Objective To explore the effect of beraprost sodium (BPS) on hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension (HPH) in rats and the expression of oxygen-sensitive Kv channels in pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASM).Methods The HPH model of rats was established by exposing rats to low-pressure and low-oxygen cabin which was auto-modulated for 8h every day.Rats in the BPS group were given an intragastric administration of BPS [300 μg/(kg · d)],while those in the control group and HPH group were given an intragastric administration of 3 ml/kg of 0.9％ saline.After 4 weeks,the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was measured and right heart ventricle hypertrophy index (RVHI) was calculated;pulmonary artery remodeling was evaluated by HE staining;the expressions of Kv 1.2,Kv 1.5 and Kv2.1 in the pulmonary artery were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot.Results The HPH model was successfully established in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia for 4 weeks.Compared with those in HPH group,mPAP,RVHI and pulmonary artery remodeling were decreased in BPS group [mPAP:(13.48±2.18)mmHg vs.(23.87±2.23)mmHg vs.(17.09±1.20)mmHg;RVHI:0.28±0.02 vs.0.46±0.03 vs.0.36±0.04;％ area of medial smooth muscle:35.72±6.58 vs.68.52±5.64 vs.46.58±8.43;P＜0.05],and the mRNA and protein expressions of Kv 1.2,Kv 1.5 and Kv 2.1 were increased (relative protein expression level:Kv1.2,0.78±0.10 vs.0.15±0.03 vs.0.57±0.13;Kv1.5,0.61±0.10 vs.0.31±0.05 vs.0.59±0.13;Kv2.1,0.29±0.05 vs.0.10±0.02 vs.0.28±0.07;P＜0.05).Conclusion BPS can improve pulmonary arterial hypertension induced by hypoxia,and upregulate the decreased mRNA and protein expressions of Kv 1.2,Kv 1.5 and Kv 2.1 in pulmonary artery.

Objective To reverse P-glycoprotein-mediated muhiple drug resistance using RNA interference(RNAi)in cultured rat astrocytes.Methods Astroeytes overexpressing P-glyeoprotein induced by coriaria lactone were transfected with the short-hairpin RNA expression vector-p-SIREN shuttle designed to target Mdrl mRNA.The mRNA level of Mdrl gene was evaluated by real-time PCR;the P-glycoprotein was examined by immunocytochemistry and image analysis,meanwhile the rhodamine efflux was assessed by flow cytometry.Results The astrocyte model overexpressing P-glycoprotein were established and successfully transfected with the short-hairpin RNA expression vector-p-SIREN shuttle.The mRNA level of Mdrl gene was knocked down by 67.70%(P

OBJECTIVETo verify the mechanism of the hepatitis B viral clearance using clinical data.

METHODSViral level and HBV marker in serum were analyzed in 12 patients with acute hepatitis B.

RESULTSThe clearance of hepatitis B virus occurred before the patients were hospitalized in 66.7% of patients. The viral level and the A value of HBsAg;HBeAg declined gradually during hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONSIn most of patients with acute hepatitis B in the study, the virus was cleared without destruction of infected cells.

Adult ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

The effects of the feed attractants on Whitmania pigra were studied. The average weight of Wh. pigra were 5.0 g. Arginine was selected as feed attractants, xanthan gum was selected as feed substrate. The times of Wh. pigra going into the inducing room were recorded. The water temperature was 22-25 degrees C during the whole experiment. Arginine that had better inducing effect was chosen to carry on in the gradient experiment. The results showed that the best inducing effect was found when the added amount of arginine was 0.3%, which was close to the arginine content of the natural body fluid of Wh. Pigra and Bellamya purificata, 2.97 mg x g(-1).
Animal Feed ; analysis ; Animals ; Arginine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Feeding Behavior ; Leeches ; growth & development ; physiology

Animals ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; Pilot Projects ; Rats ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze retrospectively the roles of different factors, especially the factors in the anastomotic cicatricial, stenosis after esophagectomy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 1111 patients, undergone esophagectomy with immediate reconstruction for cancer in the Sun Yat-sen Cancer Center from December 1997 to December 2003, were analyzed retrospectively. Up to 19 factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis with SPSS 11.5 for windows. Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the factors that were statistically significant in Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe overall incidence of anastomotic cicatricial stenosis was 6.84%. By using univariate Logistic regression, sustained-hypoxemia (P=0.003), chest complications (P=0.000), anastomotic leakage (P=0.000), a history of diabetes (P=0.019), a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P=0.046) and cardiovascular complications (P=0.015) came out to be significantly related to anastomotic stenosis. Multivariate Logistic regression showed that sustained-hypoxemia (P=0.044), chest complications (P=0.009), anastomotic leakage (P=0.001) and a history of diabetes (P=0.036) were statistically significant. Spearman rank correlation estimation revealed that sustained-hypoxemia was positively correlated with chest complications (r=0.105) and anastomotic leakage,(r=0.106), and chest complications were positively correlated with anastomotic leakage (r=0.228).

CONCLUSIONSustained-hypoxemia is one of the significant factors for anastomotic cicatricial stenosis after esophagectomy.

Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Esophageal Stenosis ; etiology ; Esophagectomy ; adverse effects ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the role of a pathologic niche inducing mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) to express hepatic cell functions in vitro.

METHODSEmbryoid bodies were developed from 5 to 7 day hanging-drop culture of mouse ESC, and their dissociated cells were planted in three differential systems: nothing added; with 20 ng/ml hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); and 5% rat cholestatic serum plus 20 ng/ml HGF added. Their differentiation was observed with inverted microscopes daily, and their hepatic functions were analyzed against their synthesis of glycogen, triglycerides, albumin, and urea nitrogen, and by their staining of indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA).

RESULTSESC spontaneous differentiation was hardly being controlled to form three germ layers. HGF prompted the ESC to develop further into visceral endoderm and mesoderm (myocardium), but both of them only expressed a low level of hepatocyte-specific metabolic functions. With cholestatic serum added into the HGF-induced system, differentiated cells grew into similar angular cells, and had a higher level synthesis of glycogen, triglycerides, albumin and urea nitrogen with positive ICG and FDA staining.

CONCLUSIONSSpontaneous or HGF-induced ESC differentiation has only limited hepatic functions expressed. A pathologic niche in vitro induces ESC to develop into hepatic lineages, with a higher level of hepatic metabolic functions.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cholestasis ; blood ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Serum ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the morbidity, burdens caused and risk factors of injuries among children and to provide information for policy making on prevention.

METHODSBy PPS sampling method, we selected 28 000 households in Beijing and using a questionnaire developed by UNICEF, TASC and China CDC.

RESULTSThe morbidity of child injury in Beijing was 2.25%, higher than that of adults (1.56%) with 6-9 year group the highest (2.83% ). The morbidity of boys was 3.04% higher than that of girls (1.37%). Among the 7 death cases, 3 were caused by injury(2 RTA, 1 drowning). The three leading causes of injuries were fall, animal bite and road traffic accident in children. Among children aged 0-5 years, fall, animal and burn/machine injuries were the leading causes. Among children aged 0-5 years, the leading causes were hurt by animals, fall and RTA with the leading causes as fall, sprain and RTA. The average medical cost of injury cases was 1617.57 Yuan. There were 3500 children (injured orphan) whose parents were injured leading to death or disability in Beijing in 2003.

CONCLUSIONInjury was the leading cause of child deaths in Beijing with children of 6-9 years old having the highest morbidity with RTA the most severe type of injuries in Beijing which affects both children and their parents.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Morbidity ; Risk Factors ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of comprehensive control strategy of schistosomiasis with emphasis on infection source control in Anhui province.

METHODSForty endemic villages in Guichi district, Chizhou city, Anhui province were selected as national pilot villages in the years from 2006 to 2008, and another 10 provincial pilot villages were respectively selected from 10 highly endemic villages in 7 cities in 2007. The comprehensive infection source control measures, including "replace cattle with machines", "raise livestock in pens", "improve the sanitary toilets", "supply safe water " and so on were carried out among the above pilot villages. At the end of 2008, 13 national pilot villages and 6 provincial pilot villages were selected to investigate the popularity of schistosomiasis, and the effect of the comprehensive control strategy in those villages were compared.

RESULTSAfter implementing the comprehensive control strategy, the infectious rate of schistosomiasis in national pilot villages decreased from 4.57% (487/10 659) to 1.76% (147/8370), with the reduction rate at 61.49%, whose difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 115.16, P < 0.01); and the density of infected snails decreased from 0.0067/0.1 m(2) to 0.0008/0.1 m(2), the infectious rate of snails decreased from 0.28% to 0.04%, whose reduction rates were 88.06% and 85.71% respectively. While as to the provincial pilot villages, the infectious rate of schistosomiasis decreased from 1.27% (54/4254) to 0.21% (14/6592), with the reduction rate at 83.46%, whose difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 94.57, P < 0.01); and the density of infected snails decreased from 0.0025/0.1 m(2) to 0.0003/0.1 m(2), the infection rate of snails decreased from 0.13% to 0.05%, whose reduction rates were 88.00% and 61.54% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe comprehensive control strategy with emphasis on infection source control implemented in marshland and lake regions can effectively control the transmission of schistosomiasis.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Reservoirs ; parasitology ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; Livestock ; Pilot Projects ; Rural Health ; Schistosomiasis ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; prevention & control ; Snails ; parasitology