Background Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)has been reported to have beneficial effect on cardiac dysfunction in post infarction and doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy.Objective To investigate the effects of G-CSF on cardiac remodeling in cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ).Methods Thirty-six male wild type mice(WT)were allocated randomly to receive subcutaneously G-CSF(10 ?g/kg per day, n=9),or Ang Ⅱ(2.88 mg/kg per day,n=9),or Ang Ⅱ plus G-CSF(Ang Ⅱ 2.88 mg/kg+G-CSF 10 ?g/kg,n =9)for 4 weeks with untreated WT(n=9)as controls.Blood pressure and cardiac function were measured. Heart weight/body weight ratio,myocyte cross-sectional area and fibrosis area were determined.The mRNA ex- pression of osteopontin(OPN)in myocardium was detected by RT-PCR.The expressions of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE),ACE2 and phosph-p70S6 kinase protein in myocardium were assessed by Western-Blot.Results Ang Ⅱ significantly elevated blood pressure(SBP,Ang Ⅱ:139.7?1.6 vs WT:108.7?2.3 mmHg,P0.05),but significantly attenuated the myocyte cross-sectional area(Ang Ⅱ+G-CSF:181.06?0.11 vs Ang Ⅱ:202.02?0.16 ?m~2,P

OBJECTIVETo study the relations between different feeding patterns and the body weight retention of the perinatal women living in rural areas of China.

METHODSA cluster sampling method was used to investigate 409 women, who are currently living in rural areas of Tianjin, at pregnant and perinatal status. While, their body weights and heights before pregnancy, antepartum and postpartum were measured, respectively. Body weight retention was the difference of the measured data after postpartum minus pre-pregnant weight. Variance analysis was used for statistic comparison.

RESULTSThe rate of exclusive breastfeeding was 70.9% (290/409) within four months. The net body weight retention of women (5.8 kg) using the exclusive breastfeeding was lower than that of the women (7.0 kg) using artificial feeding within 4 - 6 months, but there was no significantly statistic difference (F = 1.45, P = 0.236). However, there was the opposite result within 7 - 9 months, the data showed that the body weight retention in the women using the exclusive breastfeeding was 4.9 kg, which was significantly higher than that the women (2.9 kg) with artificial feeding (F = 3.17, P = 0.043). The food consumption of the women (901 g) using exclusive breastfeeding was the highest, followed by those (877 g) using mixed feeding and the women (750 g) using artificial feeding.

CONCLUSIONThe body weight retention after postpartum should be related to infant feeding patterns. After postpartum, the weight loss of women using the exclusive breastfeeding is relatively low. While, for the women using the exclusive breastfeeding, the net weight retention during pregnancy and after postpartum were lower than those with artificial feeding. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance health education and guidance on promoting exclusive breast-feeding as well as increasing awareness on pre-pregnant health.

Body Weight ; Breast Feeding ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Infant ; Rural Population ; Sampling Studies

OBJECTIVETo screen low molecular weight protein biomarkers relevant to portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT) in serum of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSSerum samples were obtained from 12 healthy volunteers, 12 HCC patients without PVTT and 12 HCC patients with PVTT. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in which the second dimension was 16% SDS-PAGE, serum protein images of the 3 groups were analyzed by ImageMaster software. The differential protein spots were further identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS.

RESULTSComparing the results using 12.5% SDS-PAGE gel, there were more protein bands (between 3 x 10(3) and 20 x 10(3)) and low molecular weight (MW) protein spots (less than 20 x 10(3)) were clearly shown in the 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Fifteen differential protein spots representing 5 proteins were found in the 3 groups by inter-class comparison and they were then identified. Compared with those in the healthy group, apolipoprotein A-I, lipoprotein CIII, transthyretin and DNA topoisomerase II were all down regulated in HCC groups and haptoglobin-2 was over expressed. All 5 proteins decreased more in the PVTT group than in the non-PVTT group.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of low MW serum protein obviously changes in the beginning and in the progressive stage of HCC, and differentially expressed low MW proteins might be potential biomarkers in an early prognostic prediction and surveillance in the treatment for HCC and PVTT.

Adult ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Proteome ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shouwu-Huanjing Recipe(SWHJR) medicated serum on human sperm motility and fertility in vitro.

METHODSHuman sperm was co-cultured with SWHJR medicated serum in vitro. Human sperm motility was evaluated by computer-assisted semen analysis(CASA). The acrosome reaction and the capability of penetrating zona-free hamster eggs were also observed.

RESULTSThe co-cultured SWHJR medicated serum significantly increased the sperm motion velocity(VAP, VCL, VSL) (P < 0.01), the amplitude of lateral head movement (ALH) and the beat frequency of flagellum(BCF), the density of progressive motility sperms (P < 0.05), the acrosome reaction rate(P < 0.001), the fertilization rate(FR) and the fertilization index (FI) in sperm penetration assay(SPA) test (P < 0.01). The stimulation of SWHJR medicated serum occurred in dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSWHJR can improve human sperm motility and fertility.

Acrosome Reaction ; Animals ; Cricetinae ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mesocricetus ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

Adult ; Aged ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Thrombospondin 1 ; genetics

BACKGROUNDHigh levels of nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) have been associated with atherosclerosis processes. Naoxintong is a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to detect and quantify changes of iNOS mRNA and NO levels in the vessel wall after the administration of Naoxintong in an atherosclerotic rabbit model.

METHODSForty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8). Rabbits were fed a standard diet (group A), an atherogenic diet consisting of 79% standard feed + 1% cholesterol + 5% lard + 15% egg yolk powder (group B), an atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 0.25 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group C), an atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 0.5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group D), or atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 1.0 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group E) for 12 weeks.

RESULTSSupplemented administration of Naoxintong led to a down-regulation of cholesterol (CHOL) (P < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.001). The trend became more notable as the dose of Naoxintong increased; group C vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.568; LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), P = 0.119), group D vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.264; LDL-C, P = 0.027), group E vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.028; LDL-C, P = 0.002). Atherosclerotic lesions in aorta were reduced in Naoxintong groups (groups C, D, E) compared to group B. Group B had higher iNOS mRNA (P = 0.001) and NO level (P < 0.001) than group A. Compared with the atherogenic diet fed-rabbits, Naoxintong supplements decreased the expression of iNOS mRNA (P < 0.001) and the NO level (P < 0.001) in the vessel wall. Groups given a higher Naoxintong dose exhibited greater benefits. iNOS mRNA and NO levels seemed to be reduced in group C, although the difference did not quite reach statistical significance (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.130; NO, P = 0.038). iNOS mRNA and NO levels significantly decreased in group D (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.019; NO, P = 0.018) and group E (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.004; NO, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONNaoxintong has beneficial effects on atherosclerosis treatment by reducing expression of iNOS mRNA and the NO level in the vessel wall.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits

BACKGROUNDDespite the large scale technical innovations that have been made, a number of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are lacking NMO-IgG in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Longitudinally extensive spinal cord (LESC) lesions and linear lesions are associated with NMO. However, differences of spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, including LESC lesions and linear lesions, between NMO-IgG positive and negative patients still remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between NMO-IgG status and spinal cord MRI features in NMO patients, particularly concerned about LESC lesions and linear lesions.

METHODSClinical data and spinal cord MRI of 52 NMO patients were retrospectively analyzed. Eight patients were NMO-IgG negative in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid, while 44 were NMO-IgG positive. Quantitative data between the two cohorts were compared by the Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test, the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate qualitative data.

RESULTSNMO-IgG negative patients had a higher sex ratio (male/female) (P = 0.014). On axial MRI, lesions in the NMO-IgG negative group were mostly located in the peripheral cord (50%), and central lesions (55%) were more common in the NMO-IgG positive group (P = 0.051). LESC lesions were common in both cohorts. None of linear lesions was found in NMO-IgG negative patients, while the NMO-IgG positive cohort had significantly more linear lesions (48%) (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONSPatients with NMO-IgG negativity may have different spinal cord lesion features compared to NMO-IgG positive patients. Diagnosis of NMO cannot be excluded even when NMO-IgG negativity and non-specific spinal lesions occur.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the short-term efficacy and safety of Shenqi mixture (SQM) combined with microwave coagulation in treating primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSSeventy-two patients with primary HCC of stage II-III, Karnofsky scoring > or = 50 scores and predicted survival period > or = 3 months were selected and randomly assigned into two groups, the treated group and the control group, 36 in each. Microwave therapy was applied to both groups by double leads, 60 W, 800 sec once a week for two weeks. To the treated group, SQM was given additionally through oral intake of 20 ml, three times a day for 1 month. The changes in tumor size, main symptoms, serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), immune function and adverse reaction were observed after treatment and the immune parameters of the patients were compared with 30 healthy persons in the normal control group.

RESULTS(1) In the SQM treated group, after treatment 3 patients got completely remitted (CR), 24 partial remitted (PR), 4 unchanged (NC) and 5 progressively deteriorated (PD), the effective rate being 75.00%; while in the control group, 1 got CR, 19 PR, 9 NC and 7 PD, the effective rate being 55.56%. Comparison of the effective rate between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05). (2) AFP level decreased after treatment in both groups, but the decrement in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). (3) After treatment, in the treated group, CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+) and NK activity were improved, Karnofsky scores increased and liver function bettered, with these improvements significantly superior to those in the control group (P < 0.01). (4) The improvement in symptoms such as hepatic region pain, fever, weakness, poor appetite and jaundice in the treated group after treatment was also superior to that in the control group (P < 0.01). (5) The 12-month, 18-month and 24-month survival rates were higher and the recurrence rate was lower in the treated group than those in the control group, showing significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombined therapy with SQM and microwave coagulation could not only kill the tumor and residue tumor cells to prevent recurrence, but also enhance the cellular immunity of organism. It is one of the effective therapies for patients with middle-advanced hepatocarcinoma, who have lost the chance of surgical operation. It could improve clinical symptoms, elevate the quality of life, prolong the survival period of patients, but shows no evident adverse reaction.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; immunology ; mortality ; pathology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; mortality ; pathology ; Male ; Microwaves ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Survival Rate ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

With the deepening research on pathogenesis of depression, the focus has diverted from the mechanism of regulating monoamines to the basic pathophysiology of depression and the long-term mechanism of antidepressant treatments. cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the brain, especially in the hippocampi, as a converging agent of many intracellular signaling transduction pathways is getting increasing attention. To better understand the basic pathophysiology of depression and the long-term mechanism of antidepressant treatments, it is significant to make clear the correlation between hippocampal CREB and antidepressant treatments. This review mainly refers to the formation of CREB and its distribution in hippocampi, the upstream signaling transduction pathways of hippocampal CREB and antidepressant treatments, and the possible antidepressant mechanisms by regulating hippocampal CREB.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Depression ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Signal Transduction

[Objective]To investigate the safety and efficacy of phosphorylcholine oligomer grafted graphene oxide as a drug carrier for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of liver cancer.[Methods]Doxorubicin loaded folic acid labeled phosphorylcholine oligomer grafted graphene oxide(DOX@GO-PCn-FA)was prepared. Graphene ox-ide(GO)and DOX@GO-PCn-FA were injected intravenously via marginal ear vein in New Zealand white rabbits respec-tively to assess their safety and biodistribution for intravenous administration.Ten male New Zealand rabbits were used to establishe the VX2 liver cancer model and the tumor characteristics were confirmed by dynamic contrast enhanced CT scan.Catheter was inserted via femoral artery and advanced into hepatic lobar or segmental artery.Digital subtraction angi-ography(DSA)was performed to validate the tumor feeding vessels.DOX@GO-PCn-FA was injected through the cathe-ter to carry out selective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). Dynamic enhanced CT scan and pathological examinations of major tissues and organs were implemented 7 days post TACE to evaluate the efficacy of embolization effect of DOX@GO-PCn-FA against liver tumor as well as the biodistribution and safety.[Results]Intravenous injection of GO resulted in significant thrombosis and pulmonary embolism whereas DOX@GO-PCn-FA of same dosage did not. DOX@GO-PCn-FA was capable of effectively diminishing the blood supply of liver tumors when applied in TACE. Pathologic exploration revealed that DOX@ GO-PCn-FA mainly deposited in the tumor,and no obvious complications were observed.[Conclusions]GO-PCn presented superior biocompatibility and exerted effective chemoembolization against liver cancer.