Objective To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2 +] i) and the contraction of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs),and prove that hypercontractility of GMCs induced by TNF-α in hepatorenal syndrome(HRS) was connected with inositol 1,4,5-trisphophate receptors (IP3Rs).Methods GMCs were divided into TNF-α-treated 0 h,4h,and 24 h groups.Another 3 groups were blocked by 2-APB.The effect of TNF-α on [Ca2 +] i was identified and observed whether it could be blocked by 2-APB.Contraction of GMCs was determined by accessing the surface area of cells before and after contraction.Results TNF-α significantly increased ET-induced calcium release,in that we found higher [Ca2 +] i after stimulated by ET in TNF-α-treated 4 h group and 24 h group[4 h:(648.08 ±267.11) nmol/L; 24 h:(879.30 ±-260.29) nmol/L; 0 h:(619.93 ±258.94)nmol/L,F =5.486,4 h vs 0 h:P ＜ 0.05 ; 24 h vs 0 h:P ＜ 0.05 ;24 h vs 4 h:P ＞ 0.05].This phenomenon can be totally blocked by 2-APB in all groups.The change in planar surface area in response to ET was slightly in control cells but significantly enhanced in TNF-α-treated cells [4 h:(2198 ± 340)μm2; 24h:(2260±553)μm2; 0 h:(2436±474)μm2,F =4.001,4 h vs0 h:P ＜0.05; 24 h vs0 h:P ＜0.05;24 h vs 4 h:P ＞ 0.05].Conclusion TNF-α can enhance ET-induced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2 + release and increase the contractile responses of GMCs to ET,which is associated with IP3Rs.TNF-α is responsible for hyperconstractility of glomeruli in HRS.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) in left to right shunt congenital heart disease accompanied by heart failure in PICU.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 52 cases diagnosed left to right shunt congenital heart disease in the PICU of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2012 to June 2014.The cases were divided into negative control group(n=18) and heart failure group(n=34) according to the criteria for the diagnosis of pediatric heart failure.We respectively compared plasma BNP,size of heart defects,left ventricular end-diastolic volume index(LVEDVI),ratio of left ventricular early diastolic filling blood flow velocity and left ventricular late diastolic filling blood flow velocity(E/A),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP),and cardiothoracic ratio between the two groups.We analyzed the correlation between plasma BNP and the size of heart defects,LVEDVI,E/A,cardiothoracic ratio,LVEF,PASP.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of plasma BNP to diagnose heart failure.Results Plasma BNP were 87.7(22.7,165.7)pg/ml in negative control group and 716.5(326.8,1813.0)pg/ml in heart failure group.The plasma BNP level of heart failure group was significantly higher than that of negative control group(Z=5.3,P<0.01).Size of heart defects were 5.0(3.0,6.8) mm in negative control group and 7.4(5.5,9.0)mm in heart failure group.Size of heart defects of heart failure group was significantly higher than that of negative control group(Z=3.5,P<0.01).LVEDVI were (44.6±18.3)ml/m3 in negative control group and (70.8±38.4)ml/m3 in heart failure group.LVEDVI of heart failure group was significantly higher than that of negative control group(t=2.7,P=0.01).E/A were 1.3±0.3 in negative control group and 1.1±0.3 in heart failure group.E/A of negative control group was significantly higher than that of heart failure group(t=2.2,P=0.04).Plasma BNP had a positive relation with cardiothoracic ratio(r=0.49,P=0.01) and a negative correlation with E/A(r=-0.28,P=0.04).The optimal cut-off value of plasma BNP was 181.8 pg/ml.The sensitivity of diagnosis of heart failure was 94% and the specificity was 88%.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.951.Conclusion Plasma BNP may comprise a sensitive marker for heart failure of left to right shunt congenital heart disease.It is recommended that 181.8 pg/ml is the optimal cut-off value to diagnose heart failure of left to right shunt congenital heart disease.

BackgroundIt has been proved that as a chemokine,interferon-inducible protein-10(IP-10)can regulate the immuno-inflammatory reaction.Some new researches showed that IP-10 also played role in regulating the neovascular vessel formation.Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is associated with multiple cellular factors,but its mechanism is below clear.Objective The present study was to address the roles of exogenous mouse IP-10 in alkali burn-induced CNV.Methods Eighty-two SPF BALB/c mice were used in this experiment and grouped according to random number table.The corneal alkali burn models were established by putting the filter paper with 1 mol/L NaOH at the central corneas of the left eyes for 40 seconds.10 mg/L IP-10 was topically administered from the first day or 14 days after modeling in the early intervene group( 10 eyes)or middle-late intervene group(5 eyes).CNV area was measured as a percentage of whole cornea.0.2％ sodium hyaluronate(HA) as vehicle was utilized in the model control group.Angiogenic factor expression in corneal tissue in the early intervene group was quantified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)and compared with model control group.All animal experiments were performed in accordance with the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research and complied with the standards of Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of Soochow University. ResultsThe CNV percentage was(88.67±10.22) ％ in the model control mice,showing a significant increase in comparison with that of IP-10 early intervene group (70.06±12.21)％ (t=3.77,P=0.00).In 21 days after corneal alkali burn,the CNV percentage was(87.33±13.47)％ in the model control mice,and that of the IP-10 middle-late intervene group was ( 86.56± 12.47 ) ％ without significant difference between them ( t =1.26,P＞0.05 ).Two days or four days after IP-10 early intervene,the expressions of chemokine receptor type 3 ( CXCR3 ) in corneal tissue were significant higher than model control group( t =3.13,3.07,P＜0.05 ),but the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cornea were lowed ( t =5.99,6.27,P＜0.01),and so were transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (t =8.50,P＜0.01;t =4.53,P＜0.05).Conclusions The early topical administration of the exogenous mouse IP-10 can inhibit CNV by up-regulating CXCR3 expression and down-regulating VEGF and TGF-β1 expression in cornea.However,middle-later usage of the IP-10 is uneffective.

By using whole blood selenium, 24 hr urinary selenium and hair selenium contents as the indices of assessing human selenium status, it was found that the populations in the endemic areas of Keshan disease were practically in a selenium poor status. The selenium contents in locally grown staple grains and daily diets in the endemic areas were also lower than those in the non-endemic areas. In an area covering a cross section of Keshan disease geographic belt in our country, the hair selenium contents of agricultural populations were measured. The results indicated that all the hair selenium contents in the endemic sites were always at a lower level, whereas those in the non-endemic sites distant from the endemic areas were generally at a higher level; they decreased gradually until the endemic areas were reached; and finally, along the contiguous region of the endemic and non-endemic areas they were insignificantly different.The hair selenium contents among the agricultural populations were significantly lower than those among the non-agricultural ones in the same endemic areas. However, no regular correlation had been observed between the seasonal prevalence of Keshan disease and the variation of hair selenium contents in the same populations living in the same endemic sites.It is considered that the endemic areas of the disease seem to be a Se-deficiency belt, and Se-deficiency probably might be a pathogenic geo-gen in the prevalence of Keshan disease.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex chronic progressive disease attacked by biological and mechanical factors and a result from the anabolic and catabolic imbalance in chondrocyte, subchondral bone and extracellular matrix(ECM). Etiology and pathological of OA are not yet entirely clear. The degradation and destruction of collagen II caused by matrix metalloproteinase -13 (MMP-13) is considered the core factor in the occurrence and development of OA. The research of MMP-13 inhibitor provide ideas and methods for the treatment of OA. In this article,the role and determination of MMP-13 in OA and the development prospect of MMP-13 inhibitor in the treatment of OA research progress were reviewed.
Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; analysis ; physiology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy ; etiology

No abstract available.
HMGB1 Protein* ; Pemphigus*

OBJECTIVETo study the psychology of infertility patients from the perspective of economic sociology so as to prevent the patients from medical frauds in seeking medical treatment.

METHODWe investigated 902 infertility patients of the Third Hospital of Peking University from September 2005 to January 2006 using a randomized questionnaire.

RESULTSOf the total number, 84.4% had education below college level; the majority had a low monthly family income, 36.6% below Y1,000, 19.7% from Y1,000 to Y2,000, 16.5% from Y2,000 to Y3,000, 7.8% from Y3,000 to Y4,000 and 19.4% above Y4,000; 88.7% had a strong desire for a child; 60.3% were psychologically stressed. As for the advertisements for the treatment of infertility, 50.2% of the patients disbelieved them, 6.2% wanted to have a try and about 43.6% accepted them to be true. Regarding the treatment in individual hospitals, 55.2% disbelieved in it, 5.8% wanted to try it and about 39.0% believed in it.

CONCLUSIONInfertility patients of low economic status usually have a lower educational level but a higher desire for children, and therefore are more likely to be the victims of medical frauds and more psychologically stressed. It calls for our attention how to provide them with medical help.

Educational Status ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; economics ; psychology ; therapy ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

AIMTo investigate the resting [Ca2]i level and expression of calmodulin (CaM), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMPKII) mRNA in hippocampal neurons of the mice with vascular dementia (VD) and their roles in the pathogenesis of VD.

METHODSThe mice were subjected for ischemia/reperfusion repeatedly on bilateral common carotid arteries by knots to establish the VD models. Animals with the sham-operation were taken as control group. The changes of behavior were observed through the step-down avoidance test and water maze test on the day 29, 30 after the operations. The hippocampal neurons were obtained immediately after mice were sacrificed and the resting [Ca2+]i was measured using laser scanning confocal microscopy with Fluo-3/AM as fluorescence indicator. RT-PCR technique was used to measure the mRNA expression of CaM, CaMPKII in hippocampal neurons.

RESULTS(1) The abilities of learning and memorizing in model group were inferior to those of sham-operation group( P < 0.05). (2) The resting [Ca2]i level in model group was significantly higher than sham-operation group (P < 0.05), while the expression of CaMmRNA, CaMPKIImRNA in VD group was significantly reduced than sham-operation group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOur study indicates that excessive resting[Ca2+ ]i level and lower CaM, CaMPKII expression in hippocampal neurons might participate in the pathogenesis of VD.

Animals ; Calcium ; analysis ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calmodulin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dementia, Vascular ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurons ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the culture of adventitious root of Salvia miltiorrhiza in vitro systemically.

METHODEffects of sucrose concentrations, medium pH, inoculum size and plant growth regulators on adventitious root growth and secondary metabolites production in S. miltiorrhiza were investigated.

RESULTWith the increase of initial sucrose concentration, adventitious root growth rates increased and tanshinone II A content decreased, while content of protocatechuic aldehyde showed a broken line change and its highest production was obtained under 30 g x L(-1) sucrose in the medium. As for the effect of medium pH, medium pH of 6.5, 5.5 (or 6.0) and 5.8 was favorable for adventitious root growth, tanshinone II A and protocatechuic aldehyde synthesis respectively. Furthermore, adventitious root growth, rate was greatly increased when inoculum size was 2.5%. MS medium added with 0.5 mg x L(-1) KT was much favorable for tanshinone II A and protocatechuic aldehyde accumulation.

CONCLUSIONParameters including sucrose concentrations, medium pH, inoculum size and plant growth regulators have distinct effects on the in vitro culture of adventitious root growth and secondary metabolites synthesis of S. miltiorrhiza.

Benzaldehydes ; metabolism ; Catechols ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Phenanthrenes ; metabolism ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Sucrose ; Tissue Culture Techniques

BACKGROUNDDNA analysis has shown a lack of significant compatibility between couples affected by unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) compared with normal fertile couples, [8] although one study that made use of a PCR-sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) method did observe evidence of significant compatibility in the HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 alleles between patients and aborted fetuses. [9] This study was designed to investigate whether URSA were associated with particular DQ alleles or promoter alleles.

METHODSThirty-two patients with URSA and 54 women who had had at least one successful pregnancy were included in this study. HLA-DQ genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The HLA-DQB1 promoter was detected by the SSO and sequence-specific primer (SSP) methods. The DQA1, DQB1, and DQB1 promoter (QBP) gene frequencies in the patients were compared with the gene frequencies in normal controls. The data were analyzed statistically with the chi(2) and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTSThe results showed that the frequency of DQB1 * 0604/0605 was significantly higher and the frequency of DQB1 * 0501/0502 was significantly lower in the patient group as compared with the normal controls. In addition, the frequencies of the DQA1 * 01-DQB1 * 0604/0605 and QBP6.2-DQB1 * 0604/0605 haplotypes were overrepresented in the patients relative to the controls. Our results did not show any differences between URSA patients and the controls with regard to DQA1 and QBP allele frequencies.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that URSA is associated with the HLA-DQB1 coding region, and is not associated with its upstream regulatory region. The DQB1 * 0604/0605, DQA1 * 01-DQB1 * 0604/0605, and QBP6.2-DQB1 * 0604/0605 haplotypes may confer susceptibility to URSA, while the DQB1 * 0501/0502 allele may protect women from URSA.

Abortion, Habitual ; etiology ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-DQ Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Open Reading Frames ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy