Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polycythemia ; etiology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications

Cyclosporine ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

The dynamic level of immunosuppressants such as alpha-fetoprotein(α-FP), gestation associated protein, progesterone, estradiol, chorionic gonadotropin, etc. of peripheral sera and the regulatory mechanism of cellular immunity in the peripartum stages in sows were determined by advanced radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunochemistry methods in this study. The effects on lymphocyte cultivated in vitro by the immunosuppressants mentioned above were tested by cell culture technology, respectively. The results were as follows: (1) α-FP: The level of α-FP of peripheral sera in the stage of ante-parturition was slightly higher than that of post-parturition in sows, but it didn't show statistical difference. The concentration of α-FP of peripheral sera in conceptus sows had no obvious effect on lymphocyte cultivated in vitro, and it indicated that α-FP was not the major immunosuppressant in the pregnancy of sows. However, the α-FP, whose concentration was equal to that of amniotic fluid, had obvious inhibition on lymphocyte cultivated in vitro. (2) Gestation associated protein: The level of gestation associated protein was maintained highly (100-162 mg/L) in peripheral sera and amniotic fluid in the stage of ante-parturition in sows, then descended gradually after parturition and disappeared step by step 5-10 d after parturition. The gestation associated protein, whose concentration were equal to that of peripheral sera and amniotic fluid, were added to lymphocyte culture in vitro, and the effect on lymphocyte activity was not observed yet. This showed that gestation associated protein was not the major immunosuppressant in the peripartum stage in sows. (3) Estradiol and progesterone: Estradiol or progesterone at the level of sera in pregnant sows, could lower the rate of lymphocyte transformation and the level of cellular immunity. (4) Chorionic gonadotropin: The level of chorionic gonadotropin of peripheral sera in the stage of ante-parturition was slightly higher than that of post-parturition in sows, but it didn't have statistical difference. The chorionic gonadotropin, whose concentration was equal to that of sera, was not yet observed obvious effect on lymphocyte cultivated in vitro. (5) Added the five above-mentioned immunosuppressants to lymphocyte culture in vitro, whose concentration were equal to those of sera in pregnant sows, they could drop the rate of lymphocyte resette formation and lymphocyte transformation, lower the level of cellular immunity and reduce the concentration of IL-2 which synthesized and secreted by lymphocyte in culture remarkably. Their inhibitory intensity of cellular immunity was evidently higher than that of any single immunosuppressant.

Objective To investigate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)on the proliferation of human hepatocellualr carcinoma cells,and the mechanism of HGF-induced proliferation inhibition.Methods Human hepatocellualr carcinoma cell line HepG2 were treated with different concentrations of HGF for different time periods,and the proliferation of these cells was examined by colorimetric BrdU cell proliferation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of S-phase kinase associated protein 2(Skp2)was examined using Western blot and RT-PCR.Plasmids pcDNASkp2 was introduced into HepG2 cells,then the clones showing up-regulation of Skp2 were selected,and the effect of HGF on the proliferation in these clones was investigated.Results HGF inhibited the proliferation of hepatoma cells in a dose and time dependent manner.The expression of Skp2 was significantly suppressed by HGF.Furthermore,HGF did not suppress the proliferation of HepG2 cells transfected with Skp2.Conclusions This study suggests that HGF could inhibit HepG2 cell proliferation,and the down-regulation of Skp2 could be closely related to this suppressed proliferation.

Objective To investigate the iodine nutritional status of children aged 8 to 10 in both costal and non-costal areas of Rizhao city Shandong province,and provide a basis for scientific supplementation of iodine.Methods In 2009 and 2010,townships of Lanshan and Donggang were chosen as survey points which situated close to the coast,the counties of Wulian and Juxian that were more than 50 kilometers away from the coast were selected as controls.The iodine concentration of drinking water in every village and water supply point was determined.At the county level,5 to 9 towns were selected according to their sub-area positions of east,west,south,north and center,4 villages were selected in each chosen township,8 - 15 households were selected in each chosen village,edible salt from the households was collected; 5 primary schools were selected in each chosen township,60 students aged 8 - 10 were selected to take thyroid examination in each chosen school.Twenty copies of urine samples were collected from the 60 students to detect the iodine concentration.Iodine in drinking water was tested by cerous sulfate catalytic spectrophotometry,in iodized salt by direct titration,in urine by arsenic-cerium contact method,and thyroids were examined by palpation.Results Totally 3483 copies of drinking water samples,1164 copies of edible salt samples,and 476 copies of urine samples were tested,and a total of 1200 children aged 8 to 10 were investigated; and the ratio of water iodine frequency distribution ≤ 10 μg/L (in costal and non-costal area) accounted for 90.03％ ( 1011/1123 ) and 91.10％ (2150/2360),respectively,the medians of water iodine were 5.6 and 4.2 μg/L,respectively; the iodine medians of edible salt were 29.03 and 29.99 mg/kg,respectively; the consumption rates of qualified iodized salt were 96.77％ (569/588) and 97.05％ (559/576),respectively; total goiter rates were 1.17％(7/600) and 1.33％(8/600),respectively; the medians of urinary iodine were 144.05 and 159.15 μg/L,respectively; the percentages of urinary iodine that bellow 100 μg/L were 26.58％ (63/237) and 22.59％ (54/239),respectively; between 100 - 300 μg/L were 66.75％ (158/237) and 64.02％ (153/239),respectively;above 300μg/L were 6.75％ (16/237)and13.39％ (32/239),respectively.ConclusionsThe costal of Rizhao is an iodine deficient area.The current popularity of household's consumption of qualified iodized salt is suitable.The levels of iodine nutrition of children aged 8 to 10 is appropriate,which met the national standard of elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).There is no iodine excess.There are no significant differences in levels of iodine nutrition between costal and non-costal areas on the premise that the same iodized salt is supplied in both the areas,and there is no need to make differentiated supply of iodized salt.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA) and myosin-II of fibroblasts in scars. Methods Fibroblasts were isolated from tissue specimens of scars contracture. Cells from passages 3-5 were randomly divided into 3 groups (control group, low BTXA group (1 U/10(6) Cells), and high BTXA group (2.5 U/ 10(6)Cells)). Growth condition of fibroblasts was observed at 1 , 4, 7 day after BTXA treated. Changes of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSFibroblasts grew well in control group. The proliferation was decreased 4 days later in BTXA groups. Lots of apoptotic cells were seen in high BTXA group at 7th day. Proteins of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were statistically different between BTXA group and control groups at 4th day (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in low BTXA group was higher than that in high BTXA group at 7th day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBTXA could induce the apoptosis of fibroblasts and decrease the expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect was strengthened with BTXA concentration increase within a certain range.

Actins ; metabolism ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; metabolism ; Myosin Type II ; metabolism ; Random Allocation

BACKGROUND: Although we have gained much information about leadinduced organ damage, the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup is yet to be determined.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup of children, and the association of T cell subgroup with threshold limit value of blood lead level.DESIGN: Comparative observation.SETTING: The Institute of Molecular Microorganism, Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Shanxi Provincial Children Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty children, (32 boys and 28 girls), aged 3-6 years with a mean of (4.5±1.5) years old, were selected from the suburbs of Taiyuan city between May 2003 and October 2003. Informed consents were obtained from all their guardians. The enrolled children according to their blood lead levels were assigned into three groups, 13 in Group Ⅰ with blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, 20 in Group 2 with lead level ≥ 0.24 μmol/L but ＜ 0.48 μmoL/L and 27 in Group 3 with lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L.METHODS: Blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup were measured with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and immunofluorescence methods respectively. Student t test was used in data analysis, and linear correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup.level and expression of T cell subgroup.pression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 were lower in Group 1 (lead level ≥0.48 μmol/L) than Group 3 (lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L) (t=3.27,blood lead level showed had significant inverse correlation with CD3 expression and the ratio of CD4 to CD8(r=-0.689,-0.674,P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: A blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, is shown to significantly decrease the expression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 in peripheral blood, which may impair the children's immunological function.

BACKGROUND: Although we have gained much information about leadinduced organ damage, the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup is yet to be determined.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup of children, and the association of T cell subgroup with threshold limit value of blood lead level.DESIGN: Comparative observation.SETTING: The Institute of Molecular Microorganism, Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Shanxi Provincial Children Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty children, (32 boys and 28 girls), aged 3-6 years with a mean of (4.5±1.5) years old, were selected from the suburbs of Taiyuan city between May 2003 and October 2003. Informed consents were obtained from all their guardians. The enrolled children according to their blood lead levels were assigned into three groups, 13 in Group Ⅰ with blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, 20 in Group 2 with lead level ≥ 0.24 μmol/L but ＜ 0.48 μmoL/L and 27 in Group 3 with lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L.METHODS: Blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup were measured with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and immunofluorescence methods respectively. Student t test was used in data analysis, and linear correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup.level and expression of T cell subgroup.pression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 were lower in Group 1 (lead level ≥0.48 μmol/L) than Group 3 (lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L) (t=3.27,blood lead level showed had significant inverse correlation with CD3 expression and the ratio of CD4 to CD8(r=-0.689,-0.674,P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: A blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, is shown to significantly decrease the expression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 in peripheral blood, which may impair the children's immunological function.

Objective To evaluate the validity of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) injections for the treatment of scar contracture.Methods 26 patients with scar contracture were randomly assigned into BTXA group and triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) group.Pinpoint tattooing was performed on each side of each scar in the plane of its longest axis.A template was used to ensure consistent length.These two tattoo points were measured to assess scar contraction at baseline,at every month for a total of 6 months.Histological analysis was conducted to study the physiological environment and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ at different groups.Results Scar contraction was more relaxed in BTXA group than that in TAC group after 1 month (P＜0.05),especially in the 6th month (the D value in BTXA group and TAC group was (1.23±0.42) cm,and (0.56±0.33) cm respectively).For immunohistochemistry,the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ also decreased in BTXA group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The treatment of scar contracture by suitable BTXA injections is safe and effective.

Previous studies have shown that paeonol can antagonize acute myocardial ischemia and infarction in rat. This study further researched the effects of paeonol on blood pressure and blood flow in the artery of spontaneously hypertensive rats and its mechanisms related on vasomotion. Firstly, thirty spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into spontaneously hypertensive control group and paeonol-treating groups of high dose and low dose, and also, the other ten Wistar rats as healthy control group. Before and after the intraduodenal administration of the drug, arterial blood pressure was measured by carotid artery and blood flow through the renal artery and carotid artery in vivo were measured by animal flowmeter. The same volume of solvent was given to the spontaneously hypertensive control group and the healthy control group, and the other operations were same. In order to further study the effect of paeonol on vasomotor function, the superior mesenteric artery, renal artery and coronary artery of the spontaneously hypertensive rat were removed and separated, precontracted by a certain concentration of potassium chloride (KCl) and 5-serotonin (5-HT) respectively, and dilatory responses were assessed by cumulative addition of paeonol. Results showed that after duodenal one-time delivery of paeonol, the blood pressure significantly lowered, the renal arterial blood flow and the carotid arterial blood flow significantly increased in spontaneously hypertensive rat. And also, paeonol relaxed the mesenteric artery, renal artery and the coronary artery of spontaneously hypertensive rat in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicated that the effect of paeonol on decreasing arterial blood pressure and increasing the arterial blood flow was related to its vasodilative effect.
Acetophenones ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Regional Blood Flow ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology