expression profiles is better than that of a marker. Sentinel lymph node and mathematical methods (Maruyama software, artificial neural network) may be useful in predicting the lymph node metastasis. Laparoscopy and quantum dots technique are potential methods in predicting lymph node metastasis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect and mechanism of total flavones of Bidens pilosa L. (TFB) on IgA1 induced injury of venous endothelial cells in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) children patients. METHODS Human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) were taken as subject. They were intervened by normal IgA1 and HSP children patients' serum IgA1, and added with different concentrations TFB at the same time. Then they were divided into the blank control group, the normal control group, the HSP IgA1 group, and HSP IgA1 plus TFB (1.0, 0.5, 0.25 mg/mL) groups. Levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in supernate were detected by ELISA. The NO level was detected by nitrate reductase method. mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in HUVECs were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group and the blank control group, levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO all significantly increased in the HSP group (P < 0.05). Compared with the HSP group, levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO significantly decreased after intervention of TFB (1.0 and 0.5 mg/mL; P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Results of fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot showed, as compared with the blank control group and the normal control group, mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in HSP children patients' serum IgA1 induced venous endothelial cells significantly increased with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the HSP group, mRNA and protein expressions of NF-KB and ICAM-1 were obviously down-regulated after intervention of TFB (1.0, 0.5, 0.25 mg/mL), with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTFB could protect vascular damage by inhibiting in vivo high expression of NF-κB, reducing the production of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO in vascular endothelial cells of HSP children patients.

Bidens ; chemistry ; Child ; Flavones ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of rehabilitation training on heart rate of stroke patients in the early stage.MethodsThe heart rate (HR) of 30 patients within one week after the onset of stroke was evaluated by FUKUDA DS 880A teleelectrocardiograph and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected during practicing bridging, rolling and moving the arms.ResultsThe HR of 30 patients was only increased 7.57, 6.23 and 6.57 beats per minute during practicing bridging, rolling and moving the arms. RPE of all patients was less than 11.ConclusionAppropriate rehabilitation training is safety and unable to increase the loading of heart in the early stage after the onset of stroke.

Action Potentials ; Animals ; Female ; Male ; Nifedipine ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Ureter ; drug effects ; physiology ; Urination ; drug effects ; Vitamin K 3 ; pharmacology

Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells

Objective To determine the relationship between zinc and nutritional status or immunity in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Methods Forty-five stable CAPD patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were enrolled in this study. The dietary zinc intake and serum zinc levels were investigated, and the results were compared with the gender- and age-matched healthy populations (n = 45). The relationship between dietary zinc intake and serum zinc levels and subjective global assessment (SGA) score, blood cell counts, serum albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA), C-reactive protein (CRP),and lymphocyte subsets were analyzed. Results The percentages of inadequate dietary zinc intake (P= 0. 007)and low blood zinc (P = 0. 036) were significantly higher in CAPD patients than in healthy group. CD8 levels were significantly lower (P = 0. 000) while CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher (P = 0. 033) in CAPD patients than in healthy group. In CAPD patients, correlation analysis showed that dietary zinc intake was significantly correlated with serum prealbumin levels (r = 0. 577, P = 0. 000), but was negatively correlated with SGA score (r = - 0.354,P = 0. 015) and CRP (r = - 0.354, P = 0. 015); however, it was not significantly correlated with lymphocyte subsets and CD4/CD8 ratio. Serum zinc level was significantly positively correlated with hemoglobin (r= 0. 411, P=0.005), hematocrit (r=0.345, P=0.023), WBC (r=0.318, P=0.035), SGA score (r=0.417, P=0. 005), and CRP (r=0.342, P = 0. 027), but was not significantly correlated with lymphocyte subsets and CD4/CD8 ratio. Conclusions Zinc deficiency is common among patients with CAPD. Adequate dietary zinc intake can facilitate protein synthesis and improve the overall nutritional status. High serum zinc concentrations are beneficial for the synthesis of hemoglobin and the improvement of anemia.