Objective To explore the expression changes of C/EBP homologous binding protein (CHOP)in intermittent hypoxic rats with cognitive function decline and clinical significance.Methods We randomly divided 75 adult male Wistar rats into normal group (NC group),5% intermittent hypoxia group (5% CIH group)and 10%intermittent hypoxia group (10% CIH group),with 25 rats in each.Then the three groups were further divided into 3 d,7 d,14 d,21 d and 28 d subgroups,and each time a subgroup had 5 rats.The control group was exposed to the air while 10% CIH group and 5% CIH group were exposed to CIH for eight hours from 8:00 to 1 6:00 each day. After exposure for 3 d,7 d,14 d,21 d and 28 d,the cognitive function of rats was assessed with Morris water maze, the expression of CHOP in the hippocampus was assayed qualitatively by immunohistochemical technique,and the apoptosis of neurons was detected by TUNEL method.Results ① With prolonged hypoxia,the time of escape latency obviously prolonged,the time spent crossing the target quadrant shortened (P < 0.05 ),and the apoptosis index of hippocampal neurons in the CIH groups was increased gradually compared with those in control group (P <0.05).The above-mentioned indexes changed more significantly in 5% CIH group than in 10% CIH group (P <0.05).②.The expression of CHOP protein at each time point was increased (P <0.05 ).In 10% CIH group it reached the peak at 28 d while in 5% CIH group it decreased after it peaked at 21 d.③ The expression of CHOP in the two CIH groups was positively correlated with apoptosis index and animal escape latency time,but negatively correlated with the target quadrant time.Conclusion Intermittent hypoxia,which is likely to induce the high expression of CHOP and activation of neural CHOP mediated apoptosis,causes cognitive impairment of various degrees.

Objective To investigate the effect of inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase?3 beta ( GSK?3β) activity on sevoflurane postconditioning?induced cardioprotection in diabetic rats. Methods Healthy adult male Sprague?Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, in which diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal 1% streptozotocin 60 mg∕kg combined with high?fat and high?sucrose diet and confirmed by blood glucose level >16. 7 mmol∕L. Forty rats with diabetes mellitus were divided into 5 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table: sham operation group ( S group ) , ischemia?reperfusion ( I∕R ) group, sevoflurane postconditioning group ( SP group) , GSK?3β inhibitor SB216763 group ( SB group) , and sevoflurane postconditioning plus SB216763 group ( SS group ) . Myocardial ischemia was induced by 30 min occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfu?
sion. The rats inhaled sevoflurane with the end?tidal concentration of 2.5% for 5 min starting from 1 min be?fore reperfusion in group SP. SB216763 0.2 mg∕kg was injected via the caudal vein at 1 min before reperfu?sion in group SB. In group SS, the rats inhaled sevoflurane with the end?tidal concentration of 2.5% for 5 min starting from 1 min before reperfusion, and SB216763 0.2 mg∕kg was injected via the caudal vein at 1 min before reperfusion. At 120 min of reperfusion, blood samples were collected from the carotid artery for determination of serum creatine kinase?MB (CK?MB) activity and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentra?tions. Myocardial specimens were collected at 120 min of reperfusion for microscopic examination of the pathological changes and for determination of myocardial infarct size ( by 2,3,5?triphenyltetrazolium chlo?ride staining) and phosphorylated GSK?3β (p?GSK?3β) expression (by Western blot). Results Com?pared with group S, the myocardial infarct size and serum CK?MB activity and cTnI concentration were sig?nificantly increased, and the expression of p?GSK?3βwas significantly down?regulated in I∕R, SP, SB and SS groups (P<0.05). Compared with group I∕R, the myocardial infarct size and serum CK?MB activity and cTnI concentration were significantly decreased, and the expression of p?GSK?3β was significantly up?regulated in SB and SS groups (P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters men?tioned above in group SP ( P>0.05) . Compared with group SB, the myocardial infarct size and serum CK?MB activity and cTnI concentration were significantly decreased, and the expression of p?GSK?3β was sig?nificantly up?regulated in group SS (P<0.05). The pathological changes of myocardium were significantly attenuated in SB and SS groups as compared with group I∕R and group SP . Conclusion Inhibition of GSK?3β activity can improve sevoflurane postconditioning?induced cardioprotection in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the periodontal health status of Hui and Han adults in Ningxia Hui autonomous region, thus to provide scientific basis for the establishment of oral health care policies in this region.

METHODS2 628 adults in Ningxia Hui autonomous region were investigated in this study according to the criterion issued by World Health Organization on the basic methods of oral health investigation and China oral health third epidemiological survey protocol. The inspection item included gingival bleeding (bleeding on probing, BOP), dental calculus, probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL). SPSS 15.0 statistical software was applied to analyze the results.

RESULTS1) The positive rate of BOP sites, detection rate of calculus and PD were peaked in 36-45 and 46-59 years old, but in the > or = 60 age group rather lower. The prevalence of periodontitis and the percentage of AL > or = 4 mm sites were increased with the adults' age. 2) In addition to the percentage of AL > or = 4 mm sites, the differences of the other indicators between the genders were not statistically significant. 3) The positive rate of BOP sites, detection rate of calculus, PD, the prevalence of periodontitis and the percentage of AL > or = 4 mm sites were higher for the mountain areas than the plain areas. 4) Hui population's positive rate of BOP sites, detection rate of calculus, PD, the prevalence of periodontitis and the percentage of AL > or = 4 mm sites were significantly lower than the Han population in Ningxia.

CONCLUSIONThe periodontal health status of adults in Ningxia Hui autonomous region is associated with age, gender, nationality and region.

Adult ; China ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Periodontal Attachment Loss ; Periodontitis

OBJECTIVETo study the two metal catalysts Ag/Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 that interdict the transmission pathway for SARS and other respiratory infectious diseases.

METHODSTwo metal catalysts Ag/Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 were pressed into wafers. One hundred microL 10(6) TCID50/mL SARS-CoV, 100 microL 10(6) PFU/mL recombinant baculovirus expressing hamster's prion protein (haPrP) protein and roughly 10(6) E. coli were slowly dropped onto the surfaces of the catalyst wafers and exposed for 5 and 20 min, respectively. After eluted from the surfaces of wafers, the infectivity of viruses and propagation of bacteria were measured. The expression of PrP protein was determined by Western blot. The morphological changes of bacteria were observed by electronic microscopy.

RESULTSAfter exposure to the catalysts surfaces for 5 and 20 min, the infectivity of SARS-CoV in Vero cells and baculovirus in Sf9 cells dropped down to a very low and undetectable level, and no colony was detected using bacteria culture method. The expression of haPrP protein reduced to 21.8% in the preparation of Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus exposed for 5 min and was undetectable exposed for 20 min. Bacterial membranes seemed to be cracked and the cytoplasm seemed to be effluent from cell bodies.

CONCLUSIONExposures to the surfaces of Ag/Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 destroy the replication and propagation abilities of SARS-CoV, baculovirus and E. coli. Inactivation ability of metal catalysts needs to interact with air, utilizing oxygen molecules in air. Efficiently killing viruses and bacteria on the surfaces of the two metal catalysts has a promising potential for air-disinfection in hospitals, communities, and households.

Aluminum Oxide ; Animals ; Baculoviridae ; pathogenicity ; Catalysis ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Copper ; Cricetinae ; Disinfection ; methods ; Escherichia coli ; pathogenicity ; Prions ; metabolism ; SARS Virus ; pathogenicity ; Silver ; Vero Cells

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of blood concentration monitoring during high-dose methotrexate (MTX) treatment.

METHODSHigh-dose MTX (1.5-9.0 g) was infused to 105 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma, and then the blood MTX concentration was measured by fluorescence polarization immune assay (FPIA) 44 hours after the start of administration. The procedure was repeated every 6-12 hours until the concentration was less than 0.1 micromol/L.

RESULTSForty-four hours after the start of administration, the blood MTX concentration (C(MTX/44h)) was > or = 5 micromol/L in 6 patients (2.8%) and was between 1 and 5 micromol/L in 23 patients (10.6%). C(MTX/44h) > or = 1 micromol/L was more common in patients received 5.0 g MTX. No severe adverse event was observed in all patients.

CONCLUSIONSBlood MTX concentration is different after high-dose MTX treatment due to individual metabolic differences, and therefore it is clinically important to monitor blood concentration of MTX. Elimination delay is more common in patients receive 5.0 g MTX. Application of high-dose MTX therapy under the monitoring of blood MTX concentration is safe and feasible.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Drug Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Male ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct inducible lentiviral vector containing human Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) gene and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), and to study its expression in PC12 cells.

METHODSNICD cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from human placenta tissue. EGFP gene was amplified by PCR from pEGFP-C1. Both NICD and EGFP were cloned into pcDNA 3.1 (+) plasmid to form pcDNA3.1-Notch1-EGFP. Then the Notch1-EGFP fragment was separated and cloned into pLVX-Tight-puro to form pLVX-Notch1-EGFP. The lentivirus were packaged and harvested, which were used to infect PC12 cells. After antibody selection for 2 weeks, the PC12 cells were induced by doxycycline (Dox). The expression of Notch1-EGFP was detected by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe recombinant inducible lentiviral vectors (pLVX-Notch1-EGFP) were success fully constructed. The EGFP positive cell percentage was over 90% in transfected PC12 cells after 500 ng/ml Dox induction for 36 h. The expression of Notch1 was posited correlated to the Dox concentration. The expression of Notch1 increased with the duration of Dox induction, which got the peak at 36 h after Dox induction.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant inducible lentiviral vectors containing Notch1 and EGFP gene are successfully constructed, which provides an effective and simple method to regulate the expression of Notch1 in PC12 cells.

Animals ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; PC12 Cells ; Plasmids ; Rats ; Receptor, Notch1 ; genetics ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDOccluders licensed for clinical use are not fit for some special Krichenko E patent ductus arterioses. The Amplatzer vascular plug I (AVP1) has not been licensed for use for closure of patent ductus arteriose. We report our initial experience to occluding special type patent ductus arterioses with the AVP1-a single lobe device of single layer Nitinol mesh for short vessel landing zones.

METHODSPatients referred with small and long Krichenko E patent ductus arterioses 1 mm to 3 mm in diameter underwent occlusion using AVP1. All cases underwent pre-, intra- and post-procedural echocardiography and chest X-ray at the completion of the procedure, the next day and at a 30-day, 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits. Device sizing for device waist diameter and length was based on aortography.

RESULTSFrom April 2008 to June 2012, 26 patients with a mean age of (7.6 ± 8.0) years (range 6 months-32 years) and a mean weight of (23.8 ± 14.8) kg (range 7-67 kg) underwent successful patent ductus arteriose closure. The mean ductus diameter was (2.1 ± 0.7) mm (range 1-3 mm). Transpulmonary (22/26) and transaortic approaches (4/26) were used. No persistent patency was observed after 24 hours and after one month. No device displacement, residual flow and iatrogenic coarctation of the aorta were observed after three months and six months.

CONCLUSIONSThe AVP1 makes it easy to close some Krichenko E patent ductus arterioses. Smaller delivery catheter profile and symmetric cylindrical device shape allow for use for small and long Krichenko E patent ductus arterioses 1 mm to 3 mm in diameter and small patients through transaortic approaches. Broader experience is required to further delineate device and patient selection as well as to document its long-term efficacy and safety.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Septal Occluder Device ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical feature and the effects of transcatheter closure of adult patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

METHODSBetween January 2000 and April 2009, 139 patients [22 male, aged from 40 to 74: (49.8 +/- 6.8) years] with PDA were hospitalized in our hospital. Clinical data and effects of transcatheter closure of PDA were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 64 patients with NYHA classI, 53 with class II, 16 with class III and 6 with class IV before procedure. In 139 patients, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was found in 107 out of 139 patients (77.0%). Transcatheter PDA closure was not performed in 3 patients due to severe PAH and successfully performed in the remaining 136 patients (97.8%) without major complications. Post procedure aortic angiography evidenced minor residual shunt in 14 cases, small residual shunt in 2 cases and moderate shunt in 1 case. The NYHA class was significantly improved and the PAH significantly reduced [sPAP: (47.3 +/- 23.9) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (28.1 +/- 12.3) mm Hg, P < 0.01] post procedure.

CONCLUSIONPAH and heart failure were commonly associated with PDA in adult patients. Transcatheter PDA closure is safe and effective in these patients except those with severe PAH.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Catheterization ; adverse effects ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; complications ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of GATA3 and Chinese with allergic rhinitis.

METHODSThis study included 109 patients with allergic rhinitis and 112 healthy control people. SNP of two loci with restriction fragment length polymorphism was detected, rs1269486 at promoter region and rs2229360 located 92 bp downstream of STOP codon. Total IgE and specific IgE of Der p and Der f with different genotypes of the two loci were compared.

RESULTSThere was SNP at both loci of rs1269486 and rs2229360. The genotypes of rs1269486 were GG, GA and AA, and the genotypes of rs2229360 were CC, CT and TT. The frequency of genotype GG and allele G in patient group was significantly higher than that in control group (chi2 = 13.75, P <0.01; chi2 = 12.91, P <0.01), and the frequency of genotype GA and allele A in patient group was significantly lower than that in control group (chi2 = 11.90, P <0.01; chi2 =12.91, P <0.01). There were no significant differences between patient group and control group for the frequencies of genotypes and alleles at rs2229360 (P > 0.05). The haplotype frequency of GC in patient group was significantly higher than that in control group (chi2 = 114.59, P < 0.01), and the haplotype frequency of AC in patient group was significantly lower than that in control group (chi2 = 87.52, P <0.01). There was no significant difference of the levels of serum total IgE and specific IgE to Der p and Der f with the genotypes at the two loci (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe SNP at rs1269486 of GATA3 is associated with allergic rhinitis in Chinese.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency perforation and valvuloplasty in infants with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).

METHODSFour infants (body weight 4 - 10 kg) aged 11 months, 9 months, 12 days and 9 months old, respectively, were hospitalized for dyspnea and cyanosis. All patients had a continuous murmur in the left second intercostal space. Doppler echocardiogram showed membranous pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. Right ventriculogram showed a tripartite right ventricle, vasiform infundibulum, and membranous pulmonary valve atresia without ventriculocoronary connections. Descending thoracic aortogram showed good-sized confluent pulmonary arteries being filled from a ductus arteriosus. All the patients were taken up for radiofrequency perforation followed by a balloon dilatation. A 6F Judkins right coronary guiding catheter was positioned in the right ventricular outflow tract and under the atretic pulmonary valve membrane. The radiofrequency perforation catheter along with coaxial injectable catheter was then passed through the right coronary guiding catheter, using it as the guide to the imperforate membrane. The proximal end of the radiofrequency perforation catheter was then connected to radiofrequency generator. After the cusps of pulmonary valve were perforated, the coaxial injectable catheter was moved into the main pulmonary artery. A tiny floppy-tipped coronary guidewire was then passed through the coaxial injectable catheter into the main pulmonary artery and directed through the patent ductus arteriosus into the descending thoracic aorta or directed into pulmonary arteriola. Thereafter, serial balloon dilation catheters were introduced across the pulmonary valve, and dilations were sequentially performed with increasing balloon diameters. The balloon was dilated until the concave of the balloons disappeared. The radiofrequency energy (5 to 8 W) was delivered for 2 to 5 seconds once, but commonly twice, to perforate the valves. After a predilation with a 3 mm x 20 mm to 5 mm x 20 mm balloon at 6 - 14 atm pressure, the valve was subsequently dilated with 10 mm x 30 mm to 14 mm x 30 mm balloon once or twice. The duration of procedures was 120 to 150 min and exposure time was 25.4 to 43.9 min.

RESULTSThe primary procedure was successful in all the infants except one who died early of cardiac perforation with tamponade. After a follow-up period ranging from 2 to 8 months (mean 4.3 m), the remaining 3 survivors achieved complete biventricular circulation. Two of them were awaiting occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus and 1 needed right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction because of infundibular obstruction.

CONCLUSIONPA/IVS consists of 0.7% to 3.1% of congenital heart defects. 85% of the untreated patients die within half a year. Surgical repair for the infants with PA/IVS is associated with a high mortality. In carefully selected patients with PA/IVS, radiofrequency perforation and balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve is feasible and may represent a new alternative to surgery due to its low mortality and avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Balloon Occlusion ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Catheterization ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pulmonary Atresia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pulmonary Valve ; surgery ; Ventricular Septum