Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Humans ; Paraquat ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of chronic hypoxia on left and right ventricular function and the expression of cardiac transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels in rats.

METHODSForty eight SD male rats were randomly divided into control group (CON) and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension model group (CH) (n = 24). In CH group, rats were exposed in chronic hypoxia environment (10% +/- 0.2% O2) to induce myocardial hypertrophy. After 3 weeks, mean systemic arterial pressure (mSAP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of rise (LV/RV + dp/dt(max)), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of descent (LV/RV-dp/dt(max)), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy index (LVMI) were measured. Left and right ventricular myocardium tissue sections were stained by HE and observed under light microscope. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of TRPC subfamily.

RESULTSRVSP, RVMI, RV + dp/dt(max) and RV-dp/dt(max) were markedly elevated in CH group (P < 0.01) in comparison to CON group. LVMI was markedly reduced in CH group in comparison to CON group (P < 0.01). LVSP, LV + dp/dt(max) and LV- dp/dt(max) had no significant changes in CH group in comparison to CON group. Right ventricular myocardial cells of CH group became thick, the nuclei stained deeply, the shape of nuclei became not regularity. Left ventricular myocardial fibers did not change significantly. There was significant difference in the levels of mRNA and protein of TRPC1 between CON and CH groups.

CONCLUSIONFor three weeks exposed to chronic hypoxia induced right ventricular hypertrophy specifically, raised the mRNA and protein expression of TRPC1 on right ventricular myocardial cells . TRPC1 might be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transient Receptor Potential Channels ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Right ; physiology

The role of methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) in an ApoE-deficient mouse model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was investigated. Eight-week-old Mbd2/ApoE double deficient (Mbd2(-/-) ApoE(-/-)) mice (n=12, 24 eyes, experimental group) and MBD2 (wt) ApoE(-/-) mice (n=12, 24 eyes, control group) were fed on Western-type diet for 4 months. The mice were sacrificed, and total serum cholesterol levels were analyzed and Bruch's membrane (BM) of the eyes was removed for ultrastructural observation by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) immunoreactivities were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy in sections of the eyes in both groups for further understanding the function mechanism of MBD2. There was no significant difference in the total serum cholesterol levels between control group and experimental group (P>0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that AMD-like lesions, various vacuoles accumulated on BM, notable outer collagenous layer deposits and dilated basal infoldings of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were seen in both groups, and the BM in control group was significantly thickened as compared with experimental group (P<0.05). Fluorescence micrographs exhibited the expression of ICAM-1 in choroid was higher in control group than in experimental group. We are led to conclude that MBD2 gene knockout may lead to accumulation of more deposits on the BM and influence the pathogenesis of AMD via triggering endothelial activation and inflammatory response in choroid, improving microcirculation, and reducing lipid deposition so as to inhibit the development of AMD-like lesions. Our study helps to provide a new therapeutic approach for the clinical treatment of AMD.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of multiple-injuries of bone and joint in the belief that a better knowledge of such injuries may help their prevention and treatment. Methods A retrospective study was done on the data of 346 patients with multiple-injuries of bone and joint who had been ad- mitted to our department from January 2001 to December 2004. On the basis of CAI's classification, the following data were statistically analyzed: gender, age, cause of injury, injured part, number of injured parts, associated injuries and mortality. Results Of the 346 injured patients, there were 278 males and 68 females, with an av- erage age of 32.8 years (9months to 89 years). Two hundred and twenty-six cases resulted from traffic accidents, 65 from crush by a heavy object, and 52 from falling. There were 159 fractures of shaft of tibia and fibula, 96 fractures of femoral shaft, 87 fractures of shaft of ulna and radius, 58 fractures of ankle and foot, 57 chest injuries, 50 knee injuries, 50 hip injuries, 49 injuries at the pelvis region, 46 wrist and hand injuries, 36 injuries of shoulder, 36 skull fractures, 33 fractures of humeral shaft, 23 spinal fractures, and 17 elbow injuries. Two hundred and forty-two patients had two parts injured, 83 had three parts, 20 had four parts, and one had six parts. The average number of injured parts was 2.3. Two hundred and five patients suffered from close injuries, and 141 from open ones. The associated injuries included skull and brain injury in 51 cases, chest injury in 23, abdomen injury in five, urine system injury in three, nerve and vessel injury in 21, shock in 78, and fat embolism in six. Five patients died. Conclusions Male young people tend to be the majority of victims of multiple-injuries of bone and joint. Traffic accidents result in most of such injuries. Since multiple-injuries mostly involve lower limbs, they are easy to diagnose while the associated close injuries involving brain, chest, abdomen and pelvic are likely to be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Strengthening safety education and technical training of first aid is important to im- provement of treatment and to decrease of disability rate and mortality.

This study is to determine six chlorogenic acids (chlorogenic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid) by quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS). Chlorogeinc acid was used as internal reference to calculate the relative correction factors (RCF) of five compounds. Then the ruggedness of relative correction factors was tested on different instruments and columns. Meanwhile, a total of 4 batches of Lonicerae Flos and 20 batches of Lonicerae Flos extract with five different processing procedures were analyzed by external standard method (ESM) and QAMS, respectively. The ruggedness of relative correction factors was good. And the analytical results calculated by ESM and QAMS showed no difference. The quantitative method established was suitable for the quality evaluation of Lonicerae Flos extract.
Biomarkers ; analysis ; Chlorogenic Acid ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the iodine nutritional status of targeted population in the high-risk areas of iodine deficiency disorders in Chongqing, so as to provide scientific evidence for establishing prevention and remedial measures. Methods Six towns were selected in Chengkou and Wuxi Counties to found suspected dementia patients born after first Jan, 1997. Two hundred children aged 8-10 years were investigated in every town. The thyroid volume, intelligence quotient(IQ) and urinary iodine of the children were examined. Forty women (pregnant and nursing women) were investigated in every town. The iodine content of salt from their home was measured. The thyroid volume was examined by palpation and B-uhrasound. IQ was measured by combined Raven Test in China(CRT-RC2). Urinary iodine was determined using the acid digest arsenic-cerium contacting method, and iodined salt was detected using direct titration method. Results Six suspected dementia patients were found in the local town hospital. Five eases were excluded. There was 1 case born in other place. The rates of goiter by palpation and B-ultrasound were 9.58%(92/960) and 8.89%(65/731), respectively. The median of urinary iodine of children and women was 319.15 μg/L and 248.42 μg/L, respectively. The mean of IQ of the children was 103.32. The coverage rate of iodine salt from residents was 98.82%(336/340). Conclusions The iodine nutrition of children was good and there is no newly occurred cretinism in Chengkou and Wuxi Counties. Goiter rate and median of urinary iodine aged 8-10 years and of women, coverage rate of iodine salt from resident has meet the standard set for basical elimination iodine deficiency disorders.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of double balloon endoscopy (DBE) in the elderly. Methods Clinical manifestations and endoscopic findings of 42 elderly patients (aged 60-80 years) and 73 young and middle-aged patients (aged 12-59 years) with small bowel lesions were obtained and compared. Factors influencing the diagnostic outcome of DBE in patients with small bowel bleeding were identified,and the optimal check time after the latest bleeding was determined.Results The procedures of 85.7％ (36/42) in the elderly and 79.5％(58/73) in young and middle aged were completed (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the procedure time between the two age groups.No severe complications were observed in the elderly group.The overall positive rate by double balloon enteroscopy examination were 71.4 ％ (30/42) and 63.0 ％ (46/73),respectively in the two groups (P＞ 0.05). Ulcer and tumor lesions were the most common findings,and diverticula and angiodysplasia were the second common findings. Longer duration of bleeding and higher number of bleeding episodes were found in the elderly with positive DBE findings than those with negative findings. Positive diagnostic rate was significantly higher when DBE was performed within 7 days than that after 7 days (90％ vs. 40％). Conclusions DBE is a safe,reliable diagnostic modality,especially in the elderly patients with small bowel bleeding in which ulcer and tumor lesions are the most common identifications.DBE is of greater benefit in patients with more bleeding episodes over a long period,and should be performed within 7 days after the last bleeding.

The interaction between Gliotoxin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by the fluo-rescence, Circular Dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) techniques. The fluorescent experiment showed that the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was quenched by the binding of gliotoxin in a static quenching procedure, with an association constant of 7.2?103 L/mol and in hydropobic forces. And the CD spectrum revealed that gliotoxin effected the conformation of BSA by increased the mass of ?-helix.

Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 3 patients from 1 pedigree with congenital nephrogenie diabetes insipidus (NDI) and their 12 family members.The whole coding region of the arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) gene was amplified by PCR and then directly sequenced,A mutation of AVPR2 gene [g1236T→C (L292P)]was found in 3 patients.The patients' mothers were found to have both mutant and normal alleles.

Objective To provide supporting evidence to prevention and controlling of caries in preschool children in Huangpu District(Eastern Part), by studying the influence of their habits at home on the prevalence of caries. Methods The oral health of preschool children in Huangpu District was examined, and their habits at home were recorded through survey questionnaire, including sugary diet, tooth brushing, parents′ attitude for oral health. Results Sugary diet could affect the prevalence of caries.There was no association between dental caries and times of tooth brushing.Parents′ attitude for oral health is the risk factor for the children′s caries. Conclusion Because of the higher prevalence of caries in the children in our district, effective measures should be taken.In addition, policy should consider how to ensure that children with high-risk dental caries receive adequate prevention and early care.