BACKGROUND:Aortic root homograft has been widely used, but it stil has a high incidence of calcification and degeneration after operation.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the alteration of biological and immunological properties of rabbit aortic root homograft treated with de-endothelialization and decellularization methods, and to find a better decellularization method.
METHODS:Aortic root homografts obtained from rabbits were randomly divided into fresh group, de-endothelialization group, and decellularization group. The morphology of homografts was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson and VG stainings. The biological properties such as thickness, tensile strength, broken extension rate, and heat shrinkage temperature were detected. The immunological features (inflammatory cellinfiltration, calcium content and CD152 expression) were determined with immunohistochemistry and flame atomic absorption spectrometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As demonstrated in morphological observation, protocols of de-endothelialization and decellularization methods we used attained our desired aim of decellularization perfectly. Tensile strength and broken extension rate of decellularization group were decreased significantly compared with fresh group (P<0.01), while the difference between de-endothelialization group and fresh group was not significant (P>0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that, inflammatory reaction was the most apparent in fresh group, showing a large amount of inflammatory cells infiltration;compared with fresh group, inflammatory reaction was significantly attenuated in de-endothelialization group, the number of inflammatory cells was significantly decreased. The inflammatory reaction was the lowest in the decellularization group, only inflammatory cells infiltrated the tissue edge. Immunohistochemistry showed that, CD152 expression was significantly increased in de-endothelialization and decellularization groups compared with fresh group (P<0.05). Calcium content in de-endothelialization and decellularization groups was significantly decreased compared with fresh group (P<0.05). It could be concluded that the immunogenicity of de-endothelialized and decellularized aortic homografts is decreased significantly, and the de-endothelialization method could better maintain the tensile property.

Bronchitis ; diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

Objective To investigate the consumption status of iodized salt and iodine nutrition status of Tianjin residents,and to provide a scientific basis for iodine supplementation.Methods Sampling methods:① Salt iodine:According to The National Project of Surveillance on IDD,the iodine in salt samples from 18 Tianjin districts (counties) was tested between 2002 to 2011.②Iodine nutritional status of children:Investigation of iodine nutritional status of children was conducted four times in 2002,2005,2009 and 2011.In 2002 and 2005,two primary schools were selected in each district.By age,gender parity principle,40 subjects aged from 8 to 10 in each school were randomly selected to perform thyroid examination and 20 of them were selected to collect urine samples for determination of urinary iodine.In 2009,according to their sub-area positions in the north,the south,the east,the west and the center of each district,5 primary schools were selected in each town (if there were less than five towns in the district,all towns had been selected).Twenty subjects aged from 8 to 10 in each school were selected to collect urine samples for determination of urinary iodine.In 2011,probability sampling method (PPS) was used to select 30 primary schools,and then 40 children aged from 8 to 10 were randomly selected in each school to examine thyroids.At the same time,urine samples from 12 children of the 40 selected children were tested.③Iodine nutritional status of women of childbearing age:In 2007,2008 and 2010,150,50 and 60 women of childbearing age were selected in Hangu District,urine samples of them were collected for determination of urinary iodine.④Iodine nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women:In 2011,3 towns around each primary school were selected.Five pregnant and five lactating women were selected in each town,urine samples of them were collected for determination of urinary iodine.Test methods:①Salt iodine was tested by direct titration,while Sichuan salt and other reinforced edible salt by arbitration determination based on the General Test Method in Salt Industry-Determination of Iodide Ion (GB/T 13025.7-1999).②Thyroid was tested by B-type-ultrasound and judged according to Diagnostic Criterion of Endemic Goiter (WS 276-2007).③Urinary iodine was tested by the Method for Determination of Iodine in Urine by As3+-Ce4+ Catalytic Spectrophotometry (WS/T 107-2006).Results From 2002 to 2011,the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt,the rate of qualified iodized salt,the coverage rate of iodized salt,the rate of non-iodinated salt was 92.7％(43 489/46 926),97.4％(43 489/44 694),95.1％ (44 694/46 926) and 4.8％(2273/46 926),respectively.The median salt iodine was in the range of 29.2-36.7 mg/kg.Children's urinary iodine was monitored 4 times,the median urinary iodine was 228.0,221.5,191.8; and 194.7 μg/L,respectively.Children goiter rates were 2.1％(27/1258),1.6％(19/1186) and 2.1％(26/1219) of the 3 times monitored.The median urinary iodine in pregnant and lactating women was 145.2 and 136.0 μg/L.The median urinary iodine in women of childbearing age was 130.7,196.1 and 229.5 μg/L,which increased with the increase of coverage of iodized salt.Conclusions The iodine nutrition of Tianjin residents,women of childbearing age and lactating women are at appropriate level.The iodine nutrition of pregnant women is lower than appropriate level.Recommended salt iodine level in our city is 30 mg/kg,or 25 mg/kg for ordinary residents,and 30 mg/kg for pregnant women.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of adult osteofluomsis in the endemic fluomsis areas in Tianjin and to provide scientific foundation for endemic fluorosis.Methods Stratified sampling in 55 villages were selected in 3 areas with slight,moderate and severe fluorosis regions in Tianjin from April to June in 2008.Water fluorine were tested and clinical osteofluorosis examinations were conducted to the population aging 16 and above in the villages.Tweenty villages were selected randomly in the slight,moderate and severe fluorosis regions.X-ray osteofluorosis examination were conducted to patients and suspected patients in these 20 villages.Results The geometric mean fluoride content in the water for the 3 areas were 1.35 mg/L,3.44 mg/L,5.49 mg/L,respectively.The prevalence of osteofluorosis were 36.7%(44/120),20.6%(33/160),39.4%(43/109),respectively.The prevalence of osteofluorosis Was increased gradually(r=0.534,P<0.01)and the symptoms and signs of the disease were more serious(H=84.813,P<0.01).The prevalence of X-ray diagnosis Was increased gradually(r=0.990,P<0.01)and signs of the disease were more severe(H=25.169,P<0.01)with an increase in age.There was no statistical significance of prevalence rate of osteofluorosis between males and females,regardless if it Was a clinical diagnosis(X2=0.343,P>0.05)or an X-ray diagnosis(X2=3.532,P>0.05).Conclusions Adult osteofluorosis to a certain extent is still prevalent in the fluorosis areas in Tianjin.Endemic fluorosis is still rampant.Improving water in fulorosis areas should be mandatory.

Objective To explore the implementation situation and influencing factors of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) after receiving post-abortion care (PAC) in artificial abortion women.Methods According to the demographic characteristics and abortion risks,4 068 artificial abortion women in the family planning clinic of our hospital were classified.The LARC implementation situation after receiving PAC was compared among different characteristic populations.The Chi square test was utilized to analyze the statistical significance of the data by SAS software.Results The LARC rate in young women was 7.9%),which was lower than 27.7% in 19-40 years old women and 11.8% in perimenopausal women;the LARC rate in nulliparous women was 10.6%,which was lower than 27.7% in parous women;the LARC rate in high-risk abortion women was 33.1%,which was higher than 16.6% in low-risk abortion women,these data analysis had statistically significant significance (P<0.05).The LARC rate in ≤ 20 years old women among high-risk abortion women,breastfeeding women,delivery women within three months,cesarean section women within six months and more than three times artificial abortion women was low (< 50%).However,the LARC rate in the scar pregnancy women and more than two times cesarean section women was high (> 80%).Conclusion Young women,nulliparous women and postpartum women in high-risk artificial abortion should be ranked the focus group for PAC consulting.

Objective To study the changes of behavior and depression-like classic indicators after hippocampal microinjection of K252a,and to establish a new animal model of depression.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into five groups,namely the control group,sham group,chronic stress depression model group,hippocampal of K252a microinjection group,and hippocampal microinjection K252a plus chronic stress group.Open field experiments,sucrose consumption test,and Morris water maze behavioral assay were used to assess the behavioral changes in the rats.ELISA was used to detect the plasma monoamine neurotransmitter,radioimmunoassay was used to determine the plasma CRH,ACTH,CORT contents,and western-blotting was performed to observe the protein expression of BDNF,CREB,ERK1/2,and BCL-2 in the hippocampus.Results Compared with the control group,the amount of activity,sugar consumption,learning and memory abilities were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),also the serum monoamine neurotransmitters were decreased (P<0.01),HPA axis function was improved (P<0.01),and the expression of BDNF,CREB,ERK1/2,BCL-2 decreased in the CUMS group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),but there was no significant difference in the DMSO group.Compared with the DMSO group,the activity,consumption of sucrose,learning and memory ability were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the HPA axis function was increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01),the serum monoamine neurotransmitters decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the BDNF,CREB,ERK1/2,BCL-2 expressions in the hypocampus were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01) in the K252a group and K252a + CUMS group.Compared with the CUMS group,the K252a group and K252a + CUMS group did not show significant changes in these parameters.Compared with the K252a group,these indicators were not significantly changed in the K252a + CUMS group.Conclusions The results of behavior,hematology,and molecular biology analysis show that this model has a great similarity to the classical model of CUMS in surface validity,construct validity,and functional validity.It may provide an alternative investigative technology platform for basic research and antidepressant drug screening.

Objective To understand the current development situation and the existing problems and deficiencies of the exercise cardiopulmonary rehabilitation development in Level 2 and above the general hospitals in Chongqing, and to analyze and find out the factors restricting the development of cardiopul-monary rehabilitation in Chongqing, and put forward suggestions for reform and development. Methods Through literature research, field visits and questionnaire survey, the condition of 115 Level Two compre-hensive hospital's rehabilitation and exercise cardiopulmonary rehabilitation development in Chongqing was understood. Among them, 500 questionnaires were sent to 6 hospitals concerned with cardiopulmonary rehabilitation service, and 483 questionnaires were received with 351 valid questionnaires. Epidata3.1 and SPSS 13.0 statistical software were used to gather research data. Results The settings rate of 115 secondary general hospital rehabilitation was 41.7％, while only 6 hospitals carried out cardiac rehabilitation and cardio pulmonary rehabilitation. There were few rehabilitation beds, the basic staffing was inadequate and the medical staff ratio was only 2 to 2.6. Besides, there is a severe shortage of full-time health instructors.Conclusion The clinical sports cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in Chongqing is as following: The construc-tion of hospital related policies is lagging behind, the overall development of rehabilitation therapy is unbal-anced, the development is late and the level of operation is low. While the lack of professional health movement means that instructors and medical staff have cognitive impairment, residents have low accep-tance of sports rehabilitation therapy and there are insufficient pathogens, which are the main factors that restrict the development of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and chronological change of ulcerative colitis(UC) in the Chinese PLA General Hospital in near 16 years. Methods Patients diagnosed with UC during the period from 1994 to 2009 in the Chinese PLA General Hospital were registered and their clinical profiles were analyzed. Results From 1994 to 2009, of 525 patients diagnosed with UC, with a median onset age of 42 years. The predominant form of UC was extensive colitis, which affected almost 33.3% (175/525), left-sided colitis was present in 21.3% (112/525) and rectum was present in 12.4%(65/525). The chronic relapsing type of UC was the most common (69.0%, 362/525 ), followed by the initial onset type (18. 1%, 95/525 ), chronic continuous type with intermittent exacerbations (9.7%,51/525), and acute fulminant type (3. 2%, 17/525 ). Two hundred and twenty-one patients (42. 1%,221/525) were graded as mild, 162 (30.9% , 162/525) as moderate, and 142(27.0%, 142/525) as severe UC. The proportion of mild colitis and rectum was significantly higher in patients with an onset age of over 60 years, compared with those with an onset age of less than 30 years( P ＜0. 05 ). The proportion of UC patients with old age onset ( P ＜ 0. 05 ), male sex ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), mild colitis ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), rectum ( P ＜0. 01 ) , relapse-free type ( P ＜ 0. 01 ) demonstrated a chronological increase from 1994 to 2009.Conclusions The distinctive clinical features and chronological change were seen in UC patients in recent years. Compare to those with an onset at less than 30 years, the proportion of mild colitis and rectum was significantly larger in patients with an onset at over 60 years of age, and the proportion of UC patients with old age onset, male sex, mild colitis, rectum, relapse type were less.

The microstructure of cationic cyclopeptide (TD-34) treated Caco-2 cell membrane was observed, and we discussed the relationship between membrane structure and insulin transmembrane permeability. Atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to observe living cell membrane in air condition and tapping mode. Results showed that the surface of Caco-2 cell membrane treated with TD-34 lost its smoothness and nearly doubled its roughness. Apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) of insulin in Caco-2 cell monolayers increased 2.5 times. In conclusion, AFM can be used to observe microstructure of cationic cyclopeptide treated cell membrane and cationic cyclopeptide enhanced insulin delivery across Caco-2 cell membrane by increasing membrane fluidity.
Caco-2 Cells ; Cations ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; drug effects ; Humans ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Peptides, Cyclic ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEKawasaki disease (KD) is a common autoimmune vasculitis. It has been regarded as the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. This study aimed to assess the relationship between genome-wide association study (GWAS)-linked gene loci and KD.

METHODBy March of 2013, the published GWAS literatures of KD were retrieved from the databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang, and the gene loci associated with KD at genome-wide significance of P < 5.0×10(-8) were determined. For each of the gene loci, one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with strong association with KD was chosen for meta-analysis. Then the published case-control studies reporting the associations of the SNPs with KD were collected from English and Chinese databases with the same criteria. The Meta-analyses were conducted with RevMan 5.1 software after screening and evaluation.

RESULTA total of 4 gene loci including FCGR2A, BLK, CD40 and HLA were observed having association with KD at genome-wide significance of P < 5.0×10(-8) in at least one GWAS. The risk alleles of the SNPs in the gene loci were all more common in patients with KD relative to controls in the systematic reviews with 8, 4, 6 and 4 extracted case-control studies, respectively[ FCGR2A rs1801274: P < 0.001, OR = 1.40, 95% CI (1.30, 1.51); BLK rs2254546: P < 0.001, OR = 1.69, 95% CI (1.52, 1.88); CD40 rs4813003: P < 0.001, OR = 1.31, 95% CI (1.22, 1.41); HLA rs2857151: P < 0.001, OR = 1.41, 95% CI (1.27, 1.57)]. The significant publication bias was not observed in the meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONOur results confirmed the overall association of the 4 gene loci with KD in observed populations, together with the consistent presence of the relationship between BLK or HLA and KD in the populations, suggesting that it is hopeful to find the genetic marker combination predicting the risk of KD, the formation of secondary coronary artery lesions and the resistance of intravenous immunoglobulin, by further seeking the function SNPs of the gene loci and investigating the effect on the important clinical phenotypes of KD.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Loci ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, IgG ; genetics