AIM: To establish a model of primary cultured neuron injury induced by D-galactose for the research in Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Primary rat neurons cultured for 6 days were exposed to 50 mmol D-galactose for 72 h. The neural growth and neurite density were observed with HE stain and microscope, the neural metabolism rate and apoptosis rate were examined with MTT, immuno-enzyme assay and flow cytometry, respectively, and the aldose reductase mRNA expression was also detected with RT-PCR. RESULTS: The neural growth and development in neurons treated with D-galactose was retarded, the neural metabolism rate decreased from 0.762?0 030( n= 33) to 0 543?0 064( n= 11)( P

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can sensitively and objectively reflect blood pressure level, which is closely related to target organ damage and disease prognosis. In hypertension, vascular endothelial damage is the most common lesion to target organs. There is little known about how ambulatory pulse pressure correlates to large artery elasticity and vascular endothelial function. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes of large artery elasticity and of vascular endothelial function in patients with primary hypertension using an automatic pulse wave velocity determinator and ultrasound techniques, and to analyze the correlation of ambulatory pulse pressure to large artery elasticity and vascular endothelial function.DESIGN: A non-randomized concurrent control clinical observation. SETTING: Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Coronary Heart Disease, the 305 Hospital of Chinese PLA. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 156 inpatients and/or outpatients, who were recently confirmed with primary hypertension, were recruited for this study between June 2005 and April 2007. Patients consisted of 114 males and 42 females. All patients averaged 56 ± 4 years of age (range: 40-75). Inclusive criteria: Corresponding to diagnostic standards for preventing and treating hypertension instituted in 2004 by Chinese scholars. Confirmed as primary hypertension within 1 month. Not receiving any blood pressure lowering, hypolipidemic or nitrate-like drug treatments. Written informed consents for laboratory measurements were obtained from all subjects. The study was approved by the hospital's Ethics Committee. METHODS: According to the mean pulse pressure over 24 hours, all patients were assigned into 3 groups: Group A (mean pulse pressure ＜ 40 mm Hg, n=92), group B (40 mm Hg ≤ mean pulse pressure ＜ 60 mm Hg, n=39) and group C (mean pulse pressure ＞ 60 mm Hg, n=25). In each group, daytime pulse pressure and night-time pulse pressure, as well as 24-hour mean pulse pressure were measured using a non-invasive portable ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM-04, Meditech Inc, USA). Carotid-femoral and carotid-radial arterial pulse wave velocities were measured using an automatic pulse wave velocity determinator to evaluate large artery dilation. Blood flow mediated and nitroglycerin-dependent dilatation of the brachial artery was determined using a high-resolution ultrasound technique to evaluate vascular endothelial function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlations of ambulatory pulse pressure to large artery dilation and arterial endothelial function. RESULTS: All 156 patients were included in the final analysis. Correlation of ambulatory pulse pressure to large artery dilation: Carotid-femoral arterial pulse wave velocity was significantly positively correlated to daytime pulse pressure, night-time pulse pressure and 24-hour mean pulse pressure, with coefficient of partial correlation being 0.310, 0.281 and 0.303, respectively, P ＜ 0.01). There were no significant correlations of carotid-radial arterial pulse wave velocity to daytime pulse pressure, night-time pulse pressure or 24-hour pulse pressure (P ＞ 0.05). Correlation of ambulatory pulse pressure to arterial endothelial function: There was a linear relationship between ambulatory pulse pressure and blood flow-mediated blood vessel dilatation values. Linear correlation analysis was performed, taking ambulatory pulse pressure as an independent variable, and endothelial-dependent dilatation as a dependent variable. Results demonstrated that blood flow-mediated blood vessel dilatation was significantly negatively correlated to daytime pulse pressure, night-time pulse pressure and 24- hour mean pulse pressure (r = -0.684, -0.597, -0.668, P ＜ 0.01). There was no correlation of ambulatory pulse pressure to non-endothelial-dependent blood vessel dilatation. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory pulse pressure increase is closely related to large artery elasticity decrease and injury to endothelial function in patients with primary hypertension.

BACKGROUND:Cleft palate repair with levator veli palatini retropositioning can achieve good effects on pharyngeal function and voice quality by dissecting the muscle and rebuilding the muscle function only at the incision, without opening the mucoperiosteal flap, OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of cleft palate repair with levator veli palatini retropositioning versus traditional surgery treatment on speech disorder correction. METHODS:Totaly 176 children with cleft palate were randomly assigned into treatment group and control group, 88 cases in each group. Patients were subjected to traditional surgery treatment in the control group and levator veli palatini retropositioning in the treatment group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The postoperative speech inteligibility in the treatment group and the control group were 81.8% and 54.5%, respectively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). After cleft palate repair, the folowing indicators were al improved in the two groups, including soft palate functional length at static state and when pronouncing, and soft palate elevation angle (P < 0.05), and moreover, these indicators were better in the treatment group than the control group (P < 0.05). Scores on high nasal tone and rhinorrhea tone were decreased significantly in the two groups after repair, and the scores were significantly lower in the treatment group than the control group (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that cleft palate repair with levator veli palatini retropositioning can effectively rebuild soft palate function and perfect velopharyngeal competence in patients, which is of great significance for speech disorder correction and voice quality recovery.

Objective To investigate vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2(VEGFR-2)and its phosphorylated state in cancerous and peri-cancerous tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE).Methods Forty-three cases of second-stage surgery of HCC after TACE(TACE & surgery group)and twenty cases of surgery without TACE(direct surgery group)were performed.Surgical specimens were made into paraffin-embedded slices.VEGFR-2,phosphorylated VEGFR-2,hypoxia induced factor-1α(HIF-1α)and microvessel density(MVD,labeled by CD31)were detected using immunohistochemical method.All data was statistically processed with SPSS for Windows.Results The absorption factor(A factor)of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and HIF-1α in the cancerous tissue of HCC were(0.034±0.016)and(0.047±0.021)in TACE & surgery group,and(0.024±0.009)and(0.035±0.016)in direct-surgery group,which showed statistically significant difference(F=6.75,4.77,P＜0.05).The A factors of VEGFR-2,phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and HIF-1α in the peri-cancerous tissue were(0.040±0.017),(0.031±0.011)and(0.037±0.015)respectively in TACE & surgery group,and(0.030±0.015),(0.020±0.008)and(0.024±0.014)respectively in direct-surgery group,all of which showed statistically significant difference(F=4.60,13.72,11.65,P＜0.05).MVD of the peri-cancerous tissue was(58.3±15.2)/HP in TACE & surgery group and(44.4±10.5)/HP in direct-surgery group,which showed statistically significant difference(χ2=13.64,P＜0.05).Conclusion The cancerous and peri-cancerous tissues in HCC after TACE showed more hypoxic changes.Both expression and function of VEGFR-2 were enhanced following TACE.

BACKGROUND:There is a very close relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease in postmenopausal women, but the mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of nuclear factor-κB in the alveolar bone andinterleukin-17 in the serum and gingiva in the mouse model of osteoporosis caused by ovariectomy. METHODS:Female mice aged 3 months were randomly divided into ovariectomy and sham operation groups. At 6 months after surgery, the mouse models were evaluated histologically on the submandibular bone and thigh bone stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In the submandibular bone, the expression levels of OCN and Runx2 were detected by RT-PCR, and the expression level of nuclear factor-κB was detected by immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay. Besides, the expression level of interleukin-17 in the serum and gingival homogenate was evaluated using Cytometric Beads Array. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The thigh bone in the ovariectomy group revealed the thin cortical bone, enlarged marrow cavity, and increased resorption lacunae, as well as fewer, thinner trabeculae with lower density and irregular structure. Compared with the sham operation group, the expression levels of OCN and Runx2 in the alveolar bone were decreased in the ovariectomy group. The activation of nuclear factor-κB (P65)appeared with P65 positive expression in the submandibular bone in the ovariectomy group, and the relative expression level was higher than that in the sham operation group. The serum level of interleukin-17 in the ovariectomy group was higher than that in the sham operation group, but the level in the gingival tissue showed no significant difference between the two groups. These results indicate that estrogen deficiency after ovariectomy can activate nuclear factor-κB signal pathway to play a role in periodontal osteolysis. However interleukin-17 in the local periodontal tissue may not be a key cytokine to damage the periodontal tissue.

Objective To explore the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression on murine experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).Methods Wistar rats were divided into hemin (experimental group) and saline (control group) group randomly, and experimental AAA model was established by elastase perfusion. The specimen was obtained at postoperative day 7, and the dilatation rate was calculated. In situ hybridization was applied to detect the expression of HO-1 mRNA in aortic wall, while immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of ICAM-1 and HO-1. Results In experimental group, the aorta dilation was inhibited and aneurysm was not observed. In experimental group, HO-1 mRNA and protein expression was strengthened (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of D-galactose (D-gal) on aging of rat marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and its mechanism.

METHODSMSCs isolated from young (7 d) SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group, 1g/L, 10g/L and 50g/L D-gal treatment groups. In control group MSCs were cultured in DMEM containing 10% FBS for 48 h. In the D-gal treatment groups, MSCs were cultured in DMEM containing 10% FBS with 1g/L, 10g/L or 50g/L D-gal for 48 h. The senescence-associated changes were examined with SA-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, the expressions of p53, p21 and p16 were detected by Western blot. The living and apoptotic cells were determined by AO/EB staining. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. SOD activity was measured by xanthine oxidase method, and the MDA content was estimated with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method.

RESULTSCompared to control group, the number of SA-β-gal positive cells and the expression of p53, p21 and p16 were significantly increased in the 10g/L and 50g/L D-gal treatment groups. The apoptosis rate in 50g/L D-gal group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.01). The proliferation of MSCs was decreased in the 10g/L and 50g/L D-gal groups compared to control group (P<0.05). After 10g/L and 50g/L D-gal treatment, SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and MDA level was increased (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe aging of MSCs can be induced by 10g/L and 50g/L D-gal, which may be associated with the elevated levels of oxidative stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cellular Senescence ; drug effects ; Galactose ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective: To understand the current situation of sedentary behaviors among middle school students and its relationship with physical health. Methods: Data came from the Taizhou City and Township Health Survey in 2018. Sedentary behaviors and physical fitness of 2 374 middle school students in Taizhou were analyzed. Results: The total time spent in sedentary behaviors of middle school students in Taizhou was (8.75±1.56) h/d on weekday and (7.34±1.55) h/d on weekend; Compared with students whose screen time <2 h/d in weekday or weekend, weekend homework time <2 h/d and private tutoring class <2 h/d, students whose screen time ≥2 h/d in weekday or weekend, weekend homework ≥2 h/d and private tutoring class ≥2 h/d showed higher rate of low physical fitness(OR was 1.43, 1.37, 1.12, 1.43, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusion Long duration of weekend homework and private tutoring class, as well as high screen time in weekday and weekend is associated with decline of physical fitness among middle school students.

Objective: To analyze the current situation and related factors of physical exercise behavior among high school students, so as to provide theoretical basis for improving their health level. Methods: In May 2022, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 17 high schools in the jurisdiction of Taizhou City. A total of 3 402 high school students were selected by class to conduct a survey on the prevalence and related factors of physical exercise behavior by Chinese Sports Activity Level Scale. And binary Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the influencing factors. Results: Among the surveyed high school students, the rate of poor physical exercise behavior reached 53.4%. The rates of poor physical exercise behavior varied within the group in terms of gender, urban and rural areas, whether they were only children, maternal education, parental emotions, parental exercise habits, parenting styles, family income and academic performance were statistically significant (χ2=12.38, 11.73, 742.71, 28.86, 24.38, 39.98, 71.92, 33.34, 176.97, P<0.01). High school students of grade 3, female students, parents with low education, parents who occasionally and never exercise, intergenerational discipline, low family income, and average academic performance were the tendency factors for poor physical exercise behavior(OR=1.39, 1.18, 1.62, 1.30, 1.36, 2.21, 1.53, 1.46, 1.52, P<0.05). Conclusions The rate of poor physical exercise behavior among high school students in Taizhou City is relatively high and is affected by various factors such as age, gender, academic performance, and family background. It should actively reduce the impact of unfavorable factors, promote high school students to participate in physical exercise, and improve the health level of high school students.

To explore the role of the special AT rich sequence binding protein-1 (SATB1) and ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2) in enhancing malignant progression of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). 
 Methods: A total of 42 NHL and 42 chronic lymphadenitis patients were recruited. The protein expressions of SATB1 and RRM2 in cervical lymph nodes were determined by Western blot. After overexpression of SATB1, siSATB1 or siRRM2, the mRNA levels of SATB1 and RRM2 in cells were analyzed via RT-PCR, the cell proliferation was evaluated via MTT and EdU assays, while the migration and invasion of cells were assessed by transwell assays.
 Results: Compared with chronic lymphadenitis, the expressions of SATB1 and RRM2 in NHL patients were up-regulated. There was positive correlation between SATB1 and RRM2 in NHL patients. RRM2 mRNA level was up-regulated after transfection of SATB1 and down-regulated after transfection of siSATB1. Overexpression of SATB1 increased tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while knockdown of RRM2 reversed those phenomena.
 Conclusion: SATB1 functions as an oncogene and promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion by up-regulation of RRM2 in NHL.
Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; chemistry ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Matrix Attachment Region Binding Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; genetics ; Oncogenes ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase ; Ribonucleotide Reductases ; genetics ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factors ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Up-Regulation