Objective To evaluate the changes in the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the proliferated intima of pulmonary arterioles in rats with pulmonary hypertension.Methods Thirty-two pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 2 months,weighing 200-230 g,were used in the study.Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 animals in each group using a random number table:shamoperation group (group S),left pneumonectomy group (group P),monocrotaline group (group M),and left pneumonectomy combined with monocrotaline group (group PM).The rats underwent left pneumonectomy in P and PM groups.In M and PM groups,monocrotaline 60 mg/kg was injected subcutaneously at 7 days after operation.On day 35 after operation,mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP)were measured via direct puncture of right ventricle outflow tract with gauge 24 iv catheter connected to pressure transducer.At the end of experiment,the hearts and right lobes of the lung were excised for measurement of right ventricle hypertrophy index (RVHI) and the thickness of the medial layer (tunica media) of pulmonary arterioles (MT).Vascular occlusion score (VOS) was performed.The expression of HIF-1α,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the pulmonary arterioles was determined.Results Compared with S group,MT was significandy increased,and the expression of α-SMA was up-regulated in P group,mPAP,RVSP,RVHI and MT were increased in M group,mPAP,RVSP,RVHI,MT and VOS were increased in PM group,and the expression of HIF-1α,α-SMA,and PCNA was up-regulated in M and PM groups.Compared with P group,mPAP,RVSP,RVHI and MT were significantly increased,and the expression of HIF1α,α-SMA,and PCNA was up-regulated in M and PM groups.Compared with M group,RVSP,RVHI,MT and VOS were si gnificantly increased,and the expression of HIF-1α,α-SMA,and PCNA was up-regulated in PM group.Conclusion The mechanism of pulmonary arteriole intimal proliferation is related to up-regulated HIF-1α expression and promoted proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in rats with pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To study normal flora components of conjunctiva, explore the relationship between normal flora and ocu- lar bacterial infections.Methods The data of 1 198 bacterial cultures of conjunctiva in non-infectious cataract patients were re- viewed and compared with the results of 985 specimens of conjunctivitis, keratitis and endophthalmitis from January 2000 to December 2004.Results Positive culture of conjunctiva in non-infectious cataract patients was 628 in 1 198 specimens (52.4%).These bacteria including gram-positive cocci and gram-neganve bacilli constituted the normal flora of conjunctiva. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant bacteria (51.1%, 341/667) and its prevalence increased during this 5-year period.S.epidermidis and S.aureus were also the most frequently isolated pathogens in specimens of conjunctivitis, keratitis and endophthalmitis.The correlation was statistically significant between the positive rate in normal eye and conjunctivitis or keratitis in terms of these two species, but not statistically significant between normal eye and endophthalmitis.The resistance rate of normal flora of conjunctiva to ampicillin, amikacin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin increased year by year. The resistance rate to gentamicin and the combination of two drugs decreased.The changing resistant pattern was similar in pa- tients with eye infection.Conclusions There is a close relationship between the normal flora S.aureus and S.epidermidis of conjunctiva and the bacterial infection of ocular surface, but no significant correlation between normal flora and the pathogen of endophthalmitis.

Objective To investigate effect of artesunate on expressions of Toll-like receotor-4 (TLR4) and interleu?kin-8 (IL-8) in renal tissue of diabetic nephropathy rats. Methods Male SD rats of over 200 g in body weight (n=45) were injected with low dosage streptozotocin and fed with high fat and sucrose diets to establish diabetes nephropathy (DN) model. Among all rats of successful model, thirty-two were randomly selected and divided into four groups (n=8 in each group), Mod?el group (Group B), Artesunate at high dose treatment group [30 mg/(kg · d)] (Group C), Artesunate at low dose treatment group [10 mg/(kg·d)] (Group D), Enalapril treatment group [10 mg/(kg·d)] (Group E). Another eight rats without STZ injec?tion whose body weight is under 200 g were assigned as Normal group (Group A). Then, rats in Group A and B were given the same volume of normal saline [10 mg/(kg·d)] while rats in Group C, D and E were given 30 mg/(kg·d) Artesunate, 10 mg/(kg·d) Artesunate and 10 mg/(kg · d) Enalapril respectively intragastrically for consecutive 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, kidney index, 24-hours proteinuria, serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Expression level of TLR4 in renal tissue of rats were examined by Western blot;ELISA was used to quantify the concentration of IL-8 in serum and renal tissue of rats. Results Compared with rats in Group A, the levels of Fasting blood glucose, kidney index , 24-hours proteinuria, Cr and BUN as well as the level of TLR4 in kidney, levels of IL-8 in serum and kidney all significant?ly increased in rats in Group B, C, D and E(P<0.05). On the other hand, body weight were decreased in rats of Group B, C, D and E compared to rats in Group A(P<0.05). The level of TLR4 in kidney, levels of IL-8 in serum and kidney, 24-hours proteinuria, Cr and BUN in rats of Group C, D and E were significantly lower than those in rats of Group B(P<0.05). Furthermore, compared with rats in Group D, the levels of TLR4 in kidney, IL-8 in serum and kidney, 24-hours proteinuria, Cr and BUN were decreased in rats in Group C and E(P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression lev?el of TLR4 positively correlated with IL-8 level in serum (r=0.969, P<0.05), IL-8 level in kidney (r=0.972, P<0.05), 24-hours proteinuria(r=0.965, P<0.05), Cr(r=0.944, P<0.05)and BUN(r=0.903, P<0.05). IL-8 level in kidney positively correlated with 24-hours proteinuria(r=0.962, P<0.05), Cr(r=0.929, P<0.05)and BUN(r=0.940, P<0.05). Conclu?sion Artesunate decreases expression of TLR4 and IL-8, reduce 24-hours proteinuria, inhibits the inflammation of the DN,relives the pathological lesions of nephron rats with diabetic nephropathy.

Acellular Dermis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Healing

Objective To study the effect of cholecalciterol cholesterol emulsion(CCE)in the zymosan(Z)-induced acute hepatic injury. Meth-ods A total of 36 C57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups,namely negative control(CON)group,CCE group,Z group and CCE+Z group,respectively. There were 9 mice in each group. Mice from CON group and Z group were fed with pure water. Mice from CCE group and CCE+Z group were fed with cholecalciterol cholesterol emulsion 20μL dissolved in 200 mL pure water which was kept in darkness. After 14 days, Z group and CCE+Z group were injected with zymosan at a dose of 500 mg/kg. After 18 hours,all the mice in each group were sacrificed. The liver tissues were harvested for histopathological examination. The serum ALT levels were determined. The molecular expression of IL-6 and IL-18 in liv-er tissue of mice were evaluated by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR method. Results The results of histopathological examination showed that liver tissue damage in CCE+Z group was lighter than that of Z group ,and heavier than that of the CON group. Compared to the CON group,Z group had the highest serum ALT level,followed by CCE+Z group,while in Z group was significantly lower than that in CON group(all P<0.05). The expression of IL-6 and IL-18 protein and mRNA showed level of Z group was apparently higher than those of CON group and CCE+Z group(all P<0.05). Conclusion Cholecalciterol cholesterol emulsion can play certain protective effect on zymosan-induced liver injury in mice.

Objective To observe the clinical features, phenotypes and genotypes in a Chinese family with choroideremia (CHM). Methods A Chinese four-generation family (15 members) with CHM, including 5 patients (4 males/1 female), 2 female carriers and 8 healthy members, was enrolled in this study. Initially all family members underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual field and full view electroretinogram (ERG). BCVA was followed up for 3 years. Venous blood samples were collected, and all of the 15 coding exons and flanking intron regions were amplified in the proband by polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing. Protein structure was modeled based on the protein data bank and mutations in DeepView v4.0.1 to predict the effect of the mutations. A total of 180 healthy volunteers were enrolled as control group to matching CHM gene sequences. Results The visual acuity (VA) of 3/4 adult male patients began to decrease at less than 10, 10 and 30 years old, the average BCVA was 0.43. There were characteristic signs and symptoms of CHM including narrow visual field, extinguished rod and cone response in ERG, disappeared junction line and intermediate line of photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment on OCT. After 3 years, the mean BCVA decreased to 0.11. The BCVA of one young male patient was 1.0 in both eyes with minor changes fundus and visual field. The VA of the female patient began to decrease at 50 years old, her BCVA of two eyes were 0.5 and 0.25, respectively. The fundus changes were typical of CHM, with relative scotomas in the peripheral visual field of OD, and big scotomas in the OS. After 3 years, her mean BCVA decreased to 0.2. Of 2 female carriers, one had minor fundus changes (patches of pigmentary deposits, atrophy spots of retinal pigment epithelium cells), and the other was normal. A novel heterozygous c.1837G>A mutation in exon 15 of CHM was detected in the proband, which resulted in the substitution of serine by proline at codon 613 (p.D613N). Based on molecular modeling, the misfolded protein caused by the mutation might destabilize the structure of the helix that potentially could affect the global stability of the Rep-1 protein. Conclusions A novel c.1837G>A (p.D613N) mutation may be the causative mutation for CHM in this family. Female CHM carriers may have some signs and symptoms.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint pressure plus long-snake moxibustion for upper-limb spastic hemiplegia after cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 100 patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 50 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with the same conventional internal medicine and rehabilitation training. The control group was treated with additional acupoint pressure therapy, and the observation group was treated with long-snake moxibustion on the basis of the treatment given to the control group. The Ashworth grade, Fugl-Meyer assessment upper limb scale (FMA-UL) and Barthel index (BI) were evaluated, and the root mean square (RMS) values of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis on the affected side were measured before and after treatment. The efficacy was evaluated after treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Ashworth grade of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The scores of FMA-UL and BI in both groups increased compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the scores of FMA-UL and BI in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The RMS values of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis in both groups decreased compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the RMS values of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on conventional internal medicine and rehabilitation training, acupoint pressure plus long-snake moxibustion has great therapeutic efficacy for upper-limb spastic hemiplegia after cerebral infarction. It can improve the degree of spasticity of the affected upper limb, reduce the muscle tone of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis on the affected side, and enhance the mobility of the affected limb and the activities of daily living.

Objective To investigate the effects of smad7 on transdifferentiation and collagenⅠsynthesis in advanced glyeosylation end-products(AGE)-stimulated NRK52E cells.Methods NRK52E cells were transferred by pTet-on plasmid system and the cell lines of doxycycline(Dox)-regulated Smad7 expression were selected for the study.Transnuclear location of p-Smad2/3 was examined with immunocytochemistry.The mRNA and protein expressions of Smad7,?-SMA,E-cadherin,collagenⅠwere detected with RT-PCR and Western blot. Results AGE-induced expressions of Smad7 mRNA and protein were further increased in NRK52E cells by the addition of Dox in a dose-dependent manner.Overexpression of Smad7 caused a marked inhibition of p-Smad2/3 transnuclear location at 30 min(68.3% vs 31.2%,P

In recent years, the incidence of tic disorders has increased, and it is not uncommon for the patients to treat the disease. The pathogenesis and pathogenesis of Western medicine are not yet clear, the clinical commonly used western medicine has many adverse reactions, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research is increasingly valued. Based on the software of TCM inheritance assistant system, this paper discusses Ding Yuanqing's experience in treating tic disorder with Professor. Collect yuan Qing Ding professor in treating tic disorder of medical records by association rules Apriori algorithm, complex system entropy clustering without supervision and data mining method, carries on the analysis to the selected 800 prescriptions, to determine the frequency of use of prescription drugs, the association rules between the drug and digging out the 12 core combination and the first six new prescription, medication transferred to the liver and extinguish wind, cooling blood and relieving convulsion, Qingxin soothe the nerves, with the card cut, flexible application, strict compatibility.
Data Mining ; Databases, Bibliographic ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Tic Disorders ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

The relationship between the conformation of interferon-α (IFN-α) and its anti-viral activity were analyzed by circular dichroism (CD) and flow cytometry (FCM) techniques. The recombinant human IFN-α (rIFN-α2b and rIFN-α2a) were used. CD spectra from 190 nm to 240 nm indicated that two the IFN-α showed stable secondary structure at 65 degrees C, but unstable when the temperature was above 65 degrees C, and the change was irreversible. FCM data of the anti-viral activity of IFN-α indicated that the change of its secondary structures partly weakened its anti-viral activity. The rIFN-α2b and rIFN-α2a showed the same phenomenon. These data indicated that the conformation of IFN-α is one of the factors to influence its anti-viral activity and the combination of CD and FCM is a good method to analyze the relationship between the conformation of protein drugs and their biological activities in single cell level.
Antiviral Agents ; chemistry ; Circular Dichroism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; chemistry ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry