OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on peripheral endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and atherosclerosis (AS) in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

METHODSMale New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group, G group (Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Injection rhG-CSF 50 microg/d), AS group (high cholesterol diet) and G + AS group (rhG-CSF 50 microg/d plus high cholesterol diet, n = 8 per group). Peripheral blood was collected at baseline and at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, total mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and then the cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. After being cultured for 7 days, EPCs were characterized as adherent cells double positive for DiLDL uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining under a laser scanning confocal microscope. After being cultured for 3 days, the number of EPC (PE-CD34/FITC-CD133 double-stained positive cells) was quantified by flow cytometric analysis. Serum NO was measured and aortic plaque area analyzed at 12 weeks.

RESULTSEPC number was low in control and AS groups and EPC number was significantly increased ( approximately 13-fold, P < 0.001) compared to baseline at 1 week in G and G + AS groups and remained at this level throughout the study period in G group while decreased gradually in G + AS group and returned to baseline level at 12 weeks. Aortic atherosclerotic plaque was visible in both AS and G + AS groups, however, the aortic atherosclerotic plaque area was smaller in G + AS group than that of in As group (59.8 mm(2) +/- 26.9 mm(2) vs. 251.5 mm(2) +/- 83.4 mm(2), P < 0.01). Serum NO was similar between AS and G + AS groups and significantly higher than that in control and G groups.

CONCLUSIONCSF could attenuate atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits by increasing circulating EPC.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the time course of granulocyte-colony-stimulating-factor (G-CSF), estrogen and various doses of atorvastatin on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) mobilization.

METHODA total of 48 male New Zealand White rabbits were treated with placebo, estrogen (0.25 mg.k(-1).d(-1)), Atorvastatin (2.5, 5, or 10 mg) and G-CSF (50 microg/rabbit/d), respectively. Peripheral EPCs number was surveyed weekly for 4 weeks by FACS analysis (double-positive for PE-CD34/FITC-CD133) and under fluorescent microscope (double-positive for FITC-UEA-1/Dil-acLDL). Serum nitric oxide (NO) and lipids were also measured at the third week.

RESULTSPeripheral EPCs was significantly increased in G-CSF treated animals and remained constant for 4 weeks compared to placebo treated animals. Atorvastatin increased peripheral EPCs dose-dependently from 2.5 to 5 mg and peaked at the third week while peripheral EPCs number was not affected by 10 mg.k(-1).d(-1) atorvastatin during the first 3 weeks and was significantly higher only in the fourth week compared to placebo group. Estrogen also significantly increased peripheral EPCs at the third and fourth week compared to placebo group. At the third week, serum NO was similar in G-CSF group, significantly higher in atorvastatin 5 mg.k(-1).d(-1) and estrogen groups while significantly lower in atorvastatin 10 mg.k(-1).d(-1) group compared to placebo group. Serum lipids were similar among various groups.

CONCLUSIONAtorvastatin, estrogen and G-CSF could mobilize EPCs. The mobilization efficacy is as follows: G-CSF > atorvastatin 5 mg.k(-1).d(-1) > estrogen > atorvastatin 2.5 mg.k(-1).d(-1) > atorvastatin 10 mg.k(-1).d(-1). NO might partly contribute to the mobilizing effect of estrogen and atorvastatin.

Animals ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; Stem Cells ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence and clinical features of mixed infections in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia.

METHODA total of 201 cases diagnosed as MP pneumonia were investigated for mixed infections by sputum bacterial culture, respiratory virus antigen detection and serum Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody test. For those with the indications for bronchoscopy, we also did bronchoalveolar lavage and lavage bacterial culture.

RESULTA high incidence (103/201, 51.2%) of mixed infections in children with MP pneumonia was revealed. The most frequent co-infected pathogen was Chlamydia pneumoniae (52, 25.9%), followed by viruses (29, 14.4%), and bacteria (22, 10.9%). Among viruses, respiratory syncytial virus was the most common (17, 8.5%), followed by adenovirus (6, 3.0%), parainfluenza virus type III (4, 2.0%) and influenza virus type B (2, 1.0%). Sputum bacterial culture was positive in 14/201 (7.0%) cases, Streptococcus pneumonia being most common (6, 3.0%). BALF culture yielded positive results in 11.6% (8/69), Streptococcus pneumonia was also common (5, 7.3%). Among 29 cases with MP and virus coinfection, 26 were younger than 3 years (89.7%), while for MP and Chlamydia pneumoniae coinfection, most of them were older than 3 years (40/52, 76.9%). Compared with non-mixed infections, those with mixed infections had longer fever duration (24.5% and 40.8% longer than 10 d), more frequently developed pleural effusion (11.2%, 23.3%) and large area of shadow in chest imaging (35.7%, 51.5%). White blood cell [(14.28 ± 4.99) × 10(9)/L], C-reactive protein (CRP) [69(32.5 - 99.5) mg/L] and neutrophil ratio in BALF [0.86 (0.63 - 0.91)] were much higher in children with mixed bacterial infections than that in non-mixed infections [(9.06 ± 3.47) × 10(9)/L, 3 (0 - 31.0) mg/L, 0.44 (0.03 - 0.88)]. But no significant difference was found in peripheral blood neutrophil proportion between mixed bacterial infections (0.38 ± 0.25) and non-mixed infections (0.51 ± 0.19).

CONCLUSIONMore than half of cases with MP pneumonia had mixed infections, most commonly caused by Chlamydia pneumonia followed by viruses. The incidence of mixed infections with bacteria was low. Mixed infections with virus were more common in young children, while mixed infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae was more common in older ones. Bacterial infections should be paid more attention, especially those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, for those with high peripheral white blood cell counts, high CRP levels and high proportion of neutrophils in BALF.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; isolation & purification ; Coinfection ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Inpatients ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; isolation & purification ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; virology ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo explore the distribution laws of TCM syndrome types and to analyze the distribution of dynamic blood pressure curve, atherosclerosis, and age in senile hypertension patients.

METHODSTotally 1 131 senile hypertension patients were recruited from 7 provinces and municipal cities. Features of TCM syndromes, classification and distribution curves, and syndrome distribution laws were observed. The distribution curves of dynamic blood pressure, carotid atherosclerosis, and age were compared in each TCM syndrome types.

RESULTSThere were four main syndrome types in 736 cases (56.15%), i.e., excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome (210 cases, 16.02%), yin deficiency and hyperactivity of yang syndrome (177 cases, 13.50%), Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (79 cases, 6.03%), and deficiency of qi and yin syndrome (252 cases, 19.22%). Besides, there were two more sub-types, i.e., collateral obstruction by blood stasis syndrome and collateral obstruction by phlegm and stasis. Circadian blood pressure monitor was completed in 211 cases. Of them, abnormal circadian blood pressure occurred in 152 cases (accounting for 72. 38%); yin deficiency and hyperactivity of yang syndrome, excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome, deficiency of qi and yin syndrome plus collateral obstruction by blood stasis syndrome were most often seen. Color ultrasound of carotid artery was performed in 660 patients of main syndromes. The incidence was quite higher in those of excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome (182 cases, 27. 58%), deficiency of qi and yin syndrome plus collateral obstruction by blood stasis syndrome or collateral obstruction by phlegm and stasis (322 cases, 48.79%). Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of yang syndrome was dominant in patients 60 -79 years old, while deficiency of qi and yin syndrome and Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome were dominant in patients older than 80 years.

CONCLUSIONSExcessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome, yin deficiency and hyperactivity of yang syndrome, Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome, and deficiency of qi and yin syndrome were main syndrome types in senile hypertension patients. There was statistical difference in the distribution curves of blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and age of various TCM syndrome types.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atherosclerosis ; epidemiology ; Biomedical Research ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Qi ; Research Design ; Risk Factors ; Yin Deficiency ; epidemiology

Objective To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with essential hypertension.Methods Left ventricular diastolic function of 252 hypertensive patients were assessed by early (E) diastolic transmitral flows to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Ea) (E/Ea) ratio derived from Doppler echocardiography.Patients were divided into two groups according to normal left ventricular diastolic function group (E/Ea ＜ 15,n =168) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group (E/Ea ≥ 15,n =84).All patients were monitored by ambulatory blood pressure.Standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) of blood pressure were calculated as the BPV.Relationship between BPV and left ventricular diastolic function were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results All-day average diastolic blood pressure(DBP),the day systolic blood pressure (SBP),night SBP,night DBP,SBPSD,DBPSD and DBPCV in the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group were significantly higher than in the normal diastolic function group (all P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was associated with SBPSD (OR:1.126,95 ％ CI:1.054-1.203,P ＜ 0.01),SBPCV (OR:1.127,95 ％ CI:1.036-1.225,P ＜ 0.01) in this patient cohort.Conclusion High variability of SBP is correlated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the factors of time and pressure during cupping treatment on the cupping mark color, so as to provide scientific data and evidence for study on parameters and effect of cupping treatment.

METHODSOrthogonal experimental design was used with 12 stimulating parameters on 3 time levels and 4 pressure levels, cupping was given at 12 sites on the back of a same healthy subject, and 34 persons/times were completed in the experiment. The cupping mark color at each site was assessed 24 hours after cupping with a cupping mark color atlas, and the change law of cupping mark color was analyzed.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference for the different parameters (P < 0.01). The time factor had statistically significant effect on cupping mark color (P < 0.05), showing 10 min >30 min >20 min. The effect of pressure factor on cupping mark color was significant (P < 0.01), showing -0.07 MPa > -0.06 MPa > -0.05 MPa > -0.04 MPa.

CONCLUSIONThe stimulation of 10 minutes and the pressure of -0.04 MPa produces a marked ecchymosis on the cupping site, getting darker and darker along with increase of the stimulation intensity; the effect of pressure factor on cupping mark color is the largest with a linear relationship, which can be expressed as Y (cupping skin color) = 2.025 + 0.902 x 100 x negative pressure absolute value (-MPa); while the effect of time factor on cupping mark color is more complicated, which is possibly related with the cupping site.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Pressure ; Skin Pigmentation ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in adolescents with a family history of hypertension.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3874 adolescents ages 13-18 years,with normal BP in 3724 people.Based on family history of hypertension (FH),the cohort of adolescents were dichoto- mized as postive family history (FH~+,n=1145) and negative (FH~-,n=2579).Height,weight,waist circum- ference,hip circumference,blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose(FPG),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) were determined.Results FH~+ adolescents had signifi- cantly higher levels of body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,WHR,FPG,TC and LDL-C(P

Objective To delineate the relationship between body mass index(BMI),waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)and hypertension in adolescents.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3874 adolescents ages 13-18 years.They were classified into four groups according to BMI and WHtR,group A:normal BMI and WHtR

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biocompatibility of new bone tissue engineering scaffolds, A:D, L-polylactic acid (PDLLA)/polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid-polylactic acid (PLA-PEG-PLA)/Tricalcium phosphate and B: PDLLA/PLA-PEG-PLA in vivo, compared with PDLLA in repair of a rabbit mandibular body defect.

METHODS24 New Zealand adult rabbits were divided into 4 groups randomly. 15 mm x 6 mm defects were made surgically in the bilateral mandibular bodies and each hemi-mandible was assigned as an experimental unit. The defects were randomly repaired with scaffold materials in each group. Specimens obtained were evaluated with general observation, X-ray, histomorphology and computerized graphical analysis at 2, 4 , 8, 12 weeks after surgery.

RESULTSCompared with PDLLA, the new scaffold materials B showed biocompatibility. At the same time the quantity of new bone produced was much more than that in control group (P<0.05). The new scaffold materials A showed the clear chronic granulomatous inflammation.

CONCLUSIONNew scaffold material B had sound biocompatibility. It was much better than PDLLA. So it may be an ideal bone tissue engineering scaffold material. A is not adapted to be used as scaffold material.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone and Bones ; Calcium Phosphates ; Lactates ; Lactic Acid ; Polyesters ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Polymers ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of FoxM1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC) cell lines and tissues.Methods Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of FoxM1in human esophageal epithelial cells and esophageal squamous cell cancer cell lines TE1, TE10, TE11 and Eca109 cells.To determine whether down-regulation of FoxM1 expression could inhibit the aggressive phenotype of ESCC cells, we knocked down the expression of FoxM1 by using FoxM1-shRNA in TE1 cells.Then we detected the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of TE1 cells by MTT assay, scratch assay and transwell assay.Furthermore, the effect of FoxM1 knockdown on tumorigenicity in nude mice was evaluated.Finally, immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of FoxM1 in 99 cases of ESCC tissues and adjacent normal esophageal tissues.χ2 test was used to analyze the correlations between the expression of FoxM1 and clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of ESCC patients.Results Western blot data showed that FoxM1 expression was lower in normal esophageal epithelial cells and highly expressed in four esophageal cancer cell lines, especially in TE1 cells.Knockdown of FoxM1 inhibited the growth, invasion and migration of TE1 cells and reduced their tumorigenicity in nude mice.The positive expression rate of FoxM1 in ESCC was 61.6%(61/99), significantly higher than that in the paired adjacent normal tissues (24.2%, 24/99) (P<0.05).The positive expression rate of FoxM1 in ESCC tissues was 61.6%( 61/99 ) , significantly higher than that in the paired adjacent normal tissues ( 24.2%, 24/99) ( P<0.05) .FoxM1 expression was significantly and positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and invasive depth ( P<0.05).The median survival time was 42.3 months in 38 cases of patients with negative FoxM1 expression, and 33.0 months in 61 cases of positive FoxM1 expression, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.036).Conclusions FoxM1 is highly expressed in ESCC, and significantly correlated with the initiation, development and prognosis of esophageal cancer. FOXM1 might be an indicator to predict the prognosis and serve as a potential target for therapy in esophageal cancer.