OBJECTIVETo evaluate protective effects of Rheum tanguticum polysaccharides (RTP) on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.

METHODThe polysaccharides (RTP) were extracted from Tanguficum Maxim. 120 rats were divided into 15 groups, with 8 rats in each group. RTP at 100, 200 and 400 mg x kg(-1) were administrated orally once a day for five days, and model of brain injury was made by dropping weight method.

RESULTRTP reduced water content and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased total SOD activity and Na+-K+ ATPase activity after injuried.

CONCLUSIONThe polysaccharides may be one of the effective comptents in Rheum tanguticum, showing significant neuroprotective effects.

Animals ; Brain Injuries ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; enzymology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role and mechanism of Astragalus (AS) and saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) in treating type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy.

METHOD94 patients with type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy were divided into two groups randomly: group treated with Simvastatin and group treated with AS and PNS, compared with 40 healthy control subjects. Serum level of MMP-9 and lipid in patients and healthy subjects were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTThe serum levels of MMP-9, TG, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C in patients with type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy were improved, while the levels of HDL-C were decreased. Like Simvastatin AS and PNS had the function of reducing MMP-9 and accommodating lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONBesides accommodating lipid metabolism, AS and PNS can also reduce the level of serum MMP-9 soas to treat type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy.

Aged ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Panax ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Simvastatin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of road traffic injury (RTI), and to provide evidence for stretagy development on the prevention and control of RTI.

METHODSCase-crossover study was used. 402 drivers were face to face interviewed by specially designed questionnaire including the items as drinking alcohol before driving, onset anger scale (OAS), anxiety/irritation, Stanford sleepiness scale (SSS), vehicle breakdown, carelessness, violating the rules on right of way and traffic signs when driving. Tables related to case-control study on 1:1 matching was used for single factor analysis, and conditional logistic regression was used for multifactor analysis.

RESULTSThe risk factors that were associated with RTI including high OAS (OAS = 5-7, OR = 114.88, 95% CI:4.29-3074.86), violating the rules on right of way (OR = 46.96, 95% CI:12.74-173.11), violating traffic signs when driving(OR = 24.57, 95% CI: 8.69-69.45), carelessness (OR = 14. 54,95% CI: 6.85-30.86), unsafe distance between vehicles( OR = 14.30,95% CI: 3.68-55.60), wrong judgement (OR = 14.67,95% CI:4.88-44.10), vehicle breakdown (OR = 8.57, 95% CI: 1.38- 53.27) and improper measure ( OR = 8.46, 95% CI: 2.46-29.14) etc.

CONCLUSIONImproper driving behaviors, abnormal psychological status and driving skills of drivers were related to RTI, suggesting that it was necessary to carry out continous traffic security education to the drivers.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Cross-Over Studies ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in assessing the severity of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in children. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 59 children who were diagnosed with BO from June 2009 to October 2014. ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA and proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA in serum. According to the results of ELISA, the children were divided into three groups: double-negative ANCA (n=22), single-positive ANCA (n=17), and double-positive ANCA (n=20). The three groups were compared in terms of the scores of BO risk factors, clinical symptoms, chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and lung pathology on admission, as well as the changes in the expression level of ANCA and the scores of clinical symptoms and chest HRCT over time. RESULTS: Compared with the double-negative ANCA group, the double-positive ANCA group had a significantly higher score of BO risk factors (P<0.05), and the single-positive ANCA group and the double-positive ANCA group had significantly higher scores of clinical symptoms, chest HRCT, and lung pathology (P<0.05). The children were followed up for 6 months after discharge, and there were significant reductions in MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA titers from admission and discharge to the end of follow-up (P<0.05), as well as a significant reduction in the score of clinical symptoms from admission to the end of follow-up (P<0.05), while there was no significant change in the score of chest HRCT from admission to the end of follow-up (P>0.05). The single-positive ANCA and double-positive ANCA groups still had a significantly higher score of clinical symptoms than the double-negative ANCA group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The expression level of ANCA is correlated with the severity of BO in children and thus has certain clinical significance in disease evaluation.
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; Child ; Humans ; Myeloblastin ; Peroxidase ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of gender factor on the candidate gene study of essential hypertension (EH).

METHODSThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to analyze the ACE gene I/D polymorphism of hypertensive patients (50 men and 50 women) and normal controls (50 men and 50 women). The investigation was further focused on possible influence of sex proportion on the conclusion of this kind of research.

RESULTSThe frequency of DD genotype in male hypertensive patients is significantly higher than that in male normal controls (chi(2) = 6.98, P = 0.004). The frequency of D allele in male EH group is significantly higher than that of male normal controls (chi(2) = 6.87, P = 0.009), while no significant difference was observed for II and ID genotype between male EH group and control group (P > 0.05). For female EH group and normal controls, there were no significant differences in frequency of genotype and allele (P > 0.05), the distribution ratio of DD genotype in male EH group is significantly different from that of female EH group (chi(2) = 4.06, P = 0.044). Furthermore, males with DD genotype in EH group had higher SBP and PP than that of males with II and ID genotype (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in DBP in all three genotypes (P > 0.05). At the same time, there was no difference in SBP, DBP and PP (P > 0.05) between II and ID genotype in male EH group. In female hypertensive patients, there was no significant difference in SBP, DBP and PP between all three genotypes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe relationship between DD genotype in male and EH (especially SBP and PP) is closer than any other genotype-EH relationships in both male and female. The gender factor, as a probable confounding factor, can affect many candidate gene studies of essential hypertension including ACE gene I/D polymorphism, and thus biases the conclusion.

Aged ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Factors

Objective Pericardial effusion (PE) is a major complieation of atrial fibriuation ablation(AFB).We analyzed the incidence,risk factors and managements of PE post AFB(radiofrequency catheter ablation).Methods A total of 156 consecutive patients with AF [ male 108,paroxysmal AF 114, (57.6±11.3)years],who underwent AFB guided by a three-dimensional mapping system (CARTO or CARTO-Merge,Biosense-Webster Inc.Diamond Bar,California) and a circular mapping catheter(Lasso, Biosense-Webster Inc.Diamond Bar.California),were included in this study.The ablation strategy included Circumferential pulmonary veins isolation (CPVI).linear ablation and/or complex fraetionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) ablation.Electrophysiologieal data and vital signs of patients were recorded by a multiple physiological recorder (Prueka,GE Medical System) during ablation.Ablation process,sites,duration and other related factors wen als0 recorded. Eehocardiography and other examinations were performed for diagnosing and monitoring PE.Results CPVl were achieved in all 156 patients.Incidenee of PE Was 10.3%(16/156)post AFB.One patient developed acute cardiac tamponade and emergency drainage of the perieardial effusion was performed through a median stemotomy and patient recovered without eomplieations during the 18 months f0U0w-up.The rest 15 PE patients with small PE received outpatient care and no invaBive treatment wag needed and PE disappeared after 3 months in 6 patients and after 6 months in 9 patients.Univariate analysis showed that the composition of gender(P<0.01).ablation in coronary sinus (CS,P=0=026),ablation of CFAEs(P=0.037) and superior vena cava(SVC,P=0.041)were risk factors for PE.Logistic regression analysis showed that hmMe gender [β=3.594,exp(b)=36.4,95% confidence interval(Cl):4.2-312.1,P=0.001] and ablation in CS [β=2.419,exp(b)=11.2, 95%cl:1.0-124.6,P=0.049] were independent risk factors for PE post AFB.Conclusions PE iS a common complication of AFB,female gender and ablation in CS were independent risk factors for PE.Most PE patients experienced spontaneous recovery but emergency treatment Wag needed for patient with cardiac tamponade.

Aim To observe the role of salvianolic acid B(Sal B)in enhancing the survival of random skin flaps and to preliminarily explore its potential mecha-nisms.Methods The appearance,degree of edema,color and hair condition of the skin flap were evaluated seven days after operation.The vascular network and blood flow of random flaps were measured by laser Doppler flow measurement.HE staining was used to detect the growth of microvessels in random flaps.The expressions of VEGF and CD34 were detected by im-munohistochemistry,the expressions of RIPK1,2 and LC3 Ⅱ were detected by immunofluorescence,and the effects of autophagy related proteins and signaling path-ways were detected by Western blot.Results The ex-perimental results showed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps,promoted angiogenesis,and reduced oxidative stress and necrotic apoptosis,signifi-cantly increasing the survival rate of the flaps.Immu-nohistochemistry,immunofluorescence staining,and Western blot confirmed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps by activating TFE3 protein.Conclusion Sal B can promote autophagy in cells of random skin flaps and reduce their necrotic apoptosis by activating TFE3 protein.

BACKGROUNDIn county-level tuberculosis (TB) dispensaries in China, the accurate diagnosis of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPT) needs to be improved by developing and validating clinical and radiographic predictors.

METHODSThe study was conducted simultaneously in three counties per province in Chongqing Municipality and Liaoning Province in China between May 2005 and May 2006. A total of 432 new SNPT patients who are HIV-negative and more than 15 years old diagnosed by expert panels in county-level TB dispensaries were recruited. Their sputum samples were collected for culture before anti-TB treatment, and the treatment outcomes (changes of X-rays) were followed up at the end of the 6th month.

RESULTSOf the 432 SNPT patients, sputum culture positive (9.7%) or culture negative with good changes of X-rays at the end of the 6th month (73.6%) was validated as SNPT. Four predictive variables were associated with validated SNPT in the multivariate logistic regression model: age ≤55 years old (odds ratio (OR) 5.66; 95% CI 2.69-11.91), >60 days of cough (OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.10-12.65), ≥10% of pulmonary consolidation in the lungs (OR 5.40; 95% CI 2.90-10.06), and pulmonary consolidation in the upper lobe anterior segment (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.57-5.72). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.83).

CONCLUSIONFour predictors of clinical and radiological characteristics that had a good diagnostic performance of SNPT deserve to be recommended as index indicators of SNPT diagnosis in county-level TB dispensaries in China.

Adult ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HIV Seronegativity ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sputum ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis

Objective:To evaluate the effect of activation of splenic plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice.Methods:The experiment was performed in two parts. Animal experiment Thirty-six SPF healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 22-27 g, were assigned to 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), myocardial ischemia group (MI group) and myocardial I/R group (MI/R group). The myocardial ischemia was induced by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery for 40 min in MI group, while the model of myocardial I/R was established by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 40 min followed by 1-h reperfusion in MI/R group. Following successful preparation of the model, 3 animals from each group were randomly selected, and their hearts were removed for determination of myocardial infarct size through a combination of TTC and methylene blue double staining. Another 3 animals from each group were randomly selected, and their hearts were removed for examination of pathological changes of myocardial tissues using HE staining. Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta of 6 mice left in each group for determination of plasma interferon alpha (IFN-α) concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Then the animals were sacrificed and hearts were harvested for collection of cardiac perfusate (CP). Cell experiment Twelve SPF healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 22-27 g, were selected and the splenic pDCs were isolated using anti-mPDCA-1 MicroBeads according to the manufacturer′s instructions (with a positivity rate of >85% for the isolated cells). The cells were divided into 4 groups: group pDCs stimulated by CP in Sham group (pDCs+ CP-Sham group), group pDCs stimulated by CP in MI group (pDCs+ CP-MI group), group pDCs stimulated by CP in MI/R group (pDCs+ CP-MI/R group) and pDCs stimulated by PBS group (pDCs+ PBS group). The CP in Sham, MI and MI/R groups and PBS were used to induce and culture pDCs for 8 h. Flow cytometry was employed to detect the expression of CD45 and co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and Major Histocompatibility Complex Ⅱ (MHC Ⅱ) on the surface of pDCs. The levels of IFN-α in the cell culture supernatant were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Animal experiments Compared with Sham group and MI group, the percentage of myocardial infarct size was significantly increased, the concentrations of plasma IFN-α were increased ( P<0.05), and cardiomyocytes displayed evident vacuolar degeneration, severe myocardial fiber rupture, and infiltration of a substantial number of inflammatory cells in MI/R group. There was no significant difference in each parameter between Sham group and MI group ( P>0.05). Cell experiment Compared with pDCs+ CP-Sham group, the expression of CD80, CD86 and MHCⅡ was significantly up-regulated in pDCs+ CP-MI group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters in pDCs+ CP-MI/R group ( P>0.05). The expression of aforementioned parameters was significantly up-regulated in pDCs+ CP-MI group as compared with pDCs+ CP-MI/R group ( P<0.05). Compared with pDCs+ CP-Sham group and pDCs+ CP-MI/R group, the concentrations of IFN-α in the cell culture supernatant were significantly increased in pDCs+ CP-MI group ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the concentrations of IFN-α between pDCs+ CP-MI/R group and pDCs+ CP-Sham group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism underlying myocardial I/R injury may be related to activation of splenic pDCs leading to the production of IFN-α following myocardial ischemia in mice.

To develop a stable cell line that could express the RSV NS1, the full-length RSV NS1 gene was generated by RT-PCR amplification from respiratory syncytial virus. NS1 gene was ligated with pBABE-puro to construct the recombinant retroviral expression plasmid pBABE-NS1, which was cotransfected into 293FT packaging cells with PIK packaging plasmid by calcium phosphate co-precipitation. The supernatant of 293FT was collected to infect HEp-2 cells, the resulting cell clones stably expressing NS1 were screened by puromycin. Using QPCR, CPE staining method and indirect immunofluorescence assay, the expression of NS1 at both gene and protein levels was identified. The recombinant plasmid pBABE-NS1 was identified by EcoRI and BamHI endonuclease digestion and the sequence analysis. QPCR results showed that the NS1 gene amplification in HEp-2-NS1 cells was 8483 fold higher than that in HEp-2 cells. Although the exogenous interferon was added, all cells were destroyed after 48 hours post infection using CPE staining method, showing that HEp-2-NS1 cells remained sensitive to the VSV virus. The results of RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assay showed that the NS1 gene in HEp-2 cells could not only transcribe mRNA, but also express NS1 protein steadily. We had successfully established HEp-2-NS1 cell lines with stable expression of respiratory syncytial virus non-structural protein NS1.
Cell Line, Transformed ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; genetics ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics