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

AlM:To investigate the effects of pirfenidone ( PFD) on the proliferation and transfomring growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1 ) expression in vitro culture rat corneal stromal cells.METHODS: Corneal stromal cells from 8 to 10wk SD rats were isolated, cultured and treated with different concentrations of PFD 0mg/mL (control group), 0. 15mg/mL (experimental group▏), 0. 3mg/mL (experimental group‖), 1mg/mL (experimental group Ⅲ) for 48h. CCK-8 assay was performed to assess cell proliferation, while immunocytochemistry and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of ki-67 and TGF-β1 expression, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with control group, PFD significantly inhibited the proliferation in a dose -dependent manner ( all P < 0. 05 ), so was protein expression of ki-67. PFD significantly down-regulated the expression of TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON: Pirfenidone can significantly inhibit the proliferation of rat corneal stromal cell by down regulating TGF-β1 expression, therefore, it has potential prospect in lightening the corneal wound healing reaction.

Objective : To investigate the willingness to receive HIV testing in primary health service institutions (PHSIs) among young students in Wuhan City, so as to provide the evidence for improving the detection of HIV testing among young students. Methods: Fifteen PHSIs were sampled using a stratified random sampling method in 14 districts of Wuhan City, and school students at ages of 15 to 24 years were sampled from each district using a convenience sampling method. Participants' demographics, awareness of AIDS-related knowledge, HIV testing and willingness to receive HIV testing were collected using questionnaires, and factors affecting the willingness to receive HIV testing in PHSIs were identified among school students using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results : A total of 301 questionnaires were allocated, and 299 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 99.34%. The respondents included 143 men (47.83%) and 156 women (52.17%), and had a mean age of (19.36±2.40) years; there were 223 respondents with an educational level of diploma and above (74.58%). The awareness of AIDS-related knowledge was 71.57% among the respondents, and 144 respondents had received AIDS-related health education in PHSIs (48.16%). There were 34 respondents that had received HIV testing (11.37%) and 203 respondents that were willing to receive HIV testing in PHSIs (67.89%). The respondents that were unwilling to receive HIV testing in PHSIs were mainly attributed to considering to be unlikely to get HIV infections (82.29%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that school students who knew AIDS-related knowledge (OR=2.797, 95%CI: 1.583-4.941), knew free HIV counseling and testing services in PHSIs (OR=2.070, 95%CI: 1.123-3.814), and had received AIDS-related health education in PHSIs (OR=2.814, 95%CI: 1.573-5.032) were more willing to receive HIV testing in PHSIs. Conclusions There were 67.89% of school students that were willing to receive HIV testing in PHSIs in Wuhan City, and the willingness to receive HIV testing was correlated with the awareness of risk of HIV infections, and awareness and experience of AIDS control services in PHSIs.

Objective To explore the effects of astrocytes in cervical spinal cord posterior horn on allodynia in rat models of migraine.Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 9 groups (each group n =6): blank group,sham surgery group,new inflammatory soup 3 d group (IS 3 d group),new inflammatory soup 7 d group(IS 7 d group),saline group,fluorocitrate (FCA)prevention group,FCA prevention control group,FCA treatment group,FCA treatment control group.Following the IS stimulation in the rat dual matter,Von-Frey hair was used to monitor the pain threshold of periorbital skin.Immunofluorescence technique was used to observe the expression of specific marker of astrocyte,glial fibrilary acidic protein (GFAP),and neuron activation marker,C-fos.Results ①Von-Frey hair study showed the thresholds of IS 3 d group and IS 7 d group were significantly decreased compared with the control group(3 d:5.3 ±0.3 vs 6.4 ±0.3,F =40.15;7 d:3.0 ±0.3 vs 6.3 ±0.2,F =382.5,both P ＜0.01).The pain thresholds of FCA prevention group and FCA treatment group both began to significantly increase at the day 4 (FCA prevention:5.5 ± 5.1 vs 5.1 ± 0.2,F =16.00 ;FCA treatment:4.3 ± 0.2 vs 3.0 ± 0.2,F =138.0,both P ＜ 0.01).②GFAP immunofluorescence showed that the mean optical density (A) values of IS 3 d group and IS 7 d group were significantly increased compared with the control group(3 d:24.5 ±4.4 vs 14.8 ± 2.5,F =32.54;7 d:38.9 ± 7.1 vs 14.6 ± 1.8,F =63.56,both P ＜ 0.01).()C-fosimmunofluorescence showed that mean A value of IS 3 d group was significantly increased compared with the control group (20.4 ± 2.3 vs 8.4 ± 1.1,F =129.0,P ＜ 0.01).The difference was not significant between the IS 7 d group and the control group.Conclusions Activated astrocytes contribute to the facial allodynia induced by chronic dural inflammation.Its inhibitor FCA could both prevent and treat the allodynia behaviour.All of these suggest that astrocytes may not only contribute to the initiation of mechanical allodynia but also the maintenance.

Objective Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with acoustic neuroma.Methods The 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.Results In 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 patientshearing were improved.Conclusious The 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.

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

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

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

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

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