OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of negative emotions on serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and neuropeptide Y (NYP) in hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (HBLC) patients.

METHODSTotally 617 HBLC patients were assigned to the negative emotion group (415 cases) and the non-negative emotion group (202 cases) judged by negative emotions. Case numbers of various grading Child-Pugh were recorded in the two groups. Their liver functions were compared between the two groups. Serum levels of ACTH and NPY were detected using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the two groups.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in Child-Pugh grading between the two groups (χ2 = 0.65, P = 0.72). Compared with the non-negative emotional group, serum ACTH levels decreased significantly in the negative emotion group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum ACTH levels between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe negative emotion of HBLC patients was not related to the serum ACTH level, but to relatively lower-concentration serum NPY levels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Emotions ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; psychology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; psychology ; Neuropeptide Y ; Serum

Endophytic bacteria which was producing indoleacetic acid was screened from Panax ginseng by using the Salkowski method. The active strain was also tested for its ability of nitrogen fixation by using the Ashby agar plates, the PKV plates and quantitative analysis of Mo-Sb-Ascrobiology acid colorimetry was used to measure its ability of phosphate solubilization, for its ability of potassium solubilization the silicate medium and flame spectrophotometry was used, for its ability of producing siderophores the method detecting CAS was used, for its ability of producing ACC deaminase the Alpha ketone butyric acid method was applied. And the effect on promoting growth of seed by active strain was tested. The results showed that the indoleacetic acid producing strain of JJ5-2 was obtained from 118 endophytes, which the content of indoleacetic acid was 10.2 mg x L(-1). The JJ5-2 strain also had characteristics of phosphate and potassium solubilization, nitrogen fixation, producing siderophores traits, and the promoting germination of ginseng seeds. The JJ5-2 strain was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis by analyzing morphology, physiological and biochemical properties and 16S rRNA gene sequences.
Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Endophytes ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Indoleacetic Acids ; metabolism ; Panax ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the apoptosis resistance induced by Leptin and its mechanism in breast cancer cells in vitro.

METHODSThe leptin-mediated reduction of docetaxel-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer T47D cells was evaluated by TransAM ELISA, MTT and caspase-9 assay. The leptin-promoted survivin expression was analyzed by Western-blot and RT-PCR. The reversing effect of STAT3 knockdown on leptin-induced survivin upregulation was measured by Western-blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSLeptin promoted T47D cells proliferation and the inhibitory rate was -63.6%. It reduced docetaxel-induced apoptosis in T47D cells by 31.9%. Leptin at different concentrations promoted survivin protein and mRNA expression in T47D cells. The expression of survivin mRNA was 4.6 fold compared with the T47D cells not treated with leptin(10 nmol/L). The expression of survivin mRNA in T47D cells was 0.55 +/- 0.15 fold after transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) of STAT3. The expression of survivin mRNA in STAT3 siRNA group and mock transfected group were 0.56 +/- 0.18 fold and 1.61 +/- 0.22 fold after treated by leptin, respectively. The survivin protein level of T47D mock transfected cells was increased after treated by leptin, but the protein level of T47D transfected with STAT3 siRNA cells were not changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONLeptin/STAT3 signaling is a novel pathway for up-regulation of survivin expression in breast cancer cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Leptin ; pharmacology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation

Traumatic tricuspid valve insufficiency (TTVI) is a relatively uncommon disease. To summarize the experience in the diagnosis and treatment of TTVI, we have analyzed the clinical data of 3 patients with TTVI who were admitted to the department of cardiac surgery of our hospital between April 1997 to April 2002. Relevant literatures have also been reviewed.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Injuries ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Trauma ; physiopathology ; Risk Assessment ; Sampling Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; diagnosis ; surgery

Background::The use of microRNAs in the therapy of kidney disease is hampered by the difficulties in their effective delivery. Microvesicles (MVs) are known as natural carriers of small RNAs. Our prior research has demonstrated that MVs isolated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of attenuating kidney injuries induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction and 5/6 sub-total nephrectomy in mice. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of miR-34a-5p (miR-34a)-modified MSC-MVs on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced fibrosis and apoptosis in vitro. Methods::Bone marrow MSCs were modified by lentiviruses over-expressing miR-34a, from which MVs were collected for the treatment of human Kidney-2 (HK-2) renal tubular cells exposed to TGF-β1 (6 ng/mL). The survival of HK-2 cells was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Annexin V-Light 650/propidium iodide (PI) assays. The expression levels of epithelial markers (tight junction protein 1 [TJP1] and E-cadherin) and mesenchymal markers (smooth muscle actin alpha (α-SMA) and fibronectin) in HK-2 cells were measured using Western blot analysis and an immunofluorescence assay. In addition, changes in Notch-1/Jagged-1 signaling were analyzed using Western blotting. Data were analyzed using a Student’s t test or one-way analysis of variance. Results::MiR-34a expression increased three-fold in MVs generated by miR-34a-modified MSCs compared with that expressed in control MVs ( P < 0.01, t= 16.55). In HK-2 cells, TJP1 and E-cadherin levels decreased to 31% and 37% after treatment with TGF-β1, respectively, and were restored to 62% and 70% by miR-34a-enriched MSC-MVs, respectively. The expression of α-SMA and fibronectin increased by 3.9- and 5.0-fold following TGF-β1 treatment, and decreased to 2.0- and 1.7-fold after treatment of HK-2 cells with miR-34a-enriched MSC-MVs. The effects of miR-34a-enriched MSC-MVs on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were stronger than control MSC-MVs. The effects of miR-34a-enriched MSC-MVs on these EMT markers were stronger than control MSC-MVs. Notch-1 receptor and Jagged-1 ligand, two major molecules of Notch signaling pathway, are predicted targets of miR-34a. It was further observed that elevation of Notch-1 and Jagged-1 induced by TGF-β1 was inhibited by miR-34a-enriched MSC-MVs. In addition, TGF-β1 exposure also induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Although miR-34a-mofidied MSC-MVs were able to inhibit TGF-β1-triggered apoptosis in HK-2 cells, the effects were less significant than control MSC-MVs (control:TGF-β1 :miR-nc-MV:miR-34a-MV = 1.3:0.6:1.1:0.9 for MTT assay, 1.8%:23.3%:9.4%:17.4% for apoptosis assay). This phenomenon may be the result of the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-34a. Conclusions::The present study demonstrated that miR-34a-over-expressing MSC-MVs inhibit EMT induced by pro-fibrotic TGF-β1 in renal tubular epithelial cells, possibly through inhibition of the Jagged-1/Notch-1 pathway. Genetic modification of MSC-MVs with an anti-fibrotic molecule may represent a novel strategy for the treatment of renal injuries.

Objective To observe the value of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in tumour chemotherapy. Methods A total of 141 patients were randomly divided into three groups, 56 patients received chemotherapy by PICC, 49 patients were treated by intravenous detaining needle, and 36 patients were treated by peripherally scalp needle. The complications including drugs effusion, phlebitis, and degree of comfort and self-care ability of patients were observed and compared. Results The ratio of complications and self-care deficiency in PICC group were much lower than those in the intravenous detaining needle and peripherally scalp needle group (P<0.01), the degree of comfort, however, was much higher than that in the intravenous detaining needle and peripherally scalp needle group (P<0.01). On the other hand, there was no statistical difference in the ratio of local infection of the three venous punctures(P>0.05). Conclusions It is very convenient and safe to use PICC which is a good intravenous method and is worth of spreading in practice.

OBJECTIVETo identify and type three leptospires isolated from Rattus tanezumi in Guizhou Province by using three molecular techniques (PFGE, MLVA, and MLST), reveal the molecular characteristic of causative agents of local leptospirosis and evaluate these three molecular methods based on their detection resolution and efficiency.

METHODSThree Leptospira strains were isolated from the kidney of Rattus tanezumi and cultured with EMJH medium. PFGE, MLVA, and MLST assays were applied to type the three strains isolated from Rattus tanezumi in Guizhou Province.

RESULTSPFGE, MLVA, and MLST typing showed that the three leptospiral isolates matched with leptospiral serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai. The findings of the genotyping methods were consistent. MLVA and MLST defined genotypes, whereas PFGE allowed the recognition of additional subgroups within the genotypes, and the findings of molecular typing were also consistent with those of traditional techniques.

CONCLUSIONThree leptospiral isolates from Guizhou Province matched with leptospiral serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai, and PFGE, MLVA, and MLST, as reliable molecular techniques for identifying and typing of Leptospira interrogans, would contribute to the active surveillance, outbreak investigation and source tracking for leptospirosis in Guizhou Province.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; classification ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Genotype ; Leptospira interrogans ; classification ; genetics ; Leptospirosis ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; veterinary ; Phylogeny ; Rats

BACKGROUNDMycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen that caused community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). P1 protein served as major adhesion and immunodominant protein in Mycoplasma pneumoniae, but little about P1 gene was learned and the relationship between P1 genotype and macrolide resistance has yet to be explored.

METHODSThe DNA sequence of the entire P1 gene from 35 strains isolated from clinical specimens collected in Beijing, China, in 2010 was determined. The resulting sequences were checked for known macrolide resistance mutations, such as A2063G, A2064G, C2617G in domain V of 23S rRNA. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done to further identify macrolide resistant strains.

RESULTSThirty-four clinical strains were type 1, and were identical to type 1 reference strain MP129. Only one clinical strain, MpYYM22, was type 2, and proved to be variant 2c. One synonymous point mutation in the P1 type 1 gene from two isolates was identified relative to the MP129 P1 sequence at nucleotide position (nt) 552 (C>A), while another two isolates had missense mutations at nt 2504 (G>A). This point mutation caused an amino acid change from glycine to glutamic acid. An AGT tri-nucleotide variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR), coding for serine and repeating 6-11 times, up to 15-16 times, was found in the region between the RepMP4 and RepMP2/3 elements in the 35 isolates examined. All 35 clinical strains, including MpYYM22, demonstrated macrolide resistance with the range of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of erythromycin from 64 to 256 µg/ml, having an A2063G transition in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene.

CONCLUSIONSP1 type 1 was the dominant type of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Beijing in 2010, although variant 2c strains were present. More samples are needed to determine whether there is a relationship between the P1 genotype and macrolide resistance, as the 35 strains examined did not allow a conclusive result. However, the AGT tri-nucleotide VNTR may be a more informative locus for multi-locus VNTR analysis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA, Bacterial ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Macrolides ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of artemisinin on the ischemia/reperfusion injury of the iisolated rat myocardium and to preliminarily study the possible mechanism.

METHODFifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: a control group, an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, and 3 artemisinin (AS) groups (10, 100, 1000 micromol x L(-1)), 10 rats in each group. Ischemia/reperfusion injury of the isolated rat myocardium was induced by a Langendorff system. The electrocardiogram, the cardiac functional parameters, coronary flow, and the activities of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), CPK (creatine phosphokinase), SOD (superoxide dis-mutase) and the level of malondiadehyde (MDA) in myocardial tissue, and the myocardial ultrastructures were investigated.

RESULTAS (10,100 micromol x L(-1)) could significantly improve the index of the myocardial function (+/- dp/dt(max), LVSP) after the ischemia/reperfusion, increase the coronary flow, decrease the leakage of LDH and CPK, and increase the SOD activity and decrease the MDA level in cardiac tissues, and alleviate the myocardial ultrastructure injury. But, AS (1000 micromo x L(-1)) did not have the above effects.

CONCLUSIONAS (10, 100 micromol x L(-1)) alleviate the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. The mechanism may be related to its functions of antioxidation and scavenging free radicals.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; chemistry ; Artemisinins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; Female ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDAlthough endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) plays a crucial role in the final diagnosis in patients with heart failure of unknown etiology, the invasive nature of this technique limits its clinical application in China. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of EMB in diagnosing cardiomyopathy with unexplained etiologies in China.

METHODSFifty-three consecutive patients (38 males, age 14 - 67 years, median 43 years) were included in the study who were initially diagnosed as unexplained cardiomyopathy and under EMB biopsy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2006 to 2009. The patients were clinically divided into four groups: dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive and unclassified cardiomyopathy. Biopsies were performed via right internal jugular vein with the use of the bioptome under fluoroscopic guidance. Three to five endomyocardial samples were taken from each patient for light microscopy examination and one sample for electron microscopy was taken if necessary. For each patient, an initial clinical diagnosis, an EMB diagnosis and a final diagnosis prior to discharge were established. All the data were compared and analyzed for the evaluation of clinical utility of EMB in China.

RESULTSIn 26 patients initially diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), the etiology of the condition was finally diagnosed using EMB in 15; including 13 amyloidosis and two eosinophilic myocarditis. We employed EMB in 19 patients clinically diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy and detected viral myocarditis in one patient, cardiac involvement due to polymyositis in four and doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in one. In five patients with severe left ventricle hypertrophy undergoing EMB, one patient was diagnosed as autophagic vacuolar cardiomyopathy and one as mitochondrial disease. In the remaining three patients with unclassified cardiomyopathy, EMB revealed infiltration of eosinophils as the cause of atrial ventricular block in one patient. Final diagnoses were made in 24 of the total 53 patients (45%) based on the combination of EMB and clinical data. Transient atrial ventricular block in a patient with prior complete left bundle branch block was the only complication occurred during the procedures.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical application of EMB is safe. The combination of EMB and clinical data produced a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the clinically diagnosed cardiomyopathy in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; methods ; Cardiomyopathies ; classification ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Young Adult