Acceleration ; Algorithms ; Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Reference Standards ; Vibration

Objective:To study effects of neuroligin (NLG) on the proliferation and apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.Methods:The SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in vitro for 24 hours,and then transfected with NLG siRNA at dose of 50,100,200 μmol/L,respectively.MTT procedure was used to detect the cell proliferation,and expression levels of apoptosis gene including Bax or Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl were measured by RT-PCR.Results:Compared to control groups proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells were distinctly inhibited after NLG siRNA transfection accompany with a dose-dependent,which was caused by activation of apoptosis.Conclusions:NLG protect neuron by inhibiting apoptosis.

OBJECTIVEThe influence of processing methods on chemical constituents in Radix Paeoniae Alba was observed.

METHODA HPLC method was used for analyzing the changes of eight major constituents, namely gallic acid, paeoniflorin sulfonate, catechin, paeoniflorin sulfonate, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid, pentagalloylglucose and benzoylpaeoniflorin, with the three processing procedures of decorticating, boiling and fumigating by burning of sulphur. Analysis was performed using a Zorbax SB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with the mixture of acetonitrile (A) and 0.015% phosphoric acid solution as mobile phase in gradient mode. The detection wavelength was set at 230 nm and the column temperature was at 30 degrees C.

RESULTExcept for gallic acid and pentagalloylglucose, the other constituents decreased during procedure of decorticating and boiling. Fumigating by burning of sulphur would produce a new compound, paeoniflorin sulfonate, which was a byproduct from the reaction of paeoniflorin with SO2.

CONCLUSIONThe significant changes were produced in chemical constituents of Radix Paeoniae Alba during three processing procedures. Therefore, the processing of Radix Paeoniae Alba should be strictly controlled and standardized.

Benzoates ; analysis ; chemistry ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Hot Temperature ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; analysis ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sulfur ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the angiogenesis in unstable and stable plaques and to investigate the potential role of neovessels in creating vulnerable sites for atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSpecimens of coronary arteries were obtained from 52 autopsy cases with acute coronary syndromes. Plaque morphology was studied by use of stained slides. 922 tissue blocks of late-stage lesions were classified into two groups: (1) unstable plaque (n = 153), the plaque was characterized by a large extracellular lipid core (more than 40% of the plaque area); (2) stable plaque (n = 769), lipid core less than 40% of the plaque area. Forty blocks were selected randomly from each group and serial sections were stained immunohistochemically with a polyclonal antibody against F VIII RAg. Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, the occurrence of neovessels was more frequent and the neovessel density (number/mm(2)) was significantly increased as compared to that of stable plaques (frequency: 80.4% vs 66.6%, P < 0.01; shoulder: 22.16 +/- 19.96 vs 10.04 +/- 11.52, base: 21.68 +/- 20.44 vs 9.68 +/- 11.52, fibrous cap: 3.80 +/- 5.32 vs 1.48 +/- 2.28, P < 0.05). Most neovessels were located in the shoulder region and at the base of plaques.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that neovessels in coronary atherosclerotic plaques are closely associated with the decreased stabilization of the plaques.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

BACKGROUNDTrans-sacral axial L5/S1 interbody fusion (AxiaLIF), a novel surgical procedure, recently adopted in clinical practice, has excellent clinical outcomes. However, there is inadequate data on the feasibility of the approach in all adult patients and the optimal surgical approach is currently unclear; therefore, further studies are required. In order to enhance the surgical approach for AxiaLIF, prospective anatomical imaging optimization is necessary. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to achieve an optimal procedural setting.

METHODSThe subjects (n=40) underwent lumbosacral MRI examination. The median sagittal MRI images were analyzed and four measurement markers were defined as follows: the center of the L5/S1 disc (A), the anterior margin of the S1/2 disc space (B), the sacrococcygeal junction (C), and the coccygeal tip (D). The measurement markers were connected to each other to produce five lines (AB, AC, AD, BC, and BD), as reference lines for surgical approaches. The distance between each reference line and the anterior and posterior margins of the L5 and S1 vertebral bodies was measured to determine the safety of the respective approaches.

RESULTSIn all patients, Lines AB and AC satisfied the imaging safety criteria. Line AB would result in a significant deviation from the median and was determined to be unsuitable for AxiaLIF. Line AD satisfied the imaging safety criteria in 39 patients. However, the anal proximity of the puncture point proved to be limiting. For lines BC and BD, the imaging safety criteria were satisfied in 70% and 45% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe AxiaLIF procedure is a safe technique for insertion of fusion implants in all subjects. Line AC is a favorable reference line for surgical approach and safe for all subjects, while line BC is not suitable for all subjects.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDPrevious clinical and basic research of axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF) all focused on the L5/S1. However, there is no data on the feasibility of this approach for the fusion of both L4/5 and L5/S1. This study aimed to explore whether transsacral axial interbody fusion is a candidate for the fusion of both L4/5 and L5/S1.

METHODSThe subjects (n = 40) underwent lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The median sagittal MRI images were analyzed and five measurement markers were defined as follows: the center of the L4/5 disc (A), the center of the L5/S1 disc (B), the anterior margin of the S1/2 space (C), the sacrococcygeal junction (D), and the coccygeal tip (E). The measurement markers were connected each other to produce nine lines (AB, AC, AD, AE, BC, BD, BE, CD and CE) as the reference lines for surgical approaches. The distance between each reference line and the anterior and posterior margins of the L4, L5 and S1 vertebral bodies were measured to determine the safety of the respective approaches.

RESULTSTwenty subjects were capable of finding one reference line to fuse both L4/5 and L5/S1 via transsacral axial interbody fusion approach. The surgical approach reference line was AE or CE line. In the other 20 subjects, it was failed to find a reference line which met the safety criteria for fusing both L4/5 and L5/S1.

CONCLUSIONSAbout half of subjects were capable of finding a suitable AxiaLIF reference line to fuse both L4/5 and L5/S1. In some subjects, it was difficult to find a suitable AxiaLIF reference line to fuse both L4/5 and L5/S1.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

To approach the effect of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) on un-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells after treatment with Arsenic Trioxide ( As_2O_3) . Methods The changes of cell morphology were observed by Wright staining, the alteration in the cell proliferation was determined by WST1 experiment and the NBT reduction assay was used to detect the differentiation condition of cells, determination and analysis cell cycle. The expressions of C/EBP? and C/EBP? mRNA in HL-60 cells exposed to ATRA and As_2O_3 were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that ATRA could up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? obviously, but down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?. As_2O_3 could up-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? lightly, down-regulate the expression of C/EBP?. Conclusion Both of ATRA and As_2O_3 can down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?,but there is no significant difference between these two groups,ATRA and As2O3 can up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?, with significant differences (P

OBJECTIVEHuman selenoprotein P (HSelP) is unique protein that contains 10 selenocysteines encoded by 10 inframe UGA, which typically function as stop codon. The function of HSelP remains unclear, in part due to the inability to express it by gene recombinant technique. This study is to investigate expression and purification of recombinant HSelP in prokaryotic expression system, and its activity to induce apoptosis in vitro.

METHODSThe shorter HSelP isoform was cloned. After the selenocysteine (SeCys) at 40th position from N terminus of the HSelP shorter isoform was mutated into cysteine by PCR, it was expressed in E. coli. The expressed product was purified with DEAE column and identified by Western blot. Subsequently, its function on induction of mitochondrial apoptotic activity was studied.

RESULTSThe mutant HSelP shorter isoform expressed in prokaryotic system was purified by DEAE column to 90% homogeneity. The purified product, HSelP280m, induced the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) and decreased the transmembrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. These events could be abolished by PTP specific inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONHSelP280m can induce the opening of mitochondrial PTP, which provides a basis for investigating the structure and function of recombinant HSelP.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cysteine ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; drug effects ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitochondria, Liver ; physiology ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; Mutation ; Protein Isoforms ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Selenium ; Selenocysteine ; genetics ; Selenoprotein P ; Selenoproteins

OBJECTIVETo estimate the probability of unprotected heterosexual vaginal transmission of HIV-1 from clients to Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in Kaiyuan County, Yunnan province, China, and analyze factors which impact the transmission probability.

METHODSAn open cohort research of FSWs in Kaiyuan was created from surveys conducted in April 2008, October 2008, and April 2009. Two cross-sectional surveys of local clients were also carried out in May 2008 and November 2008. A model was developed to estimate the probability of unprotected heterosexual vaginal transmission of HIV-1 from clients to FSWs.

RESULTSThe transmission probability from clients to FSWs was estimated as 0.0023 [95%CI 0.0014-0.0032] per unprotected heterosexual act.

CONCLUSIONSThe transmission probability among this group engaging in commercial sex in Yunnan province differs from that found in studies from other countries, and future studies should estimate the influence factors of HIV-1 transmission probability, such as stage of HIV infection, co-morbid sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; HIV-1 ; isolation & purification ; Heterosexuality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Probability ; Sex Work ; statistics & numerical data ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral ; epidemiology ; virology ; Social Class ; Unsafe Sex ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

The effects of human insulin 70/30 and insulin lispro 75/25 were compared in improving postprandial blood glucose excursions in 106 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes in a one-month,open-labelled,self- controlled trial .The results showed that treatment of diabetic patients with insulin lispro 75/25 significantly improved 2 h postprandial blood glucose excursion compared to pre-study with human insulin 70/30 (baseline) without any significant adverse events or sustained hypoglycemic episodes.These physiological benefits were associated with a patient preference for insulin lispro 75/25.