OBJECTIVETo study the epidemical characteristics of influenza in Gansu province from 2000 to 2007, and to discuss the changes of the predominant strains of influenza virus. This study provide scientific basis for defending influenza effectively.

METHODSInfluenza surveillance, collecting the pharyngeal swab specimens from influenza patients of national surveillance hospital and unsure influenza epidemic situations, inoculated on MDCK cell culture to obtain the influenza virus strains.

RESULTS2001.10-2007.12, collecting the 6383 specimens, 943 influenza virus strains were isolated, positive rate was 14.77%, 218 strains were A1 (H1N1 ), 352 strains were A3 (H3N2), 312 strains were B subtype of Victoria and 61 strains were B subtype of Yamagata. There were totally 61 outbreak of influenza-like cases were observed in Gansu Province during the last 5 years, 44 cases were isolated influenza virus, of 38 cases were caused by B subtype of Victoria virus strains, 3 cases were caused by H3N2, 2 cases were caused by B subtype of Yamagata virus strains, 1 cases were caused by H1N1.

CONCLUSIONInfluenza is active in human population. Influenza type A virus is predominant in winter and type B virus resulted in the outbreak in school and kidsgarden from March to June in the last 3 years.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dogs ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A virus ; isolation & purification ; Influenza B virus ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Seasons ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore mechanism of acupuncture for renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in hypertension rats.

METHODSTwenty-four 24-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into a model group, a perindopril group and an acupuncture group, eight cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, with rats tied up, electroacupuncture was applied at bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) under mild vibration of needle handle for 20 min, once a day. In the perindopril group, perindopril (0.4 mg/kg) suspension liquid was applied for intragastric administration, once a day. In the model group, rats were tied up for 20 min a day without any treatment. Eight same-age same-race Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats with normal blood pressure were taken as a control group, which was given with free diet but no treatment. The treatment was reuqired for six weeks. The systolic blood pressure of caudal artery was tested. Kidney morphological structure was observed by HE coloration. Deposition optical density of type I and III collagen in kidney was tested by immunohistochemistry. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the blood pressure was significantly decreased in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01), the damage of kidney morphology was minor, positive depositional area of type I and III collagen was obviously decreased (both P < 0.05), and the expression of semi-quantitative analysis of TGF-beta1 mRNA was decreased (P < 0.05), which had similar effect as western medication perindopril.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) probably intervenes the process of RIF by reducing synthesis of kidney type I , III collagen and restraining expression of TGF-beta1.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Kidney ; anatomy & histology ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) is an important metabolism regulator, however, whether FGF-21 has effects on cardiovascular remains unclear. In this study, H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 cells was used as a cell model, the anti-apoptosis potential and mechanism of FGF-21 against oxidative injury were evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry assay and real-time PCR. The results showed that FGF-21 could increase the cell survival of H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 cells and prevent H9c2 cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, FGF-21 can elevate SOD activity and regulate Bcl-2/Bax expression in H9c2 cells. The results suggest that FGF-21 have protective effect against the H2O2-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To assess the effective length of jejunal graft when the 3~(rd) intestinal artery is u- tilized as vascular pedicle and afford a reliable theoretic base for clinical esophageal reconstruction.Methods In 32 formalin preserved and 21 fresh cadaver specimens,the diameter of 1st to 5th intestinal arteries and diameter of arterial arches are measured with linear calibre.Measure the length of jejunum that can be harves- ted as graft when the arches are extended.In the 21 fresh specimens,the 1st,2nd,4th and 5th intestinal ar- teries are ligated,acetic ester stained with red dye were injected into the lumen of 3rd intestinal artery via catheter.Extent of distribution of the arteries to the jejunum was observed.And then red ABS solution was in- jected into the 3rd intestinal artery to make into cast specimen.The blood supply distribution of jejunum through 3rd intestinal artery-arterial arch and communicating system were observed again.Results The di- ameter of the 3rd intestinal artery was the largest among the 1st to 5th intestinal arteries.The length of jejunum vascularized by 3rd intestinal artery can be as long as (142.2?62.3) (69.0～206.60cm) in acetic ester in- filtrated specimens.While in ABS east specimen,the average available extent of donor jejunum was(30.8?7.3) (23.0～37.3cm).Conclusion As observed by this applied anatomy study,the jejunum graft vascu- larized by 3rd intestinal artery alone has sufficient length to meet the need of esophageal reeonstrution.

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on NAFLD in MSG-IR mice and to provide mechanism insights into its therapeutic effect. The MSG-IR mice with insulin resistance were treated with high dose (0.1 micromol.kg-1d-1) and low dose (0.025 micromol.kg-1d-1) of FGF21 once a day for 5 weeks. Body weight was measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, serum lipids, insulin and aminotransferases were measured. Hepatic steatosis was observed. The expression of key genes regulating energy metabolism were detected by real-time PCR. The results showed that after 5 weeks treatment, both doses of FGF21 reduced body weight (P<0.01), corrected dyslipidemia (P<0.01), reversed steatosis and restored the liver morphology in the MSG model mice and significantly ameliorated insulin resistance. Additionally, real-time PCR showed that FGF21 significantly reduced transcription levels of fat synthetic genes, decreased fat synthesis and promoted lipolysis and energy metabolism by up-regulating key genes of lipolysis, thereby liver fat accumulation was reduced and liver function was restored to normal levels. In conclusion, FGF21 significantly reduces body weight of the MSG-IR mice, ameliorates insulin resistance, reverses hepatic steatosis. These findings provide a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF21 as a novel therapeutics for treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dyslipidemias ; metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; complications ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipolysis ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Sodium Glutamate

To investigate the cell-killing effect and its possible mechanism of rClone30-hDR5 in combination with TRAIL on human hepatic carcinoma (HCC) cell line, first of all, recombinant plasmid pee12.4-hDR5 was introduced into HepG2 cells by liposome transfection. After five rounds of screening by flow cytometry, HepG2 cells expressing high levels of DR5 on cell surface were isolated. The cytotoxicity of TRAIL to selected cells was higher than that of TRAIL to HepG2 cells by MTT method (P < 0.01). The result suggested that the cloned hDR5 gene had biological activity. MTT assay showed that, rClone30- hDR5 in combination with TRAIL more efficiently inhibited the tumor growth of HepG2 cells compared to rClone30-hDR5 or TRAIL in vitro. The results of Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Quantitative Real-time PCR indicated that rClone30-hDR5 in combination with TRAIL significantly increased the mRNA levels of caspase 3 and caspase 8, and induced the apoptosis of tumor cells. HepG2 cells were infected with rClone30-hDR5 or rClone30 at MOI of 1. The expression of hDR5 on tumor surface increased significantly by rClone30-hDR5 compared to that by rClone30, which contributed to the sensitivity to TRAIL. In conclusion, rClone30-hDR5 in combination with TRAIL has potential application value in cancer treatment.
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; Transfection

Previous studies proposed that the synergistic effect of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) and insulin may be due to the improvement of insulin sensitivity by FGF-21. However, there is no experimental evidence to support this. This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin on regulating glucose metabolism was demonstrated by investigating the glucose absorption rate by insulin resistance HepG2 cell model and the blood glucose chances in type 2 diabetic db/db mice after treatments with different concentrations of FGF-21 or/and insulin; The synergistic metabolism was revealed through detecting GLUT1 and GLUT4 transcription levels in the liver by real-time PCR method. The experimental results showed that FGF-21 and insulin have a synergistic effect on the regulation of glucose metabolism. The results of real-time PCR showed that the effective dose of FGF-21 could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT1 in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on the transcription level of GLUT4. Insulin (4 u) alone could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT4, yet had no effect on that of GLUT1. Ineffective dose 0.1 mg kg(-1) FGF-21 alone could not change the transcription level of GLUT1 or GLUT4. However, when the ineffective dose 0.1 mg x kg(-1) FGF-21 was used in combination with insulin (4 u) significantly increased the transcription levels of both GLUT1 and GLUT4, the transcription level of GLUT1 was similar to that treated with 5 time concentration of FGF-21 alone; the transcription level of GLUT4 is higher than that treated with insulin (4 u) alone. In summary, in the presence of FGF-21, insulin increases the sensitivity of FGF-21 through enhancing GLUT1 transcription. Vice versa, FGF-21 increases the sensitivity of insulin by stimulating GLUT4 transcription in the presence of insulin. FGF-21 and insulin exert a synergistic effect on glucose metabolism through mutual sensitization.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver ; metabolism ; Mice

OBJECTIVETo characterize DNA-PKcs and Ku70 expressions in hepato- and cholangio-neoplastic tissues and the association with the degree of malignancy and invasiveness of the tumors.

METHODSThe expression of DNA-PKcs and Ku70 was examined in 47 cases of hepato- or cholangio-neoplasm by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSKu70 was expressed in all of the neoplastic tissues examined and with a little variation in levels. The highest expression was observed in adenocarcinomas and adenomas. There was no statistically significant association between Ku70 expression level and the degree of their malignancy extent or invasiveness. In contrast to Ku 70, a wide variation in expression levels of DNA-Pkcs was observed among different types of neoplastic tissues. The highest ratio of positive expressing cells was detected in hepatocellular carcinomas (92.1%), which was significantly higher than that in cholangioadeno carcinomas (65.3%) and biliary cystadenocarcinomas (51.9%). Low or no expression level was detected in papillary adenoma cases. DNA-PKcs expression of invasive adenomas and adeno-carcinomas (61.2%) was significantly higher than that of non-invasive adenomas and adeno-carcinomas (30.4%). There was no expression observed in the normal tissues adjacent to the tumors.

CONCLUSIONDNA-PKcs is expressed in hepato- and cholangio-neoplasms and its variable level of expression is associated with the types of the tumor and their degree of malignancy and invasiveness. DNA-PKcs could be recognized as a new biomarker for liver neoplasm.

Adenocarcinoma ; enzymology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Nuclear ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; enzymology ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; enzymology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; enzymology ; DNA-Activated Protein Kinase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Ku Autoantigen ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence and risk factors of dentine hypersensitivity of young people in Chengdu city.

METHODSThe dentine hypersensitivity of 741 cases aged 18-35 living in Chengdu city were surveyed with questionnaire and oral examination by random collection during June to July in 2008. The relative risk factors to dentine hypersensitivity were analyzed.

RESULTS128 cases (17.27%) were diagnosed as dentine hypersensitivity. The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity was higher among female than male (P<0.01). Cold was the most common stimulus for dentine hypersensitivity (62.80%). The most common affected tooth was the right maxillary first premolar (15.51%). Acid regurgitation, carbonated beverage, hard toothbrush type and heavy toothbrushing force were risk factors to dentine hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity of Chengdu city's young people is widespread. Acid and incorrect toothbrushing methods can cause dentine hypersensitivity. The correct protective measure to dentine hypersensitivity should be publicized.

Aged ; Bicuspid ; Dentin Sensitivity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Toothbrushing

AIMTo observe the effects of ouabain and aconitine on APD and ion channels in isolated guinea pig and rat ventricular myocytes; to elucidate the action mechanisms of these two drugs and set up new arrhythmic models on cellular level.

METHODSIn isolated ventricular myocytes of guinea pig and rat, the effects of ouabain and aconitine on APD, ICa-L, Ik, Ito and Ik1 were observed using the whole cell patch clamp technique.

RESULTSOuabain (5 micromol x L(-1)) obviously prolonged the APD90, increased ICa-L, decreased Ik and Ik1 in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Aconitine (1 micromol x L(-1)) lengthened the APD90, increased ICa-L, decreased Ito and increased Ik1 in rat ventricular myocytes.

CONCLUSIONThe targets on ouabain- and aconitine-induced arrhythmias included APD, ICa-L, Ik, Ito, and Ik1. APD, ICaL, Ik and Ito must be the powerful ones, both in arrhythmic and antiarrhythmic courses. The ouabain- and aconitine- induced arrhythmic models on cellular level were built to study the antiarrhythmic mechanisms of chemicals and evaluate new drugs. These two new-type models in vitro were stable, liable, repeatable and economic, which were superior to those typical models in vivo.

Aconitine ; pharmacology ; Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; pathology ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; physiology ; Ouabain ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar