Objective:To explore the effect of endothelin-1 on atrial ifbrosis in patients with atrial ifbrillation (AF).
Methods: A total of 72 patients with thoracotomy were studied, the patients were divided into 2 groups:AF group, n=39 and Sinus rhythm (SR) group, n=33. The mRNA and protein expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1), platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) and collagen I (COL1) in right atrial appendage (RAA) tissue were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis;meanwhile, the impact of ET-1 stimulation and non-selective ET-1 receptor antagonist (sulfafurazole SIZ) on PDGF-B mRNA and protein expressions in H9c2 cells were measured.
Results: ①The RAA tissue mRNA and protein expressions in AF group were higher than those in SR group, as for ET-1 (2.830 ± 2.276) vs (1.220 ± 0.887) and (0.835 ± 0.241) vs (0.286 ± 0.083), both P<0.01;for PDGF-B (2.568 ± 2.348) vs (1.567 ± 0.831) and (0.807±0.241) vs (0.381 ± 0.105), both P<0.05;for COL1α1 (3.376 ± 1.598) vs (1.629 ± 0.833) and (0.652 ± 0.210) vs (0.312 ± 0.12), both P<0.05.②The protein expressions of ET-1 and COL1 had positive correlation (r=0.580, P<0.01).③ET-1 promoted PDGF-B secretion in H9c2 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner;SIZ could reduce such promotion.
Conclusion: ET-1 plays an important role in AF occurrence which might be related to PDGF-B regulation.

Animals ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; prevention & control ; virology ; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To understand the characteristics of cervix diseases in female medical staff and provide basis for effective prevention and control.Methods The results of cervical cancer screening in 1 471 female medical staff in our hospitals in 2008 were compared with the 1 706 ones in 2010.Results Morbidity rates of various cervix diseases were 37.9％ (558/1 471) in 2008 and 50.6％ (864/1 706) in 2010,respectively.Most of them were diagnosed with chronic cervicitis (36.8％ in 2008 and 47.1％ in 2010).The difference of positive rate of screening test (TCT results ≥ASC-US) was significant between those in 2008( 1.1％,16/1 471 )and those in 2010(3.7％,63/1 706) ( x2 =12.65,P ＜ 0.01 ).The results also showed that the incidences of various cervix diseases were related to age,and that high rates of cervicitis and cervical cancer were observed in the middle-aged (35 -50 years old).Conclusions Positive rates of cervical cancer screening test tend to rise,and the health condition of the middle-aged women (35 -50 years old) should be paid particular attention.

Objective To recognize the CT manifestations of benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML).Methods Four cases of BML proved by pathology were retrospectively analysed.Among these, 2 cases were pulmonary BML,1 ease was leiomyomatosis peritonealis diseminata(LPD),and 1 case was combined with pulmonary BML and LPD.All of them were female,and had a history of hysterectomy,the average age were 45.The CT findings of them were analyzed.Results The CT of pulmonary BML in three cases showed multiple rounded,well-defined discrete nodules,0.2—2.0cm in diameter,random distribution,and no calcification in the nodules.No hilum or mediastinum lymphadenopathy,and no pleural effusion.There were no enhancement after intravenous contrast examination.The CT findings of LPD in two cases were many masses around the vena cava,abdominal aorta and/or iliac artery.The masses were 4— 5cm in diameter with smooth margin and homogeneous density.No lymph node or ascites were found.One case who got intravenous contrast enhanced CT scan showed significant enhancement of the lesions;another case who got PET CT study showed no significant tracer concentration.Conclusion When multiple metastasizing nodular lesions with sharp margin and homogeneous density were found in the lungs or abdomen,they should be considered the possibility of BML in women with hysterectomy history.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; blood ; enzymology ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

This study was to investigate the protective effects of puerarin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury and the underlying mechanism. The MI/R-model was established by ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) for 60 min followed by 24 h reperfusion, puerarin (10, 30, and 100 mg·kg^-1) was orally administered 20 min before reperfusion. Cardiac function, myocardial infarct index, cardiac damage markers, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis index were measured to evaluate the protective effects of puerarin on MI/R injury. The activation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway were determined by Western blot. All animal experimental procedures were approved by the ethics committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The results showed that puerarin could significantly improve cardiac function, reduce myocardial infarct size, decease the levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and suppress cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile, puerarin could notably decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blot analysis revealed that puerarin could downregulate the expression of TLR4, Myd88, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved-caspase 1, cleaved-gasdermin-D (GSDMD), IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the phosphorylation levels of inhibitor of NF-κB α (IκBα), IκB kinase β (IKKβ), and NF-κB. These findings demonstrated that puerarin could alleviate MI/R injury by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation, possibly via TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of electroacupuncture (EA) on onset time and symptom improvement for treatment of different types of functional constipation.

METHODSThirty-eight cases of constipation were selected, including 9 cases of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), 10 cases of slow transit constipation (STC), 10 cases of pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD) and 9 cases of inadequate defecatory propulsion (IDP). The electroacupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and so on in abdominal and lumbosacral area, 5 times per week, 10 times as a treatment course. The onset time, score of clinical symptoms of constipation and improvement of every symptom in each group were compared.

RESULTS(1) The onset time was (1.78 +/- 0.83) days in IBS-C type, (3.11 +/- 1.90) days in IDP type, (4.10 +/- 1.85) days in STC type and (4.30 +/- 2.00) days in PFD type, indicating statistical differences between IBS-C type and STC type, IBS-C type and PFD type (both P < 0.05). (2) Compared before the treatment, the total scores of symptoms on the onset day in each group were all improved (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and score of IBS-C type was superior to the rest 3 types (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) EA improved desire to defecate or frequency of defecation in each type (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), in which both were improved in STC type and PFD type, and the improvement of defecation frequency was more significant in STC type (P < 0.01). EA relieved unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling in each type (all P < 0.05), in which both were improved in IBS-C type (both P < 0.05). EA relieved abdominal distension and pain in IBS-C type, STC type and PFD type (all P < 0.05), while its effects were not obvious on defecation difficulty, defecation time and defecation texture (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture for treatment of 4 types of constipation is characterized by rapid onset; the improved symptoms are not identical in the electroacupuncture treatment plan for each type of defecation; the main improvement of symptoms are lied on desire to defecate and frequency of defecation, unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling and abdominal distension and pain. Meanwhile the improvements of defecation texture, defecation difficulty and defecation time were not signi-ficant.

Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor Disorders ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) is an important molecular marker in traditional Chinese medicine research, and it is widely used in TCM authentication. The present study created a new genotyping method by combining restriction endonuclease digesting with melting curve analysis, which is a stable, rapid and easy doing SNP genotyping method. The new method analyzed SNP genotyping of two chloroplast SNP which was located in or out of the endonuclease recognition site, the results showed that when attaching a 14 bp GC-clamp (cggcgggagggcgg) to 5' end of the primer and selecting suited endonuclease to digest the amplification products, the melting curve of Lonicera japonica and Atractylodes macrocephala were all of double peaks and the adulterants Shan-yin-hua and A. lancea were of single peaks. The results indicated that the method had good stability and reproducibility for identifying authentic medicines from its adulterants. It is a potential SNP genotyping method and named restriction endonuclease digest - melting curve analysis.
Atractylodes ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; metabolism ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Genotype ; Lonicera ; classification ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective To study the current situation of reproductive tract infection among bearing age mar-fled women in countryside and influence factors. Methods We had examined 4916 women. Questionnaire investiga-tion,gynecologic examination,the inspection of pathogen and the B-ultrasound were collected by face to face in the clinic. Results The general prevalence rate of RTI was 53.93%. The prevalence rates of pelvic infection and cervici-tis were 3.97% and 51.12%. The prevalence rates of germs, trichomonal and candiclal vaginitis were 12.51%, 3.60% and 7.71% respectively. The infection rate for only one,two or three kind of RTI were 33.08% ,19.73% and 1.08% respectively. The influence factors were : age, education, family economy, sanitary habits, graviclity, frequent in-tercourse,induced abortion and knowledge towards RTI. Conclusion Among bearing age married women in country-side province the prevalence rate of RTI was higher and also showed evidence of some influence factors.

OBJECTIVE CYP2D is one of the most abundant subfamily of CYPs in the brain, especially in the cerebellum. Brain CYP2D is responsible for the metabolism of endogenous neurotransmitters such as tyramine and serotonin. Our previous studies have shown brain CYP2D can be regulated by exogenous and endogenous substances with tissue- specificity. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of cerebral CYP2D on the mice behavior and the regulatory mechanism of brain CYP2D by growth hormone. METHODS Mice received the stereotaxic injection with CYP2D inhibitor quinine in deep cerebellar nuclei of cerebellum. The animals were tested with rotarod apparatus, balance beam, water maze, elevated plus maze and open field. The changes in CYP2D22, PPARαand PPARγ in brain regions and liver were assayed in male growth hormone receptor knockout mice, SH-SY5Y cells and HepG2 cells. RESULTS The inhibition of cerebellum CYP2D significantly affected the spatial learning and exploring ability of mice. Compared with WT mice, CYP2D expression was lower in brain regions from GHR(-/- ) male mice; however, hepatic CYP2D level was similar. Pulsatile GH decreased PPARα mRNA level, and increased mRNA levels of CYP2D6 and PPARα in SH- SY5Y cells. In HepG2 cells, pulsatile GH resulted in decreases in PPARα and PPARγ mRNA levels, but not CYP2D6. PPARα inhibitor induced CYP2D6 mRNA and protein by 1.32-fold and 1.43-fold in SH-SY5Y cells. PPARγ inhibitor decreased CYP2D6 mRNA and protein by 74.76% and 40.93%. PPARα agonist decreased the level of CYP2D22 mRNA in liver and cerebellum, while PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone resulted in diametrically increases. The luciferase assay showed that PPARγ actived the CYP2D6 gene promoter while PPARα inhibited its function. Pulsatile GH declined the binding of PPARα with CYP2D6 promoter by 40%, promoted the binding of PPARγ with CYP2D6 promoter by approximate 60%. The levels of brain and liver PPARα expression in male GHR(-/- ) mice is obviously higher than those in WT mice. The level of PPARγ in male GHR(-/- ) mice was decreased in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, while remained stable in the cerebellum and striatum; meanwhile, PPARγ was increased in the liver. CONCLUSION Brain CYP2D may be involved in learning and memory functions of central system. Masculine GH secretion altered the PPARs expression and the binding of PPARs to CYP2D promoter, leading to the elevated brain CYP2D in a tissue- specific manner. Growth hormone may specifically alter the metabolic and synthetic of important endogenous substances in the central nervous system (such as serotonin) through the specific regulation of brain CYP2D expression.