AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVERetrospectively analyzed the clinical data of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with acoustic neuroma.

METHODSThe clinical data of 467 cases with sudden sensorineural hearing loss were collected between Jan, 2008 and Aug, 2012. Discussed the clinical data which were diagnosed as acoustic neuroma.

RESULTSIn 467 cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, nine cases were diagnosed as acoustic neuromas (9 ears, 1.93%), two males and seven females, with a age range of 28 to 57 years. Among them, seven cases accompanied with tinnitus, seven cases with vertigo. The hearing results in nine cases, two cases were found to be mild, two were moderate, four were severe, and one was profound hearling loss respectively. Hearing was classified into five types according to audiogram shape (1 of up-sloping, 1 of down-sloping, 2 of mid-frequency, 1 of profound loss, 4 of flat audiogram). Eight cases had abnormal ABR, nine cases with ear ipsilateral stapedius reflex were completely not elicited, seven cases with health ear contralateral stapedius reflex were completely not elicited. Tumors were graded by Koos Grades according to size (7 of grade I, 1 of grade II, 1 of grade IV). Seven small acoustic neuroma was taken waiting strategies. Meanwhile, we use glucocorticoid and improve the microcirculation of the inner ear medication short-termly for these patients. Four patients' hearing were improved.

CONCLUSIONSThe initial symptoms of some acoustic neuroma are sudden hearing loss, especially the small tumors in internal auditory canal. In order to prevent misdiagnosis, MRI and ABR should be performed as a routine test for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. It is necessary to give appropriate treatment to protecting hearing for the small acoustic neuroma patients whose first symptoms are diagnosed as sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Adult ; Female ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tinnitus ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Vertigo ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents in flower bud of Artemisia scoparia.

METHODThe methanol extract was isolated by column chromatography with silica gel, polyamide and Sephadex LH-20 as packing materials and HPLC, six compounds were obtained and their structures were identified by UV, NMR and MS.

RESULTSix compounds were identified as beta-sitosterol (IX), 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (X), 6-demethylcapillarisin (XI), capillartemisin B (XII), kumatakenin (XIII), isoscoploletin-beta-D-glucoside (XIV).

CONCLUSIONXI, XII, XIII and XIV were obtained from the plant for the first time, and XI is a new compound.

Artemisia ; chemistry ; Chromones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Phenylpropionates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antagonistic effects of three species of oral Streptococcus on the growth of oral Saccharomyces albicans in vitro.

METHODSDirect inoculation method, reverse inoculation method and mixed culture methods were respectively chosen to observe the changes of Saccharomyces albicans colony formation on the effects of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus salivarius.

RESULTS1) No clear inhibition zone was observed in each of the groups by direct inoculation method. 2) Compared with the control groups, Saccharomyces albicans colony formation on soft agar of Streptococcus sanguis decreased significantly (P < 0.05). 3) Mixed culture method results showed that Streptococcus mutans could inhibit the growth of Saccharomyces albicans significantly at different time points (P = 0.001). 4) Under the action of bacteria culture supernatant, the count of Saccharomyces albicans in experiment groups showed statistical significance when compared with the control groups at 24, 48, 72 h (P = 0.001); The differences among the experimental groups were of no statistical significance at majority times (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONStreptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, and Streptococcus salivarius could obviously inhibit the growth of Saccharomyces albicans in vitro. However, it is still unclear that among which the inhibition effects is stronger. The antagonistic effects is weakened gradually.

In Vitro Techniques ; Saccharomyces ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus mutans ; Streptococcus sanguis

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutation responsible for synpolydactyly (SPD) in a large Chinese kindred and to offer genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the members of the family.

METHODSAll family members were examined clinically, and blood samples were obtained for linkage analysis and mutation screening. Ultrasound examinations were conducted at 16-21 weeks. Amniotic fluid sample was obtained by ultrasound-guided amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation.

RESULTSA large kindred affected with SPD was identified and characterized. With two short tandem repeat (STR) markers (D2S1238 and D2S1245) flanking the HOXD13 gene, the disease was mapped to 2q31. A heterozygous 27 bp expansion within the imperfect GCN triplet-repeat of exon 1, c. 184_210dup, was identified. The mutation resulted in a gain of 9 alanine residues between the 14th and 15th alanine of the normal 15-amino-acid-long polyalanine tract. On ultrasound examination, all fingers and toes of the fetus appeared to be normal. Linkage analysis and mutation detection confirmed that the fetus did not inherit the mutant allele from his affected mother.

CONCLUSIONHOXD13 gene mutation was responsible for the SPD phenotype in this family. Accurate prenatal diagnosis of SPD was achieved with combined ultrasound and molecular analysis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Fingers ; abnormalities ; Genetic Linkage ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Syndactyly ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Toes ; abnormalities ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Young Adult

Seasonal dynamics of total phenolics (TP), extractable condensed tannins (ECT), protein-bound condensed tannins (PBCT), fiber-bound condensed tannins (FBCT), total condensed tannins (TCT), and protein precipitation capacity (PPC) in young, mature and senescent branchlets of Casuarina equisetifolia were studied at Chishan Forestry Center of Dongshan County, Fujian Province, China. In addition, nitrogen contents of branchlets at the different developmental stages were also determined. The contents of TP and ECT, and PPC in young branchlets were significantly higher than those in mature and senescent branchlets through the season. However, PBCT contents were significantly higher in senescent branchlets than those in young and mature branchlets; FBCT fluctuated with season. Young branchlets had the highest N content, which decreased during branch maturity and senescence. The highest contents of TP and the lowest contents of TCT and N in young and mature branchlets were observed in summer. There was a significant negative correlation between TP and N contents. In contrast, TCT contents were positively correlated to N contents. Nutrient resorption during senescence and high TCT:N ratios in senescent branchlets are the important nutrient conservation strategies for C. equisetifolia.
Nitrogen ; analysis ; Phenols ; analysis ; Seasons ; Tannins ; analysis ; Trees ; chemistry

The research patterns for the pharmacodynamic chemical substances in compound prescriptions of Chinese medicinal materials in recent years were summarized, and the deficiencies of the commonly used patterns were commented on. A research pattern for the pharmacodynamic chemical substances in compound prescriptions of Chinese medicinal materials was raised, which is suitable for the characteristics of the Chinese medicine. The trend of the research work was predicted, which would provide some thinking for the pharmacodynamic chemical substances in compound prescription of Chinese medicinal materials.
Biomedical Research ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Adult ; Hemochromatosis ; etiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the role of apelin in the prevention of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia in rats.

METHODSThe animal model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was established by exposing the rats to isobaric hypoxic chamber for 4 weeks (8 h/d, 6 d/ w). Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (NC), hypoxic group(HH), hypoxic with low-dose apelin (5 nmol/(kg x d) group(LA) and high-dose apelin (10 nmol/(kg x d) (HA). [pGlu]apelin-13 was administered into the rats of apelin groups by mini-osmotic pump subcutaneously. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP) and the mean carotid arterial pressure (mCAP) were measured by either right or left cardiac catheterization, and the weight ratio of right ventricule/left ventricule plus septum (RV/(LV + S)) were calculated. The Masson's trichrome stained lung specimens were examined by light microscope to examine the vessel wall area/total area (WA/TA), vessel cavity area/total area (CA/TA) and media thickness of pulmonary arterioles (PAMT). Meanwhile, the lung homogenates were assayed for the activity of supeeroxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA).

RESULTS(1) mPAP and RV/(LV + S) of HH group were significantly higher than those of NC group. mPAP of LA and HA groups were lower than those of HH group. The RV/(LV + S) of HA group was significantly lower than that of HH group, but there was no significant difference between HH group and LA group. (2) Masson's trichrome staining revealed that WA/TA and PAMT of HH group were higher than those of NC group. Administration of apelin significantly eliminated WA/TA and PAMT in LA and HA groups. (3) CA/TA of HH group was lower than that of NC group. Administration of apelin significantly elevated CA/TA in LA and HA groups. (4) The activity of SOD and content of MDA in HH group was, respectively, lower and higher than those in NC group. Apelin treatment increased the activity of SOD in LA and HA groups while decreased the content of MDA.

CONCLUSIONSApelin could play an important role in treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension of rats and the mechanisms of protection were associated with vasodilation of pulmonary artery and inhibition of oxidative stress.

Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Hypoxia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transfer on the bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary hypertension in immature rabbits.

METHODSImmature rabbits were divided into 4 groups; control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups. The systolic, diastolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure (PASP, PADP, MPAP) were measured by micro-catheter, the pathological changes and the expression of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA of endothelial cells in pulmonary arteries were evaluated by HE stain and in situ hybridization.

RESULT(1) The PAP of BLM and liposome groups was higher than that of control and trans-gene groups. The PASP was 16.5+/-2.9, 25.2+/-7.0, 24.4+/-6.0 and 18.3+/-2.7 mmHg; the PADP was 8.8+/-4.2, 13.1+/-3.8, 13.7+/-4.6 and 10.2+/-2.6 mmHg; the MPAP was 12.1+/-4.0, 18.4+/-4.7, 18.4+/-5.1 and 14.1+/-2.5 mmHg in control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups respectively. (2) The thickness of wall increased and the cavity became narrow, and the thickness index (TI) and area index (AI) increased in middle and small pulmonary arteries of BLM and liposome groups. The TI was 0.52+/-0.16, 0.65+/-0.16, 0.63+/-0.11 and 0.55+/-0.13; and the AI was 0.74+/-0.17, 0.84+/-0.14, 0.85+/-0.08 and 0.79+/-0.12 in control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups,respectively. (3) The level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells decreased in BLM and liposome groups. The level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in trans-gene group was higher than that in BLM and liposome groups, but lower than that in control group. VEGFmRNA was 0.83+/-0.09, 0.45+/-0.11, 0.45+/-0.13 and 0.65+/-0.18; eNOSmRNA was 0.79+/-0.12, 0.45+/-0.12, 0.50+/-0.14 and 0.56+/-0.08 in control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONVEGF gene transfer in immature rabbits with BLM-induced pulmonary hypertension could attenuate the increasing of PAP and wall thickness in middle and small pulmonary arteries, and increase the level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bleomycin ; Endothelium ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; therapy ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics