Objective To evaluate the effects of propofol,etomidate and midazolam on gap junction function in rats in vitro and in vivo.Methods Experiment Ⅰ NRK52E cells were seeded in 6-well plates with the density of 1.0 × 105/ml and randomly divided into 4 groups (n =6 wells each):control group (group C),propofol group (group P),etomidate group (group E) and midazolam group (group M).In group C,NRK52E cells were cultured in DMEM-F12 culture medium containing 10％ fetal bovine serum.In P,E and M groups,propofol,etomidate and midazolam (with the final concentrations of 15,8 and 4μmol/L,respectively) were added to the culture medium,respectively,and the cells were then incubated for 1 h.Parachute dye-coupling assay was used to measure the gap junction function in NRK52E cells.Experiment Ⅱ Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 2 months,weighing 220-280 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =6 each):propofol group (group P),etomidate group (group E),midazolam group (group M),and control group (group C).In P,E and M groups,propofol 100 mg/kg,etomidate 6 mg/kg and midazolam 5 mg/kg were injected intraperitoneally once a day for 3 consecutive days,respectively.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C.The animals were sacrificed at 30 min after the last administration and the renal cortex was harvested to measure the gap junction function using tissue scrape and load assay.Results Compared with group C,the gap junction function was significantly decreased in P and E groups (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the gap junction function in group M (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Propofol and etomidate significantly inhibit the gap junction function in NRK52E cells and renal tissues in rats,but midazolam produces no effect.

Objective To evaluate the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) on apoptosis and gap junction in isolated renal tubular epithelial cells of rats.Methods The renal tubular epithelial cells were seeded in 6-well plates at a density of 1 × 105 cells/ml and randomly divided into 2 groups (n =18 wells each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and H/R group.In group C,the cells were cultured in a regular incubator with 21％ oxygen at 37 ℃.In group H/R,the cells were incubated in an anaerobic chamber for 24 h and then returned to a regular incubator and incubated for 4 h.Hoechst33258 staining method and flow cytometry were used to detect the cell apoptosis.Gap junction function was determined by specific parachute assay.Gap function protein connexin 43(Cx43) expression was measured by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the apoptosis rate was significantly increased and gap junction function and Cx43 expression were decreased in group H/R (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion H/R promotes apoptosis in isolated renal tubular epithelial cells through destroying intercellular gap junction in rats.

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term changes in anxiety-like behavior and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra (SN) after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in a neonatal rat model and to further explore the relationship between dopamine (DA) level and long-term anxiety-like behavior using the DA receptor (DAR) antagonist.

METHODSSeven-day-old (P7) neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into normal control, sham-operated, HIBD and HIBD+DAR antagonist groups. HIBD model was prepared by ligating the right common carotid artery and 8% hypoxia exposure. The rats in the sham-operated group were sham-operated and were not subjected to right common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia exposure. The DAR antagonist was injected intraperitoneally before and after inducing HIBD. The same amount of normal saline was given to the other three groups as a control. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated by elevated plus maze test, and TH expression in the SN was measured by immunohistochemistry on P14, P21, and P28.

RESULTSOn P21 and P28, the time spent in the open arms and the percentage of open arms entries in the HIBD group were significantly increased compared with those in the normal control, sham-operated and HIBD+DAR antagonist groups (P<0.05); in addition, the HIBD+DAR antagonist group showed a significantly longer time spent in the open arms than the normal control group (P<0.05). On P14, P21, and P28, TH expression in the HIBD and HIBD+DAR antagonist groups was significantly lower than that in the normal control and sham-operated groups, and TH level in the HIBD group was significantly lower than that in the HIBD+DAR antagonist group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDAR antagonist allows the restoration of anxiety-like behavior and alleviates the damage to dopaminergic neurons in SD rats after HIBD.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Anxiety ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Dopamine Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; complications ; Maze Learning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Dopamine ; physiology ; Substantia Nigra ; enzymology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; analysis

This paper describes, in detail, the basic principles, composition and specifications of JH-2000 heamodialyzer.
Equipment Design ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; therapy ; Renal Dialysis ; instrumentation ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted

Objective To investigate the value of peak strain dispersion (PSD) in evaluation of synchronicity of left ventricle in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods Totally 38 MHD patients (MHD group) and 45 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled.Two-dimensional dynamic images,including standard apical two-chamber,longaxis and four-chamber views in 3 consecutive cardiac cycles were acquired,and the standard deviation of time-to-peak longitudinal strain,i.e.PSD,in 18 segments of left ventricle were calculated.The difference of PSD between the two groups and the correlation between PSD and other parameters were assessed.Results PSD of MHD group ([54.21 ± 11.55] ms) was larger than that of control group ([35.58±14.37]ms;t=4.653,P＜0.001).In MHD group,PSD had positive correlation with left ventricular mass index (LVMI),interventricular septum thickness at end-systolic (IVSd),left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastolic (LVPWd),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd),left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV;r=0.461,0.466,0.498,0.472,0.414,0.498,respectively,all P＜0.05).Conclusion Left ventricular systolic synchronicity in MHD patients might be impaired in early stage,which can be quantitatively evaluated with PSD.

Objective To explore the systolic function and synchronicity of left ventricle ( LV ) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis( MHD) by layer-specific strain. Methods Forty-three patients with MHD and 48 healthy controls were studied. Three consecutive cardiac cycles two-dimensional dynamic images including standard LV apical two-chamber,long-axis and four-chamber views and LV short-axis views at the levels of basal,middle and apical were acquired. A quantitative software called EchoPAC was used to analyze longitudinal strain(LS) and circumferential strain(CS) of these six dynamic images and peak strain dispersion ( PSD) was automatic computed by the software. The difference of these parameters between the two groups and the correlation between PSD and other parameters were studied. Results Parameters of global layer-specific strain: compared with the control group, global LS and CS of subendocardial,midmyocardial,epicardial and full-thickness myocardium layers were decreased in the MHD group ( P ＜0.01). Parameters of segmental layer-specific strain:LS of 3 layers and full-thickness in basal, middle,apical segments were lower in MHD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.001). CS of 3 layers and full-thickness in middle,apical segments were lower in MHD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.05). There was no significant difference in CS of 3 layers and full-thickness in basal segment between two groups( P ＞0.05). Parameters of synchronicity:PSD of MHD group was larger than that of control group ( t ＝6.094, P ＜0.001). PSD was positively correlated with longitudinal strain of full-thickness (GLS) in MHD group ( rs＝0.478, P ＝0.039). Conclusions Layer-specific strain can noninvasively and accurately quantitate left ventricular systolic function and synchronicity in patients with MHD.

Objective To evaluate the value of longitudinal peak strain ( GLS ) and peak strain dispersion ( PSD) in left ventricular myocardial synchrony and systolic function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome ( OSAS ) . Methods Seventy male patients with OSAS diagnosed by polysomnography and 26 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study . According to AHI ,the OSAS patients were divided into three groups :mild group ,moderate group and severe group . Echocardiography was performed on the next day . The Left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) ,diastolic blood pressure , systolic blood pressure ,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ( LVDd) ,left ventricular end-systolic diameter ( LVDs) ,left atrial diameter ( LAD) ,interventricular septum thickness ( IVST ) ,left ventricular posterior wall thickness ( LVPW) ,global systolic longitudinal strain( GLS) and peak strain dispersion ( PSD) were compared among four groups . The correlation between GLS ,PSD and AHI were analyzed . Results ① Age , height ,weight ,body mass index ( BMI) ,LVEF ,diastolic blood pressure ,systolic blood pressure ,LVDd , LVDs ,LAD and LVPW were not statistically different among the OSAS mild ,moderate ,severe group and control group ( P > 0 .05) . IVST in severe groups was increased than that in control group ( P < 0 .05) . ②Compared with the control group and the mild group ,the PSD increased and the GLS decreased significantly in the moderate and severe groups ( P < 0 .05) ,and there was a statistically significant decrease in the GLS between the severe group and the moderate group ( P < 0 .05) . There was no statistical difference in other parameters among 4 groups ( P > 0 .05) . ③ Pearson correlation analysis showed that AHI was associated with GLS( r 2 = 0 .5026) and PSD( r 2 = 0 .6845) ( P < 0 .05) . Conclusions GLS and PSD can early evaluate the left ventricular myocardial synchrony and systolic function changes in patients with OSAS .

Objective: To investigate the value of longitudinal strain and peak strain dispersion in the evaluation of left ventricular longitudinal strain and longitudinal strain synchrony in essential hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction. Methods: A total of 50 essential hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction were collected as hypertensive group, they were divided into left ventricular hypertrophy( LVH) group (n=29) and non left ventricular hypertrophy(NLVH) group(n=21), and 26 healthy volunteers were collected as control group, two-dimensional echocardiography was performed. Peak systolic longitudinal strain(LPS), global LPS (GLPS), time to LPS (TTPLS) and longitudinal peak strain dispersion (PSD) were determined by the offline EchoPAC 201.54 software. It can automatically obtaine the bull′s-eye map of the corresponding 18-segmental LPS and TTPLS. Results: Left atrial diameter (LAD) was higher in NLVH group than that in control group(P<0.05). LAD, left ventricle end-systolic diameter(LVESD), left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) were higher in the LVH group than those in the control group and NLVH group (all P<0.05), there was no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) among the three groups (all P>0.05). LPS and TTPLS: LPS of basal, middle, apical left ventricular segments were significantly lower and TTPLS of middle left ventricular segments were significantly longer in the LVH group than those in the control group and NLVH group (all P<0.05). LPS of middle left ventricular segments was significantly lower in the NLVH group and TTPLS of basal left ventricular segments was obviously greater in the LVH group than those in the control group (all P<0.05). PSD increased and absolute value of GLPS decreased gradually in the control group, NLVH group and LVH group(all P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between absolute value of GLPS and PSD in the hypertensive group (r=-0.61, P<0.01). Measurement of PSD had well repeatability and stability. Conclusions Longitudinal strain and PSD are promising approach to evaluate left ventricular longitudinal systolic function earlier in hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction. It has well repeatability and stability and it provides help for clinical diagnosis and efficacy assessment.

OBJECTIVETo characterize the hepatitis A virus (HAV) wild type strains circulating in Hebei Shijiazhuang of China during 2005-2007, to provide the bases for further investigation of the sources of HAV infection.

METHODSThe VP1/P2A junction regions were detected by RT-PCR from HAV IgM positives serum samples during 2005 and 2007, the 34 RT-PCR positive samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis by Neighbor Joining (NJ) method.

RESULTSAll the detected HAV strains were identified as sub-genotype I A, the homology of nucleotide sequence in the VP1-2A imation region ranged from 95%-100%, the amino acid sequences of HAV strains almost had no difference.

CONCLUSIONThere are different HAV strains existing in Hebei Shijiazhuang of China, same HAV strain may exist in different areas; or in one area, identical or different HAV strains may be detected. This work provides the bases for further investigation of the sources of HAV infection and also for effectively control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; virology ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Viral Structural Proteins ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEAlthough HIV-1 infection is prevalent in many regions in China, it remains largely unknown on the biological characteristics of dominant circulating isolates. This study was designed to isolate the circulating viral strains from different prevalent regions and to characterize their biological properties and neutralization sensitivity.

METHODSPrimary viruses were isolated from fresh PBMCs using the traditional co-culture method and their capacity of inducing syncytium was tested in MT-2 cells. Meanwhile, their coreceptor usage was determined with two cell lines: Magi and GHOST (3) stably expressing CD4 and the chemokine receptor CCR5 or CXCR4. Furthermore, the sensitivity of these viruses to neutralization by HIV-1-infected patients' plasma which were highly active to neutralize SF33 strain, was quantified in GHOST cell-based neutralization assay.

RESULTSSix primary viral strains were isolated from 4 separated regions. Isolates LTG0213, LTG0214 and XVS032691 induced syncytia in MT-2 cells, and used CXCR4 as coreceptor. Isolates XJN0021, XJN0091, or SHXDC0041 did not induce syncytia, and used CCR5 as coreceptor. Overall neutralization sensitivity differed among four representative strains: HIV-1 XVS032691 > LTG0214 >XJN0091 approximately SHXDC0041.

CONCLUSIONThe neutralization sensitivity of HIV isolates is linked with the phenotype of isolates, in which syncytium-inducing (SI) or CXCR4-tropic (X4) viruses are more easily neutralized than non-syncytium-inducing (NSI) or CCR5-tropic (R5) viruses. The genetic subtypes based on the phylogeny of env sequences are not classical neutralization serotypes.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokines ; genetics ; immunology ; China ; Coculture Techniques ; methods ; Giant Cells ; ultrastructure ; virology ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV Seropositivity ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Humans ; Neutralization Tests ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Virus Replication