Objective: To explore the effect of exercise preconditioning (EP) on pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure (HF) in pressure over-loaded experimental rats.
Methods:A total of 60 SD rats at the age of 6 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups, n=20 in each group. Sham-operation group, Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) group and EP + TAC group. The cardiac function and structure were evaluated by echocardiography, patholgical changes and HF biomarkers were examined for EP effect at 4 and 8 weeks after TAC.
Results:Compared with Sham-operation group, the cardiac function and structure had obvious changes in the other 2 groups. Compared with TAC group, the ejection fraction in EP+ TAC group increased 15%, the heart weight index and left ventricular weight index decrease 15.7%and 20%respectively at 8 weeks after TAC, all P<0.05. Compared with Sham-operation group, the mRNA and protein expressions of ANP and BNP increased in TAC group at 4 and 8 weeks after TAC, increased in EP+TAC group at 8 week after TAC. Compared with TAC group, the mRNA expressions of ANP and BNP in EP+TAC group decreased 47%and 62%at 4 weeks after TAC, decreased 44%and 28.1%at 8 weeks after TAC, all P<0.05;the protein expression of ANP and BNP in EP+TAC group decreased 22.3%and 48%at 4 weeks after TAC, decreased 21.5%and 38.3%at 8 weeks after TAC, all P<0.01.
Conclusion: EP may improve cardiac pathological hypertrophy in pressure over-loaded rats at the early stage, and delay the heart failure process.

Sugarcane stem is an ideal organ for producing foreign pharmaceutical proteins and chemicals by genetic engineering.A perfect promoter driving foreign gene to express strongly and specifically in sugarcane stem is necessary for this purpose.In order to isolate a Sugarcane stem-specific promoter,a fragment of 1968bp nucleotide sequence(Ppst2a)upstream 5' of sugarcane pst2a gene,which was demonstrated to express specifically in sugarcane stem previously was isolated by using chromosomal walking.Bioinformatical analysis of this sequence shows that the sequence contains some typical elements of a promoter.To identify the stem-specific of this promoter,a construct was derived from pCAMBIA1301,which original CaMV 35S promoter was replaced by the 1968bp nucleotide sequence,and named as pCAMBIA1900.Transformations of pCAMBIA1900 and pCAMBIA1301 to leaves and stem pieces of sugarcane were carried out by using particle bombardment.The transient expression of gus showed that the gus expressed specifically in sugarcane with a little higher level compared with CaMV 35S.It is the first report that pst2a promoter is a potential stem-specific promoter which can further be used in transgenes into sugarcane.

OBJECTIVEThis study is to develop excellent extraction technology of the polysaccharides in the root of the A. potaninii which live in the Taibai Mountain in China.

METHODBased on the extraction with water, the polysaccharides were deposited with alcohol. With the content of polysaccharides was as the index, extraction conditions were investigated systemly. Employed the solid-liquid ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time and extraction number of times were as levels of single factor, the optimal extraction technology of the polysaccharides from the root of the A. potaninii was determined by L9 (3(4)) orthogonal experimental design L9 (3(4)).

RESULTThe optimal technology conditions were that the solid-liquid ratio was 1 : 30, the extracting temperature was 60 degrees C, the extracting time was 3 h and extracting number of times was 3 times.

CONCLUSIONThe optimized extraction technology is simple, reliable and extraction efficiency of polysaccharide is higher.

Campanulaceae ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Water ; chemistry

Objective To review the diagnosis and treatment of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma with a 34cases report. Methods Thirty-four cases of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma were retrospectively analyzed. Hypertension was observed in 27 cases. Abdominal pain was seen in 10 patients and intermittent hematuria in 2 patients. Serum and urinary catecholamine and urinary VMA were measured in 34 cases. The level of serum or urinary catecholamine elevated in 20 cases and urine VMA elevated in 24 cases. Thirty-four cases had ultrasound examination,25 cases underwent CT scan and 6 cases underwent MER scan.Results Pheochromocytomas of 12 cases were located in the renal hilum, 2 in the lower pole of the left kidney, 1 in the posterior aspect of the inferior vena cava, 3 in the interaortocaval region, 2 in the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta, 1 in the anterior of the right common iliac artery, 1 in the hilum of the liver, 1 in the posterior o{ the pancreas, 2 in the bladder wall, 1 in the posterior of the descending colon, and 8 cases of multifoci. Twenty-two cases of extraadrenal pheochromocytoma were benign and 12 cases were malignant. Thirty cases were followed up from 6 months to 13 years. Among 27 cases with hypertension, the blood pressure of 22 patients returned to normal and 5 cases were still hypertensive. Nine cases of malignant pheochromocytoma all had tumor recurrence or metastases at one year postoperatively. Six patients died during followed-up from 6 months to 3 years, including 3 cases died of cerebral hemorrhage and 3 cases of tumor metastases. Three cases got stable with 131Ⅰ-MIBG radiotheraphy.Conclusions The accurate detecting extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma is difficult. CT scan could be reliable in localizing the lesions. Surgical resection of the tumor could be the best therapy. Patients of malignant extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma may be treated with 131Ⅰ-MIBG after surgical therapy.

Objective To analyze the safety and effectiveness of photoselective green-light laser vaporization of the prostate(PVP)in treatment of large prostate with volume more than 80 ml. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed in 25 benign prostatic hypertrophy patients undergoing the PVP treatment,whose prostate volume was more than 80 ml.Results Twenty-five patients with prostate mean volume of 151.8(84.0-270.0)ml were treated by PVP and 23 cases were finished successfully.One operation was suspended because of bleeding and the other because of damaging orifice.No blood transfusion was needed and no“transurethral resection(TUR)syndrome”happened.Five cases had acute retention and 2 of them needed second PVP.In a mean of 7.9(3.0- 12.0)months follow-up,maximal urinary flow rate(Qmax),international prostate symptom score (IPSS),quality of life score(QOL),and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)level were improved significantly.The volume of prostate reduced after PVP than before PVP but no significant difference was found.Conclusions PVP is feasible in treating large prostate even the volume is more than 80 ml,although it needs better skill.Catheterization for some time is helpful in reducing the incidence of early postoperative acute urinary retention.

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of lead acetate on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) protein in rat brain and the regulation of thyroid hormone.

METHODSLead acetate was given to SD rats intraperitoneally ip. at the dosage of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively. 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) was used to make a hypothyroid model and then lead acetate was given at the dosage of 50 mg/kg body weight through i.p. The NGF protein expression in rat brain was observed by immunohistochemistry Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), TSH in serum and T3, T4 in brain tissue were determined by radio immunoassays (RIAs).

RESULTSThe average gray value of NGF protein in cerebral cortex of 50 mg, 100 mg treated groups (180.49 +/- 10.33, 169.72 +/- 19.75, respectively) were lower than the control (200.75 +/- 3.27, P<0.01). The area density of NGF protein in hippocampus of three treated groups (0.08 +/- 0.14, 0.12 +/- 0.02, 0.13 +/- 0.04, respectively) were significantly different from the control (0.025 +/- 0.015, P<0.05). The area density and the average gray value of NGF protein in lead acetate treated hypothyroid rat brain were of no significant changes. The levels of serum T3 in three treated groups [(0.68 +/- 0.02), (0.57 +/- 0.04), (0.54 +/- 0.02) microg/L respectively] and T4 [(28.30 +/- 1.83), (27.35 +/- 2.55), (24.00 +/- 3.01) microg/L] in serum were significantly lower while TSH [(6.34 +/- 1.13), (7.74 +/- 0.79), (9.16 +/- 0.77) IU] higher than those in the control [T3 (0.97 +/- 0.14) microg/L, T4 (54.50 +/- 3.70) microg/L and TSH (4.62 +/- 2.16) IU], and there was a good dose-response relationship. The levels of T3 in cerebral cortex of three treated groups [(13.26 +/- 0.81), (11.49 +/- 0.10), (10.42 +/- 1.19) pg/mg pro respectively] and T4 [(0.50 +/- 0.03), (0.49 +/- 0.13), (0.42 +/- 0.01) ng/mg pro] were significantly lower than those in control [(20.85 +/- 11.01) pg/mg pro, (0.76 +/- 0.14) ng/mg pro, P<0.05, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONLead could increase the NGF protein expression in rat brain, which may be regulated by thyroid hormone.

Animals ; Brain Chemistry ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; Organometallic Compounds ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thyroid Hormones ; analysis ; blood ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficiency and safety of transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the treatment of adrenal tumors and to describe surgical technique and management of intraoperative complications.

METHODSFrom February 2002 to April 2008, 24 male and 44 female consecutive patients with average age (53.4 +/- 12.1) years old were treated with transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy because of adrenal tumors. Of the patients, 27 cases had right adrenal tumors, 39 cases had left adrenal tumors and 2 cases had bilateral adrenal tumors. The average tumor size was (2.9 +/- 2.0) cm with the maximal diameter of 10 cm. We evaluated this technique in respect of operating time, estimated blood loss, complications during surgery, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay and pathological results.

RESULTSAll the surgeries had been completed successfully without conversion to open surgery. The average operating time was (157.7 +/- 51.5) min, the average estimated blood loss was (68.1 +/- 54.2) ml. No major complication happened during operation. The average drainage time was (2.6 +/- 1.5) days. The average post-operative hospital stay was (8.7 +/- 4.3) days. Four cases (6.0%) developed surgical field liquefaction and 2 cases (2.9%) experienced delayed closure of the drainage wound.

CONCLUSIONSTransperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible and safe in the treatment of adrenal tumor with low risk of intra-operative and post-operative complication.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; surgery ; Adrenalectomy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of purariae isoflavone on apoptosis cells of atrophic nasal mucosas in ovariectomized rats.

METHOD60 rats were divided into four groups as control, ovariectomized, ovariectomized + nylestriol (O + N) and ovariectomized + purariae isoflavone (O + P), each with 15 rats. Earlier apotosis cells of mucosas taken from nasal septum were measured with flow cytometry.

RESULTCompared with control group, and the number of apoptosis cells of mucosas increased after being ovariectomized,and the number of apoptosis cells of mucosas in O + N and O + D group didn't change.

CONCLUSIONNylestriol and purariae isoflavone might have effects on protecting cells of mucosas from lacking of estrogen by decreasing apoptosis cells in ovariectomized rats.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Estradiol Congeners ; pharmacology ; Female ; Isoflavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Nasal Mucosa ; pathology ; Ovariectomy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Quinestrol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change in dendritic cells (DCs) in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) and the effect of glucocorticoid on DCs in children with cITP.

METHODSFifteen children with cITP and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Flow cytometry was used to measure the DC subsets count in the 15 children with cITP before and after glucocorticoid treatment as well as the corresponding values in the 20 healthy controls. The DCs derived from peripheral blood monocytes in children with cITP were cultured in vitro and collected, and their immunophenotypes were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSBefore glucocorticoid treatment, the children with cITP showed no notable change in the absolute count of myeloid DCs (mDCs) but showed decreased absolute count of plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and increased mDC/pDC ratio compared with the healthy controls (P<0.05). After glucocorticoid treatment, the children with cITP demonstrated increased absolute count of pDCs and decreased absolute count of mDCs and mDC/pDC ratio compared with before treatment (P<0.05). Before glucocorticoid treatment, the children with cITP had significantly higher positive rates of HLA-DR, CD80, CD83 and CD86 on peripheral blood DCs than the healthy controls (P<0.01). All the positive rates were significantly decreased after glucocorticoid treatment (P<0.01), so that there was no significant difference from the healthy controls (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDisproportion and functional disturbance of DC subsets is associated with the pathogenesis of cITP in children. Glucocorticoid can strengthen the immunosuppression of DCs in children with cITP, which may contribute to the effectiveness of glucocorticoid as a treatment.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Thrombocytopenia ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo assay the expression of KiSS-1 and GnRH in the male rat hypothalamus at different developmental stages, and to explore the significance of KiSS-1 in sex development onset and normal reproduction regulation.

METHODSExpression analyses of KiSS-1 and GnRH genes were conducted in the rat hypothalamus at different developmental stages with RT-PCR and real time-PCR. The testosterone level was assayed by chemoluminescence technique.

RESULTSKiSS-1 mRNA rose gradually during sex development in the rat hypothalamus, highest at puberty and lowered a little at adulthood. KiSS-1 mRNA of the prepubertal, early pubertal, pubertal and adult rats was 1.7, 2.1, 3.5 and 2.0 times higher than that of the infantile rats respectively. The expression of GnRH and KiSS-1 correlated positively (r = 0.905, P < 0.05). But the activation of GnRH neuron was later than KiSS-1. The expression of GnRH was the highest in the puberty rats. GnRH mRNA of the prepubertal, early pubertal, pubertal and adult rats was 1.1, 1.94, 2.42 and 1.92 times higher than that of the infantile rats respectively. The level of testosterone in the adult rats was significantly higher than that at the earlier stage and was the highest at the adult stage.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of KiSS-1 correlates positively with that of GnRH. KiSS-1 may participate in the regulation of GnRH and is relevant to puberty onset and the regulation of reproduction function.

Animals ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Kisspeptins ; Male ; Proteins ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction