Objective To explore the influence of hypoxia on cystathionine gamma lyase (CSE) gene expr ession of rat cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the mod ulatory effect of hydrogen sulfide on PASMCs proliferation.Methods Rat′s cultured PASMCs were randomly divided into contr ol group,NaHS group,hypoxia group and hypoxia +NaHS group. Each group contains 6 wells of cells. Hypoxic challenge was performed with oxygen concentr ation≤1%. The cell proliferation rate was measured by 3H-thymidine i ncorporation into DNA of the PASMCs. The expression of CSE mRNA was measured by quantitative competitive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ).Results For the PASMCs in hypoxia group, the amount of CSE mRN A was down-regulated about 67% (P

Teaching method for basal experiment, comprehensive experiment, design experiment and teach- ing practice in food microiological analysis were elaborated completely, and design experimental teaching was discussed stress. At the same time, Through introducing various experience of the design experiment teaching, resolvent and way of thinking against problem meeted in design experiment teaching were put forward.

Objective To compare the differences of clinical characteristics between genotype B and C chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients and to summarize clinical factors related to genotype C hepa- titis B virus(HBV)infection.Methods Seventy eight CHB patients who were diagnosed with genotype B or C infection by liver puncture biopsy and genotyping were enrolled.Their serum HBV DNA levels were detected.Severe hepatitis,liver cirrhosis,hepatocellular carcinoma and HBeAg positive rate were analyzed to determine the pathologic inflammation and fibrosis degree of liver tissue.Chi square test and Logistic multiple regression analysis were employed for the statistical analysis.Results The serum albumin and pre-protein were lower in genotype C CHB patients than that in genotype B.The alanine aminotrans- ferase,total bilirubin and prothrombin time were higher in genotype C CHB patients than that in genotype B.The rates of genotype C patients increased significantly with the grade of liver necroin- flammation progressing from GO to G4(1.8%,11.1%,20.4%,33.3%,33.3%) and the stage of liver fibrosis progressing from SO to S4(5.6%,5.6%,14.8%,33.3%,40.7%),but the rates of genotype B patients did not change significantly with the grade of liver necroinflammation(16.7%, 25.0%,25.0%,20.8%,12.5%)and stage of liver fibrosis progressing(16.7%,29.2%%,20.8%, 16.7%,16.7%).There was statistical significance in grades of liver necroinflammation(X~2= 11.49,P=0.022)and stages of liver fibrosis(X~2=13.56,P=0.006)between genotype B and gen- otype C patients.The rates of genotype C CHB patients were higher than,similar with and lower than the rates of genotype B patients of HBV DNA level above 1.0?10~6 copy/mL,between 5.0?10~2-1.0?10~6 copy/mL and under 5.0?10~2 copy/mL,respectively(51.8% vs 12.5%,35.2% vs 45.8% and 13.0% vs 41.7%).There was statistical significance of HBV loads between genotype B and genotype C patients(X~2=13.25,P=0.001).HBeAg positive rate in genotype C patients was significantly higher than that in genotype B patients(61.1% vs 25.0%,X~2=8.67,P=0.003).The rates of decompensated cirrhosis,compensated cirrhosis and no-cirrhosis in genotype C patients were higher than,similiar with and lower than the rates in genotype B patients,respectively(40.7% vs 4.2%,22.2% vs 20.8% and 37.0% vs 75.0%).There was statistical significance of the rate of cirrhosis between genotype B and genotype C patients (X~2=12.47,P=0.002).Conclusions The degree of liver necroinflammation and fibrosis,the HBeAg positive rate and the incidence of cirrhosis are all related with genotype C HBV infection.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of propranolol with 1 064 nm Nd:YAG laser on proliferating hemangioma in body surface.

METHODS97 patients with proliferating hemangiomas in body surface were randomly assigned to three groups: A group (32 patients were treated by propranolol with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser), B group (35 patients were treated by 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser), C group (30 patients were treated by propranolol). Their visual analog scores, clinical outcomes and adverse events were compared respectively.

RESULTS18 weeks later, A group had a mean visual analog score of 65.50 +/- 16.55, compared with 54.03 +/- 20.13 in B group, 28.08 +/- 30.34 in C group (P < 0.05); 24 weeks later, the mean visual analog scores of three groups were 76.88 +/- 19.05, 63.89 +/- 19.43 and 45.48 +/- 31.86 (P < 0.05). After 24 weeks' treatment, 9 cases (28.1%) in A group, 3 cases (8.6%) in B group, 1 cases (4.0%) in C group obtained complete healing (P < 0.05). To effect of adverse events in body surface, the mean score of B group was higher than the scores of A group and C group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPropranolol with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe in the treatment of proliferating hemangioma.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Hemangioma ; therapy ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Propranolol ; therapeutic use ; Skin Neoplasms ; therapy

Objective To investigate the water quality and running status of the dringking water improving project in Xuchang,Pingdingshan and Nanyang,thus to provide basis for scientifically evaluating social effects.Methods Stratified sampling was used in the levels of counties and townships and villages,with the number of checked counties greater than or eaquel to half of the projected counties(13/24),the checked townships more than 40 percent of the projected townships(42/102),the checked villages greater than or eaquel to 30% of the projected villages(56/186).We listened their statement,reviewed the documents,examined carefully the water projects before we made the appraisal.Results More than 95%(129/136)of the projects had water quality reports,among which 90%(122/136)were provided by county level centers for disease prevention and control,75% (102/136) of water samples were collected by centers for disease prevention and control,80%(109/136)ofcounties organized an acceptance check-up group,92%(125/136)projects well preserved water source.Conclusions The dringking water improvement projeets in countryside are basically normal in terms of construction and management,the water supplied is qualified,so the expected goal is achieved.However,duties of each department are not explicit and the communication is inadequate,so collaboration should be reinforced.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of decreased expression of high mobility group Box-1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

METHODSThree specific siRNAs of HMGB1 were designed and synthesized, and were transiently transfected into HepG2 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. The HMGB1 expression in HepG2 cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. The proliferation activity in vitro was assessed by MTT assay. In situ apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.

RESULTSAll of these specific HMGB1-siRNAs (1, 2, 3) efficiently and specifically inhibited the expression of the HMGB1 gene, and the levels of HMGB1 mRNA were 1.147+/-0.024, 1.014+/-0.042, 0.435+/-0.055, respectively, in HMGB1-siRNAs transfection group, which were significantly lower than that in Lipofectamine 2000 alone group (1.411+/-0.065, P < 0.01). Correspondingly, all of these specific HMGB1-siRNAs (1, 2, 3) could efficiently and specifically inhibit the expression of the HMGB1 protein, and the levels of HMGB1 protein were 0.369+/-0.035, 0.340+/-0.028, 0.097+/-0.020, respectively, in HMGB1-siRNAs transfection group, which were significantly lower than that in Lipofectamine 2000 alone group (0.553+/-0.051, P < 0.01). Of the 3 specific HMGB1-siRNAs, HMGB1-siRNA-3 (siRNAH3) had the highest inhibition rate (80%). The proliferation of HepG2 cells was markedly inhibited by siRNAH3 transfection. Compared to mock-transfection, siRNAH3 transfection dramatically suppressed the proliferation of HepG2 cells (P < 0.01). Moreover, siRNAH3 can induce apoptosis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONsiRNA targeting HMGB1 mRNA can specifically reduce HMGB1 gene and protein expression. siRNAH3 can effectively suppress the proliferation and induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; HMGB1 Protein ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering

BACKGROUNDThe feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy were evaluated by an approach of systematic review of published studies in the past decade.

METHODSA database searching was performed on MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, American College of Physicians Journal Club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Both comparative and non-comparative studies about endoscopic thyroidectomy were selected and analyzed. For the comparative studies, RevMan 4.2 was used for statistical analysis; and for the non-comparative studies, data analysis was performed by SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSSeven comparative studies involving 367 patients (video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT), 174 patients; conventional thyroidectomy (CT), 193 patients) were included in VAT-CT group. Age, gender, operative types, and pathological diagnosis were similar. Compared with CT, the mean operative time for VAT was significantly longer (VAT, 80.0 minutes; CT, 61.9 minutes, P < 0.01), but the postoperative hospital stay was shorter (VAT, 1.7 days; CT, 2.5 days, P < 0.01). The complication rate for VAT was 6.9%, while that for CT was 9.3% (P = 0.35). Three studies analyzed the postoperative pain and cosmetic evaluation, and indicated that the VAT group was superior to the CT group, but there was no significant difference after a meta-analysis. Three comparative studies involving 273 patients (totally endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET), 145 patients; CT, 128 patients) were included in TET-CT group and the results generally resembled that of VAT-CT group. There were 18 and 14 non-comparative studies reporting the results of VAT and TET, respectively. The mean operative time for VAT was 76.8 minutes compared with 135.8 minutes for TET. The postoperative hospital stay was 1.8 and 3.8 days for VAT and TET respectively. The rates of conversion to open surgery for VAT and TET were similar (VAT, 2.8%; TET, 3.9%, P = 0.105). The complication rate for VAT was 8.6%, while that for TET was 3.5% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy were initially verified and accepted, and it should be considered as a valid option, offering some advantages to patients in terms of cosmetic results and postoperative distress.

Adult ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Humans ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; Thyroidectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Video-Assisted Surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (TFH), quercetin (Que) and isorhamnetin (Isor) on the intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY).

METHODSFluo 3-acetoxymethylester (Fluo-3/AM) was used to observe the effects of TFH (100 mg/L) and its essential monomers, namely Que (10(-4) mol/L) and Isor (10(-4) mol/L) on changes of [Ca(2+)](i) in cultured SHR and WKY VSMC (abbr. to Ca-SHR & Ca-WKY) following exposure to high K(+), norepinephrine (NE) and angiotensin II (Ang II), and to compare with the effects of verapamil (Ver).

RESULTS(1) TFH, Que and Isor had inhibitory effects on resting Ca-SHR (P < 0.05), but had no significant effects on Ca-WKY (P > 0.05). (2) High K(+) could increase Ca-SHR more significantly than Ca-WKY (P < 0.05); TFH, Que and Isor could inhibit the elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) induced by high K(+)-depolarization, with the effects similar to that of Ver, and the effect on Ca-SHR was more significant than that on Ca-WKY (P < 0.05). (3) NE and Ang II could increase Ca-SHR more significantly than Ca-WKY (P < 0.05), TFH, Que and Isor had remarkably inhibitory effect on the elevation of Ca-SHR and Ca-WKY induced by NE or Ang II. (4) In the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), TFH, Que and Isor also had certain inhibitory effect on Ca-SHR and Ca-WKY induced by NE, and the effect on the former was more significant than that on the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTFH, Que and Isor might decrease the levels of [Ca(2+)](i) in VSMCs by blocking both voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDC) and receptor-operated calcium channels (ROC) in physiological or pathological state, which may be one of the important mechanisms of their hypotensive and protective effects on target organs in patients with hypertension.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; analysis ; Cells, Cultured ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Flavonols ; pharmacology ; Hippophae ; Hypertension ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; chemistry ; cytology ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on toxicity characteristic and OCT4 and SOX2 gene expression of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC).

METHODSmESC were cultured, and treated with the doses of 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4) mol/L respectively of BPA and DMSO (the solvent control group)for 24 hours, and three groups of cells were treated with the same method. The morphological changes of mESC in the control and exposure groups were observed through an inverted microscope. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) was used to detect the effects of BPA on proliferation of mESC, and based on the results, the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of OCT4 and SOX2.

RESULTSBPA had certain toxicity on mESC, the treatment of BPA significantly increased cell toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner, and the IC50 was 4.3×10(-4) mol/L, combined with the BPA exposure concentration of the environment and the related literature, eventually taking the five concentrations of 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4) mol/L as the experimental groups. The mESC morphology were effected after the treatment of BPA for 24 h, compared with the control group, the number of cells decreased, appearing some floating cells, and the cell cloning became irregular and differentiation in the higher concentration groups. The OCT4 mRNA expression level in the 10(-7) mol/L (1.146 ± 0.087), 10(-6) mol/L (1.156 ± 0.030), 10(-5) mol/L (1.158 ± 0.103) and the 10(-4) mol/L (1.374 ± 0.053) dose group were all significantly higher than the control group (1.000 ± 0.000) (t values were -2.384, -2.953, -3.203, -4.021 respectively, P value all < 0.05). Meanwhile, the SOX2 mRNA expression level in the 10(-4) mol/L (1.113 ± 0.052) were higher than the control group (1.000 ± 0.000) (t value was -2.765, P value < 0.05). Moreover, the OCT4 protein expression level in the 10(-5) mol/L (1.360 ± 0.168) and 10(-4) mol/L (1.602 ± 0.151) were all significantly higher than the control group (1.000 ± 0.000) (t values were -3.538, -4.002 respectively, P value all < 0.05), while no obvious change of the SOX2 protein expression level was detected in all treated groups.

CONCLUSIONBPA in a certain dose range could upregulate the expression of OCT4 gene in mouse embryonic stem cells while had no significant effect on the expression of SOX2 gene.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; toxicity ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; Phenols ; toxicity ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEIn recent years, the assessment of the plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) has become a most effectively and commonly used method for screening primary aldosteronism from hypertensive patients. It is known that there is a large variance in ARR value between races and ARR is affected by many factors, such as drugs, posture and serum potassium etc. The objective of this study is to establish the threshold of ARR for screening primary aldosteronism in Chinese hypertensive patients.

METHODSA total of 110 hypertensive patients were recruited and divided into essential hypertension group (n=65) and adenoma/hyperplasia group (n=45) according to the adrenal contrast CT scan. Antihypertensive drugs which can affect ARR such as beta-blockers, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs), ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and clonidine, were withdrawn for at least 2 weeks. Washout period for diuretics including spironolactone were 4 weeks. Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (slow released verapamil) and/or alpha-blocker (terazosin) are allowed for controlling blood pressure when needed. If the serum potassium value<3.6 mmol/L, an oral potassium supplement was prescribed. After keeping upright position for 2 hours, blood samples were drawn for PRA and PAC measurement between 9:00AM-10:00AM.

RESULTSARR was 100.00+/-48.65 (14.19-285.16) pg/ml vs ngxml-1xh-1 in patients with essential hypertension and 699.33+/-213.33 (185.8-2150) pg/ml vs ngxml-1xh-1 in patients with adenoma/hyperplasia. ARR value was greater than 240 in 42 out of 45 patients (93.3%) with adenoma/hyperplasia and was less than 240 in 59 out of 65 (90.7%) patients with essential hypertension. We used ARR 240 as the cut-off threshold for screening primary aldosteronism in another 178 hypertensive patients and ARR was greater than 240 in all 15 patients with confirmed primary aldosteronism.

CONCLUSIONIt is suitable to use upright ARR 240 as a cut-off threshold for screening primary aldosteronism in Chinese hypertensive patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aldosterone ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Clinical Chemistry Tests ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Potassium ; blood ; Reference Values ; Renin ; blood ; Renin-Angiotensin System