OBJECTIVETo investigate the electrophysiological effect of Xin' an granule (XAG) on ventricular muscle cell in ischemic rabbits.

METHODSA total of 48 rabbits were divided into the normal group and the ischemic group, and then subdivided into three groups, the control group, the high and low-dose XAG groups, 8 in each group. Rabbits in the low-dose XAG group and the high-dose XAG group were gastrogavaged XAG at the daily dose of 0. 85 g/kg and 3.40 g/kg, while the others in the control group were given the equal dosage of normal saline. All the rabbits were treated three times per day for successive 10 days. The rabbit model of ischemia was established by intravenous injected with 2. 5 U/kg posterior pituitary injection. Five minutes later, the monophasic action potential (MAP) and electrocardiogram (ECG) of each rabbit in the different groups were recorded and compared.

RESULTS(1) To normal rabbits, XAG could significantly shorten the action 50% and 90% potential duration (APD)50 and APD90 of ventricular muscle cell (P < 0.05 ), and high-dose of XAG could significantly increased the Vmax of MAP(P <0. 05). (2) While to ischemic rabbits, XAG could significantly prolong APD50 and APD90, and significantly increased the action potential amplitude (APA) and Vmax of MAP (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSION(1) XAG can significantly shorten APD50 and APD90 of ventricular muscle cell, and high-dose XAG significantly increase the Vmax of MAP of normal rabbits. (2) XAG can delay and alleviate the manifestation characteristics of action potential of ventricular muscle cell during ischemia.

Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; drug effects ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rabbits

Objective To explore the effect of knowledge,attitudes,and practices (KAP) health education model on the self-care skill among cancer patients with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC),and to implement the effective health education methods.Methods Totals of 66 cases of cancer patients with PICC were randomly divided into control group(n =35 ) and the experimental group (n =31 ).The control group received routine health education whlie the experimental group received KAP health education regarding strengthened self-care knowledge of PICC,establishment in self care attitude or belief,promotion in self care practice.Before and after intervention,we apply the Exercise of Self-care Agency Scale (ESCA) to asses the extent to which individuals take action toward their health care.Results After intervention,experimental group was higher than the control group significantly in ESCA total score [ ( 117.07 ± 13.75 ) vs ( 101.14 ± 11.56) ],self care skills [ (31.52 ± 3.67 ) vs (26.74 ± 3.46) ],self care responsibility [ (22.39 ± 3.89 ) vs ( 16.03 ±2.80) ],self-concept [ ( 23.39 ± 3.36 ) vs ( 18.83 ± 3.43 ) ],and the difference was statistically significant (t=-3.717,-5.242,-7.685,-5.434,respectively;P＜0.05).Conclusions KAP health education model appears effective in improving the self-care agency among cancer patients with PICC.

To establish single- and double-transfected transgenic cells stably expressing hMATE1, hMATE1 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR from human cryopreserved kidney tissue, and subcloned into pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid by virtue of both HindIII and Kpn I restriction enzyme sites. Subsequently, the recombined pcDNA3.1(+)- hMATE1 plasmid was transfected into MDCK, MDCK-hOCT1 or MDCK-hOCT2 cells using Lipofectamine 2000 Reagent. After a 14-day-cultivation with hygromycin B at the concentration of 400 µg · mL(-1), all clones were screened with DAPI and MPP+ as substrates to identify the best candidate. The mRNA content of hMATE1, the cellular accumulation of metformin with or without cimetidine as inhibitor, or transportation of cimetidine was further valuated. The results showed that all of the three cell models over expressed hMATE1 mRNA. The cellular accumulation of metformin in MDCK-hMATE1 was 17.6 folds of the control cell, which was significantly inhibited by 100 µmol · L(-1) cimetidine. The transcellular transport parameter net efflux ratios of cimetidine across MDCK-hOCT1/hMATE1 and MDCK-hOCT2/hMATE1 monolayer were 17.5 and 3.65, respectively. In conclusion, cell models with good hMATE1 function have been established successfully, which can be applied to study the drug transport or drug-drug interaction involving hMATE1 alone or together with hOCT1/2 in vitro.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; Cimetidine ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; Dogs ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Organic Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective To evaluate the effect of acupressure on vasospasm remission for patients during PICC technique.Methods A total of 60 patients occurred vasospasm during PICC technique using ultrasound-guided improved Seldinger technology were randomly divided into control group (n =30) and observation group (n =30).The control group received the hot compress,while observation group received the acupuncture on point Neiguan.Results Observation group had significantly lower vasospasm duration than that of control group [(213.70±33.196)s vs (270.60±84.985)s;t=-3.416,P＜0.01].Conclusions Acupressure can effectively reduce the duration of vasospasm,and improve the success rate of PICC technique.

ObjectiveTo observe the thyroid status of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation,and its role in brain and neural development of their offspring's.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2009,pregnant women from nine townships of two counties in Wushi and Baicheng in Aksu prefecture of Xinjiang were selected as research subjects according to the survey standard.After informed consent signed,their urinary iodine,serum thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and free thyroxin(FT4) were analyzed.The value of thyroid hormone of normal pregnant women was used in diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia in pregnant women.From 2010 to 2011, The brain and neural development status among offspring born by those pregnant women were evaluated with DDST.In accordance with the results of Denver Development Screen Test (DDST) screening,pregnant women were classified into survey and control groups,and the survey group was the suspicious and abnormal of the result of DDST screening(delay),the control group was normal of the result.According to gestational age,pregnant women were divided into 4 gestation groups:G1(6 to 13 weeks),G2(14 to 18 weeks),G3 ( 19 to 23 weeks) and G4(24 to 28 weeks).ResultsA total of 396 cases of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation were investigated(survey group 102 cases,control group 294 cases).The median value of urinary iodine concentration among pregnant women in survey group was 152.4 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 10.78％(11/102) and 3.93％(4/102),respectively.In control group,the median value of urinary iodine concentration was 180.0 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 7.48％ (22/294) and 4.42％ (13/294),respectively.During the pregnant period from G1 to G3,the median serum TSH of pregnant women in DDST survey group (2.24,3.49,2.85 mU/L) was higher than that of DDST control group( 1.59,2.70,2.28 mU/L).Especially,the difference of TSH between the two groups during the period of G3 was statistically significant (t =4.906,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsHypothyroidism tendency of pregnant women during the period from gestation week 19th to 23rd may be an important factor in the development of brain abnormalities of their offsprings.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of directly observed treatment (DOT) implementation in tuberculosis (TB) control in China.

METHODSSystematic literature review was carried out for published and unpublished articles regarding DOT, and meta analysis was used to compile results from selected papers. Also, sensitive analysis was carried out to explore the potential factors influencing the effectiveness of DOT.

RESULTSTwo hundred and four articles were identified from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Medline databases during 1994 - 2004 in which 120 articles were eligible according to our selection criteria. (1) Regarding TB case management: TB patients managed under DOT was compared to cases managed under the whole course treatment management (WCM). The combined RD of cure rate was 0.14 (95% CI: 0.06 - 0.22) and the two case management methods were significantly different (P < 0.00001). Data from stratified analysis showed that strict implementation of WMC had similar effectiveness with DOT (P = 0.06), and with RD 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00 - 0.03). However, the cure rate of DOT management was significantly better than that under un-strict WCM management (P < 0.05) with RD 0.16 (95% CI: 0.07 - 0.24). The cure rate of DOT was significantly better than those patients under self-administration (RD was 0.24 with 95% CI: 0.10 - 0.38 and P = 0.002). (2) Chemotherapeutics: when short-course and long course-treatments were compared, the combined RD became 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01 - 0.07) and P = 0.003.

CONCLUSIONSIf the implementation was under strict management, the different models of patient management showed similar adherence rates. However, the effect of adherence would depend on the regimen, pattern of intake of the drugs and the methods of supervision being used.

China ; Directly Observed Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Patient Care Management ; methods ; Patient Compliance ; statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis ; drug therapy ; prevention & control

Objective To evaluate the effects of optimal pharmacotherapy according to guideline on treating chronic heart failure(CHF)in real world clinical practice. Methods A total of 231 consecutive outpatients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF≤40%)and enlarged left ventricular end diastolic diameter(male ＞55 mm, female ＞60 mm)were recruited from January 2001 to June 2009. All patients were treated with optimal pharmacotherapy according to guideline recommendations and followed up to December 31,2009. Mortality, rehospitalization and changes of heart size and cardiac function at baseline and at the end of follow-up period were analyzed. Results(1)14 patients were lost during follow-up (6. 1%), and follow-up was complete in 217 patients(93.9%). 97.2% and 98.2% patients were prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitors and β-blockers(βB). Combined of ACE inhibitors and BB use was applied in 95.3% patients. The target dose of ACE inhibitors and βB were reached in 50. 7% and 37.3% patients.(2)Lower mortality and re-hospitalization rates were observed in this cohort: all-cause morality, average annual mortality was 11.5% and 3.9% respectively. Rehospitalization rate was 27.6%.(3)Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)decreased from (68.2 ±7.2)mm to(62. 2 ±9. 6)mm. LVEDD value was normal or near normal(male≤60 mm, female ≤55 mm)in 43.2% patients. LVEF improved form(29. 8 ±7. 5)% to(43. 3 ± 11.8)%, LVEF was ＞40% in 60.4% patients, LVEF was ≤ 40% but increased ≥ 10% after treatment in 22.9%patients. Conclusion Optimal pharmacotherapy according to guideline can improve prognosis of outpatients with CHF.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of paeoniflorin on TNF-α induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction and its mechanisms.Methods The Caco-2 cells were cultured and the MTF assay was used to determine the effects of the paeoniflorin on Caco-2 cell activity.The Caco-2 cell intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunciton model was established through incubation of cells with TNF-α.The effects of paeoniflorin on intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunciton were studied.Results The transmembrane resistance in Caco-2 epithelial barrier was significantly reduced by TNF-α incubation;MLCK significantly increased,while tight junction protein occludin and ZO-1 significantly decreased by TNF-α.These changes were significantly reversed by paeoniflorin,which reduced MLCK expression and enhanced expression of occludin and ZO-1.The protective effects against epithelial barrier dysfunction could be abrogated by small interfering RNA(siRNA) of MLCK.Conclusions Paeoniflorin alleviates the epithelial barrier dysfunction induced by TNF-αthrough down-regulation of MLCK and enhancement of tight junction protein occludin and ZO-1.This study supplies a potential candidate drug for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

BACKGROUNDNeuregulin-1 (NRG-1), the ligand of the myocardial ErbB receptor, is a protein mediator with regulatory actions in the heart. This study investigated whether NRG-1 preconditioning has protective effects on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its potential mechanism.

METHODSWe worked with an in vivo rat model with induced myocardial ischemia (45 minutes) followed by reperfusion (3 hours). NRG-1 message was detected in the heart using RT-PCR and the protein levels of NRG-1 and ErbB4 were detected by Western blotting analysis. Infarct size was assessed using the staining agent triphenyltetrazolium chloride and cardiac function was continuously monitored. The levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in plasma were analyzed to assess the degree of cardiac injury. The extent of cardiac apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and by Western blotting analysis of cleaved caspase-3. We examined the phosphorylation of Akt in the myocardium and the effect of PI3K/Akt inhibition on NRG-1-induced cardioprotection.

RESULTSTranscription and expression of NRG-1 and phosphorylation of its ErbB4 receptor were significantly upregulated in the I/R hearts. NRG-1 pretreatment reduced the infarct size following cardiac I/R in a concentration-dependent manner with an optimal concentration of 4 µg/kg in vivo. NRG-1 pretreatment with 4 µg/kg, i.v. markedly reduced the plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Pretreatment with NRG-1 also significantly reduced the percentage of TUNEL positive myocytes and the level of cleaved caspase-3 in the I/R hearts. Pretreatment with NRG-1 significantly increased phosphorylation of Akt following I/R. Furthermore, the cardioprotective effect limiting the infarct size that was induced by NRG-1 was abolished by co-administration of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002.

CONCLUSIONSThe concentration of NRG-1, a new autacoid, was rapidly upregulated after myocardial I/R. NRG-1 preconditioning has cardioprotective effects against I/R injury through a PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanism in vivo.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Neuregulin-1 ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Receptor, ErbB-4

BACKGROUNDGetting medical treatment is still difficult and expensive in western China. Improving the equity of basic health services is one of the tasks of the new healthcare reform in China. This study aimed to analyze the parallel and vertical equity of health service utilization of urban residents and then find its influencing factors.

METHODSIn August 2011, a household survey was conducted at 18 communities of Baoji City by multi-stage stratified random sampling. Based on the survey data, we calculated a concentration index of health service utilization for different income residents and a difference index of different ages. We then investigated the influencing factors of health service utilization by employing the Logistic regression model and log-linear regression model.

RESULTSThe two-week morbidity rate of sampled residents was 19.43%, the morbidity rate of chronic diseases was 21.68%, and the required hospitalization rate after medical diagnosis was 11.36%. Among out-patient service utilization, the two-week out-patient rate, number of two-week out-patients, and out-patient expense had good parallel and vertical equity, while out-patient compensation expense had poor parallel and vertical equity. The inpatient service utilization, hospitalization rate, number of inpatients, days stayed in the hospital, and inpatient expense had good parallel equity, while inpatient compensation expense had poor parallel equity. While the hospitalization rate and number of inpatients had vertical equity, the days stayed in hospital, inpatient expense, and inpatient compensation expense had vertical inequity.

CONCLUSIONSUrban residents' health was at a low level and there was not good health service utilization. There existed rather poor equity of out-patient compensation expense. The equity of inpatient service utilization was quite poor. Income difference and the type of medical insurance had great effects on the equity of health service utilization.

China ; Health Services ; utilization ; Healthcare Disparities ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Urban Health Services