OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Pinggan Qianyang Recipe (PQR) on inhibiting angiotensin II (Ang II) induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and changes of DNA methylation.

METHODSVSMCs were cultured using tissue explant method, and PQR containing serum was prepared. Primarily cultured VSMCs were divided into four groups, the normal group, the model group, the folate group (folic acid intervention) , and the PQR group. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs was duplicated by Ang II. After 24-h Ang II induced culture, 40 microg/mL folic acid was added to the folate group for 48 h, while 5% PQR containing serum was added to the PQR group for 48 h. The cell growth curve of VSMCs was drawn by using Cell Counting Kit (CCK-8). The proliferative activity of VSMC was determined by MTT assay. The migration of VSMCs was measured by Millicell chamber. The general level of cytosine methylation in cell nucleus was detected via 5-mC antibodies immunofluorescence, and mRNA expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were measured by Real-time q-polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR).

RESULTSVSMCs were promoted by Ang II at 10(-6) mol/L for 24 h. Compared with the normal group, the proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously increased, and DNA methylation level obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell growth, proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously decreased and the general DNA methylation level increased in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA expression of DNMT1 decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA expression of DNMT1 in Ang II induced VSMCs was obviously enhanced in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPQR could inhibit Ang II induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and cause high genomic DNA methylation level. Changes of DNA methylation might be associated with DNMT1 expression.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects

Animals ; Astrocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Microglia ; immunology ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Oxidopamine ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To determine the prevalence and distribution of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the relationship between maximum body mass index (MAXBMI) and T2DM. Methods From June to August, 2005, a stratified cluster sampling of 1071 permanent residents in communities, over 20 years old, from 4 districts and 1 county of Mudanjiang was chosen. The prevalence of T2DM, and the association between T2DM and different levels of the MAXBMI, current BMI were studied. Results The prevalence in the communities was 7.09% and in those with past maximum BMI≥28 kg/m~2, it was 12.10%. With the increase of past MAXBMI levels, the risk of T2DM patients also increased significantly(trend X~2=17.387 23, P<0.0001). Data from multifactor analysis showed that MAXBMI in the past was positively related to T2DM (OR=3.06, P=0.0013). In T2DM patients, the group with MAXBMI≥27.4 kg/m~2 had higher 2-hour postprandial blood glucose than those with lower MAXBMI (P=0.0408). When compared with low maximum BMI group in normal blood glucose population, the group with higher MAXBMI (≥ 25.4 kg/m~2) had higher blood glucose and greater change of BMI. Conclusion In both groups that patients with T2DM and with normal glucose, in order to control blood glucose better, researchers should not only concern about the influence of the MAXBMI in the past, but also pay attention to constantly keep BMI at the normal range.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disease of transformed hematopoietic progenitor cells. In order to investigate the role of sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK-1)/sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signal pathway in the expression of CML cells, and to explore whether P210(bcr/abl) involved is activating SphK-1/S1P signal pathwey, the expressions of SphK-1 and S1P receptor mRNA in bcr/abl positive K562 cells and bcr/abl positive primary CML cells were detected by RT-PCR, the imatinib mesylate, the specific inhibitor of P210(bcr/abl) was employed to inhibit the P210(bcr/abl) tyrosine kinases of K562 cells and CML primary cells, and then the intracellular SphK-1 activity was assayed. The results indicated that after being cultured with 2.5 micromol/L imatinib mesylate for 0.5, 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours, the intensions of inhibiting SphK-1 activity were 0.007%, 38.9%, 34.6%, 28.1% and 76.1% resepectively. SphK-1 activity in CML cells also was reduced by 2.5 micromol/L imatinib mesylate (16.8% - 41.9% decrease). It is concluded that the CML cells express SphK-1 and different S1P receptor, and P210(bcr/abl) fusion protein in CML cells can activate SphK-1.
Benzamides ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lysophospholipids ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; genetics ; metabolism ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; Sphingosine ; analogs & derivatives ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of visual hallucination among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and analyse the potential risk factors. Methods One hundred and twenty-eight patients with PD were administered self-prepared visual hallucination questionnaires, and prevalence of visual hallucination was surveyed. The differences in sex, age, disease duration, Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores, Hoehn & Yahr stage, types of medicine used and levodopa equivalent doses (LDE) were compared between the patients with visual hallucination and those without visual hallucination. The prevalence of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) was investigated in patients with visual hallucination. Results Eighteen patients (14.06%) experienced visual hallucination, among whom 10 (55.56%) experienced visual hallucination no less than one time per day, 11 (61.11%) "saw" the shadow of human figure and 15(83.33%)were complicated with RBD. There were significant differences in MMSE scores, Hoehn & Yahr stage, female proportion and usage of dopamine agonists between patients with visual hallucination and those without visual hallucination(P<0.05). Conclusion Visual hallucination is a common non-motor symptom among patients with PD, and cognitive function, disease severity and usage of dopamine agonista may be related to visual hallucination.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biological characteristics of Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) cultured on different culture media and their expression abundance of outer membrane proteins (OMPs).

METHODSCJ was cultured on the improved Bull's medium yolk agar, improved Bull's blood agar or improved Bull's agar for 48 h. The biological characteristics of the bacteria, including the colony feature, morphology, motility, biochemistry, and results of indirect fluorescence test were observed and compared. OMP of the cultured CJ was extracted using 0.2 mol/L and glycine-hydrochloride buffered solution (pH 2.2) and identified by SDS-PAGE to compare the expression abundance of the OMPs with molecular weight of 28-31 kD.

RESULTSCJ exhibited typical biological characteristics with larger cell body and more rapid growth on improved Bull's medium yolk agar than those on improved Bull's blood agar and improved Bull's agar. The bacteria grown on improved Bull's medium yolk agar showed also greater expression abundance of the OMPs with molecule mass between 28 kD and 31 kD.

CONCLUSIONImproved Bull's medium yolk agar allows rapid growth of CJ with typical biological characteristics and enhanced expression of the OMPs with molecular weight of 28 -31 kD, and can be widely used in CJ subunit vaccine development, CJ epidemiological survey, CJ food safety examination, and CJ quarantine.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Campylobacter jejuni ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Culture Media

Animals ; Disease Progression ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; blood ; Hydroxyl Radical ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; blood ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEFor heart functional parameters, we commonly used normal range. The reference values and predict formulas of heart functional parameters and their relationships with individual characteristics are still lack.

METHODSLeft ventricular (LV) volumes (end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output (CO) were measured by cardiac CT angiography (CAT) in 1 200 healthy Caucasian volunteers, men 807 and women 393, and age 20-90yr. The results are analyzed by high-accuracy three-dimensional imaging technology, and then measured the dynamic changes of the volumes of each atriam and ventricule during their contractions and relaxations. The gender, age, height and weight were analyzed by multiple linear regression to predict LV functional parameters.

RESULTSExcept the LVEF was lower in man than in women (P < 0.001), all other LV functional parameters of EDV, ESV, SV, FE and CO were higher in man (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated that age, gender, height and weight are all independent factors of EDV, ESV and SV (P < 0.001). CO could be significantly predicted by age, gender and weight (P < 0.001), but not height (P > 0.05). The predict equation for CO (L x min(-1)) = 6.963+0.446 (Male) -0.037 x age (yr) +0.013 x weight (kg).

CONCLUSIONAge, gender, height and weight are predictors of heart functions. The reference values and predict equations are important for noninvasive and accurate evaluation of cardiovascular disease and individualized treatment.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Cardiac Output ; Female ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Sex Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the protective mechanism of preconditioning to the lung injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Twelve pigs were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group ( Group C) and ischemic preconditioning group ( Group IP). The concentration of superoxide distrautase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in circuit were checked before and after the perfusion to reflect the lipid peroxidation in the lungs. Left lung biopsies were performed immediately after the perfusion and 1 hour postperfusion for histologic examination. The ICAM-1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis with Envision method and the mRNA expression of ICAM-1 was analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: SOD in Group IP was much higher than that in Group C (P < 0.01 ). MDA in Group IP was much lower than that in Group C ( P < 0.01 ). The lung histologic examination showed that Group C was significantly more serious than Group IP in pulmonary edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, mild focal hemorrhage, and alveolar disruption. The expression of ICAM-1 of lung tissue obviously decreased in Group IP than that in Group C (P <0.01 ). The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA of lung tissue was significantly lower in Group IP than that in Group C (P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION Lung ischemic preconditioning can reduce the lung injury. The mechanisms of the protective effects of the IP may be related to the increase of SOD and the decrease of MDA. The preconditioning down-regulated the ICAM-1 expression is one of the mechanisms in reducing the lung injury.
Animals ; Female ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo analyze the factors affecting prognosis of patients with nasal carcinoma.

METHODS163 patients treated from 1985 to 1998 were analyzed. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier estimate and the comparison between groups by Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSThe overall 5-year survival rate was 58.2%. The 5-year survival rate was 55.8% in squamous-cell carcinoma, 44.0% in adenocarcinoma, 59.7% in undifferentiated carcinoma, 76.3% in adenoid cystic carcinoma, 71.4% in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 25.0% in rhabdomyosarcoma, 26.7% in malignant melanoma, 50.0% in neuroblastoma (P > 0.05). Patients with cervical metastasis gave a 5-year survival of 53.5% while those without gave 58.9% (P > 0.05). Patients with involvement of sphenoidal sinus or maxillary sinus gave the worse survival. The 5-year survival rate was 73.8% in patients whose cancer completely disappeared after treatment. It was 41.6% in patients whose cancer incompletely disappeared, and 34.3% in patients whose cancer remained refractory (P < 0.01). The 5-year survival was 78.3% in stage I disease, 56.4% in stage II disease, 54.2% in stage III and 35.9% in stage IV (P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate of patients who were treated with radiotherapy only was 56.9%. That of patients who were treated with surgery only was 56.6%. That with chemotherapy only was 25.0% whereas that of patients treated with combination treatment was 61.8% (P > 0.05). So far, 85 patients have died up to writing this report, 57.6% (49 patients) of recurrence or uncontrolled.

CONCLUSIONClinical stage, immediate therapeutic response and involvement of sphenoidal or maxillary sinus; but not the pathologic type, the presence of cervical metastasis nor the method of treatment, are the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with nasal carcinoma. Recurrence and uncontrolled disease are the cause of death.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate