OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Guanxin No. 2 (GX2) on gene variant expression profile in rats after myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSSix SD rats were equally randomized into the sham operated group, the model group and the GX2 group, and they received gastric perfusion with water and GX2 (10 g/kg) respectively. MI model was established by ligating the left-anterior descending branch of coronary artery after 10 days of perfusion, and rats' myocardial tissue in the junction zone was assessed 24 h later for gene chip detection with DNA microarray. Then a cluster analysis was conducted, and the different expressions of key genes were verified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSThe up-regulating gene expressions in myocardial tissue in the junction zone increased after ischemia. After GX2 intervention, the up- or down-regulating gene expressions, especially the 2 genes, all-trans-13,14-dihydroretinol saturase (AF465614) and similar to expressed sequence AW413625 (AA799328) decreased significantly. In the common genes, more genes involving activity of signal transducer presented in the model group and the GX2 group and those in the latter showed a certain specificity.

CONCLUSIONGX2 could improve the characteristics of variant gene expression profile in MI rats to a certain extent.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Myocardial Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the assessment methods and mechanisms of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID)-induced injury in rat small intestinal epithelial barrier,and to explore the protective effects of mucosal protective agents and antacids on it.Methods A total of 96 rats were evenly divided into the morphologic observation group and the mechanism research group,and 48 in each group.Then each group was evenly divided into eight subgroups:the healthy control group,the model group (model established with indomethacin),the teprenone prevention group,the rabeprazole prevention group,the treatment control group,the teprenone treatment group,the rabeprazole treatment group and the teprenone and rabeprazole combined group (combined group),six in each group.Exfoliated cells gap density of small intestine of each subgroup was determined by confocal laser endomicroscopy.Serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB),caspase-3,zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1 )and occludin at protein level was detected by Western blotting.The LSD-t test or Hamhane′s T2 test was performed for statistical analysis.Results The exfoliated cells gap densities of the teprenone prevention group and the rabeprazole prevention group were (57.43 ± 24.55 )/1 000 and (59.80 ± 21 .14 )/1 000,respectively, which were both lower than that of the model group ((110.93±50.58)/1 000),and the differences were statistically significant (t= 53.50 and 54.13,both P < 0.01 ).The exfoliated cells gap density of the combined group was (40.53 ±15 .39)/1 000,which was lower than that of the treatment control group ((93.80±40.65 )/1 000 ),and the difference was statistically significant (t =44.27,P <0.01 ).The serum levels of TNF-α of the teprenone prevention group and the rabeprazole prevention group were (25 .80±8.97)ng/L and (22.74 ±7.15 )ng/L,repsectively,which were both lower than that of the model group ((44.48 ± 7.42 )ng/L),and the differences were statistically significant (t = 18.68 and 21 .74,both P <0.01 ).The serum level of TNF-αof the combined group ((13.66 ±4.98)ng/L)was lower than that of the treatment control group ((24.67±6.70)ng/L),and the difference was statistically significant (t = 9.02,P < 0.01 ).The caspase-3 levels of teprenone prevention group and rabeprazole prevention group were 1 .47 ±0.35 and 1 .58 ±0.34,and the NF-κB levels of these two groups were 1 .27±0.14 and 1 .21 ± 0.10,respectively.Compared with those of model group (2.44 ± 0.45 and 1 .69±0.13),the differences were statistically significant (t =0.97,0.86,0.42 and 0.48,respectively, all P <0.01 ).The levels of caspase-3 and NF-κB of the combined group were 0.66±0.06 and 0.44 ± 0.21 ,respectively,which were lower than those of the treatment control group,and the differences were statistically significant (t=0.34 and 0.56,both P <0.01).The expressions of occludin at protein level of the teprenone prevention group and the rabeprazole prevention group were 0.69 ±0.16 and 0.74 ±0.11 , and the levels of ZO-1 were 0.81 ± 0.08 and 0.84 ± 0.12.Compared with those of the model group (0.45 ±0.22 and 0.64±0.07 ),the differences were statistically significant (t =0.24,0.29,0.17 and 0.21 ,respectively,all P <0.01 ).The levels of occludin and ZO-1 of the combined group were 2.50 ± 0.46 and 1 .76±0.18,which were higher than those of the treatment control group,and the differences were statistically significant (t =1 .50 and 0.76,both P <0.01 ).Conclusions The exfoliated cells gap density may be a valuable indicator to predict the degree of inflammation response and permeability of epithelial barrier as well as to evaluate efficacy of medication.Teprenone and rabeprazole have prevention and treatment effects on NSAID-induced injury in rat small intestine.

Objective To measure the temperature sensation threshold of trunk skin in healthy adults. Methods The threshold of cold sensation, warm sensation, cold pain sensation and heat pain sensation of trunk skin key points (T3, T7 and T11) were measured with Thermal Sensory Analyzer in 123 healthy adults. Results The thresholds of cold, warm, cold pain and heat pain sensations were obtained. The standard deviation of cold and warm threshold was less than that of heat pain. The range of cold sensation threshold was the largest. The heat pain sensation threshold increased with segmental declining and the sensation threshold increased with age. Conclusion Normal reference value should be established variously with the segment and age. The threshold of cold, warm varies less, while the threshold of cold pain and heat pain varies too much.

OBJECTIVERecent studies have found that the variation of G894T on the region of T786C and 7th exon promoted by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene is associated with cardiovascular disease. This research explored possible correlations between eNOS gene polymorphisms and orthostatic intolerance (OI) in children through linkage disequilibrium analysis between eNOS genes T786C and G894T and OI.

METHODSPCR, Macrorestriction Map and other molecular biotechnology were used to determine the genotypes of eNOS/T786C and G894T in 60 OI probands and their parents. Correlation analysis and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) between T786C, G894T and OI were performed.

RESULTSThere was linkage disequilibrium of eNOS/T786C and G894T gene polymorphisms in the occurrence of childhood OI (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSeNOS genes T786C and G894T may be associated with the pathogenesis of OI.

Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Orthostatic Intolerance ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

The medicinal plant resource reserve refers to the natural resources of medicinal plants in a certain time and a certain region within the scope of the volume. In recent years, with the demand of medicinal plant resources surging and the change of the environment and human intervention factors, the medicinal plant resources reserve had accelerated pace of change. It is the prerequisite and basis for the development and utilization of medical plants that how to quickly and accurately attain reserve of some medicinal plants resources, the selection of suitable and accurate estimating method is reliable basis and can guarantee medicinal plant reserve survey, and also is one of the key reserve investigation of success. This paper systematically summarized the estimation method of medicinal plants in recent 30 years, and discussed the basic principle, the estimation model of development and evolution, advantages and disadvantages and applicability, and it aimed to improve the accuracy about reserves survey of medicinal plant resources, and provide scientific and reliable support data to medicinal plants resources for sustainable development and utilization of resources.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Models, Statistical ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo observe the incidence of ventricular desynchronization in patients with or without pacemaker syndrome (PMS).

METHODSThe systolic peak velocity, the acceleration and the time to peak velocity of the interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) lateral wall were detected by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in 14 atrial fibrillation patients without pacemaker implantation (control), 18 atrial fibrillation patients without PMS and 16 atrial fibrillation patients with PMS. All patients were free of valve disease, myocardial infarction, severe pulmonary hypertension, low left ventricular eject fraction (< or = 50%), significant segmental hypokinesis of ventricular wall or complete bundle branch block.

RESULTSCompared to the control patients, the systolic peak velocity and the accelerations on lateral walls of the LV and RV reduced significantly in patients with implanted pacemakers (P < 0.05). The intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and LV lateral walls were significantly prolonged [PMS group (80.13 +/- 26.92) ms vs. (25.60 +/- 4.30) ms, P < 0.01; without PMS group (76.22 +/- 23.32) ms vs. (25.60 +/- 4.30) ms, P < 0.01] and the intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and RV lateral walls significantly shortened [PMS group (16.33 +/- 6.85) ms vs. (40.70 +/- 7.60) ms, P < 0.01; without PMS group (21.20 +/- 7.34) ms vs. (40.70 +/- 7.60) ms, P < 0.01]. The systolic peak velocities, the accelerations of the IVS and bilateral walls and the intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and LV lateral wall were similar in patients with and without PMS (P > 0.05), however, the intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and RV lateral wall was significant shorter in patients with PMS compared to that of patients without PMS [(16.33 +/- 6.85) ms vs. (21.20 +/- 7.34) ms, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONRV desynchronization but not LV desynchronization might play an important role in patients with PMS.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; adverse effects ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Septum

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mifepristone on cell proliferation of human androgen-independent prostate carcinoma cell lines DU-145, PC-3 in vitro and the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODSThe A values of the prostate cancer cells DU-145 and PC-3 in each group with various concentrations (1, 10, 50, 100 micromol/L) of mifepristone at various time intervals (24-120 h) were detected with the colorimetric 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The apoptosis rates of the DU-145 and PC-3 cells treated with 10 micromol/L of mifepristone for 24 h and 48 h were assessed by flow cytometry analysis technique. Immunohistochemical technique was used to determine the expression of bax, bcl-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins after treatment with 10 micromol/L of mifepristone.

RESULTSThe A values of the cancer cells treated with 1 micromol/L of mifepristone were similar to that of controls, while those of the cells treated with 10 micromol/L, 50 micromol/L and 100 micromol/L of mifepristone were significantly different from that of controls (P < 0.01). Mifepristone markedly inhibited cell proliferation of prostate cancer cells DU-145 and PC-3 on a dose- and time-depending manner. The apoptosis rates of 10 micromol/L mifepristone for DU-145 cell line at 24 h, 48 h were respectively 15.3%, 30.4% with flow cytometry method and then PC-3 cell line were respectively 22.2%, 32.0%. Immunohistochemical technique showed the expression of bcl-2 and VEGF in the DU-145 and PC-3 cells treated with 10 micromol/L of mifepristone were significantly decreased, and the expression of bax was increased.

CONCLUSIONSMifepristone can induce apoptosis of androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and PC-3 in vitro. The apoptosis effect is time-and-dose dependent. Mifepristone could initiate a cell death command via apoptotic pathways decreasing the expression of VEGF protein, downregulating the expression of bcl-2 protein and increasing the expression of bax protein.

Androgens ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colorimetry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Hormone Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mifepristone ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of emdogain(EMD) on the expression of the bone sialoprotein(BSP) gene in human dental pulp cells and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of BSP gene regulated by EMD.

METHODSHuman dental pulp was harvested from premolars freshly extracted for orthodontic purpose and cultured. Cells were divided into different concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 250 mg/L) of EMD and control groups (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium). Total RNA of cells was extracted. Human BSP mRNA levels was detected with the real-time PCR. Regulations of EMD on human BSP protein levels were detected with Western blotting.

RESULTSIn the real-time PCR, at the same time point, there were significant differences on BSP mRNA levels between 25, 50, 100 and 250 mg/L EMD groups (7 d:1.79 ± 0.03, 2.03 ± 0.10, 2.67 ± 0.08, 2.94 ± 0.07) and control group (7 d:1.06 ± 0.11) (P < 0.001); at the different time point (1, 3, 5 and 7 d), the same dose(250 mg/L) of EMD stimulated human dental pulp cells, BSP mRNA (2.30 ± 0.06, 2.65 ± 0.05, 2.76 ± 0.05, 2.94 ± 0.07) was increased (P < 0.05). Treatment of human dental pulp cells with EMD (250 mg/L) increased the protein levels.

CONCLUSIONSEMD increases BSP mRNA and protein levels in human dental pulp cells.

Bicuspid ; Cells, Cultured ; Dental Enamel Proteins ; pharmacology ; Dental Pulp ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the changes of the occlusal contact characteristics in adolescent patients during 12 months after active orthodontic treatment.

METHODSTwenty adolescent patients with Hawley retainers after active orthodontic treatment were divided into none occlusal interference group and occlusal interference group. The occlusion of the patients was examined with T-Scan II system directly after the appliance removal (T1) and after an average retention period of 12 months (T2). The changes of occlusal contact characteristics were observed.

RESULTSThe disclusion time during protrusion, left and right lateral movements reduced significantly. The average disclusion time decreased [from (1.07 ± 0.87), (0.91 ± 0.47), (0.76 ± 0.43) s to (0.43 ± 0.25), (0.67 ± 0.41), (0.50 ± 0.27) s] significantly (P < 0.05). The occlusal interference disappeared in 4 patients and 1 patient with occlusal interference showed masticatory muscle symptom. The dynamic occlusion [from (1.25 ± 1.11), (0.84 ± 0.15), (0.52 ± 0.49) s to (0.35 ± 0.15), (0.36 ± 0.15), (0.33 ± 0.11) s] improved significantly (P < 0.05) in none occlusal interference group after retention and no statistical differences were found in the occlusal interference group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe overall dynamic occlusion improved after retention in patients with retainers. The presence of occlusal interference affected the self-improvement process and increased the chance of the disorders of stomatognathic system, such as mandibular abnormal movements. Therefore, functional occlusion evaluation and final detailing were needed before appliance removal.

Adolescent ; Dental Occlusion ; Humans ; Orthodontic Retainers

Objective To observe the influencing of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription on the growth of HepG2 nude mice transplantation tumor and the expression of related factors of vascular mimicry. Methods Models of transplanted tumors, which were made by HepG2 cells in nude mice, were randomly divided into 7 groups, Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group, Astragali Radix group, Curcumae Rhizoma group, Paridis Rhizoma group, Gecko group, cis-platinum group, and model group. Except for the model group, the rest groups were given relevant medicine for intervention. 21 days later. HIF-1α, MMP-2, MMP-9, and E-cad were detected by immunohistochemistry, and Twist1 and Bcl-2 were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results Compared with the model group, tumor volume in the rest groups decreased (P<0.05), and the effect in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group was more obvious than the Astragali Radix group, Paridis Rhizoma group and Gecko group (P<0.05);The expression of vasculogenic mimicry structure was rare in each group, and the model group and cis-platinum group were the most obvious;Except for the Astragali Radix group, the expressions of HIF-1α, MMP-2, and MMP-9 showed statistical significance compared with model group (P<0.05);The expression of E-cad in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group and Astragali Radix group showed statistical significance (P<0.05);The expression of Bcl-2 in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu prescription group, Paridis Rhizoma group, and Gecko group decreased significantly compared with the model group (P<0.05);The expression of Bcl-2 in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu prescription group was much better than the other groups (P<0.05);The expression of Twist1 showed statistical significance in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group, Curcumae Rhizoma group, Paridis Rhizoma group, and cis-platinum group (P<0.05). Conclusion Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription can reduce expression of HIF-1α, Twist1, Bcl-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9, and increase expression of E-cad, thereby inhibiting the formation of vascular mimicry.