ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the serum of traditional Chinese medicine Nao Yi An on glutamate induced cell death in cultured hippocampal neurons of rat and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsHippocampal neurons were cultured. The excitatory amino acid induced toxicity on cultured neurons was investigated. The viability of injured neurons was determined with the measurement of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by immunoprecipitation /kinase assays /western blot detection.ResultsThe serum of Nao Yi-An raised cell viability. The serum of Nao Yi-An upregulated the expression of extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK) and downregulated the expression of c-Jun N terminal kinase/stress activited protein kinase(JNK) in cultured neurons. The serum of Nao Yi-An induced upregulation of ERK and its anti death action were prevented with the specific ERKs inhibitor PD98059. Conclusions Activation of ERK signaling together with inhibition of JNK signaling by Chinese medicine Nao Yi-An appears to be an important mechanism for its survival effects on cultured hippocampal neurons.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of heart rate turbulence (HRT) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods From October 2006 to May 2009, a total of 96 elderly CHF inpatients were selected, and the clinic data were recorded. Based on the echocardiogram and dynamic electrocardiogram, the differences of sinus HRT index of patients with different cardiac function classification were analyzed. During 9-28 months medical follow-up, the treatment endpoint was death from heart disease. Based on Logisitc regression, the prognostic values of HRT, age, hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction (MI), left ventricular ejection fraction, ACEI and β- adrenergic blocker for death of CHF patients were analyzed.Results There was no significant difference in HRT between grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ cardiac function (χ~2 = 1.60, P>0. 05), and between grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳ cardiac function (χ~2 = 1.43, P>0. 05). But there was significant difference in HRT between grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅳ cardiac function patients χ~2 =9.84, P<0. 05), and HRT was weaken in grade Ⅳ group. The average follow-up time was (18. 0±9.6) months. Of all 96 patients, there were 34 dead of heart disease. There were correlations of death of CHF with HRT, low LVEF (≤ 45%), age (≥65 years), diabetes, MI and classification of heart function. Conclusions The sinus HRT in CHF patients has a favorable prognostic value.

Objective To study on the relationship between the levels of homocysteine(HCY) ,folic acid and vitamin B12 and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) in different pregnancies .Methods 539 pregnant women who registered for prenatal exami-nation of pregnant in the hospital were selected as research subjects .And there were 87 cases of PIH(PIH group) and 452 cases of normal pregnancy(normal pregnancy group) among them .The fasting blood samples were collected respectively in early pregnancy (8-10 weeks and 12-14 weeks of pregnancy) ,mid pregnancy(18 pregnancy weeks and 24 pregnancy weeks) ,and late pregnancy (30 pregnancy weeks and 36 pregnancy weeks) ,and the levels of HCY ,folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured .At the same time ,the supplements of folic acid and vitamin B12 and the incidence of PIH and birth defects were asked ,registered and checked . Results Compared with normal pregnancy group ,the serum HCY level of PIH group significantly increased in medium and late pregnancy periods (P<0 .05) ,and had no statistical significance in early pregnancy(P>0 .05) .In mid and late pregnancy periods , the serum HCY levels of PIH group and normal pregnant group negatively correlated with serum folic acid levels (r<0 ,P<0 .05) , and did not correlate with vitamin B12 levels (P>0 .05) .Conclusion In middle and late pregnancy periods ,if the serum HCY level of pregnant women increased ,the risk of PIH increased significantly .

This study is to investigate the effect of downregulation histone deacetylases 1 (HDAC1) gene by the technology of RNA interference on the differentiation of HL-60 cells line. The optimal segment targeting HDAC1 gene was designed and transfected into HL-60 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. The HDAC1 mRNA and protein level were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The morphologic change of HL-60 cells was detected by an optical microscope with Wright-Giemsa. Cell differentiation was tested by NBT reduction assay. Expression of CD13, CD33 and CD14 was measured by flow cytometry. The results indicated that HDAC1 mRNA and protein were markedly suppressed by the siRNA targeting HDAC1 in a concentration-dependent manner. HDAC1 siRNA promoted cell differentiation. HL-60 cells became more mature in morphology after transfected to HDAC1 siRNA at a concentration of 30-60 nmol x L(-1) for 24 h. NBT reduction ability of HDAC1 siRNA with 30 nmol x L(-1) was 0.31 +/- 0.09, compared with negative control (0.20 +/- 0.02) (t = -3.1, P < 0.01), and with 60 nmol x L(-1) was 0.25 +/- 0.02 in comparison with negative control (0.21 +/- 0.04) (t = -2.12, P < 0.05). But it has no change in HDAC1 siRNA > or = 120 nmol x L(-1). After transfection with 60 nmol x L(-1) HDAC1 siRNA to HL-60 cells, the expression of CD13 was (96.50 +/- 0.70)% in compared to siRNA-NC (3.39 +/- 0.68) % (t = 164.9, P < 0.000 5), CD33 was (66.73 +/- 0.50) % in compared to siRNA-NC (96.80 +/- 1.70) % (t = 43.4, P < 0.000 5). CD14 was (0.53 +/- 0.00) % by comparison with siRNA-NC (0.49 +/- 0.02) % (t = -0.97, P > 0.1). HDAC1 siRNA promoted cell differentiation in indicated concentration. HDAC1 might be one of the targets of gene therapy for leukemia.
CD13 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Down-Regulation ; HL-60 Cells ; Histone Deacetylase 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3 ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVE: Explore the model of universal NICU newborns' hearing screening in high-risk neonates, preliminary understanding factor of hearing damage. METHOD: Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and automatic auditory brainstem response (AABR) were used to detect newborns' hearing in 13 315 objects, that is newborns' hearing screening in NICU with TEOAE test who not pass, 42 days after will use AABR rescreening. Children's Hearing Center of Guangxi Child Health Hospital will diagnose the newborns that did not pass in 3 months. RESULT: In these 13 315 newborns, 5 151 subjects who did not pass the initial screening, 1910 subjects who also did not pass after 42 days, 1167 subjects cannot pass the rescreening after 3 months, 642 subjects were diagnosed congenital hearing impairment by Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential Test, the rate is 4.82%. CONCLUSION TEOAE and AABR are the suitable model of universal newborns' hearing screening in high-risk neonates.
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Male ; Neonatal Screening

Objective: In this research, the influence of breviscapine on anxiety, fear elimination, and aggression and the potential mechanism was investigated. Methods: Anxiety and locomotion were analyzed by elevated plus maze and open field test in mice. Bussey-Saksida Mouse Touch Screen Chambers were used to perform fear conditioning. Territorial aggression was assessed by resident intruder test. Protein levels were evaluated by Western blot. Breviscapine improved fear-extinction learning in BALB/cJ mice. Results: Breviscapine at 20–100 mg/kg increased center cross number, total distance traveled, and velocity in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, breviscapine at 20–100 mg/kg decreased the immobility time in open field test. In addition, breviscapine at 20–100 mg/kg increased the ratio of time on the open arm, time on the distal parts of the open arm, and total distance traveled in elevated plus maze. Breviscapine at 100 mg/kg increased the average attack latency and decreased the number of attacks over the last 3 days of resident intruder test. In hippocampus, protein levels of postsynaptic density protein-95 and synaptophysin were elevated by breviscapine at these three doses. Conclusion The administration of breviscapine alleviates fear extinction, anxiety, and aggression, while increases locomotor in a dose-dependent manner, which might be associated with its influence on synaptic function.

OBJECTIVETo Evaluate four kits for screening HIV antibody by comparing and analyzing the HIV antibody screening positive results and Western Blot (WB) test results.

METHODSFrom January 2004 to June 2009, three ELISA kits (Zhongshan, Biomérieux and Livzon) were used for initial screening HIV antibody. The reactive positive samples were reexamed by initial ELISA kit and a rapid kit (Abbot Determine HIV-1/2). All repeatedly reactive positive screening results were followed by WB test.

RESULTSA total of 193 (0.094%) WB confirmed positive results were obtained from 206 151 specimens. The sensitivities and predictive values of negative test result (PVN) of three ELISA kits were all 100% and those of Abbot Determine HIV-1/2 were 93.93%, and 91.67% respectively. All false negative results from Abbot were WB indeterminate. The specificities of Zhongshan, Biomérieux, Livzon and Abbot were 99.88%, 99.89%, 99.96% and 89.38%; the study predictive values of a positive test result (PVP) were 35.58%, 46.46%, 76.61% and 92.20%; the efficiencies were 99.88%, 99.89%, 99.96% and 91.98%; the areas under ROC curve of the three ELISA kits were 0.93, 0.99, and 0.95 respectively. PVP of Livzon was obviously higher than those of Zhongshan (chi(2) = 45.804, P = 0.000), Biomérieux (chi(2) = 25.231, P = 0.000) and Biomérieux was higher than Zhongshan (chi(2) = 2.488, P = 0.115). PVP of Abbot was highest (chi(2) = 18.633, P = 0.000, vs Livzon). There were some specimens with S/CO (optical density of sample/cut off) ratio < 6 or > or = 6 in all three groups with positive, indeterminate and negative WB results. The S/CO ratio from Zhongshan in confirmed positive group (14.29 + or - 2.63) was higher than in positive-negative group (2.80 + or - 3.25) (t = 17.652, P = 0.000). The S/CO ratio from Biomérieux in confirmed positive group(16.09 + or - 2.35) was higher than in positive-negative group (2.14 + or - 1.91) (t = 31.622, P = 0.000). The S/CO ratio from Livzon in confirmed positive group (11.54 + or - 1.95) was higher than in positive-indeterminate group (5.54 + or - 3.57) (t = 6.386, P = 0.000), positive-negative group (3.25 + or - 2.41) (t = 21.772, P = 0.000) and positive-indeterminate group was higher than positive-negative group (t = 2.301, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONThe performances of four HIV antibody screening kits are good but estimating WB confirming result in line with S/CO ratio is not available. All repeated screening positive results should be followed by confirmatory tests.

AIDS Serodiagnosis ; methods ; Blotting, Western ; methods ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; HIV Seropositivity ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Mass Screening ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare benign tumor that is usually located in the superficial cerebral hemisphere. Most reports of PXAs have included only a single case or small series. Therefore, the data with respect to the natural history of this tumor are fragmentary. We report a case of a PXA in the unusual location of the right lateral ventricle with extensive subarachnoid dissemination. To our knowledge, this is a rare case of PXA in the lateral ventricle. In addition, extensive subarachnoid space dissemination of this distinctly benign type of glioma is exceedingly rare. In our case, there was meningeal dissemination and metastases to the bilateral trigeminal nerves and oculomotor nerves. The neuroradiographic features, tumor location, and dissemination were reviewed.
Adult ; Astrocytoma ; diagnosis ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of both fermented Cordyceps powder (CS) and prednisone on the Notch2/hes-1 signaling activation in the kidney tubules of rats with acute aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAAN).

METHODSTotally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the CS group, the prednisone group, and the CS plus prednisone group, 10 in each group. The AAAN rat model was induced by intragastric administration of pure aristolochic acid A at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for 3 days. Rats in the CS group were administered with CS at the daily dose of 5.0 g/kg by gastrogavage, while those in the prednisone group were administered with prednisone at the daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Rats in the CS plus prednisone group were treated by CS and prednisone. All treatment lasted for 3 successive weeks. Kidney functions [urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr)] were detected. The pathological changes of kidneys were observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The apoptosis of the renal tubular epithelial cells was detected by TUNEL. The protein expressions of Notch2 and Hes-1 in the renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot.

RESULTSResults of HE staining showed the structure in the nephridial tissue was regular in rats of the normal group. The renal tubular necrosis occurred in the rats of the model group. The pathological changes of kidneys were obviously improved in the CS group, the prednisone group, and the CS plus prednisone group. Compared with the normal group, levels of BUN and SCr, semi-quantitative score of the tubular interstitial tissue, ratio of apoptotic cells, and expressions of Notch2 and Hes-1 proteins significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the aforesaid indices significantly decreased in the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.01). All indices decreased most obviously in the CS plus prednisone group (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONSNotch2/hes-1 signaling activation might be associated with apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Both CS and prednisone could play a nephroprotective role for AAAN. But CS plus prednisone could achieve the best effect. Inhabiting the Notch2/hes-1 signaling activation could be its nephroprotective mechanism.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Aristolochic Acids ; toxicity ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Cordyceps ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Tubules ; metabolism ; Male ; Prednisone ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Notch2 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor HES-1

AIMTo study the effect of chimonin on chronic hypoxia and hypercapnic pulmonary hypertension and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (A), hypoxic hypercapnic group(B), hypoxic hypercapnia + chimonin group (C). HO-1 and HO-1 mRNA was observed in pulmonary arterioles of rats by the technique of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTS(1) mPAP was significantly higher in rats of B group than that of A and C group. Differences of mCAP were not significant in three groups. (2) Blood CO concentration was significantly higher in rats of B group than that of A group, it was significantly higher in rats of C group than that of B group. (3) Light microscopy showed that WA/TA (vessel wall area/total area), SMC (the density of medial smooth muscle cell) and PAMT (the thickness of medial smooth cell layer) were significantly higher in rats of B group than those of A and C group. (4) Electron microscopy showed proliferation of medial smooth muscle cells and collagenous fibers of pulmonary arterioles in rats of B group, and chimonin could reverse the changes mentioned above. (5) HO-1 and HO-1 mRNA in pulmonary arterioles was significantly higher in rats of B group than that of A group, they were significantly higher in rats of C group than that of B group.

CONCLUSIONChimonin can inhibit hypoxic hypercapnia pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vessel remodeling by further increasing the expression of HO-1 mRNA.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Hypercapnia ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley