Objective: To investigate the effects of rosuvastatin on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and periostin, cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) expression, and to explore rosuvastatin on ventricular remodeling in experimental rats after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A total of 45 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 group, Sham operation group,n=15 and AMI group,n=30, the AMI model was established by left anterior descending coronary ligation. After 24 hours of AMI, the rats were further divided into 2 groups, AMI + rosuvastatin group, the rats received gastric rosuvastatin 1mg/(kg?d), and AMI group, the rats received gastric normal saline.n=15 in each group and all animals were treated for 6 weeks. The mRNA and protein expressions of CT-1 and periostin were examined by real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, the contents of superoxide anion (O2-·) and hydroxy radical (OH·) were detected by colorimetric method among different groups. Results: Compared with Sham operation group and AMI + suvastatin group, the mRNA and protein expressions of CT-1, periostin, the contents of (O2-·), (OH·) and left heart weight index were increased in AMI group at non-infraction zone,P<005. Compared with Sham operation group, the mRNA and protein expressions of CT-1, periostin, the contents of (O2-·), (OH·) and left heart weight index were increased in AMI + suvastatin group at non-infraction zone,P<005. Compared with AMI group, the mRNA and protein expressions of CT-1 and periostin were decreased in AMI + rosuvastatin group,P<005. Conclusion: Rosuvastatin may improve ventricular remodeling via inhibiting ROS production and CT-1, periostin expression in experimental rats after AMI.

ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of Kaschin-Beck disease in Shandong province, and to provide a scientific basis for decision-making in controlling the disease. Methods According to the National Monitoring Program of Kaschin-Beck disease requirements, historical serious villages of Kaschin-Beck disease in Qingzhou of Shandong province were selected annually; children aged 7 to 16 were chosen to receive clinical examination and children aged 7 to 12 were taken X-ray examination. Clinical and X-ray diagnosis was carried out according to the Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995). Results From 1996 to 2010, in 53 diseased villages, three thousand three hundred and eighteen school children aged 7 to 16 were clinically diagnosed, and child Kaschin-Beck disease of degree Ⅰ and above were not detected; three thousand and ninety-one school children aged 7 to 12 were examined by X-ray, forty cases were found positive, and the total positive rate was 1.29％(40/3091 ). The year with the highest positive rate was 2002, and the rate was 3.49％(13/372) ; the positive rate was 0 in 1996 and 2008. The difference of the X-ray positive rate between each year was statistically significant(x2 =31.54, P ＜ 0.01 ). ConclusionsChild Kashin-Beck disease in Qingzhou is basically under control.Since etiology of Kashin-Beck disease is still unclear, surveillance of the disease still needs to be strengthened.

Objective To explore the effect of polyethylene glycol-polyethyleneimine (PEG-PEI) serving as a non-viral vector in delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) into C17.2 neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. Methods Complexes of PEG-PEI and siRNA targeting Nogo receptor were prepared, and their characterizations were estimated by measurements of particle size and zeta potential,and the complex abilities of PEG-PEI/siRNA complexes were observed by gel retardation assay. In addition, with liposome complex system (Lipofectamine 2000/siRNA) as positive control, the transfection efficiency of PEI-PEG/siRNA complexes at different N/P ratios (cationic nitrogen/siRNA phosphate molar ratio) was detected by flow cytometry. Results The siRNA molecules were condensed by PEG-PEI to form nanoseale complexes. As the proportion of N/P ratio enhancing, the surface potential of nanoparticles gradually increased and the particle sizes of PEI-PEG/siRNA complexes showed a decreasing trend. Gel retardation electrophoresis suggested that siRNA could be fully composited with PEG-PEI as a result of the coulombic foree between them. Meanwhile, flow cytometry experiments revealed that the transfection efficiency of PEG-PEI mainly depended on N/P ratios of the nanoparticles,and the highest one was obtained at N/P=15 ([78.72±8.18)]％). Conclusion PEG-PEI might be a prospective candidate for siRNA delivery system, which enjoys its value in NSC gene therapy.

objecfive To know and compare the intelligence level of children born in different time periods in regions with iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)in Liaoning province.Methods All 7-14 year-old children from ten schools were chosen as the subjects respectively from six villages in each of the six counties and in regions with iodine deficiency,who were respectively born at the initialization of iodinated salt supplying period(1978-1980);non-iodinated salt supplying period(1981-1990);recovery of supplied iodized salt period(1991-1995);universal iodized salt period(1996-2000),respectively.Intelligence quotient(IQ)was measured by Combined Ravens Test in China(CRT-C)and Combined Ravens Test-the Rural,in China,2nd edition(CRT-RC2).Results IQ of children during the non-iodized salt period(91.9±14.3)was significantly lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(95.8±14.6,q=8.60,P<0.01),recovery of supplied iodized salt period(99.7±14.7)was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period(q = 9.53, 18.13, all P < 0.01 ),universal salt iodization( 104.3 ± 14.9) was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period, recovery of supplied salt iodization(q = 20.00,28.00,10.46, all P < 0.01). Children's rate of mental retardation (IQ≤69) was higher in non-iodinated salt supplying period (6.7%, 88/1314 ) than the initial supply of iodized salt (4.4%, 21/471, χ2 = 3.85, P < 0.05), recovery of supplied iodized salt period(3.3%,48/1470) was significantly lower than non-iodinzed salt supplying period (χ2 = 15.37, P < 0.01), universal salt iodization period(2.7%, 36/1344) was lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(χ2 = 4.41, P < 0.05) and non-iodinzed salt supplying period(χ2 = 26.34, P < 0.01 ). The IQ and intelligent retarded rates in children born during the initial years of iodinated salt supplying period were not different. The IQ of the children during ten years of non-iodized salt supplying period fluctuated in a "∪" curve, while the intelligent retardation rates in a "∩" curve.The children born during the period of recovery supplied iodized salt increased their IQ and lowered the retardation rates year after year. The IQ of the children in universal iodized salt period kept on increasing while intelligent retarded rates reduced to the lowest level. Conclusions The intelligence level of children born in regions with IDD during non-iodized salt supplying period is remarkably lower than that of the beginning years of iodinated salt supplying period. The intelligence level of children born after universal iodized salt period is remarkably higher than that of the initial iodinated salt supplying period and recovery of supplied iodized salt period, respectively.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protein expression of Axin and beta-catenin, the exon 3 mutation status of beta-catenin and their clinicopathological correlations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA total of 100 NSCLC samples and their corresponding normal lung tissues were obtained from the patients undergoing surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between 2001 and 2003. Protein expressions of Axin and beta-catenin were detected by immunohistochemistry. DNA sequence alterations of exon 3 of beta-catenin were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing.

RESULTSA reduced membranous expression rate of beta-catenin was observed in 80.0% of the cases (80/100) along with a nuclear expression rate of 26.0% (26/100). There was a significant difference in beta-catenin expression between well and poorly differentiated NSCLCs. Well to moderately differentiated NSCLCs showed a reduced expression rate of 70.0% (35/50), in contrast to 90.0% (45/ 50) in poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.012). Reduced beta-catenin expression rate was 87.3% (48/55) in cases with lymph node metastasis, in contrast to 71.1% (32/45) in cases without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.044). The positive expression rate of Axin was 48.0% (48/100). Well to moderately differentiated NSCLCs demonstrated a 60.0% positive expression rate of Axin (30/50), much higher than poorly differentiated tumors [36.0% (18/50), P = 0.016]. The positive expression rate of Axin in beta-catenin nuclear expressed NSCLCs was 15.4% (4/26), much lower than cases without beta-catenin nuclear expression [59.5% (44/74), P < 0.001]. Axin nuclear expression was found in two cases in this study, suggesting that it may function as a nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling protein. PCR and direct sequencing failed to reveal any exon 3 mutation of beta-catenin gene.

CONCLUSIONSThe reduced membranous expression of beta-catenin is associated with poorly differentiated and lymph node positive NSCLCs. The expression of Axin is inversely correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation and nuclear expression of beta-catenin. The exon 3 mutations do not contribute to the abnormal protein expression of beta-catenin in NSCLCs.

Adult ; Aged ; Axin Protein ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Staging ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the changes in the mental health status of the Wenchuan earthquake survivors in relation to their transfer to other provinces. Methods Sixty-eight survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake were evaluated for the mental health status using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) before and after transfer to other provinces. Results The score of SAS of these survivors decreased significantly after the transfer (42.78±7.95 before transfer vs 38.15±7.55 after transfer, P<0.05), and the SDS score also decreased significantly (45.40±9.30 vs 40.84±9.20, P<0.05). The transfer was associated with a significant reduction in both the SAS and SDS scores of the survivors irrespective of the injuries sustained in the earthquake. After the transfer, the survivors without injuries showed significantly lower SAS scores than those sustaining injuries in the earthquake (P<0.05), but the SDS scores either before or after the transfer have no statistical significance between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Transfer to other provinces may help relieve the anxiety and depression in both the injured and non-injured survivors in a short period for the benefit of their psychological rehabilitation.

The study was purposed to investigate diagnostic value of late-mRNA detection by nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) technique for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of the recipients after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) and to evaluate the clinical significance for guiding antiviral therapy. 352 samples were collected from 128 transplant patients after allo-PBSCT. A molecular biological diagnostic technique--NASBA was used to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) late mRNA encoding the viral structural protein PP67 (UL65) expression in peripheral blood of recipients after allo-PBSCT, and the detected results were compared with HCMV DNA detection by PCR. The sensitivity, specificity and early diagnostic value of HCMV mRNA detection for HCMV disease were evaluated. The results showed that out of 352 detected blood specimens from 84 patients 183 specimens (51.99%) were positive of HCMV DNA by PCR, 105 specimens (29.83%) were positive of HCMV mRNA by NASBA. 45 patients were infected by HCMV. The sensitivity and specificity of HCMV DNA and HCMV mRNA for detecting HCMV disease were 95.56% (43/45), 93.33% (42/45) and 60.24% (50/83), 97.59% (81/83). The results of specificity showed significant difference between two groups of HCMV mRNA and HCMV DNA (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the detection of late-mRNA of HCMV by NASBA technique is rapid, sensitive and specific detection for HCMV active infection. The detected result correlates with clinical symptoms. It can monitor HCMV infection of allo-PBSCT transplanted recipients and provide indication to antiviral therapy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cytomegalovirus ; isolation & purification ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Self-Sustained Sequence Replication

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical heterogeneity of movement disorder in Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSNinety-eight PD patients (68 males and 30 females) were divided into tremor-dominant PD (n=23), mixed subtype PD (n=29) and postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD)-dominant PD (n=46) groups, and the clinical heterogeneity of the movement function of the patients was compared.

RESULTSThe initial symptom of tremor-predominant PD was tremor, but patients with PIGD-dominant PD had rigidity and gait disorder as the initial symptoms, commonly compromising the left limb. The amended Hoehn-Yahr stage of tremor-dominant PD was significantly lower than that of the PIGD-dominant PD, while the score of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was significantly higher in the former. No statistical differences were found in the gender, course of disease and family history between the patients with different subtypes of PD.

CONCLUSIONThere are significant differences in the initial and typical symptoms between tremor-dominant PD and PIGD-dominant PD.

Aged ; Female ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic ; classification ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement Disorders ; classification ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Parkinson Disease ; classification ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Postural Balance ; Tremor ; pathology ; physiopathology

The scholars at home and abroad pay great attention to the studies of specificities of acupoints, but the studies were superficial and non-systemic because of lacking to application of modern sciences and technology. There are not persuasive conclusive achievements for the specificities of acupoints and the key factors influencing the effect of acupuncture. The study of the specificities of acupoints should be concentrate on the diseases for which acupuncture and moxibustion are effective. And multiple modern sciences and techniques should be adopted to resolve the key problems about biological and physical characteristics, pathological response, effects and law of compatibility of acupoints usually selected for the diseases, and then to create the model of the theory about the specificities of acupoints and to richen and develop the theory of the specificity of acupoints.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Research