Objective To investigate the changes in hydrogen sulfide(H_2S) level in plasma and myocardial tissues of doxorubicin-induced heart failure rats,and to study the role of H_2S in the development of doxorubicin-induced heart failure.Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups as follows:the doxorubicin group(n=12),in which 2.5 mg/kg of doxorubicin was injected intraperitoneal once a week for 10 weeks(total dose of 25 mg/kg);the control group(n=9),in which an(equivalent) volume of physiological saline was administered weekly for a total of 10 weeks.The observation of behavior was taken at the same time.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were obtained 10 weeks after treatment.Meanwhile,H_2S concentrations in serum and myocardial tissues were evaluated by modified sulfide electrode method.The changes of H_2S level between 2 groups were analyzed.Results The rats treated with doxorubicin showed inanimate behavior,decrease of the body temperature,activities and food intake,faster breathing,significant loss of weight,the cumulative mortality was 33%.Left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),difference of left ventricular pressure[△LVP=LVSP-left ventricular diastolic pressure(LVDP)] and left ventricular peak rate of contraction(+LV dp/dtmax),left ventricular peak rate of relaxation(-LV dp/dtmax)were significantly reduced in the group of doxorubicin rats(P

Exhaled gaseous signal molecules such as nitric oxide(NO),carbon monoxide(CO) and hydrogen sulfide(H2S) can be measured with a non-invasive technique.The fraction of NO level in exhaled gaseous of patients with airway inflammatory illness(such as bronchial asthma) significantly increases.No in exhaled gaseous is one of the markers in the diagnosis of asthma,and it is also a marker of anti-inflammatory response for patients with asthma.The fraction of CO level in exhaled gaseous of patients with bronchial asthma is also si-gnificantly elevated.Both NO and CO in exhaled gaseous in other airway inflammatory illness,such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis are also evidently changed.Measuring exhaled gaseous signal molecules can provide important basis for the diagnosis and treatment of airway inflammatory illness.

Objective To investigate the etiology and clinical characteristics of pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) and improve its early diagnosis and treatment.Methods The clinical and echocardiogram data of all inpatients with PAH in Pediatric Department of Peking University First Hospital between May 1995 and May 2007 were retrospectively analyzed for age,sex,etiology,symptoms and echocardiographic measurement of pulmonary artery pressure.Data were divided into groups according to different etiology and statistics.Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(sPAP) values estimated from the tricuspid regurgitant velocity by Doppler echocardiography were compared among different groups.Cases who were not belonged to the first category of the Venice Clinical Classification of pulmonary hypertension were not included.Results Totally 276 cases,168 boys and 108 girls were diagnosed to have PAH.Age ranged from 1 month to 17 years,median age was 9 months.Most of pediatric PAH was associated-PAH(267 cases,96.7%),while idiopathic PAH took a small part(9 cases,3.3%).Congenital heart disease-associated PAH(CHD-PAH) was predominant(245 cases,88.7%) and left to right shunt was the main lesion (217 cases,88.6%),while complex lesion-associated PAH comprised 28 cases(11.4%).Connective tissue disease associated PAH(CTD-PAH) was the second common among this group of pediatric PAH patients(19 cases,6.9 %).The incidence of PAH in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),juvenile rheumatoid arteritis and takayasu arteritis were 10.3 %(13/126),8.7%(4/46),15.4%(2/13),respectively.The other 3 cases of PAH were associated with portal hypertension(2 cases) and thalassanemia(1 case).The estimated sPAP from tricuspid regurgitant velocity in 8 cases with idiopathic PAH[(74.6?23.9) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)]was higher significantly compared with those of 33 cases of CHD-PAH [(58.0?19.7) mmHg ] and 12 cases of CTD-PAH [(49.6?18.9) mmHg] respectively(t=-2.052,-2.609 Pa

0.05).The different tilt angles impacted patients' fear psychology(?2=8.038,P=0.018).The order of the extent of children's fear psychology represented from low to high at the angle of 60?,70? and 80?,respectively.The extent of the children's fear psychology had positive correlation with the tilt angle(r=0.669,P=0.002).Conclusions The tilt test angle does not affect the positive rate of HUTT and the hemodynamics in children undergoing HUTT with angles from 60? to 80?.The children at the tilt angle 60? had less fear than at the angle of 70? or 80?.The 60? tilt angle of HUTT in children is recommended in the clinical practice.

BACKGROUNDPostural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common clinical problem in children and adolescents. The previous diagnostic approach to POTS of children and adolescents is based on a series of tests to exclude all other causes, which is time and medical resource consuming. Recently, a new diagnostic approach has been developed. The present study was designed to statistically analyze the results of clinical investigation items and the cost for the diagnosis of POTS in children patients, and evaluate cost changes in the diagnosis of POTS.

METHODSA total of 315 children patients were divided into two groups according to diagnosis period, including group I diagnosed in 2002 - 2006 (100 cases) and group II in 2007 - 2010 (215 cases) and the diagnostic item-based distribution of the cost was analyzed. The diagnostic costs were compared between two groups using SPSS17.0.

RESULTSThe per-capita cost of diagnosis in group I was (621.95 ± 21.10) Yuan, costs of diagnostic tests (head-up tilt test, standing test, etc) accounted for 8.68% and the exclusive tests for 91.32%. The per-capita cost of diagnosis in group II was (542.69 ± 23.14) Yuan, diagnostic tests accounted for 10.50% and exclusive tests for 89.50%. Comparison of the total cost of diagnostic tests between the two groups showed significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cost of POTS diagnosis has been declined in recent years, but the cost of exclusive diagnosis is still its major part.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; economics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome ; diagnosis ; economics ; Public Health ; economics

Definite therapeutic effect has obtained by TCM in treating acute cerebral hemorrhage (ACH) according the TCM theory of "blood circulating outside the vessels is the stasis" using breaking stagnant and eliminating blood stasis (Poxue Zhuyu) method, but no material involving the natural development of stoke in superacue stage (0 - 4 hrs after onset of the disease) being presented so far. It has been proved by randomized, double-blinded multi-centeric clinical trials that recombinant activated factor VII (rF VII a) could decreased the morbidity and disability of patients suffered from ACH, suggesting that use hemostasis treatment in ACH during superacu stage should be stressed, and the drugs for Poxue Zhuyu should be used cautiously in the period of 0 - 4 hrs after onset. The hemorrhagic disorder could be eliminated by using drugs for Poxue Zhuyu and other medicines in rational combination.
Cerebral Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Factor VIIa ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo present an established human chordoma cell line for chordoma research.

METHODSThe specimens pathologically identified as chordoma were cultured, using primary tissue culture in vitro. The surviving cells were analyzed by morphology, histochemical stain, cell cycling analysis, karyotype analysis, electron microscopic observation, heterotransplantation and study of invasive capacity in vitro.

RESULTSThe newly established cell line CM-319 has been maintained in continual cultures for over 100 generations in two years. Its morphological observation, histochemical staining properties, electron microscopic observation and heterotransplantation showed the common characteristics of chordoma. The doubling time of cells was about 33 hours. Cell cycle analysis showed: G(1) 55.6%, G(2) 21.9% and S 22.5%, G(2)/G(1) = 1.90. Chromosome analysis showed a hypotriploid feature and the success rate of heterotransplantation was 100%. It is capable of invasion in vitro.

CONCLUSIONCM-319, as a cell line derived from human chordoma cells, may serve for further studies of chordoma.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Chordoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Invasiveness

OBJECTIVETo observe whether the community-based management for patients with hypertension can reduce the incidence of stroke.

METHODSSample of this study included 36 863 people aged 35 years or more who came from a cohort consisting three communities from Tiantan Hospital, Puren Hospital and the Gymnasium Road Hospital in Beijing, based on the surveys on the Integrated Community Intervention Measures of Cerebro-vascular Diseases. Some patients with hypertension in this cohort were followed up and under management. First-ever stroke was considered as the end-point event.

RESULTSIn both groups diagnosed as borderline hypertension or definite hypertension group, the rates of management and control showed an annual increase. The management rate for women was higher, but the control rate was lower (P < 0.05) than that for men. In the third year of this study, the control rate was nearly 18%. With the qualification of control rate, the risk factors of overall stroke, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke reduced gradually, and the qualification of control rate showed more effects on hemorrhagic stroke. The qualification of control rate in the three years could cause the risk factors of total stroke, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke to reduce by 25.7%, 19.1%, 27.4%, respectively. When comparing with blood pressure level at < 160/95 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), the level of < 140/90 mm Hg could reduce the risk factors as: 12.3% to total stroke, 12.8% to ischemic stroke and 14.9% to hemorrhagic stroke.

CONCLUSIONPrograms as long-term followed-up and management for patients with hypertension, and control the blood pressure at low level etc. could significantly reduce the incidence of stroke.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; etiology

BACKGROUNDSyncope is a common clinical problem with multiple causes. Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is by far the most frequent cause of syncope in children and adolescents. The traditional diagnostic approach to VVS of children and adolescents is based on a series of tests to exclude all other causes, which is complex and time and medical resource consuming. Attempts have been made to develop a new cost-effective diagnostic approach to avoid these problems. This study aimed to compare the economic effectiveness and diagnostic value of the traditional diagnostic approach to VVS of children with a new diagnostic approach.

METHODSOne hundred and eighteen children diagnosed as VVS were divided into two groups according to the different diagnostic approaches. The diagnostic value of the two diagnostic approaches was then analyzed. Meanwhile, the costs of hospitalization, diagnostic testing and hospital stay were determined. Data were evaluated by the cost-minimization analysis.

RESULTSThe diagnostic value of the new diagnostic approach was similar to that of the traditional diagnostic approach (56.57% vs. 53.91%, P = 0.697). However, the cost of hospitalization per patient by the new diagnostic approach was (1507.08 ± 144.63) Yuan (RMB) which was less than that of the traditional diagnostic approach (2603.64 ± 208.19) Yuan. The costs of diagnostic tests per patient by the new diagnostic approach was (1256.04 ± 109.14) Yuan and by the traditional approach (2175.22 ± 153.32) Yuan.

CONCLUSIONCompared to the traditional diagnostic approach to diagnose VVS in children and adolescents, the new diagnostic approach is of a good economic value, and it should be popularized in clinical practice.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; methods ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; economics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Syncope, Vasovagal ; diagnosis

Total RNA was isolated from kidney of BaMei pig, a local strain of Chinese pig, and then the cDNA sequence of SOCS-2 gene was cloned by RT-PCR (GenBank accepted number is EF121242). Then the cloned SOCS-2 gene was inserted into PMD19-T vector by T/A cloning, transformed into DH-5alpha, tested by PCR and sequenced. The data show that the homology of the cloned porcine SOCS-2, including 822 bp, is more than 93% and that of the deduced amino acid sequence is 89% when compared with human, rat and mice. And the molecular weight of SOCS-2 protein is about 22.25 kD and PI is 8.03. The cloning of SOCS-2 gene is useful for the further research on the molecular mechanism by which regulating growth and development of organism.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; genetics ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis ; Sequence Homology ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; genetics ; Swine ; genetics