Hypertension, which has variant of pathogenesis, is one of the most widely spread chronic diseases with serious complications. Antihypertensive drugs can reduce blood pressure and alleviate or reverse cardiovascular remodeling by affecting one or more processes of blood pressure adjusting system. This review focus on targets of antihypertensive drugs associated with Renin angiotensin system, Adrenergic system, Bradykinin Prostacyclin system, Endothelia factor relative system, iron channels and the progresses in the studies of gene therapy for hypertension.

Atherosclerosis is a pathegenesis process involved in the inflammatory and proliferative responses of cells in which endothelial cells have an important function in the regulation of a variety of genes. A variety of molecules have been identified in the atherosclerotic environment that are able to activate NF ?B. Possible functional implications for activated NF ?B in atherogenesis are discussed by protecting endothelial cells selectively, perhaps, it may provide a new method for the therapy of the atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of rifampin-resistant real-time fluorescent quantitative nucleic acid amplification detection technology (GeneXpert MTB/RIF) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) combined with peripheral blood tuberculosis infection T cell spot test (T-SPOT) and tuberculosis antibody (TB-Ab) in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods　The clinical data of 114 cases of clinically diagnosed smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, 80 cases of non-tuberculous pulmonary diseases and 22 cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in our hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The detection results of peripheral blood T-SPOT, TB-Ab and BALF GeneXpert in the three groups were analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, false negative rate, false positive rate and Youden index of the three detection methods were compared. The differences in the positive detection rate of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis between the separate detection and the combined detection of the three methods were compared. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was performed to calculate the area under the curve (AUC). Results　The sensitivity of BALF GeneXpert and peripheral blood T-SPOT and TB-Ab was 66.91%, 80.88% and 90.44%, respectively. The specificity was 98.75%, 73.75% and 41.25%, respectively; the diagnostic coincidence rates were 78.70%, 78.24% and 72.22%, respectively, which were higher than 70.00%. In the smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis group, the positive detection rates of these three methods in the smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis group were 63.15%, 79.82% and 90.35%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant compared with those in the non-tuberculosis pulmonary disease group (all P<0.01). The positive detection rate of the three combined methods in the smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis group was 96.49 %, which was significantly higher than that of TB-GeneXpert method and T-SPOT, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=37.283, P<0.01; χ2=13.612, P<0.01); the Youden index of combined detection was significantly higher than that of single detection, and the AUC of combined detection was 0.977, which was significantly higher than that of single detection. Conclusion　BALF GeneXpert combined with peripheral blood T-SPOT and TB-Ab can significantly improve the diagnostic rate of bacterial-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, providing a strong basis for guiding clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of melatonin on residual hair follicle cells of scald rats at early stage.

METHODSEighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into scald group, treatment group, sham group , with 6 rats in each group. The rats in scald group and treatment group were subjected to 30% TBSA partial thickness scald on the back, and were resuscitated with balanced solution after 1 hour, while those in sham group were immersed in water at 37 degrees C for 25 s to simulate scald, and did not receive fluid replacement. Rats in treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg melatonin solution at 1 minute, 8 hours and 12 hours after scald, while those in sham group and scald group were given equal volume of 1% alcohol sodium-isotonic saline instead. Tissue samples were harvested at 6, 12 and 24 post scald hours (PSH) for determination of MDA and GSH levels. Apoptosis of residul hair follicle was detected by TUNEL method and immunohistochemistry of caspase-3.

RESULTSThe level of MDA in scald group at each time point was much higher than that in sham group (P < 0.01) and treatment group (P < 0.05), and it peaked at 12 PSH. The changes in GSH were just opposite to that of MDA. Under fluorescence microscope, the residual hair follicle cells were blue, and the apoptotic cells appeared green. The apoptosis rate in scald group at 6, 12, 24 PSH was obviously higher than that in sham (P < 0.01) and treatment groups (P < 0.05), which was (20.2 +/- 3.4)% vs (4.3 +/- 2.3)% vs (10.9 +/- 3.2)%, (31.2 +/- 3.6)% vs (5.1 +/- 2.5)% vs (19.1 +/- 3.7)%, (22.4 +/- 2.7)% vs (4.1 +/- 2.4)% vs (13.1 +/- 3.4)%, respectively. The score of caspase-3 positive cell in scald group was higher than those in sham group (P < 0.01) and treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is obvious correlation between oxidative stress and apoptosis rate of hair follicle cells in rats with partial thickness scald. Early administration of melatonin may have anti-apoptosis ability for residual hair follicle cells by attenuation of oxidative stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Burns ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Melatonin ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIM:To point the susceptible gene in Avellino corneal dystrophy family with autosomal dominant inheritance.
●METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples of all individuals of the pedigree. Several microsatellite makers were selected for gene scan in the hot regions of mutation. Linkage analysis was carried out using a Linkage software package. The haplotype data were processed using Cyrillic software to define the region of the disease gene.
●RESULTS: ln our pedigree, significant evidence of linkage was obtained at marker D5S396 and D5S393 [LOD score (Z)=3. 01, recombination fraction (θ)=0. 00]. The haplotype analysis of our pedigree was located between the microsatellite markers D5S808 and D5S638.
●CONCLUSION:The pathogenic gene of the Avellino corneal dystrophy pedigree is traced to a 11. 2 cM region in the chromosome 5q.

OBJECTIVETo explore surface roughness of bone cement and surround tissue on histological characteristic of induced membranes.

METHODSBone cements with smooth and rough surface were implanted in radius bone defect, intramuscular and subcutaneous sites of rabbits, and formed induced membranes. Membranes were obtained and stained (HE) 6 weeks later. Images of membrane tissue were obtained and analyzed with an automated image analysis system. Five histological parameters of membranes were measured with thickness,area,cell density,ECM density and microvessel density. Double factor variance analysis was used to evaluate the effect of the two factors on histological characteristics of induced membranes.

RESULTSMembranes can be induced by each kind of bone cement and at all the three tissue sites. In histological parameters of thickness,area and micro vessel,there were significant differences among the membranes induced at different tissue sites (P = 0.000, P = 0.000, P = 0.000); whereas, there were no significant differences in histological parameters of cell density and ECM density (P = 0.734, P = 0.638). In all five histological parameters of membranes, there were no significant differences between the membranes induced by bone cements with different surface roughness (P = 0.506, P = 0.185, P = 0.883, P = 0.093, P = 0.918).

CONCLUSIONSurround tissue rather than surface roughness of bone cements can affect the histological characteristics of induced membranes. The fibrocystic number, vascularity, mechanical tension and micro motion of the surround tissue may be closely correlated with the histological characteristics of induced membranes.

Animals ; Bone Cements ; Female ; Membranes ; cytology ; Rabbits ; Radius ; cytology ; Surface Properties ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

AIMUsing GeneChip to analyze the changes in genes expression of brain potassium, sodium and calcium channels after chronic treatment with nicotine.

METHODSAnimals were treated with nicotine at the doses of 2.4 mg/kg sc. twice a day for 14 days. RNA was extracted from the whole brain samples and converted to double-stranded cDNA and then to biotinylated cRNA. The biotinylated cRNA was fragmented, and hybridized to GeneChip (Affymetrix Rat Neurobiology U34). The chips were scanned with a probe array scanner, and the data were analyzed with the Affymetrix Microarray Analysis Suite (MAS). The GeneChip data were confirmed u sing RT-PCR.

RESULTSAfter treatment with chronic nicotine, transcripts of potassium, sodium and calcium channels showed altered expression. K+ channel: outward rectifier K+ channel and Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel were down-regulated, other voltage-dependent K+ channel including Kv2.3r were up-regulated. Voltage-dependent Na+ channel: beta2 subunit was increased, alpha subunit and beta1 subunit were decreased. Beta3 subunit of Ca2+ channel was up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONChronic exposure to nicotine not only desensitized nicotinic receptors, but also effected genes expression, of important ion channels, such as sodium channels, potassium channels and calcium channels.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Male ; Nicotine ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Channels ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and switching of Th1/Th2 cytokines gene in human gliomas and its effects on occurring and developing of human gliomas.

METHODSInterleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-gamma represent Th1 type cytokines. IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13 represent Th2 type cytokines. The gene expressions of Thl/Th2 cytokines in human glioma cells, glioma infiltrating lymphocytes, and glioma cell lines were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The biological activity of cytokines in the supernatant of glioma cell lines was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe total positive rates of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines gene in human glioma cells were 14.77% and 75%. The total positive rates of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines gene in glioma infiltrating lymphocytes were 22.73% and 68.17%. There was obviously predominant expression of Th2 type cytokines in human glioma tissues, glioma infiltrating lymphocytes, and glioma cell lines. There was no unbalanced expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in normal brain tissues.

CONCLUSIONThere is a predominant expression of Th2 type cytokines in human glioma cells. The switching of Thl/Th2 cytokines gene may play an important role in the occurring and developing of human gliomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study changes in the radiographic appearance during weight-bearing and non-weigh-bearing in hallux valgus, and to analyse the correlation between the elasticity of plantar soft tissue of hallux valgus and the pain under the metatarsal head.

METHODSFrom May 2012 to October 2012, 240 feet of 120 patients with hallux valgus were enrolled in the study. The degrees of the pian under the metatarsal head of all the patients were observed. AP and lateral X-ray films of feet were taken on the condition of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing. So the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and second metatarsals (IM1-2), the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and fifth metatarsals (IM1-5), top angle of the medial longitudinal arch (TAOTMLA),and anterior angle of the medial longitudinal arch (AAOTMLA) were measured on the X-ray films. The differences of HVA, IM1-2, IM1-5, TAOTMLA and AAOTMLA between two groups were compared, and the correlation between the changes of IM1-2, IM 1-5, TAOTMLA, AAOTMLA and the degree of the pain under the metatarsal head were analysed.

RESULTSOne hundred and forty-eight feet had the pain under the metatarsal head. The IM1-2, IM1-5 and TAOTMLA increased on weight-bearing position compared with those on non-weight-bearing position, but the HVA and AAOTMLA decreased on weight-bearing position compared with those on non-weight-bearing position. There was a moderate relationship between the changes of IM 1-2,IM1-5 and the degree of the hallux valgus deformity, as well as the relationship between the different of IM1-5 and the degree of the pian under the metatarsal head.

CONCLUSIONThe degree of the collapse of the arch of foot with hallux valgus becomes serious with its deformity increasing. The pain under the metatarsal head of hallux valgus increases with the increased changes of IM 1-2,IM 1-5 and TAOTMLA. Analysis of the X-ray observation indexes of hallux valgus on weight-bearing position and non-weight-bearing position has important significance in evaluating the degree of the collapse of the arch of foot with hallux valgus,preventing and curing the the pain under the metatarsal head.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hallux ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Hallux Valgus ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Metatarsalgia ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Weight-Bearing ; Young Adult

AIMTo investigate whether pulmonary vascular remodeling in hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive rats could be prevented by treatment with a selective K(ATP)CO, iptkalim (Ipt).

METHODSRats were fed in hypoxic and normobaric environment (10% +/- 0.5% O2, 8 h/day and 6 day/week) and divided into control group, hypoxia group (hypoxic rat treated with ig NS 5.0 ml x kg(-1) x d(-1)), treated group I (hypoxic rat treated with ig Ipt 0.75 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), treated group II (hypoxic rat treated with ig Ipt 1.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). After 4 wk, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricle/left ventricle and septum [RV/(LV + S)] were measured, and the small pulmonary arterial morphologic changes were observed with morphometric analysis under microscopes in four groups.

RESULTSThe level of mPAP and RV/(LV+ S) was significantly higher in the hypoxic group than those in control group (P < 0.01). Morphometric analysis revealed that the ratio of vascular medial wall thickness to external diameter (MT%) and the ratio of vascular medial cross-sectional area to total arterial cross-sectional area (MA%) were also significantly increased in the hypoxic group than those in control group (P < 0.01) and the ratio of vessel lumen cross-sectional area to total arterial cross-sectional area (VA%) was significantly lower in the hypoxic group than those in control group (P < 0.01). Ipt 0.75 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) or 1.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) decreased the level of mPAP(mmHg), RV/(LV+ S), and inhibited the small pulmonary arterial remodeling significantly. Ipt 1.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) reversed all pathological indices.

CONCLUSIONK(ATP)CO iptkalim can be a very promising candidate for the treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Animals ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; KATP Channels ; agonists ; Male ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley