Objective To investigate the effect of different concentrations of propofol on tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) isolated from guinea pigs with induced asthma and the underlying mechanism. Methods Forty-eight guinea pigs of either sex weighing 150-200 g were randomly divided into 2 groups : normal group ( n = 20) and asthma group ( n = 28). Asthma was induced with ovoglobulin. The animals were sacrificed by a blow to the head without anesthesia. Trachea was immediately removed and cut into tracheal rings (3-5 mm in length) . 5-7 tracheal rings were prepared from each animal and suspended in organ bath filled with oxygenated (95% O2 , 5% CO2 ) KHB and stretched to an optimal resting tension which was measured by using a force-displacement transducer with a pen recorder. The two groups were further divided into six subgroups : control subgroup, 10 % intralipid subgroup and 4 propofol subgroups (10, 30, 100, 300?mol?L-1). The effect of different concentrations of propofol and their interaction with acetylcholine ( Ach ) and ryanodine on contraction of TSM were measured. Results (1) Effect of propofol on resting tension of TSM : in normal group propofol had no effect on TSM resting tension, while in asthma group propofol reduced TSM resting tension in a dose-dependent manner. 10% intralipid contracted TSM slightly and insignificantly as compared with control subgroup. (2) Effect of propofol on TSM contraction induced by Ach : propofol inhibited TSM contraction induced by Ach in a dose-dependent manner in both normal and asthma group. (3) Effect of propofol preconditioning on TSM contraction induced by Ach : pretreatment with propofol 100 and 300?mol?L-1 significantly inhibited TSM contraction induced by Ach in both normal and asthma group as compared with control subgroup. Pretreatment with even propofol 30?mol?L-1 was effective in asthma group. (4) There was no significant difference in propofol-inhibition of TSM contraction induced by Ach with or without ryanodine. Conclusion Pretreatment with clinical doses of propofol can significantly inhibit TSM contraction induced by Ach in guinea pigs with asthma and ryanodine receptor-mediated smooth muscle intracellular Ca2+ release is not involved.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Syphilis Serodiagnosis ; Syphilis, Congenital ; diagnosis

Objective: To study the effect of Zuojin Formula on proliferation and apoptosis of human normal gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) cells infected by Helicobacter pylori. Methods: GES-1 cells were infected by H. pylori at different multiplicity of infection (1∶1, 50∶1, 100∶1, 200∶1, 300∶1) for 12, 24, 48 h; GES-1 cells infected by H. pylori were treated with different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 μg/mL) of Zuojin Formula, and the cells were harvested after 12, 24, and 48 h. The proliferation activity of cells was detected by CCK-8, and the apoptosis rate of GES-1 cells was measured by Anexin V-FITC apoptosis detecting kit and flow cytometry. Moreover, the expression of Caspase-3 was detected by Western blot and the morphological changes of apoptotic cells were detected by Hochest staining. Results: After infected by H. pylori, the cell viability showed a descending trend while the apoptotic rate showed tendency to ascend, with the increasing of multiplicity of infection and infection time. GES-1 cells were treated with multiplicity of infection of H. pylori at 100∶1 for 12, 24, 48 h, and the cell viability decreased to (80.57 ± 1.21)%, (70.04 ± 3.21)%, and (67.74 ± 2.91)%, while the apoptotic rate increased to (23.74 ± 1.71)%, (53.60 ± 1.87)%, and (70.67 ± 2.87)%. After co-cultured with 1.0 μg/mL Zuojin Formula for 24 h, the cell viability increased to (97.67 ± 1.04)%, and the apoptotic rate decreased to (31.04 ± 1.02)%, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the corresponding model group (P < 0.01). The results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression of Caspase-3 of all treatment groups was obviously decreased. Based on the morphological point of view, this result was further verified. Conclusion: GES-1 infected by H. pylori NCTC11637 can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, while ZuoJinFang could protect GES-1 cells from cell damage.

Objective To study the effect of modified sensorimotor training (SMT) method on standing ba- lance of the stroke patients during their recovery stage. Methods Sixty stroke patients at recovery stage were ran- domly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group was trained by modified SMT method which combined Thera-band with partial body weight support (PBWS) system, while the control group was trained only with their standing balance in the parallel bars based on the neurodevelopment therapy (NDT) method. Both groups were given the same medications as well as physical therapy, acupuncture and OT. The patients in the two groups practiced standing balance in front of a mirror daily, 40 minutes every day and 6 days every week for 4 weeks. The balance abilities of patients were evaluated by Berg balance scale (BBS) , and their lower extremity func- tions were assessed by simplification Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA). Results After training, both groups showed significant improvement in BBS and FMA ( P

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirofiban,a platelet glycoproteinⅡb/Ⅲa Inhibitor,in percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)of patients with acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarct(NSTEMI).Methods:A total of 114 patients with acute NSTEMI were enrolled in the trial from Sep.2005 to Jan.2007;they were randomly divided into 2 groups:tirofiban group(n=57)and placebo group(n=57).Patients in tirofiban group were given tirofiban for 24 h after PCI.All patients were routinely given heparin,aspirin and clopidogrel before CPI.The composite occurrence of death,myocardial infarction(MI),need for target vessel revascularization(TVR)after PCI,and the adverse effects(hemorrhage and thrombocypenia)were compared between the 2 groups.Results:One(1.8%)patient had angina pectoris and the other(1.8%)developed subacute thrombus in control group within 24 h after PCl;there was no such event in the tirofiban group.Two(3.6%)patients developed angina pectoris and 2(3.6%) developed subacute thrombus within 30 days after PCI in control group;one patient(1.8%)in birofiban group developed angina pectoris and one patient in birofiban group developed subacute thrombus.Each group had one case(1.8%)of upper digestive tract bleeding during hospitalization.No intracranial hemorrhage,skin/ mucosa hemorrhage,thrombocytopenia,or-death occurred in the 2 groups.Intravenous tirofiban treatment reduced the composite occurrence of death of NSTEMI patients after PCI(P

OBJECTIVETo study DNA damages of liver cells in rats exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and the expressions of DNA damage repair enzymes including O(6)-methyl guanine-DNA methyl transferase (MGMT), X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3); and to explore the repair mechanism of DNA damage induced by VCM.

METHODSRats were exposed to VCM by intraperitoneal injection. DNA damages were detected by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The expressions of DNA damage repair enzymes were measured by immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTSThe percentages of comet cells in low, moderate, and high dose groups (11.75%, 12.38%, and 17.63%, respectively) were greater than that of control (5.67%). The latter two groups were significantly different from that of control (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The expressions of MGMT and XRCC1 decreased, and XRCC3 increased with the dose of VCM increased. DNA damage was correlated with the expression of XRCC3 (r = 0.438, P = 0.067).

CONCLUSIONVCM can cause DNA damage of liver cells with dose-response relationship. DNA damage repair enzymes take part in the repairing of DNA damage induced by VCM.

Animals ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vinyl Chloride ; toxicity ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

Objective To investigate the effect of local injection of Botulinum toxin type A(BTXA) on spasticity and function of the affected upper limb in stroke patients.Methods A total of 32 stroke patients were re- cruited and randomly divided into two groups:a BTXA group and a control group.All the patients had spasticity of upper limb muscles,which scored grade 2 to 3 with the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) ,and decreased elbow joint range of motion.The 16 patients in the BTXA group received BTXA injection in the biceps brachii muscles and flexor muscles of forearm on 10～15 points,while those in the control group did not.All the patients in both groups were treated with rehabilitation training techniques.The MAS,Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel In- dex were employed to evaluate the changes of muscle tone,upper limb function and activity of living (ADL)perform- ance of the patients before injection and at 1st,2nd,6th 12th weeks after injection.Results The therapeutic effect between the BTXA group anti control group was significantly different in terms of biceps muscle tone,the scores of Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel Index.Compared with preinjection,muscle tone was de- creased significantly and ADL performance was improved after injection in BTXA group.The effects of BTXA lasted more than 12 weeks.Conclusion Intramuscular muhipoint injection of BTXA was useful in reducing muscle spas- ticity,and was helpful for increasing motor ability of the affected upper limb and ADL performance of the stroke pa- tients.

Objective To study the effect of balloon dilatation therapy on dysphagia caused by cricopharyn- geal achalasia.Methods Ten cases of dysphagia were diagnosed as cricopharyngeal achalasia by videofluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS).A 14~* urethral catheter was inserted into the esophagus and an amount of water was injec- ted into the balloon of the urethral catheter to make it turgid.Then the catheter was pulled upwards and passed through the stricture of esophagus to dilatate the cricopbarygeus muscle.Meanwhile,low frequency electrical stimula- tion was used and combined with functional training of the organs related to deglutition and ingestion.The results be- fore and after the treatment were evaluated.Results After 19.7 times of dilatation therapy,the content of water in- jected into the balloon was increased from 2.65?0.91 ml to 8.20?0.92 ml.Cricopharyngeal achalasia was alle- viated significantly(P

Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) has effectively inhibited the prevalence of HIV-1 and reduced the death rate caused by AIDS. In recent years,the emergence of resistance-conferring RT gene mutations in HIV-1 strains has become the major reason for HAART failure. The detection of drug resistance is important for the HAART regimen choice and novel drug development. A novel assay for the detection of HIV-1 RT drug resistance mutations was developed. HIV-1 drug resistance and wild strains in B subtypes were investigated using Two-Step Mutagenically-Separated PCR (MS-PCR),and point mutations including M41L,K70R,K103N,Y181C,T215F were detected. A longer mutant type primer was designed,using microplates hybridization and ELISA technique to detect several point mutations within a mixed mutant-wild type population. The results indicate that the Two-Step MS-PCR is as sensitive and specific as that in the traditional MS-PCR and MS-PCR combined with ELISA can give a good P/N quotient with better sensitivity,low cost,relatively less time consumption and high-throughput screening. It will be used in clinic usage for the detection of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations as well as other point mutations.

The crude toxin was extracted from hypha and culture solution of Phyllosticta commelimecola through three different polarity solvent: benzinum, puncificatum ethyl acetate and chloroform. The result indicated that the toxin secreted by Phyllosticta commelimecola not only was in hypha but also in culture solution and the extracting effect of ethyl acetate was the best. The soybean median and PSK media can be respectively used as solid and liquid culture media to produce toxin and grow mycelium. The optimal cultural conditions for producing toxin were temperature 32℃,cultured period 14d, cultured ways shaking of 150r/min.