Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Humans ; Infant ; Inpatients ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate

This study investigated the effect of puerarin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injured with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). HUVEC were divided into three groups: a control group, a model group (H₂O₂ 400 μmol·L^-1) and a puerarin-treated group (3, 10, 30 and 100 μmol·L^-1). HUVEC were cultured with varied concentration of puerarin for 2 h and treated with H₂O₂ for another 24 h. Cell proliferation was detected by a CCK-8 assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by a JC-1 fluorescent probe. A transwell chamber assay was adopted to observe cell migration ability. Mitochondrial respiratory function was measured in a two-chamber titration injection respirometer (Oxygraph-2k). The expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of pyroptosis-mediated proteins, including cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), N-gasdermin D (N-GSDMD), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R) was detected by Western blot. The results show that 400 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂ treatment for 24 h causes obvious damage to HUVEC. Compared with the model group, puerarin protected against cellular injury in a dose-dependent manner, with the greatest effect at a dose of 30 and 100 μmol·L^-1. Puerarin significantly decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and improved mitochondrial function. Puerarin inhibited cell migration induced by H₂O₂, suppressed the expression of IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α, and down-regulated the pyroptosis-mediated protein. These changes are statistically significant (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that puerarin has a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage of HUVEC by inhibiting the migration of HUVEC cells. The mechanism may be related to improved mitochondrial respiratory function and inhibition of pyroptosis.

This study was to investigate the protective effects of puerarin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury and the underlying mechanism. The MI/R-model was established by ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) for 60 min followed by 24 h reperfusion, puerarin (10, 30, and 100 mg·kg^-1) was orally administered 20 min before reperfusion. Cardiac function, myocardial infarct index, cardiac damage markers, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis index were measured to evaluate the protective effects of puerarin on MI/R injury. The activation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway were determined by Western blot. All animal experimental procedures were approved by the ethics committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The results showed that puerarin could significantly improve cardiac function, reduce myocardial infarct size, decease the levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and suppress cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile, puerarin could notably decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blot analysis revealed that puerarin could downregulate the expression of TLR4, Myd88, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved-caspase 1, cleaved-gasdermin-D (GSDMD), IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the phosphorylation levels of inhibitor of NF-κB α (IκBα), IκB kinase β (IKKβ), and NF-κB. These findings demonstrated that puerarin could alleviate MI/R injury by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation, possibly via TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway.

The concept of needle-acupointomics should be clarified initially in order to discuss the relative researches. The comprehension can be deepened through the aspects of researching methods, content and goals. Proper researching model and analysis method should be selected so as to bring the advantages of the ancient acupuncture literatures, case records and clinical experiences of famous physicians into full play. Only in this way can the domestic needle acupointomics studies achieve a breakthrough.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Animals ; Biomedical Research ; Humans ; Needles

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Caspase-3 and Survivin at different stages of human hemangioma in children.Methods Fifty-five specimens of hemangioma tissue excised in operation and 8 normal skins removed in operation were harvested from People's Hospital of Gansu Province between Jan.2000 and Dec.2005.The pathologic diagnosis was divided into 3 groups according to Mulliken's standard under microscope:proliferated phase group(n=31),degenerated phase group(n=24),and control group(n=8).All these specimens were examined by immunohisto for Caspase-3 and Survivin expression.Results Caspase-3 positive rate in the proliferative phase and involuting phase were 35.5% and 79.2%,respectively.The positive rate in involuting phase was higher than that that in proliferative phase,the difference between the 2 groups was significant(P=0.045 9).A significant difference was not found between the proliferative phase and normal skin tissue(P=0.057 3).Survivin positive rate in the proliferating and involuting phase were 77.4% and 45.8%,respectively.The positive rate in proliferative phase was higher than that in involuting phase,the difference between the 2 groups was significant(P=0.008 5),the difference in involuting phase and normal skin tissue was not significant(P=0.059 3).Conclusions High level of Caspase-3 expression in vascular endothelial cells in involuting phase in contrast to that in proliferative phase,which indicates that Caspase-3 may play a positive role in the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells.Survivin may inhibit the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in proliferative phase due to it's high expression.Caspase-3 and Surivivin involved in the hemangioma in the regulation of apoptosis.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):51-52

Objective To study the current situation of emergency nurses' structural empowerment,competency,job satisfaction,and their correlative factors.Methods Literature review, interview and questionnaire were used to establish the emergency nurses' structural empowerment and competency model.300emergency nurses were structurally empowered,and their quality of care and job satisfaction was compared before and after.Results The quality of care and job satisfaction after structural empowerment was (98.45 ±1.36) and (98.19 ± 2.63 ),both of which were higher than that before structural empowerment (95.33 ±2.47) and (93.81 ± 4.54),and the differences were statistically significant (t =-4.468,16.136,respectively; P ＜ 0.05).After structural empowerment,there was great improvement in emergency nurses' selfevaluation,as well as their ability of critical thinking,receiving information,communication and health education,while there was little improvement in their ability of social support,logical reasoning and innovation.Conclusions Establishing structural empowerment and competency model for emergency nurses helps them position themselves and promote their development,as well as provides reference to select and train professional nurses for hospitals.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of sodium tanshinone II A sulfonate (STS) on proliferation of fibroblasts (Fbs) in human hypertrophic scar (HS), the mRNA and protein expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and to investigate the scar inhibition mechanism of STS.

METHODSFbs were isolated from HS tissues that were removed from eight patients after burn injury, and they were cultured in vitro. Cells from the 3rd to the 6th passages were used in the experiment. Fbs were divided into control group and experimental group according to the random number table, and cells in the experimental group was divided into 0.050, 0.075, 0.100, 0.125, 0.150, 0.200 mg/mL STS subgroups. Cells in each subgroup were cultured with the corresponding concentration of STS, and cells in control group were cultured in equal volume of serum-free medium. After being cultured for 24 and 48 h, cell morphology was observed with inverted phase contrast microscope; cell proliferation was determined with MTT method and the proliferation inhibition rate (IR) was calculated. After being cultured for 48 h, the protein levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA were determined with Western blotting; the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA were determined with RT-PCR (no 0.200 mg/mL STS subgroup was set for these two indicators). Data were processed with factorial analysis of variance; differences between groups were processed with LSD test or Games-Howell test for unequal variances.

RESULTS(1) Fbs grew well in control group, but reduction in adherence and disorderly arranged Fbs were observed in experimental group. The cells in experimental group became smaller and round, with increasing intracellular particles and necrosis. A large amount of necrotic debris of cells was observed in 0.200 mg/mL STS subgroup. (2) The absorbance value of Fbs in each experimental subgroup was significantly lower than that in control group (with P values all below 0.01). Along with the increase in the concentration of STS and extension of culture time, the IR value increased, showing a certain degree of time-concentration dependence. After being cultured with STS for 24 and 48 h, IR values of cells in the experimental subgroups were respectively 23.58%, 32.11%, 37.56%, 57.98%, 79.53%, 96.69% and 34.72%, 38.48%, 47.62%, 64.40%, 89.70%, 98.01%. (3) Except for the 0.050 mg/mL STS subgroup, the protein levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in the other subgroups were significantly lower than those in control group (with F values respectively 57.674, 47.795, P values all below 0.001). The protein levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA reached the nadir in 0.150 mg/mL STS subgroup, respectively 0.34 ± 0.06, 0.33 ± 0.07. The relative expression amounts of TGF-β1 and α-SMA mRNA in the experimental subgroups were obviously decreased compared with those in control group (with F values respectively 68.548, 47.522, P values all below 0.001), which was most significant in 0.150 mg/mL STS subgroup, with TGF-β1 mRNA and α-SMA mRNA respectively 0.39 ± 0.07 and 0.42 ± 0.08.

CONCLUSIONSSTS can inhibit the proliferation of Fbs, reduce the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA, which may be beneficial to ameliorate the formation and contracture of HS, and it is assumed as a potential drug for treating scars.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adult ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

China bears a large burden of global maternal mortality, and the largest burden of maternal deaths in China is in poor western provinces. This study aimed to investigate the trends in maternal mortality and its associated factors in Guizhou province of western China between 1996 and 2009, and examine differences between minority and non-minority counties. A population-based, longitudinal, retrospective study was performed in a poor western province of China with a considerably large ethnic minority population. All 86 counties/districts of Guizhou were included with population at county, township and village level. Maternal mortality data were collected from routine reporting database of Guizhou Provincial Health Bureau. Trend and comparative analyses and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0. Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and its change over time, differences between ethnic groups were analyzed. A declining trend in maternal mortality and rising trend in hospital delivery in Guizhou was observed; ethnic differences between two ethnic groups persisted. The reduction in maternal mortality between 1996 and 2009 was related with increased gross domestic product, decreased male illiteracy rate, and increased hospital delivery rate. We found the declining trends in maternal mortality in Guizhou with persisting ethnic differences. The declining trends are related with economic development, hospital delivery and male illiteracy. Effective health education on maternal health is urgently needed for the minority groups, and basic education for the new generation should be enhanced to eradicate the illiteracy.
China ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Mortality ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo assess the in-stent lumen visibility and image quality of coronary stents by dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary angiography, and the diagnostic accuracy of DSCT in the detection of coronary in-stent restenosis.

METHODSDSCT was performed at 147 stents in 78 patients at an interval of (21.8?22.2) months after coronary stent implantation. Axial multi-planar reconstruction of the stents and curved-planar reconstruction through the median of the stents were evaluated for stent image quality on a 5-point scale, and the stent lumen diameters were detected. Thirty out of these 78 patients underwent conventional coronary angiography within one month after CT angiography. The patency of 60 stents were independently evaluated by two blinded readers.

RESULTSImage quality was good to excellent on average score (1.6?0.6) . Stent image quality score was correlated with stent diameter, stent location, and heart rate. All stents were assessable in lumen visibility with an average visible lumen diameter percentage of (72.2?12.2) %. Visible lumen diameter percentage was correlated with stent diameter and stent location. For the stents with calcified plaques, the visible lumen diameter percentage at the calcified site was significantly lower than that at the non-calcified site (P<0.001) . Compared with the conventional coronary angiography, 12 out of 14 in-stent stenoses were correctly detected. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the detection of in-stent stenosis was 85.7%, 95.7%, 85.7%, and 95.7%, respectively. For stents whose diameter >0.275cm, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were all 100%. The agreement between CT findings and coronary angiography results was 93.3%, and it was correlated with stent diameter and heart rate.

CONCLUSIONSUsing a DSCT, coronary stent lumen is partially visible and the image quality is high. Stent diameter and location can influence the stent lumen visibility and image quality. DSCT has a high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of in-stent restenosis and may be a valuable modality for the follow-up of coronary artery stent patency."

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Restenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Vascular Patency

The stem cell leukemia (SCL) gene is a new oncogene related with leukemogenesis. To explore the effects of antisense oligonucleotides of SCL on leukemic cells, SCL antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-PS-ODN) were used to treat K562 and CEM leukemic cell lines to observe the effects on proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and SCL mRNA expression in the cells. The results showed that incubation of K562 or CEM cells with AS-PS-ODN at different concentrations led to inhibition of cell proliferation, and the inhibitory effects varied with the incubation time. The positive rate of benzidine staining in K562 cells increased significantly after the inhibition with AS-PS-ODN, compared with S-PS-ODN treatment. The characteristics of apoptosis were observed in K562 cells treated with AS-PS-ODN, but not in CEM cells. Expression of SCL mRNA in K562 and CEM cells and SIL-SCL mRNA in CEM cells decreased after incubation of AS-PS-ODN. It is concluded that SCL AS-PS-ODN inhibits specifically the proliferation of K562 and CEM cells, also decreases the level of SCL and SIL-SCL mRNA expression. AS-PS-ODN enhances erythroid differentiation and induces premature apoptosis in K562 cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1 ; Transcription Factors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology