Objective To observe the expression of anti-cardiac myosin antibody(AMA) and the collagen volume fraction(CVF) in serum in mice with chronic viral myocarditis(CVMC),and to explore the preventive and protective function of oxymatrine on myocardium.Methods BALB/c mice(n=60) were infected with coxsackievirus B3(CVB3) of increased dose biweekly to establish CVMC model.Mice in normal control group(n=8) received equal-volume 9 g?L-1 saline without CVB3 at the same time.The surviving mice in CVMC model group were randomly divided into CVMC control group(n=8) and oxymatrine therapy group(n=8) at the 42th day.From then on,mice in oxymatrine therapy group were treated with oxymatrine at the dose of 100 mg?kg-1?d-1 by gastric perfusion once a day for 28 days,and meanwhile mice in CVMC control group and the normal control group received equal-volume 9 g?L-1 saline by gastric perfusion every day.Then all mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment.The ratio between heart weight to body weight(HW/BW) was calculated.Myocardium slides were stained with collagen specific Picric acid-Sirius red staining,and the CVF was calculated with image analysis software.The serum level of AMA(optical density value,A value) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results HW/BW(0.007 9?0.000 3),CVF [(15.30?1.08)%] and the A value of AMA(0.286?0.053) in mice of CVMC control group were increased significantly compared with those in normal control group HW/BW(0.005 5?0.000 2),CVF[(6.84?1.11)%],the A value of AMA(0.160?0.050)(Pa

Objective: To compare tea polysaccharides(TPS) characteristics and their role in scavenging free radicals and reducing blood glucose(BG) in diabetic mice(DM). Methods: TPS was extracted from green,Oolong and black tea which were made from the same fresh leaves from Hubei,Fujian and Yunnan. Then the recovery rate of TPS, contents of neutral sugar, uronic acid and protein were analysed, and scavenging rate of -2Oand 稯H in vitro and hypoglycemic effect were also determined. Results: 1. The yield and contents of neutral sugar, uronic acid and protein of green tea TPS were the highest, and those of black tea TPS were the lowest. Oolong tea TPS acted the best in scavenging-2O and 稯H . 2. The hypoglycemic effect of TPS from Hubei tea was the best . The effect of TPS extracted from semi-fermented Oolong tea and fermented black tea was better than that of non-fermented green tea. 3. There were obvious differences in yield, free radical scavenging rate and effect of reducing BG among TPS extracted from tea in different regions. TPS extracted from Fujian tea had the best effect in reducing BG,but that from Yunnan tea had not. Conclusion: There was remarkable effect of region and process on physico-chemical characteristics,effect of scavenging radical and reducing blood sugar TSP.

OBJECTIVETo construct luxS mutant aften luxS gene of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) was knocked out, and examine their ability of biofilm formation.

METHODSA recombinant plasmid containing the flanking fragment of luxS of S. mutans was transformed into S. mutans UA159, and selected by brain heart infusion (BHI) agar medium with kanamicin. The luxS mutant further confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) bioluminescence assay of Vibrio harveyi (V. harveyi), and ability of luxS mutant and S. mutans UA159 biofilm formation was examined in different phases, in BHI medium with 1% sucrose and 1% glycose by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTSLuxS-deficient S. mutans strains were successfully constructed. Compared with S. mutans UA159, the luxS mutant maintained in BHI medium containing 1% sucrose displayed an apparent defect in biofilm formation, while they showed no significant deviation in BHI medium containing 1% glycose.

CONCLUSIONluxS gene in S.mutans can play a role in dental plaque biofilm formation, and the luxS gene is possible to regulate sucrose-dependent biofilm formation.

Bacterial Proteins ; Biofilms ; Carbon-Sulfur Lyases ; Culture Media ; Dental Plaque ; Homoserine ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Lactones ; Streptococcus mutans

OBJECTIVETo compare the antifibrotic effect of oxymatrine and captopril in mice with chronic viral myocarditis (CVMC) and determine the possible antifibrotic mechanism of oxymatrine in CVMC.

METHODSNinety Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group 1 (n = 10), normal control group 2(n = 10) and CVMC model group (n = 70). The mice in CVMC model group were infected with coxsackievirus B(3) (CVB(3)) on days 0, 14 and 28 to establish CVMC model. The volume of CVB(3) suspension was 0.20 ml, 0.25 ml and 0.30 ml, whose 50% tissue culture infection dose was 10(9) respectively. The mice in the normal control group 1 and 2 were given normal saline of volumes equal to those of viral suspension given to the model group at the same time points. Echocardiography and collagen specific picrosirius red staining were performed to evaluate the CVMC model on day 42 for the mice of the normal control group 1 and 8 mice of CVMC model group. The remaining mice in CVMC model group were randomly divided into CVMC control group, captopril group and oxymatrine group on day 42. From then on, the mice in captopril group and oxymatrine group were treated with captopril or oxymatrine at the dose of 100 mg/kg, by gavage once a day for 28 days, and meanwhile the mice in CVMC control group and the normal control group were given equal-volume normal saline by gastric gavage every day, for 28 days successively. All these mice were sacrificed on day 70. Heart tissue slices were stained with collagen specific picrosirius red and the collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated with image analysis software. The expressions of AngII and TGF-beta1 were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with normal group 1, the left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameters, left ventricular end-systolic internal diameters and heart rates were significantly increased in CVMC model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively), ejection fractions, fractional shortenings and peak velocity of aorta were all significantly decreased in CVMC model group (P < 0.01 for all comparisons), and CVF levels were significantly increased in CVMC group (P < 0.01) on day 42. Compared with normal control group 2, captopril group and oxymatrine group, CVF levels and the expressions of TGF-beta1 were significantly increased in CVMC control group (P < 0.01 for all comparisons) on day 70. The expressions of AngII in CVMC control group were higher than those in normal control group and captopril group (P < 0.01 for all comparisons), but there were no significant difference between oxymatrine group and CVMC control group (P > 0.05) on day 70.

CONCLUSIONOxymatrine can inhibit myocardial fibrosis in CVMC, and the mechanisms of its antifibrotic effects might be related with the down-regulation of TGF-beta1 expression.

Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Captopril ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Down-Regulation ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Quinolizines ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Virus Diseases ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the annual incidence of injuries and the relationship between behavior problems and injuries among school-age children.

METHODSA prospective cohort study on injuries for 1-year follow-up period was conducted among 2 005 school-age children selected by cluster sampling from three primary schools in Maanshan city. They subjects were divided into two groups with or without exposure according to behavior problems rated by the Rutter Child Behavior Questionnaire at the beginning of the study. Nonparametric test was performed to analyze the differences in injuries between the two groups of children, and the influential factors for injuries were analyzed with multi-classification ordinal response variable logistic regression model.

RESULTSThe overall incidence rate for injuries in school-age children was 42.51%, while among children with and without behavior problems were 64.87% and 38.85%, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (u = -6.054, P = 0.000). However, the incidence rates of injuries in school-age children with antisocial (A) behavior, neurotic (N) behavior and mixed (M) behavior were 66.99%, 67.41% and 61.40%, respectively. No significant differences were found among them (u(A,N) = -0.052, P = 0.958; u(A,M) = -0.400, P = 0.689; u(N,M) = -0.364, P = 0.716). Multivariate analysis indicated that injuries in school-age children were associated with children behavior problems, maternal age at childbirth, bad conditions during mother pregnancy, education background of mother, prevention measures for safety at home and the child accompanied to travel between school and home by adults. Behavior problems of children seemed to be the major risk factors for injuries.

CONCLUSIONChildren with behavior problems represented a significant risk group for injuries among school-age children. When planning intervention strategies on injuries, behavior problems should be emphasized to ensure optimal effectiveness of intervention.

Child ; Child Behavior ; psychology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

Objective To investigate the mastering of osteoporosis knowledge and the level of self-efficacy in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors and to provide references for further preventive interventions. Methods A total of seventy five patients with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors were recruited from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital using convenience sampling method. They were investigated with osteoporosis knowledge test ( OKT ) and osteoporosis self-efficacy scale ( OSES ) . Results The total score of osteoporosis knowledge was 51. 90, in which the score of risk factors of osteoporosis, exercise and calcium intake were 55. 75,50. 67 and 47. 67, respectively. The correct rate of osteoporosis knowledge was statistically different in people with different educational level and approach of health education (P<0. 05). The total score of self-efficacy and factor scores of exercise and calcium intake were (59. 80 ± 19. 88),(60. 25 ± 21. 99),(59. 35 ± 17. 76)respectively. Conclusions It is suggested to strengthen osteoporosis related health education for patients with breast cancer, and to increase their health information and beliefs, and help them to formulate health behaviors to prevent osteoporosis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of liraglutide ( Lira) combined with insulin aspart 30 injection in the treatment of type 2 diabetes poorly controlled with premixed insulin aspart 30 ( Asp 30 ) . Methods Seventy eight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without reaching glycemic targets were randomized into two groups.On the basis of the insulin aspart 30 and oral hypoglycemic drugs, the patients in the trial group were given liraglutide 0.6 mg? d-1 sc once per night for the first week, and 1.2 mg? d-1 for the following two to sixteen weeks, while the other patients in the control group received insulin detemir ( Det) sc once a night for 16 weeks, with the beginning dosage of 0.2 U? kg -1? d-1.Before and after the treatment, the body mass index ( BMI) , waist to hip ratio ( WHR) , fasting plasma glucose ( FPG) , fast-ing C -peptide ( FCP ) , 2 -hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG 2 h), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and insulin resist-ance index(HOMA-IR) were tested.Also, the adverse drug reactions such as weight gain and hypoglycemia reaction were estimated. Results After the treatment, the level of FPG, PPG 2 h and HbA1c decreased obviously in both groups ( P<0.01 ) , while PPG 2 h in the trial group appeared a better improvement compared to the control group ( P<0.05) ,and BMI as well as HOMA-IR was improved significantly in the trial group after the treatment ( P<0.01).Both drugs were well tolerated with minor hypoglycemia, yet Lira appeared much safer than Det.Conclusion For treatment of refractory type 2 diabetes mellitus, liraglutide combined with insulin aspart 30 injection had certain clincal efficacy with minor adverse reaction.

OBJECTIVETo identify the mutations in the gap junction protein alpha3/alpha8 gene (GJA3 or GJA8) in the Chinese family with autosomal dominant congenital cataract (ADCC).

METHODSAll subjects(5 family members and 100 unrelated control individuals)were undergone comprehensive ophthalmic examination, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood (5 mL). The exons and flanking introns of GJA3/GJA8 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Purified PCR products were then sequenced directly for screening disease-causing mutations.

RESULTSUpon bidirectional sequence analysis, a G-->A transition at nucleotide 138 (c.138G>A)in exon 2 of GJA8 was found, resulting in synonymous mutation of glycine (GGG) to glycine (GGA). An additional G-->T transvertion at nucleotide 139 (c.139G>T) in exon 2 of GJA8, resulting in a missense mutation of asparagines (GAU) to tyrosine (UAU) at codon 47 (D47Y). These two alterations were not seen in all unaffected members and 100 unrelated control individuals. Bioinformatic analyses also showed that a highly conserved region was located at Asp47. Meanwhile no sequence variations for GJA3 were detected from the 3 affected members.

CONCLUSIONA novel disease-causing mutation (D47Y) of GJA8 gene in a Chinese family with ADCC is reported.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Cataract ; congenital ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; Connexins ; chemistry ; genetics ; Conserved Sequence ; Exons ; genetics ; Eye Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; Family ; Female ; Genes, Dominant ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree

BACKGROUNDHemodynamic evaluation is crucial for the management of patients with pulmonary hypertention. Clinicians often prefer a rapid and non-invasive method. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography for the measurements of hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

METHODSA prospective single-center study was conducted among 42 patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by different diseases. Transthoracic echocardiography and right-heart catheterization were performed within 24 hours. Pulmonary artery systolic, diastolic and mean pressure (PASP, PADP and PAMP), cardiac output (CO), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were measured by both methods. A linear correlation and a Bland-Altman analysis were performed to compare the two groups of hemodynamic parameters.

RESULTSA good correlation was found between invasive and non-invasive measurements for PASP (r = 0.96), PADP (r = 0.85), PAMP (r = 0.88), CO (r = 0.82), and PCWP (r = 0.81). Further agreement analysis done by the Bland-Altman method showed that bias and a 95% confidence interval for PASP, PADP, and CO were clinically acceptable while great discrepancies existed for PAMP and PCWP.

CONCLUSIONSThe non-invasive measurements by PASP, PADP, and CO in patients with pulmonary hypertension correlate well with the invasive determinations. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was inappropriate for estimating PCWP and PAMP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Output ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

Objective In order to understand the epidemiological and virologic characteristics of coronavirus HKU1 infection in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in Changsha. Methods 1165 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) specimens were collected from hospitalized children with ARTI between September 2007 and August 2008 in Changsha. Specimens were screened for pol gene of coronavirus HKU1 by polymerase chain reaction. All positive amplification products were confirmed by sequencing and compared with those in GenBank. Results Coronavirus HKU1 were detected in 12patients (1.03%) out of the 1165 children. The patients were from 8 days to 3 years. The most common clinical diagnosis was bronchopneumonia( 83. 33% ). Similarity of coronavirus HKU1 with those published in the GenBank at nucleotide levels was 98. 18%-100%. Conclusion Coronavirus HKU1 may be important pathogens in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection. Coronavirus HKU1 infections are common in children under 3 years old. There is no significant difference in the infectious rate between the boys and the girls. The peak of its prevalence is in spring and winter. A single genetic lineage of Coronavirus HKU1was revealed in human subjects in Changsha.