Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paresthesia ; Pharyngeal Diseases ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible mechanism of compound Chinese sour taste herbs (CS) in preventing and ameliorating diabetic macroangiopathy by analyzing the effects of CS on the deposition of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and gene expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in the aorta tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODSRat model of T2DM was established by peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and high caloric diet feeding. Experimental SD rats were divided into the normal group, the model group, the aminoguanidine (AG) group, and the CS group. At the end of the 8th and 12th week, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured by glucose oxidase method; content of AGEs and collagen in aorta detected by fluorescent method and gene expression of RAGE in aorta determined by Real-time PCR method.

RESULTSFBG, AGEs and collagen contents and RAGE expression in aorta of model rats were all higher than those in the normal control group (P <0.05), while all these indices were lower in the CS group than in the model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCS could realize the goal for preventing and ameliorating diabetic macroangiopathy by way of suppressing the production of AGEs and down-regulating the gene expression of RAGE in aorta of T2DM rats.

Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of adenosine A2A receptor knockout (A(2A)RKO) on relationship between continuous activation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (P-JNK) and expression of nerve cell apoptosis in hippocampus CA1 domain of newborn mice after hypoxia/ischemia brain damage(HIBD) and its potential mechanism.

METHODSA(2A)RKO mice and adenosine A2A receptor wildtype (A(2A)RWT) littermates (n = 80) were divided into Sham operation group (S) and model group (M), 1, 3 and 7 day after HIBD, totally 8 groups. HIBD was developed with 7 day-old neonatal mice according classical Rice-Vannucci method. It was tested the effect of A(2A)RKO on short-term neurofunctional outcomes consisted of three developmental reflexes (righting, geotaxis and cliff aversion), the changes of brain pathology with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining, the expressions of nerve cell apoptosis with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling(TUNEL) staining and P-JNK were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe neurological behavior injuries and brain histopathological damages and nerve apoptosis cells were aggravated in A(2A)RKO newborn mice after HIBD. The positive expressions of P-JNK were significantly higher in the ischemic hippocampus CA1 domain after HIBD than ones in group S respectively (P < 0.01), reaching to peak at 1 day and then began gradually decreasing. P-JNK expression in model knockout(MKO) at 1, 3 and 7 day increased greatly compared to those in the previous time point of corresponding model wildtype (MWT) (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P > 0.05); there was a positive correlation between the expressions of P-JNK and nerve cell apoptosis after HIBD in newborn mice(r = 0.837, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEarly continuous activation of P-JNK might be involved in the aggravated nerve apoptosis cells and brain damage induced by A(2A) RKO newborn mice after HIBD.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effects of azithromycin in treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis in children.

METHODSDefinite diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis was made on the basis of clinical manifestation combined with one or more positive results of the following laboratory tests and excluded other congenital infectious diseases: toxoplasma DNA (TOX-DNA), circulating toxoplasma antigen (TOX-CAG), and toxoplasma IgM antibody (TOX-IgM). All the patients were given oral azithromycin 10 mg/(kg.d) for 6 days followed by 8 days without medication (one course of treatment), and the regimen was persisted for 2 months and then another 2-month treatment was given at a 1-month interval. The authors continued to provide further treatment according to the state of the illness at one month interval. The patients received 2 to 8 (average 5) courses of treatment. The patients were followed-up for 2.5 to 5 (average 4) years.

RESULTSThe treatment was effective in all the patients and the patient's condition was improved. The authors repeated in 12 cases the four tests for toxoplasma (TOX-DNA, TOX-CAG, TOX-IgM, and TOX-IgG) 9 months to one and a half years after treatment. In 10 cases all these tests showed negative results, in 2 cases TOX-IgG was positive and in the other 4 cases symptoms disappeared.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the study showed that oral azithromycin had significant therapeutic effects with little side effect and was well tolerated. Azithromycin may become an alternative therapy in treatment of congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection in children.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Azithromycin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prognosis ; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo explore the molecular biological mechanism of hemoglobin with high oxygen affinity in Tibetans by determining the sequence of globin cDNA in Tibetans living at high altitude.

METHODSTotal RNA was isolated from human bone marrow samples of three Tibetans who live in Qinghai-Tibet plateau. cDNA fragments coding for alpha and beta genes of human hemoglobin were obtained through RT-PCR and were ligated to plasmid pGEM-T easy vectors, and then the ligation liquid were transformed to Escherichia coli and cloned and sequenced. Nucleotide sequences were compared with GenBank data by BLAST method.

RESULTSsequence of a globin cDNA in Tibetans were the same with the registering globin genes in the GenBank, and Hb Abruzzo (beta143 (H21), His- > Arg) gene mutation, a high oxygen affinity beta globin mutation, was found in one Tibetan' beta goblin coding gene (CAC- > CGC).

CONCLUSIONThis hemoglobin gene mutation may be associated with high altitude adaptation of Tibetans living at high altitude.

Adult ; Altitude ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tibet ; alpha-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Globins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of pH value and fluoride ions on the corrosion resistance of pure Ti and Ni-Cr-Ti alloy in the artificial saliva.

METHODSElectrochemical technique was used to measure the electric potential of corrosion (Ecorr), current density of corrosion (Icorr) and polarization resistance (Rp) of pure titanium and Ti-Ni-Cr alloy in the artificial saliva with different pH value and fluoride concentrations. After electrochemical analysis, microstructure and phase diffraction were examined by FSEM.

RESULTSWith the lower pH value, the Ecorr and Icorr of pure titanium and Ti-Ni-Cr alloy increased, the Rp decreased, there was a significant difference (P<0.05). The Ecorr and Icorr increased markedly, the Rp significantly reduced in the artificial saliva containing 0.2% NaF (P<0.01). FSEM showed that pure titanium and Ti-Ni-Cr alloy surface corrosion, pure titanium in the artificial saliva containing 0.2% NaF was most serious.

CONCLUSIONLower pH value decreases the corrosion resistance of pure titanium and Ti-Ni-Cr alloy and the artificial saliva containing fluoride ions decreases the corrosion resistance of pure titanium.

Chromium Alloys ; chemistry ; Corrosion ; Dental Alloys ; chemistry ; Electrochemistry ; Fluorides ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Materials Testing ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; chemistry ; Nickel ; chemistry ; Saliva, Artificial ; chemistry ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

Objective To determine the value and the optimal cutoff point of waist circumference (WC) in screening diabetes mellitus (DM) and to provide evidence for DM prevention and identifying population at risk in mid-western rural areas of Shandong province.Methods A sample consisting 16 341 rural residents was selected and studied.All participants were physically examined on height,weight,WC and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for subjects with FPG valued from 6.1 to 7.0 mmol/L.DM was defined according to the criteria set by WHO in 1999.Area under the curve (AUC),sensitivity,specificity and Youden index were computed based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Optimal cutoff point was determined by the maximum of Youden index.Results The prevalence rates of DM for males and females increased along with the rise of WC (trend test X2=72.01,122.65,P＜0.01 ).It appeared significantly higher in those with WC 85 cm in females and≥80 cm in males,with those WC ＜85 cm for females and ＜80 cm for males,in particular.AUCs were 0.639 and 0.655 for males and females respectively and both had significant differences (t=7.22,11.07,P ＜0.01 ).However,the AUCs did not show significant difference (t=0.70,P ＞ 0.05) between males and females.The Youden index reached maximum when WC approached 85 cm for females (24.90%) and 80 cm for males (24.39%).The sensitivity and specificity were 58.04%and 66.86%for males,and 67.08%and 57.31%for females.Conclusion WC seemed to be an effective indicator for screening the DM.The optimal cutoff point of WC would be 85 cm for females and 80 cm for males in screening DM and defining the population at risk in this area.

The aim of this study was to find platelet specific autoantibodies against glycoproteins in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and to explore its role in pathogenesis of MDS. The plasma autoantibodies against GP IIb/IIIa and GP Ib/IX were measured by using a modified monoclonal antibody specific immobolization platelet antigens assay (MAIPA). Absorbance greater than mean value plus tripled standard deviation recorded from the normal controls were regarded as positive. The results indicated that the total positive rate in patients with MDS was 16.67% (5/30), the total positive rate in patients with ITP was 46.67% (14/30), the difference between MDS group and ITP group was significant (P < 0.05). It is concluded that partial patients with MDS have plasma specific autoantibodies against platelet GP II b/III a and GP Ib/IX, indicating correlation of thrombocytopenia of patients with immune factors and the autoantibody-mediated platelet destruction may be involved in the pathogenesis of MDS. It provides a new basis for immunosuppression therapy for MDS.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antigens, Human Platelet ; immunology ; Autoantibodies ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; complications ; immunology ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex ; immunology ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; immunology ; Thrombocytopenia ; etiology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo determine the predictive value of sperm morphology based on the criteria of the 5th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (WHO5) on the outcomes and neonatal status following IVF-ET.

METHODSAccording to the strict criteria of WHO5, we obtained semen samples from 789 subjects and allocated them to a normal group (morphologically normal sperm > or = 4%, 754 cycles) and a teratozoospermia group (morphologically normal sperm < 4%, 35 cycles). We made comparisons between the two groups in the rates of normal fertilization, cleavage, quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage as well as the status of the neonates.

RESULTSNo significant differences were observed in the couples' age, mean number of oocytes, and mean stature and body mass index of the women between the two groups (P > 0.05). The teratozoospermia group showed slightly lower rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryo, embryo cryopreservation, implantation and pregnancy, but a higher rate of miscarriage than the normal group (P > 0.05). Apart from 141 on-going pregnancies (140 in the normal and 1 in the teratozoospermia group), 228 healthy infants were born following 789 transfer cycles, 213 (141 singletons and 36 twins) in the former and 15 (9 singletons and 3 twins) in the latter group. Congenital defects were found in none of the neonates, and there were no significant differences in the gestation period, premature birth rate and low body weight between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSperm morphology according to the criteria of WHO5 has but a limited value in predicting the outcomes and neonatal status following IVF-ET.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infertility, Female ; therapy ; Male ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Reference Standards ; Semen Analysis ; Spermatozoa ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the recent emerged endemic region of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) regarding its natural reserves, in Charles Hilary, northern Xinjiang and to isolate and characterize the viral geographic strain.

METHODSUsing indirect fluorescent assay to detect tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) specific IgG antibodies from serum of local residents including 2 unconfirmed viral encephalitis patients in 2011 spring-summer. Viruses were isolated from tick samples by inoculating BALB/c mice and BHK-21 cells. For phylogenetic analysis. TBEV NS1 gene fragments were detected by RT-PCR and then subjected to sequence alignment.

RESULTS1760 ticks were captured from the fields to have found that Ixodes persulcatus were dominated among the tick population. Two viral encephalitis patients were diagnosed as TBEV infection. In addition, 35.4% (23/65) local residents were detected positive for presence of TBEV specific-IgG antibodies in serum. After inoculation, morbidity and mortality of BALB/c mice were 72.9% (70/96) and 55.7% (44/79), respectively. TBEV specific-fragments were amplified from brain tissue of dead mice and cells culture supernatant. NS1 sequence alignment showed that the viral isolates were clustered into TBEV far-eastern sub-type, phylogenetically, and were mostly close to the isolates from northeastern China (99%) and Russian strain (98%).

CONCLUSIONIn this study, a new endemic loci of TBE was firstly described in Charles Hilary natural reserve, northern Xinjiang. TBEV geographic isolates belonged to TBEV far-eastern subtype while Ixodes persulcatus and Dermacentor silvarum played crucial roles for disease transition.

Adult ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; RNA, Viral ; genetics