Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; China ; Humans ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of low-dose radiation with endoplasmic reticulum stress and the activation of the PERK-CHOP signaling pathway in mouse testicular cells.

METHODSHealthy Kunming mice were randomly assigned to time-effect (0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h of irradiation at 75 mGy) and dose-effect (12 h of irradiation at 0, 50, 75, 100 and 200 mGy) groups. The contents of H202 and MDA were measured by colorimetry with the agent kits, the expressions of GRP78, PERK and CHOP mRNA detected by quantitative RT-PCR, and the levels of GRP7B, PERK, phosphorylated PERK (pho-PERK) and CHOP proteins determined by Western blotting and image analysis.

RESULTSAfter whole-body irradiation of the mice with 75 mGy, the content of H2 02 in the testis tissue was increased with time prolongation, while that of MDA decreased slightly at 3 and 6 h and then increased with the lengthening of time, both increased significantly at 12 and 24 h as compared with those at 0 h (P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01). Apart from reduced levels of GRP78 mRNA at 3 and 24 h and GRP78 protein at 6 h after irradiation, significant increases were found in the mRNA expressions of GRP78 at 12 h, PERK at 3,6, 12 and 24 hand CHOP at 12 and 24 h (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), as well as in the protein levels of GRP78 at 12 and 24 h, pho-PERK at 3, 12 and 24 h and CHOP at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h in comparison with those at 0 h (P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01). No obvious regularity was observed in the change of the PERK protein expression. After 12 h of whole-body irradiation, the content of H202 was increased at 50, 75 and 100 mGy, but decreased slightly at 200 mGy, while that of MDA was increased with dose increasing, with significant increases in the content of H2 02 at 75 and 100 mCy and in that of MDA at 75, 100 and 200 mGy as compared with the 0 mGy group. Apart from the reduced levels of GRP78 mRNA at 50 and 200 mCy, significant increases were found in the mRNA expressions of PERK at 75, 100 and 200 mGy and CHOP at 50, 75, 100 and 200 (P c 0. 05, P < 0.01) as well as in the protein levels of GRP78 at 100 and 200 mGy, pho-PERK at 50, 100 and 200 mGy and CHOP at 50, 75, 100 and 200 mCy as compared with those at 0 mGy (P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01). There were differences in the changes of different protein expressions, but no obvious regularity was seen in the change of the PERK protein expression.

CONCLUSIONLow-dose radiation can induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in mouse testicular cells, and activate the PERK-CHOP signaling pathway.

Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; radiation effects ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Signal Transduction ; radiation effects ; Testis ; cytology ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism ; Whole-Body Irradiation ; eIF-2 Kinase ; metabolism

Objective To investigate whether the effect of puerarin on right ventricle hypertrophy of pulmonary hypertensive rats induced by chronic hypoxia-hypercapnia was related to new peptide Apelin or its receptor(APJ).Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, they are control group,hypoxia-hypercapnia 4-week model group,and hypoxia-hypercapnia 4-week plus puerarin group.The concentrations of Apelin-36 protein in plasma and homogenate of right ventricular muscle were detected by radioimmunoassay.The mRNA expressions of Apelin and APJ in right ventricu- lar muscle were measured by semi-quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results The weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum[RV/(LV+S)] in model group was significantly higher than that in control group(P0.05).The plasma concen- tration of Apelin-36 protein in model group was significantly higher than that in control group(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical efficacy and significance of gluteal muscle contracture release for the treatment of gluteal muscle contracture induced knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2010,52 patients with gluteal muscle contracture induced knee osteoarthritis were reviewed. Among the patients,15 patients were male and 37 patients were female, ranging in age from 15 to 45 years, with an average of 35 years. Eighteen patients had left knee osteoarthritis, 30 patients had right osteoarthritis, and 4 patients had double knee osteoarthritis. All the patients were treated with gluteal muscle contracture release. Lysholm knee score was used to evaluate therapeutic effects before and after operation.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 12 to 37 years,with a mean of 15 months. The Lysholm knee score improved from preoperative (68.12 +/- 0.78) points to postoperative (91.23 +/- 0.47) points at the last follow-up, the difference had statistical difference (t=31.269, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONGluteal muscle contracture release is effective to relieve symptoms of gluteal muscles contracture and knee osteoarthritis. The patients with gluteal muscle contracture should be treated early so as to prevent effects of gluteal muscle contracture on knee joint, slow down degeneration of knee joint at early stage, and prevent occurrence of knee osteoarthritis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Buttocks ; Contracture ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of HBsAg pulsed dendritic vaccination on anti-HBs production in immunosuppressed rats after liver transplantation (LT).

METHODSBrown-Norway liver allografts were transplanted into Lewis recipients. The transplanted Lewis rats were injected with EK506 (2 mg/kg) and randomly divided into two groups: rats in HBsAg-DCs group (n = 15) were intraperitoneally injected with HBsAg pulsed DCs at 14 d and 28 d after LT, and rats in the HBsAg group (n = 15) were injected with HBsAg (200 mul) once a week for 12 weeks. Rats without any immunosuppressive treatment after LT served as controls (n = 5). IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression in spleen were analyzed by RT-PCR, serum IL-2, IFN-gamma and anti-HBs were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSHigh dose of FK506 resulted in the immunosuppressed in LT rats, as evident by low production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, and without liver rejection compared to rats in the control group. HBsAg-DCs induced high titer of anti-HBs antibody, however, titer of anti-HBs were seldom detectable in the HBsAg group at 1, 2 and 3 mouth after vaccination.

CONCLUSIONThe capacity of HBsAg-DCs to induce anti-HBs in immunosuppressed rats suggested that DC vaccine may prevent HBV recurrence in liver transplanted patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cytokines ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Immunosuppression ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Liver Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred BN ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Secondary Prevention ; Spleen ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of serum sex hormones and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with the biochemical markers of bone turnover in aged men.

METHODSWe collected the laboratory data of 465 men aged 60- 93 (73. 1 +/- 8. 3) years old, who came for routine physical examinations in our hospital. We obtained the levels of serum follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), PTH, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH) D3), and bone turnover markers C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), osteocalcin (OC) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP). We also determined free testosterone (FT) , bioactive testosterone (BT) , testosterone secretion index (TSI) and FT index (FTI), and analyzed the correlation of each index with the biochemical markers of bone turnover.

RESULTSThe concentrations of serum FSH, LH, and SHBG increased, while the levels of FT, BT, TSI, FTI, PTH, CTX, OC and PINP decreased with age, especially in those over 80 years old (P <0.05). PTH was positively correlated with CTX, OC and PINP (r =0. 227, 0. 269 and 0. 162, P <0. 01), even after the adjustment for age, while SHBG negatively correlated with OC (r = -0. 100, P <0.05). The bone turnover markers increased with the elevation of the PTH quartiles, with significant differences between the first and the fourth quartile (P <0. 01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age was correlated inversely with CTX, OC and PINP ( beta = -0. 126, -0. 141 and -0. 122, P <0.05) , PTH positively with the three markers (beta = 0. 196, 0.279 and 0.189; P <0. 001), and SHBG negatively with OC ( beta = -0. 100, P <0.05) .

CONCLUSIONAging is the fundamental cause of reduced bone turnover in aged men. The levels serum PTH and SHBG are significantly associated with the biochemical markers of bone turnover.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Bone Density ; Bone Remodeling ; physiology ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Hormone ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) powder on renal oxidative stress and mitochondria functions in 5/6 nephrectomized rats, and to primarily explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, and the treatment group by random digit table, 10 in each group. A chronic kidney disease (CKD) rat model was prepared by one step 5/6 nephrectomy. Rats in the treatment group were intragastrically administered with CS powder solution at the daily dose of 2 g/kg, once per day. Equal volume of double distilled water was intragastrically administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. All medication lasted for 12 weeks. The general condition of rats, their body weight, blood pressure, 24 h proteinuria, urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), serum creatinine (SCr) , and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were assessed before surgery, at week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 10 after surgery. Pathological changes of renal tissues were observed under light microscope. Morphological changes of mitochondria in renal tubular epithelial cells were observed under transmission electron microscope. Activities of antioxidant enzymes including reduced glutathione (GSH), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in fresh renal tissue homogenate were detected. Mitochondria of renal tissues were extracted to detect levels of mitochondrial membrane potential and changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS). And expressions of cytochrome-C (Cyto-C) and prohibitin in both mitochondria and cytoplasm of the renal cortex were also measured by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the sham-operation group, body weight was significantly decreased at week 2 (P <0. 01), but blood pressure increased at week 4 (P <0. 05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, body weight was significantly increased at week 12 (P <0. 01), but blood pressure decreased at week 8 (P < 0. 01) in the treatment group. (2) Compared with the sham-operation group, 24 h proteinuria, urinary NAG, blood SCr and BUN significantly increased in the model group (all P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, blood and urinary biochemical indices all significantly decreased in the treatment group (all P <0. 01). (3) Results of pathological renal scoring: Glomerular sclerosis index, scoring for tubulointerstitial fibrosis, degree of tubulointerstitial inflammatory infiltration were all obviously higher in the model group than in the sham-operation group (all P <0. 01). All the aforesaid indices were more obviously improved in the treatment group than in the model group (all P <0. 01). (4) Compared with the sham-operation group, activities of MnSOD and GSH-Px were significantly reduced, but MDA contents obviously increased in the renal cortex of the model group (all P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, activities of MnSOD and GSH-Px obviously increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01), but MDA contents obviously decreased in the renal cortex of the treatment group (P <0. 01). (5) Compared with the sham-operation group, the mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased, but ROS levels significantly increased in the model group (all P <0.01). Compared with the model group, mitochondrial transmembrane potential increased in the treatment group, thereby inhibiting the tendency of increased production of ROS (both P < 0. 01). (6) Results of Western blot showed that, compared with the sham-operation group, expression levels of mitochondrial Cyto-C and Prohibitin were significantly reduced in the renal cortex (P <0. 01), but significantly elevated in the cytoplasm of the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, each index was obviously improved in the treatment group with statistical difference (P <0. 05, P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONCS powder had renal protection, and its mechanism might partially depend on in- hibition of oxidative stress and protection for mitochondria.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cordyceps ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; Kidney Cortex ; Kidney Diseases ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mitochondria ; Nephrectomy ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Proteinuria ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) in the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in hypoxia conditions.

METHODSThe following groups in this study were set up: control group, hypoxia group, 50 micromol/L CQ + hypoxia group, 50 micromol/L CQ group. The viability of PASMCs in every group was detected by MTT assay. Autophagic vacuoles in the cells were observed by MDC staining. Protein expression of microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) was measured by Western blot. Migration of PASMCs was detected by wound healing assay.

RESULTSCompared with control group, no effect on the viability of PASMCs was observed treated by CQ alone. In 1% hypoxia group, cell viability increased significantly compared with that in control group. The number of autophagic vacuoles and the rate of cell migration and also protein expression of LC3-II were also markedly increased. Compared with hypoxia group, addition of CQ increased the number of autophagic vacuoles and the levels of LC3-II protein, but decreased the proliferation and migration of PASMCs.

CONCLUSIONHypoxia could activates autophagy and contributes to proliferation and migration of PASMCs, and autophagy inhibitor CQ could decrease the effect of hypoxia on PASMCs through inhibiting autophagy process.

Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloroquine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the existence and the dynamic cell frequencies of human cells in goats transplanted in utero with human hematopoietic stem cell (hHSC) by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique.

METHODSInterphase FISH (IFISH) with human-specific 17-chromosome satellite DNA and/or human-specific Y-chromosome satellite DNA as probes was performed to analyze the presence and proportions of human cells in 13 transplanted goats. Samples were peripheral blood cells, bone marrow smears and liver touch imprint preparations.

RESULTSOf the 13 transplanted goats, eleven were identified to present human cells. Among them, two goats transplanted with human male HSC were found to have human male cells. The results demonstrated that these transplanted goats were human/goat HSC xenogeneic chimeras. Human cell frequencies decreased with the goat age (months), but the longest survival reached 21 months. During the detected life periods of goats, human cell frequencies in peripheral blood, bone marrow and liver tissues were less than 1@1000, but local human cell frequencies of 207.92@1000 and 392.41@1000 were detected in the liver tissues of 2 transplanted goats.

CONCLUSIONSThe existence and long-term survival of human cells in transplanted goats detected by FISH indicated that goats were appropriate recipients for hHSC in utero transplantation. The lower human cell frequencies in blood and bone marrow, and the higher local human cell frequencies in liver tissues suggested that the microenvironment of goat liver tissues might favor the survival, proliferation and differentiation of human cells.

Animals ; Female ; Goats ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Uterus ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute renal infarction.Methods Two cases (3 sides) of acute renal infarction were reported.The patients were 1 male and 1 female,with the age of 62 and 54 years.Case 1 presented acute left flank pain,and enhanced CT showed a non-enhanced area in the upper and mid pole of the left kidney.The diagnosis of focal renal infarction was made and treated with low-molecular heparin (6000 U ).Case 2 presented acute both right abdominal and flank pain,and enhanced CT showed right renal artery embolism and right renal complete infarction.Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and catheter thrombolytic therapy was applied.4 months later,the patient presented acute left flank pain,and enhanced CT showed a low density area in left kidney without enhanced by contrast,and DSA and catheter thrombolytic therapy was applied again.Results In case 1,contrastenhanced MRI showed a still low signal area like enhanced CT after 2 days of treatment.The renal function remained normal in the follow-up of 36 months.In case 2,the right kidney resorted to moderate blood flow but became atrophy later.In the follow-up of 4 months,a recurrent focal infarction was confirmed in left kidney by enhanced CT.The left kidney also resorted to moderate bloodflow after DSA and catheter thrombolytic therapy.The renal function became normal after follow-up of 10 months and no new infarction was observed.Conclusions The diagnosis of acute renal infraction could be made by enhanced CT or MRI.Early diagnosis and location of the infraction renal artery is critical for recovery of the impaired renal function.Acute renal infraction should be suspected in patients with unexplained persistent and steady flank or abdominal pain in emergence department.