Objective: To observe polyethylenimine-mediated BMP-7 gene transfection in promoting fracture healing in elderly rats. Methods: Male SD rats (20-month-old) were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A received BMP-7 gene therapy mediated by polyehtylenimine, group B was treated with normal saline and group C was treated with BMP-7 plasmid without polyethylenimine. Right femoral shaft fracture model was established in all rats. Animals in group A received transdermal injection of pcDNA3. 1-BMP-7/PET; those in group B and C received the same volume of normal saline and pcDNA3. 1-BMP-7, respectively. X-ray photography, histological observation (H-E staining), immunohistochemical staining of collagen type I, biomechanical and bone mineral density test were employed to assess the healing of fracture 2, 4, and 8 weeks after treatment. Results: The results of X ray and H-E staining showed no fracture healing in the 3 groups during the 8th week after fracture; however, the growth of coloboma in group A was better than that of the other 2 groups, with partial bone union between the fracture ends. Staining of collagen type I showed deeper, wider staining in group A compared with the other 2 group. Anti-bending intensity and bone mineral density tests showed that the parameters in group A were better than those of the other 2 groups (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion: Polyethylenimine-mediated hBMP-7 gene transfer can effectively promote fracture healing in elderly rats.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Catgut ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebotomy ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; therapy

Adult ; Compliance ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Population Surveillance ; Quality Control ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo analyze the association of human urate transporter 1 ( hURAT1 ) gene promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) with primary hyperuricemia ( HUA ) in Chinese Han people.MethodsA total of 215 patients with HUA and 323 healthy subjects were chosen to be investigated of SNP of hURAT1 promoter by PCR and sequencing.ResultsFive SNPs were identified,including-454A/T,-434T/C,-382C/T,-87C/T,and + 118G/A.Pairwise linkage disequilibrium analysis displayed a high linkage disequilibrium between the five SNPs ( r2 =0.99).In HUA group,the heterozygous genotypos ( AT,CT,CT,CT,AG ) frequencies were significantly lower than those in control group ( P＜0.05 ).Logistic regression analysis showed that the heterozygosis genotypes ( AT,CT,CT,CT,AG) were protective factors of HUA ( OR 0.68-0.75 ).The minor allele ( T,C,T,T,A ) frequencies for both SNPs were significantly different between two groups ( P =0.022,P =0.038 ).ConclusionThese findings indicate that -454A/T,-434T/C,-382C/T,-87C/T,and + 118G/A SNPs of hURAT1 gene promoter area are associated with HUA in Chinese Han population.

Objective To investigate the effects of co-exposure to LPS and heat on plasma tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats. Methods Eighty male pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: saline-injected normothermic control (group C), saline-injected heat exposed (group H), LPS-injected normothermic control (group L), LPS-injected heat exposed (group HL). Rectal temperature (Tr), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and respiratory rate (RR) were continually monitored. Plasma levels of TNF-? and IL-6 were determined at 0, 40, 80, 120 min after treatment. Results The rats in group HL displayed significantly higher values of Tr , HR , and RR and lower values of MAP than that of group C at 120 min. There was a significant difference in the values of HR and MAP between group HL and the other 3 groups at the same time point. The rats in group HL displayed an early rise in levels of plasma TNF-?, IL-6 at 40 min. The significant elevation of the peak TNF-? level at 80 min in group HL was observed. Plasma IL-6 hyperexpression was shown in rats in group HL which was significantly higher than the other 3 groups at the same time point. Conclusion Co-exposure to LPS and heat induces the rat to develop and augment systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription on neurotrophic effects of astrocytes in diabetes mellitus rats with depression. Methods The diabetes mellitus with depression rat models were established by composite method, and then were randomly divided into 5 groups: model group, positive group, Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription high-, medium-, low-dose groups, with 12 rats in each group. 12 normal rats were set as control group. Each administration group was given relevenat medicine for gavage for continuous 4 weeks. Open-field test was used to evaluate the depression-like behavior. The expression of GFAP in astrocyte and MAP2 in neuron were tested by immunohistochemistry. The expression of protein and mRNA of BDNF, GDNF, and NGF were tested by Western blot and RT-PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the activities of rats in model group were significantly reduced. The expression of GFAP increased, while the expressions of MAP2, BDNF, GDNF and NGF decreased. Compared with the model group, the depression-like behavior of rats in model group were significantly improved. The expression of GFAP decreased, while the expressions of MAP2, BDNF, GDNF and NGF increased, and GFAP decrseaed significantly. Conclusion The secretion function of astrocyte can be improved by Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription. Its anti-depression and neuron-protection function might be correlated with the enhancement of neurotrophic effects of astrocytes.

Objective To analyze the mutations of causal genes in sixteen Chinese patients with suspicious Bartter syndrome,and follow up their treatment results.Methods Mutations were identified by the next generation sequencing and the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).Clinical and biochemical features at the first presentation as well as follow-up results were reviewed.Results 15 different CLCNKB gene mutations were identified in sixteen patients with BS,including 11 novel ones.A novel missense mutation and a novel small deletion were found from SLC12A1 gene.A novel gross deletion was found in CLCNKA gene.A recurrent missense mutation was identified from BSND gene.The whole gene deletion mutation of CLCNKB gene was the most frequent mutation (32％),and the rate of gross deletion was up to 50 percent in this group of Chinese patients.The most common clinical manifestations were development retardation (15/16),polydipsia and polyuria (15/16).All of the patients were detected with hypokalemia,hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis.Indomethacin treatment had significant improvement to the stature and weight restoration.Conclusion The present study has found 19 mutations,including 14 novel ones,which enriches the human gene mutation database (HGMD) and provides valuable references to the genetic counseling and diagnosis of Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The association of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms with the onset and development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been the focus of studies on AS in the field of genetics.OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of the polymophisms of TNF-α promoter gene at positions-308 and -238 with AS susceptibility and clinical pathological changes.DESIGN: A case-control study.SETTING:The Rheumatic Immunology Department of Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 108 AS patients were recruited from Rheumatic Immunology Department of Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from January 1999 to December 2003 ,they had no kinship. The ratio of men to women was 5.3: 1. They aged from 13 to 71 (30-± 12) years old, and AS was divided into Ⅰ- Ⅳ radiographic stages according to the sacro-iliac joint damage. A total of 100 healthy controls were randomly selected from the blood donators(Shanghai Hospital) who were aged from 19 -56 (33 ±9) years old, and the ratio of men to women was 4.9: 1. Informed consent was obtained from all the subjects.ti-coagulated with EDTA. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and purification of the TNF-α promoter region was made and the sequence of polymerase chain reaction products was examined and displayed by Chromas 1.62 softcorresponding radiographic stage of sacro-iliac joint damage was assessed to investigate the influence of gene polymorphisms on AS.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: DNA direct sequencing method was used to detect -238 and -308 allele phenotypes for investigating the association with clinical presentations.G and -238G/A allele was 98.1% (106 cases) and1. 9% (2 cases) respectively in AS group and 95.0% (95 cases) and 5.0% (5 cases) respecquency of TNF-α promoter gene at positions -308. 1.1(G/G) and - 308.1.2(G/A) alleles was 82.4% (89 cases) and 17.6% (192 cases) respectively in AS group, which was not significantly different compared respectively with 85.0% (85 cases) and 14.0% (14 cases) of the control of sacro-iliac joint damage and the frequency of TNF-α promoter gene at the position of - 308 (G/G) and (G/A): AS patients with(G/G) phenotype who were confirmed of radiographic stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were observed in 3/35/40/11cases,compared with (G/A) phenotype of 1/12/6/0 cases.The difference was statistically significant (χ2GMH = 4.77, P ＜ 0.05 ).CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the polymorphisms of TNF-α promoter gene at positions of - 238 and - 308 allele has no association with AS susceptibility, but the polymorphisms of TNF - α promoter gene at the position of -308 might exert great influence on AS according to the radiographic stage of sacro-iliac joint damage.

Objective To explore and conclude the influence factors of long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair for moderate and severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration.Methods To review the in-patient data and followup outcomes of 261 patients after mitral valve repair for moderate and severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration from Jan 1993 to Jan 2008 in Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University.Results There were 7 perioperative deaths and 254 survivors who obtained satisfactory perioperative outcomes.During the follow-up,24 patients were lost and 230 patients were followed up from 36 months to 174 months (77.3 ±30.3) months and follow-up rate was 90.6％.Multivariate Cox regression shows age ≥ 60 years old,left ventricular ejection fraction ＜ 0.50,undergoing combined coronary artery bypass grafting were the independent risk factors for long-term death after operations and left ventricular ejection fraction ＜ 0.50,New York Heart Association functional classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ,anterior leaflet prolapse were the independent risk factors for long-term recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation after operations and prosthetic ring or band annulopasty was a protective factor.Conclusion The age ≥60 years old,left ventricular ejection fraction ＜ 0.50,undergoing combined coronary artery bypass grafting,New York Heart Association functional classification Ⅲ - Ⅳ,anterior leaflet prolapse,and prosthetic ring or band annulopasty were closely related with long-term adverse events after operations.

0.05),but the rate of depression and anxiety were significantly higher in the study group(P