Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Humans ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

In this article, the implementation of eye movement tracking system includes three procedures: hardware acquisition, data extraction and overall analysis. The system is based on Camshift algorithm with an eye tracking module added, developed on VC++ 6.0. The system can track the eye movement effectively in simulated phosphene evaluation experiment based on prosthetic vision.
Algorithms ; Analysis of Variance ; Eye Movements ; physiology ; Prosthesis Design

Objective To learn the quality of life (QOL) and mental health status of the physically disabled people in Zhejiang Province,in order to provide evidence for improving the quality of life and mental health of the physically disabled people.Methods Using questionnaires and interviews to make household surveys of 950 physically disabled people.The questionnaire included the brief quality of life scale (SF-36) and the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) in the anxiety and depression scale,physical and mental health status.The basic information and other living conditions of physically disabled people were collected through interviews.Results A total of 907 valid questionnaires were recovered,and the effective response rate was 95.47％.Scores of QOL of 907 physically disabled people was 60.89,and anxiety and depression scores were more than 4 points and there was a high score on anxious and depression.The scores of quality of life,anxiety and depression were not statistically significant between males and females(P ＞0.05).There were significant differences in all dimensions of SF-36 and anxiety and depression in different levels of physically disabled people(P ＜ 0.01).There was a significant negative correlation between the quality of life and anxiety and depression in physically disabled people(rs =-0.626、-0.639,P ＜ 0.01).The multiple linear regression showed that physiological function,role physical,physical pain and general health were the influencing factors of anxiety of the physically disabled people,and role physical,physical pain and general health were the influencing factors of depression of the physically disabled people.Condusion The quality of life of physically disabled people were comparably poor,and presented anxiety,depression and other psychological problems.Physical function status directly affects the quality of life and mental health status.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of carbon disulfide (CS(2)) on the health of workers, and to provide the basis for the further preventive measures.

METHODSThe occupational health examination of 881 workers exposed to CS(2) in a chemical fiber factory was carried out according to the national technical standard of occupational health surveillance. The time weighted average concentrations (TWA) of CS(2) in the workshops of short silk and long silk exceeded the national standard, The workers in these two workshops served as the high exposure group. The workers of the other workshops were classified as low exposure group, in which TWA met the national standard. All exposed workers were also divided into long-term exposure group and short-term exposure group on the basis of average exposure years (16 years). The statistical analysis was used by t test, χ(2), and fisher exact test.

RESULTSThe symptom rates of numbness, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and headache were 12.5%, 8.5%, 8.2%, 7.5%, and 7.2% respectively. The abnormal rates of superficial sensation, three fibrillation, achilles tendon reflex, patellar reflex, EMG, hypertension, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein B were 33.0%, 26.1%, 20.8%, 18.6%, 10.8%, 33.4%, 24.5%, 17.0% and 9.3% respectively. Among the high exposure group, the abnormal detectable rates of dizziness, headache, fatigue, insomnia, numbness, achilles tendon reflex, superficial and deep sensation, EMG, hypertension, ECG, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein in long-term exposure group were significantly higher than those in short-term exposure group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, among the low exposure group, the abnormal rates of the insomnia achilles tendon reflex and superficial sensation in long term exposure group were significantly higher than those of short term exposure group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The detected rates of hypertension, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, creatinine and uric acid were in males significantly greater than those in females (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLong-term exposure to high concentrations of CS(2) could lead to the damage of nervous system, elevate blood pressure and promote the development and progression of hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, CS(2) had greater effects on blood pressure and lipid in males than in females.

Adult ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular System ; Chemical Industry ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiphasic Screening ; Nervous System Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of 267 cases with occupational chronic carbon disulfide (CS(2)) poisoning and to provide the basis for revising the items of periodical medical examination of workers occupationally exposed to CS(2).

METHODSThe subjects of present study were 267 patients with mild CS(2) poisoning diagnosed according to "Diagnostic Criteria of Occupational Chronic Carbon Disulfide Poisoning (GBZ4-2002)" from April in 2006 to May in 2010. All patients were from the same chemical fiber factory. When a subject was diagnosed as patient with CS(2) poisoning, who should interview with questionnaire which included the illness and occupational history, symptoms, individual habits. The physical examination, nervous test, cardiovascular test, biochemical test and electromyogram were performed.

RESULTSThe rate of decreased motor conduction velocity was 87.3% (233/267 roots). The highest detection rate of slowing conduction velocity was the common peroneal motor nerve which was 48.6% (138/248 roots) and the second was median motor nerve with delay rate of 37% (155/419 roots). The main symptoms of the patients were neurasthenia, numbness and paresthesia. The rates of abnormal achilles tendon reflex and knee jerk reflex in patients were were 79.4% and 49.8%, respectively. The detected rates of patients with ST-segment changes and hypertension were 19.1% and 27.5%, respectively. The rates of hypertension, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure were 27.3%, 22.5% and 21.1%, respectively. The rates of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were high. The detected rates of urine acid, indirect bilirubin and total bilirubin in male patients were higher than those in female patients. In addition, the abnormal detected rate of urea nitrogen and indirect bilirubin increased with exposure years.

CONCLUSIONOccupational chronic CS(2) poisoning mainly affects the nervous system, as well as liver and kidney function. Detecting the median and common peroneal motor nerve conduction velocities could be the screening indicators for the peripheral nerve injury induced by CS(2) in the occupational exposure population during the periodical occupational medical examinations.

Adult ; Aged ; Carbon Disulfide ; poisoning ; Chemical Industry ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiphasic Screening ; Nervous System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Neural Conduction ; Occupational Exposure

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of promoter methylation status of hPer3 gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and the in vitro effect of decitabine (DCA) on AML cell lines HL-60 and U937.

METHODSThe promoter methylation status of hPer3 gene and mRNA expression levels in bone marrow of 206 AML and 40 iron deficiency anemia (IDA) patients (as control) were detected by methylation specific PCR (MS-PCR) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The HL-60 and U937 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of DCA for 48 and 72 h. The inhibition rates of cell proliferation were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT); the early apoptosis rates by staining with Annexin V and PI; the CD14 and CD11b expressions by flow cytometry (FCM); the promoter methylation status of hPer3 gene by MS-PCR; and the hPer3 mRNA expressions levels by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe promoter methylation rates of hPer3 in newly diagnosed (ND) group, partial remission(PR) group, complete remission (CR) group, relapse (R) group and control group were 93.65% (59/63), 54.39% (31/57), 24.66% (18/73), 61.54% (8/13) and 0% (0/40), and the hPer3 mRNA expression levels were 0.19 ± 0.08, 6.28 ± 2.11, 52.76 ± 14.17, 8.18 ± 4.36, 75.03 ± 18.16, respectively. There was a significant statistic difference between any two group (P < 0.01) excepting for between PR and R group (P > 0.05). After DCA treatment, the promoter hypermethylation status of hPer3 was reduced and the mRNA and CD14, CD11b expression levels were up regulated in a dose dependent manner with an induction of cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSPromotor methylation status and mRNA expression of hPer3 gene may be indicators for evaluating AML. DCA can induce the expression of hPer3 gene and cells apoptosis in AML.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Period Circadian Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; U937 Cells ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the induction of caspase-8 by γ-interferon (IFNγ) renders neuroblastoma (NB) cells sensitive to tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand(TRAIL).

METHODSCaspase-8 mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. The effects of IFNγ, TRAIL, IFNγ +TRAIL and caspase-8 inhibitor+ TRAIL on the growth and apoptosis of NB cells were detected with the methods of reduction rate of Alamar Blue assay and flow cytometry. The relative caspase-8 activity was measured with colorimetric assay.

RESULTSCaspase-8 expression was detectable in CHP212 cells which were sensitive to TRAIL, with an increased expression after treatment with IFNγ. Caspase-8 was undetectable in SH-SY5Y(SY5Y) cells which were resistant to TRAIL, but an increased expression of caspase-8 mRNA was found after treatment with IFNγ. Moreover, TRAIL combined with IFNγ induced apoptosis in SY5Y cells. The relative caspase-8 activity of CHP212 cells increased with the prolonged TRAIL action time. The relative caspase-8 activity of SY5Y cells in the IFNγ+TRAIL group was significantly higher than those of the control, IFNγ, TRAIL and inhibitor groups.

CONCLUSIONSNB cells expressing caspase-8 are sensitive to TRAIL. TRAIL induces apoptosis in NB cells with an increase of relative caspase-8 activity.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 8 ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Neuroblastoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology

AIMTo search for novel antiasthmatic agents.

METHODSCoupling seratrodast (SD), an antiasthmatic drug, with several different types of NO donors including oxatriazoles, N-hydroxyguanidines and furoxans; evaluating the antiasthmatic effects of coupled compounds by determining their inhibitory activity of guinea pig asthma induced by acetylcholine and histamine; and assessing NO releasing ability.

RESULTSNine novel target compounds (I1-9) were synthesized, and their structures were established by IR, NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Preliminary pharmacological test showed that most of the compounds showed high antiasthmatic activities (the latent period of induced asthma was prolonged from 10 s (SD) to 26-62 s), among which 3 compounds (I4, I6, I7) were more potent than SD (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and released more NO than others. The maximum concentrations (Cmax) of NO-release in vitro were 0.1878, 0.1393 and 0.2473 mg x L(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONNO donating-SD derivatives are worthy to be futher investigated.

Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Benzoquinones ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Guanidines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Heptanoic Acids ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Histamine ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Oxadiazoles ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVEResistin was thought to link the obesity to type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of resistin on insulinoma cell proliferation.

METHODSpcDNA3.1-resistin was transfected into rat insulinoma cells RINm5F. Cell proliferation was assessed by the MTT assay. The resistin and SOCS3 mRNA levels were assessed by RT-PCR. The total Akt level and the phosphorylation status were assessed by Western blot.

RESULTSThe over-expressed resistin inhibited the RINm5F cell proliferation (p<0.05). SOCS-3 expression was up-regulated by resistin over-expression (3.2 folds over the control; p<0.05). Akt phosphorylation was down-regulated by resistin over-expression (0.6 fold over the control; p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSResistin impairs the rat insulinoma cell RINm5F proliferation. This might be attributed to a down-regulation of Akt level caused by increased SOCS-3 expression.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Insulinoma ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Resistin ; genetics ; physiology ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; genetics ; Transfection

Objetive: To investigate whether apoptosis of SGC7901 cells can be induced by the expression of the recombinant gene of anti-HER2 ScFv/tBid. Methods: The recombinant anti-HER2 ScFv/tBid gene was cloned into vector pCMV and the recombinant plasmid was transfected into SGC7901 cells. The gene expression was detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescent staining. Cell counting was carried out to show the effect of the gene transfection on cell growth. At the same time, significant apoptotic peak was detected by flow cytometry in recombinant anti-HER2 ScFv/tBid gene transfected cells. Results: The fusion protein of anti-HER2 ScFv/tBid was observed in the cytoplasm of transfected SGC7901 cells. The transfected cells displayed typical cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. Conclusion: Fusion protein of anti-HER2 ScFv/tBid can induce apoptosis of SGC7901.