Arteriosclerosis and its complications, such as heart attack and stroke, are the major causes of death in developed countries. It was believed that age, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and smoking are common risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition, overwhelming clinical and epidemiological studies have identified homocysteine (Hcy) as a significant and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In healthy individuals, plasma Hcy is between 5 and 10 micromol/L. One cause of severe hypehomocys- teinemia (HHcy) is the deficiency of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), which converts Hcy to cystathionine. CBS homozygous deficiency results in severe HHcy with Hcy levels up to 100 to 500 micromol/L. Patients with severe HHcy usually present with neurological abnormalities, premature arteriosclerosis. It has been reported that lowering plasma Hcy improved endothelial dysfunction and reduced incidence of major adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention. The mechanisms by which Hcy induces atherosclerosis are largely unknown. Several biological mechanisms have been proposed to explain cardiovascular pathological changes associated with HHcy. These include: (1) endothelial cell damage and impaired endothelial function; (2) dysregulation of cholesterol and triglyceride biosynthesis; (3) stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation; (4) thrombosis activation and (5) activation of monocytes. Four major biochemical mechanisms have been proposed to explain the vascular pathology of Hcy. These include: (1) autooxidation through the production of reactive oxygen species; (2) hypomethylation by forming SAH, a potent inhibitor of biological transmethylations; (3) nitrosylation by binding to nitric oxide or (4) protein homocysteinylation by incorporating into protein. In summary, our studies, as well as data from other laboratories support the concept that Hcy is causally linked to atherosclerosis, and is not merely associated with the disease. Although folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6 can lower plasma Hcy levels, the long-term effects on cardiovascular disease risk are still unknown and judgments about therapeutic benefits await the findings of ongoing clinical trials.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Homocysteine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of carvedilol on ACE2 gene and protein expression in chronic heart failure rats after myocardial infarction.Methods The heart failure model was induced by acute myocardial infarc- tion (AMI) through ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery.One month after operation,rats were randomized to receive placebo or carvedilol 2 mg/(kg?d),by gavage.Sham-operated rats were used as the control group.Hemodynamies,body mass and left ventrieular mass index,plasma and myocardial level of angiotensin Ⅱ were determined.ACE2 gene and protein expression was assessed by using RT-PCR and Western Blot.Results The mortality of placebo and Carvedilol groups were 20%,compared with 0% in sham operated rats.Carvedilol significantly improved LVEDP,LVSP,+dp/dt_(max) and-dp/dt_(min) in CHF rats but all the hemodynamics data were still inferior than that of controls.Plasma and myocardial angiotensin Ⅱ level were increased significantly in CHF placebo rats than those of control rats (plasma Ang Ⅱ:CHF:194?19 vs controls:132?15 ng/L,myocardium Ang Ⅱ:CHF:6.7?0.4 vs control:3.8?0.3 ng/g,P

Teaching method for basal experiment, comprehensive experiment, design experiment and teach- ing practice in food microiological analysis were elaborated completely, and design experimental teaching was discussed stress. At the same time, Through introducing various experience of the design experiment teaching, resolvent and way of thinking against problem meeted in design experiment teaching were put forward.

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) vectors have been shown to mediate long-term transgene expression in mice and nonhuman primates. We have adapted viral vector system based on two rAAV vectors, namely rAAV1 and rAAV2. We have generated rAAV vectors expressing the envelope glycoprotein (E1 and E2) derived from Chinese HCV patient (genotype 1b) and used these to immunize BALB/c mice. We detected the total antibody titer by IFA and neutralizing antibody (nAb) using in vitro HCV neutralizing assays based on HCV pseudotyped particles. Furthermore, IFN-gamma ELISpot assay was used to assess the T cellular response against HCV at 12 weeks after rAAV1-E1E2 immunization. We also analyzed HCV envelope glycoprotein expression in muscle of rAAV1-E1E2 immunized mice. Our data showed: (i) rAAV1 directed long-term expression of HCV genes in mice; (ii) immunized intramuscularly with a single dose of rAAV elicited durable and effective immune responses in mice; and (iii) Moreover, rAAV1-E1E2 induced higher total antibody and nAb titers than rAAV2-E1E2 did. These data suggest that rAAV1 vectors could stimulate robust, durable, and effective immune responses against HCV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

Hepatitis B, Chronic ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Stress, Psychological ; physiopathology

Nine known compounds, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methyl-4-chromanone (1), 5, 7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4-chromanone (2), 5-hydroxyl-2-methyl-4-chromanone (3), 1-(2, 6-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxybutanone(4), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (5), (22E,24R)-ergost-7, 22-dien-3beta, 5alpha, 6alpha-triol (6), euphorbol (7), beta-sitosterol (8) and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) -ethanol (9) were isolated and identified in Xylaria nigripes for the first time, and their structures were mainly determined by MS and NMR methods. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated as the natural product for the first time.
Mass Spectrometry ; Mycelium ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Xylariales ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the academic status and influence of the National Journal of Andrology (NJA).

METHODSThe data of articles and citations in 16 issues of NJA (2000-2002) were collected, then the quality of this journal was evaluated in terms of bibliometric parameters.

RESULTSExcept for reviews and translations, the sums of original papers accounted for 183 (53.5%), the articles with citation in 16 issues were 333 (97.08%), and funded project papers accounted for 62 (18.08%). The number of the articles and funded project papers increased every year; the average publishing cycle of the articles was 8.7 months; the average number of authors was 3.7 per article; the average age of the first author was 36.3 years old; the authors distributed in 30 provinces, 43.37% of the authors had senior professional title and 40.80% of the authors had master's or doctor's degrees, the journal had a high rate of self-citation (6.30%).

CONCLUSIONSNational Journal of Andrology is a high quality journal, with excellent authors, strong influence and bright future.

Andrology ; statistics & numerical data ; Bibliometrics ; China ; Periodicals as Topic ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo seek a rapid, simple, but effective inquiry method for screening high risk population challenged by schistosomiasis.

METHODSTwo embankment collapsed villages were selected in schistosomiasis epidemic area in Dongting Lake. Information on water exposure was collected through a retrospective study. Data was analyzed by stepwise discriminant analysis.

RESULTSA Fisher's function was established by stepwise discriminant analysis which including 5 variables out of 18. Two hundred and forty-six individuals were discriminated by the function with accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of predicting their current infection status with the results of 87.4%, 84.1% and 89.0% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe inquiry method might serve as simple, rapid, economic and effective tool for diagnosis in screening high risk population challenged by schistosomiasis in lake communities.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Disasters ; Discriminant Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Rural Health ; Sampling Studies ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of Schwann cells transplantation to promote the repair of injured brain stem reticular structure in rats.

METHODSSchwann cells originated from sciatic nerves of 1 to 2-day-old rats were expanded and labelled by BrdU in vitro, transplanted into rat brain stem reticular structure that was pre-injured by electric needle stimulus. Immunohistochemistry and myelin-staining were used to investigate the expression of BrdU, GAP-43 and new myelination respectively.

RESULTSBrdU positive cells could be identified for up to 8 months and their number increased by about 23%, which mainly migrated toward injured ipsilateral cortex. The GAP-43 expression reached its peak in 1 month after transplantation and was significantly higher than that in the control group. New myelination could be seen in destructed brain stem areas.

CONCLUSIONThe transplantation of Schwann cells can promote the restoration of injured brain stem reticular structure.

Animals ; Antimetabolites ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; veterinary ; Brain Stem ; injuries ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; veterinary ; Electrophysiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Schwann Cells ; transplantation

In this study, two school-aged children had an acute onset in spring and had the manifestations of fever, headache, vomiting, disturbance of consciousness, purpura and ecchymosis, and positive meningeal irritation sign. There were increases in peripheral white blood cells and neutrophils, but reductions in the hemoglobin level and platelet count in the two children. They had a significant increase in C-reactive protein. There were hundreds or thousands of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, mainly neutrophils. Increased protein contents but normal levels of glucose and chloride in the cerebrospinal fluid were found. Head CT scan showed multiple hematomas in the right cerebellum and both hemispheres in one child. Bone marrow cytology indicated infection in the bone marrow, and both blood culture and bone marrow culture showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Both patients had cardiac murmurs and progressive reductions in the hemoglobin level and platelet count during treatment, and echocardiography showed the formation of vegetation in the aortic valve. Therefore, the patients were diagnosed with infectious endocarditis (IE). Vancomycin was used as the anti-infective therapy based on the results of drug sensitivity test. One child was cured after 6 weeks, and the other child was withdrawn from the treatment and then died. Dynamic monitoring of cardiac murmurs should be performed for children with unexplained fever, and echocardiography should be performed in time to exclude IE. IE should also be considered for children with purulent meningitis and skin and mucosal bleeding which cannot be explained by the reduction in platelet count.
Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Fever ; etiology ; Headache ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Purpura ; etiology