To observe the effect of intracarotid administration of endothelin (ET-1) on electrical activity of neurons within rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) region, 87 spontaneous active units were extracellularly recorded in 35 Sprague-Dawley rats with sino-aortic denervation. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Intracarotid administration of ET-1 (0.3nmol/kg) increased the discharge firing rate from 17.8±1.5 to 20.9±1.4 spikes/s (P<0.01) in 30 out of 36 RVLM neurons, while blood pressure and heart rate had no significant change. (2) BQ-123 (0.67nmol/kg), a selective ETA blocker, completely blocked the facilitatory effects of ET-1 in 11 out of 14 units. (3) In 10 out of 11 units, glibenclamide (3.3 nmol/kg), a blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium channel, had no effect on the action of ET-1. (4) After ablation of area postrema (AP), the facilitatory action of intracarotid administration of ET-1 on 19 units of RVLM was abolished, while in 7 units of sham ablation animals the response of neurons to ET-1 remained unchanged. Taken together, intracarotid-administered ET-1 may act on the ETA receptors in neurons of AP, thereby resulting in the facilitating effect on RVLM neurons through the efferent projection of AP.

The effects of microinjection of adenosine (Ado) into area postrema (AP) on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were examined in 53 anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Following microinjection of Ado (1 ng/60 nl) into AP, MAP, HR and RSNA were decreased from 13.76±0.46 kPa, 356.28±4.25 bpm and 100±0% to 11.23±0.49 kPa (P<0.001), 336.91±5.23 bpm (P<0.01) and 70.95±5.19% (P<0.001), respectively; (2) 8-phenyltheophylline (150 μg/kg, 0.2 ml,iv), a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, and 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (500 μg/kg, 0.2 ml, iv), a selective A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, blocked the inhibitory effect of Ado completely; and (3) glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, 0.2 ml, iv), a blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium channel, also abolished the effect of Ado. The above results indicate that microinjection of Ado into AP induces inhibitory effects on MAP, HR and RSNA, which may be related to activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels mediated by A1 receptors.

OBJECTIVETo determine the molecular basis of late onset ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency in a Chinese family of Han nationality and the exon sequences of OTC gene of this patient.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing were used to identify the mutation type.

RESULTSA missense mutation E122G in the conserved residue of exon 4 was identified which is unreported before.

CONCLUSIONThe E122G mutation in human OTC gene may cause late onset OTC deficiency.

Age of Onset ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Family Health ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Molecular ; Mutation, Missense ; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase ; chemistry ; genetics ; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase Deficiency Disease ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Protein Structure, Secondary

To explore the difference of negative regulatory factors among T lymphocyte subsets in bone marrow (BM) of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and their relations to apoptotic gene Fas, different lymphocyte subsets in BM were categorized by monoclonal antibodies with 3 color fluorescence using flow cytometry, and the intracellular cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined following marrow cells culture. Then Fas mRNA of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) were examined by RT-PCR. The results showed that TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma levels in BM of MDS both increased, the former produced by cells CD4+CD45RO+, CD8+CD45RO+, the latter by cells CD4+CD45RO+, CD8+CD45RO+, CD8+CD45RA+, in which the cells CD8+CD45RO+ were dominant. Fas mRNA expression had relationship with IFN-gamma produced by T cells but not with TNF-alpha. It is concluded that in hematopoietic microenvironment of MDS, not only the T lymphocyte subsets are in disorder, but also negative regulatory factors secreted by T lymphocyte increase. T lymphocytes play an important role in producing IFN-gamma in patients with MDS.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; fas Receptor ; genetics

Objective To study the neuronal apoptosis and expressions of apoptosis-related genes in the hippocampal CAI region after cerebral ischemia in gerbils and investigate the protective effects of mild hypothermia. Methods Seventy-two gerbils were randomized equally into sham-operated group, hypothermic sham-operated group, normothermic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group and hypothermic IR groups, and 5-minute forebrain iscbemia was induced in the latter 2 groups by bilateral common carotid artery obstruction. Normothermic or mild hypothermic condition was applied to the groups after the operation as indicated. At 1, 3 and 7 days after the operation, 6 gerbils were selected from each group for behavioral test using open field test, followed by detection of neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal CAI region using TUNEL staining and by immunohistocheraistry for p53 and nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) expressions. Results In normothermic condition, the 5-minute forebrain ischemia induced significant enhancement of the exploratory activities in the gerbils 1, 3 and 7 days after the operation (P<0.05). This enhancement was observed only 1 day after the operation in mild hypothennic condition (P<0.05). Increased neuronal apoptosis and up-regulated expressions of p53 protein and NF-kBin the hippocampal CA1 region occurred after the forebrain ischemia as shown by TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry, and all these changes were significantly inhibited by the application of mild hypothermia (P<0.05). Conclusions Up-regulated p53 and NF-kB protein expression in the hippocampal CA1 region might be one of the mechanisms for ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis in gerbils, and mild hypothermia may produce protective effects against these changes for brain protection following the iscbemia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the actual condition of the sexual physiological and psychological development of the high school students in Yibin in order to get a reliable basis for sexual education of the teenagers.

METHODSWith a proportion of 1% to the whole, 2,770 students were randomly selected from eight high schools in the urban and rural areas of the city. We devised a questionnaire and asked each student to fill in his or her answers presently.

RESULTSSo far as sexual physiological and psychological development was concerned, the high school students of Yibin were found rather precocious, with very little sexual knowledge and psychological endurance in sexual affairs and a relative lack of sexual education.

CONCLUSIONIt is imperative to extend the scope of puberty sexual education in high schools. Teenagers must be taught different kinds of sexual knowledge at different periods of growth as well as how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and gestation. The sexual knowledge level of the teachers must also be raised. It is a must to establish service or specialist consultation hot lines about sexual knowledge for teenagers. Parents are expected to change their traditional views and assume an active role in the joint efforts of sexual education for their children.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Menarche ; Psychology, Adolescent ; Psychosexual Development ; Rural Population ; Sexual Development ; Students ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo develop a real-time fluorescent PCR protocol suitable for the routine screening of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions on the Y chromosome in azoospermic and oligozoospermic male infertility patients.

METHODSA set of real-time fluorescent PCR was established. Eighty-seven azoospermic and ligozoospermic patients undergoing ICSI in the IVF center and 30 azoospermic men undergoing testicular biopsy in the clinic of urology surgery were screened for AZFc/DAZ microdeletions of Y chromosome.

RESULTSEleven cases (9.4%) of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions were found in 117 cases of azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients by screening of realtime fluorescent PCR. Four cases (6.6%) were found in 61 oligozoospermic patients, and 7 cases (12.5%) were found in 56 azoospermic patients.

CONCLUSIONThe real-time fluorescent PCR protocol presented in this study is an easy and reliable method for detection of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions on the Y chromosome, which yields identical results to those of the multiplex PCR.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

BACKGROUNDPrimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been clearly identified as the first therapeutic option for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The importance of reducing door-to-balloon (D2B) time has gained increased recognition. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the strategy of direct ambulance transportation of patients with acute STEMI to catheterization lab to receive primary PCI.

METHODSThe study population included 141 consecutive patients with chest pain and ST-segment elevation who were admitted to the catheterization laboratory directly by the ambulance and underwent primary PCI (DIRECT group). Another 145 patients with STEMI randomly selected from the PCI database, were served as control group (conventional group); they were transported to catheterization laboratory from emergency room (ER). The primary endpoint of D2B time, and secondary endpoint of in-hospital and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including death, non-fatal reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization) were compared.

RESULTSBaseline and procedural characteristics between the two groups were comparable, except more patients in the DIRECT group presented TIMI 0-1 flow in culprit vessel at initial angiogram (80.1% and 73.8%, P = 0.04). Comparing to conventional group, the primary endpoint of D2B time was reduced ((54 ± 18) minutes and (112 ± 55) minutes, P < 0.0001) and the percentage of patients with D2B < 90 minutes was increased in the DIRECT group (96.9% and 27.0%, P < 0.0001). The success rate of primary PCI with stent implantation with final Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow was significantly higher in the DIRECT group (93.8% and 85.2%, P = 0.03). Although no significant difference was found at 30-day MACE free survival rate between the two groups (95.0% and 89.0%, P = 0.06), a trend in improving survival status in the DIRECT group was demonstrated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

CONCLUSIONDirect ambulance transport of STEMI patients to the catheterization laboratory could significantly reduce D2B time and improve success rate of primary PCI and 30-day clinical outcomes.

Aged ; Ambulances ; statistics & numerical data ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the pathological and clinical features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODSGrades and stages of liver lesions in 41 patients with NAFLD were analyzed. The relationships between pathohistological features of the livers, serum biochemical parameters, ultrasound examination and other clinical data of the patients were studied.

RESULTSAmong the 41 patients with NAFLD (there were 21 with their liver fatty degeneration in grade 1, 15 in grade 2, and 5 in grade 3). There were 2 of grade 0, grade 1 had 25, grade 2 had 10, grade 3 had 3, and grade 4 had 1. Stage 0 of fibrosis was 20, stage 1 was 14, stage 2 was 4, stage 3 was 2, and stage 4 was 1. Degree of fatty degeneration was not positively associated with the body mass index (BMI) of the patients and the ultrasound findings in their livers. Grading of the inflammation was positively related to the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood and ultrasound findings in their livers, but negatively to the platelet counts. Staging of fibrosis of the livers was positively related to the blood ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP, and negatively to triglyceride levels and platelet counts.

CONCLUSIONSDegree of liver fatty degeneration was not associated with grades of inflammation and staging of fibrosis of the liver. BMI, ALT and AST level, platelet counts, and ultrasound grades of fatty liver were associated with the liver histopathological changes of NAFLD patients. Liver biopsy is the essential way to make a diagnosis of NAFLD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; Fatty Liver ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo develop a multiplex PCR protocol, which could be suitable for routine screening of microdeletions on the Y chromosome in azoospermic and oligozoospermic male infertility patients.

METHODSFive multiplex sets were established. Eighty-seven azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center and 30 azoospermic men undergoing testicular biopsy in the clinic of Urology Surgery were screened for microdeletions of Y chromosome.

RESULTSA total of 19 (16.2%) cases of microdeletions were found in 117 azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients by screening of Y chromosome microdeletions. Of these, 11 cases (18.0%) were found in 61 oligozoospermic patients, and 8 cases (14.3%) were found in 56 azoospermic patients.

CONCLUSIONThe multiplex PCR protocol presented in this study is an easy-to-do and reliable method for detecting microdeletions on the Y chromosome. Routine screening of microdeletions on the Y chromosome for azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients is essential.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction