Objective To explore the effect of boiled fenugreek seeds on renal matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) activity in diabetic rats.Methods The model of diabetes was built with STZ in rats.The model rats were randomly divided into diabetes control groups (DM ) (n=10) and fenugreek seeds groups(FN) (n=10,and while normal control group (N) (n=10)rats was used.Diabetic rats were treated with fenugreek seeds for 12 weeks,the renal morphology and MMP-2 activity were observed in three groups .Results After diabetic rats were treated with fenugreek seeds for 12 weeks,optical microscopic examination indicated that the glomerular structure in N group was normal,the glomerular lesions in rats of DM groups were seriously and the pathologic changes of glomerular in rats of FN groups were alleviated significantly.Immunohistochemical results showed that the Col Ⅳ expression in glomerular ECM was increased in DM group compared with N group,and was decreased in FN group.The activity of MMP-2 was increased in FN group (1.41?0.18) compared with DM group (1.05?0.19) (P

Objective To study the effect of lipoic acid on apoptosis of neurons during experimental neuronal aging. Methods The mouse neuroblastoma cells with serum-free culture were served as experimental neuronal aging models.The cells were randomly divided into control group(serum-free culture)and experimental group(100?mol/L lipoic acid in serum-free culture).After cultivating for 5,10 and 15 d,the cell survival rates were detected by MTT method,and the cell apoptosis rates were quantitatively determined using FACS with Annexin V/PI double staining.Results Compared with those in control group,the cell survival rates in experimental group significantly increased[(212.48?12.26)%vs(100.00?14.80)%,(200.55?28.33)%vs(75.45?10.79)%and(96.81?14.50)%vs(28.54?3.14)%,respectively for 5, 10 and 15 d after cultivation](P

BackgroundRetinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells can secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor(PDGFR).Studies have shown that PDGF plays a key role in the formation of proliferative vitreous retinopathy(PVR). ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis changes of RPE after blockage of the PDGFR-α expression by antisense oligonucleotide ( ASODN ) in vitro. Methods Human RPE cells strain was cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum.Logarithmic phase cells were collected and incubated in 96-well plate at the density of 5 × 105 cells/hole.PDGFR-α ASODN was transfected into RPE cells at different concentrations for 48 hours.The cells of the blank control group were regularly cultured without any transfection.The changes of PDGFR-α expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and the proliferation of RPE was detected by MTT as the A490 value.Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining was used to determine the apoptosis of RPE.Flow cytometry method (FCM) was applied to detect the change of cell cycle and apoptosis rate of RPE cells. ResultsThe A490 values of RPE cells were 1.45±0.12,1.07±0.06,0.65±0.05 in blank control group,1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group with the significant difference(P=0.00 ),and that of 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μ mol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly lower than the blank control group ( P =0.00,0.00).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the apoptosis cells were obviously more in Lipo-ASODN group compared with blank control group.PDGFR-α ASODN transfection induced an increase of percentage of RPE cells in G0/G1 phase( F =206.70,P =0.00),and the apoptosis rates in 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly enhanced in comparison with blank control group ( 37.8 ± 1.3 vs 10.5 ± 0.1,61.2 ± 1.9 vs 10.5 ± 0.1 ) ( F =1808.90,P =0.00 ).Expression intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA in RPE cells in Lipo-ASODN groups was lower. ConclusionsBlocking the PDGFR-α expression with ASODN technology can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of RPE cells.Intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA expression in RPE cells is ASODN dose-dependent.ASODN targeted to PDGFR-α offers an experimental basis of the gene therapy for PVR.

Objective To describe clinical characteristics and anti-infective treatment of Listeria monocytogenes(L.monocytogenes)meningitis.Methods Clinical manifestations and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)examination results of 6 patients with L.monocytogenes meningitis in a hospital were analyzed retrospectively.Evaluation methods were developed according to relevant guidelines and literatures,anti-infective treatment and prognosis of patients with L.monocytogenes meningitis were evaluated.Results Two of 4 adults with L.monocytogenes meningitis had triad of fever,stiff neck,and altered mental status,the mean white blood cell count(WBC)of the initial CSF detection was 997×106/L,CSF/blood glucose ratio was 0.32,CSF protein was 1.43g/L;the other 2 neonates had fever,epilepsy,and hyponatremia,WBC were both>1 000×106/L,CSF protein were both>1 g/L,CSF/blood glucose ratio was<0.5.Of 6 patients,none were treated with appropriate initial empiric anti-infection therapy,confirmed by CSF or blood culture,5 cases were treated with ampicillin anti-infective therapy,1 used compound sulfamethoxazole due to penicillin allergy;1 neonate died,1 elderly patient was with moderate disability,the remaining 4 cases were all recovered and discharged from hospital.Conclusion Clinical manifestations and CSF findings of L.monocytogenes meningitis are not different from other purulent meningitis,commonly used antimicrobial agents for the treatment of purulent meningitis are not sensitive to L.monocytogenes,which should be paid attention in clinic.

Objective To investigate the effects of remote limb ischemic preconditioning (RLIP) on the lung injury in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.Methods Sixty-two ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged 54-72 yr,with body mass index 21-36 kg/m2,undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair,were randomly divided to 2 groups ( n =31 each):control group (group C) and RLIP group.RLIP consisted of two 5-min cycles of left upper limb ischemia induced by a blood pressure cuff placed on the left upper arm and inflated to 200 mm Hg,with an intervening 5 min of reperfusion,during which time the cuff was deflated.RLIP was performed after anesthesia induction and before the start of surgery.Arterial and venous blood samples were taken at 10 min after intubation (T0),and 30 min and 4,8,12 and 24 h after aortic unclamping (T1-5) for blood gas analysis and determination of the concentrations of serum interleukin (IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α,and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.The alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (PA-aO2 ) and respiratory index (RI) were calculated.The peak airway pressure (Ppeak),plat airway pressure (Pplat) and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) were recorded at the same time points mentioned above to calculate dynamic lung compliance (Cd) and static lung compliance (Cs).The incidence of hypoxemia,extubation time and duration of stay in intensive care unit (IGU) were also recorded.Results Compared with group C,PA-aO2,RI and the concentration of IL-6 were significantly decreased at T3-5,Cs,Cd and SOD activity were significantly increased at T2-5,and the concentrations of TNF-α and MDA were significantly decreased at T2-5 in group RLIP ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group C,the incidence of hypoxemia was significantly decreased,and extubation time and duration of stay in ICU were significantly shortened in group RLIP ( P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion RLIP can reduce the lung injury through inhibition of the inflammatory response and lipid peroxidation in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective To investigate the role of methylation of genomic DNA and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene promoter in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods According to the WHO 1999 guideline for diabetes mellitus diagnosis and classification standard,90 patients diagnosed as diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.All the participants were divided into diabetes mellitus without DN (DM) group (n=48),DN group (n=42) and healthy control group (n=30) accordingly.DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the overall methylation level of genomic DNA.The methylation status of CTGF gene promoter was determined by PCR and sequencing analysis.Serum CTGF protein level was measured by ELISA.Results The overall methylation level of genomic DNA was 5.23％±0.09％ for DN group,4.71％ ±0.03％ for DM group,and 4.37％±0.01％ for healthy control group,with no significant differences among three groups (all P＞0.05).The CTGF promoter methylation level in DN group (22.02％± 12.90％) was significantly decreased,compared to DM group (49.18％±8.01％,P=0.019) or healthy control group (72.18％±19.30％,P=0.000).Moreover,the serum CTGF protein level in DN group [(193.44±11.90) mg/L] was significantly increased,compared to DM group [(127.65±10.30) mg/L,P=0.031] and healthy control group [(95.84±5.10) mg/L,P=0.001]. Conclusion In DN patients,CTGF gene promoter methylation level is significantly decreased,but CTGF protein level is higher as compared to non-DN patients,which indicates that CTGF gene promoter demethylation may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical evaluation system reflecting the superiority and characteristics of comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for acute stroke. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with single blind in various therapeutic centers was applied on the patients with the acute stage of hemorrhagic stroke due to hypertension, who were allocated to the trial group and the control group. The trial group accepted the general Western medicine therapy and differential treatment of traditional Chinese medicine based on stage classification. Patients in the control group were treated with the general Western medicine and the placebo of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The treatment effect was assessed at the 7th day, 14th day, 21st day, and 28th day of post-treatment and after 3-month follow-up. The clinical evaluation system included the syndromes of TCM (ZH), Glasgow coma standard (GCS), nerve functional failure (NF), activity of daily living (ADL), Barther index (BI), quality of life index (QLI) and functional activities questionnaire (FAQ). RESULTS: Four hundred and four patients with acute stroke were included. There were 178 cases with yang-syndrome and 21 cases with yin-syndrome in the trial group (n=199), and there were 165 cases with yang-syndrome and 40 cases with yin-syndrome in the control group (n=205). The rates of recovery and obvious improvement after 3-month treatment in the trial group and the control group were 86.5% and 73.6% respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). The response sensitivity of the effect items indicated that the sensitivity of GCS began to increase from the 7th day and was high at the 14th day and the 21st day for all patients. The response sensitivity of the NF scale was high for all patients at the 14th day, the 21st day and the 28th day. The BI scale and the QLI scale were sensitive to the patients with light and middle stage of stroke at the 21st day, and were sensitive to the patients with light stage of stroke after 3-month follow-up. The FAQ scale was sensitive to the light stroke at the 21st day and after 3-month follow-up. The ADL scale was sensitive to all patients at the 28th day and the patients with light stage of stroke after 3-month follow-up. The ZH scale was sensitive to all patients from 0 to 7d, the 14th day, and the 28th day. The principle components analysis indicated these 7 items could reflect the condition of stroke from 0-7d, the 21st day and after 3-month follow-up, and could be used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of hemorrhagic stroke. ZH scale and FAQ scale were more sensitive than other effect items at the 28th day. CONCLUSION: The seven items (GCSbNFbBIbQLIbFAQbADLbZH) have high sensibility to all patients in the acute stage of hemorrhage stroke especially at the 21st day. The ZH score will change in accord with the condition of stroke, and is appropriate to reflect the condition of stroke. It is believed that the seven items can form the system of effect evaluation in different stages of stroke, and the ZH scale is a very important item.

Bacteria are regarded as the main hazard in food industry, and b acteria can be affected by a static magnetic field (SMF) with high intensity. S o the SMF would be useful for controlling the bacteria’s hazard to food. The e ffect of magnetic induction, treatment time on bacteria, and the survival probab ility of bacteria under SMF were studied for investigating their action regulari ty, and the DNA fingerprint of strains after magnetic treatment was compared wit h that of control. The research results would lay the basis of SMF application in food industry on theory and practice.

Objective To study the effects of a rotating magnetic field(RMF)on Li pilocarpine-in- duced seizure activity and the expression of mGluR1 and mGluR5 in the hippocampus.Methods Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups.Each rat in the model(M),short treatment(ST)and long treatment(LT)groups was treated with intra-peritoneal injections of lithium chloride(60 mg/kg),followed by an intra-peritoneal injec- tion of pilocarpine(35 mg/kg)24 h later.The rats in the ST group were exposed to 20 mT RMF for 20 min ev- ery day for 3 d before seizure induction,while the rats in LT group were exposed to the same RMF for 8 d.The latency,severity and duration of seizure,as well as accompanying symptoms and electroencephalogram data, were recorded,and the expression of mGluR1 and mGluR5 was calculated using an electrophoretic imaging anal- ysis system.Results The duration,times and accompanying symptoms of seizure were significantly decreased in the LT group.The mGluR1 mRNA level and mGluR1/mGluR5 ratio in the M group were markedly increased, but the mGluR5 mRNA level was obviously decreased,while the expression of mGluR1 in the ST and LT groups was decreased,and mGluR5 was increased.Conclusions Seizure activity in rats can be inhibited by 20 mT RMF,and the expression of mGluRl and mGluR5 in the hippocampus of rats suffering seizures can be markedly influenced by longer-term RMF.

Acute coronary artery syndrome (ACS) was confirmed by coronary arteriography in 398 patients,and 378 healthy persons served as the control group.Serum uric acid in ACS and control group showed normal distribution,and serum uric acid level in ACS group (322?107 )?mol/L was significantly higher than those in control group (302?77)?mol/L (P＜0.01 ).The prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) was 27.0% in male patients and 25.2% in female.Systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,fasting plasma glucose,total cholesterol,triglycerides,creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in ACS group were higher than those in control group (all P＜0.01 ).Muhivariable analyses adjusted for age and sex indicated that raised fasting plasma glucose,total cholesterol,uric acid and mean arterial pressure were risk factors for coronary artery stenosis in ACS,and HUA played a role in the pathogenesis of ACS.