BACKGROUNDDoes klotho (KL) protein exist in human serum, and is there any correlation between KL protein in serum with human aging? In order to answer those questions, we identified KL protein in human serum and established the correlation between KL protein in human serum and aging.

METHODSWe prepared a polyclonal antibody against human KL protein that was able to recognize the C-terminal of human secreted KL protein. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to identify KL protein in human serum.

RESULTSIn Western blot, the antibody specifically recognized a 60-kD KL protein in both human and mice serum. The population aged from 0 to 91 years screened by ELISA revealed that the level of serum KL declined while age increased, though each individual level was variable and that the trend of decreasing in serum KL had no difference in sex.

CONCLUSIONOur data suggest that KL is a serum factor related to human aging.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Glucuronidase ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged

AIMTo investigate the in vitro and in vivo stability of 9-nitrocamptothecin lactone form in rat plasma.

METHODSThe specific and accurate HPLC method was developed for quantifying 9-nitrocamptothecin lactone form and the total lactone and carboxylate forms simultaneously. By using of this method, the ratios of lactone form to the total in rat plasma at different time were determined in vitro and in vivo. The results were compared to determine which was the main factor influencing the stability of 9-nitrocamptothecin lactone form in rat plasma in vivo.

RESULTSThe stability of lactone form in rat plasma was much higher in vivo than that in vitro.

CONCLUSIONBlood cells help to increase the stability of 9-nitrocamptothecin lactone form. Clearance from blood in vivo is the primary factor which influences the plasma stability of 9-nitrocamptothecin lactone form. The kinetic process of 9-nitrocamptothecin lactone form and total drug in rats were both best fitted to a two-compartment model. However, the process of 9-nitrocamptothecin carboxylate form in vivo was best fitted to a one-compartment model.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Carboxylic Acids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Stability ; Lactones ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In this article, the mechanism of inheritance behind inherited hearing loss and genetic susceptibility in noise-induced hearing loss are reviewed. Conventional treatments for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), i.e. hearing aid and cochlear implant, are effective for some cases, but not without limitations. For example, they provide little benefit for patients of profound SNHL or neural hearing loss, especially when the hearing loss is in poor dynamic range and with low frequency resolution. We emphasize the most recent evidence-based treatment in this field, which includes gene therapy and allotransplantation of stem cells. Their promising results have shown that they might be options of treatment for profound SNHL and neural hearing loss. Although some treatments are still at the experimental stage, it is helpful to be aware of the novel therapies and endeavour to explore the feasibility of their clinical application.
Animals ; Evidence-Based Practice ; Genetic Engineering ; Genetic Therapy ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; therapy ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo explore the reasons for the complications of polyacrylamide hydrogel injection.

METHODS39 patients were included in this study, who had complications after polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in the breasts, nose, temproal area or depressed locus. The clinical manifestations of the complications were analyzed.

RESULTSPostoperative infection occurred in 5 cases, induration in 23, pain in 25, ulceration of the puncture points in 9, displacement in 6, galactostasis in 1, skin necrosis in 1, breast deformation in 3, bilateral asymmetry in 4, aseptic inflammation in 10, and skin-acne-like changes on the face in 4.

CONCLUSIONSome complications were caused mainly by incorrect manipulation and others were relative to the injected material. The applications of polyacrylamide hydrogel as a clinical implant material need further investigations. Polyacrylamide hydrogel injection should be cautiously used.

Acrylic Resins ; adverse effects ; Adult ; Bacterial Infections ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgery, Plastic ; adverse effects

To measure particle size distribution of phenols in mainstream cigarette smoke aerosol,the particles of cigarette smoke aerosol were divided into 12 stages using single channel smoking machine coupled electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI) and collected by 12 polyester films.The collected particles were weighted and then analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (UPLC-FLD) to determine the 14 phenols in the different size particles.The results showed that the aerosols collecting method had good stability with relative standard deviation (RSD) of collected particles mass less than 10%.The analyzing results of 14 phenols by UPLC-FLD showed that the linear correlation coefficients(R2) were greater than 0.9959,with detection limits were less than 1.2 ng/cig and recoveries were 80.1%-115.0%.The distributions of 14 phenols with respect to smoke aerosol particle size were investigated.The results indicated that except 4-ethyl-2-methoxy-phenol not detected,the other 13 phenols were detected in mainstream cigarette smoke aerosol.The content of 13 phenols appeared increasing at first and then decreasing with increase of the particle size which distributed in a pattern similar to that of particle mass.All of 13 phenols were present in higher amounts in the medium size particles (0.261-0.722 μm) with peak content in particles 0.431 μm.The distribution of concentrations (ratio of content to particle mass) of 13 phenols in different size particles was different.The concentrations of phenol and mono-substituted phenol appeared to first increase and then decrease with increasing smoke aerosol particle size and were higher in medium size particles (0.261-0.772 μm).The concentrations of benzenediol and mono-substituted benzenediol were uniformly distributed in medium size particles (0.144-1.166 μm),and the concentration of disubstituted phenol was uniform throughout the particles of varying sizes.

OBJECTIVETo identify gene expression patterns in distinct stages of intestinal-type gastric cancer(GC).

METHODSGene expression patterns of distinct stages of intestinal-type GC samples from 3 patients were compared with cDNA microarray, which contained 576 genes. There were 506 target genes, which included 51 genes identified from our previous experiment with suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) and other 455 genes chosen for their important roles in cancers. Hierarchical clustering was performed to clarify genes in association with distinct stages of GC.

RESULTSOne hundred and eighty-one differentially expressed genes with average Cy5:Cy3 ratios higher than 2.0 or lower than 0.5 in at least one stage of GC were identified by cDNA microarray. Among them, 48 genes were up-regulated and 133 down-regulated. Hierarchical clustering analysis separated the differentially expressed genes in different stages of GC into 5 main characteristic groups. Some important differentially expressed genes in different stages of GC were identified, such as SEC23IP, LIPF, ES(BQ291520), SLC5A1, PG(encoding similar to pepsin A precursor), CXCR4, DICER1, SH3GL2, and IGF2R.

CONCLUSIONThe differentially expressed gene patterns and some important genes were identified, which might be useful in further study on carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis of intestinal-type GC.

DNA, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic

Our previous studies have shown that long-term potentiation (LTP) of C-fiber-evoked field potentials in the spinal dorsal horn is NMDA receptor dependent. It is known that elevation of Ca(2+) in the postsynaptic neurons through NMDA receptor channels during high-frequency stimulation of the afferent fibers is crucial for LTP induction, but how this leads to a prolonged potentiation of synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn is not clear. In the hippocampus, a rise of Ca(2+) activates calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) through autophosphorylation. Once this occurs, the kinase remains active, even when Ca(2+) concentration returns to baseline level. Phosphorylated CaMK II potentiates synaptic transmission by enhancement of AMPA receptor channel function via phosphorylation of GluR1 subunit of the receptor and the addition of AMPA receptors to synapses. Up to now, the role of CaMK II in the induction and maintenance of LTP of the C-fiber-evoked field potentials in spinal dorsal horn has not been evaluated. In the present study, we examined the expression of CaMK II and phospho-CaMK II in the lumbar segments (L4-L6) of the rat spinal dorsal horn at 30 min and 3 h after the establishment of LTP induced by tetanic electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve (40 V, 0.5 ms pulses at 100 Hz for 1 s repeated four times at 10 s intervals) by using Western blot and electrophysiological techniques. To determine the role of the phospho-CaMK II in the induction and maintenance of the spinal LTP, a selective CaMK II inhibitor KN-93 (100 micromol/L) was applied directly onto the spinal cord at the recording segments before and after LTP induction. We found that (1) the protein level of phospho-CaMKII increased at both 30 min and 3 h after LTP induction, while the total protein level of CaMK II increased at 3 h but not at 30 min after LTP induction. (2) Spinal application of KN-93 at 30 min prior to the tetanus blocked both LTP induction and the increase in phospho-CaMK II. (3) 30 min after LTP induction, spinal application of KN-93 depressed LTP and the level of phospho-CaMK II (n=3). (4) Spinal application of KN-93 at 3 h after LTP, however, affected neither the amplitude of the spinal LTP nor the level of phospho-CaMK II in the spinal dorsal horn. These results suggest that activation of CaMK II is probably crucial for the induction and the early-phase maintenance of LTP of C-fiber-evoked field potentials in the spinal dorsal horn.
Animals ; Evoked Potentials ; Long-Term Potentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ; physiology ; Neural Pathways ; drug effects ; physiology ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Posterior Horn Cells ; enzymology ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; Spinal Cord ; enzymology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore possible mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) for regulating immune function in anxiety disorder (AD) rats by observing the effect of acupuncture on the histology of thymus and expressions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and natriuretic peptide receptor type A (NPR- A) in thymus.

METHODSTotally 34 SD healthy rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (n = 10), the model group (n = 12), the EA group (n = 12). Anxiety model was established in rats of the model group and the EA group by using chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) stimulation. EA (15/25 Hz) at Neiguan (PC6) and Shenmen (HT7) was performed in the EA group, with 15-min needle retaining, once every other day, 15 days in total. Needle was fixed at same acupoints for 15 min without electric stimulus in the other two groups. Anxiety-like behavior was measured by elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Pathological changes of thymus tissue were observed by optical microscope. Expressions of ANP and NPR-A in thymus were measured by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSThe thymus tissue in the model group was severely atrophied, with unclear structure of thymic lobules, unclear margin of thymic medulla, loosely arranged lymphocytes ,and obviously enlarged volume of thymic corpuscle. The thymus tissue in the EA group was mildly atrophied, with existent structure of thymic lobules, clear margin of thymic medulla, densely arranged lymphocytes in cortical region, and widened medullary area. Com- pared with the blank control group, the percentage of open-arms entries (OE%) in the total QE times ob- viously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05), ANP expression obviously increased (P < 0.05), and NPR-A expression obviously decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, OE% was obviously elevated (P < 0.05), ANP expression obviously decreased (P < 0.05), and NPR-A expression obviously increased (P < 0.01) in the EA group.

CONCLUSIONEA not only could reduce anxiety of rats, but also could improve chronic stress induced thymus injury through intervening synthesis and secretion of ANP, as well as the expression of NPR-A (a specific receptor of ANP).

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Anxiety Disorders ; therapy ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cause and the prophylactic measures for the complication following the periareolar reduction mammaplasty using polypropylene mesh as suspension device.

METHODSFrom Dec. 1999 to Dec. 2005, 78 patients who underwent periareolar reduction mammaplasty using polypropylene mesh as suspension device were analysed. Among them, 47 cases were followed-up for 6 months to 5 years, and their long-term effect was evaluated.

RESULTSEarly after operation, complications included seroma (3 cases), infection (3 cases), delayed wound healing (3 cases), and paraesthesia of nipple-areolar complex (1 case). The 47 followed-up patients presented abnormal wave-like skin appearance in superior polar of breast (7 cases), palpable cord-like mammary content in peripheral region of breast (3 cases), widening of periareolar scar and secondary ptosis (2 cases) and paraesthesia of nipple-areolar complex (1 case). All other patients acquired good appearance and felt satisfactory. 2 patients could lactate after operation. 5 patients underwent mammary X-ray radiography after operation. No mesh shadow or calcification was revealed.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough polypropylene mesh is a good suspension device in reduction mammaplasty, the long-term complication is relatively high because of the hardness of the tissue. More soft tissue is necessary as alternative device for clinical application.

Adult ; Breast Implants ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Polypropylenes ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

Objective To collect more data on the epidemiology of hantavirus in rodents in Cixi,Zhejiang province.Methods Rodents were captured in Cixi,where hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)appeared endemic.Hantavirus antigens in the rat lungs were detected by immunofluorescence assay.Partial S segment sequences were amplified by reverse transciption-polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR)and then sequenced.The phyologenetic trees were constructed by maximum likelihood method to detect the genetic characteristics of hantavirus.Results A total of 243 rodents were trapped in the epidemic areas,and hantavirus antigens were identified in 7 out of these lung samples(2.88%).Partial S segment sequences(620-999 nt)were recovered from 6 samples and sequenced.Data from phylogenetic analysis of these S segment sequences indicated that all viruses belonged to Seoul virus(SEOV),despite the origins of sources were either from Rattus norvegicus or from R.fzabipectus.These viruses could further be divided into two distinct lineages but the viruses carried by R.norvegicus were different from those carried by R.flabipectus.Conclusion Two distinct lineages of SEOV had been cocirculating in rodents in Cixi.