Objective To explore the relationship between insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders in patients with essential hypertension (EH).Methods Glucose metabolism rate (GMR) was measured by euglycemic insulin clamp technique,and salt sensitivity was tested by increase in blood pressure after salt load and its decreases alter depletion of sodium in 26 healthy subjects and 84 patients with EH.Results GMR lowered significantly in patients with EH than that in healthy subjects,P

Objective:To express and purify hemoglobin receptor(HgbA) and its partial fragment(HgbAF) from Haemophilus ducreyi and to develop a sandwich ELISA for the detection of H.ducreyi infection.Methods:The HgbA,a hemoglobin-binding outer membrane protein of H.ducreyi and its partial fragment(HgbAF) were expressed by cloning the genes of hgbA and its 705bp fragment into pET30a and pET28a respectively,and the expressing products were purified from E.coli BL21 with Ni-NTA-His affinity chromatography.The polyclonal antibodies were developed by immunizing rabbits with the rHgbA and rHgbAF.The anti-rHgbA IgG and anti-rHgbAF IgG were purified respectively by saturated amine sulphate precipitation,and their immunoactivity with rHgbA and rHgbAF was tested by Westen blot and ELISA analysis.A Sandwich ELISA was developed for the detection of chinical infection of H.ducreyi using the specific polyclonal antibodies.Results:The HgbA and its partial fragment,HgbAF of H.ducreyi,were expressed and purified successfully by cloning their genes respectively.The results obtained by Western blot analysis showed that each of the antibodies could react with both antigens,rHgbA and rHgbAF.The results of the ELISA analysis showed that H.ducreyi strain was strongly positive,and all other bacteria,including H.influenzae and the bacteria known to relate to genital ulcers were negative.The results of the ELISA analysis showed that the minimum amount of rHgbA detected was 1.56 ng/ml and the minimum number of CFU of H.ducreyi detected was 2?105 cfu/ml in buffer and 1?106 cfu/ml in pus.Conclusion:HgbA and its partial fragment,HgbAF of H.ducreyi are expressed and purified successfully.The polyclonal antibodies developed by immunizing rabbits using rHgbA and rHgbAF could react not only with rHgbA and rHgbAF,but also with H.ducreyi specifically.They do not react with other bacteria,including H.influenzae and the bacteria known to relate to genital ulcers.So the ELISA based on the polyclonal antibodies was specific for the detection of H.ducreyi.Although the level of sensitivity of the ELISA may not be sufficient to detect H.ducreyi in all clinical specimens,further work to increase the sensitivity could potentially make this assay a valuable tool in areas where chancroid is endemic.

Objective To investigate the clinical and immunological features,therapeutic response as well as prognosis of adult onset Still's disease (AOSD).Methods AOSD was diagnosed in 137 patients referred to our department.Clinical and immunological data were retrospectively analyzed.Therapeutic response and prognosis were systemically reviewed during the follow-up period.Intergroup incidence divergence was analyzed by chi-square test.Cox regression analysis was adopted to determine factors related with relapse.Results Fever,rash and arthritis were the cardinal clinical features of AOSD patients.Elevated inflammatory indices including ferritin (128 suhjects,97.1％ ) along with neutrophilia and liver dysfunction were the main laboratory findings.Ninety-eight patients were followed up and 75％ (73 subjects) had achieved complete remission after 4 weeks treatment.Forty-one patients (42％) who had achieved remission relapsed during follow-up period.Combination of glucocorticoid steroid and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were more effective than glucocorticoid steroid only in inducing remission and preventing relapse.More patients received glucocorticoid combined with methotrcxate and hydroxychloroquine achieved remission (8 of 8 patients) than patients who were treated with glucocorticoid and methotrexate (25 of 28 patients,89％ ) and those treated with glucocorticoid and hydroxychloroquine (14 of 16 patients,88％ ).Patients with glucocorticoid were more likely to suffer disease recurrence than those who took glucocorticoid combined with DMARDs (61％ vs 29％,P=0.004).Cox regression analysis suggested that methotrexate had protec-tive effect against recurrence [RR=0.418,95％CI (0.192-0.909),P=0.028].5％ of patients were diagnosed to other diseases during the follow up period.Conclusion Initial treatment with combined glucocorticoid and DMARDs is beneficial to induce remission and prevent reoccurrence.Methotrcxate has a protective effect against recurrence.

OBJECTIVEThe effects of different nitrogen forms on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Prunella vulgaris were observed.

METHODWater culture experiments were carried out to observe the effects of NH4+: NO3- ratios(100:0, 75: 25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100 in mmol x L(-1)) on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of P. vulgaris.

RESULTThe leaf area, fresh biomass and P(n) of these cultivars increased with the increasing of NH4(+) -N: NO3(-) -N ratios, and they were found to be the highest in 25: 75 NH4(+) -N: NO3)-) -N. However, they decreased with the increasing NH4(+) -N: NO3(-) -N ratio further. P. vulgaris had a minimum leaf area, biomass, chlorophyll content and P(n) in pure ammonium group. The biggest chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were found in the ratios of NH4(+) -N to NO3(-) -N of 50: 50.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that properly increasing nitrate proportion could promote the growth and photosynthesis of P. vulgaris.

Biomass ; Chlorophyll ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Photosynthesis ; drug effects ; Plant Leaves ; drug effects ; Prunella ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; chemistry ; metabolism

Objective To investigate Bartonella infection in rodent hosts from different environments and types of climate in Fujian coastal regions. Genetypes of the Bartonella strains was also studied to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of the correlated diseases. Methods By random sampling method, we selected six study sites in Fujian southeastern coastal regions. Rodents were captured by cages to Isolate Bartonella strains. Bartonella-like isolates were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 379 bp fragment of gltA gene was sequenced and the growth and development tree was constructed to determine Bartonella species. Distribution of Bartonella species in the different area and related hosts was also analysed. Results Bartonella species were isolated from 188 of 1161 small animals including five rodent species. The infected animals were grouped into 2 genera and 2 orders. They were Suncus murinus, Rattas norvegicus, Rnttus flavipectus, Mus masculus and Rattus rattus. The overall prevalence of Bartonella bacteremia was 16.19% in the most prevalent species of rodents in Fujian southeastern coastal regions including 21.43% in Suncus murinus, 13.54% in Rattas norvegicus and 18.27% in Rattus flavipectus. Rodents in every investigated areas were infected by Bartonella species (9.25% in Ningde, 9.52% in Fuzhou, 9.38% in Putian, 28.18% in Quanzhou, 17.42% in Xiamen and 13.33% in Zhangzhou). There were significant differences among infected rates in different annual accumulated temperature districts (χ~2=12.93, P<0.001). Isolates from rodents were clustered in three genotypes (B.elizabethae, B.qeenslandensis and B.tribocorum A, B). Conclusion The local rodents in Fujian southeastern coastal regions were widely infected by Bartonella spp. Differences among the prevalent species of Bartonella in Fujian southeastern coastal region, Yunan and Beijing were noticed. Our findings suggested there was a need to study the prevalence, related vectors and the molecular organism of Bartonella spp.

OBJECTIVETo analyse the dynamical changes of the Ginkgo biloba's resources from 2001 to 2006, in Pizhou city, Jiangshu province by useing spatial analytical function of GIS and RS technology.

METHODUse the GIS and RS technology, extracted the information of G. biloba by scientific investigation, researched the spatial distribution and dynamical changes of G. biloba based on landsat 5 TM: the Apr. 3rd, 2001; Jan. 16th, 2005; July 30th, 2006.

RESULTGinkgo biloba's resource was 1.61 x 10(5) hm2 in 2001, 1.84 x 10(5) hm2 in 2005, 1.88 x 10(5) hm2 in 2006.

CONCLUSIONGinkgo biloba's resource rised from 1.61 x 10(5) hm2 to 1.88 x 10(5) hm2 from 2001 to 2006, showed the gradually rise.

China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ecosystem ; Geographic Information Systems ; Geography ; Ginkgo biloba ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Population Dynamics ; Satellite Communications

The study was purposed to investigate the effect of phosphorylated-chk1 on cell cycle and apoptosis of human erythroleukemic cell line K562 and K562/A02, and to explore the mechanism of chk1 in regulation of drug-resistance of leukemia cells. After treatment with adrimycin for six hours, the cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry; the Chk1mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR and the Chk1 phosphorylation level was detected by Western blot. Under the condition of down-regulation of Chk1mRNA expression in cells transfected with Chk1 short hairpin RNA, the cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow-cytometry following adrimycin. The results indicated that the proportion of K562/A02 cell line in G2/M phase was (54.12 +/- 0.57)% at 6 hours after drug treatment, significantly higher than that of K562 cell line (36.99 +/- 1.28)%. No evident difference of the Chk1mRNA expression was observed between K562 and K562/A02 cell lines, while elevated Chk1 phosphorylation following DNA damage induced by adriamycin was observed in the K562/A02 cell line (0.79 +/- 0.56), significantly higher than that in K562 cell line (0.27 +/- 1.47). The cell apoptosis rate of the Chk1 shRNA group in K562/A02 cell line was 3.84-fold of blank vector group, but that in K562 cell line was 1.30-fold of blank vector group. It is concluded that the increased chk1 activity that delay the progress of cell cycle are associated with cellular resistance to adrimycin in the K562/A02 cell line.
Apoptosis ; physiology ; Checkpoint Kinase 1 ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; G2 Phase ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Mitosis ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo study the ecological environments of Atractylodes lancea by biomass structural analysis.

METHODThrough the scientific investigation in Maoshan, the sampling spots were set up, the relation between growth and ecological environments was researched and the ecological environments of A. lancea were divided as following: the vegetation layer, the shrub layer, the shrub-weed layer and the weed layer. The ramet biomass, height, leaves and coverage of A. lancea were studied.

RESULTThe several factors (ramet biomass, height, leaves and coverage) showed the regular change. Among maximum, minimum and average, the shrub layer was the biggest, the shrub and weed layer was the second biggest and the vegetation layer and the weed layer was the least.

CONCLUSIONA. lancea tends to distribute in the shrub layer and the shrub-weed layer.

Atractylodes ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Biomass ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Ecosystem ; Plant Structures ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

BACKGROUNDDyslipidaemia is a potential independent risk factor for cerebrovascular disease in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate dyslipidaemia, treatment and control of dyslipidaemia among diabetic patients with ischemic stroke in a Chinese hospital.

METHODSA total of 1046 type 2 diabetic patients were assigned to diabetes with (n = 522) and diabetes without stroke groups. The two groups were matched by gender, age and diabetes duration. Lipid and lipoprotein profile were measured. Serum level and control of lipids were assessed and classified according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines and an intensified low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) target recommended in Chinese dyslipidaemia control criteria.

RESULTSDiabetic patients suffering stroke displayed not only poorly-controlled lipid and lipoprotein profiles, including the significantly lower proportion of patients achieving intensified LDL-C target of < 2.07 mmol/L (80 mg/dl), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) target (14.4% vs 21.0%, P = 0.005; 45.8% vs 51.9%, P = 0.048 respectively), but also less adherence to therapy prescribed for dyslipidaemia (30.8% vs 41.0%, P = 0.001), when compared with diabetic patients without stroke. For the diabetic women with stroke, situation of dyslipidaemia was worse, with significantly lower serum level of HDL-C and apoA1, higher LDL-C level and higher ratio of apoB/apoA1 when compared with diabetic counterparts without stroke.

CONCLUSIONSMany diabetic patients with ischemic stroke remain uncontrolled for dyslipidaemia. Intensified LDL-C and overall lipid lowering clinical goals are potential precautions taken against ischemic stroke among diabetic patients in China.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Dyslipidemias ; complications ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; epidemiology

Vigabatrin-associated brain abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (VABAM) is a relatively rare side effect of vigabatrin, most of which are asymptomatic. However, there will be extremely rare cases with hyperkinetic disorders, myoclonus, tremor, and acute encephalopathy under certain circumstances. VABAM is often underappreciated by physicians and its accurate incidence remains unclear. A female infant who was diagnosed with infantile spasms and required adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy accompanied by various antiseizure medicines was reported. Unfortunately, she became lethargic and her spasm deteriorated gradually after vigabatrin exposure. Her brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signals bilaterally in the dorsal midbrain, thalamus, and rostral part of the pallidum. She had a seizure amelioration and became lively as a result of vigabatrin withdrawal. In the meanwhile, magnetic resonance imaging returned to normal. Attempts were made to discover the risk factors of VABAM and potential pathogenesis. Further understanding of the disease should contribute to decreasing misdiagnosis and making precise decisions.