OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression dynamics and significance of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) membrane type-matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MT-MMP-2) in hepatic fibrosis and its reversal counterpart.

METHODSAn experimental CCl4 induced hepatic fibrosis rat model was established by intraperitoneal administration of carbon tetrachloride for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 weeks, and normal rats were used as a control group. The immunohistochemical methods and in situ hybridization were used to detect MMP-2,MT-MMP-2 mRNA and related antigens in the liver.

RESULTSMMP-2,MT-MMP-2 mRNA and related antigens were expressed in mesenchymal cells and parts of hepatocytes besides active pathological changes, especially in the fibrous septum and portal area. Expression of MMP-2,MT-MMP-2 mRNA and related antigens were increased in hepatic fibrosis and decreased gradually in its reversal counterpart.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggested that mesenchymal cells are the main cellular origins of MMPs. The levels of MMP-2 and MT-MMP-2 antigens and gene expression were closely related to hepatic fibrosis. MMP-2 and MT-MMP-2 may play important roles in hepatic fibrosis and its reversal counterpart.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Hepatocytes ; enzymology ; Liver ; enzymology ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; enzymology ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDMany studies have shown the superior efficacy of budesonide (BUD)/formoterol (FORM) maintenance and reliever therapy, but still lack evidence of its efficacy in Chinese asthma patients in a relative large patient-group. We finished this research to compare BUD/FORM maintenance and reliever therapy and high-dose salmeterol (SALM)/fluticasone (FP) maintenance plus an as-needed short-acting β(2)-agonist in Chinese patients with persistent uncontrolled asthma. This was a post hoc analysis based on a 6-month, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study (NCT00242775).

METHODSA total of 222 eligible asthma patients from nine centers in China were randomized to either BUD/FORM+as-needed BUD/FORM (160/4.5 µg/inhalation) (640/18 µg/d; n = 111), or SALM/FP+as-needed terbutaline (0.4 mg/inhalation) (100/1000 µg/d; n = 111). The primary endpoint was time to first severe exacerbation while secondary endpoints included various measures of pulmonary function, symptom control and quality-of-life.

RESULTSTime to first severe exacerbation over six months was lower with the BUD/FORM than with the SALM/FP treatment (risk ratio = 0.52, 95%CI 0.22 - 1.22), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.13). The cumulative number of severe exacerbations in the BUD/FORM group was lower than in the SALM/FP group (7.2% vs. 13.5%; risk ratio = 0.45, P = 0.028). BUD/FORM produced significantly better improvements in reliever use, cumulative mild exacerbations, symptom-free days (%), and morning/evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) than SALM/FP (P < 0.05 in all cases). The two groups achieved similar improvements in their time to first mild exacerbation, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), asthma control questionnaire and asthma symptom scores, and percentage of nights with awakening(s). Both treatments were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONSIn Chinese patients with persistent asthma, BUD/FORM decreased severe and mild exacerbations, decreased reliever use, increased symptom-free days, and improved morning/evening PEF compared with SALM/FP. There were no significant differences in time to first severe exacerbation or other assessments regarding daily asthma control between BUD/FORM and SALM/FP. BUD/FORM was more effective in this Chinese sub-group than in the total cohort involved in the original study.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Double-Blind Method ; Ethanolamines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Formoterol Fumarate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of heat shock factor1 (HSF1) on gene expression of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells induced by burn serum.

METHODSSera were separated from blood of normal rats and rats with severe burns, and the recombinant vector pcDNA3. 1/HSF1 was constructed. RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into non-transfection group, vacant vector group (with burn and normal sera stimulation, respectively after vacant vector transfection) and recombinant vector group (with burn and normal sera stimulation, respectively after recombinant vector transfection). Some recombinant vector transfected macrophages without serum stimulation were prepared for the determination of HSF 1 expression with Western blotting. The mRNA expressions of TNF-alpha, HMGB 1 and IL-10 were determined with RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe cell line attained after recombinant vector transfection was comparatively stable,with partial activation of HSF 1. Burn sera markedly upregulated TNF-alpha, HMGB1 mRNA expression (0.910 +/- 0.100, 0.860 +/- 0.020, respectively), but downregulated IL-10 expression (0.430 +/- 0.010, respectively) in normal macrophages, while these genes maintained in a very low level in normal macrophages with normal serum stimulation . macrophages with recombinant vector transfection and burn serum stimulation could obviously inhibit the expression of TNF-alpha and HMGB 1, but enhance the IL-10 gene expression (0.130 +/- 0.100, 0.450 +/- 0.020 , 0.450 +/- 0.020, respectively )when compared with that with vacant vector transfection and burn serum stimulation (0.800 +/- 0.050, 0.880 +/- 0.030, 0.420 +/- 0.010, respectively).

CONCLUSIONHSF1 can inhibit the expression of some pro-inflammatory mediators in macrophages after a severe burns, indicating that appropriate upregulation of anti-inflammatory mediators might exert protective effects on the organism.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Heat Shock Transcription Factors ; Heat-Shock Response ; genetics ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To conduct serological investigation on H5N1/H9N2/H7N7 infection among people occupied in poultry fields. Methods Serum samples were collected from people working in live poultry and none-poultry retailing food markets, poultry wholesaling, large-scale poultry breading factories and in small-scale farms, wide birds breeding, swine slaughtering houses and from normal population. Antibodies of H5, H9 and H7 with hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization tests were tested and analyzed. Logistic regression and χ2 test were used. Results Among 2881 samples, 4 were positive to H5-Ab(0.14%), 146 were positive to H9-Ab (5.07%) and the prevalence of H9 among people from live poultry retailing (14.96%) was the highest. Prevalence rates of H9 were as follows: 8.90% in people working in the large-scale poultry breading factories, 6.69% in the live poultry wholesaling business, 3.75% in the wide birds breeding, 2.40% in the swine slaughtering, 2.21% in the non-poultry retailing, 1.77% in the rural poultry farmers and 2.30% in normal population. None was positive to H7-Ab among 1926 poultry workers. Conclusion The H5 prevalence among people was much lower than expected, but the H9 prevalence was higher. None of the populations tested was found positive to H7-Ab. There was a higher risk of AIV infection in live poultry retailing, wholesaling and large-scale breading businesses, with the risk of live poultry retailing the highest. The longer the service length was, the higher the risk existed.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on injury of A549 cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)and the influence of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression. METHODS: Logarithmic growth phase A549 cells(it originated from alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell line) were randomly divided into 4 groups (=10):normoxic control group (N), Dex group (D), hypoxia/reoxygenation group (H), hypoxia/reoxygenation + Dex group(HD). At the beginning of modeling, 1 nmol/L Dex was puted into D and HD groups. N and D groups were cultured in the normoxic incubator for 30 h. H and HD group were incubated in the anoxic cultivation for 6 h, fo llowed by normoxic culture for 24 h. Then A549 cells were observed under the inverted microscope to observe the morphological changes. Cell activity was detected by cell counting Kit-8(CCK-8) and the apoptosis index(AI) was detected by in situ end labeling (TUNEL) method. The expression of CHOP、glucose-regulated protein of molecular weight 78 kDa (Grp78)、cysteinyl aspirate-specificprotease-3 (caspase-3) protein and CHOP、Grp78 mRNA were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with N group, the number of adherent cells in H group decreased significantly, and cell morphology changed. The absorbance value in H group decreased obviously (<0. 01). The AI value and expression of CHOP, Grp78, caspase-3 proteins and CHOP, Grp78 mRNA were significantly increased (<0.01). Compared with H group, the cell damage in HD group was decreased, the absorbance value increased (<0.01), the number of apoptosis cells decreased relatively (<0.01), the expression of CHOP, caspase-3 protein and CHOP mRNA decreased (<0. 01). CONCLUSIONS Dex has notable effects against H/R injury, which may be related to effective inhibition of apoptosis mediated by the CHOP's signal path.
A549 Cells ; Apoptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Dexmedetomidine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the early clinical efficacy of primary total hip arthroplasty(THA) with Corail standard stems (KS type) and high offset stems (KHO type), by analyzing the postoperative radiographic parameters of different offset of femoral components with Corail stem which has a neck-shaft angle of 135 ° in unilateral primary THA, by comparing the measurement results on both sides and analyzing the reconstruction of the postoperative femoral offset and the hip joint function recovery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of 186 patients with unilateral hip joint lesions who underwent the first total hip arthroplasty with Johnson & Johnson Corail prostheses from January 2015 to June 2017. According to the use of femoral prostheses with different eccentricities during the operation, the patients were divided into high eccentricity group and standard eccentricity group. In the high eccentricity group, there were 52 cases of Corail high eccentricity prosthesis(KHO type), including 20 females and 32 males;aged 21 to 71 years old with an average of(50.6±13.2) years;body mass index(BMI) was (26.0±4.1) kg/m². The standard eccentricity group included 134 Corail standard femoral stem prostheses(KS type), 57 females and 77 males;aged 18 to 77 years old with an average of (47.3±14.0) years;BMI was (25.3±3.5) kg/m². The abduction arm, femoral eccentricity, acetabular eccentricity and the length difference of lower limbs were measured on the postoperatively positive X-ray film of the hip joint. Harris score and related complications were recorded before and after the operation, and the stability of the prosthesis was analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in femoral eccentricity, joint eccentricity and abduction arm between the affected side and the healthy side in the high eccentricity group(P<0.05). There were significant differences in femoral eccentricity and acetabular eccentricity between the affected side and the healthy side in the standard eccentricity group(P<0.05). There were significant differences in combined eccentricity, abduction arm and length of lower limbs between two groups(P<0.05). In the high eccentricity group, the abduction arm of the affected hip joint was positively correlated with the femoral eccentricity, acetabular eccentricity and joint eccentricity(r=0.633, P<0.001;r=0.384, P=0.005;r=0.690, P<0.001). The same results were also obtained in the healthy side(r=0.688, P<0.001;r=0.574, P<0.001;r=0.765, P<0.001). In the standard eccentricity group, the abduction arm of the affected hip joint was positively correlated with the femoral eccentricity, acetabular eccentricity and combined eccentricity(r=0.734, P<0.001;r=0.418, P<0.001;r=0.749, P<0.001). The same results were also obtained in the healthy side(r=0.775, P<0.001;r=0.397, P<0.001;r=0.773, P<0.001). The difference of the length of both lower limbs was significantly correlated with the difference of bilateral joint eccentricity and bilateral abduction arm (r=0.376, P=0.006;r=-0.346, P=0.012). There was no significant correlation between the difference of the length of both lower limbs and the difference of bilateral joint eccentricity and bilateral abduction arm (r=-0.009, P=0.919;r=-0.036, P=0.682). There was no significant difference in Harris score between two groups at the last follow-up(P>0.05). At the last follow-up, Trendelenburg was negative in all patients in both groups, and the prostheses were stable. CONCLUSION Both Corail standard stem and high offset stem may be effectively reconstruct the femoral offset, reconstruct the anatomical structure and biomechanics of the hip joint, and maintain the length of lower limbs and the stability of the hip joint in the unilateral primary total hip arthroplasty. Although the offset of the femur was not reconstructed normally in some cases, the stability of the components and postoperative function were not affected.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Hip Prosthesis ; Femur/surgery* ; Lower Extremity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of premature rupture of the membrane (PROM) on neonatal complications in premature infants.

METHODSThe registration information of 7684 preterm infants with gestational age <37 weeks were collected from the cooperative units in the task group between January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Specially trained personnel from each cooperative units filled in the unified form in a standardized format to record the gender, gestational age, birth weight, PROM, placental abruption, antenatal corticosteroid, Apgar score, amniotic fluid pollution, and complications of the infants. The data were analyzed comparatively between the cases with PROM and those without (control).

RESULTSThe preterm mortality rate was significantly lower but the incidences of ICH, NEC, ROP and BPD were significantly higher in PROM group than in the control group (P<0.05). The 95% confidence interval of the OR value was <1 for mortality, and was >1 for ICH, NEC, ROP and BPD. After adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, gender, mode of delivery, placental abruption, placenta previa, prenatal hormones, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational period hypertension and 5-min Apgar score <7, the incidences of NEC, ROP and BPD were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05) with 95% confidence interval of OR value >1, but the mortality rate and incidence of ICH were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPROM is a risk factor for NEC, ROP and BPD in preterm infants, and adequate intervention of PROM can reduce the incidences of such complications as NEC, ROP and BPD in the infants.

Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; pathology ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; etiology ; Infant, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors