Objective To explore link of change of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Method The hsCRP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were used to measure plasma CRP levels in 21 patients with lone paroxysmal AF (LPAF) during AF and 7 days after return to sinus rhythm ;28 patients with lone sustained atrial fibrillation(LSAF) and 27 patients with rheumatic heart disease and chronic AF(RHD).Levels of plasma CRP were compared to levels in 32 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(PSVT) and 20 voluntary healthy subjects. Results Patients with LPAF,LPAF and RHD had high levels of CRP when compared with PSVT and the healthy subjects.No significant changes of CRP levels were found between the onset AF patients and those after 7 days of recovery.Patients with lone persistent AF and rheumatic heart disease with persistent AF had higher levels of CRP than those with LPAF,but have no significance.There were positive correlation between the duration of AF and the levels of CRP.But there were no relation with left atrial size on echocardiography,sex and ages. Conclusion These results indicate that elevated CRP levels in AF patients may play an important role in the occurrence and sustainment of AF.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cats ; Dimethoate ; analogs & derivatives ; poisoning ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Male ; Poisoning ; metabolism ; pathology

Nondestructive method of measuring soluble solids content (SSC) of citrus fruits was developed using Fourier transform near infrared reflectance (FT-NIR) measurements collected through optics fiber. The models describing the relationship between SSC and the NIR spectra of citrus fruits were developed and evaluated. Different spectra correction algorithms (standard normal variate (SNV), multiplicative signal correction (MSC)) were used in this study. The relationship between laboratory SSC and FT-NIR spectra of citrus fruits was analyzed via principle component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) regression method. Models based on the different spectral ranges were compared in this research. The first derivative and second derivative were applied to all spectra to reduce the effects of sample size, light scattering, instrument noise, etc. Different baseline correction methods were applied to improve the spectral data quality. Among them the second derivative method after baseline correction produced best noise removing capability and yielded optimal calibration models. A total of 170 NIR spectra were acquired; 135 NIR spectra were used to develop the calibration model; the remaining spectra were used to validate the model. The developed PLS model describing the relationship between SSC and NIR reflectance spectra could predict SSC of 35 samples with correlation coefficient of 0.995 and RMSEP of 0.79 degrees Brix.
Biochemistry ; methods ; Calibration ; Citrus ; metabolism ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Light ; Models, Statistical ; Regression Analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Scattering, Radiation ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between the expression of tumor O (6)-methylquanine DNA methyl-tranferase(MGMT) and pathological grade,and the influence of racial factors on tumor MGMT expression levels for glioma patients.

METHODSCompare and analysis the correlation between the pathological grade and MGMT levels and the racial factors on MGMT expression levels by the immunohistochemical staining on the tumor specimens of 33 Uygur and 61 Han.

RESULTSThe positive rate of 61 Han gliomas pations with MGMT is 45.90% and 33 cases of the Uygur is 30.30% , there's no clear correlation between the racial factors and the tumor MGMT levels. (P >0.05). Comparative the 94 patients with pathological level and tumor MGMT level, there is no clear correlation between pathologic level and MGMT pression in tumor tissues (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere's no clear correlation of tumor MGMT expression and pathological levels; and there's no significant effect between racial factors and expression of glioma MGMT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; China ; ethnology ; DNA Modification Methylases ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Repair Enzymes ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioma ; enzymology ; ethnology ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Watermelon is a popular fruit in the world with soluble solids content (SSC) being one of the major characteristics used for assessing its quality. This study was aimed at obtaining a method for nondestructive SSC detection of watermelons by means of visible/near infrared (Vis/NIR) diffuse transmittance technique. Vis/NIR transmittance spectra of intact watermelons were acquired using a low-cost commercially available spectrometer operating over the range 350~1000 nm. Spectra data were analyzed by two multivariate calibration techniques: partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) methods. Two experiments were designed for two varieties of watermelons [Qilin (QL), Zaochunhongyu (ZC)], which have different skin thickness range and shape dimensions. The influences of different data preprocessing and spectra treatments were also investigated. Performance of different models was assessed in terms of root mean square errors of calibration (RMSEC), root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient (r) between the predicted and measured parameter values. Results showed that spectra data preprocessing influenced the performance of the calibration models. The first derivative spectra showed the best results with high correlation coefficient of determination [r=0.918 (QL); r=0.954 (ZC)], low RMSEP [0.65 degrees Brix (QL); 0.58 degrees Brix (ZC)], low RMSEC [0.48 degrees Brix (QL); 0.34 degrees Brix (ZC)] and small difference between the RMSEP and the RMSEC by PLS method. The nondestructive Vis/NIR measurements provided good estimates of SSC index of watermelon, and the predicted values were highly correlated with destructively measured values for SSC. The models based on smoothing spectra (Savitzky-Golay filter smoothing method) did not enhance the performance of calibration models obviously. The results indicated the feasibility of Vis/NIR diffuse transmittance spectral analysis for predicting watermelon SSC in a nondestructive way.
Algorithms ; Citrullus ; chemistry ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Photometry ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solubility ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; methods

To investigate health information standards application status in disease prevention and control institutions in Chinese medical reform demonstration area , and make analysis of ex-isting problems. [Methods] Part of the provincial, municipal disease prevention and control institutions were selected from Chinese medical reform demonstration area , and information from them collected through questionnaires. [Results] Of the 84 disease prevention and control institutions selected , 24.43%of in-stitutions had begun construction of information in accordance with health information standards issued by Ministry of Health.And the application rate was 32.11%for health information standards in the information system of the disease prevention and control institutions . [ Conclusion ] Health information standards has been used in disease prevention and control institutions for construction of information , but the applica-tion rate is low , and there have been remarkable differences found at different levels of disease prevention and control institutions .It is thought that application of health information standards should be further pro-moted and practiced in the disease prevention and control institutions .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Yikunning (YKN, Chinese Traditional Medicine) on the expressions of bcl-2 and bax in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period.

METHODSThirty female Wistar rats during perimenopausal period were selected by unforced aging. Then the rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: YKN group, Livial control group and Aged control group. Ten young female Wistar rats were selected as young control group. Intragastric administrations were conducted for 4 weeks once daily continuously. The expressions of Bcl-2 Bax mRNAs and proteins in rat ovaries were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe levels of Bcl-2, Bax mRNAs and proteins in rat ovaries in YKN group were higher than those in Aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.01). The Bcl-2/Bax mRNA rate and protein rate in rat ovaries in YKN group were higher than those in Aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONYKN could increase the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax mRNAs and proteins and up-regulate the Bcl-2/Bax mRNA rate, protein rate in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period, which might be one of the molecular mechanisms of YKN postponed the ovarian failure and cured perimenopausal syndrome.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ovary ; metabolism ; Perimenopause ; drug effects ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the effect of formaldehyde (FA) on testes and the protective effect of vitamin E (VE) against oxidative damage by FA in the testes of adult rats.

METHODSThirty rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) control; (2) FA treatment group (FAt); and (3) FAt + VE group. FAt and FAt + VE groups were exposed to FA by inhalation at a concentration of 10 mg/m(3) for 2 weeks. In addition, FAt + VE group were orally administered VE during the 2-week FA treatment. After the treatment, the histopathological and biochemical changes in testes, as well as the quantity and quality of sperm, were observed.

RESULTSThe testicular weight, the quantity and quality of sperm, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) were significantly decreased whereas the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased in testes of rats in FAt group compared with those in the control group. VE treatment restored these parameters in FAt + VE group. In addition, microscopy with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed that seminiferous tubules atrophied, seminiferous epithelial cells disintegrated and shed in rats in FAt group and VE treatment significantly improved the testicular structure in FAt + VE group.

CONCLUSIONFA destroys the testicular structure and function in adult rats by inducing oxidative stress, and this damage could be partially reversed by VE.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Formaldehyde ; toxicity ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and potential mechanism of expression of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal pathway on neuron autophagy after diffuse brain injury (DBI).

METHODSMale Sprague Dawley rats (n = 216) were randomly divided into four groups: DBI group (n = 54), SP600125 intervene group (n = 54), DMSO group (n = 54) and sham operation group (n = 54). DBI rat model was established according to the description of Marmarou DBI. At different time points (1, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h) after operation, the histopathologic changes of neurons in cortex were observed by HE staining method; The expression of p-JNK, p-P53, DRAM and Beclin-1 were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe results showed that under light microscope degenerated and necrotic neurons were observed to be scattered in cortex at 6 h after operation in DBI group, but these changes were low in SP600125 intervene group. Compared with SP600125 intervene group, the expression of p-JNK in DBI group were enhanced obviously at 6, 12 and 24 h (F = 17.902, P < 0.05); the expression of p-P53 in DBI group were enhanced obviously at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h (F = 7.107, P < 0.05); the expression of DRAM in DBI group were enhanced obviously at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h (F = 15.455, P < 0.05); the expression of Beclin-1 in DBI group were enhanced obviously at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h (F = 11.517, P < 0.05). Compared with DBI group, the expression of p-JNK, p-P53, DRAM and Beclin-1 in DMSO group were similar at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h (F = 1.509, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe present results indicate that SP600125 can dramatically improve trauma brain injury from autophagy after DBI and the molecular mechanism is related to the modulation of JNK signal pathway following DBI, while it measures the neuron autophagy by means of intervening JNK signal pathway.

Animals ; Anthracenes ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; Brain Injuries ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) on expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-2, 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) in lung fibroblasts of SiO(2) exposed rats.

METHODSSeventy-five Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups. The control group was administered with normal Saline. The model group and the interventional group were administered with SiO(2), and the interventional group was administered with NAC before SiO(2) was administered. Lung fibroblasts were isolated on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 after exposure to SiO(2). The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by Immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTS(1) The expressions of protein and mRNA of MMP-2 in the model group were higher than that in the control group on all days after exposure to SiO(2) (P < 0.01). The expression of protein of MMP-9 was higher than the control group on day 1, 3, 7, and mRNA was higher on day 1, 3 (P < 0.01). (2) The expression of protein of MMP-2 in the interventional group was lower than the model group on all days, higher than the control group on day 3, 7, 14, 28, and the expression of mRNA was higher than the control group, lower than the model group, on all days (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of protein of MMP-9 in the interventional group was lower than the model group on day 1, 3, 7, but higher than the control group on day 3, 7, and mRNA was lower than the model group on days 1, 3, higher than the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNAC inhibits the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 in lung fibroblasts.

Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Lung ; cytology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity