OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) on myocardial fibrosis in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODSSHR of 12 weeks old were divided into the SBP group, the control group (treated with benazepril) and the model control group. The effects on such indexes as systolic blood pressure (SBP), left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), content of myocardial collagen (MC) in left ventricle, extracellular matrix fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), cardiac fibroblast (cFb) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were determined after 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTSSBP had no marked pressure depressive effect, but had the effect similar to that of benazepril in reducing the level of LVM, LVMI and content of MC (P < 0.05), as well as the content of LN, FN in myocardium, cFb count and TGF-beta1 expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBP can prevent and treat myocardial fibrosis, whose action is independent of its hypotensive effect. The mechanism may be associated with such factors as the decrease of MC synthesis in left ventricle and the deposition of extracellular matrix.

Animals ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fibrosis ; prevention & control ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; prevention & control ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

To observe therapeutic effect of early use of nicorandil on patients with myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its influence on cardiac function .Methods : A total of 124 MI patients undergoing PCI in our hospital from 2016 to 2018 were randomly and equally divided into PCI group and nicorandil + PCI group (received nicorandil based on PCI group ) , both groups were treated for 28d. Therapeutic effect , incidence of adverse , LVEF , LVEDd and cardiac index (CI) before and three months after PCI were recorded and compared between two groups .Results : Compared with PCI group , there was significant rise in total effective rate (72.6% vs .90.3%) , and significant reductions in incidence rates of recurrent angina pectoris (25.8% vs.11.3%) and malignant arrhythmia (22.6% vs.8.1%) in nicorandil + PCI group , P＜0. 05 all.Compared with before PCI , there were significant rise in LVEF and CI , and significant reduction in LVEDd in two groups on three months after PCI ;compared with PCI group , there were significant rise in LVEF [ (40.52 ± 4.38)% vs.(46.81 ± 4.53)%] and CI [ (2.43 ± 0.35) L·min－1 ·m－2 vs.(2.66 ± 0.38) L·min－1 ·m－2 ] , and significant reduction in LVEDd [ (54. 32 ± 6.23) mm vs.(48. 24 ± 5.34) mm] in nicorandil + PCI group on three months after PCI , P＝0.001 all.There was no significant difference in incidence rate of adverse drug reactions dur‐ing treatment between two groups , P＝0.753. Conclusion : Early use of nicorandil can significantly improve thera‐peutic effect , contribute to recovery of cardiac function with good safety in MI patients undergoing PCI , which is worth extending .

OBJECTIVETo estimate the association of driver sleepiness with the risk of car crashes.

METHODSA population-based case-control study was conducted in Shenyang, a northeastern city in China, between November 2001 and July 2002. The case group comprised 406 car drivers involved in crashes, and 438 car drivers recruited at randomly selected sites, and on the day of week, and the time of day when they were driving on highways in the study region during the study period were used as control groups. Face-to-face interviews with drivers were conducted according to a well-structured questionnaire covering the circumstances of their current trip and their background information. Stanford sleepiness scale and Epworth sleepiness scale were used to quantify acute sleepiness and chronic sleepiness respectively.

RESULTSThere was a strong association between chronic sleepiness and the risk of car crash. Significantly increased risk of crash was associated with drivers who identified themselves as sleepy (Epworth sleepiness score > or = 10 vs < 10; adjusted odds ratio 2.07, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 3.29), but no increased risk was associated with measures of acute sleepiness.

CONCLUSIONSChronic sleepiness in car drivers significantly increases the risk of car crash. Reductions in road traffic injuries may be achieved if fewer people drive when they are sleepy.

Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Aged ; Automobile Driving ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Sleep ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo present the clinical application of composite graft of acellular allo-dermis matrix (ADM) with thin auto-microskin on burn wound.

METHODS8 inpatients with 18 full thickness skin burn wounds were transplanted with allo-ADM after eschar was excised, then the auto-microskin and allo-human skin were covered on the area of the matrix, the wound where no allo-ADM grafting were covered as control groups only with auto-microskin and allo-human skin. The area of donor to wound is 1:5 - 1:8.

RESULTSSurvived rate of 18 pieces composite skin that allo-ADM with auto-microskin were grafted were 94%. After following up for 3 to 13 months, the skins of complex grifting had well elastic and smooth texture compared to auto-microskin grafted, they appeared less cicatrisation and ulceration. 3 months after operation, it was indicated by histological examination that tightknit the epithelial-dermal conjunction and epidermal papilla structure could be identified in the allo-ADM skin and there were orderly collagenous fibres, but scar skin structure was observed in that auto-microskin grifted area.

CONCLUSIONThe graft effectiveness of allo-ADM and auto-microskin was better than that of auto-microskin, and this method could be used on major deep burn wound healing.

Adult ; Burns ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between G72 gene polymorphisms and depression,and to probe the difference of G72 gene polymorphisms between depression with and without mixed family history.

METHODSThe polymorphisms of G72 gene (rs947267 and rs2181953) were detected by PCR technique in 100 depressive patients without mixed family history, 50 depressive patients with mixed family history and 86 normal controls.

RESULTS(1) The frequencies of rs947267 genotypes and alleles in female depressive patients without mixed family history were significant different to the controls (P=0.017 and P=0.008), the OR scores were 0.300 (A/A, P=0.010), 0.456(A, P=0.008) and 2.195(C, P=0.008) respectively; but in male patients there were no significant differences to the controls (P>0.05). (2) The frequencies of rs2181953 genotypes and alleles in the depressive patients without mixed family history were not significantly different to the controls regardless of sex (P>0.05). (3) The frequencies of rs947267 and rs2181953 genotypes and alleles in the depressive patients with mixed family history were not significantly different to the controls regardless of sex (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe G72 gene polymorphism may be associated with female depressive patients without mixed family history,C allele of rs947267 may be the risk factor.

Alleles ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Depressive Disorder ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory effects of Shenfu Injection (SFI, ) on hemodynamic parameters and serum proteins in rats with post-infarction chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODSForty-five healthy Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: sham, heart failure (model) and SFI group. The CHF was induced by left coronary artery ligation. Seven days after the surgical operation, animals in the sham group and the model group received saline (6.2 mL/kg/d), while animals in the SFI group received SFI (6.2 mL/kg d) intraperitoneally. Four weeks later, cardiac hemodynamic parameters were measured via the carotid route. The expression of serum proteins was analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS).

RESULTSRecording of hemodynamic parameters showed that left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum rate of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dtmax) rise, and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure (-dp/dtmax) decrease, while the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) rose in the model group compared to those in the sham group (P <0.05). The results of the MALDI-TOF MS indicated that haptoglobin (HP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and alpha-1-antitrypsin were up-regulated, while serum albumin and 40S ribosomal protein were down-regulated in the model group (P <0.05). Compared with the model group, LVSP, +dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax were higher, while LVEDP was lower in the SFI group (P<0.05). Expression levels of HP and PTX3 were lower than in the model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFI could improve hemodynamic function and decrease inflammatory reactions in the pathophysiology of CHF. The serum proteins HP and PTX3 could be potential biomarkers for chronic ischemic heart failure, and they could also be the serum protein targets of SFI.

Animals ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Haptoglobins ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Heart Function Tests ; Hemodynamics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Inflammation ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Proteome ; metabolism ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum Amyloid P-Component ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

To understand the role of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in Tibet Autonomous Region and the contribution of two major groups of RSV, nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were collected from hospitalized children with ARI in Department of Pediatrics, Tibet People's Hospital in Lasa, Tibet from April to July in 2011 and tested for seven common respiratory viruses and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) by direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA). Total RNAs were extracted from RSV positive samples by DFA and reverse transcripted to cDNA. Nested-PCR was employed to determine the genogroups of RSV, which were confirmed by real time-PCR and sequence analysis for G protein encoding gene. The Characteristics and variations of G genes from RSV in this project were identified by sequence comparison with those G genes in GenBank. Out of 167 samples, 65 were positive for respiratory viruses with a total positive rate of 38.9%, including 45 (69.2%, 45/65)positive samples for RSV. Among 42 samples that were positive for RSV and genotyped, 40 were identified as group A and 2 as group B. Sequence analysis of full-length G genes for 7 RSV of group A indicated that all of these belonged to subgroup GA2. The nucleotide identities between RSVs from Tibet and prototype A2 strain were 90.7%-91.8%, with 86.5%-87.2% identities of amino acid. The mutations of amino acids were mainly located in both ends of a highly conserved region in the ectodomain of the G proteins. The data indicated that RSV was the most important viral etiologic agent of ARI in spring of 2011 in Tibet and group A of RSV was predominant during the study period. High divergence existed in the ectodomain of G proteins of RSVs from Tibet.
Acute Disease ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology ; Sequence Alignment ; Tibet ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

Objective To explore the current prevalence of human echinococcosis in Qinghai Province and to lay the basis for establishing the preventing and controlling strategies.Methods Clustered random sampling was performed in selected survey spots.The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and ultrasound techniques were used for detecting human echinococcosis.Results 95 out of 5274 hydatid cases were found from 6 counties of Qinghai Province,with a prevalence of 1.80%.The immunological postitive rates examined by ELISA were 12.01%(198/1649)and 16.37%(383/2340)in male and female,respectively.The positive rate in female was significantly higher than that in male(χ2=14.78,P＜0.01).The infection and prevalence 1evels were generally increased among Tibetan[18.54%(446/2405),2.54%(78/3070)],herders[24.97%(239/957),4.78%(50/1046)]and people aged 60～＜70 years old[15.8l%(34/215),6.52%(18/276)],and were higher in Gonghe County[24.44%(240/982),3.95%(41/1037)]and Yushu County[20.59%(161/782),2.99%(32/1070)].Conclusions Echinococcosis was found in any surveyed area in Qinghai Province.The echinococcosis was severe in the pastoral areas such as the south plateau of Qinghai and places around Qinghai-lake. It is suggested that a strengthened control program should be conducted in the pastoral areas in Qinghai Province,targeting at females,Tibetan and herders people.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the viral etiology and clinical features of hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections in Tibet.

METHODNasopharyngeal aspirate samples were collected from children with acute respiratory tract infection hospitalized at the department of Pediatrics, Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from April to July, 2011. The specimens of nasopharyngeal aspirate were screened for antigens of 7 common respiratory viruses by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) [respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza viruses type I-III, influenza virus A and B] and human metapneumovirus. Clinical data of the children were analyzed by statistical software SPSS16.

RESULTA total of 167 children with acute respiratory tract infections hospitalized from April to July 2011 were enrolled in this investigation. Sixty-five out of 167 specimens were positive for viral antigens. The virus positive rate for specimens was 38.9% (65/167). Two of 65 positive specimens were positive for 2 virus antigens (RSV + influenza B) and (hMPV + parainfluenza virus type III), respectively. RSV was detected in 45 cases (67.2%, 45/67) which was the most predominant, followed by parainfluenza virus type III detected in 7 cases (10.4%, 7/67), ADV in 6 cases (9.0%, 6/67), parainfluenza virus type I in 4 cases (6.0%, 4/67), influenza virus type B in 3 cases (4.5%, 3/67), and hMPV in 2 cases (3.0%, 2/67). In addition to clinical manifestations of pneumonia, such as cough and shortness of breath, only 3 virus positive cases (6.67%) presented with wheezing, but the signs of severe cyanosis, fine rales in lung were common. Most of the children in this study recovered soon, only a few younger children with underlying diseases or complications had severe illness.

CONCLUSIONVirus is an important pathogen for acute respiratory infections for hospitalized children in Tibet. RSV was the most predominant etiological agent, especially for those younger than 3 years old.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nasopharynx ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; epidemiology ; pathology ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; pathology ; virology ; Tibet ; epidemiology ; Virus Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; virology ; Viruses ; classification ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of road injury.

METHODSCase-control study was used. From November 2001 to August 2002, 406 drivers who had 438 drivers who had not experienced a motor vehicle crash in Huanggu district, Shenyang city were recruited by randomly selection on time of day, day of week and site in the same period at same district. Face to face interviews with drivers were conducted according to a highly structured questionnaire covering the circumstances of the current trip, usual behavior and background characteristics of the drivers and the condition of motor vehicles. Stanford sleepiness scale and Epworth sleepiness scale were used to quantify acute and chronic sleepiness respectively.

RESULTSIncreased risk was associated with drivers who identified themselves as having chronic doziness (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.26 - 3.12). Increase in risk was associated with measures of acute tiredness, but without statistical significance (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 0.89 - 6.31). Comparing to permanent daytime work pattern, rotating shifts or permanent night-work pattern increased the risk of crash (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.48 - 2.94). The risk of motor vehicle crash among the drivers who drank alcohol in the previous 6 hours was 3.59 times (95% CI: 1.13 - 11.39) of those drivers who did not drink. Driving violations also contributed to the increased risk of crash (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.22 - 2.46).

CONCLUSIONFactors as chronic doziness, rotating shifts or permanent night-work pattern, driving under alcohol impairment, violation of motor vehicle regulation all significantly increased the risk of road injury. Acute sleepiness might serve as a potential risk factor for road injury.

Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Automobile Driving ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors