The study is to investigate the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptor blockers on migration and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression of rat vascular adventitial fibroblast subpopulations. Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were individually expanded by using cloning rings, and the effects of Ang II on the migration of adventitial fibroblast subpopulations were evaluated by Transwell. Fluorescence quantitative-PCR detected the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II, and its receptor antagonists losartan and PD-123319. The concentration of ET-1 was determined by ELISA. It showed that spindle shaped and epithelioid shaped cells were isolated by using cloning rings, named as spindle cells and round cells. RT-PCR showed that fibroblast subpopulations did not have leukocytes, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, namely pure cell lines. Compared with respective control cells, two subpopulations had transferring ability. Ang II significantly improved round cells migration in a concentration-dependent manner, and had no obvious influence on spindle cells migration. Ang II (1 x 10(-8) - 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1)) significantly increased the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in round cells (P < 0.01), and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. Losartan blocked the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II in round cells, and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. The effects of Ang II and ET-1 receptor inhibitors on the release of ET-1 were similar to the expression of preproET-1 mRNA. The results indicate that there are two cell subpopulations: round cells and spindle cells in rat vascular adventitial fibroblasts. Ang II significantly improved cells migration, and increased the expression of ET-1 in round cell subpopulation. It suggested that there may be different migratory mechanisms in two cell subpopulations, and the two subpopulations may play a different role in vascular remodeling and reparative process.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; pharmacology

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B ; classification ; drug effects ; genetics ; Phylogeny

Objective To estimate the prevalence of cataract and its surgical coverage rate together with the burden related to bilateral cataract-blindness,among adults aged 40 or above in Gongshan county of Yunnan province and to evaluate the current cataract status and the efficacy of local cataract prevention program.Methods Cluster sampling was used.The protocol consisted of personal interview,pilot study,visual acuity checking,measuring the intraocular pressure; slit lamp microscopy and the fundus of the eye examination etc.Cataract was graded clinically using the Lens Opacity Classification System (LOCS) ]Ⅲ.Bilateral cataract-blindness burden,bilateral cataractblindness burden and cataract surgical coverage rate were calculated respectively,using two different criteria.Odds ratios (OR) were compared among different groups regarding age,gender,education,ethnic group and altitude of living area.Results Among the 1236 eligible residents,1116 (90.3％)were enrolled in the present study.The prevalence of cataract was 23.8％ among adults aged 40 or order.When the bilateral best refractive vision ＜3/60 was defined as the blindness criterion,the bilateral cataract-blindness burden showed as 1.3％,and cataract blindness surgical coverage rate was 50.0％.When the bilateral presenting vision ＜ 6/60 was defined as the blindness criterion,the bilateral cataract-blindness burden was 25.0％,and cataract blindness surgical coverage rate was 12.9％.The cataract surgical coverage rates were much lower and the bilateral cataract-blindness burden much higher in women,illiterates,living in high altitude areas and those who were aged 70 or above.Conclusion Cataract blindness was a serious public health problem in aged individuals and illiteracy in the residents of the studied areas.Poor prevention programs on cataract called for urgent action to be taken.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support after cardiac surgery.

METHODSRetrospectively analyze the clinical data of 117 postoperative patients supported with ECMO in cardiac intensive care unit from March 2005 to June 2008. There were 32 female and 85 male patients, with a mean age of (48.7 +/- 16.5) years old. The cardiac operations included coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 20), coronary artery bypass grafting and remodeling of left ventricle (n = 9), coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular operation (n = 5), repair of ventricular septal perforation following acute myocardial infarction (n = 2), valvular operation (n = 46), heart transplantation (n = 20), lung heart transplantation and repair of ventricular septal defect (n = 1), correction of congenital heart defects (n = 10), aortic operations (n = 4). Venoarterial bypass was instituted in 115 for hemodynamic failure and venovenous in 2 patient for hypoxemia following cardiac surgery. ECMO was established in 110 patients by cannulation of the right atrium and femoral artery, and 5 of the right atrium and ascending aorta. And 2 case added left atrial drainage to ECMO. Heparin was infused to maintain the whole blood activated coagulation time (ACT) of 160 to 200 s in centrifugal pump (14 cases), and 200 to 250 s in roller pump (3 cases) to avoid thrombotic events. This was administered until decannulation. Intra-aortic balloon pump was used in 15 patients and continuous renal replacement therapy in 29 cases.

RESULTSMean ECMO duration was 61 h (ranged 3 to 225 h) and the mean duration of ICU stay was 5 d. 87 patients (74.4%) were successfully weaned from ECMO. 69 patients (59.0%) survived to discharge. The most common complications were re-exploration for bleeding (n = 24) and alimentary tract hemorrhage (n = 14), renal failure required renal replacement therapy (n = 29), infection(n = 32), limb ischemia (n = 5), plasma leak of oxygenators (n = 29), hemolysis (n = 7), neurological complication (n = 4).

CONCLUSIONSECMO is an effective mechanical assistance method for short-term treatment of postoperative cardiorespiratory failure. Indication should be controlled strictly. Earlier institution of ECMO and prevent complication may improve outcome.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Heart Failure ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Adolescent ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Humans ; Male ; Meningitis, Meningococcal ; microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neisseria meningitidis ; classification ; drug effects ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and side effect of DA/HA regimen chemotherapy for the treatment of refractory and relapsed paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

METHODSEight patients with refractory and relapsed PNH were treated with DA/HA regimen chemotherapy. Three patients were treated with DA (DNR 40 mg/d, i.v.drip, the first and the second day; 20 mg/d, i.v.drip, the third day; Ara-C 100 mg/d, i.v.drip, for 5 days) and 5 patients with HA (HHT 2 - 3 mg/d, i.v.drip, for 5 days; Ara-C 100 mg/d, i.v.drip, for 5 days).

RESULTSAll the 8 patients responded well: the PNH clone was diminished in five patients. Hemolysis was remitted in 6 cases. Five patients showed improvement in hematological parameters. The dosage of corticosteroid was decreased in all of them. No serious side effect was revealed.

CONCLUSIONDA/HA regimen chemotherapy was safe and effective for refractory and relapsed PNH patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Daunorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Glycosylphosphatidylinositols ; analysis ; Harringtonines ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Lang-chuang-ding Decoction (, LCD) on the expression of DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODSPBMCs isolated from female patients with SLE or healthy donors were cultured and treated with LCD medicated serum or normal serum for 24 or 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CD70 gene in PBMCs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the DNA methylation of the CD70 gene promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR.

RESULTSAfter treated with medicated serum for 48 h, the mRNA expression levels of CD70 in PBMCs of SLE patients were signifificantly higher than those of healthy donors (P<0.05); the DNA methylation levels of CD70 promoter region in PBMCs of SLE patients treated with medicated serum for 48 h were signifificantly higher than those treated with fetal bovine serum (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONLCD could inhibit CD70 gene expression in PBMCs of SLE patients by promoting the DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter.

Adult ; CD27 Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism