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

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

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalein on the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the TM4 Sertoli cells of the mouse testis and its related mechanism.

METHODSWe measured the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of baicalein on the TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse testis by MTT, detected the fluorescence transfer of the TM4 Sertoli cells by parachute assay, and determined the expression of the protein connexin 43 ( Cx43) in the baicalein-treated cells by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSBaicalein produced no obvious cytotoxicity on the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration below 60 µmol/L but significantly increased their GJIC at 0-20 µmol/L (P < 0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that 0-20 µmol/L baicalein remarkably elevated the expression of Cx43 in the TM4 cells (P < 0.01) and on the membrane of the TM4 cells.

CONCLUSIONBaicalein at the concentration of 0-20 µmol/L can significantly enhance GJIC in mouse TM4 Sertoli cells by increasing the expression of the Cx43 protein.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Humans ; Microtomy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Staining and Labeling ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology

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 evaluate the effect of digital subtraction angiography and transcatheter embolization for gastrointestinal hemorrhage.Methods Twenty patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage received celiac arteries,superior mesenteric arteries and inferior mesenteric arteries angiography. Superselective angiography were performed when the arteries were suspicious by clinic or angiogrraphy.Ten patients with definite diagnosis and manifestation of hemorrhagic arteries by angiography were embolized after superseleetive catheterization with gelfoam particles,gelfoam particles and coils,polyvinyl alcohol particles. Results The positive signs were observed in 13 cases.The DSA features including contrast medium accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract outside vascular,aneurysm,tumorous vascularization and staining, artery affect and local vasospasm.The bleedings were stopped immediately in 8 patients.No rebleeding and intestinal ischaemia or necrosis were observed in 30 days.One patient died in the second day after embolization from multiple organ failure.Rebleeding occurred 3 days after embolization in another patient, and was recovered after surgical operation.Conclusion DSA is more effective for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal vascular malformation and tumors complicating acute bleeding.Transcatheter embolization is effective and safe to control the hemorrhage.

Objective To sum up the therapeutic results of 125 cases of tetralogy of Fallot(TOF),and ex- plore the optimal time and risk factors of opration,as well as perioperative management.Methods One hundred and thirth-one consecutive cases of TOF underwent corrective surgery.There were simple stenosis of infundibular portion in right ventricular outflow tract in 37 cases,stenosis of infundibulum and pulmonary valve in 14 cases,main pul- monary trunk and left/right pulmonary arteries stenosis in 74 cases,and pulmonary atresia in 5 cases.Autologousper- icardial conduit,or with waived were used for right ventricular outflow tract and right ventriculo-pulmonary artery connection.Other anomalies were corrected.Results The surgicalmortality was 4.0 %.The cause of death were se- rious low cardiac output syndrome(3 patients),respiratory function failure(1 patient),pericadial infection(1 pa- tient).Conclusion It is necessary to profonn corrective opration on younger TOF patients.Effetive prophylaxis and control of low cardiac output syndrome and pulmonary complication is a useful strategy.

Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Syndrome ; Video Recording