Objective To measure the concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in neuron-like cells resulted from rat bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) differentiation induced by salvia miltiorrhiza injection and provide some theoretical basis for the BMSCs transplantation. Methods The rat BMSCs were separated from rat bone marrow and cultured in vitro. After induced by basic fibroblast growth factor and 10mL/L salvia miltiorrhiza injection, the cells were identified with immunofluorescence staining against NeuN. The same procedure was performed on primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Then, the [Ca2+]i of the differentiated neuron-like cells was determined and compared with primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Results The BMSCs after induced by basic fibroblast growth factor and salvia miltiorrhiza injection expressed neuronal phenotypes similar to the cell appearance of neurons with NeuN. The average fluorescence intensity of the neuron-like cells derived from BMSCs was 984.75±79.51, while the average fluorescence intensity of the primarily cultured hippocampal neurons was 769.42±60.93. No significant difference was found between them (P>0.05). Conclusion The neuron-like cells from rat BMSCs differentiation induced by salvia miltiorrhiza injection possess certain neuronal properties.

BACKGROUND: The stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) signaling pathway cannot only improve the migration ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), but also restrain BMSCs apoptosis, increase BMSCs survival and improve the proliferation activity of BMSCs. OBJECTIVE: To construct a rat BMSCs line with SDF-1α overexpression and to explore its influence on the proliferation and migration of BMSCs in vitro. METHODS: The SDF-1α overexpression vector (pNL-SDF-1α-IRES2-EGFP) was constructed. The lentivirus particles were packaged by transferring pNL-SDF-1α-IRES2-EGFP, pNL-IRES2-EGFP and GV-118-SDF-1α-siRNA into 293T cells. The BMSCs lines with SDF-1α overexpression in SDF-1α-BMSCs group, null-BMSCs group and siRNA-BMSCs group were established by transfecting SDF-1α-lentiviru, null-lentivirus and siRNA-lentivirus into BMSCs respectively. The expression of SDF-1α at mRNA and protein levels in BMSCs was evaluated by RT-PCR and western blot assay, respectively. The influence of SDF-1α on proliferation and migration of BMSCs were evaluated by MTT and Transwell migration experiment respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The pNL-SDF-1α-IRES2-EGFP recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed, which was proved by sequencing results. EGFP was strongly expressed in 293T cells and BMSCs in all groups after 48 hours in lentivirus transfection. SDF-1α at mRNA and protein levels were highly expressed in the SDF-1α-BMSCs group, but the expression was significantly inhibited in the siRNA-BMSCs group. The proliferative ability of BMSCs was strengthened in the SDF-1α-BMSCs group, and SDF-1α was found to significantly promote the transmembrane migration of BMSCs. The migration index of BMSCs incubated with anti-SDF-1α multi-antibodies was restrained markedly. To conclude, the lentivirus vector cannot only infect BMSCs efficiently but also make SDF-1 expresse stably in BMSCs. The overexpression of SDF-1α can improve the proliferation and migration abilities of BMSCs.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of hypertension history and baseline blood pressure levels on cardiovascular outcomes in Chinese emergency atrial fibrillation patients during 1 year follow-up.

METHODSThis prospective study consecutively enrolled patients presenting to an emergency department with atrial fibrillation from 20 hospitals in China during November 2008 to October 2011. Baseline data and treatment regimen were recorded, all patients were followed up for one year, and major cardiovascular events (MACE including cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and non central nervous systemic embolism) were recorded. Patients were divided into hypertension history group and non-hypertension history group. Univariate Cox analysis was evaluated hypertension history, baseline blood pressure on major cardiovascular events. Multivariate Cox analysis recognized risk factors for major cardiovascular events.

RESULTSA total of 2016 atrial fibrillation patients were enrolled, and the average systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were (131.9 ± 23.3)mm Hg(1 mm Hg = 0.133kPa), (79.9 ± 14.7)mm Hg respectively. 1118 patients (55.5%) had a history of hypertension, and about 91.1% hypertension patient received antihypertensive treatment. Major cardiovascular events occurred in 314 cases (15.6%) among 1 year follow up, and 191 cases (17.1%) among hypertension group and 123 cases (13.7%) among non-hypertension group. Univariate Cox regression analysis of prognostic factors for major cardiovascular events showed that hypertension history and baseline systemic blood pressure were risk factors (HR = 1.269, 95%CI: 1.012-1.592, P = 0.039; HR = 1.005, 95%CI: 1.000-1.010, P = 0.042). Multivariate Cox regression model analysis, adjusted others risk factors, showed that hypertension history, baseline systolic pressure levels, and baseline diastolic blood pressure did not have independent predictive value for major cardiovascular events. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, history of heart failure, history of stroke were independent prognostic factor for one year follow-up of major cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation patients.

CONCLUSIONAge, history of heart failure, history of stroke were independent predictor for 1 year major cardiovascular events in Chinese emergency atrial fibrillation patients.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; complications ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; complications

PURPOSE: Studies have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the clinical characteristics and prognostic impact of DM in patients with nonvalvular AF have not been well understood in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included were 1644 consecutive patients with nonvalvular AF. Endpoints included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stroke, major bleeding, and combined endpoint events (CEE) during a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM was 16.8% in nonvalvular AF patients. Compared with non-diabetic AF patients, diabetic AF patients were older and tended to coexist with other cardiovascular diseases. Most patients with DM (93.5%) were eligible for anticoagulation, as determined by CHADS2 scores. However, only 11.2% of patients received anticoagulation. During a 1-year follow-up, the all-cause mortality and CEE rate in the DM group were significantly higher than those of the non-DM group, while the incidence of stroke was comparable. After multivariate adjustments, DM was still an independent risk factor for 1-year all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR)=1.558; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.126-2.156; p=0.007], cardiovascular mortality (HR=1.615; 95% CI 1.052-2.479; p=0.028), and CEE (HR=1.523; 95% CI 1.098-2.112; p=0.012), yet not for stroke (HR=1.119; 95% CI 0.724-1.728; p=0.614). CONCLUSION: DM is a common morbidity coexisting with nonvalvular AF and is associated with an increased risk of 1-year all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and CEE. However, no increased risk of stroke was found during a 1-year follow-up in patients with AF and DM.
Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation/*etiology ; Cause of Death ; China ; Diabetes Complications/*pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo validate the difference on the prevalence of rheumatic symptoms between north and south parts of the country and to study the associated risk factors of rheumatic complaints in Shantou city, China.

METHODSA total number of 10 638 people at above 16 years of age from four samples, were surveyed in 1987, 1992, 1995, and 1999. Protocol of International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR)-China collaborative study or WHO-ILAR community oriented program for control of rheumatic disease(COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented. Data on related rheumatic symptoms were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThe prevalence rate of rheumatic complaints had been increasing in Shantou area during the last decade (in 1987 11.6%, 1992 12.5%, 1995 16.0% and 1999 19.8%) but still lower than that seen in Beijing, China in 1987(40.0%). Rheumatic symptoms were more prevalent in females than in males, in elderly than in young people with most frequently involved site happened in low back area, followed by knee and neck. Lumbar pain was more frequent among rural residents, while neck pain was more prevalent in urban school students. Prevalence of knee pain was significantly higher in people living in multi-storey buildings without elevator than those living in single-storey houses. The peak values of Bone Mineral Density in Shantou population were (0.839 +/- 0.085) g/cm2 in men, and (0.723 +/- 0.064) g/cm2 in women, significantly higher than that reported in 13 other provinces and cities including Beijing. The sense of seeking for medical help was higher in population with higher prevalence of rheumatic symptoms than that in lower complaints group. However, no significant difference was found in the rates of disability among the different populations.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence rate of rheumatic complaints was lower in Shantou than that in Beijing. Socio-economic status, environment, sex, age, occupation, ergonomics, bone mineral density, and awareness of seeking medical care might have been the associated risk factors to the prevalence of rheumatic complaints.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Humans ; International Cooperation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Pain Management ; Residence Characteristics ; statistics & numerical data ; Rheumatic Diseases ; epidemiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; World Health Organization

Objective: To explore the risk factors of death in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with or without heart failure (HF). Methods: A total of 2015 emergency AF patients from 20 hospitals in China from 2008-11 to 2011-10 were consecutively enrolled. Based on existing HF, the patients were divided into 2 groups: HF group, n=753 and Non-HF group, n=1263. The baseline condition and in-hospital treatment were recorded, patients were followed-up for 1 year to document all-cause death and the relevant risk factors were studied by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: Compared with Non-HF group, HF group had less male, lower heart rate (HR) and body mass index (BMI), less patients with previous histories of hypertension and hyperthyreosis, lower application rates of calcium antagonists and amiodarone, all P<0.05; HF group had the higher CHADS2score, more patients with previous histories of myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease (HD), valvular HD, rheumatic HD, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, smoking, LV dysfunction, cognitive disorder,pneumonectasis/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), valvular surgery and major bleeding; higher application rates of diuretics, ACEI, digoxin, aspirin and warfarin, all P<0.05. 1991 patients finished follow-up study and during that period, compared with Non-HF group, HF group showed the lower usage rates of rhythm-control drugs and clopidogrel, while higher usage rates of ventricular-control drugs and warfarin, all P<0.05; higher incidences of death and major bleeding, all P<0.05. Cox regression analysis indicated that HF was the risk factor for 1 year mortality in AF patients (HR=1.50, 95% CI 1.17-1.92, P=0.001). In Non-HF group, age (HR=1.09, 95% CI 1.07-1.11, P<0.001), heart rate (HR=1.011, 95% CI 1.005-1.017, P<0.001), primary diagnosis (HR=1.63, 95% CI 1.13-2.35, P=0.01) and COPD (HR=2.18, 95% CI 1.47-3.22, P<0.001) were related to 1 year death. In HF group, age (HR=1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07, P<0.001), BMI (HR=0.92, 95% CI 0.88-0.96, P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (HR=0.991, 95% CI 0.984-0.998, P=0.012) and primary diagnosis (HR=2.50, 95% CI 1.48-4.21, P=0.001) were related to 1 year death. Conclusion: Baseline condition and in-hospital treatment were different in AF patients with or without HF. HF was the risk factor for 1 year mortality and the other risk factors were different in AF patients with or without HF.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the differences in clinical characteristics between Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and fulminant Type 1 diabetes mellitus (FT1DM), and to reduce the missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment of FT1DM by medical staff. METHODS: A total of 101 hospitalized patients with T1DM (including 8 cases of FT1DM) were enrolled in this study from Changsha Central Hospital between June 2012 and December 2018. Clinical characteristics of the 8 FT1DM patients were collected and compared with all T1DM patients. RESULTS: All FT1DM patients were adult with the average age of (30.25±5.28) years old, accompanied by severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurred within 1 week after onset. Moreover, pancreatic beta cells in these patients were destroyed and the islet-related antibodies were negative, while the serum pancreatic enzyme levels were increased. Compared with classic T1DM patients, the plasma glucose levels in FT1DM patients were much higher [(41.89±12.54) mmol/L vs (22.57±9.74) mmol/L], but glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting C peptide levels were significantly lower [(6.08±0.41)% vs (10.87±2.46%)%, CONCLUSIONS The onset time of FT1DM patients is very urgent via driving DKA. These patients have higher blood glucose concentration than classic T1DM patients, accompanied by electrolyte disturbances, impaired renal function, partially impaired liver function, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms and elevated trypsin. Most FTDM patients are adolescents and adults with no gender difference, especially pregnant women who are at high risk. Lifelong insulin dependence in FT1DM patients should be paid more attention in clinical treatment.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/complications* ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A/analysis* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Pregnancy ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

【Objective】To investigate the effects of Epstein-Barr virus（EBV）on proliferation，apoptosis and lipid metabolism of gastric cancer cells，revealing the pathogenesis and development of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma （EBVaGC）.【Methods】EBV-positive cell line AGS-EBV was established by co-culturing AGS and Akata. Then we compared proliferation，apoptosis and lipid metabolism level between AGS and AGS-EBV cells. CCK-8 assays and Annexin V PE/7-AAD assays were performed to determine the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Oil-Red O staining and three kinds of kits were used to detect lipid contents including lipid droplets，free fatty acid，triacylglycerol and total cholesterol. Key enzymes of lipogenesis were measured by qRT-PCR.【Results】EBV promoted the proliferation of gastric cancer cell line AGS（F = 23.214，P = 0.001；P values of 24 h，48 h，72 h，96 h and 120 h were 0.007， 0.004，＜0.001，＜0.001 and ＜0.001，respectively），inhibited apoptosis（P values of late and total apoptotic rates were 0.032，< 0.001），and increased intracellular lipid droplets，free fatty acids（P < 0.001），triacylglycerol（P = 0.004） and total cholesterol（P < 0.001）probably via lipogenesis. 【Conclusions】EBV promotes proliferation，inhibits apoptosis， and enhances lipid metabolism of gastric cancer cells.

Molecular pharmacognosy is a science of classification and identification, cultivation and protection, and production of active ingredients of graduated drugs at the molecular level. The proposal of molecular pharmacognosy allows the research of crude drugs to advance from the microscopic level to the genetic level. Pueraria lobata root, as a medicinal and edible plant, has high application value and economic value. There are many varieties that are easy to cause confusion, and it is not easy to distinguish and identify according to traditional identification methods. Moreover, the research of P. lobate root at the genetic level is still relatively shallow. the study received extensive attention of scholars. This article reviews recent research on molecular identification of P. lobate, transcriptome sequencing, cloning and synthesis of functional genes of P. lobate root in recent years in order to provide references for further promoting the development and utilization of P. lobate root and its active ingredients.
Pharmacognosy ; Plant Roots/genetics* ; Pueraria

In this study, we searched multiple databases for all relevant original articles (1996-2013). To investigate blood lead levels (BLL) and possible risk factors for lead exposure among children in China A total of 388 articles met our inclusion criteria. The overall geometric mean (GM) BLL was 71 µg/L, and the prevalence of elevated BLL (EBLL, defined as BLL ⋝ 100 µg/L) was 18.48% among children. The prevalence of EBLL remained significantly higher among boys. In children less than 6 years of age, there were significantly increasing trends in both BLL and prevalence of EBLL in an age-dependent manner. The ban on leaded gasoline significantly reduced the BLL as well as EBLL prevalence; however, children whose parents had lower educational levels or were exposed to lead in the workplace had a higher EBLL prevalence. Despite its decline over time, the average BLL among children in China remains higher than the average level most recently reported in the United States. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Lead ; blood ; Male ; Risk Factors