Aim To study effects of pioglitazone on cardiac fibroblast proliferation induced with high glucose and high insulin.Methods The neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and treated with different factors.The cellular number was determined by crystal violet uptake;the DNA synthesis was assayed with thymidine intake method;the percentage of S+G_2+M in the cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry.Results Pioglitazone inhibited the cell number、DNA synthesis and the percentage of S+G_2+M in the cell cycle of cultured cardiac fibroblasts induced with high glucose and high insulin.Conclusion Pioglitazone inhibits cardiac fibroblast proliferation induced with high glucose and high insulin and the effective mechanism of pioglitazone on cardiac fibroblast proliferation needs further study.

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the differences of membrane thickness and pressure on the paranasal sinus membrane in goats and analyze their causes. The results can provide theoretical basis and guidance for the issues of the maxillary sinus floor augmentation related to the membrane.

METHODSThe membrane was cut into two sizes from every sinus membrane. The membrane was fixed in formalin to obtain tissue specimens for the membrane thickness study and pressure study. The correlation between the two parameters was then analyzed, and appropriate statistical methods and software were selected.

RESULTSThe top of maxillary sinus, the bottom of maxillary sinus and the frontal sinus membrane thickness were (410.03 ± 65.97), (461.33 ± 91.37), (216.90 ± 46.47) µm. The pressure were (260.08 ± 80.12), (306.90 ± 94.37), (121.72 ± 31.72) kPa. The mean differences of the membrane thickness between the top of the maxillary sinus and the frontal sinus, bottom and frontal, and top and bottom were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean differences in membrane pressure were also statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe membrane thickness and pressure of the top and bottom of the maxillary sinus are higher than those of the frontal sinus membrane. However, the thickness and pressure of the bottom membrane are slightly higher than those of the top membrane. Pressure and membrane thickness are positively correlated in the sinus membrane.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT)in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in patients with gastric remnant.Methods A total of 94 gastric remnant patients (gastric remnant group) and 100 non-gastric remnant patients (control group) received 13C-UBT.According to the course of the disease,the gastric remnant group were divided into group 1 (29 cases,≤5 years),group 2 (33 cases,6 to 10 years) and group 3 (32cases,＞10 years).Before surgery,the diagnosis of Hp infection was according to 13C-UBT and gastric mucosa tissue staining.After surgery,the diagnosis was according to gastric mucosa tissue staining.The applying value of 13C-UBT in gastric remnant patients was evaluated.The consistency of results between 13C-UBT and gastric mucosa tissue staining were evaluated by the Kappa test.Results In gastric remnant group,the Hp infection rate after surgery (37.2％) was obviously lower than that before operation (79.8％;x2 =35.058,P＜0.01) and that of control group (77.0％).After surgery,the Hp infection rate of patients with Billroth Ⅱ gastrectomy (24.4％) was lower than that of patients with Billroth Ⅰ gastrectomy (47.2％ ; x2 =5.133,P=0.023).Before surgery,the Hp infection rate of gastric remnant subgroups were similar (P＞0.05).With the extension of the postoperative course,the Hp infection rate gradually decreased in gastric remnant subgroups (group 1:58.6％,group 2:36.4％,group 3:18.8％; x2=7.839,P=0.021).Setting the cut-off point at 2.0‰ in the gastric remnant group and 3.5‰ in the control group,the accuracy rate of diagnosis was the highest (92.6％ and 96.0％).There was good consistency between the results of 13C-UBT and gastric mucosa tissue staining (Kappa =0.84,P＜0.01).Conclusion With suitable operation and standard,13C-UBT may be a easy,safe and effective assay applied in the gastric remnant patients.

Neuronal histamine is crucially involved in a number of physiological functions as well as in neuropsychiatric diseases. Determination of histamine in biological samples is thus of importance in the clinical studies. The aim of this review is to summarize the progress or effort made in this field, with focus on the high-performance liquid chromatography.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Histamine ; analysis ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Humans

In this study, we evaluated the difference ot biological characteristics in the MERS-CoV infected mice model in prior to transduction with different dosage of human DPP4. Firstly, we transduced different dosage of DPP4 (high or low) into mice, and then challenged them with MERS-CoV in order to establish the model. After establishment of mice model, we observed the clinical signs of disease, virus replication, immunopathogenesis and antibody response. The results indicated that the infected mice showed typical pneumonia, virus replication, histological lesions, and neutralizing antibody production. Moreover, the high dosage group was superior to the low dosage group. Fourteen days after infection, the specific antibody to virus structural protein and neutralizing antibody were analyzed, the high dosage group induced higher level antibody. In summary, the MERS-CoV infected mice model were established prior transduction with DPP4, and the level of DPP4 influenced the clinical signs of disease, virus replication and antibody response in this model.
Animals ; Coronavirus Infections ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; genetics ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the effects of rebuilding stove and health education on preventing coal-burning fluorosis and arsenic poisoning in Shaanxi in 2005.Methods According to "Scheme of Impmving Stove in Preventing Coal-burning Fluorosis and Arsenic Poisoning of Shaanxi in 2005",the initial meeting was convened,while liability contracts were signed,leading and technical guiding groups were established,professional training was carried out.On the basis of the epidemiologic data,stoves were improved in 7 chosen counties in Ankang and Hanzhong City where the health education in several modalities was carried out.The project was checked and accepted when the work was completed.Thirty children in fourth grade were randomly selected in one primary school of each county.Fifleen adults aged 16 years old were chosen randomly in each village in each country.They were asked to answer the questionnaire about the health knowledge.Results There were 955 322 stoves improved in 7 countries in Ankang and Hanzhong City accounting for rebuilding stove was 100%(95 322/95 314).The awareness rates of health knowledge were 88%(444/508)in the adults and 100%(210/210)in children.Conclusions The government mangement leadership,the cooperation between the related departments, the participation of residents and the assufance of fund are the essentials in long lasting control of endemic diseases.

Objective To explore the clinical,radiological findings and pathogenic factor of spondylometaphyseal dysplasia.Methods Five cases were reported and the relevant documents were studied retrospectively.Plain X-ray film was performed in all patients.Results There were 4 male and 1 female,age ranged from 4 to 15 years with average of 9 years.The main features of 5 cases included delayed bone age,stature short,short trunk,waddling gait noted,scoliosis in 2 cases,kyphoscoliosis in 1 case,severe genu valgum in 2 cases.The main X-ray appearance of 5 cases is multiple irregularities of long bones metaphyses associated with platyspondylia,epiphysis is normal.Type Ⅰ SMD in 2 cases,Type Ⅱ SMD in 1 case,Type Ⅲ SMD in 2 cases.Conclusion When we meet children with delayed bone age and stature short,and muhiple irregularities of long bones metaphyses associated with platyspondylia were seen in X-ray plain film.we should think about spondylometaphyseal dysplasia.

Objective To study systemic hematogenic immunoreactions induced by bacterial infections using simulation of natural system.Methods Whole blood 0.2 mL or white blood cells 0.2 mL and plasma(or normal saline)0.3 mL were stimulated by 0.2 mL of yeast and inactivated Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG,5?10~8/mL),respectively,which were incubated at 37℃for 1 h. Interleukin(IL)-8,C3,C4 and chemokine receptor Fy6 were detected by flow cytometry(FCM)and en- zyme-linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA).Results Bacteria could activate red blood cell to modulate IL-8 release from white blood cells in plasma.In nature experimental group,activation rate(37.04?34.84)of IL-8 was significantly higher than that(1.09?0.77)in isolation experimental group.In nature experimen- tal group,value increment(0.01?0.01)of complement C4 was significantly higher than that(-0.0027?0.008)of isolation experimental group(P

OBJECTIVETo explore whether fractional anisotropy (FA) value could be taken as a quantitative indicator for tracing and reexamining amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and to analyze the correlation between FA value and integrative medical treatment.

METHODSTotally 18 ALS patients were recruited in this study. All patients received diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using 3. OT (Propeller HD) MRI twice. Six regions of interest (ROI) were selected to measure FA values. Survival analyses were performed in 11 cases of end point events.

RESULTS(1) Three ROI (cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corona radiata) all indicated that FA value was the highest in patients with mild health status scale of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/HSS). (2) There was statistical difference in the means of FA values in cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corona radiata of 18 cases between initial examination and reexamination (P < 0.01). (3) Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed the survival rate of ALS patients decreased as time went by, with the median survival time of 48 months.

CONCLUSIONSFA value was inversely proportional to the severity of ALS, the more severe, the lower FA values. FA value was an objective indicator for assessing the severity of ALS. ALS is an incurable disease till now. Integrative medical treatment might become one direction for ALS patients.

Objective To study the genotypes of 102 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)collected consecutively in 2002 in our hospital Method Multiplex PCR was used to genotype Staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec(SCCmec)element and its variants.Results Among 102 strains of MRSA,the genotypes were as follows:SCCmec-Ⅲ(94 strains),SCCmec-ⅢA(4 strains), SCCmec-Ⅳ(2 stains),SCCmec-Ⅰ(2 stains).Conclusion The predominant genotype of MRSA circulating in this hospital in 2002 was SCCmec-Ⅲ by multiplex PCR.