Disaster Planning ; organization & administration ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; organization & administration ; Humans ; Public Health ; methods

Objective To observe the serum cyclophilin A(CyPA)level change in the patients with coronary heart disease (CHD)and to investigate its clinical significance.Methods 64 patients with CHD(CHD group)were divided into three groups ac-cording to the clinical types:stable angina pectoris(SAP)group,unstable angina pectoris(UAP)group and acute myocardial infarc-tion(AMI)group;which were divided into three groups according to the coronary artery lesion range:single vessel lesion group, double vessels lesions group and multi vessels lesions group;while 26 controls with normal coronary arteries were select as the con-trol group.Serum levels of CyPA and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9 )were detected by ELISA,and C-reactive protein(CRP) concentration was detected by the immune scattering turbidimetry test.Results The CyPA,MMP-9 and CRP levels in the CHD group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.01);the CyPA and CRP levels in the AMI group and the UAP group were significantly higher than those in the control group and the SAP group(P<0.05),the CyPA and CRP levels had no statistically significant difference between the SAP group and the control group(P>0.05);serum CyPA,MMP-9 and CRP levels in the single vessel lesion group,the double vessels lesion group,multi vessels lesion group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),serum CyPA,MMP-9 and CRP levels were elevated with the increase of coronary artery lesion vessels (P<0.05).In the CHD group,serum CyPA with MMP-9 and CRP showed the significantly positive correlation(r=0.772,0.749, P<0.01).Conclusion Serum CyPA level is significantly increased in the patients with CHD,CyPA may have some relationship to CHD and the plaque stability.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hypoxia on the human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells two pore domain potassium channels TASK-1 and the regulation of non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src in this process.

METHODSThe cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs) were divided into: normal group, hypoxia 30 minute group, hypoxia 6 hours group and hypoxia 48 hour group, and hypoxia 48 hour + PP2 group, hypoxia 48 hour + PP3 group, hypoxia 48 hour + bpV group. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle, RT-PCR and Western blot technique were carried out to detect the expression changes of TASK-1 mRNA and protein in different groups.

RESULTS(1) Cell Cycle Show: Compared with normal control group, with prolonged hypoxia, the percentages of hPASMCs in S phases of cell cycle were increased. While compared with hypoxia 48 hour group, the percentages of hypoxia 48 hour + PP2 group hPASMCs in S phases of cell cycle were decreased. The expression of TASK-1 mRNA on hPASMCs in acute hypoxia 6 hour group was increased, while the expression of TASK-1 protein on hPASMCs in the acute and chronic hypoxia group was decreased, and the expression of TASK-1 mRNA on hPASMCs in the chronic hypoxia group was decreased; After pre-incubation of a potent and selective inhibitor of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases PP2, the expression of TASK-1 mRNA and protein in hypoxia 48 hour group was increased, however after pre-incubation of the inhibitor of the Src family of protein tyrosine phosphatase bpV, the expression of TASK-1 protein in hypoxia 48 hour group was decreased.

CONCLUSIONHypoxia promotes human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation, and non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src may participate in the expression of two pore domain potassium channels TASK-1 regulated by hypoxia. Therefore, we hypothesized that TASK-1 channels and c-Src participatein the acute and chronic hypoxic human pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; Vasoconstriction ; src-Family Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antiviral efficacy of Bushen Granule (BSG) combined with Marine Injection (MI) in treating patients with chronic hepatitis B of Gan-shen deficiency with Damp-Heat (GSD) syndrome type.

METHODSA total of 90 patients, who were HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg positive and of GS-DD type, were enrolled, and they were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The 49 patients in the treated group were treated with the combined therapy of BSG and MI and the 41 were administered with lamivudine, the therapeutic course for both groups was 1 year. The negative conversion rate of HBeAg and HBV DNA and the changes in HBV DNA titre, liver function, symptoms and physical signs were observed in the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSIn the treated group, the negative conversion rate of HBV DNA was 42.6% (20/ 47), insignificantly different to that in the control group (61.0%, 25/41, P > 0.05); the negative conversion rate of HBeAg and HBeAg/anti-HBe sero-conversion rate was 42.6% and 36.2%, respectively, significantly higher than those in the control group (22.0% and 17.0%, P < 0.05); the ALT normalizing rate was 74.4%, higher than that in the control group (51.4%, P < 0.05); the improvement of liver function (ALB and GLB) and clinical symptoms, especially the dizziness, soreness of waist, hypochondrial distending pain, and yellowish urine, were significantly superior to those in the control group(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); and the partial response rate was 29.8%, insignificant different to that in the control group (14.6%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombined treatment of BSG and MI has an ideal short-term effect in treating patients with chronic hepatitis B of Gan-shen deficiency with Damp-Heat syndrome type, it can inhibit HBV replication and improve patients' liver function and physical signs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

Objective To explore the role of NF-kB activation on spontaneous formation of germinal centers in spleen in BXSB mice and it's mechanisms.Methods Eighteen BXSB mice were divided to control group and pyrrolidine dithiocarbonate(PDTC)group randomly.PDTC group was given PDTC 120 mg/kg?BW ip every other day and control group was given the same dose of dissolving solution.NF-kB activity was deter- mined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Two color flow cytometry were used to detect CD154 expression on splenic B cells and germinal center B cells apoptosis.Germinal centers were stained for histochemical analysis.Results PDTC could inhibit the NF-kB activity in spleen tissue in BXSB mice.It decreased the NF-kB activity by 62.82%.Spontaneous germinal center formation was detected in spleen in BXSB mice.In- hibiting NF-KB activation could down-regulate CD154 expression on splenic B cell,retard spontaneous germi- nal center formation and increase germinal center B cell apoptosis.Conclusion NF-kB activation may induce spontaneous germinal center formation in spleen in BXSB mice by upregulating CD154 expression on splenic B cell and decreasing germinal center B cell apoptosis.The autoreactive B cells generated during spontaneous germinal center formation may escape apoptosis and then differentiate to autoantibody-producing plasm cells.It suggests that NF-kB can be a therapeutic target.

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the relationship between oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), angiogenesis and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries; and to investigate the role of oxLDL in creating vulnerable sites in atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSamples of coronary arteries were obtained at autopsies of 42 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Eighty randomly selected blocks were studied by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against oxLDL and endothelial cells (factor VIII). Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, percentage of immunoreactive areas for oxLDL was significantly higher than that in stable plaques. Most of the oxLDL were located in shoulder region of these plaques, as compared to the fibrous cap and basal regions. The details of distribution of oxLDL were as follows: shoulder region (20.43 +/- 3.12 for unstable plaques and 17.65 +/- 4.22 for stable plaques), fibrous cap (4.77 +/- 2.03 for unstable plaque and 2.80 +/- 0.22 for stable plaques) and basal region (5.65 +/- 1.65 for unstable plaques and 3.22 +/- 1.02 for unstable plaques). OxLDL was also a main component in the lipid core. In the shoulder region, there was a significant positive correlation between neovascularization and oxLDL (r = 0.8247, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe amount of oxLDL is significantly higher in unstable atherosclerotic plaques, especially over the shoulder region. OxLDL in coronary atherosclerotic plaques is thus an important factor in determining stabilization of the plaques. OxLDL may induce influx of inflammatory cells which subsequently leads to decreased plaque stabilization.

Angina, Unstable ; metabolism ; pathology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To study the chest image appearances of penicilliosis marneffei(PSM)in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS).Methods Chest imaging features of PSM in 36 patients with AIDS were retrospectively analyzed.Results Radiographic features of infiltrative lesions and focal lung consolidation were found in 14 cases(38.89%),in which 2 cases were with single lung disease(5.56%)and 12 cases with bilateral lung involvement(33.33%).Eight cases had diffuse lesions (22.22%),10 cases had reticular image patterns(27.78%),9 cases had nodular patterns(25.00%), 7 cases had ground-glass shadows(19.44%),6 cases had diffuse miliary lesions(16.67%),4 cases had enlarged bilar and enlarged mediastinum lymph nodes(11.11%).Cystic lesions was found in 5 cases (13.89%).Four cases had pleural effusion(11.11%),and 2 cases had nodular bump(5.56%). Pericardial effusion and pneumothorax each appeared in 1 case(2.78%).By HRCT,infiltrative lesion and focal lung consolidation were found in 32 patients(88.89%),in which 4 cases were with single lung lesions (11.11%)and 28 cases were with bilateral lung lesions(77.78%).Thirteen cases had diffuse lesions (36.11%),10 cases had pulmonary interstitial hyperplasia(27.78%),9 cases had nodular patterns (25.00%),8 cases had ground-glass shadows(22.22%),9 cases had diffuse miliary lesions(25.00%), 21 cases had enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum(58.33%).Cystic lesions were found in 8 cases (22.22%).Thirteen cases had pleural effusion(36.11%),and 2 cases had nodular bump(5.56%). Pericardial effusion and pneumothorax each appeared in 1 case(2.78%).Conclusion The image appearances of PSM in patients with AIDS include infiltrative lesions or focal lung consolidation,ground- glass shadow,enlarged hilar and mediastinum lymph nodes,pleural effusion,interstitial involvement or reticular image pattern(pulmonary interstitial hyperplasia),diffuse miliary lesion,and cystic lesion.

Objective with the advantages of rapidity in detection protein, We selected the gender-specific amino acid sequence based on human SMCY and SMCX, cloned and expressed SMCY gender-specific fusion antigens. The rabbits were immunized with purified antigens to obtain the polyclonal antibodies. A new method was established for rapidly sex identification of forensic evidence samples by detecting SMCY antigens with the corresponding polyclonal antibodies. Methods We found three differential fragments by analyzing the sequence of human SMCY and SMCX. Then we cloned this three fragments and ligated as a new recombinant.This SMCY gender-specific fusion antigen gene was sub-cloned into pET-28a and expressed in Escherichia coli. The fusion antigen was purified by Ni-NTA column. The rabbits were immunized with purified antigen to produce the specific polyclonal antibodies.The reactivity of the polyclonal antibody was evaluated by ELISA and Western blotting. We developed a colloidal gold test strip for detecting the gender of human samples. Results We successfully selected gender-specific amino acid sequence, the SMCY gender-specific fusion antigen was expressed by prokaryotic expression and the polyclonal antibody was prepared by immunizing rabbit. The results of colloidal gold strip tests showed that there is a significant difference between male and female serums. Conclusion The results showed that the SMCY gender-specific fusion antigen could be recognized by the polyclonal antibody.The colloidal gold strip tests made by SMCY gender-specific fusion antigens and the corresponding polyclonal antibodies could be used for rapidly determining the gender of forensic evidence samples.

For determination the ionic mechanisms of the hypoxic acclimatization at the level of channels, male Spradue-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: control normoxic group and chronic intermittent hypoxic group [O2 concentration: (10 +/-0.5)%, hypoxia 8 h a day]. Using whole cell patch-clamp technique, voltage-gated potassium channel currents (IK(V)) were recorded in freshly isolated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of rat with acute isolated method. The effect of acute hypoxia on IK(V) of PASMCs from chronic intermittent hypoxia group was investigated to offer some basic data for clarifying the ionic mechanisms of the hypoxic acclimatization. The results showed: (1) In control normoxic group, after acute hypoxia free-Ca(2+) solution, the resting membrane potential (Em) of PASMCs was depolarized significantly from -47.2+/-2.6 mV to -26.7+/-1.2 mV, and the IK(V) of PASMCs was decreased significantly from 153.4+/-9.5 pA/pF to 70.1+/-0.6 pA/pF, the peak current percent inhibition was up to (57.6+/-3.3)% at +60 mV, and current-voltage relationship curve shifted to the right. (2) In chronic intermittent hypoxic group, the IK(V) of PASMCs was decreased significantly by exposure to intermittent hypoxia in a time-dependent manner, appeared to start on day 10 and continued to day 30 (the longest time tested) of hypoxia, and current-voltage relationship curve shifted to the right in a time-dependent manner. (3) Compared with the control normoxic group, the percent IK(V) inhibition by acute hypoxia was significantly attenuated in the chronic intermittent hypoxia group and this inhibition effect declined with time exposure to hypoxia. The results suggest that K(V) inhibition was significantly attenuated by chronic intermittent hypoxia, and this effect may be a critical mechanism of the body hypoxic acclimatization.
Animals ; Cell Separation ; Hypoxia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDp53 is a tumor suppressor and plays a key role in regulating cell hyperplasia, repairing DNA and inducing apoptosis. This study was to investigate p53 expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and its effect on CD4(+) T lymphocytes from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSHuman FLS were transfected with p53 siRNA and cocultured with CD4(+) T lymphocytes from patients with active RA. The expressions of osteoprotegerin and interleukin (IL)-6 were detected in p53 siRNA and scramble siRNA-transfected FLS. In addition, protein levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-17, IL-4 and CD25 as well as mRNAs of IFN-γ, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-γt, IL-17 and Foxp3 in cocultured CD4(+) T lymphocytes were also measured.

RESULTSIL-6 decreased in p53-knockdown FLS while osteoprotegerin expression was not altered. FLS with p53 deletion significantly increased the production of IL-17 and IFN-γ by CD4(+) T cells and upregulated Foxp3 mRNA expression without effects on the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(high) T lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONp53 in FLS might regulate Th1 and Th17 functions in patients with RA and participate in the pathogenesis of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism