Objective To study the effects of environmental exposure to rare earth elements REEs on intelligence of children. Methods Intelligence quotient IQ were examined with Drawing a Man Test in 464 children aged 7-10 years living in RE ore containing area and the control area in Xunwu country Jiangxi province China. Fifteen kinds of REEs in 112 blood samples 69 samples from RE ore area and 43 samples from the control area  were detected by inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry ICP-MS. Results All 15 kinds of REEs were detected in each sample the content of blood REEs of the children in the rare earth area 2.18?1.08 ng/g was 1.73 times of that of the children in the control area 1.26?0.35 ng/g the difference was significant P

Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Chitosan ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phospholipids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Child, Preschool ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; Shock, Septic ; etiology ; Streptococcal Infections ; complications

Objective To investigate the effect of the side of cerebral lesion on the outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 407 consecutive anterior circulation ischemic stroke patients within 14 days after symptom onset were recruited prospectively.The basic data ofthe e,~ISes were collected,such as the National Institutes ofHealth Stroke Scale (NU-ISS)and the side ofcerebral lesion.The modified Rankin Scale(mRS)was used to evaluate the prognosis of the patients at 6 raomhs.Results Of the 407 patients recruited,230 patients (56.5%)Were left hemisphere stroke,177(43.5%)were fight hemisphere stroke.After multivariable logistic recession analysis,the age(odds ratio[OR]1.022,95% confidence interval[CI]1.001-1.043,P=0.040),the side of lesion(OR 1.999.95%CI1.179.3.389.P=0.010),the time from onset to admission(OR1.006,95%(7/1.002-1.010,P=0.007),the outcome of the anterior circulation ischcmic stroke at 6 months aftel"onset.The outcome of the right hemisphere stroke Was significantly worse than that of the left hemisphere stroke.The onset-admission time in patients with right hemisphere stroke(median 12 h,median 39.61 h)was significantly delayed compared to the patients with left hemisphere stroke(median 12 h,median 22.72 h;Z=-2.962,P=0.003).Condusions The outcome of the left hemisphere stroke at 6 months after onset is superior to the right hemisphere stroke,and it mau be associated with the delayed admission.

Background The tissue-engineered cornea is becoming the hot spot in the ophthalmologic field,while the research of corneal substitute is in the ascendant,because it is more similar to the corneal morpha and easy to survive in vivo.Objective This study was to investigate the biocompatibility of recombinant human type-Ⅲ collagen/poly9 ( 3-( methacryloylamino ) propyl dimethyl ( 3-sulfopropyl ) ammonium hydroxide ) ( PMPDSAH ) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) (RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN) hydrogel as a tissue-engineered cornea in rabbit eye and its feasibility as the corneal substitute.Methods One hundred and eight rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group( 90 rabbits) and normal control group ( 3 rabbits),and 15 rabbits ( 30 eyes ) used as the donor corneas.RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN,NGF PMPDSAH IPN and corneal grafts were lamellarly transplanted into the right eyes in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN group,NGF PMPDSAH IPN group and allograft group respectively.The corneal transparency and neovascularization were examined and scored under the slim lamp and compared among three groups using Kraskal-Wallis H test.The corneal epithelization time was observed and compared among these three groups using one way analysis of variance and LSD-t test.The histological examination of corneas was performed at the 3rd day,1st and 2nd week,1 st,3rd and 6th month after the surgery.The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of K3 in cornea at the 6th month.Results The grafts were well attached in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN group,NGF PMPDSAH IPN group and allograft group,and no rejection reaction was found throughout 6-month following up.Compared with normal control group,no significant differences were found in the scores of corneal opacification and neovescularization in these three groups (x2 =4.34,P =0.23 ;x2 =2.60,P =0.46 ) at the 6th month.NGF PMPDSAH IPN group achieved reepithelialization in (4.97±0.63) days and was obviously shorted than that in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN group and allograft group ( t =11.97,P =0.00; t =5.80,P =0.00).The re-epithelialization time in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN was (6.86±0.71) days,and that of allograft group was (5.87±0.43 ) days,showing a significant difference ( t =6.32,P =0.00).Hematoxylin-eosin staining results demonstrated that implanted materials integrated into the host corneal tissue well and support corneal epithelialization.Part of the material degraded at the 2nd week and degraded completely 1 month later.Regular alignment and distribution of collagen fibers were seen in the regenerated cornea and were similar to those of the normal stroma in 6 months.Immunohistochemistry showed the positive expression of keratin-3 in corneal epithelial cells.Conclusions RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN has a good biocompatibility without toxicity to corneal tissue.Furthermore,NGF can promote the corneal wound-healing and re-epithelialization.The material can be used as safe and reliable corneal substitute after improving the mechanical strength.

Objective To study a possible correlation between the duration of reproductive period ( from puberty to menopause) and the prognosis of ischemic stroke. Methods Female in-patients with acute ischemic stroke confirmed by CT/MRI in the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 09/03/2006 to 08/30/2008 were enrolled in this study. The probable risk factors of prognosis were analyzed and recovery was assessed by modified Rankin score (MRS) at 6 months followup. Multivariate Logistic regression was used for statistic analysis. Results 371 female patients were enrolled. The average age was (66. 2 ± 10. 0) years; average menopause age was (48. 5 ± 3.9 ) years and average duration of reproductive period was (33.3 ± 4. 3) years. There is a negative correlation between the duration and MRS (OR =0. 285, 95% CI: 0. 095-0. 850, P =0.024). There is no correlation between menopause age and prognosis of stroke. Conclusions Duration of reproductive period is a predictor for prognosis of ischemic stroke. Patients with longer reproductive period have better prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the function of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) of Xin-blood-stasis syndrome.

METHODSSome vasoactive substances produced by VEC were detected and analyzed in patients with CHD of or without Xin blood stasis syndrome in group A (n=112) and group B (n=108) respectively, also in patients with non-CHD but of Xin-blood-stasis syndrome in group C (n=110), and healthy persons in group D (n=100), including nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), angiotensin H (Ag II), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule -1 (sVCAM-1).

RESULTSThe abnormality degree of ET, Ag II , sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in various groups showed such a tendency as group A> group B> group D (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), while no significant difference in these criteria between group A and group C was shown (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe vasoactive substances secreted by VEC are closely related to the formation and progression of CHD, and are likely to be important pathological markers of blood-stasis syndrome in CHD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; physiopathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Endothelins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

Purpose: Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an essential factor underlying neonatal death and disability. This study sought to explore the role of miR-146b-5p in regulating neonatal HIE. Materials and Methods: In vitro and in vivo HIE models were established in PC12 cells and 10-day neonatal Sprague Dawley rats, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess miR-146b-5p expression and inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] in brain lesions and PC12 cells, while enzymelinked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect the expression of oxidative stress factors (SOD and GSH-Px). Gain- and loss-assays of miR-146b-5p were conducted to verify its role in modulating the viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells under oxygenglucose deprivation (OGD) treatment. Expression of TLR4, IRAK1, TRAF6, TAK1, and NF-κB were examined by qRT-PCR and/or Western blot. Dual luciferase activity assay was conducted to identify relationships between miR-146b-5p and IRAK1. Results: In the HIE models, significant oxidative stress and inflammatory responses emerged upon upregulation of TLR4/IRAK1/ TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB signaling. Overexpression of miR-146b-5p greatly inhibited OGD-induced PC12 cell injury, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress. Inhibiting miR-146b-5p, however, had the opposite effects. IRAK1 was found to be a target of miR- 146b-5p, and miR-146b-5p overexpression suppressed the activation of IRAK1/TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB signaling. Conclusion This study demonstrated that miR-146b-5p overexpression alleviates HIE-induced neuron injury by inhibiting the IRAK1/TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of tanshinone II A on the cell signal transduction system protein kinase B (Akt) in rats with hypertrophy of the myocardium induced by partial constriction of the thoracic aorta.

METHODSRat models of myocardial hypertrophy were established by the thoracic aorta partial constriction method. Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into the sham-operative group, the model group, the valsartan treatment group, and the low-, medium-, and high-dose tanshinone treatment groups. The heart mass index (HMI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), and interventricular septal thickness (IVS) were detected by high-frequency ultrasonography. The myocardial fiber diameter (MFD) was detected by HE staining, and the contents of p-Akt and p-Gsk3beta in the myocardium were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operative group, the levels of HMI, LVMI, LVPW, IVS, and MFD were increased respectively in the other groups (P<0.05); the contents of p-Akt and p-Gsk3beta were also increased in the other groups. Compared with the model group, the levels of HMI, LVMI, LVPW, IVS, and MFD were decreased respectively in all treatment groups (P<0.05); the contents of p-Akt and p-Gsk3beta were decreased in all treatment groups as well. There was no significant difference, however, among the low-, medium-, and high-dose tanshinone treatment groups and the valsartan treatment group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONTanshinone II A can prevent myocardial hypertrophy by its action on the protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; enzymology ; prevention & control ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Lycianthes biflora.

METHODSColumn chromatography was used to separate the chemical constituents. IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and 2D-NMR technique were used to determine the structures of the isolated constituents.

RESULTSFive compounds were isolated from this plant. Their structures were identified to be bifloride A (1), N-trans-cinnamoyltyramine (2), liquiritigenin (3), N-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine (4), 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2-N-2'-hydroxypalmitoyl-sphinga-4- trans-8-trans-dienine (5).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, the others were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound 2 showed inhibitory effects on P-388.

4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Cinnamates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Leukemia P388 ; pathology ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solanaceae ; chemistry ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tyramine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification