Objective To explore the distribution of water with high level arsenic and prevalence of arsenism along Huai'he River and the surrounding area of Hong'ze lake in Huai'an of Jiangsu. Methods Wate rsamples were collected and tested in 2008 from 18 villages of 6 towns according to history data in 3 counties like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze. Samples having arsenic level higher than 0.05 mg/L were investigated by epidemiological method and the patients were diagnosed by Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism. Results All 5199 water samples were determined,and 260 water samples were exceeding the national drinking water quality level (0.05 mg/L) in 3 counties,the rates of exceeding diagnosis were 5.6%(247/4454),0.7%(4/597),6.0%(9/148) respectively. Total detected rate of endemic arsenic disease was 5.94%(128/2155). The detected rates of age group of 0 ～ ,20 ～,30 ～ ,40 ～ ,50 ～ ,60 ～ ,70 ～ ,80 ～ were 2.86%(1/35),2.11%(2/95),1.26%(3/239),3.10%(16/516),5.53% (32/579),10.07%(41/407),11.84%(27/228),10.71%(6/56) respectively. The detected rate of male (9.10%,78/857) was higher than that of female(3.85%,50/1298,χ~2 = 25.46,P < 0.01). Conclusions Huai'he River and the surrounding areas of Hong'ze lake like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze are identified existing endemic arsenic disease area. The prevention of arsenism should be strengthened in these areas.

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) at rest on two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) was demonstrated to help detect coronary artery disease (CAD).However,the optimal cut-off point of GLS and its diagnostic power for detecting critical CAD in non-diabetes mellitus (DM) patients are unknown.In the present study,211 patients with suspected CAD were prospectively included,with DM patients excluded.All patients underwent echocardiography and subsequently coronary angiography within 3 days.Left ventricular (LV) GLSs were quantified by 2D STE.Territorial peak systolic longitudinal strains (TLSs) were calculated based on the perfusion territories of the 3-epicardial coronary arteries in a 17-segment LV model.Critical CAD was defined as an area stenosis ≥70％ in ≥1 epicardial coronary artery (≥50％ in left main coronary artery).Totally 145 patients were diagnosed as having critical CAD by coronary angiography.Significant differences were observed in all strain parameters between patients with and without critical CAD.The area under the receiver operating charcteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for GLS in the detection of left main (LM) or threevessel CAD was 0.875 at a cut-off value of-19.05％ with sensitivity of 78.1％ and specificity of 72.7％,which increased to 0.926 after exclusion of apical segments (cut-off value-18.66％;sensitivity 84.4％ and specificity 81.8％).The values of TLSs were significantly lower in regions supplied by stenotic arteries than in those by non-stenotic arteries.The AUC for the TLSs to identify critical stenosis of left circumflex (LCX) artery,left anterior descending (LAD) artery and right coronary artery (RCA),in order of diagnostic accuracy,was 0.818 for LCX,0.764 for LAD and 0.723 for RCA,respectively.In conclusion,in non-DM patients with suspected CAD,GLS assessed by 2D STE is an excellent predictor for LM or three-vessel CAD with high diagnostic accuracy,and a higher cut-off point than reported before should be used.Excluding apical segments in the calculation of GLS can further improve the predictive accuracy of GLS.It is unsatisfactory for TLSs to be used to identify stenotic coronary arteries.

Objective To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rb1,the most abundant ginsenoside in ginseng root,on differentiation and lipolysis of 3T3-L1 cells and to explore its anti-diabetic mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes were induced under standard differentiation process in the presence of 0.1,1,10,100?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 for 6 days.Oil red O staining,measurement of triglyceride contents and glucose uptake assay were performed.The expressions of mRNA and protein of PPAR?2,C/EBP?,ap2,glucose transporter (Glut) 1,and Glut4 were analysed with quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot.The binding affinity of Rb_1 to PPAR?-LBD was evaluated by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).Lipolysis of adipocytes was examined by the measurement of glycerol released from adipoeytes treated with Rb_1 for 1 h.Results Ginsenoside Rb_1 facilitated differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes in a dose-depondent manner.10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased lipid accumulation by about 56%.Treatment of differentiating adipocytes with 10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased the expressions of PPAR?2 and C/EBP?mRNA and protein,as well as mRNA expression of ap2,one of their target genes.After treatment of differentiating adipoeytes with Rb_1,basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport augmented significantly accompanied by up-regulations of mRNA and protein level of Glut4,but not of Glutl.SPR showed Rb_1 could bind to PPAR?which suggested Rb_1 was a ligand of PPAR?.Ginsenoside Rb_1 inhibited basal lipolysis in adipoeytos in a dose-dependent manner.However,it did not affect isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis.Conclusion As a PPAR?ligand,ginsenoside Rb_1 promotes adipogenesis,inhibitas basal lipolysis and inereasos basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport in cultured adipoeytes.Therefore,anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitizing activity of ginsenosides is,at least in part,involved in the enhancing effect on PPAR?2 and C/EBP?expressions,hence promoting adipogenesis and glucose uptake,and inhibiting lipolysis in adipocytes.

Low adherence to secondary prevention medications (ATM) of patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with poor clinical outcomes.However,literature provides limited data on assessment of ATM and risks associated with poor in Chinese patients with ACS.In the current work,ATM was assessed in consecutively recruited patients with ACS in Tongji Hospital from November 5,2013 to December 31,2014.A total of 2126 patients were classified under low adherence (proportion of days covered (PDC) ＜ 50％) and high adherence (PDC＞50％) groups based on their performance after discharge.All patients were followed up at the 1st,6th,and 12th month of discharge while recording ATM and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).Bivariate logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with ATM.Cox regression was used to analyze the association between ATM and MACE within one year after discharge.Results showed that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone had significantly lower proportion of high adherence to P2Y12 antagonists (83.0％ vs.90.7％,P ＜ 0.01) than patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) only.Moreover,in patients undergoing PCI,high adherence to P2Y12 antagonists decreased the risk of MACE (hazard ratio =0.172,95％ confidence interval:0.039-0.763;P=0.021).In conclusion,PCI-treated patients are more prone to remaining adherent to medications than CABG-treated patients.High adherence to P2Y12 antagonists was associated with lower risk of MACE.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genetic diversity and breeding strains of the E. breviscapus germplasms, in order to provide theoretical information for Erigeron breviscapus breeding.

METHODThe genetic diversity and genetic structure were assayed to six germplasm resource of E. breviscapus which collected from Yunnna with 11 pairs primers and AFLP molecular marker.

RESULTSix hundred and four amplification bands among 636 DNA bands were from six accession of E. breviscapus, which are about 82.40% of total bands. The six germplasms could be divided into three group at the 0. 706 similarity coefficient level. The first category include QS-1, QS-2 and Dali, Shilin, Kunming population. The second category included wild population of Qiubei. The third category included several sample from different district. The mean genetic similarity coefficient of QS-1 and QS-2 was bigger, genetic similarity coefficient range was smaller, hereditary character was more stable. Molecular system clustering analysis showed that the geographical origin of the same part had relative polymerization phenomenon and its genetic relationship was close. Qiubei was a single group possibly relating to the specific genetic basis.

CONCLUSIONThe analysis of genetic diversity of E. breviscapus by AFLP marker is reliable. The systematic E. breviscapus breeding is feasible.

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis ; Breeding ; Erigeron ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of ginseng and Ligustrazine drug containing serum on the proliferation, vitality, and extracellular-signal-responsive kinase (ERK) pathway in neural stem cells undergoing in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation culture.

METHODSThe cultured neural stem cells were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group (Group A), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation group (Group B), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation +ginseng serum group (Group C), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation + Ligustrazine serum group (Group D), and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation +ginseng and Ligustrazine drug serum group (Group E).The protein expression levels of ERK and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) were observed using immunoblotting. The proliferation of neural stem cells was observed using 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. The vitality of neural stem cells was detected using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry.

RESULTSThe p-ERK level increased transiently at 10 min and 30 min after reoxygenation, but it decreased to the normal level at 4 h, 6 h, and 1 day, respectively. Compared with Group B, the p-ERK level at 6 h after reoxygenation could be elevated in Group C, D, and E. The proliferation and the vitality of neural stem cells at 1 day after reoxygenation could be enhanced. Furthermore, the effects of combination of ginseng and Ligusticum were better than those of using ginseng or Ligusticum alone.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of ginseng and Ligusticum could promote the proliferation and vitality of rats' neural stem cells undergoing oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation culture through ERK signal pathway. Its effects was better than that of using ginseng or Ligusticum alone.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Panax ; chemistry ; Phosphorylation ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect between lumbar backwards flexion manipulation and rotating manipulation for treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

METHODSTwo hundred and nine patients of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, male 131, female 78, the age from 20 to 79 years old, 58 cases of all these patients age above 50. According to diagnosis the ladder of the 92 cases bulging type, 69 hernia type, 48 cases free type. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group (107 cases) and control group (102 cases). All the patients were treated with the three-dimensional computer-controlled traction therapeutic apparatus, with continued traction for 30 minutes. After traction, lumbar backwards flexion manipulation and rotating manipulation were respectively adopted in treatment group and control group (on alternate days one time, 3 times as a course of treatment). The symptoms and signs (including back pain and discomfort, lower limb pain and numbness, powerless urination and defecation, numbness in perineum, straight-leg raising degree, ability of lower extremity walking, work and live) of patients were observed after treatment.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 1 to 6 months with an average of 3.2 months. After treatment, the symptoms and signs of patients have markedly improved (P < 0.01), but the lower back pain and discomfort, lower limb walking ability in treatment group were better than control group (P < 0.05). According therapeutic criteria, the effect of treatment group was better than of control group (P < 0.01). In cases with bulging type, 47 in treatment group and 45 in control group, the effect of treatment group was better than of control group (P < 0.05); in cases with hernia type, 35 in treatment group and 34 in control group, there was no significantly difference in effect between two groups (P > 0.05); in cases of free type, 25 in treatment group and 23 in control group, there was no significantly difference in effect between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe global effect of lumbar backwards flexion manipulation was satisfactory than rotating manipulation for treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. But rotating manipulation suited to free type.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of Aurora-B in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and NSCLC cell lines.

METHODAurora-B expression was examined using immunohistochemical SP method in 91 stage I and 69 stage II-III NSCLC tissues and 40 adjacent tissues. The mRNA and protein expressions of Aurora-B in NSCLC cell lines (A549, H460 and H1299) were examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe protein expression of Aurora-B was detected in 77.7% (94/121) of the tumor tissues and 9.8% (4/41) of the adjacent tissues, showing a significant difference between them (P<0.01). The positivity rate of Aurora-B protein was not related with the gender and age of NSCLC patients, but with lymph node metastasis, differentiation and histological type of NSCLC (P<0.05). Aurora-B was expressed in all the NSCLC cell lines (A549, H460 and H1299) at both mRNA and protein levels. A549 cells showed the highest expression of Aurora-B.

CONCLUSIONAurora-B protein is highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and may play a crucial role in the invasion, metastasis and development of NSCLC. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Aurora-B differ significantly between different NSCLC cell lines.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aurora Kinase B ; Aurora Kinases ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

To investigate the molecular mechanism of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor activation in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts, the expressions of cell signal transduction-associated genes were studied by using cDNA microarray. Cardiac fibroblasts of adult Sprague-Dawley rats (230~250 g) were isolated and cultured. The cells were divided into 4 groups: Ang II, Ang II + losartan, Ang II + PD123319, Ang II + losartan + PD123319. The expressions of Ang II receptors were studied by immunohistochemical staining. Total RNA was extracted and purified. After cDNA synthesis and biotin-16-dUTP labeling, the probes were denatured and hybridized with GEArray Q Series mouse G Protein-coupled Receptors Signaling Pathway Finder Gene Array (MM-025) containing 96 genes associated with 11 pathways. The arrays were scanned with a Uniscand1000 scanner and further analyzed with GEArray Analyzer software. RT-PCR was used to further confirm the results of gene microarray. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor was evidently induced by Ang II stimulation when Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor was blocked. The results of gene array indicated that blocking AT1 receptor changed 34 genes (more than 2 folds), 30 were down-regulated and 4 were up-regulated. The maximum change was not beyond 20 folds. The following 9 pathways were activated: cAMP/PKA, Ca2+, PKC, PLC, MAPK, PI-3 kinase, NO-cGMP, Rho, NF-kappaB pathways. Blockade of AT2 receptor caused 64 genes changing more than 2 folds (48 were down-regulated and 16 were up-regulated). Eleven pathways were basically activated. The change of the following 7 genes was over 30 folds: Cyp19a1 (37 folds), Il1r2 (42 folds), Cflar (53 folds), Bcl21 (31 folds), Pik3cg (278 folds), Cdkn1a (90 folds), Agt (162 folds). According to the activated extent, the signal transduction pathways in turn were PI-3 kinase, NF-kappaB and JAK-STAT pathways. Blocking both AT1 and AT2 receptors changed 46 genes more than 2 folds (36 were down-regulated and 10 were up-regulated). Eleven pathways were basically activated. The results of RT-PCR of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha confirmed the observations in gene microarray. Our results show that Ang II can induce a high expression of AT2 receptor in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts when AT1 receptor is blocked, and the signal mechanism of AT2 receptor is clearly different from that of AT1 receptor.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of reduced osmolarity oral rehydration salts (ROORS) in treatment of mild to moderate dehydration caused by acute diarrhea in children.

METHODSA multicenter, randomized, double-blind, positive drug controlled clinical trial was conducted in 125 cases aged 1 to 17 years. These children with acute diarrhea and signs of dehydration were randomly assigned to receive either ROORS (trial group, n = 62) or oral rehydration salts II (ORS II) (control group, n = 63). The volume of intravenous infusion were recorded. The improvements of systemic symtoms and signs, diarrhea, dehydration and total scores were compared between the two groups. The adverse events and changes of electrolyte and other laboratory tests during treatment were also observed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe overall effective rates in trial group and control group were 96.8% and 96.8%, respectively. The recovery of systemic symptoms, dehydration signs and diarrhea occurred in 96%, 97% and 78% patients in trial groups, and 96%, 98% and 85% patients in control group. The scores of symptoms and signs in both groups decreased significantly after treatment. All the above parameters and the number of cases who needed intravenous infusion (41 vs. 39) were not statistically different between two groups. However, the average volume of intravenously infused fluids in trial group was (450.98 +/- 183.07) ml, 24.5% less than that in the control group (597.30 +/- 343.37) ml (P < 0.05). The mean serum Na(+) concentration elevated from (137.48 +/- 4.55) mmol/L to (139.52 +/- 3.25) mmol/L (P < 0.01) in control group after treatment, but the change was not statistically significant in trail group. Serum K(+), Cl(-), HCO(3)(-) and other laboratory result did not change significantly after treatment. The total scores in both groups decreased obviously after treatment, but no significant difference was demonstrated between two groups (P > 0.05). A case in trial group had mild abdominal distention and recovered spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONROORS was shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of mild and moderate dehydration induced by acute diarrhea. Compared to ORS II, ROORS could decrease the intravenous supplement of fluid and lower the risk of hypernatremia.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chlorides ; blood ; Dehydration ; etiology ; therapy ; Diarrhea ; complications ; therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Infant ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Osmolar Concentration ; Potassium ; blood ; Rehydration Solutions ; administration & dosage ; Sodium ; blood ; Treatment Outcome ; Water-Electrolyte Balance