BACKGROUND:In recent years, great progress has been achieved in the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of arterial blood vessels of normal human corpses and animals. OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze the tensile mechanical properties of thoracic aorta in normaly fed spontaneously hypertensive rats and salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats were obtained and randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n=10/group). Rats in the experimental group were subjected to continuous salt loading intervention for 16 weeks. Rats in the control group were fed with normal diet and ordinary tap water. At the 16th week, 10 specimens of thoracic aorta of rats from these two groups were harvested to conduct stress relaxation experiments.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The decrease in stress at 7 200 seconds and the decrease in normalized stress relaxation function value at 7 200 seconds of thoracic aortic specimens of rats in experimental group were both lower than those in the control group (P< 0.05). These results confirm that the stress relaxation properties of thoracic aorta of normaly fed and salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats change, wherein the changes in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats are more obvious.

Immobilization conditions of Candida tropicalis to be absorbed in polyurethane foam carrier materials were studied on the xylitol production from corn hemicellulosic hydrolysate. Optimum batch-fermentation conditions were as follows: inoculum amount, 7% (volume ratio); polyurethane foam quantity, 1.0 g/100 mL; 30?C; initial pH, 6.0. Shaking speed was divided into two-phase to accommodate the dissolved oxygen, with 200 r/min at 0~24 h and 150 r/min at 24 h~46 h. The immobilized cells on polyurethane foam carrier have high density and good resistance to inhibitors in the hydrolysates. Average xylitol yield and volumetric productivity of polyurethane foam immobilized fermentation were much higher than the fermentation without immobilization. Corn cob hydrolysates can be directly biotransformed to xylitol without decoloration or ion-exchange treatment. This process can effectively reduce production costs, and it shows broad prospects of applications. Average xylitol yield was 67.6% and xylitol volumetric productivity was 1.92 g/(L?h).

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of L-838,417 on the results of behavioral test in rats with experimentally induced trigeminal neuralgia.

METHODSMale SD rats were randomized into model group (n=34), sham-operated group (n=30) and control group (n=6). Thirty rats with trigeminal neuralgia induced by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve below the zygomatic bone were randomly divided into 5 equal groups for treatment with 1.0 mg/kg L-838,417 (L1 group), 10.0 mg/kg L-838,417 (L10 group), 5 mg/kg morphine (M group), 3 mg/kg diazepam (D group), or normal saline (NS group). The pain threshold of the tentacles pad to von-Frey filament stimulation was measured in the rats before and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 h after the treatments. The sedative effect of L-838,417 was evaluated by recording the position scores and righting reflex scores, and the drug tolerance was also evaluated.

RESULTSNine days after the operation, the pain threshold of the rats in the model group was significantly decreased compared with that before operation and that of the sham group (P<0.01). The threshold of L1 and L10 groups were both significantly increased 1 h after L-838,417 administration (P<0.01). The rats in the NS, L1, and L10 groups did not show unusual posture or righting reflex. In L1 and L10 groups, L838,417 did not show attenuated efficacy after prolonged use (10 days).

CONCLUSIONL-838,417 can effectively improve hyperalgesia in rats with trigeminal neuralgia without causing sedation, motor impairment, or drug tolerance.

Animals ; Fluorobenzenes ; pharmacology ; Hyperalgesia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triazoles ; pharmacology ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of hirudin on atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice.

METHODSTotally 24 ApoE(-/-) mice, 7-8 weeks old were fed with high fat diets. They were randomly divided into the recombinant hirudin treatment group (drug group) and the model group according to body weight and different dens, 12 in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice, 7-8 weeks old fed with high fat diet were recruited as the normal control group. Recombinant hirudin (0.25 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to mice in the drug group from the 10th week old once every other day for five successive weeks. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to mice in the model group. Mice in the normal control group received no treatment. All mice were sacrificed after fed with high fat diet until they were 20 weeks old. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), E-selectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and stromal metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were detected. The plaque/lumen area and extracellular lipid composition/ plaque area were analyzed by HE staining and morphometry. Changes of signaling molecules in store-operated calcium channels, including stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1), Orail protein, and transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1) were determined by Western blot. Results Lipid plaque formed in the aorta vessel wall of 20-week old mice in the model group. Compared with the normal control group, serum levels of TC, TG and LDL increased (P<0.01), hs-CRP, E-selction, IL-6, and MMP-2 obviously increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group; expression levels of STIM1, TRPC1, and Orail significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the plaque/lumen area and the extracellular lipid composition/plaque area significantly decreased in the drug group (P<0.05, P<0.01); serum levels of TC and LDL, hs-CRP, E-selction, IL-6, and MMP-2 obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01); expression levels of STIM1, TRPC1, and Orail were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHirudin could significantly improve lipids and endothelial functions of ApoE(-/-) mice, down-regulate expression levels of STIM1, Orai1, and TRPC1, and thus delaying the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Aorta ; Apolipoproteins E ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; E-Selectin ; Hirudins ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipids ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Triglycerides

Objective To evaluate the safety of coronary intervention using iodixanol in patients with diabetic renal insufficiency.Methods Clinical data of 97 patients with diabetic renal insufficiency undergoing coronary intervention during June 2004 to June 2006 were retrospectively analyzed,50 of them with iodixanol,an iso-osmolar contrast medium (iodixanol group),and 47 with iopromide,a hypotanic contrast medium (iopromide group).Judkin's coronary angiography showed 167 diseased vessels in the patients,65 in anterior descending branches,44 in circumflex branches,and 58 in right coronary arteries. Levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were determined before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI),on the day of the procedure,the 3rd and 7th days after PCI,respectively,as well as radiocontrast media-induced nephropathy (CIN) was observed.Results Totally,192 drug-eluting stents were successfully implanted in 167 diseased vessels,and all patients' angina pectoris symptom disappeared soon after the procedure,with a full success.No acute or subacute stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred.Two patients (4%) in iodixanol group and 10 (21%) in iopromide group got CIN,with a statistical significance (P

The epitope-G1 gene of Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) glycoprotein was synthesised by PCR and cloned into expression vector pPIC9K to construct recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-G1. Then the pPIC9K-G1 was linearized and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS 115. The recombinant P. pastoris strains were selected by a G418 transformation screen and confirmed by PCR. After being induced with methanol, an expressed protein with 26 kDa molecular weight was obtained, which was much bigger than the predicted size (15.54 kDa). Deglycosylation analysis indicated the recombinant G1 was glycosylated. Western blot and ELISA tests, as well as rabbit immunization and specificity experiments indicated that the target protein had both higher reaction activity and higher immunocompetence and specificity. The recombinant G1 protein could be used as a coating antigen to develop an ELISA kit for bovine ephemeral fever diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the expression of osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9),and the relationship of osteopontin and MMP9 in malignant melanoma.Methods Expression of osteopontin and MMP9 was measured by immunohistochemical SP method in 23 patients with primary cuta- neous malignant melanoma,17 patients with metastatic melanoma and 20 patients with pigmented nevus. Results Osteopontin and MMP9 were expressed respectively in 87.5% and 75.0% of 40 malignant melanoma specimens,15.0% and 10.0% of 20 pigmented nevus specimens.The expression of both osteo- pontin and MMP9 was significantly higher (both P＜0.05) in malignant melanoma than in pigmented ne- vus.There was no correlation between the expression of osteopontin and MMP9,with age,sex,lymph node metastasis or location of lesions (P＞0.05).Twenty-nine cases were positive for both osteopontin and MMP9,4 negative for either osteopontin or MMP9.Conclusion Both osteopontin and MMP9 were over- expressed in malignant melanoma,but neither was related to lymph node metastasis.

Objective To study the influence of sub-chronically exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)on heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression in rat hippocampus. Methods Forty eight healthy adult male SD rats were randonly divided into 6 groups: blank control, olive control and four B[a]P-treated groups, which were exposed intra-peritoneally to B[a]P at the doses of 0.5, 1.5, 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg for 90 days. The learning and memory function was measured by Morris water maze. The expression level of Hsp70 and hsp70 mRNA in rat hippocampus were detected by Western-blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the Hsp70 expression levels in hippocampus CA1, CA2, CA3, DG regions, which were reflected by average gray values of Hsp70 immunoreactive products measured by image analysis system. Results The results of Morris water maze test showed the escape latencies and total distances of navigation in 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P groups were significantly higher than those in two control groups and 0.5 or 1.5 mg/kg B[a]P groups (P＜0.05).The duration of the third quadrant of the space search experiment in 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P group was significantly lower than those in two control groups and 0.5 mg/kg B[a]P group (P＜0.05). The expression levels of Hsp70 and hsp70 mRNA in rat hippocampus decreased with the B[a]P dose. The expression levels of Hsp70 in 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P groups were significantly lower than those of two control groups and 0.5 mg/kg B[a]P group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ). The expression levels of hsp70 mRNA in 0.5, 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P groups were significantly lower than those in two control groups (P＜0.01) and the expression level of hsp70 mRNA in 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P group was significantly lower than those in other B[a]P groups. The results of immunohistochemistry examination indicated that the average gray values of Hsp70 immunoreactive products in CA1, CA2, CA3, DG regions decreased with dose of B[a]P. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the expression of Hsp70 protein in hippocampus and the average escape latency (r=-0.428, P＜0.05). There was a negative correlation between the expression of hsp70 mRNA in hippocampus and the average escape latency,the total distance of the third quadrant (r=--0.677 and r=-0.594, P＜0.01 ). There was a positive correlation between the expression of hsp70 mRNA in hippocampus and the average total duration of the third quadrant (r=0.597, P＜0.01). Conclusion Sub-chronic exposure to B[a]P could inhibit the expression of Hsp70 in rat hippocampus, which was related to the ability of learning and memory of rats and the inhibition effects did not have the region-specificity.

Objective To study the influence of sub-chronically exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)on heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression in rat hippocampus. Methods Forty eight healthy adult male SD rats were randonly divided into 6 groups: blank control, olive control and four B[a]P-treated groups, which were exposed intra-peritoneally to B[a]P at the doses of 0.5, 1.5, 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg for 90 days. The learning and memory function was measured by Morris water maze. The expression level of Hsp70 and hsp70 mRNA in rat hippocampus were detected by Western-blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the Hsp70 expression levels in hippocampus CA1, CA2, CA3, DG regions, which were reflected by average gray values of Hsp70 immunoreactive products measured by image analysis system. Results The results of Morris water maze test showed the escape latencies and total distances of navigation in 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P groups were significantly higher than those in two control groups and 0.5 or 1.5 mg/kg B[a]P groups (P＜0.05).The duration of the third quadrant of the space search experiment in 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P group was significantly lower than those in two control groups and 0.5 mg/kg B[a]P group (P＜0.05). The expression levels of Hsp70 and hsp70 mRNA in rat hippocampus decreased with the B[a]P dose. The expression levels of Hsp70 in 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P groups were significantly lower than those of two control groups and 0.5 mg/kg B[a]P group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ). The expression levels of hsp70 mRNA in 0.5, 4.5 and 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P groups were significantly lower than those in two control groups (P＜0.01) and the expression level of hsp70 mRNA in 10.0 mg/kg B[a]P group was significantly lower than those in other B[a]P groups. The results of immunohistochemistry examination indicated that the average gray values of Hsp70 immunoreactive products in CA1, CA2, CA3, DG regions decreased with dose of B[a]P. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the expression of Hsp70 protein in hippocampus and the average escape latency (r=-0.428, P＜0.05). There was a negative correlation between the expression of hsp70 mRNA in hippocampus and the average escape latency,the total distance of the third quadrant (r=--0.677 and r=-0.594, P＜0.01 ). There was a positive correlation between the expression of hsp70 mRNA in hippocampus and the average total duration of the third quadrant (r=0.597, P＜0.01). Conclusion Sub-chronic exposure to B[a]P could inhibit the expression of Hsp70 in rat hippocampus, which was related to the ability of learning and memory of rats and the inhibition effects did not have the region-specificity.

Objective:To explore effects of intervention based on self-regulated learning theory on self-care behavior, quality of life and rehospitalization rate of patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, 47 patients with chronic heart failure who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July to December 2018 were selected as the control group and 45 patients with chronic heart failure who were admitted from January to June 2019 were selected as the observation group. Patients in the control group were given routine nursing for chronic heart failure, while patients in the observation group were given interventions based on self-learning adjustment theory at basis of routine nursing. Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) , Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and rehospitalization rate were used to evaluate the intervention effects.Results:The control group finally included 42 patients, and the observation group finally included 44 patients. The scores of self-care maintenance, management and confidence dimensions in SCHFI of the observation group were higher than those of the control group at 3 months after discharge, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . The scores of the physical field, emotional field and other fields in MLHFQ of the observation group were lower than those of the control group at 3 months after discharge, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . There was no statistically significant difference in the rehospitalization rate between the two groups ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:Self-regulated learning theory can improve the self-care behavior and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure, but its effect on the rehospitalization rate of patients still needs to be confirmed by large samples and long-term studies.