Objective To observe the serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and hypersensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) in elderly patients with cerebral infarction and to investigate their relationship and clinical significance by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).Methods The serum levels of Hcy and hs-CRP were by enzymatic cycling method and scattering turbidimetry in the elderly patients ( 116 cases with cerebral infarction and 100 cases of healthy control).Those 116 cases with cerebral infarction were divided into three groups by the degree of NIHSS.The three groups were compared with each other.Results The levels of serum Hcy and hs-CRP in elderly patients with cerebral infarction were significantly higher than that of healthy control group ( t =6.97,P ＜0.01 ; t =14.96,P ＜0.01 ).There has significant difference among those three groups with cerebral infarction by comparing with each other( F =23.49,P ＜0.05; F =28.19,P ＜0.05).A positive correlation was found between Hcy and degree of NIHSS( r=0.54,P ＜0.05),and between hs-CRPand degree of NIHSS( r =0.58,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Serum levels of Hcy and hs-CRP are correlated with the occurrence of cerebral infarction and its severity.There has positive clinical significance to evaluate the effect of cerebral infarction by measuring the serum levels of Hcy and hs-CRP dynamic.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of adipose tissue extract on inducing angiogenesis and adipogenesis in adipose tissue engineering chamber in vivo.

METHODS6 months' healthy New Zealand rabbits (n = 64) were picked. The inguinal fat pads were cultured, centrifuged, filtered, and the liquid was called adipose tissue extract (ATE). Two adipose tissue engineering chamber were built in the rabbit's back. A week later, 0.2 ml normal saline (control group, left) and 0. 2 ml ATE (experimental group, right) was respectively injected into the chamber. The contents were evaluated morphometrically, histologically and immunohistochemically 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks and 7 weeks after injection. 8 rabbits were observed each time. The data regarding the number of the volume of fat flap and blood capillary at each time point were analyzed by paired t test.

RESULTSAfter injection, new tissue volume was significantly increased in the experimental group [(5.12 ± 0.22) ml], compared with that in control group [(4.90 ± 0.15) ml]. Early angiogenesis was also increased after ATE injection and the total number of capillaries reached peak 1 week after injection, which was (72.80 ± 9.67) in experimental group and (51.40 ± 6.09) in control group. In the mid-term of experimental period, earlier adipogenesis appeared in experimental group. In the later period, the outer capsule of the new construction was thinner in experimental group which reduced the suppression of the adipogenesis.

CONCLUSIONSATE can promote the angiogenesis and adipogenesis in the chamber, and reduce the capsule contracturing, so as to induce the large volume of adipose tissue regeneration

Adipogenesis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Adipose Tissue ; chemistry ; physiology ; Animals ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering ; instrumentation ; Tissue Extracts ; pharmacology

Accidents, Occupational ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of andrographolide derivative Yanhuning (YHN) on Candida albicans biofilms in rats.

METHODThe rat C. albicans biofilms subcutaneous catheter model was established by intraperitoneally injecting YHN (40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 mg x kg (-1)), with the FLC (80 mg x kg(-1)) positive group as the control group. After 7 d, CFU counting and XTT assay were used to evaluate the effect of YHN on C. albicans biofllms in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the morphological changes in rat biofilms intervened by YHN. The real-time fluorescence quantification PCR was adopted to detect expressions of C. albicans adhesion-related genes, such as ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

RESULTThe YHN group showed much less CFUs on catheter pieces and lower XTT metabolic activity than the blank group, with dosage dependence. SEM also showed that YHN could obviously decrease C. albicans adhesion on subcutaneous catheters in rats. According to qRT-PCR's results, YHN can down-regulate expressions of ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

CONCLUSIONYHN could inhibit C. albicans biofilms in rats.

Animals ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Catheters ; microbiology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) , alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLZ) on FLZ-resistant Candida albicans.

METHODThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and sessile MIC80 (SMIC80) of EAHD and FLZ to FLZ-resistant C. albicans were determined by CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method, and the synergy of EAHD combined with FLZ were examined by the checkerboard microdilution assay. Agar plate-method was adopted to observe the rate of antifungal activity according to time-kill curve. HPLC and qRT-PCR were utilized to evaluate the changes of ergosterol content and expressions of related genes, respectively.

RESULTMICs of EAHD ranged from 156 to 1,250 mg · L(-1), those of FLZ from 256 to above 2,048 mg · L(-1) with FICI approximate 0.066 in combination; SMIC80 of EAHD were higher than 1,250 mg · L(-1), SMIC80 of FLZ were higher than 512 mg · L(-1) and up to above 2,048 mg · L(-1). Combination group also showed synergy effect except one group showing addition effect. The results of T-K experiment also confirmed obviously fungicidal effect when treated for 12 h. When compared with control groups, the ergosterol was reduced 85% and 50% in the treatments of combination and EAHD alone by HPLC, respective- ly. The expressions of ERG1, ERG2, ERG6, ERG7 and ERG11 were upregulated, and ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated when exposed to FLZ. The expressions of the above genes were downregulated by treatment of EAHD. The expressions of ERG2, ERG6, ERG11 were upregulated, while ERG1, ERG7, ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated in combination group.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of EAHD and FLZ exhibited synergy against FLZ-resistant C. albicans through decreasing the synthesis of ergosterol, and resulting in the breakage of cell membrane.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Along with the increase in fungal infections, Candida albicans prevention and control become the focus of anti-fungal infection at present. This study aims to discuss the effect monomer andrographolide (AG) on C. albicans biofilm dispersion. In the experiment, micro-well plates and medical catheter pieces were used to establish the C. albicans biofilm model. It was discovered by XTT assay and flat band method that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could impact the activity of C. albicans biofilm dispersion cells. The morphological structures of residual biofilms on catheter pieces were observed with scanning electron microscopy, which showed that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion in a dose-dependent manner, and the dispersed cells were dominated by the yeast phase. According to the real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR) test, AG could up-regulate HSP90 expression and down-regulate UME6 and PES1 expressions. This study demonstrates that AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion to some extent.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; genetics ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the application of statins in secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in different risk groups,and to identify the factors influencing the compliance of statins. Methods Data were prospectively collected on consecutively encountered ischemic stroke or TIA patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2009 to January 2010.All clinical characteristics and possible factors influencing the compliance of statins were collected; the application of statins was investigated at 3-month follow-up.The multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used for the analysis of influence factors of the compliance of statins.Results All 369 patients were collected,52.8％ of cases were prescribed statins for therapy during hospitalization.The application rate of statins in accordance with guidelines in high-risk group,extremely high-risk Ⅱ group and extremely high-risk Ⅰ group was 25.0％ (16/64),44.1％ (30/68) and 71.4％ (135/189),respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the statins application during hospitalization was associated with diabetes history ( P =0.032,OR =1.789,95％ CI 1.052-3.043 ) and the presence of carotid vulnerable plaques(P =0.000,OR =5.308,95％ CI 3.340-8.434).The general application rate of statins was 22.3％ (81/363),which was significantly lower than that during hospitalization. The application rate of statins in accordance with guidelines in high-risk group,extremely high-risk Ⅱ group and extremely high-risk Ⅰ group was 9.7％ ( 6/62 ),25.8％ (17/66) and 29.4％ (55/187) respectively.Logistic regression analysis showed that good compliance of statins was associated with discharge instructions on statins application ( P =0.000,OR =34.852,95％ CI 14.673-175.452 ). Conclusions The compliance of statins in secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and TIA is poor,and there is still a large gap between clinical practice and guidelines; Discharge instructions on statins application increase the compliance of statins.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of the modified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ( mNIHSS),measured within 9 days after stroke,for the outcome in terms of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months after stroke.Methods AII 161 patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke were recruited consecutively from July 2010 until November 2010.The mNIHSS score was assessed within 3 days,4 to 6 days and 7 to 9 days after stroke,and the mRS score at 6 months after stroke was assessed by a neurology resident.Spearman rank correlation and ROC curve were used for statistic analysis.Results One hundred and sixty-one patients were assessed within 3 days,at 4 to 6 days and 7 to 9 days after stroke.Significant Spearman rank correlation coefficients were found between mRS at 6 months and mNIHSS scores within 3 days (rs =0.592,P＜0.01 ),4 to 6 days (rs =0.597,P＜0.01 ) and 7 to 9days (rs =0.595,P＜0.01).At 6 months after stroke,the AUC ranged from 0.789 (95％ CI 0.708-0.856) for measurements within 3 days to 0.792 (95％ CI 0.712-0.857 ) and 0.799 ( 95％ CI 0.721-0.864) for 4 to 6 days and 7 to 9 days,respectively. There was no significant difference for the AUCbetween them.The optimal cut-off values for the prediction of prognosis at 6 months were 8,7 and 6 points of mNIHSS score within 3 days,4 to 6 days and 7 to 9 days,respectively.The negative predictive value gradually increased from 0.847 for assessment within 3 days to 0.867 ( 95％ CI 0.578-0.765 ) for 7 to 9 days,whereas positive predictive value declined from 0.601 for assessment within 3 days to 0.533 for 7 to 9 days.The overall accuracy of predtictions decreased from 0.753 for assessment within 3 days to 0.709 for 7 to 9 days.Conclusions When measured within 9 days,the mNIHSS has a good predictive value for final outcome in terms of mRS at 6 months after stroke.However,the optimal cut-off values for the prediction of prognosis at 6 months are different when early mNIHSS scores were assessed at different periods.

Objective To determine the relationship between the level of plasma homocysteine and coronary calcification in patients with different blood glucose levels. Methods By measuring plasma homocysteine and coronary calcification in 30 cases of diagnosed diabetes (T2D) ,29 cases of diagnosed impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in patients and 27 cases with normal, we compared the level of plasma homocysteine and coronary calcification in patients with different blood glucose levels. Results We found significant diffieronces among three groups of the level of plasms homocysteine and coronary calcification (P ＜ 0.01). The plasma homocysteine levels were(19.31 ±3.17) μmol/L, (13.85 ± 1.62) μmol/L, (9.80 ± 1.78) μmol/L in the T2D,IGT and normal groups,respectively. The coronary calcification scores were 207.80 ± 154.10,63.24 ± 10.46,14.47 ± 5.16 in the T2D, IGT and normal groups, respectively. The plasma homocysteine level and coronary calcification score increased with the glycosylated hemoglobin rise in the normal,IGT and T2D groups((4.51 ±0.48)%, (6.13 ±0.31)% and (7.69 ±0.81)%, respectively). Conclusions The plasma homocysteine level is a strong independent predictor of type 2 diabetes and also an important factor of coronary artery event occurrence and develepment.

Calcinosis ; complications ; Decalcification Technique ; Humans ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; complications ; Meningioma ; complications ; Specimen Handling ; methods ; Ultrasonics