Objective To investigate the different influences of simvastatin on proliferation of rat smooth muscle progenitor cells(SPCs) versus endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and identify the compounds that differentially inhibit SPCs and EPCs proliferation for clinical usefulness. Methods Total mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from bone marrow of rats by Fieoll density gradient centrifugation, and then the cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. SPCs outgrew from the culture of MNCs in the presence of platelet-derived growth factor-BB and basic fibroblast growth factor, whereas EPCs were obtained in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor. SPCs were identified as adherent cells positive for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by indirect immunofluoreseent staining. EPCs were characterized as adherent cells double positive for DiLDL-uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining. SPCs and EPCs were stimulated by simvastatin (0.01～10.00 μmol/L) or vehicle control for the respective time points (6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h). SPCs and EPCs proliferation were assayed with 3H-TdR incorporation and manual counting respectively. Results Simvastatin obviously inhibited SPCs proliferation. At the concentration of 0. 01 μmol/L for 12 h,simvastatin significantly reduced the number of SPCs by (5.8±3.1)% compared with control group (P<0.05). Simvastatin significantly stimulated EPCs proliferation, which was dose- and time dependent and reached maximum at 1 μmol/L after 24 hours (2.0±0.1 fold increase, P<0.01).Conclusions Simvastatin displays different effects on SPCs (inhibited) and EPCs (promoted)proliferation. Local application of simvastatin may inhibit arterial restenosis and promote reendothelialization of injured vessels.

Objective to investigate the relationship between the size of ostium secondary atrial septal defect (ASD) and the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in children less than 5 years of age. Methods During the period from April 2000 to January 2011, a total of 189 child patients less than 5 years of age with ostium secondary ASD were admitted to General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command. Under general anaesthesia with ketamine cardiac catheterization was performed, PAP was measured, and percutaneous occlusion of ASD was carried out in all patients. The clinical indexes, including sex, age, body height, body weight, body surface area, diameter of ASD defect, heart- to- thorax ratio, the systolic, diastolic and mean pressure of the pulmonary artery, etc. were determined. The patients were followed up for one year and postoperative cardiac ultrasonography was performed to check the results. The patients were divided into groups according to the defect size. Results The 189 patients consisted of 77 males and 112 females with a male-to-female ratio of 1 ∶ 1.5. The mean age was (4.1 ± 0.9) years old, ranging from 2 to 5 years old. The mean weight was (17.2 ± 3.6) kg, ranging from 10.0 to 30.0 kg. The mean height was (104.9 ± 9.2) cm, ranging from 77 to 135 cm. The mean body surface area (BSA) was (0.71 ± 0.10) m2, ranging from 0.46 to 1.02 m2. The mean size of ASD was (12.6 ± 4.8) mm, ranging from 5 to 29 mm. The mean size of ASD, which was modified by BSA, was (18.0 ± 7.0) mm/m2, ranging from 5.3 to 38.9 mm/m2. The mean systolic PAP was (41.1 ± 8.9) mmHg with a range of 15 - 67 mmHg. The mean diastolic PAP was (16.8 ± 6.5) mmHg with a range of 3 - 45 mmHg. The mean PAP was (24.9 ± 6.7) mmHg with a range of 12 - 48 mmHg. One hundred and fifty- nine patients (89.4%) had pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which was determined by right heart catheterization, but no patient showed PAH when the pulmonary arterial pressure was measured by echocardiography before the procedure as well as 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the procedure. No definite correlation existed between the size of ASD and the pulmonary artery pressure (P > 0.05). Conclusion Pulmonary artery pressure measured by right heart catheterization has no definite correlation with the size of ASD in children less than 5 years of age. Pulmonary artery pressure obtained from right heart catheterization is higher than that determined by cardiac ultrasonography, which may be caused by the effect of ketamine when general anaesthesia is used in performing right heart catheterization.

Objective To investigate the risk factors and early diagnosis of the severe thrombocytopenia complicating transcatheter ccclusion of patent ductus arteriosus ( PDA ) . Methods Between February, 2011 and May, 2015, 80 patients with patent ductus arteriosus underwent percutaneous intervention occlusion were studied. Results Average age were ( 17. 5 ± 17. 1 ) years, 63 were females (78. 8%), mean weight were (35. 6 ± 20. 2)kg (from 6. 0 to 75. 0 kg), mean body surface area (BSA) were (1. 09 ±0. 44) m2(from 0. 32 to 1. 91 m2). A bolus of heparin calcium (80 U/kg) was administered by intravenous injection. The mean diameters of patent ductus arteriosus were 4 mm (from 2 to 18 mm), and the mean diameters of occluders were 12 mm (from 6 to 30 mm). 14 patients were found to have severe thrombocytopenia (PLT count﹤100 × 109/L). The reduction rate of platelet in 12 of 14 patients was more than 19%. The diameters of all occluders were equal to or more than 14 mm, the mean diameters of patent ductus arteriosus were 10 mm ( from 6 to 18 mm) and the mean diameters of occluders were 18 mm ( from 14 to 30 mm). All the 14 patients started to present progressive decrease in PLT count since the second day post procedure. Taking the selected occluder diameter greater than 14 mm as cut-off points in diagnosis of severe thrombocytopenia, the sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 68%, the positive predictive value was 40%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. Combined with the postprocedural second day complete blood count analysis and the platelet count decreased by 10% as cut-off points in diagnosis of severe thrombocytopenia patients, the sensitivity was 93%, specificity was 67%, the positive predictive value was 65%, the negative predictive value was 93% . If taking the platelet count decreased by 7% on second day as cut-off points in diagnosis of severe thrombocytopenia patients, the sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 57%, the positive predictive value was 61%, the negative predictive value was 100% . Logistic regression analysis discovered that risk factors of severe thrombocytopenia after PDA are procedural platelet count and occluder diameter. Conclusions The risk factors of severe thrombocytopenia complicating transcatheter ccclusion of patent ductus arteriosus were the procedural reduction of platelet count and big occluder diameter. Patients with PDA who were inplanted with occluders equal to or bigger than 14 mm should retest the numbers of platelet on the second day after procedure and retest on third day if the numbers reduce on the second day, which may help in the prediction of severe thrombocytopenia.

Objective To investigate the effects of partial body weight supported treadmill training (BW- STT) on post-stroke depression (PSD) and on patients' quality of life.Methods Sixty patients with PSD were re- cruited and divided into a training group (n=30,male 17,female 13) and a control group (n=30,male 16,fe- male 14).All patients were treated with routine internal medication and rehabilitation.The patients of the training group also received BWSTT in addition to their routine treatment.All patients' neurological impairment was evaluated using the Modified Edinburgh-Scandinavian Stroke Scale (MESSS).The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) was used for evaluating the degree of depression.The Fugl-Meyer scale and the Barthel index were used to assess ambula- tion and balance,and facility in the activities of daily living.All patients were assessed before and after the treat- ment.Results After four weeks of treatment,depression in the training group had improved significantly more than in the control group.Conclusion BWSTT intervention is very important for patients with PSD:it can reduce the degree of depression and improve the quality of life.

OBJECTIVETo study the anticoagulant constituents in dried leech (Whitmania pigra Whitman).

METHODThe plasma recalcification time (PRT) as index, the constituents with anticoagulant activity were isolated and purified by anion-exchange chromatography on Sephadex DEAE A-50, gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-25 and Sephadex LH-20 columns, and then reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography successively.

RESULTThree anticoagulant polypeptides were isolated and purified. Compounds 1 and 2 can be translated each other in natural conditions, and their molecular weights are 7100 and 5531, respectively. Compound 3 was identified as a pure polypeptide by HPLC and SDS-PAGE, and its molecular weight was determined as 8 608 by MALDI-TOF-MS. The amino acid composition of compound 3 was also determined.

CONCLUSIONCompound 3 was inferred to be a novel anticoagulant, and named whitmanin.

Animals ; Anticoagulants ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Leeches ; chemistry ; Molecular Weight

AIMTo study the absorption of zedoary oil in intestine of rat.

METHODSIn situ single pass perfusion model was used and the concentrations of three components in perfusate were determined by HPLC in combination with diode array detection.

RESULTSThe P(app) s of curcumol, curdione and germacrone were all low and had no significant difference (P > 0.05) at zedoary oil concentration of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg x mL(-1) in transmucosal fluid or in four different regions of intestine of rat [duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon]. The absorption rates of germacrone and curdione were faster than curcumol's in this study.

CONCLUSIONThe zedoary oil concentration in transmucosal fluid had no significant effect on the P(app) s within the scope of 0.4-1.2 mg x mL(-1). The absorption of curcumol, curdione and germacrone showed the passive diffusion process, and didn't contain a special absorption window.

Animals ; Biological Transport ; Colon ; metabolism ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Duodenum ; metabolism ; Ileum ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intestinal Absorption ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Perfusion ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sesquiterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To evaluate the clinical safety, efficacy and long-term outcome of transcatheter occlusion for ruptured aortic sinus of valsalva aneurysm (RASA) into the right atrium.Methods Between January 2006 and April 2013, fifteen patients [11 males and 4 females,aged from 21 to 48 years with an mean age of (35.50±8.79) years] with RASA ruptured into the right atrium were enrolled in this study.Domestic made patent ductus arteriosus (applied in six patients) or small waist double-disk ventricular septal defect (applied in nine patients) occluders were used for transcatheter closure.All the patients were followed up for any change in cardiac rhythm,and residual shunt,occluders morphology and possible valve regurgitation by echocardiography.Results All RASA were confirmed by aortography,including eleven cases with rupture of right coronary sinus of valsalva and four cases with rupture of the noncoronary sinus of valsalva shunting into the right atrium.NYHA function class was(2.56±0.63)before the occlusion.Cardiac catheterization showed mean pulmonary arterial pressure and Qp/Qs ratio were (25.38±8.21)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and 1.34-2.81(1.93±0.39), respectively.Aortic angiography showed that the RSA was 4-10(6.42±1.92)mm at its narrowest end.There was no serious complication during the operation and all the patients had successful transcatheter closure without residual shunt.After transcatheter RASA occlusion, mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased to (16.1±5.3) mmHg (P<0.05).The diameter of right atrium,right ventricle, left atrium and pulmonary artery diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension all showed significant decrease (P<0.01).All patients were followed up for 35-132(78.6±28.57)months.All patients presented with a NYHA function class Ⅰ to Ⅱ cardiac function in their last follow up which was significantly improved compare to pre-occlusion level (P<0.01).There were no infective endocarditis,device displacement and embolism,serious aortic regurgitation,myocardial ischemia,serious arrhythmia or death in any of the patients during follow up.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of Valsalva aneurysm ruptured into right atrium with the domestic made patient ductus arteriosus and small-waist ventricular septal defect occluder is safe and effective with a good long term prognosis.

Begomoviruses are single-stranded DNA viruses and cause severe diseases in major crop plants worldwide. Based on current genome sequence analyses, we found that synonymous codon usage variations in the protein-coding genes of begomoviruses are mainly influenced by mutation bias. Base composition analysis suggested that the codon usage bias of AV1 and BV1 genes is significant and their expressions are high. Fourteen codons were determined as translational optimal ones according to the comparison of codon usage patterns between highly and lowly expressed genes. Interestingly the codon usages between begomoviruses from the Old and the New Worlds are apparently different, which supports the idea that the bipartite begomoviruses of the New World might originate from bipartite ones of the Old World, whereas the latter evolve from the Old World monopartite begomoviruses.
Begomovirus ; genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Chromosome Mapping ; Codon ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Evolution, Molecular

Photosynthetic and growth characteristics of Angelica dahurica were studied in order to clarity the relations of photosynthesis, growth and root dry weight, and provide a theoretical basis for its cultivation. Photosynthesis and growth indexes were meas- ured every 25 days. The contents of chlorophyll a, b, a + b, soluble protein and the activities of Hill reaction, Ca(2+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase had an increasing trend; They had the highest value in leaf high-speed growth period. Then, they were decreased in root high- speed growth period. The root dry weight showed negative corelation with photosynthetic characteristics indexes except stomatal con- ductance, however, the negative corelation only from net photosynthetic rate and Ca(2+)-ATPase were significant. The vegetative growth period of spring sowing A. dahuricia was divided into three phases: seedling period, leaf high-speed growth period and root high-speed growth period. The root dry weight showed a significantly positive corelation with the root diameter, leaf dry weight, shoot dry weight, aboveground dry weight. There was the competitive relation between aboveground and underground, so underground growth could be es- timated from leaf area and shoot dimeter.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; metabolism ; Angelica ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Seasons

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of severe thrombocytopenia in patients underwent transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus occlusion.Methods Clinical data of 80 pure patent ductus arteriosus patients who underwent interventional occlusion between February 2011 and November 2014 in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region were retrospective analyzed.A bolus of heparin calcium (80 U/kg) was administered by intravenous injection during the procedure.Blood test was conducted in all patients before and after the procedure.The patients with both platelet reduction rate ≥ 5％ and platelet count ＜ 100 × 109/L(severe thrombocytopenia) were treated by following strategies:bed rest,avoidance of activities,intensive control of blood pressure through sodium nitroprusside administration,and inhibition of presumed immunological reaction by glucocorticoids and human immunoglobulin administration.Follow-up ended in May 2015.Results (1) A total of 54 cases (67.5％) were diagnosed as thrombocytopenia in second days after the procedure.The reduction rate of platelet in 41 out of 54 patients was equal or more than 5％ on the second day,and the diameter of occludes were equal or more than 14 mm in 35 out of these 54 patients.Severe thrombocytopenia occurred in 14 patients and the occluder diameter was ≥ 14 mm in these 14 patients.Severe thrombocytopenia did not occur in patients with occlude diameter ＜ 14 mm or with reduction rate of platelet ＜5％.(2) A total of 14 severe thrombocytopenia patients were treated.No bleeding events occurred in hospital and during the whole follow-up period.The the lowest value of platelet count of patients was seen on the 4.5 (3.8,6.0) days post the procedure.The lowest numbers were 16.5 (7.5,37.3) × 109/L.The platelet count of patients restored to more than 30 × 109/L on the 8.0 (4.8,9.5) days and restore to more than 100 × 109/L on the 12.0 (9.8,39.3) days post procedure.The average hospitalization day of the patients were 15.5 (11.8,21.5) days.The platelet counts of severe thrombocytopenia patients were normal during the end of follow up (median 3.8 (1.0,4.9)years).Conclusion The patients with very severe thrombocytopenia after transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus are associated with a benign outcome in case of timely and proper treatment.