AIM AND METHODSBy using blind whole-cell recording techniques, the dynamic properties of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel of CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices were investigated.

RESULTSThe voltage-gated Ca2+ channel of CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices has following features: (1) The threshold potential of activation is relatively lower. The mean value is -49.3 +/- 8.6 mV with range from -65 to -30 mV (n = 23). (2) Current decay is Ca(2+) -dependent and its time constant (tau) is longer with a wide range from 100 to 700 ms (n = 12). (3) The steady-state inactivation is voltage-dependent and the half inactivation potential (V1/2) is -55.4 +/- 9.7 mV, slope factor (k) is 5.3 +/- 0.9 (n = 10). (4) The reversal potential (E(rev)) of Ca2+ channel is 55 +/- 13 mV (n = 10) when extracellular Ca2+ concentration is 2.5 mmol/L. (5) Tail current, which is voltage-independent, primarily has only one component. In addition, Ca2+ channel is insensitive to verapamil and nifedipine.

CONCLUSIONN-type Ca2+ channel is strongly suggested in CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; methods ; Pyramidal Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

To investigate the effects of telmisartan on steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (r). Thirty male SD rats were randomized into normal control group, NASH control group and telmisartan prevention group. Normal control group was given standard food and the other two groups were given high fat diet for 16 weeks to induce NASH. Prevention group was given telmisartan (5 mg.kg-1.d-1) for 4 weeks by intragastric adminstration after 12 weeks. At the end of the 16th week, all the rats were sacrificed. Pathological changes of liver were observed by optical microscopy. Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), fasting blood glucose(FBG), fasting insulin(FINS), HOMA-IR(homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance), Serum TNF-a and adiponectin were detected and analyzed.Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect PPARr expression in hepatic tissues on protein and mRNA levels. (1) Rats were successfully modeled. The liver tissue samples were divided into 4 degrees (F0 - 4) based on total fatty degeneration of liver cells.There was one rat reached F3 and nine rats reached F4 in NASH group, one rat reached F1, six rats reached F2 and three rats reached F3 in prevention group. Inflammatory activity scores of hepatic tissues in the model group were 2.67+/-0.25, while that in the control group was 0 (U=15 and P is less than to 0.01), in the prevention group were 2.67+/-0.25 and 1.36+/-0.12 (U=24 and P is less than to 0.05 ). (2) The levels of serum ALT, AST, FBG, FINS, TNFa and HOMA-IR in the model group were increased than those in the control group( the vaules of q were 13.130, 6.472, 6.909, 26.619, 14.591 and 49.683 respectively, P less than 0.01). The levels of serum ALT, FINS, FBG, TNFa and HOMA-IR in the prevention group were decreased as compared to the model group (the vaules of q were 7.024, 4.145, 14.829, 13.195 and 31.991 respectively, P less than 0.01 ). (3) The serum adiponectin, PPARrmRNA and protein in liver tissues of the model group were lower than those in the control group (q values were 10.696, 8.679 and 16.762 respectively, P is less than to 0.05).The data in the prevention group were higher as compared to the model group(q values were 3.879,3.079,6.400, P is less than to 0.05 respectively). HOMA-IR was positively correlated with the expression of TNFa but negatively correlated with the expression of adiponectin (r = 0.927, P is less than to 0.01; r = -0.891, P is less than to 0.01, respectively). Telmisartan may has preventive effect on rats with steatohepatitis (NASH) by a mechanism of activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor r.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Fatty Liver ; Insulin Resistance ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of acupuncture on Chinese medicine syndromes of vascular dementia (VaD).

METHODSSixty-three VaD patients were divided into three groups. Those willing to be randomized were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture (random acupuncture group, 24 cases) or rehabilitation training (guided rehabilitation group, 24 cases) for 6 weeks. Those unwilling to be randomized also received acupuncture for 6 weeks (non-random acupuncture group, 19 cases). Patient syndromes and their severity were evaluated before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment, and at 4-week follow-up after the completion of treatment using a CM scoring system (scale of differentiation of syndromes of vascular dementia, SDSVD). The SDSVD scores of the random and non-random acupuncture groups, and of all patients who received acupuncture (combined acupuncture group, 43 cases), were compared with those in the guided rehabilitation group.

RESULTSIn the random, non-random, and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment and at follow-up than at baseline. In the guided rehabilitation group, SDSVD scores were similar to baseline scores at the end of treatment and at follow-up. However, there were no significant differences in SDSVD scores among the three groups or between the combined acupuncture group and the guided rehabilitation group at any time points. In the non-random and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment than at baseline in patients with hyperactivity of Liver (Gan)-yang or phlegm obstruction of the orifices.

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture reduced the severity of VaD. The improvement was the greatest in patients undergoing their treatment of choice. Treatments in this study were more effective for excess syndromes, such as Liver-yang hyperactivity or phlegm obstruction of the orifices than deficiency syndromes, such as Kidney (Shen)-essence deficiency.

Acupuncture ; Dementia, Vascular ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To detect the SNR and geometric accuracy of MRI based on American College of Radiology (ACR)standards.Methods The SNR and geometric accuracy of Siemens Skyra 3.0T,Siemens Trio 3.0T and GE Excite HD 1.5T MRI were measured with ACR phantom,and the detection results were calculated according to the standards.Results The SNR values of Siemens Skyra 3.0T,Siemens Trio 3.0T and GE Excite HD 1.5T MRI were 589.98,438.50 and 277.12 respectively.Siemens Skyra 3.0T MRI had the values of geometric accuracy being-1.93％ at X direction,-3.20％ at Y direction and 0.68％ at Z direction,Siemens Trio 3.0T MRI had the value of geometric accuracy being-0.87％ at X direction,-2.33％ at Y direction and 1.49％ at Z direction,GE Excite HD 1.5T MRI had the values of geometric accuracy being 0.20％ at X direction,-1.53％ at Y direction and 1.69％ at Z direction.Conclusion The detection of the SNR and geometric accuracy of MRI can effectively guarantee the image quality.

Objective To study the first locally identifcd A/HINI secondary cases outbreak in China. Methods Interview and field investigation were integrated to describe the whole process of transmission on each case and to illustrate the relationships between the onset of the disease and the retated factors. Results Two contact persons appearanced fever and whose throat swabs were tested positive to H1N1 viral nucleic acid. The two had a history of contact in a short distance with the initial imported case without any protective measure in the poor air ventilation. The patients clinical situation was slight. The incubation was between 37 hours and 57 hours. No other new case was found after intervention as isolation and antisepsis were taken. Conclusion This event was proved to be an outbreak of local A/H1N1 secondary cases caused by the imported case. The main mode of transmission was personal contact in a short distance without protection, through air and droplet. The locus with poor air ventilation was high risk place. Contact persons should be observed seven days and tested continuously.Infectivity and pathogenicity of the A/H1N1 virus were limited and appeared weakened by generations. Patient's condition was related with persistence and frequency of contact with the infection sources. Enhancing management of contact persons, health education, early diagnose, early treatment and early insulation were effective measures of controling and prenventing the spread A/H1N1.

To investigate the possible risk factors related to macrosomia. Pregnant women and their newborns (n = 1041) were recruited from a cohort study in Maternal and Child Care Center of Hefei from January 2011 to July 2012. Questionnaires were applied to collect the demographic data besides the medical records. Detailed health records of the entire pregnancy were obtained using retrospective study. Meanwhile the data of neonatal outcomes was prospectively tracked. Associations between exposure risk factors and macrosomia were analyzed using Pearson's chi squared test. Logistic regression models were used to assess the independent association between these potential predictors and macrosomia. The incidence of macrosomia of this cohort was 11.24% of which male: female = 2.55:1. Male incidence (8.07%)of macrosomia was higher than female (3.17%), p < 0.001. Body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy (pre-BMI), maternal height, parity were not independently associated with macrosomia; Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that macrosomia was mainly independently associated with weight gain in pregnancy (OR=1.14, 95% CI [1.10-1.19]), maternal age (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.03-1.15]) and gestational age (OR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.31-1.99]), respectively. Our findings indicate that weight gain in pregnancy, maternal age and gestational age should be considered as independent risk factors for macrosomia.
Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child Care ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia* ; Gestational Age* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Maternal Age* ; Medical Records ; Parity ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Weight Gain* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Small-molecule phenolic substances widely exist in animals and plants, and have some shared biological activities. The metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine in the human body, and especially the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters, produces endogenous small-molecule phenols. Endogenous small-molecule phenolic substances are functionally related to the important physiological processes and the occurrence of mental diseases in humans and some animals, which are systematically sorts and summarized in this review. Integrating the previous experimental research and literature analysis on natural small-molecule phenols by our research group, the understanding of the hypothesis that "small-molecule phenol are pharmacological signal carriers" was deepened. Based on above, the concept of "phenolomics" was further proposed, analyzed the research direction and research content which can bring into the knowledge framework of phenolomics. The induction of phenolomics will provide wider perspectives on explaining the pharmacological mechanism of drugs, discovering new drug targets, and finding biomarkers of mental diseases.

OBJECTIVETo ascertain the causation of a pregnant woman with undefined pneumonia reported from the People's Hospital of Tongling city in Anhui province on November 2005.

METHODSEpidemiological and clinical information of the case was collected from the keypersons close to the case and referring to the medical record. A medical observation was carried out on the close contacts of the case and sick or dead poultry. Tracheal aspirates being collected were tested by both RT-PCR and real-time PCR to detect viral nucleic acids of A/H5N1, and were inoculated into special pathogen free (SPF) embryonated hens' eggs.

RESULTSThe pregnant woman was found to have been contacted with the sick/dead poultry directly on the 4th day before onset of illness. All the 122 close contacts were healthy after a 10-day medical observation. The major clinical features of the case were viral pneumonia with rapidly developed leukopenia and lymphopenia. The progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes was found at clinical presentation. HA and NA gene of A/H5N1 virus were positive. The 8 gene fragments of A/Anhui/1/2005 (H5N1) isolated from the tracheal aspirates had not carried genes from a human virus through reassortment, and the receptor-binding site of the hemagglutinin was polybasic cleavage site.

CONCLUSIONThis was the first documented case of H5N1 infection in pregnant woman. The immunotolerant state of pregnancy might have predisposed to the fatal outcome of the patient.

Adult ; China ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; pathology ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Pneumonia ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; virology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Trachea ; virology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of CYP2C19 gene mutations on clopidogrel antiplatelet activity in the patients with coronary heart disease treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: Patients with coronary heart disease, who hospitalized in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from March 2011 to June 2019, and healthy individuals with matching genetic background, gender, and age as controls were included in this study. Basic clinical data were analyzed and blood samples of all research subjects were obtained for extraction of DNA, and Sanger first-generation sequencing method was used to detect CYP2C19 gene mutation from full exon and exon and intron junction. CYP2C19 gene variations in patients with coronary heart disease were compared with the 1000 Genomes Browse database and the sequencing results of healthy controls to determine whether the gene variation was a genetic mutation or a genetic polymorphism. After that, PolyPhen-2 prediction software was used to analyze the harmfulness of gene mutations to predict the effect of mutations on protein function. The same dose of CYP2C19 wild-type plasmid and the CYP2C19 gene mutant plasmids were transfected into human normal liver cells HL-7702. After transfection of 24 h, the expression of CYP2C19 protease in each group was detected. The liver S9 protein was incubated with clopidogrel, acted on platelets to detect the platelet aggregation rate and the activity of human vasodilator-activated phosphoprotein (VASP). Results: A total of 1 493 patients with coronary heart disease (59.36%) were enrolled, the average age was (64.5±10.4) years old, of which 1 129 were male (75.62%). Meanwhile, 1 022 healthy physical examination volunteers (40.64%) were enrolled, and the average age was (64.1±11.0) years old, of which 778 were male (76.13%). A total of 5 gene mutations of CYP2C19 gene were identified in 12 patients (0.80%), namely, 4 known mutations T130K (1 case), M136K (6 cases), N277K (3 cases), V472I (1 case) and one new mutation G27V (1 case), no corresponding gene mutation was found in healthy controls. It was found that T130K and M136K were probably damaging, G27V was possibly damaging, and N277K and V472I were benign mutations. In vitro, we demonstrated that the platelet aggregation rate of the M136K gene mutation group was 24.83% lower than that of the wild type (59.58% vs. 34.75%; P<0.05), and the phosphorylated VASP level was 23.0% higher than that of the wild type (1.0 vs. 1.23; P<0.05). However, the platelet aggregation rate and phosphorylated VASP level were similar between of G27V, T130K, N277K, V472I gene mutation groups and wild type group (P>0.05). Conclusions: In this study, 5 gene mutations are defined in patients with coronary heart disease, namely G27V, T130K, M136K, N277K, V472I. In vitro functional studies show that CYP2C19 gene mutation M136K, as a gain-of-function gene mutation, can enhance the activation of CYP2C19 enzyme on clopidogrel, thereby inhibiting the platelet aggregation rate.

Mice ; Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/complications* ; Entorhinal Cortex/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Memory Disorders/etiology* ; Thalamus/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal