OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of retroviral vector containing shRNA targeting rat angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene (Ad5-AT1R-shRNA) on blood pressure and AT1R mRNA expression in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODSRetroviral vector containing shRNA targeting rat AT1R gene was constructed and propagated further in 293 cells. SHR rats were randomly divided into SHR + Ad5-AT1R-shRNA (1.7 x 10(9) TCID(50)/ml) group and SHR (Ad5-EGFP, 7.9 x 10(9) TCID(50)/ml, n = 11 each) and 11 male Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) serve as normal controls (Ad5-EGFP, 7.9 x 10(9) TCID(50)/ml). Systolic blood pressure was measured before and after single intravenous injection of Ad5-AT1R-shRNA or Ad5-EGFP. Heart, liver, kidney, aorta and adrenal gland were removed after blood pressure measurement. Tissue Ad5-AT1R-shRNA expression was detected with fluorescence microscope and AT1R mRNA in liver, kidney and aorta was measured by fluorescence quantitative PCR.

RESULTSAd5-AT1R-shRNA significantly reduced blood pressure compared with controls (-29 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa, P < 0.05) 24 hours after single injection and this antihypertensive effect could last for 5 to 7 days. Ad5-AT1R-shRNA expression detected with fluorescence microscope was significantly increased in heart, liver, kidney, aorta and adrenal gland post Ad5-AT1R-shRNA injection. AT1R mRNA in kidney and aorta (0.086 +/- 0.014, 0.051 +/- 0.023) were significantly decreased in Ad5-AT1R-shRNA treated rats compared with SHR control rats (0.362 +/- 0.042, 0.463 +/- 0.045, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that Ad5-AT1R-shRNA could inhibit the tissue AT1R mRNA expression and produce prolonged antihypertensive effects in SHR rats.

Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Genetic Vectors ; Heart Rate ; Hypertension ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism

In this study, daphnetin and its major metabolites in the intestinal wall of rats were identified by liquid chromatography and quatrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry. Perfusion fluid of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were collected separately for 2 hours from the rat intestine following perfusion with daphnetin. The metabolites of daphnetin in the perfusion fluid of different intestine segments were analyzed by the liquid chromatography and quatrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry. It is shown that the parent drug daphnetin and four metabolites were found in the perfusion fluid of duodenum, jejunum and ileum. However, no metabolites were found in the colon. Among the four metabolites, two daphnetin sulfates (m/z 257) were first discovered as the phase II metabolites of daphnetin in rats, which revealed a new way of daphnetin metabolism in rats.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Colon ; metabolism ; Duodenum ; metabolism ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Perfusion ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Umbelliferones ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related pulmonary infection on endogenous metabolites in large intestinal mucosa in BALB/c mice using metabolomics technology based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

METHODSMice were randomly divided into a control group and a RSV pneumonia model group (n=16 each). The mouse model of RSV pneumonia was established using intranasal RSV infection (100×TCID, 50 μL/mouse, once a day). After 7 days of intranasal RSV infection, the mice were sacrificed and GC-MS was used to identify endogenous metabolites and measure the changes in their relative content in colon tissue. SMCA-P12.0 software was used to perform principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) for endogenous metabolites in colon tissue. The differentially expressed metabolites in colon tissue were imported into the metabolic pathway platform Metaboanalyst to analyze related metabolic pathways.

RESULTSPCA and OPLS-DA showed significant differences between the control and RSV pneumonia model groups. A total of 32 metabolites were identified in the colon tissue of the mice with RSV pneumonia. The RSV pneumonia model group had significant increases in the content of leucine, isoleucine, glycine, alanine, arachidonic acid, and lactic acid, which were related to the valine, leucine, isoleucine, arachidonic acid, and pyruvic acid metabolic pathways.

CONCLUSIONSRSV pneumonia might cause metabolic disorders in the large intestinal tissue in mice.

Amino Acids, Branched-Chain ; metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Intestine, Large ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pneumonia, Viral ; metabolism ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; metabolism

In order to discover the mechanism of Xuebijing oral effervescent tablet (XBJOET) to treat infectious diseases, the effect of XBJOET on endotoxin induced rabbit fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was investigated. Auricle microcirculation in rabbit was detected by laser speckle blood perfusion imager system; coagulation function was measured by coagulation analyzer, fibrinolytic system was quantified by Elisa assay and micro thrombosis in tissues was observed with HE staining under light microscope. The results demonstrated that the body temperature of rabbit decreased significantly at 1-3 h after administration with 4.8, 2.4 and 1.2 g x kg(-1) XBJOET to endotoxin induced DIC rabbit model, the auricle microcirculation blood flow in model group (54.45 +/- 14.53) PU was lower than that in control group (77.18 +/- 12.32) PU. The auricle microcirculation blood flow increased markedly and there was significant difference between model group and 1.2 g x kg(-1) XBJOET group. There was significant difference between model group and control group in the content of PAI1 and FIB. The PAI1 levels in model and control groups were (30.48 +/- 2.46) ng x mL(-1) and (20.93 +/- 3.25) ng x mL(-1), respectively. The FIB levels in model and control group were (3.34 +/- 1.09) g x L(-1) and (4.84 +/- 1.10) g x L(-1), respectively. The content of PAI1 in rabbit plasma decreased notably, there were significant differences between model group and 4.8, 2.4 g x kg(-1) XBJOET groups. On the contrary the content of FIB increased. XBJOET possessed pharmacological activities of curing infectious fever and DIC, the mechanism of which is related to amelioration of microcirculation disturbance, inhibition of fibrinolytic system activation and coagulation and micro thrombosis elimination.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Body Temperature ; drug effects ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; blood ; chemically induced ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Ear Auricle ; blood supply ; Endotoxins ; Female ; Fever ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Prothrombin Time ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Thrombosis ; pathology

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS / MS) in childhood asthma and healthy control, aiming to find the potential markers of EBC in children with asthma, and provide a scientific reference for its pathogenesis and early screening. EBC samples were collected from 21 asthmatic children (age (8. 2 ±1. 6) years) and 17 healthy children ( age (8. 1 ±1. 3) years). GC-MS / MS was used to obtain the full scan data of chemical components. Cluster analysis was performed on the two groups of metabolites by principal component analysis (PCA), and potential biomarkers were found using Metaboanalyst 3. 0 attributable metabolic pathways. The results showed that the EBC metabolic maps of asthmatic group and normal group were very different, and eight endogenous potential biomarkers were identified, suggesting that starch and sucrose metabolism, lysine degradation, aminoglycan nucleoside metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism may play important roles in the development of asthma in children.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid-infected host liver cells had differential expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) or differential cell cycle activity.

METHODSHuman liver cells cultured with different concentrations of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) were tested by the MTT method to determine effects on proliferation. The cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect changes in protein expressions of p-ERK, PCNA, cyclin-A, cyclin-B1, cyclin-D1, and cyclin-E.

RESULTSForty-eight, 72 and 96 h of HCF at 15%, 30% and 60% concentrations in the cell media significantly promoted cell proliferation (F=67.845, P less than 0.01) and compared to controls (P less than 0.05). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 48 h showed significantly induced expression of p-ERK (F=1.916, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 24 h showed significantly induced expression of cyclin-Dl (F=3.901, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 48 h or 30% HCF for 72 h showed significantly induced expression of PCNA (F=91.140, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 48 h or 30% HCF for 72 h shed significantly induced expression of cyclin-A (F=18.587, P=0.002), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for either 48 h or 72 h showed significantly induced expression of cyclin-B1 (F=2.064, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 30% HCF for 96 h showed significantly induced expression of cyclin-E (F=1.068, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHydatid cyst fluid exerts no inhibitory effect on primary cultured host liver cells, but may promote cellular proliferation.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyst Fluid ; chemistry ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Flow Cytometry ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans

BACKGROUNDChronic heart failure (CHF) and diabetes mellitus portend high morbidity and mortality because of an interrelated pathophysiologic process. This large cohort study aimed to analyze the prevalence, clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of patients with CHF and diabetes.

METHODSA total of 1119 patients with NYHA functional class II - IV and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45% between January 1995 and May 2009 were recruited. Clinical variables, biochemical and echocardiographic measurements were retrospectively reviewed, and composite major cardiac events (MCE) including death, heart transplantation, and refractory heart failure requiring multiple hospitalizations were recorded.

RESULTSThe prevalence of CHF with diabetes was progressively increased with time (16.9% in 1995 - 1999; 20.4% in 2000 - 2004, and 29.1% in 2005 - 2009) and age (18.5% in < 60 years, 26.6% in 60 - 80 years, and 26.6% in > 80 years). Compared with CHF patients without diabetes, those with diabetes had worse cardiac function, more abnormal biochemical changes, and higher mortality. Treatment with glucose-lowering agents significantly improved LVEF and decreased MCE. An elevated serum HbA1c level was associated with large left ventricular end-systolic diameter (P < 0.05), decreased LVEF (P < 0.01) and reduced survival (P < 0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjustment for confounding factors, NYHA functional class (OR 2.65, 95%CI 1.14 - 6.16, P = 0.024) and HbA1c level >or= 7% (OR 2.78, 95%CI 1.00 - 7.68, P = 0.049) were independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in CHF patients with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONSPrevalence of CHF with diabetes was increasing during past decades, and patients with CHF and diabetes had worse clinical profiles and prognosis. Aggressive anti-CHF and diabetes therapies are needed to improve overall outcomes for these patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetes Complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; analysis ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUNDSchwannomatosis is a recently recognized peripheral nerve polyneoplasm with clinical characteristics and a genetic background that differ from those of neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2). The diagnostic and treatment criteria of this rare disorder are herein discussed.

METHODSThe data of 180 patients who underwent operations for benign schwannomas from 2003 to 2012 in our center were reviewed. Eight of them were classified as schwannomatosis according to the diagnostic criteria suggested by MacCollin. The demographic characteristics were documented and compared between the two groups of patients. The patients' clinical presentations, imaging characteristics, histological features, and treatment results were retrospectively investigated and summarized.

RESULTSOf the 180 cases of benign schwannomas we reviewed this time, eight patients presented with schwannomatosis (4.44%). The mean age of the two groups was not significantly different (40.0 vs. 44.7 years, t = 0.88, P = 0.378). However, schwannnomatosis seems to more generally occur in females (75% vs. 48% were females, P = 0.162), although the difference was not statistically significant. The initial main symptom was pain. The neurological examination was otherwise normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple discrete, well-defined round, or oval lesions distributed along the course of the peripheral nerves in the extremities with low-to-intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high-signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Vestibular schwannomas were excluded in four patients by cranial MRI. The lesions in all patients were resected and were pathologically proven to be schwannomas. The average follow-up period was 26 months. Six individuals obtained a good result without symptoms or function loss.

CONCLUSIONSSchwannomatosis is characterized by the development of multiple schwannomas without evidence of the vestibular tumors that are diagnostic for NF2. It commonly occurs in middle-aged females. It has similar demographic features to solitary benign schwannoma. Surgical resection always results in a good outcome.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Neurofibromatoses ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Skin Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVEThis study sought to analyze the clinical manifestations and intervention of fulminant septic shock in community-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records for diagnosis, antibiotic therapy, clinical course of septic shock, respiratory support, laboratory data etc.

RESULTSEight of nine cases with P. aeruginosa septic shock died. Fever (nine cases) and cough (three cases) or diarrhea (3 cases) were the 2 most common initial symptoms, three cases developed skin gangrenosum later. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was not considered in any of the cases before death or blood culture showed positive result. Only 3 cases were initially treated with susceptible antibiotic regimen but no anti pseudomonas combination therapy was applied, susceptible antibiotic monotherapy was applied in 7 cases after transfer to the ICU. The mean latency of shock occurrence was 5.1 hours (range 0 to 21 hours) after admission, the mean duration from the occurrence of shock to death was 13.8 hours (range, 1 - 32 hours). All the patients were transfer red to ICU for shock, the appropriate resuscitation of shock patients was delayed by 49.3 minutes (range 25 - 80 minutes) by transfer. Only two cases were diagnosed and treated for shock on admission; after transferred to ICU, only 5 patients were diagnosed as having shock, and only 3 received anti-shock treatment. Eight of the patients died of persistent shock. In 6 patients who died, mechanical ventilation was not applied until cardiac arrest occurred. All the patients had hypoalbuminaemia, elevated serum C-reactive protein concentration, leukopenia and 6 cases had DIC.

CONCLUSIONThe initial presentation of the cases with community-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia was nonspecific with fever and cough or diarrhea. Clinicians often underestimated the severity of the infection, few patients received effective antimicrobial therapy. The authors suggest that an anti-pseudomonas antibiotic should be included in the initial empiric antibiotic regimen to cover P. aeruginosa high-risk patients; the front-line clinician should be educated for early recognition and aggressive resuscitation of P infection. aeruginosa septicemia.

Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Community-Acquired Infections ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pseudomonas Infections ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock, Septic ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and role of B-cell translocation gene 2(BTG2) in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSModified Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced primary hepatocellular carcinoma rat model was established. The expression of BTG2, p53 and cyclinD1 was detected by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe BTG2 protein was predominantly localized in the nucleus, with faint cytoplasmic staining in normal liver cells; however, it is mainly a cytoplasmic protein in HCC cells. BTG2 was over-expressed during the early stage after DEN treatment, the expression level peaked at 5 weeks and then it gradually decreased to the normal level after 16 weeks. The expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E was increased gradually after DEN treatment, and peaked at 16 weeks and 5 weeks respectively. A significant increase in p53 was not observed until 5 weeks after DEN treatment, and it gradually decreased after 16 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSDecreased expression of BTG2 may be an important step in carcinogenesis of HCC. BTG2 may positively regulate p53 expression and negatively regulate cyclin D1 expression in the carcinogenesis of HCC.

Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; Rats