Blood Coagulation ; physiology ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Cell Communication ; Factor X ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; metabolism ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism ; physiology

In order to clarify material basis of effective parts of liangxue tongyu prescription, blood-heat and blood-stasis rat model induced by dry yeast was established. The changes of rectal temperature, blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were used to evaluate the cooling-blood and activating-blood effects of liangxue tongyu prescription and its parts. Compared with the model group, the extract from liangxue tongyu prescription, its volatile oil and n-butanol part could significantly reduce rectal temperature (P<0.01), and also reduce blood viscosity and plasma viscosity to various degrees (P<0.01 or P<0.05). So volatile oil and n-butanol part were primarily identified as effective parts of liangxue tongyu prescription. By using GC-MS with normalization method of area to analyze volatile oil of liangxue tongyu prescription, 70 compounds were identified, accounting for about 92.54%, mainly as β-asarone, paeonol, α-asarone and shyobunone. 42 compounds such as peony glycosides, tannins, and iridoid glycosides were identified by HPLC-MS techniques and standard comparison. The study determined the effective parts of liangxue tongyu prescription and clarified the chemical composition providing the foundation for further studies on material basis of liangxue tongyu prescription.
Acetophenones ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anisoles ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Rats ; Tannins ; chemistry

In order to clarify material basis of effective parts of liangxue tongyu prescription, blood-heat and blood-stasis rat model induced by dry yeast was established. The changes of rectal temperature, blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were used to evaluate the cooling-blood and activating-blood effects of liangxue tongyu prescription and its parts. Compared with the model group, the extract from liangxue tongyu prescription, its volatile oil and n-butanol part could significantly reduce rectal temperature (P<0.01), and also reduce blood viscosity and plasma viscosity to various degrees (P<0.01 or P<0.05). So volatile oil and n-butanol part were primarily identified as effective parts of liangxue tongyu prescription. By using GC-MS with normalization method of area to analyze volatile oil of liangxue tongyu prescription, 70 compounds were identified, accounting for about 92.54%, mainly as β-asarone, paeonol, α-asarone and shyobunone. 42 compounds such as peony glycosides, tannins, and iridoid glycosides were identified by HPLC-MS techniques and standard comparison. The study determined the effective parts of liangxue tongyu prescription and clarified the chemical composition providing the foundation for further studies on material basis of liangxue tongyu prescription.

Objective To identify the mutation of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) and analyze the clinical characteristics of a Chinese family with long ST syndrome (LQTS). Methods The electrocardiogram and DNA samples were obtained from a Chinese LQTS family of 26 members. Genotype was performed with polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers at the known LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3 loci. SSCP analysis was used to find aberrant conformers. hERG mutation was confirmed by cloning and sequencing. Results Three gene carriers were linked to chromosome 7q35-36, where the potassium channel gene hERG was encoded. A 19-base pair deletion was identified. The mutation was located at nucleotide position 1 619-1 637 between transmembrane domains S4 and S5. Furthermore, A1692G polymorphism was found both in the normal control and patients. Conclusion A novel 19 bp deletion mutation of hERG is identified in a Chinese family. All gene carriers are demonstrated to be typical LQT2 ECG phenotype.

AIMThe aim of this survey was to compare Chinese natives and foreign inhabitants in Chengdu, China, with respect to: (1) attitudes towards dental appearance, (2) subjective orthodontic treatment need, and (3) the main factors influencing orthodontic treatment need.

METHODOLOGYA total of 522 subjects, including 227 foreign inhabitants and 295 Chinese natives in Chengdu participated in the survey. A simple random sampling method was adopted and a face-to-face interview was conducted at some public sites using a questionnaire. Data was entered by two persons synchronously using Epidata 3.0, and SPSS 13.0 was used to analyze these data.

RESULTS89.0% of foreign inhabitants were satisfied with their teeth compared to only 46.8% of Chinese natives. Females were more dissatisfied with their teeth than males. Chinese natives put improving appearance as the top priority (55.9%) for seeking orthodontic treatment; however, in foreign inhabitants, the main reason for seeking treatment was to improve masticatory function (44.1%), followed by "to be pretty" (35.2%). The importance of well-aligned teeth and self-perception of psychosocial impact of malocclusion were the same two main factors influencing subjective orthodontic treatment need (P < 0.05) in foreign inhabitants and Chinese natives. Subjective orthodontic treatment need between the two target groups was significantly different (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) It was very common that Chinese natives were dissatisfied with their dental appearance, and their subjective orthodontic treatment needs were high. (2) There were some differences in orthodontic treatment motives between the two target groups. (3) There were differences in subjective orthodontic treatment needs between foreign inhabitants and Chinese natives. However, the prominent influential factors were almost the same. There may be benefit to understanding subjective orthodontic needs of different races.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; psychology ; Attitude to Health ; ethnology ; China ; Culture ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; psychology ; Esthetics, Dental ; Female ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Male ; Malocclusion ; psychology ; Mastication ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Motivation ; Needs Assessment ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; psychology ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Personal Satisfaction ; Self Concept ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDMacro- and microvascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients, but their mechanisms remain unclear. Recent reports provide evidence that the levels of CD55 and CD59 are decreased in diabetic microvascular diseases. However, very little is known about the levels of CD55 and CD59, the relationship between them and carotid artery intima-media thickness, and the effects of statins on CD55 and CD59 in diabetic macrovascular diseases.

METHODSThe mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD55 and CD59 expression on peripheral blood leucocyte subsets (lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils) was studied using flow cytometry, and carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasonography in 23 healthy subjects (controls), 19 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and 43 patients with type 2 diabetes and macrovascular diseases (T2DM-M). The patients with T2DM-M were assigned to two subgroups based on whether statins were used: group with statins (n = 23) and group without statins (n = 20).

RESULTSCompared with the controls and T2DM, the MFI of CD55 positive neutrophils was significantly lower in T2DM-M (P = 0.049 vs controls and P = 0.033 vs T2DM); similarly, the MFI of CD59 positive monocytes was also lower in T2DM-M (P = 0.038 vs controls and P = 0.043 vs T2DM). The MFI of CD59 positive neutrophils in T2DM-M was lower than in T2DM (P = 0.032). The levels of CD55 and CD59 were negatively associated with age and blood pressure (r = -0.245 - -0.352, P = 0.041 - 0.003), but not acute-phase reactants and carotid artery intima-media thickness. The levels of CD55 and CD59 increased after treatment with statins, but the results were not significantly different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCD55 and CD59 expressions on peripheral blood leucocytes are decreased in T2DM patients with macrovascular diseases. The results suggest that the decreased levels of complement regulatory proteins might play an important role in diabetic macrovascular diseases.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD55 Antigens ; immunology ; CD59 Antigens ; immunology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; immunology ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; immunology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged

To investigate the effect of GFP fused to C terminal of integrin alpha(IIb) on the biosynthesis and expression of alpha(IIb) beta(3) compound, the alpha(IIb) GFP expression plamid, named palpha(IIb) GFP, the cDNA of alpha(IIb) was constructed from p3.1-2b and fused to pEGFP-N1 in frame. When the sequence of palpha(IIb) GFP was confirmed by sequencing it was transferred to Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells with or without p3.1-3a expressing integrin beta(3). Then the expression of alpha(IIb) GFP fusion protein was confirmed by Western blot and then its subcellular localization was determined with laser confocal scanning microscopy. The results showed that the target gene was cloned into recombinant vector by restriction analysis and sequencing. Overexpression of the fusion protein in the transfected CHO cells was identified with Western blot. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that alpha(IIb) GFP was expressed in CHO cells and could be transferred from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus. It is concluded that the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing alpha(IIb) GFP fusion gene is successfully constructed. GFP fused to the cytoplasmic tail of integrin alpha(IIb) allows the normal expression of alpha(IIb) beta(3) in CHO cells.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Golgi Apparatus ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo perform mutation analysis in a family with long QT syndrome.

METHODSThe medical record of the affected child and his parents were collected. The locus of gene associated with the long QT syndrome was mapped by linkage analysis. Mutation analysis was done by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and direct sequencing.

RESULTSA mutation (L539fs/47) and a SNP (L564L) were found in exon 7 of the KCNH2 gene of the proband. The mutation was from the father.

CONCLUSIONA novel mutation of L539fs/47 in the KCNH2 gene was identified in the LQTS family, which might be the disease-causing mutation for the family.

Base Sequence ; ERG1 Potassium Channel ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; genetics ; Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome ; congenital ; genetics ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct an eukaryotic expression vector carrying rat brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor trkB gene.

METHODSUsing the total RNA isolated from rat brain as template, the trkB gene was amplified by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a pair of specific primers which contained the restrictive sites of EcoR I and BamH I. The amplified fragment of trkB gene was digested with EcoR I and BamH I, and then subcloned into cloning vector pMD18-T and expression vector pEGFP-C2 respectively. The recombinant plasmids were identified by restriction endonuclease enzyme analysis and PCR.

RESULTSThe amplified DNA fragment was about 1461 bp in length. Enzyme digestion and PCR analysis showed that the gene of trkB had been successfully cloned into vector pMD18-T and pEGFP-C2.

CONCLUSIONSThe trkB gene of rat has been amplified and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C2.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Cloning, Molecular ; methods ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Male ; Models, Animal ; RNA ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, trkB ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Templates, Genetic ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEChemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1alpha) have been paid increasing attention for their involvement in megakaryocytic hematopoiesis. It has been revealed in recent years that they can induce mature and immature megakaryocytes (MKs) to migrate through bone marrow endothelial cells (BMEC) by increasing the affinity of MKs for BMEC. Thus MKs maturity and eventual release of platelet from MKs ensues. While maturity disturbance of MKs and impaired production of platelets have been regarded as the main pathogenesis of ITP, the mechanism of which still remains unclear. Therefore, a clear understanding of the levels of CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha within bone marrow in children with ITP will help us to elucidate further the mechanism of ITP as well as to provide direct theoretical evidence for predicting treatment effect and evaluating prognosis.

METHODSBone marrow were aspirated from 28 children with AITP and 12 normal children. Percoll density gradient and immunomagnetic beads method were used to purify megakaryocytes from the bone marrow. The immune cytochemistry was used to detect CXCR4 on megakaryocytes. The levels of SDF-1alpha were detected by ELISA. SPSS10.0 statistical software was used to deal with the experimental data.

RESULTSBefore the treatment in children with AITP, both the CXCR4 expression on megakaryocytes and the SDF-1alpha level in bone marrow plasma were markedly decreased compared with the normal controls (P < 0.05). As to the cases who were sensitive to the high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HDIVIgG), the CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha levels were much higher in children after the treatment than those before the treatment (P < 0.05). In 6 cases insensitive to HDIVIgG, before the treatment the CXCR4 level was much lower than the children sensitive to HDIVIgG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe low levels of CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system in bone marrow may be one of the factors which contribute to the maturity disturbance of megakaryocytes and disturbance of platelets production in AITP, while decreased CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system may be caused by the effect of autoantibody against platelet. The mechanism of HDIVIgG in the treatment of AITP may involve in the increasing expression of CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system. The level of CXCR4 on megakaryocytes may play a certain role in predicting the treatment effect of immunoglobulin.

Adolescent ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; Chemokines, CXC ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Infant ; Ligands ; Megakaryocytes ; metabolism ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; biosynthesis