Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Sleep Arousal Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of ghrelin and its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore their relationship with the disorder of gastrointestinal tract motility.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (n=8) and CRF group (n=16), and in the latter group, the rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy to induce CRF. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the distribution of mRNA and protein of ghrelin and GHS-R in the gastric fundus, duodenum, and hypothalamus.

RESULTSThe rats in the CRF group showed a significantly higher expression of ghrelin mRNA and protein in the gastric fundus but a lower expression in the hypothalamus than those in the sham-operated group (P<0.01), but the expression in the duodenum was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The expression of GHS-R mRNA and protein in the gastric fundus was significantly higher in the CRF group than in the sham-operated group (P<0.01), while in the hypothalamus and duodenum, the expression was significantly lower in the CRF group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe different distribution patterns of ghrelin and GHS-R in the tissues may be an important pathological basis of gastrointestinal motility disorder in CRF.

Animals ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; metabolism ; Ghrelin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Ghrelin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo develop a tight tetracycline-controlled HCV-C double transgenic mouse model.

METHODSBy crossbreeding of ApoE-rtTA-tTS transgenic mice with TRE-HCV-C transgenic mice, the double transgenic mice were produced in the F1 generation. The presence of HCV-C and tTS gene in the F1 generation was confirmed by PCR, followed by further identification and quantification of the transgene using Southern blot hybridization. The expression of HCV-C in the liver of the mouse model was detected immunohistochemically.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONTwo transgenic mice were obtained, which contained ApoE-rtTA-tTS and TRE-HCV-C genes in the genome. Five founders contained HCV-C gene as confirmed by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. The tight tetracycline-controlled system may facilitate further study of HCV-C gene expression and gene therapy of hepatic cellular carcinoma.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Blotting, Southern ; Breeding ; Crosses, Genetic ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; drug effects ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics

This study is designed to test the agreement in measuring left ventricular systolic function between transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography (2DTTE) and "gold standard" of non-invasive cardiac imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) and their impacts on the classification of patients according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). 32 patients who were suspected with heart disease were evaluated by CMRI and 2DTTE examinations. End diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), EF and left ventricular function category were then calculated and compared. There was no significant difference (P=0.504) for EDV, while ESV of CMRI was significantly higher than that of 2DTTE (P=0.049), and EF of CMRI was significantly lower than that of 2DTTE (P= 0.018). There was no significant difference (P=0.077) in left ventricular functional category. Bland-Altman analysis of LV volumetric data and EF measurements showed a good agreement between two methods. The 2DTTE over-estimated I (n=5) or II (n=1) degrees of functional classification when compared with the CMRI. Both CMRI and 2DTTE are of great clinical value in evaluating left ventricular systolic function, while CMR may be more beneficial to patients with abnormal LV functions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Systole ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Young Adult

This article is report the study of the pharmacokinetics and metabolic disposition of exogenous phosphocreatine (PCr) in rats by means of an ion-pair HPLC-UV assay. PCr and its metabolite creatine (Cr) and related-ATP in rat plasma and red blood cell (RBC) were simultaneously determined. A blank plasma and RBC were initially run for baseline subtraction. Plasma and RBC samples were deproteinized with 6% PCA prior to HPLC. Following i.v. administration of PCr 500 mg x kg(-1) and 1 000 mg x kg(-1) the C-T curve could be described by the two-compartment model with t1/2beta 22.5-23.3 min, V(d) 0.956 4-0.978 6 L x kg(-1), CL 0.029 L. kg(-1) x min(-1). The Cr as PCr degraded product appeared as early as 2 min post i.v. dosing with t(max) 20 min, t1/2kappa (m) 40.6-42.7 min and f(m) 60%-76%. After po administration of PCr, the parent drug in plasma was undetectable, but the metabolite Cr was detected with t(max) 65-95 min, t1/2kappa (m) 56.0-57.7 min, metabolite-based bioavailability F(m) 55.02%-62.31%. PCr i.v. administration resulted in significant elevation of ATP level in RBC but not in plasma, the related-ATP in RBC was characterized by t(max) 68-83 min, t1/2kappa 49-52 min. In RBC no exogenous PCr was found but Cr was detected following i.v. administration of PCr, with the t(max) 120 min and t1/2k (m) 70 min for Cr. The above results indicate that PCr eliminates and bio-transforms in body very rapidly; K > K(m) confers ERL, instead of FRL, type upon the metabolic disposition of Cr. Following po administration of PCr, the degraded product Cr is absorbed but not the parent drug PCr. The formed Cr can be accounted for by most of i.v. and po PCr. Intravenous dosing leads apparently increased and sustained Cr and related-ATP concentration in RBC.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Biotransformation ; Cardiotonic Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Creatine ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Phosphocreatine ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

LC-MS/MS method was used to simultaneously determine anti-oxidative active catechins EGCG, ECG, EGC and EC in plasma of rats treated with tea polyphenols (TP). The integrated plasma concentration (C') of TP was calculated by means of self-defined weighing coefficient based on percent AUC of individual components, thereby assessing integrated pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of TP via log C'-T curve. The anti-free radical effects of TP were estimated using inhibitory rate of drug-containing serum collected at different times from rats against in vitro lipid peroxidation of mouse liver homogenate. The obtained E-T curves were used to calculate anti-free radical pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters of TP. E-logC and E-log C' plots and linear regression were carried out in order to obtain the correlation coefficient (R2). The results indicated that the log C'-T curves of TP, which could be best described by three-compartment model, corresponded to elimination rule of iv administration of drugs. The integrated PK parameters showed that TP was distributed in body rapidly and widely, and eliminated from deep compartment slowly. From comparison of R2 values and consistence of C'-T course and E-T course, it was evident that TP integrated PK behaviors correlated much better with its PD behaviors than individual active components, and thus demonstrated that integrated PK parameters could characterize to maximal extent holistic disposition of Chinese herbal drugs and reflect residence properties of holistic effective substances in biological body.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Area Under Curve ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Free Radical Scavengers ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Injections, Intravenous ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Polyphenols ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Tea ; chemistry

Described in the paper is the practice of Chengdu in its pilot of medical alliances in 2015 ,which effectively elevated the medical capacity and quality of care of medical institutions within Pujiang county. Such measures as enhanced management and mechanism ,clarified government responsibility ,standardized medical service quality ,and enhanced coordination within the healthcare system are proposed to enhance the medical alliances and the hierarchical medical system .

Objective To detect the clinical effect of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in elderly patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Methods Thirty-five patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunt and admitted to our hospital from May 2006 and May 2010 were employed in our study; their medical history,CT and MRI scan data,and results of CSF samples obtained by lumbar puncture were retrospectively analyzed; their effects on outcome ofventriculo-peritoneal shunt were analyzed. Results The 6-12 months' follow-up indicated that notable effect was noted in 16 patients, effective result in 12 and ineffective result in 7. The postoperative effective rate in patients with senil intelligence disorder was 58.0％; that in patients with gait instability was 85.0％; and that in patients with urinary incontinence was 81.5％. The imaging examination showed that all the 33 patients had ventricular system shrink to some extent. Conclusion Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is the most effective method in treating aged patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene transfer to small intestinal epithelial cells from radiation injury.

METHODSHerpes simplex virus (HSV) vector containing both the human MnSOD and GFP genes was introduced into mouse small intestine. Expression of MnSOD by the intestinal villi was confirmed by nested RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and enzyme activity assay. Mice were then given various doses of irradiation over the abdomen. The height of intestinal villi was measured on histopathology sections by SZ-PT optical system before irradiation, 24 h and 72 h post-irradiation. All comparisons were performed by one-way analysis of variance using the SPSS statistical software to analyze the significance between groups.

RESULTSNested RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and enzyme activity assay of MnSOD demonstrated overexpression and increased activity of MnSOD in the inoculated intestine of mice. Control (sham inoculated) irradiated mice showed decreased villi height by 40.1%-59.3% on day 1 and 44.2%-65.1% on day 3 (7.5-15 Gy). Treatment of mice with HSV-MnSOD prior to radiation led to statistically significant radioprotection of the small bowel with mean villi height decreased by only 3.1%-12.4% on day 1 and 6.3%-29.1% on day 3.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that overexpression of human MnSOD via a replication defective herpes simplex viral vector is an effective method to protect the small intestine from damage caused by ionizing radiation.

Animals ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Mice ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; prevention & control ; Simplexvirus ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the management of cerebral ischemia caused by Takayasu's arteritis.

METHODSOne hundred and three cases treated from 1984 to 2003 were reviewed including 92 females. Seven cases underwent ascending aorta to bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) bypass, 38 cases to the axillary artery with graft to single ICA bypass. Six cases underwent ascending aorta to axillary bypass with 3 graft to single ICA bypasses as the second stage surgery. Three cases underwent ascending aorta to right ICA bypass with 2 graft to left ICA bypasses as well as 6 subclavian to carotid bypass, PTA in 5 and stenting in 3 cases, etc.

RESULTSTwenty-seven patients with less clinical severity received conservative therapy, 9 of them had mostly temporarily improvement, 15 had slight improvement or basically no change, 1 had hemiplegia and 2 died of stroke and myocardial infarction respectively. Surgically, the short-term effective rate was 87% and operative death 7.8%. Fifty-five patients were followed up, a mean follow-up time was 48 months, and the follow-up rate was 80.9%. The excellently, good, fair, no change and death rate were 36.4%, 38.2%, 20.0%, 3.6% and 1.8% respectively. All patients with PTA or stent had an immediate good response and all recurred within 3 to 5 months.

CONCLUSIONSFor treating severe cerebral ischemia caused by Takayasu's arteritis, the ascending aorta to axillary and single ICA reconstruction or the ascending aorta-bilateral axillary bypass for patients with subclavian steal syndrome is advocated; second stage operation from graft to contralateral ICA can be carried out if necessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Brain Ischemia ; etiology ; therapy ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; surgery ; Cerebral Revascularization ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Takayasu Arteritis ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Surgical Procedures