Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the mRNA and protein expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS), as well as the release of nitric oxide (NO) in cultured human keratinocyte line HaCaT. Methods NO level in the supernatant of cell culture medium was detected with an enzymatic NO detecting kit, the mRNA expression of neuronal NOS was studied with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and the protein expression of neuronal NOS was studied with immunochemical technique(SP). Results Compared with that in normal culture condition, the mRNA and protein expression of neuronal NOS and the release of NO was significantly upregulated by CGRP in HaCaT cells. Whereas, the expression of neuronal NOS and the release of NO in HaCaT cells induced by CGRP was inhibited by CGRP-8-37, an inhibitor of CGRP receptor. Conclusion The expression of neuronal NOS in keratinocytes and the release of NO from keratinocytes could be upregulated by CGRP.

Blue light has been widely used for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia since the 1950s. Neonatal phototherapy can decrease plasma unconjugated bilirubin level, thus preventing bilirubin encephalopathy, and greatly reduces the exchange transfusion rate. Generally, it is accepted that the side effects of neonatal phototherapy are not serious and seem to be well controlled, however recent research has provided new evidence. The short-term side effects of phototherapy include interference with maternal-infant interaction, imbalance of thermal environment and water loss, electrolyte disturbance, bronze baby syndrome and circadian rhythm disorder. In addition, phototherapy may be associated with some long-term side effects such as melanocytic nevi and skin cancer, allergic diseases, patent ductus arteriosus and retinal damage. Therefore, it is necessary to develop evidence-based guidelines, new light devices and alternative agents, as well as individualized treatments, to minimize the side effects of phototherapy.
Evidence-Based Practice ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal ; therapy ; Phototherapy ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the plasma concentration determination of carboplatin,and study the phar-macokinetics of carboplatin in female rats after intravenous injection and intraperitoneal injection. METHODS:HPLC was per-formed on the column of Agilent TC-C18 with mobile phase of methanol-water(5:95,V/V)at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,detection wavelength was 229 nm,and column temperature was 25 ℃. The inner standard was 5-bromouracil,and injection volume was 20 μL. 24 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,6 in each group. The rats were intravenously injected and intraperitoneally in-jected carboplatin 20,40 mg/kg respectively. 0.5 mL blood sample was taken from eyes before administration and after administra-tion of 0.25,0.5,1,1.5,2,4,6,8,10,12 h. The plasma concentration of carboplatin was determined,and DAS 2.0 was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. RESULTS:The linear range of carboplatin in plasma was 0.30-60.00 μg/mL (r=0.9991);RSDs of intra-day,inter-day precision were lower than 10%(n=5);RSD of peak area in stability test was lower than 10%(n=5);method recovery was 98.7%-102.4%(RSD≤6.08%,n=5),and extraction recovery was 83.38%-85.45%(RSD≤5.97%,n=5). AUC0-12 h of carboplatin 20,40 mg/kg by intravenous injection and intraperitoneal injection in female rats were (15.503 ± 4.172),(23.402 ± 4.266),(6.716 ± 2.306),(9.384 ± 2.205)μg·h/mL;AUC0-∞ were (16.424 ± 4.846),(23.404 ± 4.266),(6.790±2.378),(9.765±2.095)μg·h/mL;t1/2z were(1.246±0.765),(0.394±0.058),(0.513±0.156),(0.884±0.460) h;and tmax were(0.700±0.274),(0.400±0.335),(0.542±0.368),(0.833±0.289)h,respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The meth-od is simple,economic and accurate,with suitable internal standard,and can be used for the plasma concentration determination of carboplatin in female rats and the pharmacokinetic studies.

OBJECTIVESalt-sensitivity is associated with more severe target organ injury and higher mortality in patients with essential hypertension. We compared the vascular endothelial function between salt-sensitive subjects (SS) and non-salt-sensitive subjects (NSS) with normal or mildly increased blood pressure.

METHODSNinety-nine subjects (aged 16 - 60 years) with normal blood pressure or mild hypertension (degree 1) were enrolled. The test program included 3 days baseline investigation, 1 week low-salt loading phase and 1 week high-salt loading phase. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring the flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery using high resolution ultrasound.

RESULTSThere was 17.2% SS. Plasma NOx level [(61.2 ± 13.3) µmol/L vs (82.5 ± 14.6) µmol/L, P < 0.05] and FMD [(10.2 ± 2.5)% vs (14.5 ± 1.6)%, P < 0.05] were significantly lower in SS subjects than in NSS subjects.

CONCLUSIONVascular endothelial dysfunction was evidenced in SS subjects with normal blood pressure or in the early stage of hypertension.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Case-Control Studies ; Endothelium ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sodium, Dietary ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study an epidemic of human lung plague fulminant from September to October, 2004 in Nangqian county, Qinghai province.

METHODSCases were diagnosed through data from epidemiological, clinical, bacteriological, serological and autopsy studies.

RESULTS14 patients were identified, ending up with 6 deaths and 8 cured. The first case was diagnosed as primary pesticemia late progressed to lung plague. 4 cases were transformed from pesticemia out of 13, leaving the 9 cases as primary lung plague. Situation was under complete control through routinely handling the plague focus.

CONCLUSIONThe first case was bitten by the infected fleas which parasitized the marmota preyed on a dog but later these fleas were brought into the tent by the dog. The others cases were infected through droplets or dust. Programs on monitoring and controling the amount of marmotas and fleas should to be strengthened to prevent the epidemics of plague in the area.

Adult ; Animals ; Biopsy ; Cattle ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dogs ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plague ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; pathology ; transmission

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors related to post-asphyxial multiple organ dysfunction (PA-MOD) in neonates.

METHODSA total of 397 neonates with birth asphyxia were enrolled from January 2009 to December 2010.The patients were divided into PA-MOD group (n=179) and non-PA-MOD group (n=218). The risk factors of PA-MOD were retrospectively studied.

RESULTSMultivariate logistic regression analysis showed that severe asphyxia, fetal distress, abnormal labor, and decreased amniotic fluid were the risk factors for PA-MOD among the neonates. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the number of the involved organs increased along with the increase of age at admission (P<0.05) and with the decrease of gestational age and birth weight (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe efforts should be made to enhance perinatal care for neonates, especially for preterm infants and low-birh-weight infants, to decrease the incidence of MOD.

Asphyxia Neonatorum ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multiple Organ Failure ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Risk Factors

Objective:To investigate the effect of triptolide on the apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells through the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) /c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, and to explore its possible mechanisms.Methods:Cultured A375 cells were treated with triptolide at different concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200 nmol/L (experimental control group, 50, 100, 200 nmol/L triptolide groups, respectively), and a blank control group (DMEM high-glucose medium without cells) was set up. Methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate the cell viability at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the start of treatment, flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis at 24 hours after the start of treatment, and real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine mRNA and protein expression of IRE1, JNK, and c-Jun, respectively. After pretreatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 for 72 hours, some A375 cells were then treated with 100 nmol/L triptolide for 24 hours (SP600125 + 100 nmol/L triptolide group), and the A375 cells only treated with 100 nmol/L triptolide served as control group (100 nmol/L triptolide group). Effects of triptolide on the mRNA expression of IRE1, JNK, and c-Jun in A375 cells, as well as on cell apoptosis, were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, and Dunnett′s test.Results:After the treatment with different concentrations of triptolide for different durations, the cell viability was significantly lower in all triptolide groups than in the experimental control group ( Ftriptolide concentration = 18.36, P = 0.002), and gradually decreased over time ( F time = 8.54, P = 0.018). After 24-hour treatment, the apoptosis rate of A375 cells significantly differed among the 4 groups treated with different concentrations of triptolide ( F = 5 234.97, P < 0.001) ; additionally, the apoptosis rate was significantly higher in the 50, 100, and 200 nmol/L triptolide groups (16.99% ± 0.33%, 30.78% ± 0.40%, 38.91% ± 0.51%, respectively) than in the experimental control group (4.33% ± 0.02%, all P < 0.05), and gradually increased with the rising concentrations of triptolide. The mRNA expression levels of IRE1, JNK, and c-Jun were all significantly higher in the 50, 100, and 200 nmol/L triptolide groups than in the experimental control group (all P < 0.05), and gradually increased with the increase of triptolide concentration. Moreover, the protein expression levels of IRE1, JNK, c-Jun, p-JNK, and p-c-Jun in A375 cells in the triptolide groups also showed the same trend. After pretreatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 for 72 hours, the apoptosis rate was significantly lower in the SP600125 + 100 nmol/L triptolide group (21.88% ± 0.55%) than in the 100 nmol/L triptolide group without SP600125 pretreatment (30.78% ± 0.40%, t = -22.51, P < 0.001), and the mRNA expression levels of IRE1, JNK, and c-Jun were also significantly decreased in the SP600125 + 100 nmol/L triptolide group compared with the 100 nmol/L triptolide group (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:Triptolide may induce apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells by activating the IRE1/JNK signaling pathway.

Adult ; Blood Coagulation ; Emergency Treatment ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe blood pressure change with age in salt-sensitive teenagers whose salt sensitivity were determined by repeated testing.

METHODSSalt sensitivity was determined through intravenous infusion of normal saline combined with volume-depletion by oral diuretic furosemide in 55 teenagers. After five years, salt sensitivity was re-examined and subject blood pressure was followed up. Blood pressure changes in salt-sensitive teenagers were compared to that of non-salt sensitive teenagers over five years.

RESULTSAfter 5 years, the repetition rate of salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading is 92.7%. In teenagers with salt sensitivity on the baseline, both the systolic blood pressure increments and increment rates were much higher than non-salt sensitive teenagers (12.7 +/- 12.1 mmHg vs. 2.8 +/- 5.2 mmHg, P < 0.01; 12.2% +/- 12.0% vs. 2.5% +/- 4.4%, P < 0.001, respectively). There was a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure (8.4 +/- 6.4 mmHg vs. 3.7 +/- 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.052; 13.2% +/- 10.6% vs. 6.8% +/- 10.1%, P = 0.053, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSSalt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading showed good reproducibility. Blood pressure increments with age were much higher in salt-sensitive teenagers than non-salt sensitive teenagers, especially in terms of systolic blood pressure.

Adolescent ; Aging ; physiology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Blood Volume ; Female ; Furosemide ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Sodium Chloride ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Systole

Objective To evaluate the effect of up-converting phosphor technology(UPT) in detection of plague antigen-antibody by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) method,and to provide a scientific basis for field application of UPT rapid detection technology in plague prevention and control.Methods Two hundred and twenty four serum samples were collected from Marmots and ground squirrels in the plague foci,Yersinia pestis antibody was detected by UPT,ELISA,Colloidal-gold Strips and IHA,respectively; 108 organs and bone marrow samples were collected,and Yersinia pestis antigens were detected by UPT,ELISA,PCR and RIHA,respectively.IHA was used as the gold standard for antibody test results,RIHA,PCR + Colloidal-gold Strips,PCR + ELISA were used as the gold standard for antigen test results.The results were evaluated using ROC method.Results Antibodies detection:the AUCs of UPT,ELISA and Colloidal-gold Strips were greater than 0.5.The difference between UPT and other methods was not statistically significant (z =1.204,P ＞ 0.05).Antigen detection:the AUCs of UPT,ELISA,Colloidal-gold Strips and PCR were greater than 0.5.There was no statistical difference between UPT and other methods(z =0.866,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions UPT as a new technology works well in the detection of plague antigen-antibody.The technology is simple,fast,accurate,and suitable for on-site monitoring of plague,emergency treatment of sudden plague,and suitable for promotion.