Hyperhomocysteinemia is an important independent risk factor for cardio-cerebrovas- cular diseases.Studies in recent years have suggested that hyperhomocysteinemia is also an independent risk factor for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.Mild vascular cognitive impairment is the prophase of vascular dementia.Mainly through the damage of vascular wall structure and its function,homocysteine may has correlation with mild vascular cognitive impairment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevention and treatment of pneumonia in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI).MethodsData of 278 patients with acute traumatic CSCI admitted from 1988 to 2004 were analyzed retrospectively.Results Pneumonia was the major complication following acute CSCI and discovered by radiography during the first 3—33 days after injury. The all cases were nosocomial pneumonia and G- bacilli were main pathogens, particularly pseudomonas aeruginosa. The incidence of pneumonia of patients with score ≤6 according to the criteria of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) was significantly higher than those with ASIA score >6 (P<0.001).ConclusionThe high incidence of pneumonia in the CSCI is associated with the level and completeness of the injury. The G- bacilli causing nosocomial infection are main pathogens.

Objective To set a rapid,simple gene diagnosis method for Down syndrome.Methods Three short tandem repeats(D21S11,D21S1270,D21S1437)loci in or near Down syndrome critical region(DSCR) were analyzed and detected by polymerase chain reaction and DNA quantitative analysis in 11 core ancestry.Results There were four types by DNA quantitative analysis to different individuals at a short tandem repeats(STR) locus.In type one,a homozygote of one allelic gene was detected.In type two,a normal heterozygote of two allelic genes was found,the content or two DNA electrophoresis bands was approximately 1∶1.In type three,a Down syndrome patient of two allelic genes was discovered.The quantity of two electrophoresis bands was nearly 2∶1.In type four,the patient showed three DNA electrophoresis bands which the content was approximately 1∶1∶1.Conclusion A rapid gene diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis method for Down syndrome can be used for quantitative analysis of STR polymorphism loci.

Objective To study systemic hematogenic immunoreactions induced by bacterial infections using simulation of natural system.Methods Whole blood 0.2 mL or white blood cells 0.2 mL and plasma(or normal saline)0.3 mL were stimulated by 0.2 mL of yeast and inactivated Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG,5?10~8/mL),respectively,which were incubated at 37℃for 1 h. Interleukin(IL)-8,C3,C4 and chemokine receptor Fy6 were detected by flow cytometry(FCM)and en- zyme-linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA).Results Bacteria could activate red blood cell to modulate IL-8 release from white blood cells in plasma.In nature experimental group,activation rate(37.04?34.84)of IL-8 was significantly higher than that(1.09?0.77)in isolation experimental group.In nature experimen- tal group,value increment(0.01?0.01)of complement C4 was significantly higher than that(-0.0027?0.008)of isolation experimental group(P

Objective To investigate the distribution of Leptotrombidium deliense among different small mammal hosts in some areas of Yunnan province. Methods A field survey was carried out in some counties of Yunnan province and the small mammal hosts were captured, using mouse cages and traps with baits. Chigger mites on the surface of two auricles were scraped off by a bistoury, and then preserved in 70% ethanol. Every specimen of the chigger mites on the slides was finally identified into species under a microscope. Some conventional statistical methods were adopted to calculate all the collected chigger mite species and the constituent ratios of Leptotrombidium deliense in different areas and on different hosts, together with its prevalence and mean abundance on different hosts. Results A total of 10 222 small mammal hosts were captured from 19 counties and identified as 11 families, 34 genera and 62 species in 5 orders, and 92 990 individuals of chigger mites were collected from the body surface of these small mammal hosts. All the collected chigger mites were identified as 3 subfamilies, 22 genera, and 225 species. Meanwhile, Leptotrombidium deliensee only accounted for 1.659% of the total. The host specificity of Leptotrombidium deliense was very low and 1544 individuals of Leptotrombidium deliense collected from 8518 small mammal hosts belonged to 6 families, 13 genera and 19 species in 3 orders. Our results showed that Leptotrombidium delienses were mainly collected from Insectivora and Rodentia. Leptotrombidium deliense had long been considered as the dominant species of chigger mites and the main vector of tsutsugamushi disease in Yunnan province of China, but our results seemed not thoroughly supporting this point of view. Conclusion Traditionally, Leptotrombidium deliense was the dominant species and the main vectors of scrub typhus in Yunnan province. However, based on our results, the above view might be true in some local places and the composition of chigger mites and the main vector of tautsugamushi disease might be different in regions and habitats in Yunnan province.

To develop an ophthalmic preparation of Shedan, an in situ forming gel was prepared with the formulation containing 18% of poloxamer 407 and 5% of poloxamer 188 by response surface designs plus central composite designs. The rheology results showed that LVE range gamma should limited within 0.5%, Shedan high-frequency region, and the thixotropy recovery time is less than 5 seconds. The phase transition temperature was 33.25 °C according to curve of storage modulus and loss modulus determined by temperature scanning. Surface tension and osmometer of it determined by surface tension meter and dew point osmometer were 36.43 mN · m(-1), and 320.6 mOsm · kg(-1), respectively. Fluorescein sodium was selected as the marker to monitor the corneal residence time, and the results showed that Shedan gel could prolong drug residence for 180 min. In line with zero-order kinetics, releases of muscone and salvianolic acid B in vitro depends on gels erosion. The results of rabbit ocular irritation experiments suggested that Shedan in situ forming gel was biocompatible and nonirritant. In conclusion, a novel Shedan in situ forming gel was developed and characterized for potential drug treatment of retinal vein occlusion.
Animals ; Benzofurans ; chemistry ; Cycloparaffins ; chemistry ; Female ; Gels ; chemistry ; Male ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Poloxamer ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; drug therapy ; Viscosity

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tetramethyl pyrazine (TMP) on the cytokines and inflammatory mediators in the serum and the synovial fluid of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)rats, and further to investigate its possible mechanisms for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSType II CIA rat model was established. Rats in the TMP group were administered with TMP at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, once daily. Dexamethasone at 2.0 mg/kg was intramuscularly injected to those in the Dexamethasone treated group, once daily. Normal saline at 2 mL/kg was given to those in the normal control group and the model group, once daily. All medication was started from the 7th day, lasting to the 35th day. CIA rats' foot swelling degree was observed. Contents of serum IL-1, IL-6, IL-2, NO and PGE2in the synovial fluid were detected by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reduction method.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the foot swelling obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE2 in the synovial fluid were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the foot swelling could be obviously inhibited by 100 mg/kg TMP and Dexamethasone; serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 obviously decreased, serum IL-2 level obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE, decreased (P < 0.01). TMP 50 mg/kg could obviously inhibit the foot swelling of CIA rats (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in other indices (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTMP at 100 mg/kg showed obvious inhibition on CIA rats. Its inhibitory effect might be correlated to inhibiting activities of endogenous cytokines and the generation of inflammatory mediators in inflammation local regions, improving contents of anti-inflammation cytokines, and inducing the balance of the inflammatory cytokine network.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism

To reveal the variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extract contents of Dendrobium officinale, the polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts contents of three D. officinale strains were determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method and hot-dip method, respectively. The results showed that the contents of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts and their total content were significantly different among D. officinale samples collected in different periods, and the variations were closely related to the phenology of D. officinale. Additionally, the quality variation of polysaccharides was closely related to the flowering of D. officinale, while the alcohol-soluble extracts was closely associated to the formation and germination of buds. According to the dynamic variation of these two compounds, it is more reasonable to harvest D. officinale at biennials pre-bloom than at specific harvesting month considering polysaccharides content. It is better to harvest before the germination of buds considering alcohol-soluble extracts. While with regards to both polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extract, it is better to harvest this plant at the period from the sprouting to pre-bloom next year.
Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification

Objective To study whether carbon dioxide used to establish pneumoperitoneum has an influence on port-site and intraperitoneal implantation and metastasis of tumor cells. Methods R 15 hepatic cancer cells were injected into 30 Wistar rats’ peritoneal cavities 1 hour before operation, then the 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: gasless group, helium group and carbon dioxide group. The suspension was exposed to the gas environment for 2 hours, all animals were killed after 28 days and the port-site and intraperitoneal implantation and metastasis of tumor cells were examined.Results On port-site, intestinal serous coat, mesentery, greater omentum and diaphragm, the weights of tumor cells, in carbon dioxide group were (326.7?230.3) mg, (626.2?215.9) mg, (476.2?204.8) mg,(2 536.5?906.7) mg and (384.5?149.9) mg respectively; in helium group were (235.6?107.3) mg, (414.2?148.4) mg, (261.8?92.6) mg, (1 633.4?247.3) mg and(220.0?57.9) mg; in gasless group were (145.0?42.4) mg, (221.5?108.2) mg, (212.5?109.6) mg, (797.5?335.9) mg and 113.0 mg.The weights of carbon dioxide group showed a significant increase, compared with helium group and gasless group (P 0.05). Conclusion The insufflation of carbon dioxide promotes intraperitoneal tumor implantation and growth compared with helium and gaslessness in a rat model.

In this study, the general bacterial probe and specific cellulolytic bacterial probes were used to quantify the bacteria in rumen. The total RNA were extracted and then hybridized with general bacterial probe after a dilution of concentration. The result showed that there was a high correlation between the hybridization signal and the dilution of total bacterial RNA. Based on the result above, the quantities of three cellulolytic bacteria in rumen sample were detected. The comparative RNA percentage of three cellulolytic bacteria to total bacterial RNA were similar to the previous reports. It can be concluded that the quantification of bacteria in rumen could be conducted by this approach, and which could be used in future research.