Animals ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; metabolism ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Myocarditis ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo explore the causes for descending of the serum testosterone (T) in middle-aged and elderly men with metabolic syndrome (MS).MethodsFifty-six male patients aged between 45 and 83 years old were investigated.Blood pressure,height and weight were measured,and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.Biochemical indice in fasting state [ fasting blood sugar (FBG),total cholesterol (TC),triglycerides (TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ],fasting insulin (FIN),and the level of serum testosterone) were detected.An insulin resistance index (IR) was calculated using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).Participants were divided into the MS group and the non-MS group according to CDS diagnostic standard.The relationships between the level of serum Testosterone and each index were analyzed.ResultsThe level of serum Testosterone was significantly lower in the MS group than that in the non-MS group [ (9.97 ± 3.87 ) nmol/L vs.( 13.73 ± 3.93 ) nmol/L,t =3.337,P ＜ 0.01 ].Multiple regression analysis showed that the level of serum testooterone was negatively correlated with age,waist circumference and HOMA-IR ( regression coefficients:- 0.214,- 0.329,- 0.317; standardized regression coefficients:- 0.730,- 0.597,- 0.313 ; t =- 5.833,- 4.681,- 2.686 respctively; P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionThe level of serum testosterone descends in middle-aged and elderly men with MS.The level of serum testosterone is closely related to age,waist circumference and insulin resistance

Animals ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Myocarditis ; virology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of myocardial cell apoptosis during delayed preconditioning induced by Sini decoction (SND).

METHODSD rats were divide into four groups: control, sham, I/R and SND groups. The rats in I/R group, left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 1h and reperfused for 1 h. The rats in SND group were pretreated with Sini decoction (5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for three days, the last treatment was pretreated 24 h before the index occlusion. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry, cytochrome C and bcl-xl were detected by Western blotting and the activity of caspase-3 was detected by assay kit.

RESULTAs compared with I/R group, apoptosis rate of myocardial cell, the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria and the activity of caspase-3 were significantly decreased, and the expression of bcl-xl protein was elevated in SND group.

CONCLUSIONThe delayed preconditioning induced by Sini decoction decreased myocardial cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of mitochondria signal pathway of apoptosis.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism

Background: Thoracolumbar junction (TLJ) is the transitional area between the lower thoracic spine and the upper lumbar spine. Vertebral compression fractures and proximal junctional kyphosis following spine surgery often occur in this area. Therefore, the study of development and mechanisms of thoracolumbar junctional degeneration is important for planning surgical management. This study aimed to review radiological parameters of thoracolumbar junctional degenerative kyphosis (TLJDK) in patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis and to analyze compensatory mechanisms of sagittal balance. Methods: From January 2016 to March 2017, patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis were enrolled in this radiographic study. Patients were divided into two groups according to thoracolumbar junctional angle (TLJA): the non?TLJDK (NTLJDK) group (TLJA <10°) and the TLJDK group (TLJA≥10°). Complete spinopelvic radiographic parameters were analyzed and compared between two groups. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients and independent two?sample t?test or Mann?Whitney U?test were used. Results: Atotal of 77 patients with symptomatic sagittal imbalance due to lumbar degenerative kyphosis were enrolled in this study. There were 34 patients in NTLJDK group (TLJA <10°) and 43 patients in TLJDK group (TLJA ≥10°). The median angle of lumbar lordosis (LL) in the NTLJDK or TLJDK groups was 23.40° (18.50°, 29.48°) or 19.50° (13.30°, 24.55°), respectively. The median TLJAs in all patients and both groups were ?11.20° (?14.60°, ?4.80°), ?3.70° (?7.53°, ?1.73°), and ?14.30° (?17.45°, ?13.00°), respectively. In the NTLJDK group, LLwas correlated with thoracic kyphosis (TK; r = ?0.400, P = 0.019), sacral slope (SS; r = 0.681, P < 0.001), and C7?sagittal vertical axis (r = ?0.402, P = 0.018). In the TLJDK group, LL was correlated with TK (r = ?0.345, P = 0.024), SS (r = 0.595, P < 0.001), and pelvic tilt (r = ?0.363, P = 0.017). There were significant differences in LL, TLJA, TK, SS, and pelvic incidence (PI) between two groups. Conclusions:Although TLJDK is common in patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis, it might be generated by special characteristics of morphology and biomechanics of the TLJ. To maintain sagittal balance, pelvis back tilt might be more important in patients with TLJDK, whereas thoracic curve changes might be more important in patients without TLJDK.

AIMTo establish the methods for determining the activity of sphingosine kinase(SPK) and the content of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in biological samples.

METHODSThe ECV304 cells were transfected with pcDNA3 vector encoding Flag-labeled SPK gene. The expression of SPK was measured by Western blot assay and the activity of SPK was determined by enzymatic reaction, isotope incorporation and thin-layer chromatography methods. The S1P in biological samples was extracted, digested by alkaline phosphatase and then catalyzed by SPK. The S1P contents were determined according to the amounts of products.

RESULTSSPK gene transfection could enhance the expression and activity of SPK in cells markedly, and the cellular S1P was also increased obviously. HGF stimulation could increase the activity of SPK and cellular S1P in ECV304 cells.

CONCLUSIONMethods for determining the activity of SPK and the content of SPK in biological samples were established.

Cell Line ; Cytophotometry ; Humans ; Isotope Labeling ; Lysophospholipids ; metabolism ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; metabolism ; Sphingosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDRecent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd:YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis.

METHODSThirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups (II degree, III degree, and IV degree) according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients (78 nails) in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients (76 nails) in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval.

RESULTSIn group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLong pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Onychomycosis ; surgery ; Young Adult

AIM:To investigate the effect of sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS)on cardiac function and activity of renin-angiotensin(Ang)-aldosterone(ALD)system(RAAS)in the rats with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS:The CHF rat model was established by abdominal aortic coarctation.SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,low dose of NaHS group and high dose of NaHS group(n=6).The left ventricular end-diastolic di-ameter(LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were measured before and after treatment by echocardiography in each group.The levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD in the plasma were measured by ELISA.The expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)and angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1R)at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium tissues was determined by qPCR and Western blot,respectively. RESULTS:After treatment with NaHS,compared with model group and before treatment,LVEDD and LVESD in low dose of NaHS group and high dose of NaHS group were decreased significantly, while LVEF was increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with low dose of NaHS group,LVEDD and LVESD were decreased,while LVEF was increased in high dose of NaHS group(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,the levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD in the plasma of model group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression of ACE and AT1R at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium tissues of model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the plas-ma levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD in low dose of NaHS group and high dose of NaHS group were significantly decreased (P<0.05),and the myocardial expression of ACE and AT 1R at mRNA and protein levels was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05).The plasma levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD,and the myocardial expression of ACE and AT 1R at mRNA and protein levels in high dose of NaHS group were significantly lower than those in low dose of NaHS group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:NaHS inhibits the activation of RAAS,thus improving the cardiac function of CHF rats,and the effect of high-dose NaHS is better than that of low-dose NaHS.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of detecting respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)-IgM for viral pneumonia in children.Methods Seventy-six cases with interstitisl pneumonia,32 cases with bronchiolitis among 108 cases children with viral pneumonia and 40 healthy children as control group were included,RSV-IgM was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 108 children with viral pneumonia and healthy control group.Results The positive rates of RSV-IgM in 76 cases with interstitisl pneumonia and 32 cases with bronchiolitis were 48.68% and 25.0%,respectively,there was significant difference between 2 groups(?2=5.20 P