Based on the structure and function of acupoint and in association of the definition and principle of sensor, the acupoint is the sensitive element, being sensitive to the physical stimulation with acupuncture and moxibustion and sensitively responded to the disorders; the acupoint is the sensing element, transforming the changes of the acupoint information via the complicated internet conduction, integration and regulation, so as to generate the effects on organic body; the acupoint is the conversion element, transforming every irritation into the bioelectric signal or optical signal so that the organic body could recognize it. Therefore, the acupoint is regarded as the sensor of information in the organic body.
Acupuncture Points ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Humans ; Meridians

The authors designed to separate, purify and determine the monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris, and study its effect on reverse cholesterol transport in vivo by isotope tracing assay. Polysaccharides were separate and purify by ion exchange column Q-sepharose Fast Flow and size exclusion column Sephacryl S200HR; the molecular weight and monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharides were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography coming with pre-column derivation, respectively. Finally, three purified polysaccharides CMBW1, CMBW2 and CMYW1 were obtained, their total carbohydrate contents were 87%, 89%, 95%, respectively; their protein contents were 6.5%, 1.3%, 2.8%, respectively; their molecular weights were 772.1, 20.9, 13.2 kDa, respectively; CMBW1 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose with a molar ratio of 7.25: 0.17: 1.29: 0.23: 6.30: 11.08: 0.79; CMBW2 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, galactose and arabinose with a molar ratio of 2.40: 0.16: 2.92: 0.24; CMYW1 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, glucuronic acid and glucose with a molar ratio of 0.59: 0.57: 0.45: 25.61. Polysaccharide at 50 mg x kg(-1) could significantly improve the transport of 3H- cholesterol to blood and excretion from feces. All of the three purified polysaccharides CMBW1, CMBW2 and CMYW1 were heteropolysaccharide; and they could improve reverse cholesterol transport in vivo, the underlying mechanisms are being studied.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Mice ; Monosaccharides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tritium

BACKGROUND:This study was undertaken to observe the concentration of SP-A/B and the pulmonary surfactant in the lung tissue of rats with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by paraquat poisoning after the treatment of metabolic antioxidant-lipoic acid and whether its influence was related to TNF-α. METHODS:Sixty-six male Sprage-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group (NS group), 6 rats; paraquat poisoning group (PQ group), 30 rats; and paraquat+lipoic acid treatment group (LA group), 30 rats. The rats in the PQ and LA groups were subdivided into 3-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-hour subgroups, with 6 rats in each group. After the rats were sacrificed, lung tissue from the same part was taken from the rats. After HE staining, histological changes were observed in the tissue under a light microscope. Lung tissue was also taken to test the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Whole blood (0.8 mL) without anticoagulant was drawn from the tail vein of rats for the determination of the TNF-α level. The total RNA of the lung tissue was collected, and the Rt-PCR method was used to measure the levels of SP-A and SP-B mRNA. RESULTS:HE staining showed that histopathological changes were milder in the LA group than in the PQ group. There were significant differences in MDA and SOD levels between different intervals both in intergroups and intragroups except the 3-hour subgroup (P<0.01). Likewise, the significant differences in the levels of TNF-α were also present between the three groups and between different intervals (P<0.01). The significant differences in SP-A mRNA and SP-B mRNA amplification ratio were seen between the three groups at the same intervals (P<0.01), but the differences between different intervals in the PQ group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The differences between different intervals in the LA group were statistically significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Lipoic acid in acute paraquat poisoning could diminish lung tissue damage by regulating directly tumor necrosis factor and indirectly the content of pulmonary surfactant so as to reduce pulmonary edema, improve lung compliance, and finally protect lung tissues.

Objective To explore the distribution of water with high level arsenic and prevalence of arsenism along Huai'he River and the surrounding area of Hong'ze lake in Huai'an of Jiangsu. Methods Wate rsamples were collected and tested in 2008 from 18 villages of 6 towns according to history data in 3 counties like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze. Samples having arsenic level higher than 0.05 mg/L were investigated by epidemiological method and the patients were diagnosed by Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism. Results All 5199 water samples were determined,and 260 water samples were exceeding the national drinking water quality level (0.05 mg/L) in 3 counties,the rates of exceeding diagnosis were 5.6%(247/4454),0.7%(4/597),6.0%(9/148) respectively. Total detected rate of endemic arsenic disease was 5.94%(128/2155). The detected rates of age group of 0 ～ ,20 ～,30 ～ ,40 ～ ,50 ～ ,60 ～ ,70 ～ ,80 ～ were 2.86%(1/35),2.11%(2/95),1.26%(3/239),3.10%(16/516),5.53% (32/579),10.07%(41/407),11.84%(27/228),10.71%(6/56) respectively. The detected rate of male (9.10%,78/857) was higher than that of female(3.85%,50/1298,χ~2 = 25.46,P < 0.01). Conclusions Huai'he River and the surrounding areas of Hong'ze lake like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze are identified existing endemic arsenic disease area. The prevention of arsenism should be strengthened in these areas.

OBJECTIVETo identify the mutation of a Chinese family with inherited long QT syndrome(LQTS).

METHODSThe disease-causing gene was tentatively determined in light of the clinical manifestations and electrophysiological properties, and then polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used for screening and identifying mutation.

RESULTSA missense mutation G940A(G314S) in the KCNQ1 gene was identified, which was the 'hot spot' of long QT syndrome mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation that is involved with long QT syndrome in Chinese patients is the same as that in the European, American and Japanese patients.

China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Family Health ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; KCNQ1 Potassium Channel ; genetics ; Long QT Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular pathology in families with long QT syndrome (LQTS) including Jervell-Longe-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) and Romano-ward syndrome (RWS) and Brugada syndrome (BS) in Chinese population.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to screen for KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, and SCN5A mutation.

RESULTSWe identified a novel mutation N1774S in the SCN5A gene of the BS family, a novel mutation G314S in a RWS family which had also been found in Europe, North America, and Japan, and a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) G643S in the KCNQ1 of the JLNS family. In this JLNS family, another heterozygous novel mutation in exon 2a was found in KCNQ1 of the patients.

CONCLUSIONNew mutations were found in our experiment, which expand the spectrum of KCNQ1 and SCN5A mutations that cause LQTS and BS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; ERG1 Potassium Channel ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Jervell-Lange Nielsen Syndrome ; genetics ; KCNQ1 Potassium Channel ; genetics ; Long QT Syndrome ; congenital ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; Pedigree ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; genetics ; Romano-Ward Syndrome ; genetics ; Sodium Channels ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo understand the seroprevalence of antibody against the newly identified human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in Beijing.

METHODSThe antigenic specificity of hMPV N protein cloned into vector pET30a and then expressed in E coli was verified by using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting in 116 serum specimens. The plasmid pET30a without insert was used as control. Totally 710 serum specimens collected from non-respiratory infection patients visited the Outpatient Departments of Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics and Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing from April 1996 to March 1997 were tested for specific IgG antibody against hMPV N protein.

RESULTSThe bands with expected molecular weight showed only on the membranes transferred by the expressed hMPV N protein and incubated with rabbit hyperimmune serum against hMPV N protein polypeptides as well as the collected human sera, indicating the specificity of the expressed hMPV N protein. Out of 710 specimens tested, 17.2% (122/710) were positive for antibody to N protein. Antibody positive rate was the lowest in 2 to 6 months old infants (3.1%); the rate declined from 13.2% in newborns to 6.1% in 1 to 2 months old infants, then to 3.1% in the 2 to 6 months group, and sustained at about 3.0% from 6 months group to 30 years of age, then increased to 28.1% in 30 to 39-year-old adults, 32.3% in 40 to 49-year-old adults and to 38.5% in the group over age of 50 years.

CONCLUSIONThe expressed hMPV N protein is reliable when it was used as antigen for testing specific IgG antibody against hMPV in human sera. The high seroprevalence of antibody against hMPV N protein and early age antibody acquisition suggest that hMPV has been circulating in Beijing and the importance of the virus as pathogen should be further analyzed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antibody Specificity ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Infant ; Metapneumovirus ; immunology ; Middle Aged ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Viral Proteins ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the change of EB virus VCA/IgA and EA/IgA titer during the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and the role in screening for NPC.

METHODSVCA/IgA and EA/IgA were monitored in a period of 12 years by immunoenzymatic titration from the sera of 54 NPC patients after primary serological screening.

RESULTSVCA/IgA and EA/IgA titer had shown gradual increment 1 - 7 years before NPC was pathologically diagnosed. The mean titer of VCA/IgA was 1:21.04, 7 - 4 years before diagnosis. VCA/IgA titer ascended quickly within 3 years before diagnosis. The geometric mean titer (GMT) of VCA/IgA and EA/IgA were 1:76.86 and 1:6.49 when NPC was diagnosed, which descended quickly after radiotherapy and, in 4 years, approached the average titer of VCA/IgA positive population.

CONCLUSIONVCA/IgA titer rises uninterruptedly 3 years before NPC is diagnosed pathologically in most patients but their EA/IgA titer rises slowly. The detection of VCA/IgA titer can be used to find early NPC, whereas EA/IgA can not. The pre-clinical phase of NPC is 3 years according to this dynamic study.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Capsid Proteins ; immunology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of carvedilol on stabilizing atherosclerosis plaque.

METHODSForty five male Japanese white rabbits were divided randomly into 5 groups with 9 for each. One group was fed up with normal diet as blank control. In other four groups, the common carotid artery of rabbits fed up with high cholesterol diet were injured by balloon. Three groups of them were transfected by wild-type p53 gene 8 weeks later, and then two groups of them were treated with carvedilol (3 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) and metoprolol (6 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) respectively, high cholesterol diet should be continued for other 4 weeks. Serum lipid, hypersensitive C-reaction protein (hsCRP), oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were measured in 0, 8, 12 weeks after experiment. The apoptosis rate of smooth muscle cell (SMC) in endomembrane and the local expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, alpha-actin were examined after experiment, and the carotid arteries were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe typical carotid atherosclerotic plaques were observed in balloon-injured groups. The local expression rates of p53 in groups transfected by wild type p53 gene were higher obviously than them in other two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the rabbits received simple transfection, the thickness of the fibrous cap in rabbits received carvedilol and metoprolol were all increased, but the change could be observed significantly in carvedilol group (P < 0.05). Compared with metoprolol, carvedilol could reduce the level of serum hsCRP, oxLDL, MDA, and increase the concentration of SOD and GSH-PX significantly (P < 0.05 or 0.01), but two medicines had no obvious influence to serum lipid. The apoptosis rate of SMC in endomembrane, the local expression of bax gene and bax/bcl-2 ratio were decreased, the positive expression rates of alpha-actin and bcl-2 were enhanced in carvedilol group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth carvedilol and metoprolol can improve the stability of the plaque, but carvedilol is superior. Its mechanisms may lie in that carvedilol still has function of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, decreasing the apoptosis rate of SMC in addition to its function of blocking beta-receptor.

Animal Feed ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carbazoles ; pharmacology ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; genetics ; pathology ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Male ; Metoprolol ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Propanolamines ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently identified respiratory virus more like human respiratory syncytial virus in clinical symptoms. Matrix protein (M) is one of the most important structural proteins. For further studying of hMPV, the full length of M genes from the recombinant plasmid pUCm-M1816 and pUCmM1817 were cloned by PCR and sub-cloned into the pET30a(+) vector, which is a prokaryotic expression vector, after dual-enzyme digestion with Bam HI and Xho I. The positive recombinated plasmids were transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) and expressed under the inducing of IPTG. Target proteins were characterized by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. In this article, we' ve successfully constructed the recombinated plasmids pET30a-M1816 and pET30a-M1817 which have correct open reading frames confirmed by dual-enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing. The fusion proteins with 6 x His-N were highly produced after inducing by 1mmol/ L IPTG at 37 degrees C. A unique protein band with approximate 27.6 kD was characterized by SDS-PAGE. Most of the target protein existed in inclusion body. Western blot analysis showed that the target protein has specific binding reaction to rabbit antiserum against polypeptides of the matrix protein of hMPV. So the M genes were highly expressed in the prokaryotic system and the expressed M proteins have specific antigenic activities. It can be used for further studying of hMPV infections in Beijing.
Animals ; Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; China ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; immunology ; Metapneumovirus ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Species Specificity ; Viral Structural Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism