OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic change of apoptosis and proliferation of cardiac muscle cells (CMC) after being induced by Angiotensin II (Ang I), and the effect of TCM herbs for supplementing qi and/ or activating blood circulation on it.

METHODSThe cultured CMC of SD suckling rat were treated by Ang II, and the amplitude, rhythm and frequency of cell pulsation, the protein content, area size and apoptosis of cells at various phases as well as the influence of TCM herbs afterwards were determined by image pattern analysis system, flow cytometry and biochemical assay.

RESULTSIn the model group, cell pulsation showed quickened frequency from the 24th to 48th hr after Ang II treatment with the highest amplitude at the 24th hr; the cell area enlarged at the 24th hr, the enlargement became evident at the 48hr. Cell content of protein increased at the 24th hr, which reached to its peak at the 48th hr; an increasing trend of cell number was shown from the 12th to 48th hr; cell apoptosis started to appear at the 24th hr, it increased gradually from the 48th to 72th hr, and reached to the peak at the 72th hr (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). All the Chinese herbs, both for supplementing qi and/or activating blood circulation, especially when they were used in combination, showed favourable preventive and therapeutic effect on CMC (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), either at the early phase (24-48th hrs) mainly manifesting hypertrophy and proliferation or the late phase (48-96th hrs) mainly manifesting apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONThere exist characterized phasic windows of CMC after being treated by Ang II, the window of hypertrophy-proliferation phase and the window of cell apoptosis phase. When CMC were mainly in hypertrophic manner, myocardial hypertrophy may appear. Cell apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms for turning myocardial hypertrophy to heart failure, and it could be improved by Chinese herbs for supplementing qi and/or activating blood circulation.

Angiotensin II ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

Objective To evaluate the pulmonary imaging features in patients with severe or critical severe A H1N1 influenza. Methods Clinical and imaging findings of 18 cases with H1N1 pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into 2 groups including severe group (n=11) and critical group (n=7). Results Among the severe group, bilateral ill-defined nodules and patch shadows were found in 8 cases, local ill-defined patchy was shown in 3 cases, and consolidation of right inferior lung was demonstrated by CT scan in 1 case. Among the critical group, diffuse ground-glass attenuation with partial consolidation were found in bilateral lungs of 4 cases, subcutaneous emphysema was observed in 1 case. CT showed diffuse ground-glass attenuation and nodular like consolidation in bilateral inferior lungs in 1 case, and other 3 cases showed diffuse consolidation of bilateral lungs. Conclusions The radiologic findings of severe and critical severe pulmonary infections with H1N1 include ill-defined nodules and patch shadows of bilateral lung in sever patients, diffuse peribronchial ground-glass opacity and multifocal consolidation in critical severe patients. The radiologists should learn the features of H1N1 pneumonia on thoracic plain film and CT to make diagnosis in time.

Objective To establish a stable animal model of implanted main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT) in rabbits and to evaluate its usefulness in research so as to provide the basis for clinical treatment. Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group A (control group,n=10) and group B (study group,n=14). For the rabbits of the study group, a sac-like pouch was sewed up in the anterior wall of the main portal vein, and then the tumor slice was injected into the portal vein through the pouch and it was hung and fixed on the inner wall of the main portal vein with the help of the reserved suture. For the rabbits of the control group, only a sac-like pouch was sewed up in the anterior wall of the main portal vein after opening the abdomen. After the treatment, the animals were kept under observation on the general condition, body weight and survival time. Postoperative multi-slice spiral CT scan was performed once a week to check the growth of portal vein tumor thrombus and the metastasis. The experimental rabbits were separately sacrificed for pathologic examination, the volume of MPVTT was determined and the metastasis was evaluated. The survival time of the remaining rabbits were analyzed. Results The tumor formation rate of the study group was 100%. The mean body weight of the rabbits of the study group (No.9-No.14 rabbits) and the control group at 35 days after the procedure was (1.48±0.19) kg and (2.08 ±0.17) kg respectively. The mean survival time of the study group (No.9-No.14 rabbits) was (41.7 ±4.72) days. Multi-slice spiral CT scan revealed MPVTT, metastasis and collateral circulation due to portal vein obstruction. Pathological examination confirmed the presence of thrombus in the portal vein and metastasis . Conclusion Stable MPVTT in animal models that can be used for imaging evaluation are successfully established. This study proves that multi-slice spiral CT scan is of great value in diagnosing and monitoring the growth of MPVTT and metastasis, which provides useful basis for clinical research and treatment of MPVTT.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relation between erectile dysfunction and myocardial infarction in recurrent myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and heart failure.Methods53 male patients with myocardial infarction were randomly divided into erectile dysfunction group and erectile normal group through International Index of Erectile Function-5(IIEF-5) subject test. Then the incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and heart failure were observed.ResultsThe incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and heart failure was higher in erectile dysfunction group than in erectile normal group.ConclusionThe prognosis of the patients with myocardial infarction following erectile dysfunction is unfavourable.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the anti-tumor effect of Xihuang pill on tumor-bearing rats and its effect on the immune clearance function of tumor-bearing organisms.

METHODWalker256 tumor cells were adopted to establish the tumor-bearing rat model. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control group, the model control group, the lentinan group and Xihuang pill low dose, middle dose and high dose groups, with 10 rats in each group, and continuously treated and given drugs for 14 d after modeling. Blood and tumors were collected from abdominal aorta to calculate the tumor inhibition rate. The content of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells and adhesion molecule B7-1 (CD80) in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The expressions of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in were determined by ELISA.

RESULTThe tumor inhibition rate of the Xihuang pill high dose group was 33. 1 percent. Compared with the model group, the Xihuang pill large dose group showed significantly low IL-2, IFN-gamma, CD3+, CD4+, B7-1 in peripheral blood, with statistical significance in their differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXihuang pill could show its anti-tumor effect by enhancing the immune clearance function and increasing IL-2, IFN-gamma, CD3+ T, CD4+ T, B7-1 in peripheral blood.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; B7-1 Antigen ; genetics ; immunology ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immune System ; drug effects ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

Objective To evaluate the quality of Radix Saposhnikoviae ( Fangfeng ) by using grey relational analysis. Methods The content of six characteristic components of alcohol extract, total polysaccharides, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 4′-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol and sec-O-glucosylhamaudo were determined in altogether 20 Fangfeng samples. Based on grey relational analysis, the model of quality evaluation was established, by measuring the relative correlation defined. Results The results of quality evaluation were in accordance with the market quality grade of these 20 Fangfeng samples. Conclusion The study is expected to provide a novel way to classify the quality grade and evaluate the quality of Fangfeng in market.

This study performed phylogenic analysis on a dengue strain isolated from an outbreak of dengue fever in 2009 at Yiwu City of Zhejiang Province,China,and further to analyze the immunogenicity of E protein of this viral isolate.Firstly,the viral genome was amplified by RT-PCR and phylogenetic trees were constructed by MEGA 4 based on both nucleotide and amino acid sequences of E and NS1 proteins.The phylogenetic analysis showed that the similarity of Yiwu strain with the Guangzhou GZ1D3 strain and the India GWL-25 strain was over 99％.Secondly,the expression plasmid of E protein was constructed and transfected into 293T cells.The secreted E protein were then purified by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and used to inoculate BALB/c mice.The humoral immunity was evaluated by ELISA and neutralizing antibody analysis.Resuits showed that the E protein of Yiwu strain could induce dengue specific IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies.Therefore,the study found that the Yiwu strain was classified into the subtype Ⅲ of dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3),and the E protein of this strain had strong immunogenicity

A variety of natural and artificial cryoprotectant extenders have been explored to enhance sperm recovery following cryopreservation-thawing process.The current investigation is aimed at evaluating the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on human spermatozoa and reactive species oxygen (ROS) level after freezing-thawing process.The spermatozoa were collected from 35 male patients diagnosed as having asthenospermia.The cryopreservation of human spermatozoa treated with acetyl-L-camitine at different concentrations (group B:2.5 mmol/L,group C:7.5 mmol/L,group D:15 mmol/L) was compared with control (group A:no acetyl-L-carnitine given).For the frozen-thawed spermatozoa,the viability,motility and DNA integrity were measured by comet assay,acrosome integrity by FITC-PNA staining and ROS level was determined in each group.The results showed that there were no significant differences in motility and viability between group A and group B,while the motility and viability of spermatozoa in group C and group D were significantly increased as compared with those in group A.As compared with group A,the values for DNA integrity parameters including comet rate (CR),tail DNA percentage (TD),tail length (TL) and Oliver tail moment (OTM) were significantly reduced in group C and group D.Group C and group D also displayed a higher proportion of intact acrosome than group A.No significant difference in ROS level was found between group A and group B,while with the increase in acetyl-L-camitine concentration,the ROS level in groups C and D was significantly reduced as compared with that in group A.In conclusion,acetyl-L-camitine at a concentration of 7.5 mmol/L is an effective antioxidant against cryo-damage on post-thawed human spermatozoa.

Objective To compare the effect of intravenous infusion of low dosage fructose with glucose infusion on blood glucose variability in type 2 diabetic patients in stable phase.Methods Data of 22 patients (male:female,18:4)with type 2 diabetes mellitus in stable phase were collected for the study.From 9am to 11 am,all the subjects were administrated one of the following solutions at constant speed on consecutive days randomly:5% glucose injection 200 mL with insulin 3 U,0.9% normal saline 200 mL or 5%fructose injection 200 mL. The blood glucose concentrations were detected every 5 minutes after infusion by confinuous glucose monitoring system(CGMS).The variability of blood glucose was compared using these 3 kinds of solutions.A two-tailed P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS version 13.0.Results No significant difference was found among these 3 kinds of solutions.In addition,no adverse effects were founded.Conclusion Low dosage infusion of neither fructose nor glucose had apparent effect on blood variability of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in stable phase.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the carious dissolution mechanism of enamel apatite nano-crystals at lattice fringe level and the possible correlation between the carious dissolution and the appearance of central dark line (CDL) in enamel crystals.

METHODSThe body of the lesion in incipient enamel caries was observed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM, JOEL-2010 operating at 200 kv), combined with selected-area argon-ion-beam thinning technique.

RESULTSIn the body of the lesion, the preferential core dissolution was found in most of enamel nano-crystals, whereas the peripheral dissolution of individual crystal could be occasionally observed. The initial carious dissolution of individual enamel apatite crystal occurred as a number of small electron-lucent spots along the central dark line with blurry, bent or disconnected lattice fringes. These small electron-lucent spots fused with each other to form large electron-lucent areas. Finally the central perforation was frequently seen in the crystals. The CDL always appeared in the same place with central perforation in carious crystals, which could be seen to extend along the CDL.

CONCLUSIONSThe initial carious dissolution is directly related to the lattice defects in the enamel nano-crystals. The preferential core dissolution can be partly ascribed to the CDL, which is presumed to be particularly susceptible area to caries.

Dental Caries ; metabolism ; Dental Enamel Solubility ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning